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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:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/08/2012 09:16

Jules - those are lovely Smile Thanks

Stay on Team Hooker!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/08/2012 09:40

Thanks fan, looking forward to receiving them Thanks

soremummy · 03/08/2012 10:51

Using an iPhone for pictures how do I add pictures of my squares? Easiet way for technophobe please :)

Wolfcub · 03/08/2012 11:47

Jules those squares are lovely.

Pistey my squares are in the post, hopefully they will be with you tomorrow or Monday Brew

Jules146 · 03/08/2012 12:34

Soremummy I used the Instgram app as not too sure how to do it straight onto profile from iPhone, sorry :(

Jules146 · 03/08/2012 12:36

Thank you Wolfe and Pistey... and yes I plan to stay well and truly on team hooker from now on!!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/08/2012 12:39

Afternoon all Wine

Lovely wooly treasure arriving safely this morning, many thanks to everyone, they are all just lovely Thanks

Thanks fanjodisfunction Just glorious - pink, blue and cream crochet, love the butterfly, actually love them all Star

Thanks MoaningMinnie Beautiful pink and purple knits, lovely textures, and thank you for the chocolate, that really hit the spot, will pass one onto the KnottyOne. Maybe. Smile Star

Thanks MOS Bless you for this! A gorgeoise pink super-snuggly knit Star

Thanks LoveAndSqualor Safely here today Smile and so lovely, beautiful blue knits an A and a flower Star

Thanks Pancakeflipper Beautiful deep purple knitted hearts, and a lovely textured square Star

Thanks AND there are two packets here but from the same crafter, one for expat one for giraffes, just lovely two shades of pink textured knits, and cards too, will anyone claim them? They are lovely Thanks

Many thanks to all, you are all [stars]

IvanaNap · 03/08/2012 13:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 03/08/2012 13:11

Glad they got there ok. Lost my cabling virginity on those, I did Grin

HairyPotter · 03/08/2012 13:31

Pistey, I think the unnamed ones might be mine Blush
do they look like this? I have a feeling I forgot to put my name. Sorry

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/08/2012 13:39

Unnamed squares are unnamed no more!! Yes Hairy - those are the very ones Grin

Thanks HairyPotter Beautiful pink knits, gorgeous snuggly textures and a lovely heart Star

You are a star too!

Somersaults · 03/08/2012 19:13

It seems my DD has 'knit radar' active even when sleeping. Two rows knitted and I'm back in the nursery feeding again.

McKayz · 03/08/2012 19:58

Somersaults, same here. I have no idea how I am going to be finished to post it as DDs being christened on Sunday.

Somersaults · 03/08/2012 20:22

Well I'm in the nursery again. Fourth time so far tonight. I think there must be another tooth coming through because this isn't normal, even for when I'm trying to knit. In amongst my many trips upstairs however I've managed to finish my stripy square and now I've got to sew all my ends in on all my squares.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/08/2012 20:39

Evening all Wine

Chulita · 03/08/2012 20:44

Where do I post the finished squares to? I thought i'd pm'd piste but may have had a brain fart!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/08/2012 20:47

Not had a PM yet my lovely, it may turn up later, but all is well, I shall PM you right away Thanks

Chulita · 03/08/2012 20:49

Thank you! I sent it yesterday so I reckon I sent it to someone else by mistake Blush

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/08/2012 07:19

Morning Brew

TeamGBIWI · 04/08/2012 07:36

Morning!

fanjodisfunction · 04/08/2012 11:28

Morning peeps, got the hook out last night and have started one square and finished one which still needs something added to it, might try a very simple small flower or several. If I find any good patterns I shall link them on here.

(Olympic sport and crochet go so well)

fanjodisfunction · 04/08/2012 11:33

Ooops wrong thread. That was meant to go on 3girlies thread.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/08/2012 12:30

Lovely woolly treasure has arrived safely this morning, thank you to everyone Thanks

Thanks DharmaBumpkin Just lovely, pale blue textured bobbly hearts Star

Thanks Jules146 Lovely pink and cream crochet and knit, gorgeoise Star

Thanks soremummy The beautiful beaded hearts, the giraffe, rose, angel, butterfly, all lovely Star

Thanks Pixiestix Squares knitted with love are very precious, and these are gorgeous too, garter and moss, just lovely Star

Thanks Mejon Beautiful pale turquoise and purple knits, super snuggly Star

Thanks mothmagnet Lovely pink crochet and cuuuuuuuuuute bear Star

Thanks wolfcub Beautiful deep purple and teal crochet, gorgeoise Star

Thank you to everyone, these blankets are going to be glorious and full of love, you are all stars X

We will make sure all cards go to the families with the blankets Thanks

Thanks

And thank you for chocolate treats Smile

TeamGBIWI · 04/08/2012 12:45

Has no-one sent you gin yet? Grin

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/08/2012 12:48

Could you imagine what sort of pickle I'd get into?????!!!!!! Grin