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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 · 17/01/2013 18:50
GlaikitFizzog · 17/01/2013 19:06

Really not sure what gran in unveiling, I hope it's not her knitted norks!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/01/2013 20:01

Absolutely hooting here at Gran's Unveiling

Grin Wine
KnottyLocks · 17/01/2013 21:49

Gran's Unveiling? Shock

Tis vest weather, she'll freeze!

OP posts:
nickelbabe · 17/01/2013 22:21

I remembered my wool!
I got a couple of rows done before dd became needy.
Grin

Woolfey · 18/01/2013 10:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MOSagain · 18/01/2013 11:05

'Gran unveiling" is a little used term only known to complete novices at knitting. Its the point where someone has cast on for us, we knit to six inches and then think 'fuck, what do I do now? How do I get this off the needles' We then (having searched for 'old' people in the softplay and at kids swimming lessons unsuccessfully) drive into town to the old craft shop and in desperation shout 'can anyone in here knit?' at which point a little old lady, someone's gran, comes out and takes pity and teaches above-mentioned novice how to cast off Grin

NotADragonOfSoup · 18/01/2013 11:05

When will Gran be unveiling herself?

Have we ever invited Gransnet to join in with Woolly Hugs?

GlaikitFizzog · 18/01/2013 11:06

Oh and here was I thinking it was this :o

KnottyLocks · 18/01/2013 11:24

Am frit to click on that, Fizzy Grin

OP posts:
nickelbabe · 18/01/2013 11:26

that's exactly what i do!

i can at least start crochet now, but my mum has to cast on and off (which is probably why i haven't knitted in a looooong time)

GlaikitFizzog · 18/01/2013 11:26

Usual MN disclaimers for link clicking apply! I just hope DH doesn't check my history!

NotADragonOfSoup · 18/01/2013 12:19

I am so not clicking that link...

MOSagain · 18/01/2013 12:20

Christ! who is she? I want her to be my new best friend. I'll look so good next to her!

MrsDeVere · 18/01/2013 12:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wolfcub · 18/01/2013 13:24
GlaikitFizzog · 18/01/2013 13:28

What time is the ANNOUNCMENT? No idea why ANNOUNCMENT is in caps? Ipadian is a strange language!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 18/01/2013 13:40

Very very soon....

HaveToWearHeels · 18/01/2013 14:04

I am waiting too Pistey. I have been sent home from work because of the snow, so am a little bit bored lol

GlaikitFizzog · 18/01/2013 14:05

F5

MrsDeVere · 18/01/2013 14:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BarbaraWoodlouse · 18/01/2013 14:25

(Wink)

MrsDeVere · 18/01/2013 14:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GlaikitFizzog · 18/01/2013 14:28

It's not me!!!!!!!!!! I am in my prime

KnottyLocks · 18/01/2013 14:30

All is revealed Smile

OP posts: