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

Thanks lovely, have just replied, hopefully. PMs were messing around a bit so not 100% sure. Your blue sounds great, thank you SO much

Have posted mine back this morning.

are they really learning to knit or crochet just for Oma? oh that's lovely. I'm not even going to pretend there's something in my eye, it's actually made me well-up.
Oma has touched so many people, and we're all with her during this very tough time.

I've received my wool and I'm already 1/3 of the way through my square- it already looks in relief, so I think it'll work
thanks pistey sfk

I went out this morning and bought wool and a hook and I am sitting here with YouTube trying to figure it out.
I haven't committed to sending a square because I may be shit at this. But I'm going to have a go, even if it's so I can perhaps send something another time.
If you don't hear from me I have knotted my fingers together and can't type [grin ]

Good luck Pag!

Having knitted on and off for years I was totally bemused by crochet at first and convinced it was 90% witchcraft but then there's suddenly that moment when it just clicks.

You Tube is fab. What are you aiming for? IMO granny squares are much easier to learn on vs rows.

Come back and shout if we can help you can type with your nose right?

Oh Pag you star! Good luck and if we don't hear from you for a day or so, I'll send the St Bernard.

Catherine Hirst on YouTube is very good. She taught me, I luffs her and she is very patient.

Oh Pag, you little well-tailored treasure

Squares just finished, so will post tomorrow.

That is very sad news and I am very sorry for Dutchoma and her family.

I can make some squares. I will PM Pistey.

Thanks GGG and thank you Pasta - have just replied

www.littletinbird.co.uk/free-crochet-tutorials/basic-granny-square-pattern/ this granny tutorial is brilliant! I can now crochet, but not entirely convinced there isn't some witchcraft involved.

Pistey, parcel posted to you on Saturday, but sent from deepest darkest Coastal Scotland, so not collected until today. Very first crochet WH square in it

I got your PM Pistey so all working well there.

I second the Catherine Hirst videos. She taught me how to crochet last year. And I was a dreadful knitter when I was a child so was very sceptical about my being able to learn to crochet.

Woolly goodness arrived with me today pistey, I shall get cracking. Thanks lovely xx

doing a practice square with some leftover wool I had from baby jumper. It's 39 stitches wide, is that ok?

Have finished one knitted square - if the colours aren't okay I can use it for something else, it just seemed right to knit a cross in that colour.

Have found a lovely pattern for a crochet tulip square, so will start on that and hopefully post both squares at the weekend.

First square nearly finished, a bit slow going and a fair few false starts but wanted it to be a good as I could for DutchOma. I'm loving the Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in mulberry, it's a gorgeous colour so hoping it goes with everyone else's!

The mulberry is gorgeous, funnily enough was admiring it yesterday and it has now gone on to a crafter, so there is definitely more mulberry in Oma's blanket.

Mhw02 - tis just beautiful, thank you

Good news Pig

Blue Tension varies so much between folk, how wide does that measure? A little under 6 inches is better than over. Hopefully your wool will arrive today - let me know if not

Morning everyone and thank you :)

I've finished my cross square.
I didn?t have a rule when i started, and it turned out to be 7", so I went in a bit.

I've got some green and some blue, so may I combine with purple on the next one?

You may

Morning :)

We need the photo option in the Woolly Hugs topic. we don't have it do we?

One down and hopefully one more to do. I still have lots of yarn left on the ball so can definitely get another one done. Will try to do it by the end of the weekend and will post early next week. I have a Teddington address from March last year, is that still the right one?

My selvedge edge went a bit wonky half way through when I had to unpick (first time unpicking and I think the stitches went on the needle the wrong way around!). Anyhow, hopefully you can still sew it on okay.

So I have done 3 granny squares.
Two seem to be 6 1/2 inches the other, 5 1/2 inches.
I blame DH for the fact that I clearly have no idea what 6 inches actually looks like.
Plus I came home yesterday to find small dog had hog tied himself with Debbie bliss teal wool.

Here are my two - the blue isn't blue, it's the teal colour from Drops and the border is a deep purple. The red heart is Official Approved Red left over from ladybirds... The Celtic knot work cross I made up [preen]

In awe of your skills OwlCapone
That looks excellent.