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

Hello!
I'd like to join in here please, I will get my wool ordered today.
All x

Thanks so much lovely

The wool has arrived and it's such lovely colours

Now I can get to work.

Is something Dalek - y any good for this one?

Thank you - I'd say go for it, her DH didn't particularly mention Dr Who but did say about her love of science fiction.

Good news Fan :)

Morning everyone

I've been crocheting for nearly a week now, can only do plain squares but I can average 1 square a day (I'm trying to make a blanket for ds)
If you don't mind that they'll probably not be perfect I'd like to help? I'd need wool donating though.

Thanks Cakey and welcome on board, I have donor wool here and can post on Monday. Could you just PM me your address? Your squares will be perfect, it really is the love and thought that counts.

Oh no!

My deepest condolences for your loss. I am so so sorry.

Heartfelt thanks to another fabulous donor, you really are a star and we can't thank you enough.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude

Despite ordering my wool for my donor on the 5th of March Via Wisebadger it still has not been dispatched rather annoyingly. Have just spoken with the lady there and she has apologised and told me it will be dispatched today - so sorry to my donor . I hope you will have it by Wednesday at the latest.

Flossie, could I be your crafter, post code EH? If so don't worry, even if your not my donor, still don't worry. We still have a good few weeks to turn your lovely squishy into some very beautiful filled with love in every stitch.

I echo everything Pistey says, without donors they would be no blankets. It's an honour to work with any donor yarn. X

Glaikit no your not my knitter - I wouldn't have even noticed it hadn't been dispatched had I not have read that some had received their wool. Hope it is received soon and your lovely lovely blankets can be knitted with love

Had 'not' received their wool.

Zingy purple and gorgeous lavender sounds perfect :) thank you to my knitter whoever you are

Bless you B X

Just to say mine isn't here yet, I know it was ordered last week for me and just updating that's all... :)

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving today, and how lovely it is. Huge thanks to the crafters for all their love and care. Just awesome

Cashewfrenzy In a gorgeous soft lavender colour two beautiful circular crochet designs. Really beautiful

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes A beautiful granny in a deep purple. Absolutely super

Unnamed!! Either that or I am blind, which is also likely, sorry, can't see your name, just an address label. Two beautiful crocheted squares with a star at the centre, in beige and purple. Gorgeous, please do claim someone!

JellyCurls In beige, a beautiful ripple design in crochet, just so very lovely

Thank you to everyone.

Please count me in for this, so very sad that little W will never know his mummy and her DH has to face such tragedy, when they should be enjoying their new baby.
I will need donor wool though please Pistey. Will PM you.

Thanks lovely, it is on the way

My wool has arrived from my donor, a lovely purple and a dusky pink. Thankyou!

I too have received donor wool today, taupe and beige :) thank you very much, I will make us both proud :)

That may be mine somersaults glad it arrived eventually

Well thank you if it was! Lovely colours together :)

I've just spotted this gecko pattern on ravelry: www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#craft=crochet&query=Gecko%20motif&view=captioned_thumbs&sort=best&page=1.

I'm happy to give it a go if it can then be attached across a few squares? And green isn't in the colour palette but I might be able to dig out some of the old Debbie bliss cash merino in a pale green? Or I could do one in the beige or taupe that I have?

I posted the wrong link! www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gecko-bookmark.