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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:
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 17:52

Other Yarn for a few embellishments is fine, or pm me to register an interest in meeting up with other blanketeers - if i get enough, i'll coordinate it Thanks

Please pm RatherBeOnThePiste to get on her superduper spreadsheet of all contributors Thanks

gatheringlilac · 10/07/2012 17:54

p.m.ed as wool provider.

Thank you for co-ordinating this.

CrystalTits · 10/07/2012 17:55

Knotty, what a lovely, heartfelt post. I have a huge lump in my throat that you're also knitting for Giraffes after all she's done to support Expat and Aillidh. Thank you to everyone involved in this, I can't knit a bone but will donate to the WoollyHugs fund.

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 17:57
Thanks
Primrose123 · 10/07/2012 18:02

I would like to help, I will pm you Pistey.

Very sad for Expat and Giraffe. :(

magicOC · 10/07/2012 18:03

Maud. The flowers I do.are done in 3d so all in one

GetOnYourDancingShoes · 10/07/2012 18:11

Signing in.

Have pm'd Pistey.

boomdecker · 10/07/2012 18:16

This is such a heart-warming, comforting things for Mumsnetters to do - well done all. Can't knit but happy to donate - have Pm'd Pistey.

Rumours · 10/07/2012 18:19

I have been looking at the blankets on the wooly hugs website and they are amazing, well done to everyone. Some of the squares are very good, mine will be plain for now, but I would love to learn how to do more complicated ones.
Thanks

Livelongandprosper · 10/07/2012 18:19

Have pm'd pistey. Can knit but someone kind enough to donate wool.

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 18:36
Thanks
Pastabee · 10/07/2012 18:56

I can knit some squares. I'll PM you Pistey.

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 18:58

Evening lovely Blanketeers Smile

Thank you so much. We have been extremely touched by everyone's support/

To give you an idea of timeframes,

The Last Posting Date for squares is 6th August

That's the last date for posting rather than the date they need to be with us.

Thanks

You are all [stars] Smile

OP posts:
LookAtHerGo · 10/07/2012 19:00

Have pm'd. :(

Fuzzywood · 10/07/2012 19:03

Signing in to donate, will pm now Sad

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 19:04

If there are any concerns about the posting date, please let me know. You can Pm me rather than Pistey.

OP posts:
WhoremoaneeGrainger · 10/07/2012 19:04

Have pm'd you Pistey.

feuerandwasser · 10/07/2012 19:11

I am useless at all things crafty but can donate some money for wool...will PM pistey x

confusedpixie · 10/07/2012 19:12

I will attempt to get some squares done this time. I finished a square yesterday and will be ordering more yarn soon, will PM Pistey when I've done some.

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 10/07/2012 19:17

I have donor wool coming for the other blanket, but I have some Cashmerino DK in this shade - is it pink enough? I am happy to use it for this Smile

worrywortisworrying · 10/07/2012 19:19

Dear Expat. I cannot knit, but would love to donate whatever is required.

Sending so many hugs. xxxxxxx

Whenisitmysleepytime · 10/07/2012 19:32

Add me to the list of crafters.
Piste I have pm-ed you about splitting wool I have for mumof2's blanket.

landofsoapandglory · 10/07/2012 19:41

To all you lovely crafters, just to let you know that www.deramores.com have 10% off all Debbie Bliss wool which ends at midnight tonight. They,also, have money off the Sublime wool as well, I think it was about £4.14 a ball.

They are very good, I use them lots and their delivery is super speedy.

hTH.

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 10/07/2012 19:50

I'll make some squares, I'll PM Pistey

Somersaults · 10/07/2012 19:53

I've pm'd. I didn't mention that I'll need donor wool though.