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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:
WheresMyCow · 15/08/2012 08:33

Glad they arrived safely Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/08/2012 15:23

More lovely lovely woolly treasure to coo over Smile All just lovely! Thanks

Thanks LinzerTorte A beautifully knitted cream purl square, with garter border, just super Star

Thanks PrettyBird Lovely heart knit in pink and pink/blue fairisle heart square Star

Thanks GetOnYourDancingShoes Beautiful knits and crochet, hearts, 3D flowers, grannies, textures, I swear all different, just super Star

Once again it must be said - honest, heartfelt thanks to all Thanks We will keep all cards safely until they travel with the blankets.

You are all stars X

LinzerTorte · 15/08/2012 22:22

Yay, so glad it finally got there! I was quite proud that I managed to do something other than plain garter stitch this time, although I think "beautifully knitted" may be a slight exaggeration. Grin

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/08/2012 15:09

Linzer! It is gorgeous!

More woolly treasure arriving today - just lovely Thanks

Thanks HuldraJente & Alouise Beautiful deep blue crocheted3D flower squares, lovely Star

Thanks BarbaraWoodlouse Snuggly patterns and textured knits - love the hearts, really super Star

Thank you so much X

RatherBeOnThePiste · 18/08/2012 14:06

More woolly treasure arriving safely today, huge thanks Thanks

Thanks Lackadaisycal Beautiful crochet, a granny and a flower square plus a fabulous knitted butterfly, just super Star

We'll look after your card until the time comes and it travels with the blanket

Thank you X
Thanks

PurplePidjin · 18/08/2012 18:43
Thanks
Naoko · 19/08/2012 00:15

I am so sorry mine are still not with you :( I have been ill for more than two weeks now and although I have a plain garter stitch square done, I was also working on a far more interesting one that I really wanted to be part of it. If I cannot get that finished by Monday morning (which it is currently looking like I won't as I can barely keep water down), I will get the garter stitch in the post at least.

So sorry. :(

PurplePidjin · 19/08/2012 06:45

Hope you feel better soon, Naoko! Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 19/08/2012 13:24

Naoko - No apologies needed my lovely, hope you are feeling better soon, have sent you a PM X Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/08/2012 08:15

Morning Brew

RatherBeOnThePiste · 21/08/2012 13:53

Woolly treasure has arrived! Tis absolutely lovely, enormous thanks Thanks

Thanks Soupy The owl just made me smile! It is adorable!! And I love the fluffy SoupyTeds, gorgeous, lovely star too, thank you Star

Thank you X

PurplePidjin · 21/08/2012 14:44
Thanks
SoupDragon · 22/08/2012 08:16

Hoot!

PurplePidjin · 22/08/2012 09:15

Awwwwwww!

BIWI · 22/08/2012 14:57

Soupy you are so talented Envy

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/08/2012 11:52

she honestly is BIWI Envy

Woolly treasure arriving safely today, huzzah! Thanks

Thanks CiderwithBuda Lovely snuggly knitted squares in pink and blue and stripes, just gorgeous Star

Thanks LandofSoapandGlory Please, no apologies needed Smile Lovely patterned knits with butterflies, hearts all just lovely Star

Thank you, you are both stars X

SoupDragon · 23/08/2012 11:54

"Talented" Lololol!

[wheeze]

:)

KnottyLocks · 24/08/2012 08:14

Morning Smile

Love, love the owl, Soupy Grin

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 25/08/2012 10:21

Morning Smile Brew

PurplePidjin · 25/08/2012 12:26
Brew
YouveCatToBeKittenMe · 03/09/2012 15:09

I am back from my hols, but I didn't finish my squares. I should have done simpler ones.

I have done one and will finish the other by the end of Tuesday, so will post on Wednesday. If this goes wrong is too late then I will just post the one I have completed.

Sorry Blush

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/09/2012 15:55

Posting on Wednesday is fine, just PMing you now, thanks Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/09/2012 18:22

Evening Wine

Lovely woolly treasure arrived safely this morning, heartfelt thanks Thanks

Thanks GlaikitFizzog Lovely knits in pinks , cream and blue, love the striped patterns, not seen those before Smile and a lovely giraffe for lovely Giraffes Star

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/09/2012 18:09

Evening Wine

More lovely squares have arrived - hooray! Thanks

Thanks YouveCatToBeKittenMe Absolutely lovely! Two fairisle patterns, a flower and a snowflake in pink and blue Star

magicOC · 06/09/2012 19:58

Sorry Pistey I took so long, but, thats the square on its way this morning.

No excuses for being delayed.

XX