Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for DutchOma, crafters and donors we need your help.

[KnottyAndPistey]

Very sad news I’m afraid. Our lovely DutchOma’s husband Bob died last week on January 6th, after a long illness. We knew he’d been very poorly, but always had hope. Such a sad loss for her, their children, grandchildren, family and friends. Bless them all. They had been married for nearly 43 years. There has been no separate thread, Oma is being supported by friends on the Christian prayer thread here but please do feel free to use this thread to post condolences. She and her family are in our hearts and thoughts, and we send them love.

Oma has supported and encouraged so many Mumsnetters over the years, including us more than she may realise, and has been such a long term staunch supporter of the blanket making projects on Mumsnet, so we were so pleased when she accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug. We will make it with love for her, as a tribute to her beloved Bob, and a celebration of a joint life filled with love.

So we need crocheters, knitters and donors. Can you help us? Please post on this thread, but also PM me ( RatherBeOnThePiste ) with your offers of help so we know where we are. Thank you.

If you would like to donate wool or funds, I can match you up. If you would like to join in but need donated wool, I can help there too.

Knotty ( KnottyLocks ) is here to help with any crafting queries. All crafting abilities genuinely welcome, squares made by beginner or expert are equally welcomed. It really is the love and thought that counts. Squares to be 6 inches, using 4mm hook or needles. Please do PM Knotty if you need help.

The Yarn we are Using….

• Artesano Superwash Merino DK
• Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK (discontinued but some still around)
• Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
• Drops Merino Extra Fine DK
• James Brett Pure Merino DK (also discontinued, some still to be had)
• Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK
• Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK

Just from the brands listed please because we know they combine for wash and wear.

The colours we are using...
A rich, dark palette of blues, greens, purples, plums.

Suggestions for motifs/designs

• Bob loved Holland so we are thinking tulips to celebrate this, we have a beautiful tulip field design for Team Knit if anyone would like this, please email us on [email protected] (Thanks to PracticallyPerfectNot)
• We have initials, do PM if you are thinking this might be for you.
• Can anyone find a ball of wool and knitting needle design?
• Religious motifs, for example angels would be perfect.

Do use the crafting guide on the website to help you with lots of practical info such as help with buying colours, recommended online retailers and if interested there are a lot of linked suggestions for patterns.

Previous blankets can be seen on the Woolly Hugs website and we are on Facebook and Twitter at MNWoollyHugs/@MNWoollyHugs which are both good ways to keep in touch.

This means so much to Oma, thank you so much for joining with us

Pistey and Knotty

Right, I need to do a quick metric to imperial conversion....

I've done a sort of raised cross so far, but Pistey, it isn't half going to need some blocking , sorry...

Bluetinkerbell, that is smashing...keep going! X

Athel, no.worries, we'll sort it this end.

This kindle is lacking in punctuation skills

I posted mine yesterday.

I had to block the heart one but I did it with steam and it hasn't had any adverse affect to the edge stitches wrt putting it together, it's just flattened it out nicely. I just pinned it on the ironing board and hovered the steam iron over it for less than a minute - worked a treat.

Just finished square number two. The crochet square I was going to do was exactly the same as the one PigOfHappiness posted upthread, so I made another knitted square instead. I had to put some knots in the back to secure the ends as the back is so crowded with a cross-cross of strands that I had trouble finding the stitches to sew the ends in. Hope that's okay!

itook my

I took my crochet

I took my crochet to to the memorial service today.
but I didn't get a chance to show it

14.5cm is about 5 &3/4"

ooh, no please don't block the pieces! even.if you think it needs it! the compilers will make sure they all fit and they can't do that if they're blocked! :(

That depends what you do to them.

it's fine if you're doing your own blanket, but we've always been asked not to block woolly hugs squares.

don't panic, though, I'm sure they'll be able to cope with it :)

I'm happy to sponsor the wool needed to join the squares (as before) - please let me know if it's needed.

what is the time frame? (bit short on cash now, but can send cheque end of Feb - is that too late?)

're blocking, we ask that you don't as unblocked squares allow for a tad more wiggleability. Six inch squares seem to vary a bit

But panic not if you have blocked them.... crochet is a dark art

Pm heading your way, Zing.

Thanks Zing

Morning all :)

Squares are on the way!

Afternoon :)

Beautiful woolly treasure ahoy, and how very lovely it is. Huge thanks to the crafters for all their love, care and thought

Macarooned Two gorgeous deep purple solid granny squares with flower centres, really beautiful

BeerTricksPotter One moss, one garter knit, super snuggly in plum, beautiful.

Jacksmania Absolutely gorgeous, on purple and navy crochet, one square with a lovely flower embellishment, the other with hearts. Just super

WatchingOut Beautiful, a dark pink E and a purple B in crochet. Perfect

Soupy Absolutely beautiful. Two gorgeous green crocheted squares, one with an intricate cross design, the other with a heart. Just lovely

Thank you everyone. You really are marvellous

Thanks Athelstane

Gah!! How do I keep missing these? Am I too late? can I offer some wool to someone please? Will of course PM Pistey once I know it's not too late.

Not too late thumb, last posting still 3 weeks away :)