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

Thanks lovely Woolfey

We have another fabulous donor to thank, Just magic, you really are a star, we appreciate this enormously.

Initials KM

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much to everyone, you really are all stars. Have had over a hundred PMs tonight from amazing folk all wanting to show love and support to gnittinggnome's DH and son. Such compassion. Tis one of those times when just saying thank you doesn't feel enough. But a huge THANK YOU.

The light is off in my PM box and I have been through the thread, hopefully no one has been left behind. Thank you. Xx

My thoughts are with the Gnittinggnome family.

Have pm'd you Knotty. I am in.

Pistey.

Pm sent. I will do some squares.

Morning

Thanks lovelies. You really are stars. Bodkin. You have mail from me. X

Morning all

Pistey I've pm'd you x

Awful, awful news

Bless you, thank you so much. Am away to PMs

Dear Lord, this is horrible news. Words fail me and I can't express the sadness I feel. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Of course I will add some squares...I have a fair bit of the discontinued cashmerino in the right shades. I will PM you Pistey.

Could little W have his own little hug in the near future? I appreciate that the hugs take a long time to coordinate, just a thought x

Such sad news. I'm a beginner but would like to contribute some basic squares please.

Absolutely terrible news - can't knit but will donate. Have pm'd you.

Thank you everyone.

That is such a lovely idea MOS, but Knotty and I have spoken about this, and our worry is that her DH will be overwhelmed with little blankets for W. We know gnittinggnome's friends on the antenatal thread are making one and that her WI group are making him a quilt, and that is just the folk we know about, so we thought best to focus our attention on their big Woolly Hug, fill it with memories and love, do our best for them. We always do our best, but you know what I mean X

Just catching up with PMs then will be off out, back later on this afternoon. But please do keep PMing, all welcome to join us.

How dreadfully sad ...thinking of gnittinggnome's DH and their little boy W at this unbelievably sad time.

Have pm'd you Pistey

That has shocked me to the core, I am so very sorry. My heart goes out to gg's DH and baby W. I do hope Mr gnittingnome will join the community, he will be most welcome, and gnittingnome hwrself will be much missed here.

i do hope Mr GG does join us and I hope he has support from his local friends and family at this very sad time - i dont know if GG was already a mum or W was their first child

life really is shit at times :(

Afternoon all.

Life really can be so very cruel, that's for sure

How sad. Poor MrGG and their little one. Will PM you Pistey.

We have more marvellous donors to thank, your funds have arrived safely and we are so grateful.

Our lovely donors mean that everyone who wants to join in a Woolly Hug project can, and won't be excluded for not being able to afford to. Excellent. Helps make the projects something very precious and special indeed. So THANK YOU

Char1eston

Blondeshavemorefun

And yet more donors to thank. We have also heard that lots of our wool donors have ordered and hopefully wool will be arriving with crafters very soon. Just fantastic.

I'm just back from the Post Office having sent twelve parcels to lovely crafters, sent second class, hopefully arriving in the next day or so. If you receive wool in a green plastic envelope via me, it was paid for by our lovely donors of funds.

Lovely donors, you are all stars, bless you

Thanks lovely Whore I have just made a and am way to PMs right now X

Hopefully I've replied to all queries re wool colours. The PMs were sticking a bit so let me know if you haven't received your reply.

What utterly tragic news, my heart breaks for them all......

I will do a couple of squares, I have the Artensano purple left from Oma's blanket. I'm on it.

I've been matched to a crafter and shopping for wool now - how big is a 50 gram ball? Is that big or small? I'm obviously clueless about wool!

Pm'd you x