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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:
DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 10/07/2012 15:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LinzerTorte · 10/07/2012 15:08

I'm in. I have some blue wool left over from a previous blanket plus a new ball of cream (Debbie Bliss, colour 18013, which I'm assuming is the same as 013) so will try to do two squares.

Will PM Pistey now.

landofsoapandglory · 10/07/2012 15:10

I'll knit again, for both blankets. I don't need a donor I can source my own wool.

I am going on holiday on Thursday so may need a little extension.

Have PMed you Smile

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 15:11

Puddlejumper, 6' square is about critical mass. Better to split into two or more blankets or it becomes impossible to lift dry, let alone wet - you'd never get it on a washing line, for example!

Linzer, yes that's the "right" cream (the one that's actually cream in rl!)

Naoko · 10/07/2012 15:11

I'm in. I've never taken part in a blanket project before, but Aillidh has been on my mind so much, I couldn't not. I'll PM Pistey now.

McKayz · 10/07/2012 15:11

Signing in here. I am going to try and get a square or 2 done. I have some wool I bought myself to practice with.

Will PM Pistey when I get on the laptop.

soremummy · 10/07/2012 15:12

Of if pistey wants to pm me I can reply

prettybird · 10/07/2012 15:13

Just seen there is one being produced for Giraffes. What a lovely idea. Thanks

I've just weighed the wool I currently have: with the 2 new balls that arrived today, I have 185 grammes of wool (the two new balls of cream and lovely greeny-blue/silver, most of a ball of powder pink and then ends of balls of dark green, warm purple and two blues) - that should be enough to make 7 if not 8 squares :) which could be used for the blankets as you best see fit/the colours/patterns chosen, if that's OK.

Haribojoe · 10/07/2012 15:13

I would like to donate wool.

Jules146 · 10/07/2012 15:13

So sad :( so many blankets needed at the moment it just do sad :( my thoughts are with the families :( xx

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 15:15

such a heart-warming response, I will get to everyone X

Cokeaholic · 10/07/2012 15:16

Can't knit or crochet for toffee but have paypalled some funds via the woolly hugs website

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 15:17

Please if possible PM Pistey (we know it's not possible from many phones) just to save her trawling through the thread.

The generosity is truly overwhelming Thanks

TomblibooTrousers · 10/07/2012 15:17

Oh no. I'm so sorry to hear this. I will make some squares xx

fanjodisfunction · 10/07/2012 15:28

Count me in woolly huggers! I will be ordering some wool tonight.

PrettyVacant1 · 10/07/2012 15:31

I have PM'd you too. X

MOSagain · 10/07/2012 15:32

put me down for a plain wobbly bottomed square for each of them. Will PM you pistey x

MrsKwazii · 10/07/2012 15:35

Pistey and Knotty you are [stars] for coordinating these blankets. PM sent and awaiting instructions.

PeggyCarter · 10/07/2012 15:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VerityClinch · 10/07/2012 15:37

I'll donate for wool, packaging, postage, whatever you need. PM me and let me know how I can get funds to you?

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 15:39

Previous leftover squares have (with the consensus of the thread) been made into blankets and used to raise money for charity Thanks

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 10/07/2012 15:42

have pmed pistey.
am so sorry for expat, my thoughts are with her and her family.

Pleiades45 · 10/07/2012 15:49

Pistey, I pm'd you yesterday when I saw the news.

soremummy · 10/07/2012 15:53

Pm sent pistey x

LibrariansMakeNovelLovers · 10/07/2012 15:53

I've PMd.