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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:
Thread gallery
107
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 09/03/2017 09:24

It's a pretty pattern bookbook. The photo of your yarn on the other thread looked like a really pretty baby blue. It looks grey on this thread. I think my iPad doesn't like certain types of lighting!?

Now you've finished, can we have a photo? 😊

bookbook · 09/03/2017 10:20

I may be a quick knitter, but not that quick Chipping Grin - not with Chernobyl, Candys and a woolly hug too. I will post when done though :). It is a really pretty baby blue -( maybe looking grey because this is shown against a white tablecloth?) I bought it in a closing down sale, just because....

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 10/03/2017 14:42

bookbook. I misread what you wrote (on the other thread)you said that you'd 'set on' the baby blanket, I thought you'd said/meant 'seNt on' 😂

KnottyAndPistey · 10/03/2017 14:52

Last posting for Billie's Blankets for Myanmar is tomorrow please! Thanks all. xxx

Next dates and crafting info is all here...

bookbook · 10/03/2017 16:49

Sorry K&P - this won't be done in time, but will send it with some other bits for the next last posting :)

KnottyAndPistey · 11/03/2017 10:23

No apologies lovely, tis all ongoing xxxx

bookbook · 20/03/2017 12:47

Finished Just squeaked in at 18" x 18" ....

Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
flutterworc · 26/04/2017 09:24

Quick question. I have the most beautiful ball of Sirdar Colourwheel 'Follow The Rainbow'. Can I use it for a Little Hug? It's soft and machine washable... I've attached its info for folk what know the rules!

Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
flutterworc · 26/04/2017 23:22

@KnottyAndPistey - Is this yarn okay before I start? My phone won't let me see the OP with the rules!

Okkitokkiunga · 03/05/2017 21:37

I've just seen that the next posting dates for Billie's Blankets are up. I had hoped to get my first ever whole blanket in for the Ghana posting but it took longer than I thought. It's only a little blanket, but I will save it for Malawi and hope to get a couple more done.

Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
KnottyAndPistey · 25/05/2017 09:15

How beautiful, thank you so much, that is glorious xxx

KnottyAndPistey · 25/05/2017 09:18

StarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStar

Little Hugs for Manchester

Urgent appeal, please can anyone help us ?

We had to do something and have been speaking with the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital about sending Little Hug blankets to children and families there which they have said they would love. We are so glad. We do have some blankets already here, but we need to make some bigger blankets too (Chernob size) asap, can anyone help us in a very quick turnaround?

Please, we need 12 inch ideally (or 6 inch) squares in Stylecraft SSDK, in the palette below which we are calling Love and Light. Squares will go into joint blankets. Knit and crochet equally welcome. 4mm hook or needles.

Last posting Wednesday 7th June, or before if poss.

Love and Light palette
Aster
Cloud blue
Sherbert
Teal
Meadow
Turquoise
Bluebell
Saffron
Claret
Lipstick
Violet
Denim
Aspen
Petrol
Spice
Lime
Storm
Tomato
sage
Duck egg
Grass green
Pistachio
Cypress
Lobeila
Kelly green
Empire
Citron

Please, just from these as it will help with a quick turnaround.

The web page is here...

Thank you doesn't come close xxxx

flutterworc · 25/05/2017 09:55

One done and ready to go. Yarn arriving tomorrow for more!

SevenTillFour · 25/05/2017 10:01

Will send my small stash of 6inchers which were intended for Candy Hugs, be please free to direct them for whatever needs there are. It's the very least I can do Sad

bookbook · 25/05/2017 11:00

also hooking for this now - will do what I can !

DoubleR · 25/05/2017 13:23

I'm in, I've sent off my squares for Juan so I'm on this now. Manchester is near my hometown so definitely keen to do what I can.

bookbook · 29/05/2017 20:53

Right , I've seen the Manchester squares are on here
I have done three so far, DD ( flutterworc) has also done three . Hers are the pretty flower ones .
Will carry on - we had a wool delivery arrive on Saturday, so shall do as many as we can :)

Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
TheWoollybacksWife · 29/05/2017 20:59

Reposting from the Boobies thread.

I can construct a Manchester blanket if needed. I think I have yarn from this palette - enough to do at least 1 12" square.

bookbook · 29/05/2017 21:42

Hows the shoulder Woolly - ?

TheWoollybacksWife · 29/05/2017 21:51

Thanks for asking Book. Still sore - my X-rays came back finally and I've got a bone spur growing in my shoulder joint. Waiting to hear from the Drs. this week to see if I'm going to be referred to a consultant. I bloody hope so Grin

Luckily it's my non dominant hand so I can prop it up on a cushion and just use it to tension the yarn for crochet. I haven't tried to knit with it yet.

bookbook · 29/05/2017 22:09

ouch ! Woolly - hope you get the referral

MadisonAvenue · 30/05/2017 10:41

I've got three 12" squares done so far. Will keep going.

Treasures · 30/05/2017 16:24

My 3 x 12" squares done for Manchester and ready to post. Much as I'd love to be able to send more, this is all I can manage for this one. Hoping WH will receive LOADS so this doesn't look like so few.

Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
VintageTeacup · 31/05/2017 10:31

Manchester squares will be in the post this afternoon. Hope they're okay and can go some small way to help give someone some comfort.

Woolly Hugs: The Babettes, Billie's Blankets and Little Hugs.
KnottyAndPistey · 31/05/2017 10:36

Morning all, such beautiful squares, and thank you Woolly!

I truly empathise Woolly - I had a frozen shoulder plus bone spurs growing in my shoulder joint, had keyhole surgery a couple of years ago, was such a relief, hope you get to see the consultant. xxx