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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:
soremummy · 30/07/2012 22:04

I managed to do a giraffe one tonight :) I've now got 3.5 inches of a sort of granny /treble? crochet square (sorry crafty I couldn't finish on my own) now do I rip it out or send so it can be salvaged I don't mind either way but I can't seem to get any further with it and stuck with chickenpox dd so can't even meet real people to help me :( and I e got serious cabin fever someone tell me I can go out soon she started with3 spots Wednesday that's nearly a week ago !

droitwichmummy · 31/07/2012 07:59

soremummy from memory I think she will no longer be infectious once the spots have scabbed over.

I have posted pics on my profile - very pleased with these. DS wants me to do him some roses now! Can get 1 more square out of this wool I think so will post at the weekend.

Thumbwitch · 31/07/2012 08:14

Beautiful roses, Droitwich - absolutely lovely! Other squares are good too :)

droitwichmummy · 31/07/2012 08:21

Thank you! The roses were surprisingly straightforward - i think flowers may become my 'trademark'

RatherBeOnThePiste · 31/07/2012 11:56

Droitwich!!!!! Beautiful roses. Just perfect and exactly what your lovely donor hoped for Smile Thanks You could alternate your trademark between Dave and Roses maybe?!

Soremummy - send the crochet if you like. I can put a border on it and make it up to 6"? Tag team crochet. New Olympic sport maybe?

nickelbarapasaurus · 31/07/2012 12:12

how many blankets are we doing?
is it one for Expat & family and one for giraffes & family?

or more?

I've done 3 squares so far.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 31/07/2012 12:22

Hello Nickel Smile

(KFS)

Yes, we are making one blanket for expat and one for giraffes.

How's that cute baby of yours?

nickelbarapasaurus · 31/07/2012 12:31

thank you for the info. :)

SFK

my cute baby is driving me nutty with her constant scratching and rubbing (her skin on the roughness of the carpet because she's banned from scratching)
but i love her and i wouldn't change her for the world Grin
she has started with a Spoon, which means that the correct order is SFK Wink
(when i say "started" with a spoon, i mean, she has a plastic spoon that she bashes things with)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 31/07/2012 13:37

Awwww.....
another loon

Grin

Woolly treasure arriving safely today, many thanks Thanks

Thanks PiggyPlumPie Gorgeoisely snuggly purply blue and pink textured knits, and yes, they are good enough! Smile Star

Piggy, we will make sure your cards get to the families safely, and thank you for mine X Thanks

Wolfcub · 31/07/2012 17:43

Beautiful squares Droitwich, I love the pink and green ones at the bottom, the look so delicate.

droitwichmummy · 31/07/2012 17:47

Thank you wolfcub. All of the patterns are free Ravelry ones Grin. They are mainly just knit & purl with a bit of PSSO

PiggyPlumPie · 31/07/2012 20:22

Phew!! Glad they arrived safely!

Watching the cycling on Sunday certainly helped the knitting speed!

McKayz · 31/07/2012 20:36

Why did no one warn me that knitting with a little baby is nigh on impossible?

I'm sure she cries every time I pick up my knitting. Hmm

Somersaults · 31/07/2012 23:38

Mine wakes up every time I pick mine up.

JulesJules · 01/08/2012 06:18

Have just seen this thread as I've been on hol. I would like to knit, have PMd.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/08/2012 06:59

Morning Brew

Have replied to all PMs, Jules, we are always glad to have you with us, you have mail X

Thanks
RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/08/2012 11:16

More woolly treasure arriving safely this morning, all absolutely lovely Thanks

Thanks SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius One of your beautiful trademark flower squares in pink and cream, just lovely Star

Thanks Coffeeandchocolateplease Super snuggly purple knits and crochet Star

Thanks Macarooned Gorgeoise blue and green crocheted squares, super Star

Thanks Appleblossoms Super green and purple textures and patterns, all just lovely. Got your message and am about to PM you Thanks Star

We will make sure all cards go safely with the blankets Thanks Thanks

Osmiornica · 01/08/2012 11:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/08/2012 12:17

Deadline for posting is Monday 6th August, so not too late Smile

Osmiornica · 01/08/2012 12:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Idratherbeknitting · 02/08/2012 14:33

Another one here trying to knit with a new baby who cries everytime I even look at my knitting.

I did two squares while watching the rowing yesterday, with him asleep across my lap and left arm! It got easier with practice. I tried some intarsia and it all got tangled up in his toes.

Have got another square to do, and then will post them. Will pm for the address.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 02/08/2012 16:51

I can only apologise, the PMs have gone completely bonkers, seem to have sent the same PM multiple times to people Grin

RatherBeOnThePiste · 02/08/2012 17:03

Lovely woolly treasure arriving safely today, including some I was lucky enough to receive in person at lunchtime Wine Thanks

Thanks FrankWippery Gorgeoise pink and purple crochet, lovely crochet heart and heart knit too, smashing Star

Thanks Birnamwood Super snuggly moss stitch squares, just lovely Star

Thanks cardamonginger Lovely pinks and purple knits, absolutely super Star

Many thanks to all, you are all stars Thanks

fanjodisfunction · 02/08/2012 20:49

squares sent off to you today Pistey, sent by special delivery so should be with you by tomorrow.

Jules146 · 03/08/2012 08:57

Here are my squares for Expat, will be posting later today but wanted my doner to see them, I hope they are ok for you... I did try knitting a pattern but I kept arguing with my needles and throwing them on the floor and stamping my feet like a two year old So I went for my trusty crochet hook instead Grin