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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:
GlaikitFizzogTheChristmasElf · 27/12/2012 16:45

I would stick with cottons all together MOS they wash differently. But the db cotton is lovely. I knitted a little hug in some that pistey sent me. I would go up a needle size next time because tis quite dense and could take a bigger needle.

What blend is your Aran?

MOSagain · 27/12/2012 17:04

Thanks Glaikit have seen some lovely lilac cotton on ebay so might buy that as will go nicely with the pink and will just do the two colours. Only have one set of needles (santa didn't bring the lovely set of needles I asked him for) Sad will look at getting another set. So would up a size be 4.5 or 3.5?
Not sure what you mean by 'blend'? is that the % of each material

GlaikitFizzogTheChristmasElf · 27/12/2012 17:34

Going up a size means a bigger needle. So I would use a 5mm next time as I knit on 4.5 usually for my gauge. Is the lilac DB too?

Bland just means what's its made of. The cashmerino is %age cashmere and a % merino. Cotton is 100% well cotton! If your Aran is cotton the you could in theory use it with your pink DB but the wool thickness will be different so would bleed some clever jiggery pokery.

This is my Db cotton little hug and used about 6 balls. is a little over 20" square. To give you an idea of how much you will need for a six yo size! If I had used bigger needles the blanket would have been larger and less dense. Iykwim. If you need to buy the bigger needles I would say try a 5mm. Knit a swatch as see what you think if it looks holey and loose then you need a 4.5. I sort of depends on you normal gauge. Clear as mud eh?

MrsPennyapple · 27/12/2012 21:07

Hello blanketeers, it's me, TiredofZombies, I've namechanged. I haven't really been keeping up with the threads, but I have been working on a hug in lovely coffee and cream shades. It's just taking longer than expected. Hope everyone is ok and had nice Christmases.

MOSagain · 28/12/2012 08:59

Glaikit that is really helpful, thank you. I've only ever knitted my 6" squares on 4mm needles and cast on 32 stitches. The lilac is DB too, thought best to get the same. Think I'll buy the lilac and just use the two colours. Have 10 balls of the pink so enough for 20 squares (or more if I learn how to join!) Blush

Your little hug is beautiful, wish I could do more than just boring squares.
Am going to finish my current little hug today and then start on my squares for my angel hug then think about DD's blanket.

DoesntTurkeyNSproutSoupDragOn · 28/12/2012 14:21

Slight hijack... where is the original Angel hug thread? I cant find it!

MOSagain · 28/12/2012 15:19

maybe in chat? Althought would have thought it would have moved over to arts and crafts. Will have a look

KnottyLocks · 28/12/2012 15:21

Hello , woolly wonders Smile

All sounds smashing. [thumbs up]

Soupy, Angel Hugs is hiding in Chat. We'll be getting it mover to Arts soon.

OP posts:
DoesntTurkeyNSproutSoupDragOn · 28/12/2012 16:21

Ta. I thought it might be in chat but couldn't face searching for it there!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 31/12/2012 09:49

Morning all lovely Blanketeers Brew

droitwichmummy · 31/12/2012 11:13

Hello [chocs]

SoupDragon · 31/12/2012 11:15

Hello :)

Just spamming a few threads with news that the second Refuge blanket from Team Hooker is done. All parcelled up and ready to go.

droitwichmummy · 31/12/2012 11:16

Well done Team Hooker! I see you have lost your sprouts...

SoupDragon · 31/12/2012 11:17

Yes, I've finally shed the last of them. :)

GlaikitFizzHogmany · 31/12/2012 11:18

Morning! I get half a ot water bottle cover done yesterday! Will get the second half done then finish my little hug.

pistey is there another deadline yet? I work better under pressure!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 31/12/2012 12:56

Yes. Deadline Is tomorrow for you Fizzy. Enough pressure?!

I am joking before I panic everyone. Um. We will come up with one very soon.

I'm just finishing the hug MOS and I have made together. Photo on FB soon I hope. Because then it will mean I've finished edging!

Lovely Refuge hug Soupy. Bless you x

GlaikitFizzHogmany · 31/12/2012 13:31

that's ok! I can do it!

SevenSnapespearesSwimming · 01/01/2013 18:29

I made a square!!! Been ages since I've knitted (knat?) i'd forgotten how lovely it is. :)

GlaikitFizzHogmany · 01/01/2013 18:35

Yay! For knatting :o

It is very therapeutic!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/01/2013 19:05

You finished the hug Fizzy?

Well done on the square Seven Smile Thanks Knitting drives me knuts, but crochet is very lovely. I think I might be addicted.

GlaikitFizzHogmany · 01/01/2013 19:10

Still on the hot water bottle cover pistey! Need to keep my tootsies warm. I'm slightly worried both sides won't match up! Anyway post office isn't open until Thursday?

fraktion · 01/01/2013 19:16

Are we allowed to attach flowers etc to little hugs? As long as they're securely attached?

I'm crocheting a green pinwheel but it just remind me of a giant coaster... It might look better if I added some embellishments!

GlaikitFizzHogmany · 01/01/2013 19:20

I think so Frak! Not too many, and no chocolatey finger prints either!

fraktion · 01/01/2013 19:39