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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:
nickelbabe · 22/01/2013 12:05

oh, Pistey - it really is fine:
i explained to Somer (in the pm that probably got sent 80 times because i couldn't work out what i was doing Blush), that once my mum has decided she won't finish a project, she doesn't. she also then gets upset if someone suggests that maybe she wants to Wink
she was more than happy that it meant that her squares wouldn't go to waste. :)

Somersaults · 22/01/2013 13:26

Only got it once nickel, don't worry about it! I'm quite looking forward to the challenge of hooking together a larger blanket.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/01/2013 15:39

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

Lovely striped knitted Little Hug for Yorkhill arriving today from the lovely Rubycon Huge thanks to her, a photo is already on Facebook.

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

Milliways · 22/01/2013 16:49

Just crashing in here to say as soon as I saw these boob beanies on facebook I thought of all you Woolly Huggers! Grin

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/01/2013 10:03

They really are smashing Milliways Grin

Morning all Brew

RatherBeOnThePiste · 23/01/2013 19:20

Beautiful woolly treasure arriving safely today - separate squares for Little Hugs from the lovely MrsPennyapple

ThanksThanksThanks A lovely blue cable, brown textured knit, and what is the two shades of brown knit MrsP? Tis sort of like brioche, but not quite - tis super snuggly, gorgeous. Thanks You are a star X

Thanks Thanks

MrsPennyapple · 23/01/2013 20:28

It's from the 200 Knitted Blocks book, I think it's called "Up and under" or some such. I like how snuggly and thick it is :)

MrsPennyapple · 23/01/2013 20:35

I just got off my arse and checked. It's "Up and Over", square 157 in this book.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 24/01/2013 08:50

Well, Up and Over is lovely, and so thick and snuggly! Thank you Smile Thanks

nickelbabe · 24/01/2013 14:02

just got this on facebook news feed

oooh lovely.

Woolfey · 24/01/2013 15:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

nickelbabe · 24/01/2013 15:39

it does - i reckon it might be quite easy (says she who can't follow instructions on patterns)

I just have to finish current little hug first....

Woolfey · 24/01/2013 15:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotADragonOfSoup · 24/01/2013 17:06

I've had that blanket pattern bookmarked for ages now! I have yet to summon up the energy to make it :)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 24/01/2013 20:04

Evening all Wine

I have just uploaded some photos of beautiful Little Hugs to the Facebook page, from the very lovely fan and her mum, thank you Team Fan Smile

You will see a photo of a beautiful white and pastel coloured crochet blanket, as beautiful as beautiful can be. It was made by lovely fan when she was pregnant, but devastatingly her beautiful daughter Ophelia was stillborn at 36 weeks. Fan has asked to keep this off Facebook but was happy to share this here on the thread. Bless her heart she says it is time to let it go, and wants it to go to a child who needs it now. Fan my lovely, Ophelia's Hug will always be very precious and will give love and comfort to a small child somewhere very soon. What a generous soul you are.

Thinking of you and your beautiful girl X

Thanks
fanjodisfunction · 24/01/2013 20:08

Thank you pistey I really hope it gives comfort to someone very soon.

Jacksmania · 25/01/2013 00:30

Oh :(
Wow fan. Just... wow. (((((((((((HUG))))))))))

Woolfey · 25/01/2013 06:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NotADragonOfSoup · 25/01/2013 07:03

Aw.... what a lovely thing to do.

Wolfcub · 25/01/2013 07:25

Fan what a completely lovely thing to do x My eyes appear to have developed a leak

GlaikitCheiftanOThePuddinRace · 25/01/2013 09:50

Burns Night!
[bsmile]
[bgrin]
[bwink]
[bshock]
[bhmm]
[bconfused]
[bblush]
[bangry]
[bsad]
[benvy]
[bbiscuit]
Hope you have got your haggis boiling!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 25/01/2013 09:56

I'm waiting for Tesco to deliver it, Glaikit. If the snow keeps them away, it will be macaroni cheese and cauliflower cheese.

HaveToWearHeels · 25/01/2013 10:06

Fan I admire your courage, I don't think I could have let it go, very brave (((((((fan)))))))

EllenJaneisstillnotmyname · 25/01/2013 10:10

Fan, it's beautiful, as are the others. Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 25/01/2013 10:37

Morning all Smile

Just to say that Praying4Beatrice has put a photo on her profile of Beatrice with her Little Hug

Bless her, twas a thoughtful thing to do, and bless Beatrice, she is adorable.