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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 · 28/10/2012 16:48

Back of head and start of neck done!

Is it really bad that I think I should,list this as one of my greatest achievements?? Seriously, this time 8 months ago I couldn't knit a stitch at all, now I'm making bloody dragons! I am amazed! It's all down to you, you woolly huggers!

droitwitchymummy · 28/10/2012 17:25

that is one of the great things about the blanketeers. it pushes we crafters to try things we don't believe we can do

GlaikitFizZombie · 28/10/2012 17:28

[hgrin]

ZombieArmsDragOnTheFloor · 28/10/2012 17:35

It probably pushes us to try things we really don't need to as well :o

Knitted dragon indeed...

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/10/2012 17:43

Gawd, I've dusted down my sewing machine, last used about 13 years ago and made a fabric quilt stylee Little Hug.

Stunned I am Grin

I agree about being pushed to try things!

HaveToWearHeels · 28/10/2012 19:25

GlaikitFizZombie dragon is amazing, even more amazing that you couldn't knit 8 months ago, well done you :)

droitwitchymummy · 28/10/2012 20:58

Flojo the Refuge Thread is here
There are blankets going as well as some bears [hgrin] you would be very welcome to get involved

Flojo1979 · 28/10/2012 21:57

Thankyou just had a look now. Tbh I'm not really good enough for that. But i'll keep working on my 6" squares and hopefully get there!

Got some DB in a dark blue/purply colour, started with a Chinese waves one but it doesn't show up very well and seems a little drab for a little hug.
Where exactly are the little hugs sent?
Is yorkhill a children's hospital? 3 by 3 doesn't seem big enough for the older children?

Flojo1979 · 28/10/2012 22:06

I got lost with the garter stitch edging and how u go about differentiating that from the middle!

GlaikitFizZombie · 28/10/2012 23:14

s1171.photobucket.com/albums/r547/glaikitfizzog/?action=view&current=photo-24.jpg

Body done! Not bad for a weekends work!!

Somersaults · 29/10/2012 07:17

That is amazing Fizzy!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/10/2012 07:50

Thank you Flo,

The full name of the hospital is The Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, see their Foundation's website, here it's in Glasgow, and they look after tiny babies right through to top end teens. We contacted a few hospitals when we were looking to launch Little Hugs, and very early on developed a lovely relationship with Yorkhill, this is where Aillidh was treated. There is more info on our website here I don't know whether you followed expat's threads, her beautiful daughter Aillidh who sadly died in July was being treated at Yorkhill. We spoke to expat before going ahead, she was so pleased.

A 3 by 3 is a good size for a baby, and that is our minumum size, but we have received Hugs for bigger children too. The one I'm making, a cotton quilt style one will be big enough for an older child, its a metre square. To make a whole Little Hug will be a step too far for many, so we are collecting in 6" squares which will be combined to make a Hug, I think at the mo I have 23 Smile

But thank you for joining us with this project Thanks

And Fizzy I love the dragon!! Utterly fabulous! Grin Thanks

Flojo1979 · 29/10/2012 08:06

Ah thankyou so much. Yes I was aware of Expat's beautiful Aillidh, I hadn't realised it was Yorkhill, what a lovely idea.

Unfortunately a full blanket is beyond me, so I'll have to send 6" squares.
But sadly need to make cups squares first :(

ZombieArmsDragOnTheFloor · 29/10/2012 08:14

WEll done Glaikit!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/10/2012 08:15

And I have you donor wool for that Flo - two ticks and I shall be sending you another PM Thanks

KnottyLocks · 29/10/2012 08:20

Morning, Little Huggers Smile

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KnottyLocks · 29/10/2012 08:21

Fizzy, the dragon is looking fab-u-lous, darling Smile

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PurplePidjInAPointyHat · 29/10/2012 08:43
Brew
droitwitchymummy · 29/10/2012 08:52

Glaikit you should be really proud of yourself! It is wonderful

BarbaraWoohoohoodlouse · 29/10/2012 09:50

Awesome Dragon Fizzy Smile

GlaikitFizZombie · 29/10/2012 10:31

Thanks thanks folks! currently sitting un the cat park at the meet up waiting for ds to wake.up on his own. I may be some time!!

KnottyLocks · 29/10/2012 10:35

The cat park? Grin

How exotic!

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craftynclothy · 29/10/2012 10:44

Knotty Did you send me some fleece backing for a quilt? Just realised I've not had anything arrive. No rush as haven't started sewing yet Blush

KnottyLocks · 29/10/2012 10:45

Ah... Yes I have the fleece. Not sent it yet Blush

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 29/10/2012 10:46

Apologies last week or so has been chaotic here.

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