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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 · 27/10/2012 13:32

No 31 plus the 25 on the bottom

droitwitchymummy · 27/10/2012 14:01

When you were picking up the wrap in rows 9, 10 and 11 did you pick up both of them in the same stitch? There is no increase on any of those rows as far as I can tell.

GlaikitFizZombie · 27/10/2012 14:19

I'm not sure! Tbh I wasn't really sure if I was picking up the wrap, it was very difficult to see what was what. Is it an integral part of the nostril?? Could it be something I could leave out?

droitwitchymummy · 27/10/2012 15:34

That might be the problem. If you don't pick up the wrap(s) and knit it/them in on those 11 rows you may be increasing. That could explain your extra stitches. I'm sure you can do it! Just leave off the Wine till afterwards..

GlaikitFizZombie · 27/10/2012 16:54

Am I wrapping wrong then?

^Abbreviations
WT ? wrap and turn. For a knit st, with yarn at the back, slip next st purlwise, bring yarn forward, slip st back to LH needle, then take yarn to the back again and turn work ready to purl next st. For a purl st, keeping yarn in front, slip next st purlwise, take yarn to back, slip st back to LH needle and bring yarn to front. Turn the work ready to knit next st.^

I'm wrapping g the slipped stitch rather than round the needle to make an increase.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 27/10/2012 17:12

There's going to be another Glasgow woolly hugs meetup on Monday (apologies for the last minute arrangements - I had forgotten about this). Anyone and everyone welcome - thread here.

droitwitchymummy · 27/10/2012 17:29

I think that may be where your extra stitches have come from. I think it means it you have just done a knit stitch, slip the next stitch from left needle to right without knitting it, pop the wool through as if you were going to do a purl stitch next, slip the same stitch back from the right needle to the left, again do not knit it, then pop the wool back between the needles as if you were about to knit the next one. Does that make sense? The wrap stitch is not a stitch really but you are wrapping your wool around a stitch (sort of).
Have a few Biscuit - it might help

GlaikitFizZombie · 27/10/2012 17:40

Have some mars caramels, no nougat! Will use them to fortify myself. I'll see how it goes. It might be fine tonight!

Somersaults · 27/10/2012 18:26

I love the Mars caramels!

GlaikitFizZombie · 27/10/2012 20:32

Nostrils done proof will have a caramel then start the snout!

GlaikitFizZombie · 27/10/2012 21:39

Snout done! Yayayayayayayayay woooooo hooooooo Wine time! See pic on link above!

nickeldaisical · 27/10/2012 21:47

blimey! you're a genius!
i forgot to bring my bag home so i didn't have anything to do :(

but i put press studs on a nappy wrap i made. Grin

GlaikitFizZombie · 27/10/2012 21:56

I think genius is over egging the pudding a bit! Dh just looked and went "uh huh" kinda burst my bubble a wee bit!

droitwitchymummy · 27/10/2012 22:17

Hooray!!!!
ThanksThanks

Flojo1979 · 27/10/2012 22:53

Awww I want cake to meet up! Next time make it a wkend then I will make the 3 hr trip up :)

GlaikitFizZombie · 28/10/2012 08:31

I've now to start the forehead

droitwitchymummy · 28/10/2012 09:23

I hope you are through the worst part

GlaikitFizZombie · 28/10/2012 09:24

Not sure about that droitwitch, I have to M1 in the next bit! Would it be sensible to put in a safety line??

GlaikitFizZombie · 28/10/2012 10:50

Forehead done! I have just quickly read the next few bits and I've to crochet round the blanket bit. I'm going to nee intervention.

Note to self: always read full instructions prior to commencing project

GlaikitFizZombie · 28/10/2012 11:47

Ok so we are now through mouth, nostrils, snout, forehead and eyebrows!!

ta dah

To bad for a first attempt and in the round eh??

Flojo1979 · 28/10/2012 12:18

So where or who is the teddy going to?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/10/2012 12:30

Teddy is going to Refuge I believe. A group of blanketeers have been making joint blankets for the refuge campaign - can't link but hopefully someone will. Soupy is compiling the crochet one and trib the knitted one, bless them.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/10/2012 12:31

This is going to so well Smile I am so impressed!!

KnottyLocks · 28/10/2012 13:43

Fizzy, that looks like a dragon! Woo hoo Grin

OP posts:
droitwitchymummy · 28/10/2012 15:52

fantastic Glaikit! really good job