Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for gnittinggnome. Donors and crafters, we are asking for your help.

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

Devastating news we’re afraid. The folk on the February antenatal thread received this message from the DH of the very lovely gnittinggnome.

Our son, W, arrived last Tuesday at 7lbs 8oz. Sadly, however, G suffered complications and was rushed into intensive care following delivery. After a hard fight she passed away peacefully on Sunday, surrounded by family. Throughout her pregnancy she spoke fondly of many of you on this thread, buoyed by your wisdom and strength and humour. If I have the strength I will join myself so that W and I can benefit too.

Words really do fail, we are just so very sorry life has been so cruel. Our thoughts are with gnittinggnome’s DH, son, family and friends at this time. We are so pleased to say that her DH has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, and we hope that he and their son will feel our love and support and that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can to them.

Please, can you help us in any way?

We shall need crocheters, knitters and donors. 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) THANK YOU SO MUCH.

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.

Our palette for gnittinggnome is quite specific, so please do read carefully

• Warm purples
• Mushroom/taupe but only from this list please to make sure they go together…

• Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM7 Taupe
• Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM9 Beige
• Debbie Bliss Rialto 06 Stone
• James C. Brett Pure Merino DK 17 Beige

Ideas and suggestions for squares.

• She loved cats, they have two.
• Geckos from their time living in Singapore, when they used to hang about the house.
• Bats since gnittinggnome was a member of a Gothic Women's Institute’s group.
• Rockets for all the science fiction gnittinggnome read and her favourite shows like Firefly.
• Octopi and parasols for her love of the steampunk sub-genre, especially the series, The Parasol Protectorate.
• We also have initials if that would be something for you, PM us.

Reading her DH’s words give us lots of motifs to think about for sure, but please don't feel daunted by these suggestions, we love plain squares and simple textures too. They look as stunning as the more complex squares and play a vital role in the overall effect. Knotty (KnottyLocks ) will help with any crafting queries. Squares to be 6 inches, using 4mm hook or needles. 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.

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.

When finished please sew in those ends but don’t block your work. Then PM me (RatherBeOnThePiste) for details for posting.

As always heartfelt thanks for your support

Thinking of gnittinggnome and all those who love and miss her.

Pistey and Knotty

Oh that's fabulous X

Two more lovely donors to thank, you really are stars. Your wool has arrived safely with your crafter and they will make something beautiful from you both.

Thumbwitch

Flossiechops

You are stars, bless your hearts X

Should I do the gecko in the pale green I have or do you want me to stick to the palette and do taupe?

If you stick with the palette lovely, that would be great, thank you X

Argh I posted my squares yesterday, sorry didn't get to post office on time on Saturday, and now knitting for Inaminutenow's blanket and a slow realisation has dawned that I forgot to sew the ends in on my squares for this blanket I'm really sorry!

Bless you, no apologies needed, thank you so much X

Aargghh. I have run out of Jenny Watson WM13 with half a round of DC to go Would you have any of this yarn Pistey? I haven't got any Taupe to edge with. Would you like me to save this (part) square and just send in the other two? serves me right for trying to squeeze three out of one ball I have some others to send you for inaminutenow but in a different colour x

I just got a parcel with gorgeous purple wool, i will start crocheting this afternoon but I have no idea where to send it when I'm done?

Oh what a pain watching - will have a look for you in a mo, and cakey - good news. When you are ready to post, PM me and I'll give you the all the info. Thank you.

Just wondering if any lovely crafters are still waiting for woolly wool to arrive either their own, or from their lovely donor? Am hearing tales of some onine companies messing about, so am just keen to know that all is well in The World Of Wool.

Am making a big cuppa tea then off to PMs, thank you so much everyone.

Woolly treasure has been arriving, just lovely. Thank you so much to the crafters for all your time, love and care. Folk are amazing.

Xavielli Absolutely gorgeous, super snuggly textures in a soft lavender. Beautiful

RahRahRasputin In a beautiful heathery purple, two really super knits. Gorgeous

Thank you so much, you are stars

Phew glad it's arrived safely :) and that I'm not in trouble for the ends! thank you so much for organising everything x

Gecko almost done, he's actually quite cute. Should I sew in the pesky ends or leave them for sewing him on with?

Oooo lovely, thanks Somersaults. If you sew in one but then leave a long tail on the other for attaching with, that be great. Looking forward to seeing it. Have just been working on Trinity's blanket, and of course there were geckos on there. I am in awe of you folk who can make such amazing things in woolly wool!

Morning all, just to PMs but also am following up some AWOL wool. If anyone else was expecting some and it hasn't yet come, do PM me, and we can follow it up.

Having several asking for last posting. Let me just speak with Knots today and then will be back on that, but we do know that several haven't be able to start crafting yet.

Here I go

There are about a bazillion pesky ends on him and I've not cut any of them especially long. I'll sew them all in and send some matching wool for attaching with, I hope that's a good compromise!

Sounds perfect X

Morning all lovely Woolly folk :)

Just popping in to say, last posting for squares for the blankets for gnittinggnome, inaminutenow and minmooch all to be Saturday 26th April. Do PM when ready to post.

Huge and heartfelt thanks.

Pistey and Knotty X

To answer your query about online shops, I ordered some lovely James C Brett from RKMwools and it arrived yesterday. They were as prompt as Deramores, whom I normally use. And one ball didn't have a label so as a way of apologising, they gave me a complimentary ball in the same range.

I haven't used this wool before and it is so soft. Beautiful stuff.

That is good!

Thanks for the tipoff MasterFlea. I've just ordered too. You can get a 10% off code for signing up to the newsletter or just by entering NEWS10

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving. So much love, care and compassion. Tis something rather amazing you know?

HoggyTruffle Just fabulous, a bat knit in purple, and the most lovely circle crochet design with lavender too. Gorgeous

SpaceFrog35 In heathery purple and mushroom colours, a lovely granny and a very sweet cat design. Beautiful.

HorseDogsNails Really gorgeous, in a deep purple, circle to square crochet. Super

We also have a lovely donor to thank, your wool has arrived with your lovely crafter who I know will make something very special from you both. You star.

RainDancer

All cards will be looked after and will go to the family at the close of the project, we will look after them, thank you for those.

Thank you so much EVERYBODY

Hi Pistey, I'm sorry that I'm only starting now, have been down with pneumonia and just recovering. Haven't been able to get out to buy wool but have got some extra fine merino though probably only a square's worth. Happy to do more but would need to get the wool. Starting it now!

No apologies needed, you poor thing, hope you recover quickly. One square would be lovely. You make and when you are done PM for posting details.

Thank you

Gah sorry meant that to be a PM rather than a post.

Tis early!

Evening :)

Beautiful woolly treasure for lovely gnitting's family has been arriving, and it is so gorgeous. Huge thanks to the crafters for all they do.

Ananikifo Absolutely stunning, in a dark purple, a flower in beautiful bobbles

WoolPixie In a gorgeous heathery purple, cats and a bat, a flower and octopus square, and two fabulous 3D octopi. Super

macarooned Two beautiful solid grannies with intricate crosses, just lovely

Stars, all of you. Thank you.