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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:
KnottyLocks · 27/11/2012 21:21

More Little Hugs on their way, how exciting! Smile

OP posts:
AnathemaDevice · 27/11/2012 21:41

I had a midwife appointment today, and told her all about the little hugs project (she asked what I was working on in the waiting room). She's going to bring in some of her odds and ends of wool for me next appointment, for me to make a blanket with.

I'm about a third of the way through my hug at the moment, I can't see me finishing it in time for the next deadline, but it'll be ready for the one after that.

droitwichmummy · 28/11/2012 08:16

Thought you were all under water for a couple of days! Been busy constructing antlers - nearly done now (complete with hole for dog lead) Will post pic when done

PurplePidjChickIsNotTheMessiah · 28/11/2012 08:22
Brew
CamperWidow · 28/11/2012 08:44

Morning ladies! I have strayed into the strange world of hooks and so will have a bash at some granny squares for the next deadline!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/11/2012 11:40

My second mini-hug is on its way - hopefully it should reach you tomorrow.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/11/2012 12:47

Thanks Sooner than that my lovely, tis here already X

Beautiful knitted and crocheted Little Hugs arriving today, photos already up on Facebook, it was like letting the sun shine in on a grey old day.

Thank you doesn't really seem enough somehow, but HUGE heartfelt thanks to all. These will help make the difference to families in dark times, so bless you Thanks

Thanks Somersaults, SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius, ElizabethMumsnet, GetYourDancingShoesOn and HavetoWearHeels You are all real stars Xx

If you haven't already seen, do take yourself off to the Facebook Little Hug album. You are in for a treat Xx

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 28/11/2012 12:55

I am glad the parcel arrived safely. I posted it at the same time as a belated birthday present for mum, and she's just rung to say it arrived, so the Post Office have been ultra-efficient.

HaveToWearHeels · 28/11/2012 14:28

It must be catching Camper I was a hooker virgin until last week, it is definately addictive.

GetOnYourDancingShoes · 28/11/2012 19:06

Glad they've arrived Smile

Somersaults · 28/11/2012 19:16

Yay :) I'm glad it arrived safely :) I entrusted post office delivery to my mum, along with DD (12 months) yesterday so I wasn't sure she'd actually make it to the post office as DD is hard work these days! Into everything!

Somersaults · 28/11/2012 19:16

And the blankets are all gorgeous. So happy and pretty.

KnottyLocks · 28/11/2012 19:32

Just been having a look at our latest Little Hugs. They are stunning Smile

Many , many thanks to you all . Bless you Thanks

OP posts:
HaveToWearHeels · 28/11/2012 21:35

Blimey that was quick I am sure I only sent 2nd class yesterday. Three cheers for the Post Office......

HaveToWearHeels · 28/11/2012 21:49

Wow I have just looked at the Facebook photos, I think we left the brightest lot until last lol. Pistey I hope you had some sunglasses handy.
It must be a lovely job opening all those parcels.

Macarooned · 29/11/2012 15:29

Just saw my little hug has arrived Grin Grin Grin

Thanks Pistey for all the admin/organisation you do Thanks Brew Biscuit and Wine for later

droitwichmummy · 29/11/2012 17:58

love your little hug maccarooned Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/11/2012 21:07

Yes huge heartfelt thanks to Macarooned whose beautiful Little Hug arrived today, stunning crochet, such gorgeous colours of blue, purple and grey, lovely pattern, the photo is on Facebook and the website.

thank you Mac X

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

Macarooned · 29/11/2012 21:56

No problem at all, I am v happy to help.....this is the first blanket I've ever made and I loved the whole process, planning, picking colours, seeing the stack of squares build, hooking it together, bordering it and blocking, just sooooo satisfying. After Christmas is done I'll try another!
My kids loved it too, they understand where it was going and cuddled it before I packed it up to post Grin

Macarooned · 29/11/2012 21:57

Thank you droitwichmummy too Blush

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/11/2012 11:39

How lovely - a thank you letter from Yorkhill, bless them

Dear Friends

Thank you so much for thinking of the work of Yorkhill Children?s Foundation by donating lovely Woolly Hugs and gorgeous Christmas decorations. The time and effort that you all have put into making these gifts is absolutely incredible and is truly a lovely gesture. We greatly appreciate your support and the Woolly Hugs with give much needed comfort to our families spending this Christmas period in Yorkhill Hospital. We would also like to thank you for donating lovely gifts to sell at our Christmas Concert. It will help us raise vital funds for sick babies and children treated at Yorkhill Hospital.

With the money you raise and the support you have given, we will be able to continue providing all the ?extra? services and medical equipment for Yorkhill Hospital, which would otherwise not be available. Your help will make a real difference to the children from all over Scotland who come here for treatment, and will help make their stay in hospital that little bit easier.

We are extremely grateful to you for helping us in this way and your support is greatly appreciated.

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and a very happy New Year.

Best Wishes

Claire Hughes
Fundraising Assistant
Yorkhill Children's Foundation

RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/12/2012 20:48

Evening all Smile Wine

If anyone was hoping for news of safe woolly arrivals today, I am sorry I had to go out and missed the post. I have a red card telling me that there are 4 Woolly Hugs parcels waiting at the sorting office. I shall go first thing on Monday morning. Thank you so much Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 03/12/2012 16:22

Two beautiful crocheted Little Hugs arriving safely today from MinnieBar and ThePigOfHappiness, both absolutely lovely, huge thanks to them both. Photos are already up on the Facebook page Thanks

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

CamperWidow · 04/12/2012 08:27

Did my squares arrive?

ThePigOfHappiness · 04/12/2012 12:57

Yay Thanks