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:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/03/2013 08:45

Well I'm baffled too, their loss is most definitely our gain. We'd absolutely love to have your grandma join the Blanketeers, that would be fabulous. Blankets she makes for us will help give support, love and comfort, they really mean so much to those who receive them. Thank you so much for thinking of us! ThanksThanksThanksThanks

We have three ongoing projects, you have found this one, all the info is in Knotty's OP, in addition we have...

Angel Hugs for the Brompton Hospital

Billie's Blankets for World Child Cancer

They are also described in full on our website Here, look to the right of the menu bar to Little/Angel Hugs

We are on Facebook at MNWoollyHugs and Twitter @MNWoollyHugs.

We photograph all blankets for all projects that arrive and there are photo albums of these on the website and on Facebook

She could maybe have a look at the projects and see which she would like to contribute to?

Any blankets she makes for us will be so very gratefully received Smile

If there is any more info you need, do ask.

And once again, thank you so much ThanksThanksThanksThanksThanks

NotADragonOfSoup · 01/03/2013 11:44

It could be fire safety, amongst other aspect. With the Hugs, they are, in effect, personal possessions rather than the property of the hospital so perhaps it doesn't matter.

nickelbabe · 01/03/2013 12:46

I missed a bit of last thread.
Did those squares of my mum's get made up yet?
I'd love to see the final result (I can't remember who I sent them to..)

InNeedOfBrandy · 01/03/2013 16:02

Oh she's so thrilled that she can help, she is on fb so will direct her next Thursday so she can see and decide, won't be seeing her before then, she might decide all 3 Smile she loves making blankets and children. If she wants to start straight away without looking it's 18 by 18 and soft wool yes?

Don't be surprised if I come back in a week with a list of all her friends that want to help to Grin

GlaikitFizzog · 01/03/2013 16:19

Any size InNeedOfBrandy minimum 18x18. Although, if she does make some children, best not post them to pistey Wink

InNeedOfBrandy · 01/03/2013 16:22

Just got off the phone to my nan (not my grandma) and she wants to get involved with Billyhugs to. She likes knitting and needs something to do on a night time and keep busy.

GlaikitFizzog · 01/03/2013 16:27

Yay! We have a granny brigade!! I'm sure if she were still here my grandma would be in too, she was an amazing knitter. Left handed too! She could simultaneously knit watch tv read a book and drink tea! Was like watching an octopus!

FairyJen · 01/03/2013 16:34

Right I've looke at your web page. I'm half way through doing a patchwork blanket and honestly the seams are that far off on last patch they could be separate quilts!! Blush

Is there a criteria ie "that's awful throw it away"?? I'm a novice at this but am tryin hard. If its too terrible to use will you tell me or politely say thank you and them have a good laugh at it? Grin

Trazzletoes · 01/03/2013 16:53

Fairy I haven't managed a full hug yet but I do the odd square for other blankets. I am reliably informed that its the thought that counts and it doesn't matter how wobbly it is. Which makes me happy.

FairyJen · 01/03/2013 16:56

But they all look sO gorgeous and lovely. I was imagining children opening blankets and being thrilled and then the poor child opening mine and face falling... Was like some awful save the children tv ad. Grin

GlaikitFizzog · 01/03/2013 16:59

A wise (I'll refrain from saying old) mner once told be she always includes a mistake in her work, because once you reach perfection there is no joy left! I had adopted this stance, and ensure each blanket, square or dragon I make has a little oopsie! Otherwise where is the joy? :o

FairyJen · 01/03/2013 17:04

I like your thinking! Grin

I'm making blankets for both dc and what's really bad is that I'm more bothered about the perfection on woolly hugs than I am theirs! I keep switching out bad patches for good ones

Terrible mother I am Sad

Trazzletoes · 01/03/2013 17:11

Fairy my DS is poorly and has a Little Hug. I appreciate the love and care behind it, the effort that went in to it... He just loves his blankie and is happy that a lovely person cared enough to make it for him.

It's beautiful. But even if it were shit, we genuinely wouldn't care.

GlaikitFizzog · 01/03/2013 17:16

:o :o

Seriously, every stitch, loop, purl, and snip is done with love and hope. And if you have a poorly child, love and hope is what you need in abundance.

Trazzletoes · 01/03/2013 17:26

Fizzy go ahead! I love them! Grin

Not sure DH would be impressed though - I'm trying to declutter!

FairyJen · 01/03/2013 18:10

When ds was in scbu were given little crocheted blanked an woollen hat. Still got them although thankfully he too big for them now. I always wonder tho if they were made by a woolly hugger!

CamperWidow · 02/03/2013 22:07

Ok, so I've started on my snuglie and will finish that and then send it with the squares.

GlaikitFizzog · 03/03/2013 08:40

Yesterday I found myself browsing hobbycraft! They have 3 for 2 on all yarn just now. Got myself some sidar snowflake! How lovely is that, if it is a nightmare to knit with?

I also got a few balls of sublime for my blanketeering stash, buttons and beads for my Easter chicks I'm going to make for ds!

And I bought one of those plastic storage units for all my woollieness, and its filled already! I should have bought the bigger one Blush

I have problems! :o

HaveToWearHeels · 03/03/2013 17:52

Fizzy Snowflake is OK to work with, I had no problems when I used it.

GlaikitFizzog · 03/03/2013 17:55

It's a bit sticky on my rosewood needles, but that might just be because I haven't used the 5.5mm needles before and it needs seasoned in! A 25g ball goes a long way doesn't it!

HaveToWearHeels · 03/03/2013 19:44

Must admit the last time I used it was on metal needles lol

GlaikitFizzog · 03/03/2013 20:04

Metal would probably be better, but I don't have anything bigger than a4mm in metal. So wood is the way to go!

HaveToWearHeels · 03/03/2013 22:34

I do prefer wood or bamboo, have just started using them. I have a huge bag of needles now that I don't use, including loads of duplicates as my Mum can't knit anymore and donated hers to me. What size I you using ? If I have the right size I could post to you.

CamperWidow · 04/03/2013 08:08

Heels, I would love to take any duplicates off your hands!

I only started knitting in August by buying a magazine, so I only have the cheap ones that come with it free. I have about 6 pairs of 5.00!!! BUt I would love some different sizes to do lovely things with.

I haven't got a lot, but I could certainly pay the postage, or do some ironing, or something?!?!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/03/2013 09:21

Morning all Brew Smile

Sunny and frosty here, but almost spring like

Just waiting for UPS to take the next batch of Little Hugs to Yorkhill. They are due between 9 and 3, so what time will they come I wonder?! Love, compassion and hope in abundance. that's for sure. Couldn't laugh at that, could you? FairyJen Your quilts will be perfect because they will have all of that crafted in. Tis all good. Thanks