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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:
GlaikitFizzog · 03/11/2012 12:02

Well it's partner in crime, knitted dragon, it effectively a cuddle toy too, so I think that's what you should do!

Speaking of stuffing, are there H&S things to think about for the stuffing of the dragon? I was just going to use some cushion stuffing I have, but maybe I should buy some stuff(ing)! What's the proper name for it and where do I buy it from??

nickelrocketgoBooooooom · 03/11/2012 12:02

it's my own fault for trying to invent a pattern.
I should have just done circly circles.

but I hope that the cuddly bit will make it all better.

should i stick to fleece inside then, to avoid worrying about wadding not being washable?

nickelrocketgoBooooooom · 03/11/2012 12:03

fizzy - x post

nickelrocketgoBooooooom · 03/11/2012 12:03

h&s is another reason why layers of fleece would be good - it still counts as clothing then.

nickelrocketgoBooooooom · 03/11/2012 12:04

for your dragon - cushion stuffing should be okay, because it's meant for stuffing :)

PurplePidjin · 03/11/2012 12:18

If it's washable at 40 and fire retardant, it should be ok. If you only need a bit, i could send you some?

nickelrocketgoBooooooom · 03/11/2012 21:28

right, finally found the instructions
for making circles of trebles. thanks pidj!
needed to start with 12 for trembles. don't t know why that didn't occur ti me - when i do squares i start with 4 groups if 3 trebles ! [doh]
Grin
so just making a circle for the back of my tiger.
i have 2 balls of yarn si can do thru twin things concurrently. makes me feel like I'm achieving something!

nickelrocketgoBooooooom · 03/11/2012 21:28
  • so i can do the two things...
PurplePidjin · 03/11/2012 21:42

Hurrah! i think. I'm not sure what half that post means

Can i suggest you make a little cotton covered pad for inside? Otherwise your stuffing will leak. I have the bits if you can't, just send me the measurements :)

KnottyLocks · 03/11/2012 23:47

Go, Nickel! Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/11/2012 07:34

Huzzah for Nickel!

MrsDeVere · 04/11/2012 12:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/11/2012 13:09

Hello lovely Smile

Really sorry about your hurty wrist MrsDV, that sounds miserable Sad I hope it feels a lot better very soon.

And thank you so much for still trying to contribute. Your idea sounds lovely, and is more than just OK, bless you Thanks

We have had one edged fleece Little Hug, I shall try and do a linky to the photo in a mo.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/11/2012 13:09

peaked a bit soon then Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/11/2012 13:13

I'm making a Little Hug which is a metre square, cotton top, and fleece backing, very straightforward, sewing right sides together, little gap, turning it, sewing up little gap and then sewing a few lines up and down to sort of 'quilt' it.

I shall find some links of pics for you.

And thank you Thanks

MrsDeVere · 04/11/2012 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

droitwichmummy · 04/11/2012 15:02

Sewing in the ends of my little hug today then it will be in the post tomorrow with my squares for my5. Its a bit bright!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/11/2012 16:46

like bright Smile

KnottyLocks · 04/11/2012 16:53

Bright sounds very cheery Smile

OP posts:
droitwichmummy · 04/11/2012 18:35

That's what I thought i - good for cheering poorly folk up :)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/11/2012 08:23

Morning all Brew

RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/11/2012 13:00

Thank goodness, our next order of Woolly Hug labels has arrived, we had run out! I need to start sewing them on all of Batch 2 Smile

PurplePidjin · 05/11/2012 13:15
Brew

I hate hand sewing!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/11/2012 13:22

Awww, I really enjoyed doing the last lot, sewing a little tag on, thinking of the family, they all looked so sweet and ready for the off. Awww, bless the Little Hugs, wonder how they are all getting on? Smile

PurplePidjin · 05/11/2012 14:23

I probably wouldn't mind that so much, I'm just grumpy at my mum - " oh yes, I'll trim up the crib" she says; she's done all the nice easy cutting and straight line machine sewing then dumped the bumper on me to fit to the crib, sew up the ends (by hand) and put ties on! So much for "I'd like to do that for you as grandmother"!!