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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:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/10/2012 11:19

First read that as Little Buggers

KnottyLocks · 29/10/2012 11:20

I had to type that very carefully Smile

OP posts:
craftynclothy · 29/10/2012 12:21

No worries. It been chaotic here too, that's why I've only just remembered about it!

GlaikitFizZombie · 29/10/2012 12:47

ah the curse of auto correct strikes again! car park!!

ds is having some pom bears and watching toy story 3 on the ipad! peace for.knitting and eating!

nickeldaisical · 29/10/2012 13:59

that's amazing Fizzy Grin

I still haven't done any more work on my Tiger - the thing that started it all off not even complete yet!

still, I've done a little bit of the church magazine and other stuff....

FaintingGhost · 29/10/2012 15:57

Two little hugs finished and ready to send, plus one square for a bigger hug. Next up - a star-shaped hug! I have been wanting to make this for aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaages and now I have the perfect excuse!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/10/2012 16:27

Thanks FaintingG, have sent you the posting details, and wow, that is a- may-zing!!

Just stunning

Thanks
nickeldaisical · 29/10/2012 16:42

oooh.

KnottyLocks · 29/10/2012 16:54

Looks like stars are the next challenge then Smile

OP posts:
craftynclothy · 29/10/2012 17:46

Have started another little hug. Done a centre square here that is 10" but wondering what colours to do around it Confused. Anyone have an opinion? I have a little red and white and more grey left but prob not enough for the whole thing

FaintingGhost · 29/10/2012 23:00

Teal! I love teal, think it would go great with the colours you've already done. Lovely square, Crafty

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/10/2012 09:04

I'm generally rubbish at that sort of thing Crafty, but teal I think would be lovely. Is this the Stylecraft you are using? I shall go and have a look at the possible options. Knotty is dead good at this sorta thing, she may have some ideas too.

craftynclothy · 30/10/2012 10:15

Yes, it's Stylecraft. I might have managed to stretch the red & white out. I found a pattern with a central flower bit that didn't take a lot of yarn. Going to finish those with the grey and see how it looks laid out.

KnottyLocks · 30/10/2012 10:42

Sorry, charging around as incoming family invasion.

What shade is the red, Crafty? When I get a min I could have a look at colour combos . I probably have most shades here.

OP posts:
nickeldaisical · 30/10/2012 11:00

crafty i would just carry on in the same colours.
maybe you could do more rows of each colour to make them look broader...

nickeldaisical · 30/10/2012 11:00

oh, missed that update

CamperWidow · 30/10/2012 12:40

Well, I had to frog my square as I couldn't stretch it past 5 1/2", never mind reach 6! Fortunatly, I hadn't got more than half way so it's not too bad.

Glaikit he looks amazing! I had seen him on Ravelry and took a look at the instructions......ran away screaming!!! Well done you! [hgrin]

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/10/2012 13:18

Thank you very much to the lovely BobKate for some gorgeous squares to go towards a Little Hug, just lovely, teal and silver striped knits. Marvellous, thank you ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

Tweetinat · 30/10/2012 17:02

Not ventured on here before but here is my little hug that I've been working on. A bit wobbly but I hope it'll do! Who to PM for the postage address - is it Pistey?

Tweetinat · 30/10/2012 17:03

www.ravelry.com/projects/Tweetinat/granny-bobble-blanket

Again, unclickable, sorry. Grrr iPhone app.

ZombieArmsDragOnTheFloor · 30/10/2012 17:09

Clickable link

It;s lovely :o

Practicallyperfectnot · 30/10/2012 17:33

Crafty - how about dark green? Look up the use of the colour wheel. How about red - orange/red, pink.

Practicallyperfectnot · 30/10/2012 17:38

Read purple instead of pink!

nickeldaisical · 30/10/2012 17:41

is that bobble blanket just loads of treble 5-tog?
Shock

nickeldaisical · 30/10/2012 17:42

ooh, no, it's not, it's 3 trebles and then tie the top together.
cleverer