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Woolly hugs

Woolly Hugs is a charity established by a group of Mumsnet users. They knit / crochet handmade blankets and other items for families experiencing difficult times.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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

355 replies

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/03/2014 17:48

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 Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
Macdog · 21/05/2014 12:21

What a beautiful boy!
Much love to TeamWesley.
Wishing you both love and luck for the future xxx

OwlCapone · 21/05/2014 12:56

Aww..... :)

minniebar · 21/05/2014 13:17

What a cutie. And the baby Wink

RiaOverTheRainbow · 21/05/2014 14:37

Your wee boy is gorgeous! Thinking of you all Thanks

MrsPennyapple · 21/05/2014 16:09

Ah, he looks like a lovely boy!

CakeyCakeyCakey · 21/05/2014 17:19

Aw he looks so happy with them!
Much love from the cakey household.

Mhw02 · 21/05/2014 18:11

What a beautiful wee boy! Thinking of you both.

KnottyLocks · 21/05/2014 19:25

He is gorgeous Smile

fanjodisfunction · 21/05/2014 21:02

So great to see the geckos are loving their new home, my mum is so happy that teamwesley likes them.

TrinityRhino · 21/05/2014 21:12

Oh that is a gorgeous photo

such a handsome lad Smile

Thinking of you all x much love x

HairyPotter · 22/05/2014 11:40

What a beautiful wee boy. Just scrumptious.

Thank you for sharing him with us xx

TheNinjaGooseIsHooking · 22/05/2014 13:47

isn't he just gorgeous, thinking of you all x

Halfling · 22/05/2014 23:00

Such a gorgeous boy! Sending love and cuddles to little Wesley!

JulesJules · 23/05/2014 05:17

Lovely photo! Thinking of you xx

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/05/2014 15:23

Afternoon :) Brew

Thanks Thank you SO much, beautiful woolly treasure has arrived and it is so very lovely. Huge thanks to the crafters. Thanks

Thanks Soupy Two gorgeous crochet squares in purple and stone, one with a super octopus, the other a brilliant gecko climbing a wall. Superb. Star

Thank you Thanks

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/06/2014 18:13

Evening :) Wine

More beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving today. Huge thanks to Fizzy Her original work has gone AWOL in the post Sad but she was determined to repeat and she has. What a star Thanks

Thanks Fizzy A beautiful circle to square in purple and stone, just gorgeous Star

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/06/2014 18:14

sorry fizzy, somehow deleted the second square - a gorgeous stone and purple granny, just super

Thanks
OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 05/11/2014 20:31

Thinking of the very lovely gnittinggnome.

Team Wesley have their Woolly Hug, so pleased to have met them and handed it over in person this morning. Bless their hearts, we say love in every stitch and it is true, and he loved it.

Heartfelt thanks once again to all who contributed in any way.

Photos of their Woolly Hug can be seen here

Love to Team Wesley xxx

Thanks
Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for gnittinggnome. Donors and crafters, we are asking for your help.
OP posts:
TeamWesley · 05/11/2014 20:45

Adding to the photos and the very heartfelt thanks. You folks rock, you know that right?

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for gnittinggnome. Donors and crafters, we are asking for your help.
Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for gnittinggnome. Donors and crafters, we are asking for your help.
TeamWesley · 05/11/2014 20:45

And a bonus one of the wee man

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for gnittinggnome. Donors and crafters, we are asking for your help.
SeymoreButts · 06/11/2014 01:04

What an absolutely beautiful little boy! I just want to squeeze him!! Thank you for sharing the photos.

The woolly hug looks lovely, glad to see my squares made it safely from Down Under.

Lots of love to Team Wesley. xx

JulesJules · 06/11/2014 05:12

Lovely photos, thanks for sharing them. Sending love x

Allalonenow · 06/11/2014 16:20

How lovely of you to share these fab photos with us TeamWesley.

I was only thinking about Wesley the other day and wondering how he was, so it's delightful to see photos of your gorgeous boy. What an amazing job you are doing.

I hope you get some wonderful snuggles and cuddles with Wesley and your Woolly Hug for many years to come.

Very best wishes xx

TheNinjaGooseIsHooking · 06/11/2014 20:57

aww Wesley's a real cutie, thanks for sharing the photos Smile

PurpleKittyKnitting · 06/11/2014 20:59

Thanks for sharing the photos. It is lovely to see the whole hug, hope you get lots of enjoyment from it for a long time. xx