A Blanket for CritterPants : Donors and crafters, your help is needed.

[KnottyAndPistey]

We recently heard the tragic news that CritterPants’ son James died on the evening of the day he was born following devastating complications. There is no separate thread, Critter has been a rock to so many on the Conception TTC 10+++ thread, she still is, and is being supported there. Our thoughts are with James, Critter, her DH, their families and friends. Please do use this thread for messages to the family.

We have offered to make a blanket and lovely Critter has said she is so grateful and moved that we would do this kind and generous thing and that it means the world to her and her DH. Bless her heart. We hope that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can.

So once again we are calling on the Blanketeers for help - whether it be donating, knitting or crocheting. Will you join us? ?

Knotty ( KnottyLocks ) will 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. Please do PM Knotty if you need help.

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.
Please PM me with your offers of help ( RatherBeOnThePiste)

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 C. 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...

• Mid to dark blues
• Silvers
• Cream - one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, James C. Brett Pure Merino DK no 7, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream
• Red - but only Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please.

Suggestions for squares
Snowflakes, bobbles, stars, stripes (Critter lives in the States with her American DH) and we have initials, both individually and if anyone can do a design with 3 initials on one square do message us.

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. Squares to be 6 inches, using 4mm hook or needles.

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.

As always heartfelt thanks for your support

Thinking of baby James and his family

Pistey and Knotty

Had to take DC in for a bit of minor dental work and managed a side trip to the PO. Squares on their way to you.

Love to critterpants and all family. xx

One square done, will start another this afternoon.

Thinking about Critter and family x

Posted!

loveslemondrizzlecake - while this thread is in chat, you can load the picture using the linky boxes below the message box - but make sure they're not too big :)

Had a message from Laughing Hens to say they've despatched my wool donation to my crafter, hurrah! So hopefully it'll be there in a day or so. :)

My wool has been despatched, hope that the crafter will get it in the next day or so .

One square down, another well on the way. I've found a lovely starry, bobbly square on ravelry I'm having a go at. So far it's a little bit fiddly in places but I think it'll be worth it. Thinking of the family a lot, love to them xxx

Three squares crocheted full of love. Will post tomorrow. Thinking of critter&co. Might try and upload the pics tomorrow. Currently on phone and commuting...

Morning all! My wool and hook has arrived. I've got the cream and red. It's so soft and gorgeous. I feel very emotional doing this. I was going to get mil to teach me but due to the "Cold War" deepening I'm having to go it alone. I have started with chain stitch this morning using YouTube. Any advice or if this is wrong, please let me know. I am sooo determined to get at least one square to the blanket. It may take me a while though! Lots of love to all of you and especially to the awe inspiring Critter. Xxx

Afternoon all :)

Thank you so much everyone

You are a star PrincessChick

I always recommend Catherine Hirst, she uses UK terminology and has video tutorials for both left and right handers. I think she is very good

In a way, I would recommend trying a granny square, somehow working in the round is easier it seems, see video tutorial here

And good luck, if you need any more help do come back here X

Thanks pistey! Great link. I've done the first middle bit now. It's taken a little while, and is a bit of an "interpretation" and very wonky. But I'm proud nonetheless. I'll be carrying on after dinner.

Lemons would love to see your squares. Bet they're beautiful x

Princess - I'm fairly 'new' to this as well. I think sometimes the slightly wonky bits are the best bits, they show how hard we've tried

(No disrespect intend to any experts who are producing your squares with just as much love and care )

Evening

We have several lovely, lovely donors to thank, either your woolly wool has arrived safely with your crafter or funds with us, either way we truly are enormously grateful. Thank you

Zhx3

Kasbah

DevonLoch

Thumbwitch

Raydown

Thank you so much, you are all stars.

Pistey, lovely wool arrived today, thank you :)
I shall get crafting tonight xx

Oh such good news Pig

Woolly treasure has been arriving too, two lots are unnamed, would love it if someone claimed them, then we can thank you properly :)

Huge thanks to the crafters, such beautiful squares, bless you for all your energy, love and care.

MNP Two gorgeous crocheted squares, one a cream herringbone with silver star, the other a corner to corner is blues. Just lovely

PastaandCheese Absolutely beautiful. a granny stripe in cream and blues. Fabulous

And two with no names, unless I am blind!

Two beautiful red knits came with a little hug. I think I know who they are from and have messaged on Facebook, not heard yet :)

And three absolutely gorgeous red, white and blue crochet squares, one is a bobble-y stripe. All fabulous. Came in a Tesco freezer bag?

Please do claim, they really are lovely!! Heartfelt thanks to everyone.

Thinking of James, Critter and her DH tonight X

Mine were in the Tesco freezer bag ( inside poly mailer)! Sorry for lack of name/return address, was a bit distracted when packaging them!

So, I've sort of done a granny square. There is one problem... It's only 2 x 2 square inches

I used the video above. Has it come out small because my crochet hook is smaller than the lady's hook or am I doing the stitches too closely? I'm too ashamed to send this square but will keep it as my first piece of crochet.

For mark II can someone tell me if I just add 3 x as many stitches or do I need to follow another pattern? Or do my stitches need to be bigger?

Thanks
X

What size hook are you using, Princesschick, and how many rounds does your granny square have?

It's a 4mm hook (as per the OP) - should it be bigger??. I'm not sure what rounds are... But it was 4 chain stitches to make a circle and then once the little circle was made it was 3 x triple stitch linked by a chain of 2 and then 3 x triple stich. There's a circle with a hole and then 4 holes in each corner... This isn't very coherent is it?

have a look at this Princess. 4mm hook is fine, you've made your circle and done one round so far if that helps, keep going!! A full granny square is usually about 7 rounds ish depending on how tight your tension is and your yarn

Ok so the first ring of chains doesnt count as a round, the chain with the (treble crochet/double crochet in American?) stitches is round 1, then to made another short chain and another round, so 2 rounds?

If that is so, your stitches are perfectly sized and you just need to add 4 more rounds. As you've fastened off the first colour, you could start with another colour, that would look lovely. Just add the new wool at a corner with a slip stitch, chain 3 (to be treated as the first treble crochet) and do the same as you have been, repeating the same number of stitches and chain stitiches in the corners and adding extra stitches in the gaps, wih chain stitches over the previous treble crochet stitches of previous round. :)

Ah, so you have one round so dar, not two? Yes, have a look at more videos and keep going. :)

Ahhh... I see! Well as that one's a bit scrappy and now chewed by DD I'll start again and add some red to the next one. Thank you all, this has cheered me greatly, I thought I had done something very wrong.

X

Ooo great link ninjagoose mine looks nothing like that! back to the drawing board tomorrow xx