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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:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/12/2012 17:10

Evening all Smile

Some separate squares have arrived to go towards the joint Little Hug which is excellent, hopefully soon they will be ready to joined, just need to work out how big a LH to go for, it's going to be lovely though Smile Heartfelt thanks for these ThanksThanksThanksThanks

Thanks MOSAgain Two pale blue garter knit squares, no wobbly bottoms despite what she will say Smile Super snuggly Star

Thanks CamperWidow An absolutely lovely, gorgeous soft green snuggly knitted texture, just super, thank you Star

You are both stars ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/12/2012 08:26

Morning all Brew Xmas Smile

Hopefully everyone will have seen the most beautiful granny stripe Little Hug which arrived safely yesterday, pictures already on Facebook, from the lovely OpheliaBumps A huge thank you to her Thanks

Also pictures of the lovely cotton and fleece quilt made for Millie who is a friend of Bea and the Teaset, made by the lovely Knotty A huge thank you to her too. Xmas Smile Thanks

Oh and if anyone is needing any woolly wool.....

Deramores have a special offer on Stylecraft DK, 15% off, code is SCTREAT on the shopping basket page. Just sayin.......

RatherBeOnThePiste · 06/12/2012 15:30

Two more beautiful Little Hugs have arrived safely, huge thanks to

Thanks atrociouscook super snuggly knit in cream, just lovely Star

Thanks berksbabe just lovely white crocheted Little Hug with pink hearts Star

Thank you.

You are both stars ThanksThanksThanks

droitwichmummy · 07/12/2012 17:17

PISTEY!!!

Our lovely donor has received her doggy antlers!

KnottyLocks · 07/12/2012 23:03

Evening , lovely Little Huggers Smile

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 07/12/2012 23:06

Fabulous work, Droitwich Grin You star x

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/12/2012 15:35

LOVED seeing those pics, thanks DWM!!

Your kindness making those has resulted in the donation of yarn for an Angel Hug, so bless you Smile Thanks

Thanks LovelyWhore A beautiful crocheted Little Hug in meadow and plum stylecraft, tis gorgeous, bless you too, photo already on Facebook.

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 08/12/2012 16:08

And Whore, thank you for the card for the family, it is safely with you Little Hug Xx

KnottyLocks · 11/12/2012 23:03
Smile

And huge Thanks

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/12/2012 07:27

Morning Smile

KnottyLocks · 12/12/2012 07:36

Morning Smile

OP posts:
Dingle · 12/12/2012 11:41

I am hanging my head, with deep,deep shame! I have had my squares for so, so long. BUT today after arguing with DS, shouting at my disabled DD...I have actually done something positive. I have sewn in the ends, packed them up and posted them out with a few little cards in a vain attempt to say sorry for my complete lack of organisation.

I have even blogged them HERE, I hope they will be of use and provide much comfort for years to come!

Thank you for letting me be a small part of this and SORRY!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/12/2012 12:07

All Little Hugs from the first batch sent to Yorkhill have a new owner.

As much as we wish these children and babies weren't in hospital, we are very glad that we are able to offer them and their families some comfort and a hug. So a HUGE thank you to everyone for their generosity, compassion and love.

You are all stars X

And that of course means they are ready for Batch 2. Smile

As soon as we have organised a delivery, we will let you know, but we are very keen to get them to Yorkhill before Christmas, just need to work out logistics.

There will most definitely be a Batch 3, this is an ongoing project.

Thanks Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/12/2012 12:07

No apologies Dingle, bless you Thanks

KelleStarOfWonder · 12/12/2012 19:16

pistey I've skipped to the end of this epic thread as I've finally finished my wooly hug in lovely patons smoothie, hopefully in time for your pre-christmas batch, I want to send it asap as DD is eyeing it up for her dolly's.

Where do I send it to?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/12/2012 19:45

Bless, you, thank you Kelle, I am just about to PM you

Thanks Thanks

GurlwiththeFrothyCurl · 12/12/2012 20:28

Haven't done any knitting for years, but feel inspired by this thread and might just try to help. Am currently very ill and have just lost my Mum, but was moved to tears by the section on angel hugs on your website. I don't have a good knitting shop where I live so can anyone tell me a website where I could get the right yarn? Will have to dig around and find my needles - and get back into knitting again!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/12/2012 20:36

Really sorry about your mum, big hugs my lovely X

We'd be very glad to have you on board, thank you Thanks

Yes, you find your needles and dust them off, and if you PM me your address I could send you some of our donor yarn?

KnottyLocks · 13/12/2012 07:39

Big hugs from me too, Gurl x

Thank you so much for joining us Thanks

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 13/12/2012 18:03

Beautiful Little Hugs arriving today from the lovely GoingGoingGoth I absolutely love all the different textures and patterns. Gorgeous. Pics already on Facebook. Thank you to her X

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

GlaikitFizzogTheChristmasElf · 13/12/2012 18:08

Just marking my place on the thread again! Once the festivities are out of the way I'll crack on again With my knitted dragon!

GoingGoingGoth · 13/12/2012 20:23

Just looked on the FB page such lovely comments, just pleased to make a contribution.

MOSagain · 14/12/2012 16:24

just checking in having neglected my woolly stuff over recent weeks. Finally finished my last two squares, any guesses on how much to post? can't be arsed to battle my way through the massive queue at post office and am hoping to guess and bung a few stamps on.

Also, am mid-way through knitting some squares for a (small) mini hug but am unable to sew. Don't suppose there are any kind volunteers who can sew or hook together?

droitwichmummy · 14/12/2012 18:15

MOS my packets usually cost £2.20 - padded envelope size.

MOSagain · 14/12/2012 18:50

thanks droitwich I just can't face the Post office at the moment. Its in our local co-op and the man who works there makes scrooge look like he is on laughing gas!