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

On this Mothers Day our thoughts are with the very lovely gnittingnome, her husband and son. This must be a very difficult day for their whole family. Thinking too of all our donors and crafters who are missing someone they love.

Sending strength, love and huge hugs to all.

Pistey and Knotty X

Beautiful squares have been arriving, really is such a privilege seeing them all come together, truly heartwarming. Thank you to all lovely crafters for all that they do. Inspirational stuff.

Mhw02 In shades of purple, a gorgeous granny square, just beautiful.

Kveta In lavender and stone, two gorgeous granny squares, and a separate stone coloured octopus embellishment Beautiful

SDTG On stone and in lavender, one of SDTG's trademark beautiful flowers. Just gorgeous

PurpleFrog In purple crochet, a mitred striped square, and a star design. Both just lovely

MasterFlea Two beautiful crocheted squares in lavender, one a bobble-y rocket, the other has a stone parasol design. Just fabulous

fan On stone, a lovely circular design and with purple a solid granny. Just beautiful

fan's mum Has made three toy geckos for Wesley, crocheted so beautifully in meadow and parchment stylecraft, approx 28cm long, they even have little hooks on, so that they can be attached to the wall. Just awesome, please thank her from us fan X

Pink4boys Absolutely gorgeous, two knitted squares, a gothic cat and a striped gecko, just lovely!

All cards will be kept safely and sent on at the close of the project.

Thank you everyone, so much. Folk never fail to amaze

Afternoon all :)

Huge thanks to all the lovely crafters, a woolly mountain has arrived today and everything is so beautiful. Honestly, folk are amazing

MinnieBar Beautiful purple, lavender and stone squares, gorgeous crochet, lovely

SeymoreButts In a vibrant purple, three absolutely fabulous designs in crochet. Beautiful

NinjaGoose Fabulous crochet, a bat, parasols, and octopus square, then separate embellishments - a cat, rocket, and gecko. Awesome

CakeyCakeyCakey Two beautiful double crochet squares in a super purple. Just lovely. Lovely too was the cute little drawing on the envelope and inside :) Made my day to your DS

OrangeBlossom2 Two super knits, one a lovely basket weave, the other a heart design, just lovely, so beautiful. Lovely purple too

TrinityRhino Beautiful. Three gorgeous granny squares in taupe, lovely and a cute little separate flower embellishment too. Super

TheWoollyBacksWife In a lovely purple, a moss stitch square, beautiful

A lot of cards for families have been arriving, we will look after them all until the close of the project, then send them on together.

Thank you EVERYONE, you are all stars

I hope I still have time to get my squares done. I've been really ill the past two weeks, running a fever tonight and my throat is pretty swollen and sore. I've got one patch nearly done, and hopefully the other's to follow when I get a bit better.

Just marking my place so this stays on my active conversations. Have had a busy March and am now catching up on squares.

Apologies, have been away for a couple of days, and have returned to a glorious woolly mountain of treasure, huge thanks to everyone, what an amazing response

Rubycon Beautiful knits in stone, just lovely

Moaningmingewhingesagain For gnitting's love of sci fi, two knitted Dalek designs on a lovely deep purple. Beautifully fabulous

Mhw02 On a purple knit, a fabulous bat and moon design, really clever, super

Thank you SO much everyone, just brilliant, you are stars

Afternoon all :)

Beautiful woolly treasure is here, thinking of lovely gnittingnome and TeamWesley X

Macdog Two taupe granny squares, super snuggly, just beautiful.

PurpleKittyKnitting In a lovely purple, a solid granny square, plus a knitted octopus design and a fab bat too.

MrsPennyapple Beautiful purple knit with lovely diamond textured pattern, gorgeous

Thank you so much everyone, you really are stars

Hi pistey, am slowly but surely getting through some squares. I have made an octopus embellishment for one of the squares but it's in some of the cream not beige. Will this be ok? I can redo in another shade of purple if it's a problem :)

Actually, could we have the cream one to go on a mini hug when we send the cards, and a purple one for the blanket? Or is that too greedy?

And thank you xxx

Morning :)

Nope that is perfect :)
Quiet day in work, I'm thinking of baking a cake and booking while it's in the oven.

I will definitely get my squares posted off tomorrow. We've been manic here getting the new kitchen in. I finished them ages ago sorry for the delay in posting.

No apology needed, Songbird. Xxx

Morning :)

Apologies for the delay from me, had to go and retrieve some parcels from the Post Office.

Woolly treasure ahoy. Just beautiful, how amazing folk are, so much love and care.

Two of the initials in purple, beautifully knitted, thank you so much, so sorry though, we have been absolutely bombed and I'm not 100% sure, are these yours EEatingSoupForLunch ? They are just lovely, thank you

Thank you xxxx

and... This beauty. I apologise, I read your note and now can't find it but I know what you said, and rest assured, this square is just lovely, thank you! Please someone claim it, tis just lovely.

Thank you so much xxx

Sorry for the delay, I've finally got my squares for all 3 blankets done and I'll get them in the post tomorrow. They're tied together and labelled so you'll know which blanket they're for

Thanks lovely X

Evening

A gentle reminder that last posting for squares for the blankets for gnittinggnome, Inaminutenow and minmooch is this week - Saturday 26th April.

Huge and heartfelt thanks.
Pistey and Knotty

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving - the most enormous thanks to all

Roxvox My mystery has been solved because I found your letter :) A beautiful striped knit in purples and mushrooms, just gorgeous.

Ophelia Beautifully knitted, and just perfect, a set of initials in a lovely purple

RoguePixie Two fabulous knits in purples, one a moss, the other a stocking stripe, super

Primrose123 Absolutely gorgeous in mushroom and taupe, beautiful crochet designs. Just lovely

KateF Two super snuggly knits in a fabulous bright purple, gorgeous

Huge thanks one and all, you are stars

Afternoon, almost evening

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving and is so gorgeous, folk never fail to amaze, such a lot of love and care. Thank you

Coffeeandchocolateplease In a super heathery purple and taupe, two beautiful knits, one with an octopus on, the other a heart. Both just fabulous

NeedaSilverLining In purple and stone, beautiful crochet - a lovely stripe and a super octopus embellishment with a purple square. Fab

Thank you both so much, these are so lovely

I put my 3 initial squares in the post this morning. They have been ready to go for at least a week but I always leave it until the last minute and then realise the post office closes early on a Saturday. Sorry hope they will be with you tomorrow.

No apologies needed lovely. Thank you x

Afternoon woolly chums :)

More beautiful treasure has been arriving for the very lovely Gnittinggnome's family. Just so gorgeous. Folk really are amazing. Thank you

Soupy A fabulous bat on purple with stone border, just awesome!

RiaOverTheRainbow Super knits in taupe and stone, beautiful cats, an octopus design, bats, and a super snuggly textured knit, what is this one Ria? Tis luffly

Thank you both so much, just marvellous x

It's daisy stitch :)

Aha! Tis vair lovely in the two colours, makes it SO snuggly. I am in awe of you knitting folk, just amazing! :)

Morning

Beautiful squares have been arriving, heartfelt thanks to the lovely crafters, such starry starriness!

MNP Beautiful crochet, including a super snuggly basket weave, a cabled heart and a fabulous octopus in taupe on lilac. Gorgeous

Woolfey On stone, some of Woolfey's beautiful trademark embroidery - beautiful, a purple and black parasol, gorgeous, plus a beautiful bobbled solid granny, super

Thank you so much, all cards will be looked after and sent in the next week or so with the mini hugs. Just need to make sure we have from everyone who wishes to send.