Please or to access all these features

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.

Woolly Hugs. For our own BerryLellow. Can anyone help us?

320 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 03/06/2014 14:39

Desperately sad and shocking news we’re afraid. The very lovely BerryLellow has died suddenly and unexpectedly. Just devastating for her beautiful boys, family and friends. So hard to find the words Sad

Many of us met Berry at Mumsnet meets, she was a right hoot with a heart of gold and she loved to dance the night away. A condolence thread started by a good friend of hers from their September '09 ante/post natal group is here if you would like to add a message.

We have spoken with Berry’s family and have decided to make both her boys a single bed sized Woolly Hug full of love and memories of their fabulous mum. We hope their blankets may give whatever comfort they can to them. Joining with us in making the blankets will be members of Berry’s family and folk from her village in Cornwall which is rather lovely.

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.

Colour wise, we are thinking brights
Berry loved blues - teals and turquoise.
Bright grassy greens This or similar, lime greens too.
Oranges - but from these please - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 56 (tangerine) Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK - Pumpkin (373) or Debbie Bliss Rialto DK burnt orange (043)
Stone - but from these please Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM9 Beige, Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 06 Stone, James C. Brett Pure Merino DK 17 Beige

Ideas for squares
Berry loved Cornwall and the beach, spending many hours there with her boys.
She loved camper vans and Ikea!
They had long chats in their post natal group about decorating, she loved tangerine and chartreuse - they had to look chartreuse up!
Her Pinterest boards would be great to look at and a real source of inspiration. She shared them on MN a lot too. See here
We are thinking berries for Berry
We have initials/letters to do too - do PM if this might be you.

Reading this and looking at Pinterest will give lots of ideas but please don't feel daunted we truly 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 Berry, her beautiful boys and all those who love and miss her.

Pistey and Knotty Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Jacksmania · 24/06/2014 23:44

Got my brown wool and have been hooking like mad :)

RatherBeOnThePiste · 25/06/2014 07:38

Oh glad it arrived Jacks. That was quick.

Tarlia · 25/06/2014 23:24

Posted mine this morning. I forgot to photograph them though sob

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/06/2014 14:25

Ooo that was quick Jacks! Good :)

When they arrive Tarla - either email us admin @woollyhugs.com or message us on our FB and we'll send you pics.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 26/06/2014 18:07

Evening :) Wine

More beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving today. The Posty asks how we all are, and how things are going. I said it was all very busy and she said..

I KNOW!!

Huge thanks lovely crafters for all you do, just marvellous. Thanks

Thanks MOS In a super teal, two lovely textured knits. Beautiful Star

Thanks JuanPotatoTwo Two beautiful garter knits, super snuggly in pale blue, gorges Star

Thanks Piggy In a dark denim blue, a fabulous wavy knit, really beautiful Star

Thanks PrimroseMill On apple green, a fabulous camper van knit in tangerine, really clever, gorgeous Star

Thanks PantsHavenonames As seen up there - breatakingly beautiful, this stepping creates such a gorgeous pattern and texture, one edge in lime, the other in turquoise. Fabulous Star

Thanks Yellowstripe In a soft blue combined with stone, lovely crocheted squares. Super Star

Thank you so much to everybody, just marvellous. Thanks

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

MNPinto2014 · 27/06/2014 21:35

Wool received and have asked a PM.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 27/06/2014 21:47

Only just seen this am I too late, I had such fun times with her and will miss her so much.

spacefrog35 · 27/06/2014 21:49

I think last posting is 5th July five so still time.

JulesJules · 27/06/2014 22:20

I've finished my squares for Berry and will post them off in the next few days. I've sewn the optional flowers on!! (But you can always take them off)

Woolly Hugs. For our own BerryLellow. Can anyone help us?
Opheliabumps · 28/06/2014 18:01

Knotty, Pistey I haven't been given any initials to do, am I freestyling this one! Only just starting it as I was flat out on the Chernobyl hug and 'real life', but have time to get a few squares done.

Kveta · 28/06/2014 20:05

I've done 4 initials so far - 2 of Berry's, and one for each DS - should I do more? can do another for each boy, maybe?

Kveta · 28/06/2014 20:06

my attempts at embroidering their names was embarrassingly bad, so I unpicked them :(

Kveta · 28/06/2014 20:06

*were

Opheliabumps · 28/06/2014 23:29

Oh Kveta, Don't unpick your work, remember it's the love that went in to the squares that counts!

I bet your embroidery was lovely, I can't embroider at all!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/06/2014 07:39

Morning :)

Sorry has been rather flat out here but am away to PMs right away.

Lovely Five I think we met you too at the Christmas do that Berry came up on the sleeper from Cornwall? Most definitely not too late my lovely, we'd love to have you on board. Thank you

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/06/2014 07:40

Kveta - I'm sure you didn't need to unpick! I have an idea though, am coming to PM you now.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 29/06/2014 08:01

Jules - Loving the trademark optional (but always loved and used) flower there!

Gorgeous squares as always, love the beachy one too Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 01/07/2014 09:16

Morning :) Brew

More beautiful woolly treasure is here, just gorgeous. So much love in every stitch, we are all thinking of beautiful Berry.

Thanks SallyBear In tangerine and chartreuse, beautiful crochet designs, all really super Star

Thanks ScienceRocks In stone, two snuggly knits, beautiful Star

Thanks AnimalsAreMyFriends In two super shades of blue, just beautiful, different crochet designs, all absolutely fabulous Star

Thanks Tarla Just lovely - a super seascape, love the fishes and the sand - so perfect, beautiful corner stripe and cross, all fab Star

Thanks Spacefrog35 Beautiful squares in a gorgeous sea green and duck egg, stripes, flowers, a granny, all so beautiful. Star

Thanks DutchOma In grassy green and tangerine, lovely Oma has made two sets of initials for the family, and two angels, beautifully knitted, just perfect Star

Thank you for all cards, we will send to the family after the close of the project with their mini hugs.

Thank you so much. Thinking of Berry and all who love and miss her. Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 02/07/2014 06:26

Morning Brew

Absolutely lovely, and such a privilege to open and see, gorgeous squares for Berry's boys, thank you.

Thanks fan In grass and pumpkin, gorgeous crochet square with flower embellishment, super Star

Thanks McKayz Beautiful garter knit in a soft pale blue and a super granny in stone and blue. Both just gorgeous Star

Thanks both, just marvellous, xx

Thanks
Mckayz · 02/07/2014 07:16

Glad it got there ok. The lady in the post office looked very confused when I said I was sending wool.

It's only my 2nd ever granny square so hopefully it's ok!!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 02/07/2014 07:25

Tis beautiful!

My PO no longer ask, but I know what you mean. They say security, I say nosy.

GoingGoingGoth · 02/07/2014 10:59

Posting today or tomorrow, have PMed, as I thought I was to late. Blush

Trumpton · 02/07/2014 20:26

Ummm about to start my squares . Busy busy busy . Knit knit knit .

CakeyCakeyCakey · 02/07/2014 21:00

Mine are parcelled up with the obligatory mini-cakey artwork, they are also in the car, mini-cakey decided to come down with man-flu meaning all plans for post office trips and birthday present shopping were abandoned in favour of cuddles under blankets and liberal doses of calpol and Vicks, hopefully we will get there tomorrow.

MySpideySenseTickles · 03/07/2014 08:08

Small children are so generous! Not even two weeks since I got over the last cold I'm bloody poorly again!