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Woolly hugs

Woolly Hugs is a charity established by a group of Mumsnet users. They knit / crochet handmade blankets and other items for families experiencing difficult times.

A Blanket for Expat: Sign up thread for donors, knitters and crocheters.

870 replies

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 14:25

It is with deep sadness that I'm starting this thread asking for your support.

Aillidh passed away on Saturday evening, in peace and surrounded by love.
Many of us have followed Aillidh's journey, our hearts touched by this brave and beautiful little girl. She will live long in our memories.

Our hearts and thoughts are with Aillidh, Expat and their family.

As part of this project, we will also be making a blanket for Giraffescantdance. Since Aillidh's diagnosis, Giraffe's has been a constant support and the most remarkable friend to Expat. She has walked this journey beside her and continues to do so, sadly understanding it only too well as she, like Expat, has experienced the devastating loss of a beloved daughter. Our thoughts are with her, as well as our thanks.

We hope that the blankets may give whatever comfort they can to them all.

So, we need knitters, crocheters and donors.
If you would like to donate wool, then we will try match you with a crafter.
We think that there may be wool still in circulation because of the current blanket project. Where possible, we hope to 'recycle' as much as we possibly can.

RatherBeOnThePiste will coordinate and match crafters and donors, and deal with the admin side. I'll try to answer any queries you may have.

If you would like to be involved in any way, please post on this thread and PM Pistey with your offers: crafting, donating, need wool, etc, and she will match you up.
If you are offering to donate, we would be grateful if you would let us know if you'd like to donate 1 or 2 balls of wool. One ball should make at least 2 x 6" squares, in some cases more. We now have a Paypal facility to make this easier for all.
Whatever way you'd like to be involved, please PM Pistey: it really helps us to know how many people are involved. Thanks

If you are a crocheter and/or an experienced knitter needing donor wool, could you let us know when you PM us as we can hopefully send part balls from the 'recycled' wool stash. Thanks.

The wool we are using:

  • Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (NOT the baby cashmerino)

  • or Rowan Cashsoft DK.

They are very similar and can be combined.

  • 4mm knitting needles or hooks

  • knitters cast on 33 stitches (this is a guide for less experienced knitters)

  • 6" squares

The two new yarns we introduced recently:

*Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK.
It's another 'silky' wool that fits in nicely alongside the DB and Rowan wools and can be combined with both.

*Artesano Superwash Merino DK.
Although it isn't as silky as our normal wools, it is soft yet hardy and washes in the same way. It has the added appeal of being a good ethical option and is very reasonably priced.

The Colours:

Pinks, blues, greens, warm purples, silvers and cream (preferably Debbie Bliss 013, if possible)

Ideas for squares:

The initials A, L, S , R and E

Motifs:
Aillidh loved all things girly, so any motifs that reflect this would be wonderful.
Plus roses and bears

Please don't feel daunted by any of the ideas as we really love plain squares and simple textures too. They look as stunning as the more complex squares and actually play a vital role in the overall effect.

Previous blankets can be seen here on the Woolly Hugs website. We also have a Facebook page: MNWoollyHugs and are on Twitter @MNWoollyHugs. If you 'like' our Facebook page, you'll be updated on progress via your News Feed.

As always, we thank you so much for your support.

Thanks Thanks Thanks

OP posts:
NoWayNoHow · 19/07/2012 22:08

First square almost finished and it's obvious from the first few rows that I've not knitted in a while Blush so sorry in advance!

As long as it helps make a woolly hug, that's all that matters I hope!!

KnottyLocks · 19/07/2012 22:20

NoWay, that really is all that matters Smile Squares made with love and thought are exactly what these blankets are all about.

OP posts:
WheresMyCow · 20/07/2012 08:03

Good Morning Brew

My wool and needles arrived yesterday Grin so tonight I will relearn how to cast on and knit

RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/07/2012 08:54

Morning all Brew

Birnamwood · 20/07/2012 09:21

First one done! :)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/07/2012 12:54

The post has just been with lovely woolly treasure Thanks

Thanks Thell Beautiful crochet in blue, green and pink, absolutely lovely, have never seen a spiral like that before! Star

Thanks Rumours Gorgeous purple knits, inc a lovely 3D rose Star

Thanks OxyMoron Beautiful pink and blue, inc two Celtic crosses, so thoughtful Star

And a thank you to a lovely donor, your donation has arrived safely with us, we much appreciate it Thanks

Thanks PigWhisperer

Thanks to all X

Rumours · 20/07/2012 13:52
Thanks
LadyWellian · 20/07/2012 16:20

I have been beavering away with the lovely pink wool from my donor AM in Greater Manchester and pics are now on my profile of squares for Expat and Giraffes.

