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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:
CrochetTigerKnittedDragon · 24/10/2012 10:30
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 24/10/2012 12:33

I will get my minihug packed up, and intend to go to the post office and post it tomorrow, on my way to pick up my prescription. It's for the little white ones that keep me normal, and I have to get it tomorrow, so that means I will have to go past the post office - so am certain to get the parcel to the post. [optimistic]

droitwitchymummy · 24/10/2012 13:42

Ow!

CamperWidow · 24/10/2012 14:04
nickeldaisical · 24/10/2012 15:08

I'm learning how to do Judy's magic cast on for knitting.
i actually worked out how to cast on normally, too, after spending weeks going "it doesn't work!" (i discovered I was trying to do it left-handed and i had originally learned it righthanded.)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 24/10/2012 15:21

A beautiful Little Hug arrived safely today Thanks

Thanks DancesWithWoolsEnPointe Gorgeous 9 square Little Hug of beautiful crochet and knitting in purples and pink. Thanks

You are a star X
Just about to upload to our Facebook.

SoupDragon · 24/10/2012 16:50

I got a free book from Deramores - Knitted boot cuffs.

I do not knit (and no I'm not learning!) :(

ANyone want it? Will post for free :)

droitwitchymummy · 24/10/2012 16:52

Intrigued by boot cuffs! Would love the book soupy will pm you my address

GlaikitFizZombie · 24/10/2012 19:22

I got knitted mug hugs from deramores! Guess what every one is getting this christmas ............ Socks! :o

GlaikitFizZombie · 24/10/2012 19:29

There might be a small problem with with the knitted dragon. I left my set of circulars when I was at my folks last week, so mum posted them back to me last Thursday. They still haven't arrived back yet. Not only my lovely rosewood circulars but the bag also had my 3 and 4mm dpns and my brand new unused cable needle :(

I need good Royal Mail vibes.

GlaikitFizZombie · 24/10/2012 19:29

Ooh [hsmile]

droitwitchymummy · 24/10/2012 21:32

Oh no! Hope the dragon is underway soon [hshock]

GlaikitFizZombie · 24/10/2012 21:47

I can do the flat bits on my regular 4mm needles so working away on the stripy wing bits.

MrsDeVere · 24/10/2012 21:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

droitwitchymummy · 24/10/2012 21:59

Oh no MrsDV! Hope it is better soon

MrsDeVere · 24/10/2012 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsDeVere · 24/10/2012 22:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KnottyLocks · 24/10/2012 22:13

Oh RSI thingy is painful. Hope it is all buggered off very soon, MrsDV.

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 24/10/2012 22:14

Sorry not been around much today (maybe in a diiferent guise earlier on) but very sad Woolly Hugs business has kept us away.

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 25/10/2012 07:47

We have a lovely donor to thank, we really appreciate your support, it makes all the difference Thanks

Thanks Whatevertheweather

You are a star X

workhouse · 25/10/2012 12:01

Could I ask a question about the best size of little hugs? The Rico cotton has arrived, I have ordered five balls of different colours, and I am going to do this chevron blanket www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chevron-baby-blanket but with a single strand not doubled as in the pattern.

Anyway, if I used up all the wool it would turn out quite large...and I wouldn't mind wool left over so that I can knit oddy things for Christmas.

So, is there a best, most useful, size for little hugs, or is anything good? I know that 18x18 is minimum. Thanks everyone Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 25/10/2012 12:15

That blanket is stunning workhouse, what a lovely thing you will be making for a family. How very kind X

At the moment we don't have a best most useful size, and anything over 18 inches is good. We have asked for feedback about the first batch from Family Services but not heard yet, other than a big thank you.

Really it comes down to how much time and energy you have to put into this, anything is so kind, you really are a star. Thanks

There is much starry starriness all around, everyone is so amazing Thanks Xx

nickeldaisical · 25/10/2012 12:18

i've had too much time and energy - spent a whole evening upravelling and re-winding the wool!

IShallWearMidnight · 26/10/2012 10:20

my spiral hug has ended up all misshapen Sad. I'm going to have to take it back to the original spiral, and properly work out the corners, as it currently doesn't lie flat SadSad. I think i might start something else, and leave it for a couple of days.

CamperWidow · 26/10/2012 12:22

Ok, so back onto the suare having finished hubbys firrst jigsaw piece for his blanket! Nearly finished this one so I need to find another new lovely stitch to do for a nice square. What's everyones fav pattern/stitch? [hgrin]