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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:
CoffeeandChocolateplease · 10/07/2012 19:56

Have PM'd you Pistey

blondieminx · 10/07/2012 20:04

Have PM'd Pistey to donate...

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 20:06

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1514861-Blanket-Meet-ups-Sign-in-here

Meet up sign up thread. Donors and crafters equally welcome Thanks

RedRosie · 10/07/2012 20:06

Have signed up and PMed.

:(

Glaikit · 10/07/2012 20:12

:(

mopale · 10/07/2012 20:22

I can't knit but would like to donate some wool, will PM now.

FuzzzyDuckosaurus · 10/07/2012 20:27

Have pm offering to crochet a square Smile

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 10/07/2012 20:30

Bizarrely, I live pretty close to the knitter I am donating too - I feel like I should hand deliver!

I won't, don't worry :)

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 20:43

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1514861-Blanket-Meet-ups-Sign-in-here

Alibaba, sign in and see - you might get to meet up

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 20:47

Evening Wine

The light is off in my PM box. For now.Smile

An unbelievably heartwarming response, thank you so much to everyone. So many taking part in different ways, so many lovely donors, so many lovely crafters. The strength of desire to show Expat and Giraffes your love and support has left me a bit tearful I will admit. Thanks

I'm off to trawl the thread to make sure no one has been left behind. Thank you X

Rumours · 10/07/2012 20:49

I pm'd piste did you get it?

BettySuarez · 10/07/2012 20:52

I would love to donate as can't knit sadly, could I be matched with a donor please?

msbuggywinkle · 10/07/2012 20:58

Signed up to knit/crochet Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/07/2012 20:58

Rumours have just resent it Thanks

I feel the PM system creaking, they aren't always going first time, but I've just gone back through to make sure no one has been left and I've received 275 since we started this afternoon. Such a lot of love for Expat and Giraffes. X

Thanks
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 21:00

Wow Shock

Rumours · 10/07/2012 21:00

Thanks piste I have replied, also what does see in the ends mean and don't block work? Sorry I'm new to all this, I can just do a basic knit Blush want to try.

Hobs · 10/07/2012 21:01

I would like to knit for this, but would appreciate being matched to a wool donor if possible. PM-ing Piste now.

When you say 'plain' squares, how plain do you mean? I can't do anything overly fancy - the fanciest things I can manage are rib and possibly stripes though they might be slightly wonky stripes I think I could do cable, but I've not done it before.

DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 10/07/2012 21:04

Gasp! Shock

Rumours I also don't know what don't block work, and have only just worked out what sewing your ends means, so am probably secretly on the black list for having sent my previous 5 squares with all the threads hanging about....

Rumours · 10/07/2012 21:06

dances that makes me feel better Smile

MiaAlexandrasmummy · 10/07/2012 21:11

I'd very much like to donate. Just wish I didn't have to. x

greengoose · 10/07/2012 21:12

I wish this blanket wasn't needed. (or any of them).

I'll do some flower squares. If I can work it out that is! Will pm Pistey, again. You must be so busy, I don't know how you manage so much at once. X

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 21:14

Blocking means make the square damp and iron it neat. We Don't Iron Hmm

Pesky Ends are the tails of wool from where you start an finish work. Thread the loose end onto a fat, blunt darning needle/bodkin and weave it between the stitches of your work to trim it. There's 100 or so squares per blanket, with at least 2 ends each so we very much appreciate everyone doing their own!

Thanks
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 21:16

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/1514861-Blanket-Meet-ups-Sign-in-here
Meet up thread if anyone wants some moral or practical support. Give me a sec and i'll link the support thread too Thanks

GotMyGoat · 10/07/2012 21:22

Have just sent a message asking to donate, as I am not at all crafty.

I don't suppose if anyone would be able to knit a square with a pair of brown bunnies on? These are my rabbits - and would love for them to bring some comfort to others.

How many balls of wool do you need for a square?

Bless you all.

alwaysme · 10/07/2012 21:23

Thank you for the PM Piste, have donated to Woollyhugs.