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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

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PolterGoose · 04/03/2014 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsPennyapple · 04/03/2014 21:16

What sad news :( Thinking of GG's family.

I have DB Cashmerino DK in shade 18045, it's a heather-y shade of purple, is that ok?

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:20

Please PM Pistey with offers of crafting or donating. You can PM me with wool or colour queries, or ask here

X

JellyCurls · 04/03/2014 21:21

Oh this is heartbreaking. I have never made anything for you before but I can knit and crotchet and would love to help, I grew so close to the ladies on my anti-natal thread. I don't have any of the wools listed, where is the best place to get them.

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:23

Many of us use WoolWarehouse, Deramores, Black Sheep for starters. Thanks for joining us.

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:33

MrsPennyapple, Debbie Bliss Cash dk in 045 is lovely, thanks.

Abitwoolly have this for £4.20 at the mo, if anyone is interested.

JellyCurls · 04/03/2014 21:33

Thanks, is there a certain pattern or just make it 6" square.

Also what do I do when I finish it

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:34

MOS, the 045 is good.thanks

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:38

Jelly,
Woolly hugs crafting guide is here with pattern links. Ideas for motifs are in the OP up there ^

However, we also love simple squares made with love. The mantra has always been 'Simple squares are good: Simple squares are essential'

Thanks
KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:39

Jacks, big hugs for you my lovely xxx

StopEatingThatMud · 04/03/2014 21:40

Appearing out of MN hibernation, I'd like to help please.

Pistey, can't seem to PM you off the old mobile? Any chance of donor wool please, one or two squares, whichever suits you best.

Let me know if you need my details, I know it's been a while since I contributed last.

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:40

5mad, that is absolutely fine. Thank you so much.

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 21:41

Woolly, a moss stitch square would be perfect Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/03/2014 21:43

Such an overwhelming response. I have the most enormous amount of PMs, bless everyone, this is so touching and I am working my way through. Then I'll go through the thread to make sure no one is left behind.

I will get to everyone tonight Thanks

xx

OP posts:
GeorgieJo · 04/03/2014 21:45

Thinking of GG's family. I can't sew or knit but I would like to donate - have PM'd Pistey.

Jules146 · 04/03/2014 21:47

So very, very sad :(
Please count me in. I have pm'd Pistey xx

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/03/2014 21:59

Huge and heartfelt thanks to everyone, folk are so marvellous. Thanks

Enormous hugs to all those joining us from the February antenatal thread, together we really will make something very special for gnittinggnome X

Thanks
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RunRunRuby · 04/03/2014 22:06

What utterly heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with the family, especially Mr G Flowers

I will make a square. I have some purple in my Woolly Hugs wool bag but I've lost the label Blush. It looks similar to 609 on this picture from Google but a little warmer, and it's definitely the DK not the baby cashmerino. Is that colour okay?

I will PM Pistey now, thank you to you both for organising this Flowers

KnottyLocks · 04/03/2014 22:11

RunRunRuby, that looks fine. Thank you. Thanks

RunRunRuby · 04/03/2014 22:13

Thank you knotty I will get started tomorrow :)

Somersaults · 04/03/2014 22:24

I'm in.

I've sent you a pm Pistey.

SadSadSad

RiaOverTheRainbow · 04/03/2014 22:26

So desperately sad. thinking of GG and her family Thanks

PMing now.

StopEatingThatMud · 04/03/2014 22:43

Pm received and comprende.

Thank you so much for organising you two, you truly are fantastic Thanks

Spacefrog35 · 04/03/2014 22:51

I'm in if that's ok?

Will PM. Happy to sort my own wool this time Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 04/03/2014 22:57

We already have lovely donors to thank. Your funds have arrived safely. Thanks

Honestly your donations mean so much, we always want to be inclusive, for everyone to join in if they would like to, and some folk just wouldn't be able to afford to. Your kind donations make it possible, we really are so grateful. Thank you

Thanks MrsKwazii Thanks

Thanks BIWI Thanks

Thanks Initials LH you will know who you are Thanks

Thanks Initials VL again, you will know Thanks

Thanks Jacksmania Thanks

Thank you, you are stars X

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

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