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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:
GlaikitFizzog · 04/01/2013 10:25

Wolf cub! Noooooooooo, I don't need more wool. Must. Not. Look.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/01/2013 10:27

Buy Fizzy Buy!

Wolfcub · 04/01/2013 10:40

I've just ordered, glad I waited a couple of days now, I was going to order from Masons on new year's day

SoupDragon · 04/01/2013 11:00

SCDEAL gives you the Deramores discount.

I am being very good. I have ordered nothing. [preen]

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/01/2013 11:09

You know you want to.

GlaikitFizzog · 04/01/2013 11:12

Well I do need some white for my first angel hug ...........

SoupDragon · 04/01/2013 11:22

Whether I want to is really not in question :) However, I need to reduce the amount of yarn I have already and, TBH, they have these offers all the time so I'm not really missing out :o

Besides, I am thoroughly enjoying using the White Whispers bamboo mix for my angel hug. It is gorgeous! So soft and drapey and and and...

GlaikitFizzog · 04/01/2013 11:31

Ok to make it worthwhile I'm adding extra bits to my order. What is the stuffing stuff called for padding out the dragon? I can't find it on their website, but they must sell it surely?

SoupDragon · 04/01/2013 11:34

polyfill?

SoupDragon · 04/01/2013 11:34

Stuffing - but it's out of stock at Deramores.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/01/2013 11:35

For walls innit?

Fizzy. I have stuffing here you can have.

GlaikitFizzog · 04/01/2013 11:48

Ah that will be why I can't find it then! Hmm maybe I don't need £25 worth of stuff just to get free delivery.

GlaikitFizzog · 04/01/2013 11:54

Pistey that would be fab, I only need a tiny bit. His head is only the size of my fist. Would googley eyes be ok for a little hug? Or should I just embroider in white and black? Probably better to embroider?

PurpleFrog · 04/01/2013 12:20

GlaikitFizzog - Of course you need to spend the £25 to get free delivery!

I did a Deramores order yesterday, using the Stylecraft code. I needed white Stylecraft to finish my Angel Hug and also needed some more in other colours for some dolls' blankets I had intended to make with the yarn left over from my first little hug. (There wasn't a lot left! Grin) I ended up treating myself to a set of 4mm Knit Pro Symfonie Interchangeable circular needles to make it up to the £25. I ordered 3 different cable sizes to go with them. Up until now I have struggled with a normal pair of 40cm long 4mm needles for the 2 knitted blankets I have done, as all my circular needles are in bigger sizes (lopi sized!).

fanjodisfunction · 04/01/2013 12:58

I have a rainbow little hug on the go and an angel hug too, will concentrate on the little hug for this deadline. I also have two little hugs made by my mum waiting. If only I could crochet while working!

GlaikitFizzog · 04/01/2013 13:48

Got the symphonie needles already! I added a gauge and cable needles to my order. And some buttons, and some chunky wool I've no idea what I'll do with!

I'm minding my friends 4 month old today! I forgot how hardwork babies are! No knitting for me this afternoon!

SoupDragon · 04/01/2013 14:57

I would embroider the eyes :)

I found the stuffing page via google, I can't find it by navigating or searching on the site at all.

SoupDragon · 04/01/2013 14:57

When I want stuffing [snurk] I have an old cushion inner that has the same stuff in it.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/01/2013 15:56

Definitely embroider the eyes lovely Fizzy, I will find my stuffing, I have hidden it away from DH so wish me luck.

Knit Pro Symfonie Interchangeable circular needles?? Confused Confused Confused Confused Confused

Thank you lovely fan

PurpleFrog · 04/01/2013 17:23

My Deramores order arrived this afternoon! That was quick! Smile

I don't know if it was sensible buying expensive wooden circular needles - I managed to break a bamboo crochet hook last year by sitting on it! Grin

fraktion · 04/01/2013 17:38

I so covet those circular needles.

I have placed a very large order, including copious amounts if Stylecraft. Bargainous delivery to France!!!

SDTGisAChristmassyWolefGenius · 04/01/2013 18:31

I bought myself a set of the knit pro circular needles last year, but I bought the pink acrylic ones, as I couldn't justify spending the extra for the wooden ones. So far I have resisted the Deramores stylecraft sale - dh would like me to use up yarn at least as fast as I buy it - preferably faster, so that my stash begins to dwindle. He is such a lovely, innocent chap!

Wolfcub · 05/01/2013 09:52

my wool has arrived Grin

GlaikitFizzog · 05/01/2013 11:17

So has mine! Deramores are good!

Pistey, stuffing has arrived too! Not sure how big you think my fist is. I'm not of the hairy handed variety! But thank you! I'll have a look see if I can do anther toy after this one!

GlaikitFizzog · 05/01/2013 14:36

Think I'm going to sick to woolly threads, the rest of MN seems ready to implode today :(

I've bought white stylecraft Aran instead of dk! What a doofus!