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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:
Lulumama · 10/07/2012 16:32

am going to be dusting off my knitting needles

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 16:34

Crochet specific

Mouseface · 10/07/2012 16:35
Sad

Will PM you Pistey. A massive Thanks to you and Knotty for doing this again, and to all of those who contribute.......

Sleep tight little star Aillidh xx

Pendulum · 10/07/2012 16:35

Am in awe of your work. I can't knit but have donated funds to Woolly Hugs x

Naoko · 10/07/2012 16:36

Ivana, I taught myself to knit with the aid of this book and some youtube videos last year. I think I would have known enough to start a very plain square after an afternoon of concentrating on those (although making it would certainly have been quite slow going at that point and taken a fair while).

I'd say try it - if you get stuck, I'm sure someone on here will help you out!

moogdroog · 10/07/2012 16:42

Sad to be involved but want to be involved all the same. Will have a look in my stash to see if I have anything suitable but would appreciate a donor as money's too tight to mention at the moment. I promise I will knit love into every single stitch.

qazxc · 10/07/2012 16:47

Would love to do a square or two. count me in.

IvanaNap · 10/07/2012 16:56

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

droitwichmummy · 10/07/2012 16:56

PMd you Pistey. Would be honoured to knit for expat and giraffes. There are no words but I can knit

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 17:05

Please make sure you PM Pistey so she can put you in her super-whizzy-efficient spreadsheet thing without having to trawl through the thread Thanks

General guide for knitting squares:

  1. Cast on 33 stitches. Knit rows until it measures 6". Cast off

  2. Cast on 3 stitches. Work an increase at the beginning and end of each row until you reach 6". Work a decrease at the beginning and end of each row until you run out of stitches.

General guide for crocheting squares:

  1. 8 rounds of granny square

  2. Chain 26. Treble crochet in 2nd from hook and each stitch across. Chain 2, turn. Repeat until you have 12 rows/6". Change colour as desired

Thanks
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 17:07

Ivana, i would estimate that a first square would take 3-4 hours. That doesn't have to be all in one go, though - you can do a few rows at a time. I often do this to prevent cramp!

chipmonkey · 10/07/2012 17:08

Signed up and bumping!

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 10/07/2012 17:24

Sadly, I will knit.
I can buy the wool locally.
Will PM Pistey.

Rumours · 10/07/2012 17:27

I've recently got into knitting again, will pm in a mo. can I just check that I have to cast on 33 and knit until it measures 6'', also what size needles do I need, I think the ones I've got are too big, 10 mm.

TodaysAGoodDay · 10/07/2012 17:28

Count me in. I'll PM Pistey.

givemeaminute · 10/07/2012 17:34

I've sent a PM to Pistey. What a shame that so many blankets are needed all together. Sad

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 17:36

Cast on 33 for average tension - if you're particularly loose you need fewer, tight you need more.

4mm needles/hook are recommended for this weight of wool

HerRoyalNotness · 10/07/2012 17:38

Pm'd as a wool provider.

HairyPotter · 10/07/2012 17:39

I'm here. Will pm Pistey. Such sad news Sad

magicOC · 10/07/2012 17:41

Count me in for some squares, will do flowers. Can PM from phone but will do as soon as I get to laptop. Too many of these blankets being done lately Sad. Haven't had the chance to for a while.

MaudLebowski · 10/07/2012 17:42

Is non-standard yarn ok on errr....none structural bits of the square?
What I'm thinking of is a square made of approved yarn with different coloured flowers added on after, and buying new balls of yarn to get a little bit for a flower seems a bit mad.
Will do something in one colour if it's a problem, just happy to be able to help really.

VeniceQueen · 10/07/2012 17:44

I'd love to have a go and have pm'd Pistey.

Umami · 10/07/2012 17:46

Count me in please.

Kniternator · 10/07/2012 17:51

Count me in for knitting. Pistey, I PM'd my details on Sunday to you.