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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.

Woolly hugs

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:
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OneWaySystemBlues · 10/07/2012 15:56

I've never done this before, but I'd like to have a go. Will PM.

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 15:57

still getting to everyone X

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bebejones · 10/07/2012 16:01

I want to donate some wool, shall message Piste! I sadly am the world's worst knitter! :( But I feel compelled to help!

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ScrambledSmegs · 10/07/2012 16:02

I've bought the wool, hope it's the right colours as my laptop screen is a bit weird, it distorts everything.

I'm so very sorry that we're making all these blankets at the moment, although the love and generosity from so many MNers is truly heartwarming. Thanks

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ScrambledSmegs · 10/07/2012 16:03

Oh, just an idea - is it possible to incorporate anything sparkly into the blanket? Since Aillidh loved sparkly things? Sorry if it's too difficult.

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everybodysang · 10/07/2012 16:04

oh I'd like to donate wool, I will PM Piste.

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Eskarina · 10/07/2012 16:08

I would be honoured to be involved in this project. I have followed little Ailidh's heartbreaking story and would love to contribute knitting to the blanket.

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ExitPursuedByABear · 10/07/2012 16:08

I'll donate (as I still have not dusted off my knitting skills). Blush

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PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 16:12

As far is we know it's just the cream/white shades that are tricky to photograph - one's actually banana yellow and another is very very bright white!

For those new to the blanket projects:

All squares are welcome, effort is as valued as skill.

No design or colour is right or wrong. We suggest colour schemes so that the blanket looks good when put together; designs are representative of the creator.

There are many variations of 6" and square. While we encourage accuracy, if you manage 5 7/8" you can be pretty certain someone else has done 6 1/8"

One 50g ball does 2-3 squares, depending on design. With such amazing generosity, it may be possible to arrange woolly meet ups to swap wool and designs - pm me to register interest and if there's enough, i'll start a thread to sort out geography.

Please keep checking back to the thread. Pistey is very good at posting up when wool has arrived safely, and later squares. Once they're made, there will likely be pictures to look at too posted by crafters

Thanks

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LadyWellian · 10/07/2012 16:13

I'm so sorry that Ailidh's story has ended like this. Please count me in as a knitter. I could do with a ball of wool though as all my MN-approved stock is in various not very girly shades of blue.

Sorry, am at work so can't read the whole thread. Do I need to PM someone?

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Gigaflops · 10/07/2012 16:14

Have PM'd... i can do four squares... so so sad for expat!

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PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 16:16

Pm Pistey, please, LadyW

Thanks

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KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 16:18

Scrambled, we can't use sparkly wool for squares as it may well wash/shrink differently. If you would like to make something like a star or similar that could be sewn onto a square, that would be fine. Smile

OP posts:
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pofacedagone · 10/07/2012 16:19

a lovely thing to do. Words can only do so much in a situation like this, but the physical act of love in the form of the blankets really mean something.

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Youcanringmybell · 10/07/2012 16:20

Thanks to EVERYONE

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DanyTargaryen · 10/07/2012 16:22

Can't knit very well but if anyone can tell me where to get the wool from I would be happy to donate a couple of balls of it.

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ScrambledSmegs · 10/07/2012 16:24

Sorry Knotty, I meant as decoration, ie a sparkly ribbon or sequins or something like that. I've already bought the approved wool.

When I said I wasn't a great knitter, I was being a bit kind to myself. I therefore won't be knitting any squares, sadly.

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IvanaNap · 10/07/2012 16:25

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

oopslateagain · 10/07/2012 16:26

Count me in too, have PM'd pistey.

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psychomum5 · 10/07/2012 16:27

I am in. it is a wonderful gesture and was hoping this would come about for them. xxx

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YohoAhoy · 10/07/2012 16:28

Have pm'd Pistey.
x

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AllYouNeedIsAClickyBallpoint · 10/07/2012 16:29

I'm in. Will pm pistey.
Thanks to all who organise this, you do an amazing job x

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SoupDragon · 10/07/2012 16:31

signing in.

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ShoopShoop · 10/07/2012 16:31

So sad for Aillidh's family - I hope they find strength from all the support from MN. I am hopeless at knitting and crocheting but would love to donate some wool. I will PM RatherBeOnThePiste.

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PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 16:32

First timers and those not too sure, we have Knitting and Crochet Support threads running in Arts and Crafts. Please come over and ask questions, i'll pop the links up in just a mo.

Plain squares are good. Plain squares are essential. And effort is as valuable as skill.

Pm me if interested in woolly meets to swap designs and yarn and get tips from other blanketeers.

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