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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

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:
KnottyLocks · 09/06/2014 19:37

Hello, lovely woollies Smile

Mckayz · 09/06/2014 19:38

I have finished my first square. Not sure whether to try something more adventurous for my second.

OfficerVanHalen · 09/06/2014 21:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/06/2014 08:52

Morning :) Brew

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 10/06/2014 08:59

Morning, Pistey. Brew Am just sewing in pesky ends on two squares to send to you.

Tarlia · 10/06/2014 17:24

Good evening.

Just caught up, pasty talk has had me giggling = raised eyebrows from my boys.

My lovely sky blue and denim woolly wool arrived this morning, after a 5 day bank holiday weekend. Thank you lovely donors

ScienceRocks · 10/06/2014 18:40

I can do squares for this. Have pmed via fb.

Tarlia · 10/06/2014 19:45

Ok, so I've been thinking, is there an authorised Drops yellow? I was considering making a beach with my two blues as waves, the yellow as sand and if someone is kind enough to post me a length of orange (or if a small amount of cotton is ok to be used?), I'd stitch some small fish in the water.

If there isn't a yellow, then I'll still use my blues and do something to represent waves :)

While brainstorming the beach theme I came up with beach huts, beach balls, bucket and spade, sandcastle with a small flag, sky with bird shape V V V, ice cream, fish and chips - don't know if any of those are of interest to anyone with the right colours? Just thought I'd share :)

Trumpton · 10/06/2014 20:30

Have sent pm. I am in.

Mckayz · 10/06/2014 21:17

Why am I attempting seed stitch? Yarn forward, yarn back, yarn forward. My poor brain. Grin

KnottyLocks · 10/06/2014 21:30

Tarlia! Step away from the Drops yellow!

We've got a a stone colour we can send - would do for the sand. We could add a bit of Orange for fish too. Smile

OwlCapone · 10/06/2014 21:42

I have just made a pasty with a lovely crimped edge :)

SpiralArchitect · 10/06/2014 22:00

Mckayz, I feel your pain. Grin

I did a square of seed stitch on Saturday afternoon while DS and his three friends did their best to distract me by playing FIFA very loudly!

Allalonenow · 10/06/2014 22:18

Chinese Wave stitch is another one like seed stitch. It looks lovely when all done but so tedious to get it right.

I have HAD to have a chicken pie for dinner bvecause of this thread mentioning pasties Grin

Tarlia · 10/06/2014 22:23

Haha. Backs away from the yellow...Its a shame drops do not have a stone thats ok. Its ok, knotty I'm happy to just work with my two lovely blues, save the postage :)

Owl Sounds fab! Can we see it?

OwlCapone · 10/06/2014 22:28

I'm not flashing my pasties Shock what sort of Hooker do you think I am??



Besides, it's downstairs and I'm in bed :)

Tarlia · 10/06/2014 22:59

Grin Sleep tight!

PastaandCheese · 11/06/2014 06:53

Finished my two squares last night so I shall post them as soon as I've bought some of those big stamps I still can't quite get used to.

Kveta · 11/06/2014 09:32

eek, I haven't even started mine yet! too distracted by looking up patterns! I'm hoping to make a start tomorrow - have a Very Important Blanket to finish for DD's birthday, so have to finish tonight!

Knotty and Pistey, would I be able to get some stone maybe, I don't have any lighter colours except ecru, so not sure it would be ok for contrast, or if you'd rather I used stone? I have a pale green, pale blue, darker green, darker blue, and burnt orange, so not sure how beachy they will end up, but I will definitely try initials (just the boys, or all 4 family members?) and some stripes :)

I feel there may be more tears than usual going into these squares though :(

PastaandCheese · 11/06/2014 09:52


kveta it is always so sad when blankets are needed. I can't imagine how emotional it must be if you know the recipients. Sad
RatherBeOnThePiste · 11/06/2014 10:21

Morning

Very happy to send stone to you Tarlia - will send some to you too Kveta, hugs lovely xx

Tarlia · 11/06/2014 12:17

Pistey, unless you've been to the post office already then please do not worry. I'm sure with the placement of blocks could be manipulated to make it look beachy. Eg blue waves square next to a plain stone square? If you have a long strand of orange though, I'd love that in a small envelop please.

These colours are all going to look so lovely together :)

PiggyPlumPie · 11/06/2014 22:47

Erm I'm a bit late but have been woolly wool shopping today and will crack on!

RatherBeOnThePiste · 12/06/2014 11:04

Have been to the Post Office, but will send anyway, honestly not a problem!

Not late at all lovely Piggy - thank you xx

YeGodsAndLittleFishes · 12/06/2014 11:35

Have posted today. Was amazed that this time it could go as a large letter, so much cheaper compared to previous one or two squares (despite there being 2 squares with quite bulky flowers in the middle.) I wasn't asked what was inside, either! Confused

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