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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:
Mermaidspam · 22/07/2012 23:23

I did the same butterfly on my square!

Umami · 23/07/2012 11:02

My woolly wool has just arrived! Thank you to my very kind donor for 2 balls of Debbie Bliss (013 cream and the beautiful sea green), and a beautiful butterfly card. I will get hooking as soon as I have finished a bit of coursework I'm doing and definitely not drop the coursework like a hot potato for some infinitely preferable and much more relaxing crochet, ho no, no I

ThanksGrin

fanjodisfunction · 23/07/2012 16:48

Mermaidspam they were pretty easy to make I thought? Weve got good taste you and me.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/07/2012 19:18

Evening all Wine

Just checking in and away to my PM box Smile

Good news Umami

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/07/2012 19:37

Thank you tonight to a lovely donor, your wool has arrived safely with your crafter Thanks

Thanks gatheringlilac

You are a star X

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/07/2012 19:49

All PMs replied to, another busy day, many thanks to everyone Thanks

IvanaNap · 23/07/2012 20:44

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/07/2012 22:03

IvanaNap - you are lovely Smile I am coming to PM you X

msbuggywinkle · 24/07/2012 11:51

Thank you to my donor, yarn arrived this morning! Cashsoft DK in pale pink.

I'm now going to spend the afternoon deciding on patterns.

Flowers
msbuggywinkle · 24/07/2012 11:52

Or Thanks even!

Hobs · 24/07/2012 17:51

Thank you to my wool donor! The wool arrived this morning. It is the most beautiful shade of purple (my favourite colour ever). I'm really proud to be knitting it for these blankets Thanks x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 24/07/2012 20:18

Evening all Wine

Just catching up with PMs Thanks

We have two more lovely donors to thank tonight, your woolly wool has arrived safely with your crafters, a huge thank you to you..

Thanks NoggintheNog

Thanks FelicityElectricity

You are both stars Thanks Xx

TheInvisiblePoster · 25/07/2012 10:44

My wool has just arrived! 4 beautiful balls, 1 cream, 1 blue and 2 pink.

Thank you to my very generous donor I will try my best to do you proud and will post pics of finished squares on my profile.

Thanks Thanks X

WhoremoaneeGrainger · 25/07/2012 12:33

One ball of cream arrived today. Thank you so much to whoever donated it to me. Will crack on with some squares, and incorporate some lilac/mauve i already have here.

Thanks again whoever you are.

Wine and Flowers for you

WhoremoaneeGrainger · 25/07/2012 12:33

dur Thanks should be

Umami · 25/07/2012 15:06

Woolly wool is the gift that keeps on giving. DS has spent a happy morning today with the jiffy bag my donor wool came in, loading it with toy cars, carrying them around, delivering the 'embelope', emptying it out again etc Grin

givemeaminute · 25/07/2012 20:19

Pistey I've posted my squares for Expat, Giraffe and Mumof2 today. Hope they arrives soon. Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 25/07/2012 22:38

Another lovely donor's wool has arrived safely with their crafter, many thanks to you...

Thanks CheeseAndGherkins

Thoroughly appreciated, you are a star X

HaplessHousewife · 26/07/2012 07:38

Squares for Expat and Giraffe posted yesterday, hope they arrive safely.

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 07:53
Brew
goinggoinggoth · 26/07/2012 10:48

Hi Piste did my squares arrive ok? I posted them on Monday

HairyToedHobbit · 26/07/2012 20:39

First square finished (pic on profile) along with my first attempt at crochet since I was in the Guides 30 odd years ago a while back. The crochet was supposed to be the start of a square Blush but I'm pleased that it does actually resemble crochet more than the lump of knots I ended up with first time around... even better is that I know what I did wrong, but kept on going to see how it went.

I'm now continuing with the lovely apple green and attempting a diagonal square having used youtube to re-learn how to increase. Only problem so far is that I used my new pair of shorter needles (bought for my son who is 6 and wants to learn Grin). Have just realised that the needles are too short for the middle of the diagonal so have now switched Blush

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 26/07/2012 20:48

Nice square Hairy - I'm using the same green

TheInvisiblePoster · 26/07/2012 21:44

I've posted pics of my first two squares on my profile, Just choosing the next pattern to try out now:)

PurplePidjin · 26/07/2012 21:57

So many gorgeoise squares Thanks