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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:
nickelbabeuntiladvent · 23/11/2012 14:34

yeah, don't stress and it'll all be fine.

i wish i'd done that more.

i was stressed for about a fortnight because she wouldn't sleep except when she was feeding, and she wouldn't cuddle me because when she was on me she wanted food, and DH used to pace up and down up and down up and down trying to hush her to sleep.
mainly because a neonatal nurse on my antenatal class put the heebiejeebies in me about co-sleeping.
after the 2 weeks of hell, I just decided to co-sleep and be done with it. easy peasy. DD would eat while I lay down and slept.
perfect. no more stress (sort of)

and the other thing I got stressed about, which I have got no idea why i did this now! was, that I didn't want to come across as one of those women who wouldn't allow their child to be held/cuddled by anyone else (PFB), so I let DD be passed around everyone and I left her in her car seat while someone else fussed over her at church, when she was upset because she wanted me. because i didn't dare ask for her back. :(

CamperWidow · 23/11/2012 15:57

Ok, round of aplause please, I have finally finished my squares!!!!

Thank goodness I won't have to do daisy or honeycomb ever again! Was good to do cus now I know how... but never again!!!!! Grin

Who do I send them too?

KnottyLocks · 23/11/2012 16:04

Camper , will PM you the details once I can get to the laptop. Thank you so much Smile

OP posts:
PurplePidjin · 23/11/2012 16:19

He'll only really sleep when on someone but at 4 days old we're kinda just going with it! Finding a balance between being seen as a cool relaxed mum and how we actually feel (territorial as hell!) seems to be the last big hurdle for newbies!

HaveToWearHeels · 23/11/2012 16:59

Pidj my DD would only sleep on me for the first few weeks so I just let her. do whatever you are comfortable with.

CamperWidow · 23/11/2012 19:15

Enjoy it Pidj!!! And congrats. XxXx

PacificDogwood · 23/11/2012 21:28

Oh, Pidj, contratulations!! Sniff his wee head for me . And oh gosh, yes, let him sleep on you - he will soon have you trained to his needs Wink.

I still have DS2's first preemie hat I knitted while in hospital - it is the size of an eggcup. You should see the size of him now - aged 8 and built like a future Scottish Fullback Grin.

Domino blanket sounds lovely and easy... Hmmm...

PurplePidjin · 23/11/2012 21:31

Thanks Pic on profile

PacificDogwood · 23/11/2012 21:40

Awwww

HaveToWearHeels · 23/11/2012 22:20

I have just put a picture of my domino blanket on my profile.

Pidjchick is adorable, I love it when they snuggle down like that. Enjoy every minute :)

PurplePidjin · 24/11/2012 02:08

I can see big and little gorgeous blondes and a kitchen but no blanket, HaveTo?

nickelbabeuntiladvent · 24/11/2012 14:46

awww, what an adorable picture, baby Pidj asleep on daddy's lap! Grin
awwwww awwwwww

HaveToWearHeels · 24/11/2012 14:49

Not sure what happened, it is there now :(

PurplePidjin · 24/11/2012 19:40

It's beautiful!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/11/2012 10:44

Morning all Brew

Just catching up with PMs. thank you Thanks

Tis beautiful HaveToWearHeels Smile Thanks

HaveToWearHeels · 26/11/2012 11:00

I have completed 3 Little hugs, one is finished ready to go, the other two need blocking, one is prooving to be a complete nightmare but as soon as I crack it I will post off.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/11/2012 14:32

Aww, bless you, thank you.Thanks Thanks

Just uploaded photos of gorgeous Little Hugs from ElizabethMumsnet, Woolfey and CraftynClothy, all just beautiful, thank you so much.

Also thank you so much to Crafty for the extra squares to go towards a Little Hug, that is marvellous X

Thanks Thanks Thanks ThanksThanks ThanksThanks Thanks

HaveToWearHeels · 26/11/2012 18:23

They are all beautiful, some lovely stitches and colours.

KnottyLocks · 26/11/2012 18:30

They are gorgeous Smile

Thanks to all Thanks

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/11/2012 07:26

Morning Brew

Need to start sewing our tags on Smile

Please remember the deadline for Batch 2 is this Saturday which is December 1st. Please don't worry though if you cant make that, this is ongoing, and we will have a think for the next deadline. Thanks

PurplePidjChickIsNotTheMessiah · 27/11/2012 07:32
Brew
KnottyLocks · 27/11/2012 07:46

Morning Smile

OP posts:
HaveToWearHeels · 27/11/2012 09:28

Morning, I have just posted two of my Hugs (3rd one is still causing problems). In my excitement I forgot to enclose my details so I have put my name of the back of the packet. The crochet blanket was my first attempt at crochet all self taught from YouTube, DD now wants one for her bed but of course it has to be pink !

Tweetinat · 27/11/2012 21:03

I've got a woolly hug and the squares for Beatrice to send tomorrow - do they go to the same address??

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/11/2012 21:14

Evening Wine

Thank you Heels Thanks well done on the crochet

and Tweet, yes please, I shall PM you now Thanks