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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.

897 replies

KnottyLocks · 18/06/2013 16:06

This is a continuation of our Little Hug and Billie's Blanket projects.

Little Hugs will continue to go to babies and children who are seriously ill in Yorkhill hospital and Billie's blankets will be sent in Billie's name, via the wonderful charity World Child Cancer, to children undergoing treatment for cancer in low and middle income countries.

Our aim with the Babettes is to make some bigger blankets for older children, both for Little Hugs and Billie's Blankets.
We will still make blankets of other sizes too.

THE BABETTES

The idea is to make a 12 x 12 inch panel, either crochet or knit, that can be added to others to create bigger blankets.
The panel can be made as one piece, or as a combination of squares, stripes or patterned. For example, a large granny square, or 4 six inch squares together, or a panel of stripes.
The design is up to you as long as it isn't too holey and will be fine stitched or hooked to others.
If you choose to use separate squares as part of your design, can we ask that they be either stitched together, hooked as you go, or hooked together with the seam on the back.

Yarn for Babettes: Stylecraft Special DK only, so we know that the blankets will wash and wear well and, unless your tension is very tight, use 4mm hooks or needles.

Colours: your choice although for practical reasons, we advise avoiding white and cream.
Some colour combinations that would work: blues/greens, purples/pinks, spring colours, primary brights, rainbow shades.

If you Google 'Babette blankets', you'll get an idea of what we have in mind once the panels are combined.

***

FOR WHOLE BLANKETS - Little Hugs and Billie's Blankets:

Minimum size: 18 x 18 inches for Little Hugs; 24 inches by 24 inches for Billie's Blankets.
If you would like to make a blanket that is bigger, that would be lovely.
The children we send Billie's Blankets to are aged 0 to 14 and Yorkhill treat children of a similar age so we will need bigger blankets too hence our Babettes.

Colours: Your choice.
Although again for practical reasons, we advise avoiding white and cream.

Things to avoid:
Any embellishments that could scratch delicate skin or could be swallowed.

Materials:
Suggested yarn for Billies Blankets: Stylecraft Special DK, a soft, non-scratchy acrylic yarn.
If you would like to make a whole blanket, you could use a different weight and make of acrylic yarn. The essential thing is that it needs to be soft against sensitive and delicate skin and that it can be washed and dried quickly and easily.
For Little Hugs: As above, plus any of our usual Woolly Hugs woolly wool or yarn that is soft and can be machine washed.

We would also love fleece backed quilts, or edged fleece blankets if you prefer sewing.

As always, we also welcome any 6 inch squares made using the Stylecraft Special DK or any of the usual Woolly Hugs blanket wools.

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 Thanks

Knotty and Pistey

Website- www.woollyhugs.com
Facebook ? MNWoollyHugs
Twitter - @MNWoollyHugs

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TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission · 26/08/2013 12:21

I have some saffron Ria, if still needed pm me your address as I'm off to the post office tomorrow with my woolly hugs parcel so can post to you at the same time Smile

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/08/2013 13:49

Oh good, I didn't have any, but Ria is sorted :)

RiaOverTheRainbow · 26/08/2013 17:50

Thanks very much Knotty and everyone who checked Flowers At least not being able to finish this blanket has left me with no excuse not to sew up another Grin

Twunk · 27/08/2013 08:33

Thank you so much for Alex's blanket!

Lazy UPS man delivered it to my husband's work (he was picking something up from there and knows we are the same). Good job it wasn't his birthday present or a secret supply of sex toys for the affair I'm (not) having!

I digress, Alex was extremely impressed with it and jettisoned his lightning McQueen blanket to sleep under it last night. Praise indeed Smile

As for me, well I am utterly touched and just overwhelmed at how kind you lovely bunch are. It's beautifully made and just perfect for Alex. And the little treats inside were just so thoughtful too.

It was a month since his initial diagnosis yesterday, I had PMT and the day had just dragged and dragged, so this was also perfectly timed.

Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts xxx

AnyaKnowIt · 27/08/2013 13:28

my woolly hugs are in the post Grin

TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission · 27/08/2013 13:37

I'm off to the post office in a minute, it should have gone saturday but it just didn't stop raining and I didn't fancy getting wet Grin

Mhw02 · 27/08/2013 18:21

Sending thoughts your way, Twunk. All the best wishes to Alex for his treatment and recovery. x

MOSagain · 27/08/2013 18:38

Twunk (((hugs))) xxx

KnottyLocks · 27/08/2013 19:31

Sending much love to you, Twunk.

So pleased that Alex's Little Hug arrived safely and that he loves it Smile

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/08/2013 19:52

Oh Twunk lovely, so glad the Hug is with Alex and already at work.

Thinking of you all and sending much love and strength. Xx

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/08/2013 19:56

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Just put pictures of gorgeous Little Hugs from today on our FB page from Piggy's lovely mum and MOSAgain Huge thanks to you both, you really are stars. And also a lovely thank you from NoCake, which I have copied here....

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for D's gorgeous Little Hug - it is beautiful, just perfect for him (he is so chuffed that it has his initial on!). He has already snuggled up in it today and his operation is a week Monday so it is lovely that he will be able to take it with him to hospital.

It brought tears to my eyes when I opened it, I really want you to know how much it men's to us both.

Thanks again to everyone involved xxxxxx

We shall keep him close in our thoughts too.

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

PurpleFrog · 27/08/2013 20:17

I know that the 31st of this month is the deadline for Billie's Blankets for Ghana. Are there any other deadlines yet? (I have finished a Granny Stripe blanket but can't decide whether it is going to be a Little Hug or a Billie Blanket!)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 28/08/2013 09:51

Morning Purple Brew :)

The 31st is also the deadline for the next batch of Little Hugs for Yorkhill, so don't know if that helps you at all?!

PurpleFrog · 28/08/2013 14:19

Thanks Pistey !

But no - that doesn't help! Grin It still means I have to make a DECISION.

AnyaKnowIt · 29/08/2013 09:27

Any sign of the postman yet?

gets nervous

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/08/2013 09:50

Oh morning Anya - my posty comes about 1/1.30, which is very late really, but it is what it is. Anyway, I will be here. Am trying to regain control of our home at the moment and so far, tis not going ver well. More caffeine required! Brew

AnyaKnowIt · 29/08/2013 10:34

sends more Brew

MOSagain · 29/08/2013 13:05

Pistey do we have a date for angelhugs? x

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/08/2013 13:16

Knotty and I had made a provisional one. Let me just check and come back to you MOS Thanks

And Anya, sorry, tis not here today. Post has just been. Your parcel will come tomorrow. X

RiaOverTheRainbow · 29/08/2013 13:24

My wool arrived today, thanks Knotty Thanks

MOSagain · 29/08/2013 13:25

Thanks Pistey have all squares done so when I return to UK next week will sew together and post to you.

Am a bit pissed I don't seem to have packed enough wool and there is a danger that my needles will be empty in a few days. I thought 8 balls of wool would be enough but seemingly not Sad

AnyaKnowIt · 29/08/2013 14:29

oh no Sad

AnyaKnowIt · 30/08/2013 12:50

any sign today?

RatherBeOnThePiste · 30/08/2013 16:11

Lovely Anya - two unnamed parcels have come today, well, one with an address, the other with a proper name on only. Can you PM me and describe what you sent?

AnyaKnowIt · 30/08/2013 16:38

I've pm you