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

Not received my donor's wool yet, hoping it will arrive on Monday. I have just made 9 squares for an unrelated but needed blanket and the 9 took 7 x 25g balls if that's any help for knowing how much is needed x

Morning

Have just been through and answered all PMs, thank you so much everyone. Folk are being so amazing, am quite blown away.

The wool will come love love, don't fret. Hopefully tomorrow we will hear of lots more arriving with our fabulous crafters.

And speaking of fabulous, we have another donor to thank. We can't say enough how much we appreciate this support, makes the blanket projects accessible to all, tis something very special indeed.

BellaVita

You star

I am hoping mine will arrive tomorrow too, do we have a final posting date yet?

Quick colour question for Knotty when you have a minute - does the James C Brett claret (pm8) count as warm purple or is it a bit too red?

A tad too red that one, Hoggy. Sorry.

Hello, I've just finished an afghan square, so far it is seven rounds and is measuring 5 and half inches. Is that ok? I think it could stretch a bit but if I go round again it would be too big, unless I just did a double crochet border?! Thanks for any help.

I always (laughs because I've only been crocheting two months) do a round of DC on a square because someone said it make them easier to hook together.

I try to finish with a round of DC or HDC (US terms) if I have space too.

I'd love to offer to knit some squares, but I'd need a wool donor as I am currently homeless and saving every penny for a deposit on a house.

Fan, PM Pistey, my lovely.

Hope things improve for you very soon. X

Jingle, as Fizzy said you can add a dc edge or send it as it is.

As long as the squares gently stretch to 6", tis fine.

Thanks all. Glaikitfizzog I've only been crocheting for three months :) I think dc will bring it to the right size so I'll do that. Or maybe hdc but uk, not sure of the equivalent us one, somersaults, is us hdc a uk treble?!

Jingle, I have just the thing for you hand chart to bookmark

Morning all :)

Fan You have a PM from me, thank you so much

Hoping to hear of woolly arrivals today, I will be going later on this afternoon to post more out to crafters, huge thanks to the lovely donors.

Please do remember if you PM either of us, let us know which blanket you are helping with. Very sadly we have several Woolly Hug projects currently running and it really helps us keep track.

Am away to my PM box, back soon.

Glaikit you absolute stay! I've been wanting an online version of that type of chart for ages!

Star! I meant you're an absolute star! Do stay though.

Just finding out the best address to get it sent to and then I will answer the PM. Having something to do of worth will actually cheer me up as I am currently spending a lot of time alone and worrying about myself. Being able to help someone else going through a tough time feels like the right thing to do, plus I have a whole load of squares that I'd like to practice in a library book I borrowed.

Fan We have the wool ready when you are, and bless your heart, what a star you are. Thank you

We have a lovely donor to thank, you really are marvellous and we appreciate your support enormously. Thank you

cakebaby

You are a star

thanks Glaikit, thanks helpful :)

The wool has been sent to my address instead of my crafter, I'll pack DH off to the Post Office with it first thing tomorrow!

you can ask Pistey for postage if you want to :)

I can't imagine it costing very much to post, it just wool, coppers surely?

Nothing at the post office costs coppers sadly Bear. It will be a small parcel, send second class, it will be £2.60.

Thanks for sorting it. Morning everyone

You were spot on, £2.60 :) I got a message though from the place I bought it realising their mistake and they're refunding me the P&P which will cover the £2.60 postage today.