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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

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

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Jules146 · 18/10/2012 20:35

Wine cheers everyone! How many Little Hugs got sent off Pistey? Let's hope they get there ok :)

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Birnamwood · 18/10/2012 21:42

Marking place so I don't lose you all.

I have Wine and posh crisps , oh and chocolate orange with popping candy :)

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droitwitchymummy · 18/10/2012 21:44

Budge up! I have a woolly hug, DS'S blanket, a Christmas shawl and some fabric Christmas decs under my arm.
whoops-sorry knotty!

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HaveToWearHeels · 18/10/2012 21:59

I have a fat free yoghurt (dieting) which just isn't cutting it. Also have a rather large bag of 9 100g balls...think I got carried away when ordering. MrsDeVere there is also a pink theme going on with 5 of the balls lol.

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HappyTurquoise · 18/10/2012 22:40
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Somersaults · 19/10/2012 07:13

We're having to buy storage space for my wool stash this weekend as it has grow from a knitting bag with about 3 50g balls in at any one time, just enough to make whatever I was knitting for DD, to 17 100g balls of Stylecraft, 14 balls of Something I can't remember the brand, two donor balls of DB at the moment, plus the three balls for DD, and a knitting bag just isn't cutting it anymore. And you ladies are entirely to blame. I didn't need encouragement yet there you were with your links to multipacks of Stylecraft and lovely ripple blanket pictures, and links to attic24 and Little Tin Bird...

My DH hates you all.

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 19/10/2012 07:49

Well with our UPS tracking, we can see the Little Hugs have arrived in Glasgow this morning. Just need to get to the hospital now Smile

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 19/10/2012 07:55


Grin
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droitwitchymummy · 19/10/2012 08:03

Hooray for UPS!

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KnottyLocks · 19/10/2012 08:05

Awww, Little Hugs have landed Smile

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Woolfey · 19/10/2012 08:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KnottyLocks · 19/10/2012 08:06

Perhaps we need to teach your DH how to knit, Somer Grin

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KnottyLocks · 19/10/2012 08:07

Murderous thoughts? Towards us harmless little woolly folk?

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PurplePidjInAPointyHat · 19/10/2012 08:07

Woolfey, dp was very very Hmm when the first squares started arriving here. Then i told him why...

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KnottyLocks · 19/10/2012 08:12

My DH is totally resigned to it all now. He makes fun of me sitting there 'knitting' Hmm most evenings. But he is immensely proud of what Woolly Hugs and the blanketeers do, bless him.

Of course he has no idea how big my wool and fabric stash actually is Grin

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SoupDragon · 19/10/2012 08:22

Murderous thoughts towards a group of people armed with sharp pointy metal objects...? HOw brave :o

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PurplePidjInAPointyHat · 19/10/2012 08:40

Dp doesn't fuss about my stash, and i don't complain when he watches football (and tries to talk to me about it) :o

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HaveToWearHeels · 19/10/2012 08:59

Maybe we could set up a support thread for "knitting widowers" lol. My DH is very "minimalist" and nearly had heart failure when a big parcel of wool arrived. I have to hide it behind the sofa Wink

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GlaikitFizZombie · 19/10/2012 09:37

Dh just shakes his head and sighs at my wool stash. Not going to get much done today, car has to go to the garage, my friend just had a baby so I'm going for snuggles then I'm out tonight with the girlies (might be messy). Probably can write off tomorrow too come to think of it!

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Birnamwood · 19/10/2012 09:43

My dp doesn't know about my stash

Grin

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workhouse · 19/10/2012 10:21

I would like to make a little hug for the next batch, when I have finished my squares. Is it o.k to just get on with it ?

I will check in with wool choice when I have found something nice. I was thinking I would do a ripple blanket in a thicker weight cotton, if I can find one that doesn't break the bank! any ideas anyone? Wine

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workhouse · 19/10/2012 10:23

Actually I'm not Wine now, I'm Brew. Got a bit carried away.

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KnottyLocks · 19/10/2012 10:31

Workhouse, have a look at Kemps bargain section. They quite often have cotton yarn at good prices.

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KnottyLocks · 19/10/2012 10:32

And yes, you can just get on with it Grin

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prettybird · 19/10/2012 10:41

Marking my place Wine

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