I am confused, though. I have sewn in all the pesky ends and I was about to try to get them to the post office before the post goes, but are we sending them to Knotty (whose address I have) or Pistey (whose address I don't think I have)? Or have I not been reading my PMs properly?

LadyWellian · 20/07/2012 16:25

Yep, that was me not reading my PMs properly. Blush

Pistey, I have PM'd you.

Thanks Thanks Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/07/2012 16:25

To me Welli. Just PMing you now.

LadyWellian · 20/07/2012 16:28

BLOODY RAIN!!!!!!!!!

Sitting with my back to the window I didn't notice it is now pissing down which means that after five (yes, count 'em) hours, my washing will now be about as dry as when I hung it out, and we are going on holiday tomorrow. Angry

HaplessHousewife · 20/07/2012 17:00

I PMed you last night Pistey to ask for the address but not sure if you got it so I'll send it again Smile.

KnottyLocks · 20/07/2012 17:17

Hello all Smile

Apologies for not being around, had a few very hectic work days.

Lovely to see squares arriving and pics of lovely squares too.

Welli, I see I get a mention! Cheers, love Grin

OP posts:
Somersaults · 20/07/2012 19:08

Well no knitting done for a couple of days as DH made a comment yesterday about the fact that all I ever do (apparently) is knit and watch tv. I'll get back to it ASAP as soon as this storm in a teacup has blown over.

WoollyWoolfe · 20/07/2012 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

soremummy · 20/07/2012 19:35

Could be worse you could be me trying to teach her left handed dd nearly 18 how to knit. Let's say it's not going great :) I feel the need for a bottle or 2 of wine .... 12 stitches /3 rows completed after 45 mins

fanjodisfunction · 20/07/2012 19:38

ladywelly nice squares love the stripey ones!

I think Im obsessed with crochety stuff aswell, but hubby dont mind really, but he gets fed up with me asking 'does this look alright?' 'Do you think these colours go together?' I think he just nods now.

prettybird · 20/07/2012 20:00

I'm left handed but have always knitted right handed - just as my left-handed mother taught me.

So maybe see how she gets on if you just teach get right handedly.

Crocheting however, is a different matter. Mum did eventually find a left hander to teach her - but never got round to teaching me and now it's too late Sad

fanjodisfunction · 20/07/2012 20:04

prettybird here have a go using this www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL09F06F391A5E33E5 its a left handed crochet tutorial on youtube, lots of the ladies on here have taught them selves via youtube.

soremummy · 20/07/2012 20:16

Thanks prettybird she is getting a bit better now and learning the right handed way I did look at YouTube for left handed knitting but confused me. I somehow can't see us being knitting buddies though but she has her heart set on doing a square for the blanket x. Will get there I hope if she doesn't loose patience first

NeitherShreddedNorSmug · 21/07/2012 00:08

Like prettybird I'm also left handed, but knit right handed (and was taught be a left-handed mother). Good job I don't have a sister or I'd be worried that prettybird and I were related Grin

SalagadooLamagicaboo · 21/07/2012 00:15

First one finished last night!

I need to knit a bit faster me thinks Grin

PurplePidjin · 21/07/2012 07:15

I do crochet, dp watches football. We have a mutual Nod And Smile agreement...

RatherBeOnThePiste · 21/07/2012 10:12

Morning Brew An early delivery today, and I did laugh as I signed for an envelope addressed to Ms. P. Blanket Grin

Two lovely donors to thank this morning..

Thanks Crazynanna

Thanks FiveHoursSleep

We really appreciate your donations, they have both safely arrived Thanks

And lovely squares arriving too

Thanks TheRealMBJ & Blatherskite Absolutely gorgeous pink, blue and cream crochet, just lovely Star

Thanks MermaidSpam Beautiful pink crochet flower and butterfly sqs Star

Thanks CraftynClothy Beautiful crochet in pinks, cream and purples, all different and al lovely Star

We will make sure all cards go with the blankets, thank you Thanks

goinggoinggoth · 21/07/2012 10:47

Started last night, got one square crotched, started next tonight Grin