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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.

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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

OP posts:
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KnottyLocks · 13/09/2013 20:06

Idrisssss

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/09/2013 11:49

OK, my solid grannies don't have the squarest corners, I'm doing three trebles, chain two, three trebles, and the corners are rounded. Which is not so bad until trying to join a Babette. I did one that was just 4 solid grannies, and it really doesn't have the straightest overall edge. How can you make a solid granny square like a trad granny would be?

Tis Confused

I'm just about to join 9 small squares with their bloody curved corners and the edge will be positively frilly. Apologies Knots

Brew
KnottyLocks · 14/09/2013 12:02

Oh cheers , love Grin

For future ref, try 2tr, 2ch,2tr for the corners. Less bulky.

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/09/2013 18:33

Wine [ThumbsUp]

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/09/2013 18:37

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

A year ago today we launched our Little Hug Project, and what a year it has been, with more than 200 little blankets being made for babies and children at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow, more for children of Mumsnetters, and one for the most lovely Mumsnetter too. X

HUGE thanks to all fabulous donors and crafters who have helped make this project such a success. As you know the feedback we have had has just been amazing. Families really do feel the love and support crafted into every stitch.

So THANK YOU! May the project go from strength to strength Xx

I feel we should have Cake Smile I've never used the cake pic before

Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake

Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake Cake

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

Mhw02 · 14/09/2013 19:25

I feel a sudden pressing need to actually go and make real sponge Cake now.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/09/2013 20:48

And sadly we know you don't live anywhere near us, or Knotty and I'd be round for tea and cake Grin

Mhw02 · 14/09/2013 20:57

Well, you know, if you're ever in the area Grin.

I could try posting some, but I'm not sure it would survive the journey...

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/09/2013 09:24
Grin
RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/09/2013 09:26

Three huge bags of gorgeous woolly treasure all ready to go to Yorkhill, UPS are coming this afternoon. Heartfelt thanks to everyone!

Thanks
KnottyLocks · 17/09/2013 09:51

Go to work , Little Hugs!

Huge thanks, lovely Woolly folk Smile Thanks

OP posts:
GlaikitFizzog · 17/09/2013 17:36

The sun is shining to welcome them north of the border :o

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/09/2013 19:14

awwww....

I go and check where they are....

GlaikitFizzog · 17/09/2013 19:15

It's ffffffffrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiizzzzzzzzzzziiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnn though! Good job they are cosy in themselves!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 17/09/2013 19:19

They are still at the UPS depot at Heathrow.

Tis fffrizzzin. I am back in my boots and vest.

KnottyLocks · 17/09/2013 19:32

Tis frizzzin. I have lit the fire to crochet in front of [old bird]

OP posts:
GlaikitFizzog · 17/09/2013 19:34

I want a fire! How's the squirrel Pistey?

TheWoollybacksWife · 17/09/2013 22:15

Pistey can I be a pain and ask you to post the next set of deadlines, please.

I'll definitely have something to send but have loads of yarn since my Deramores spree and would like to make some more if time allows. Smile

Ta

KnottyLocks · 17/09/2013 22:31

Woolly, the deadl

OP posts:
KnottyLocks · 17/09/2013 22:34

Deadline for Babettes is 1st Nov (to me)

Billie's blankets - 22nd Nov

Will get back to you with a Little Hugs deadline once we've set one.

OP posts:
TheWoollybacksWife · 17/09/2013 22:38

Thanks Knotty Grin

That deadline will mean I can contribute so will be able to do some stash busting before I move house. Less yarn to pack is good isn't it? Grin

Portofino · 17/09/2013 22:38

Knotty, I should have at least 2 billies blankets by November, possibly 3. How many squares? I was going on at least 5 by 7....

Portofino · 17/09/2013 22:39

I am a bit,slow....

RatherBeOnThePiste · 18/09/2013 05:49

Morning Brew

The Little Hugs are continuing their journey, right now they are in transit having not long left Preston. Love being able to track them!

Porto, 5 by 7 is fab. And possibly not as slow as I am, would take me a week to knit one square! You are doing marvellously. :) Thanks

Woolfey · 18/09/2013 07:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.