Please or to access all these features

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. Crafting away.

310 replies

KnottyLocks · 19/02/2013 13:10

A new thread as we've managed to fill up two already Smile

The project launch thread can be found here

The second thread is here

This is an ongoing project so Little Hugs can be made and sent to us at anytime. We will suggest posting dates from time to time to collect batches for sending off to Yorkhill Hospital.

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.

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.

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.

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. You are all complete stars Thanks

OP posts:
RiaOverTheRainbow · 28/04/2013 19:59

I've found the Stylecraft yarn here for £1.49 per 100g, the online ordering isn't working at the moment but you can order by phone.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/04/2013 19:37

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

Beautiful Little Hugs arriving today from lovely fan's mum and the equally lovely ruby. Huge thanks to them both, photos are already on Facebook. They are absolutely gorgeous Thanks

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

KnottyLocks · 30/04/2013 09:57

They really are gorgeous Smile Thanks

MOS! Crack on, love!

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/05/2013 16:08

Three beautiful Little Hugs arriving safely today from LizaRose, HoggyTruffle and Birnamwood Enormous thanks to them all, they are absolutely lovely. Photos are already on the facebook page.

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

Last posting for the next batch of Little Hugs for Yorkhill to be Saturday 25th May

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

JulesJules · 02/05/2013 19:39

fretting about my blanket, tweeted you with a pic - it's 22x27 inches (just under 3 balls of the Harlequin stylecraft) will that be big enough? It doesn't look suitable for a small baby to me as the pattern is quite holey, and its turned out darker colours than I anticipated. So it might be a better Billies Blanket, but is it big enough for that?

KnottyLocks · 03/05/2013 08:32

Jules, if you want to send it, we'll make sure it goes to whichever project it is best suited too . Worry not Smile

OP posts:
JulesJules · 03/05/2013 15:27

Thank you! [ huge bunch of flahs and a kiss]

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/05/2013 07:58

Morning all Brew Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 07/05/2013 13:27

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

Beautiful Little Hugs for Yorkhill arriving safely today from the very lovely Kingfisher, and how lovely they are, huge thanks to her, one crochet, one knit, both just super, photos already on Facebook. Thanks

ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

MOSagain · 08/05/2013 17:45

hello, squares for my Little Hug posted first class today. Hopefully Pistey you'll have time to hook together before 25th? x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 09/05/2013 17:41

I am certainly hopeful - and they are here - huzzah!

MOSagain · 09/05/2013 18:53

am frantically trying to finish another little hug (smallest size) If I post the squares to you before I go to Peru next Wednesday would you have time to hook that one together too? No worries if not x

KnottyLocks · 10/05/2013 09:18

Give her something to do, MOS Grin

OP posts:
MOSagain · 10/05/2013 10:20

I'd hate to put her under pressure though. She will still need some hours in the day for consumption of gin! Wink

HoggyTruffle · 10/05/2013 13:29

Buy Pistey some of these - hands free gin drinking allowing square joining at the same time Wink

RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/05/2013 00:42

Love and need those Hoggy

Wine Wine Cheers Knots!!

JulesJules · 12/05/2013 07:06

Hands free gin drinking kit??

Schooldidi · 13/05/2013 22:45

I've done a blanket in chunky wool (because i sent dp to the wool shop and wasn't explicit enough in my instructions), it's a star shaped one and it's measuring a 22" diameter. Is that big enough? It doesn't look very big to me, but I've run out of that wool and won't be able to get more before I want to post this parcel to make it bigger. I'm happy to wait and keep it for the next parcel so i can get more wool and make it bigger, or you can have it at the size it is and decide for yourself whether it's big enough for a Little Hug. Is the minimum size for Billie's blankets smaller? I'm happy for it to be used for either.

KnottyLocks · 14/05/2013 17:31

hello Didi,

this is entirely up to you. If you feel it would be better bigger, we can wait. We'll find a good home for it either way, bless you Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 15/05/2013 07:47

Morning Brew

MOSagain · 15/05/2013 20:34

Just checking to see if last lot of squares for blanket arrived? Posted Monday. Early night now before squabble at airport security over my bag of needles!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/05/2013 15:27

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

A beautiful Little Hug for Yorkhill arriving today from the very lovely Macarooned, crocheted in blue, purple and silver, photo on FB, huge thanks to her, tis gorgeous Thanks

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Mhw02 · 17/05/2013 15:33

Registered for mumsnet so I can post in the woolly threads. I have posted off a couple of blankets today, so hope they arrive soon. One of them is my first ever attempt at crochet (I only learnt three weeks ago!), but I definitely think I'll be crocheting again - thoroughly enjoyed doing it!

By the way, have noticed mentions of cards - are we meant to send cards with our blankets as I haven't done that?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/05/2013 15:37

Glad to have you with us X

Re cards, if you would like to include a note/card for the parents receiving the blanket, it would be a lovely gesture, but please don?t feel you have to. All Little Hugs will have a woven label, like a name tag, sewn in that says ?With Love from Woolly Hugs? but have a think

It is still not too late, happy to unite for you.

Thanks
Mhw02 · 17/05/2013 16:04

Thanks, Pistey. I won't this time, (I'd only spend about a month fussing over what to write) but will think about it for the next time I'm posting some. (I've got about five half finished.)