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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.

Woolly Hugs: Little Hugs for Little People. Crafting continued!

981 replies

KnottyLocks · 18/10/2012 18:16

Our project launch thread can be found here

This is an ongoing project. Thanks to the amazing efforts of crafters and donors, to date we have received 38 wonderful Little Hugs. Our first batch have been sent to Yorkhill Hospital today Smile

Photographs of our Little Hugs can be found on our Woolly Hugs website and on our Facebook page, MNWoollyHugs.

The basic aim is to provide little blankets and quilts that give comfort to babies and small children who are seriously ill in hospital.

This is the continuation of Phase 1 of the project.
We are developing contacts for future phases.

How you can get involved:

You can help by either making a complete Little Hug
Or
By making 6" squares using Stylecraft Special DK yarn or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK, Rowan Cashsoft DK and Sublime Extra Fine Merino wool DK

For all of the Little Hugs:

Minimum size: 18 inches by 18 inches
For example, that's 3x3 6 inch squares with a small edge.
If you would like to make a blanket or quilt that is bigger, that would be lovely too.

Colours: Your choice!
We'd like to be able to provide a range of Little Hugs suitable for boys and girls.
If you would like to make something specifically for a boy or girl, that would also be lovely.

Things to avoid:
Buttons
Sequins and beads
Any embellishments that could scratch delicate skin or could be swallowed.
If using applique, it needs to be firmly stitched on with no hard edges.

Materials and ideas:
Woolly Blankets:
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special DK, a soft, non-scratchy acrylic that is a very reasonable £1.60 - £2 for 100g ball.
Pure cotton DK
If you would like to make a whole blanket, you could use a different weight yarn and a yarn other than those above. The essential thing is that it needs to be soft against sensitive and delicate skin and that it can be machine washed.
Ideas:
Blankets could be made from squares stitched or hooked together
Granny stripes or ripples
They could be made in one piece or in blocks, as well as squares

Quilts and stitched blankets:
Pure cotton and good quality fleece. The cotton can be from recycled sources.
We suggest that you wash both separately before sewing to allow for any difference in shrinkage.
Ideas:
Traditional style quilts, from simple square designs to more complex patterns
Cotton edged fleeces, with or without appliqué
Quilt and fleece combination: quilted front with a fleece back

Donors:
If you would like to contribute towards materials, you can either donate via Paypal here on our Woolly Hugs website with a message letting us know which project you are donating to. If you do not have Paypal, please PM RatherBeOnThePiste as we have other ways that you can donate.
Without our donors, our projects really wouldn't happen. You are as vital to them as the crafters and materials. Bless you. Smile

If you would like to take part in this project but feel you can't due to the costs involved, please PM Pistey and we'll try to help with materials.

As ever, thanks for your support Thanks

OP posts:
GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 13:11

Chinese waves is a nice one. You'll get it on the crafting guide ^^up there.

Needle delivery update:-
They have arrived! Yay! 9 days after being posted! So knitted dragon is back I. Business!!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/10/2012 13:12

Bless you for trying Midnight Smile This is crochet innit? maybe take yourself off to Soupy and Pidj on the Team Hooker thread. I would link you but Arts and Crafts seems to have gone all weird and I'm on the phone.

Camper, I only know one stitch, garter, but is my favourite Smile

Just posted some pics of a lovely, loverly Little Hug from SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius, beautiful crochet, beautiful colours, huge thanks to her Thanks

droitwitchymummy · 26/10/2012 13:29

Midnight - you could always join us on the knitting thread....

ZombieArmsDragOnTheFloor · 26/10/2012 15:35

Hotel Crochetfornia

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 15:57

Has anyone done a "judys magic cast on" before? Remember I warned of swearing and wine swigging! It's starting!!

KnottyLocks · 26/10/2012 16:43

That is before you've actually started , Fizzy

OP posts:
nickeldaisical · 26/10/2012 16:47

Fizzy - I posted about that a little bit further up the thread.

I did a bit of swearing and frustration, but I worked it out (followed a youtube video) and figured it out in the end.

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 16:47

I can't do it there are loads of you tube vids, but my hands won't work like the lady's. it's like trying to learn piano all over again. Left hand can't do different from right!

nickeldaisical · 26/10/2012 16:48
nickeldaisical · 26/10/2012 16:50

right - I'll find you the one I used.

have you got a needle that's got two ends and a wire in the middle?
you need that.

but it's for toe-up socks, so I don't know how much use it is if you aren't doing socks....

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 16:51

I can't even do long tail cast on. On helpful video said if you can do long tail the magic cast on is a doddle! That wasn't very helpful!

nickeldaisical · 26/10/2012 16:52

ps

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 16:52

I'm doing the dragons mouth and teeth! So it's like a sock I suppose!

Thank you nickel!

nickeldaisical · 26/10/2012 16:53

ignore that bit - i don't even know what longtail cast on is

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 17:00

Right once dh is home and can baby wrangle I'm going to a quiet room to master it! At least I understand what it's doing now!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 26/10/2012 17:28

Blimey, Pistey - I only posted that 28 hours ago!

Glaikit - I can show you the long tail cast-on the next time we meet, if you like.

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 17:32

Thank you SDTG. Mum has tried and failed numerous times in the past and more recently! Are you on for Monday?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 26/10/2012 17:34

Yes, as long as someone tells me where we are meeting. And I will stand in the corner for Not Paying Attention Properly. Blush

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 17:38

I'm not sure on that either, but the Burrell was fine last time! I'm happy Togo there again.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 26/10/2012 17:41

The Burrell would be fine by me too - do we need to start a new thread or summat?

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 19:25

Probably! Would you like to do the honours? I have an appointment with judy and her magic cast on!

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 20:02

Do do doooo I've done a magic cast on, do do doooo a cast on round the floor! Wine

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/10/2012 20:23

You all going to Togo now?

Can't wait to see this creation you know, tis exciting Smile

SDTG - your Little Hug is absolutely gorgeous Thanks

GlaikitFizZombie · 26/10/2012 20:48

One dragon mouth and two nostrils done! They might be slightly skew whiff, but I think my puff was a rugby player in a previous life! :o

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/10/2012 20:54

Am all agog Wine