Please or to access all these features

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 21:26

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 21:28

Gotmy, i have some pale brown (see the mouse on my profile) if that's the right colour?

One ball makes 2-3 squares Thanks

newlark · 10/07/2012 21:29

Have pm'd to sign up - would love to knit a square

BustersOfDoom · 10/07/2012 21:30

I am rubbish at knitting so happy to donate instead. Will PM you Piste.

GotMyGoat · 10/07/2012 21:32

purplepidjin-They are half wild, so quite light - think that brown would be wonderful - (the mouse is very cute btw!) I've never done this before - how does it work? I've got paypal so could transfer over a little money? Or do I wait for piste to give me my orders.

It's so sad that these blankets are needed, but I'm really moved by the amount of love shown here.

maxmissie · 10/07/2012 21:35

Happy to donate but very sad at the circumstances. Have PM'd Pistey.

GotMyGoat · 10/07/2012 21:39

Am off to bed now pidjin, will be in touch though once I understand. Thank you.

toomanyeasterbunnies · 10/07/2012 21:40

I am relatively new to the art of crochet but I would love to make a couple of squares - in fact I've been keeping an eye on the arts and craft threads to see if one was going to be made. I think I might have some cashsoft wool so will get cracking. Aillidh's\Expat's story completely touched me so I'd dearly love to be part of this project.

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 21:46

Gotmy, Pistey will pm with options. Either I'll make your squares or I'll pass the wool on to the right person to make into bunny motifs

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/a1514861-Blanket-Meet-ups-Sign-in-here#32874844

Thread for those who'd like a little RL support, or for donors to put a few stitches in/make a square, or for people who like to eat cake...

LoveAndSqualor · 10/07/2012 21:47

Hi there, I'd really like to knit a square for this. Will get my own wool, and pm you, piste Smile

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 21:50

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/arts_and_crafts/1513070-Support-thread-for-Mumof2TeenBoys-Blanket

Thread for asking technical questions (thread title will hopefully be changed when MNHQ get to it)

Thanks
Pancakeflipper · 10/07/2012 21:54

If there's a gorgeous wooly donor hanging about with a ball of wool in their hands - I can attempt a couple of my perfectly wonky squares.

No probs if there's a huge influx of knitters, I can study patterns for a while!

Macarooned · 10/07/2012 21:54

I sent a pm pistey...happy to try some plain hooky squares

mothmagnet · 10/07/2012 21:56

This is so sad. Very best wishes to Expat and her family, and to Giraffe too.

I have pm'd Pistey.

You blanket organisers really are amazing Thanks

Nyx · 10/07/2012 22:24

I'd like to knit some squares and I've pm'd piste and pidjin. Huge respect and gratitude to the organisers Thanks

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 22:28

Pancake, PM Pistey to see if she can match you with a donor Smile

OP posts:
cardamomginger · 10/07/2012 22:35

I'm in. Can I knit plain squares please? Will PM

PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 22:42

Nyx, you have a reply :)

Cardamom, we love plain squares!

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 22:50

Thank you all so very much. The response has been AMAZING.

You are all complete [stars]

Thanks
OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 10/07/2012 22:53
Thanks
giraffesCantFitInThePalace · 10/07/2012 22:54

Oh I am so chuffed to be getting one too...that sounds wrong - you know what I mean. Thank you.

I had Aillidhs blanket against my cheek as she died. That blanket is so special. And I am telling you, I should win a prize for my reflexes, the number of times I saved it from vomit! My special teddy for my dd was on Aillidhs bed in the last few days of her life.

KnottyLocks · 10/07/2012 22:57

Giraffes, we know exactly what you mean, don't worry. Smile

We hope that this can bring you what little comfort we can offer.

Sending you the most enormous hug xx

OP posts:
Puppypanic · 10/07/2012 22:58

I'm so so sorry to read this awful news.

I'd like to donate towards some wool for both blankets please so will pm.

MyNewCatIsFab · 10/07/2012 23:07

I'd like to knit for this too. Will pm now.