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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:
HaveToWearHeels · 12/11/2012 23:03

Somersaults your hug is just beautiful, gorgeous colour.

droitwichmummy · 12/11/2012 23:09
droitwichmummy · 12/11/2012 23:14

It's wonderful somersaults!

PurplePidjin · 13/11/2012 07:20
Brew
Somersaults · 13/11/2012 18:52

Thank you everyone :)

I'm very proud of it as the only other crocheting I've done really is individual squares so its lovely to see a finished piece.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/11/2012 06:47

Morning all Smile Brew

somersaults, I'm not sure where to look but happily I will get to see it in the wool Smile Thanks

Lovely little hug arriving from the lovely Ruby yesterday as someone said it is in Bagpuss colours. It's gorgeous and cheerful. Thanks Rubes

Thanks
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/11/2012 11:23

Good morning all - I have finished my second mini-hug - there's a picture on my profile (shameless bid for compliments). I'll be dispatching it next week, if that's OK, because I'd like to show it to my knitting group - they saw it part-finished this week, and I'd like them to see the finished article.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/11/2012 15:23

It is absolutely beautiful SDTG! How lovely it will be for someone to receive that Little Hug ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

ThePigOfHappiness · 14/11/2012 20:37

Oh it's lovely stdg!
Feeling like mine will be very ordinary now...

KnottyLocks · 14/11/2012 20:46

Evening, my lovelies Smile

SDTG, both Little Hugs are just gorgeous Smile Thanks

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 14/11/2012 20:48

PIG! I will not have you say that!

A hug made with love is a marvellous thing Smile

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 14/11/2012 21:10

Obv you can say that SDTG's hug is lovely Grin

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 14/11/2012 21:43

Hello?
I'd like to join in, really I would, except I am now away for a few days Grin, so won't be an immediately valuable asset to this group - if ever Grin!
SDTG, love you Little Hugs and the poncho - I think I might crochet something next rather than knit.

Anywasy, I'm in; at some point next week anyways.

KnottyLocks · 14/11/2012 22:16

You're in, Dogwood Grin

OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 15/11/2012 06:07
Brew
RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/11/2012 08:44

Morning Smile

Just a gentle reminder that the last posting for the second batch of Little Hugs will be Saturday 1st December. We are keen to avoid the Christmas posting rush whilst having time to courier the Little Hugs up to Yorkhill in time for the Christmas period.

But please don't fret if this deadline comes too soon for you, do remember this is an ongoing project Thanks

Wine
RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/11/2012 16:38

Photos of the cotton and fleece quilted Little Hug going to Riven's daughter are now up on our Facebook page (MNWoollyHugs)

nickelrocketgoBooooooom · 15/11/2012 16:48

It's beautiful.
I hope she will get loads of love from it :)

KnottyLocks · 15/11/2012 20:28

I'm sure she will Smile

Evening , my lovelies Smile

OP posts:
FryOneFatManic · 16/11/2012 10:29

I've finally been able to finish a blanket. It's washed and is drying, so will be ready to go soon. I'll try and get a photo loaded up, even though it's a basic blanket.

I would be grateful if one of you lovely ladies can let me know where to post it.

Also I think I've got a couple of cot bed sized flannelette cotton sheets which I recall seeing somewhere could be used by someone for quilting. Again, if these are useful I can send them where they'll do some good, if you can let me know.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 16/11/2012 10:55

FryOne, am coming to you now, thank you so much X

FryOneFatManic · 16/11/2012 16:49

Pistey

Thanks for the messages. My backache is bearable while I have a heatpad on it. (So no housework Grin)

I also want to add my appreciation of what you, and the other ladies do to organise all of this.
Thanks

I'll try and get a photo sorted, but I need to use the phone for that as my camera broke, meaning I need to download the programme that lets me link the phone to the pc (new pc, not all programmes survived the old pc going kaput).

And my DD has bludgeoned me into trying to knit a ruffle scarf with a hank of that ruffle wool she bought when we went to the NEC Hobbycraft show on Saturday. I can't knit, only crochet. The wool came with a few instructions, the best one being no casting on required, and it's knit only, nothing fancy. So I'm doing it veeeeeeery slooooowly. DD has heard some new swear words Blush but I managed to keep my gob shut during her music lesson. As the piano teacher is Latvian, surely my swear words would count as learning the language? Grin

RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/11/2012 06:46

A beautiful knitted Little Hug arrived from the lovely Purplefrog. Made in rose pink Cygnet Grousemoor Aran, it is beautifully snuggly. Pictures already on the Facebook page Thanks

Thank you so much ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

KnottyLocks · 20/11/2012 07:21

Morning Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 20/11/2012 18:08

Evening Wine