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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 · 08/01/2013 16:42

At the moment we are still just working with Yorkhill, although have plans in the pipeline to expand this, can't really say much more as we are still at the talking to people stage, but what is happening is we are getting requests made directly by lovely Mumsnetters for fellow Mumsnetters whose babies or children are very poorly and in hospital. Seems right and proper doesn't it? I'm not sure if you are following Trazzletoes thread, but one was sent to her son Joe, and they absolutely love it. Another was sent to Riven's daughter, loves hers too. There are pics of those two on the FB page, in addition to Megan, you may have to trawl back a bit.

We have another two going soon, it's really good we can do this isn't it?

HaveToWearHeels · 08/01/2013 16:56

Ah that's lovely Pistey, of course the Little Hugs should go to "family" first. I must have missed the photo's so will take a look.

KnottyLocks · 08/01/2013 17:21

Other things are in the pipeline indeed Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/01/2013 06:52

Not sure if everyone has seen, we have launched a fairly small project to help the Brompton's breastfeeding team.

Woolly Hugs now knits knockers Smile

Thread is here

website information is here

Huge thanks to all Thanks

Wolfcub · 09/01/2013 07:35

morning all Brew

HaveToWearHeels · 09/01/2013 16:43

two Woolly Hugs posted today, the un ruley one and another one. Also two crochet squares to go towards a larger hug, these were practice ones but too pretty to unpick. Will crack on with squares for lemon and my Angel Hug.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/01/2013 20:22

Evening Wine

Thanks HaveToWearHeels, marvellissimo.

Beautiful Little Hugs arriving today, hope you've had a chance to see on Facebook

Thanks Woolfey Beautiful granny stripe, so cheerful, lovely colour combination, gorgeous border, absolutely lovely Star

Thanks GetOnYourDancingShoes An absolutely lovely star shaped crocheted hug, and two more beautiful crocheted hugs, one with lovely 3D flowers, lovely colours. Star

Huge thanks to you both. Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Wolfcub · 10/01/2013 07:07

Would anyone be interested in a wooly-hugs get together at Yarndale? yarndale.co.uk/

Woolfey · 10/01/2013 07:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/01/2013 08:01

Happy to pop on FB later for you wolf cub. I'm too far away too, but it sounds great.

droitwichmummy · 10/01/2013 08:02

Looks great. If there is a meet I might try to get there and stay over

fanjodisfunction · 10/01/2013 10:57

Can't wait to hear the new projects and things that pistey and knotty have up their sleeves!

I have been looking at my wool stash and I have found something, its a small blanket that I made while I was pregnant with my daughter, well as we didn't get to use it, I would like it to go to a child who needs it. So I shall be sending it to you pistey very soon.

craftynclothy · 10/01/2013 13:25

Wolfcub I might be interested. Saw that advertised on the Attic24 blog and thought it would clash with some plans I have but then realised it was a different month Blush

KnottyLocks · 10/01/2013 18:05

Oh Fan, bless you my lovely. We'll make sure your blanket goes safely to a new home. Thinking of you and your beautiful girl x

OP posts:
tribpot · 10/01/2013 19:48

Wolfcub - sounds good. I am thinking about going to Woolfest this year since for once it doesn't coincide with ds' birthday! baa ram ewe normally organise a coach.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/01/2013 20:36

Bless your heart fan, big hugs for you X

GlaikitFizzog · 10/01/2013 20:39

Cumbria isn't too far from Scotland, is it? I could be persuaded to go to wool fest of there was a woolly hug contingent going.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/01/2013 20:55

Woolly matters by day, followed by night on the tiles as in the London meets.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/01/2013 17:57

Oh did everyone see Knotty's cotton and fleecy Little Hug with Trazzletoes' son Joe? He was clearly getting snuggles and comfort from it in hospital. Pic's on Facebook, Bless his heart, sending them all much love and big hugs Xx

BarbaraWoodlouse · 11/01/2013 18:48

I did see it Pistey I loved the comment about wrapping him up in it when heading to hospital too. I know when I had to take DD to A&E in the middle of a winter's night recently (nothing too serious) I loved being able to cosy her up in the blanket I've made. I imagine that a little hug with all it's extra poignancy gives both Joe and Trazzles some comfort when they have to head in to hospital again. He's such a lovely boy.

In other news, I arrived back home from a week away for work to my Stylecraft delivery of 12 balls and a prize from a Deramores competition which included a Lucy pack of 17 more balls of Stylecraft!!! I think the fates are definitely telling me to add a little hug to the mouting list of projects for 2013 Grin

GlaikitFizzog · 11/01/2013 18:53

Was that the Boxing Day draw Barbara? Envy

KnottyLocks · 11/01/2013 19:28

OOO Barbara, you canny mare!

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 11/01/2013 19:30
Envy
OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/01/2013 19:44
Envy
BarbaraWoodlouse · 11/01/2013 20:16

It was Glaikit - 3rd prize. I think DH would have had a blue fit if I'd won first prize, it was a bumper bag of woolly loveliness as it is! Grin

Will definitely try to pass on some of my good fortune in MN projects this year. Just need to finish off a couple of hats for the DC and me first. Then I'm onto Lemontruffles' squares. Then Little Hug.