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

Afternoon and [jammie dodger]

Thank you to more lovely crafters for beautiful woolly treasure for lovely gnittinggnome's family

PurpleFrog A really super purple crocheted cat embellishment. Lovely

Punkypod & Teaandhobnobs Beautiful squares, thanks both, in lavender and purple, colourful grannies, a lovely stripe, gorgeous

Raindancer A set of the initials for the family, beautifully knitted in stone. Just perfect.

Thanks everyone, you are all stars

Posted my squares yesterday - they should arrive today

They here!

:)

Beautiful woolly treasure arriving, just lovely, thank you to all the fabulous crafters for the work you do. Amazing.

JulesJules Absolutely beautiful, a purple lacy knit, super

Pastaandcheese In purples and stone, a rather fabulous granny square. Gorgeous

Allalonenow In a lovely heathery purple, four fabulous knits, gorgeous textures, super snuggly

Trumpton An adorable bat knit on a dark purple, and a lovely taupe textured knit. Absolutely gorgeous

Thank you s much everyone, these really are marvellous. Thank you. All cards will be looked after safely until we send, which hopefully will be soon. Just need to make sure we have them all.

You are stars

Ooohh glad you got them safely. When I posted them, the assistant asked me what was in the package, "In case it is anything to do with terrorism" she said
I thought of saying it was guerrilla knitting, but I just kept quiet.

Just checking in x

I was hoping my squares would have arrived by now, hoping they aren't lost!! :(

Hello lovely. Was out this morning and got home to a red card. Says 6 parcels in PO. They put a band round them. So they'll all be together, will go on Tuesday. Please fret not. X

Afternoon all :)

Apologies if you have been waiting to hear, some parcels got stuck in the Post office over the Bank Holiday, and was only able to retrieve this morning.

Woolly treasure has been arriving and it is so beautiful, honestly folk never fail to amaze.

Jules146 Four beautiful granny squares on stone and purples, absolutely gorgeous.

ilove Fantastic! In a gorgeous purple, beautiful granny squares. Super, and a tape measure!!

Fabulous, heartfelt thanks

Sorry ilove - that should say purpleS

thank you

Afternoon :)

Such beautiful work has been arriving - treasure indeed. Thanks to the amazing crafters. Awesome

HairyPotter In stone and lavender, a super granny square and a fabulous heart design knit too. Gorgeous

Thank you so much. You are a star

Morning :)

Thank you so much, beautiful woolly treasure has arrived for the very lovely gnittinggnome's family , and it is gorgeous indeed. Huge thanks to the crafters for all they do, just amazing.

droitwichmumy One crochet, one knit in purples, one paw print, the other a gorgeous circle to square granny. Fab

Thank you.

Hey folks, continuing to be overwhelmed with the outporing of love for dear GnittingGnome. Thank you, thank you, thank you

Our wee man continues to be a delight, albeit occasionally a demanding one, and is curious and chilled out most of the time. Thankfully he takes after GG more than me, so is winning over nurses, health visitors and our new neighbours

So much love to you both, thank you for posting an update. Huge hugs, we are thinking of GG and you all xxxx

For Team Wesley, these cards, mini hugs and toy geckos will be in the post today. They are sent ahead of the big blanket with much love xx

They're lovely :)

And here's the geckos in situ (parcel received this morning, thank you so much for the cards, geckos and squares)

Oh beautiful boy!

Thank you so much, and so glad everything is with you. We are all thinking of you, and your GG xx

Sending so much love

xx

Just gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing the picture. Thinking of you both.

He is gorgeous indeed - thank you for sharing the photo - sending, love, strength and peace.

What a lovely little boy! Thank you for posting the picture. Thinking of you both.

Oh that photo is fantastic! He looks like he's giving that gecko a scratch beteen the eyes. Gorgeous!

Glad to hear you are both doing so well and you both have lots of support.

Oh what a beautiful boy! Think the gecko has found a new friend!
Thank you for posting the photo. Your family is often in my thoughts. Much love to you all

Ah TeamWesley that is such a lovely photo, and such a beautiful boy!
He seems to like the geckos

Sending you love and strength.