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

[KnottyAndPistey]

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

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

Yay I outed my namechange! Lol

Glad you got the square pistey, this is going to be a vibrant hug, for what sounds like a vibrant person so missed.

All the squares sound so lovely... posted mine on Monday, first class, so hope they reach you soon

One down, one to go ! Quite chuffed ( see what I did there ? ) with it .but my eyes may never uncross. Love in every stitch. I have had many happy times in Cornwall.

That's fantastic! Choughing fantastic!

My squares will be in the post tomorrow I hope they won't be too late. Its the first chance I've had to get to the post office this week due to a poorly ds2 and an OU deadline.

I hope they're okay and they get there in time.

Have just got another round to do and mine will be in the post.

for Berry and family xx

Trumpton that's fabulous!

Pistey I posted my squares yesterday signed for so you might have another little outing to the PO. Sorry about that. Just wanted to make sure they got there since I was so late in doing them.

for Berry's family

Choughing marvellous Bod!! That is so perfect, thank you, and bless your poor squiffy eyes, I think raspberry gin would help them :)

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving, apologies for not getting them written up last night, is all rather bonkers here.

ilove In pumpkin, three beautiful granny squares, all absolutely super

GleamingHeels In a beautiful explosion of colour, bright and bold, fantastic, gorgeous crochet designs, stunning

TenMinutesToLanding Beautiful, super soft and snuggly, in navy and teal, super grannies!

And there is a square stuck at the Post Office, it is perfectly safe there, the card is here, but I won't be able to retrieve until Monday, sorry.

Thanks everyone, you are all stars

Hope it's my package Pistey

Wow Trumpton that's gorgeous!

So glad mine arrived safely. Sounds like you have some amazing woolly treasure all round

I have two squares to post. One pasty and one orange sun.

Ready and in the addressed envelope to post tomorrow.

Very glad you got the first instalment, now I have received the most lovely yarn from a very special donor and she would really like there to be a star on each blanket. Even though she and I are coming in at the very last minute; I think I can make the post on Monday and here's my trial square - the star is an applique and isn't sewn on yet, plan is to make two of these, then whatever else I can in the time available. Hope that's OK.

Oh thanks for letting me know Pistey, glad they got there safely.

Mine were v dull compared to all these marvelous creations, I really ought to get my fat arse in gear and experiment more.

I've just PMed you RatherBeOnAPiste but I thought perhaps a photograph might help with my bizarre explanation for my lateness, and I couldn't work out how to put a photo in a PM.

Both squares are the same, but the other has the stripes the opposite way round. I tried to pick up and knit a small flap on the back of this, at each end, to go behind the waves and give a straight edge, but I knit too tightly and the flaps ended up narrower than the square, so useless. Now I'm just going to knit four six-inch rectangles and sew one each end of these squares.

Unless anyone has any other ideas on how I can make a straight edge?

Some beautiful squares on here, you're a clever lot.

I've posted mine today, very sorry for the delay in sending.

I know how to straighten a crocheted ripple, that's easy. I imagine you can easily crochet a knitted ripple straight too. However, as I don't knit I can't help with how to knit a ripple straight!

OwlCapone how do you crochet it? I can crochet so might be able to try that :)

Pistey, posted my square first class yesterday. I was following a pattern then got myself a bit lost so kinda did my own thing. Hope it is ok.

Basically, on the top of the peaks you DC and in the depths of the valley you TC (or the next tallest stitch if they are deep valleys) and fill in the rest with DC/HDC/TC as required!

Forgot blooming PO only does a half day on Sat so I've missed the post. Will send on Monday

Ah okay. Thank you Owl I've started the other method but if it looks crap I will swap to crochet!

I posted two squares at lunchtime today. Sorry they are late, but I had to wash one of the two blankets I posted with them!

Evening :)