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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:
CoffeeandChocolateplease · 28/07/2012 20:01

The squares on behalf of me and my kind donors are done at last, pics on my profile. The pink ones are for expat/giraffe and the purple and blue ones are for mumof2. I tried a few different styles so I hope my donors are pleased with them.

Some of them are pinned out to a square shape as they are a bit curly, but I haven't blocked them.

CoffeeandChocolateplease · 28/07/2012 20:17

Oh just looked, they're not very clear at all. Sorry! I guess you can make out the colours at least.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/07/2012 23:33

Evening Wine

CoffeeandChocolateplease - I am sure your donor will be delighted Smile Thanks

Lovely squares arriving safely today, many, many thanks Thanks

Thanks AJumpedUpPantryBoy Just beautiful, crochet squares in green, pink, purple and cream. Star

SoupDragon · 29/07/2012 02:13

[waves]

I've done one special bear square (40,000ft up no less :o) and one flowery one (rather lower down) so far. I've messed up a little in that the only pink wool I brought with me (apart from the raspberry one) is on the lilac end of the spectrum. I do have blues and silver and a little cream though.

chipmonkey · 29/07/2012 11:13

Oh, I love your bear squares, Soupy!

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 29/07/2012 14:41

Glad they arrived safely.

Wolfcub · 29/07/2012 18:52

Last of my wonky squares finished, pics on profile, just need to learn how to sew in the ends and buy a yarn needle and get them posted off.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 29/07/2012 22:09

Question for Pidj and Knotty regarding crochet squares, apologies if this has been asked before.

In my last few squares I have edged with 1-3 rows of DC, partly to get them closer to the exact 6" square and partly because they look neater/stronger, but it has occurred to me that I may be using up all the wiggle-ability for joining the squares together and actually making it harder, would you prefer them unedged?

I've got one more square to do before posting. Also, another question, I have some spare donor wool, as well as leftovers I have purchased myself is it OK if I hang on to it for further projects, to save postage both in sending it back and someone having to send to me again? I keep my MN wool separate from all my other wool so it would be safe and in the event that I could not crochet for future blankets I would pass it on at that point. OTOH if I send it back would it be useful for joining up?

bobkate · 29/07/2012 23:05

Popping in to say 2 squares done and 2 to go Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/07/2012 23:20

Evening Wine

Two lovely donors to thank tonight, heartfelt thanks to you both, we honestly are so grateful X

Thanks BIWI

Thanks GwendolineMaryLacey

You are both stars Thanks

WhoKnows - You will have to have my attempt to answer Smile I have seen lots of squares with double crochet borders and they seem to be perfectly acceptable. I think go for it. And yes, maybe if keep the wool for future projects, and then as you say, if you can't participate, then send it back at that point?

Loving the fact that the Soupy Bears have taken to the air Grin

SoupDragon · 30/07/2012 00:35

Mile High bears [snurk]

SoupDragon · 30/07/2012 00:36

The sad thing is that I actually switched to the map channel to check the altitude Blush

I do like the idea that the bear flew high, like a spirit.

ExitPursuedByABronzeBear · 30/07/2012 00:49

Mile High Bears Shock

I love watching the map on a plane.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/07/2012 06:06

Morning Brew

You did well to hide your hook Soupy!

Off to Olympic rowing this morning. Currently on the M25.
Im not driving.
Obv.
Grin

outtolunchagain · 30/07/2012 07:49

A bit late but have finished square in chine wave ,really struggled with the sizing but got there in the end.

I was thinking about doing another tonight ,have some DB cashier merino double knit in shade18011,but not sure if that is too green ,does anyone have a view?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/07/2012 08:22

That green is lovely outtolunch - go for it Smile

Macarooned · 30/07/2012 09:33

Morning, finally I have finished my v plain square-ish squares, they are mainly 6 inches ish .
From my 2 balls I got 3 treble squares and with the other colour I got brave attempted a wattle pattern....

Macarooned · 30/07/2012 09:40

ambassadorcrochet.com/2012/06/11/wattle-stitch-afghan-square-free-crochet-pattern/

Sorry meant to include the link, I did 2 of these...

Pistey I will pm you for your address now

SoupDragon · 30/07/2012 13:13

Wooden hook, Pistey :)

LadyWellian · 30/07/2012 13:43

Yay Pistey, glad my squares made it.

I know this is the wrong thread but what is the deadline for Mumof2? I've been on holiday for the last week and did take my knitting but it wasn't really knitting weather.

Thanks for all the gorgeoise knitter and crocheters and Thanks for the fantastic donors too.

And Thanks Thanks Thanks for the woolly wonders that are Knotty, Pistey and Pidj.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/07/2012 15:00

Deadline for posting Welli is the same for both, Monday 6th August.

Smile Wine
RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/07/2012 16:07

More lovely squares have arrived safely, very many thanks to all, these blankets are going to be gorgeous Thanks

Thanks Newlark Beautiful pink and purple knits, an A and a heart, just lovely Star

Thanks YouCanRingMyBell Green and blue snuggly knits, gorgeoise Star

Thanks Bluebump Lovely purple flowery crochet and blue stripes, lovely Star

Thanks TooOrangeyForCrows Really lovely cream knit and purple moss stitch, and I seem to be eating the wine gums already, thank you Grin Star

All gorgeoise, thank you to all, we will ensure all cards go to the families safely X ThanksThanksThanks

SoupDragon · 30/07/2012 18:23

I bought this hook from EBay. It is pretty.

appleblossoms · 30/07/2012 19:20

Did you get my PM Pistey? Squares are done and awaiting posting. :-) x x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/07/2012 20:29

All PMs replied to Thanks

Thank you, yes apple - hope you got mine?!

The World of Wool is very busy tonight Smile Wine

I like that Soupy, might order one so I can be an International Hooker, like you Grin