Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Knittingnovice, crafters and donors we need your help.

[KnottyAndPistey]

Many of you have been following the thread and blog of the very lovely Knittingnovice, and will know that very sadly she died from bowel cancer on Friday 20th June. Such a devastating loss for her three children, husband, family and friends. We are just so very sorry life has been so cruel and are thinking of them. It is her funeral today, sending much love to them all.

We are so pleased that her DH has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, and we hope that he and their beautiful children will feel our love and support and that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can to them.

We are looking for 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)

Knittingnovice described herself as Hippy Mummy, bookworm, crafty critter, avid guider, eco attempter, cancer patient & festival junkie. Bless her heart.

• We know she was passionate about the Girl Guide movement, read her fabulous blog post about it, she was a great volunteer, a guider at 2nd Furnace Green and then 1st Pound Hill Rainbows. She loved camping, cooking on wood fires, her children joined with her too.

• As a family they loved steam trains, particularly the Bluebell Railway, she says (of her children) in her blog… They are also well versed in British steam railway history, they love nothing better than the smell of coal and the slower pace of life illustrated by a steam train.

• She loved Strictly Come Dancing! We definitely give her a 10.

• She loved crafting, especially knitting, cross stitching and sewing.

• We also have initials if that would be something for you, please PM us.

The Yarn we will be 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 Knittingnovice
Blues to celebrate her love of the Girl Guiding movement.
Purples
Greens
Oranges but from these please - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 56 (tangerine) or 43, (Burnt orange) Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK - Pumpkin (373)
Darker pinks
For embellishments, cream but please choose one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, James C. Brett Pure Merino DK no 7 or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream
and red - only Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please.
We have brown for embellishments, happy to send, please ask.

So we have lots of ideas and themes for squares, 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.

Knittingnovice spent a great deal of time and energy raising awareness of bowel cancer, so we are sharing this information to take this further. Please visit and read about symptoms and share information with family and friends.

As always heartfelt thanks for your support.
Thinking of Knittingnovice and all those who love and miss her.

Pistey and Knotty

Oh good news Piggy xx

Just sent you a PM Pistey, posting my squares to you this week. X

Thanks lovely

Morning :)

Pistey Just checking that my square was in the parcel, bit worried now that one of the kids ran off with it, as you didn't mention it in the post on Tuesday..

Apologies Tarlia - yes it is safely here and absolutely gorgeous. Huge thanks

Tarlia Beautiful crochet in two shades of blue, gorgeous squares design, lovely!

Thinking it might be wise to ask for a Pause in Posting, as I'll shortly be away, and can’t guarantee there will be anyone able to take woolly treasures in. If folk try to avoid posting from tomorrow until Mon 25th Aug. Obviously given our deadlines, if you need to post in that time, please do, if it can’t fit through the door, I’ll go along and collect it from the PO as soon as poss.

Huge thanks to everyone

I'm having a dilemma. I said id send in some bunting for the sale but it's in rainbow colours. It's not very woodland-y is it?

Should I send it in anyway or leave it?

Evening folks. We're going to move this to the Woollyhugs board in just a moment. Excellent work on Knittingnovice's blanket. What sad news. Our thoughts are with her children, DH and extended family and friends. x

I've finished two squares, just need to sew the ends in. I wouldn't have been able to post until next week anyway but I will hang on to them until 25th :)

Glad it arrived. Have a lovely holiday, Pistey :)

Thanks lovely Iona and Tarlia :)

McKayz You get rain in woodlands, yes? And sun??!!!! Send it - we'd love it, be perfect, thank you

Beautiful squares have been arriving, huge love and thanks to the crafters, all just marvellous..

SpiralArchiect In purple and plum, four gorgeous knits, super snuggly textures, really beautiful.

Piggy'sMum In Guiding blue and really super, a gorgeous granny and a lovely textured knit. Just fabulous

Pantshavebames A beautiful crocheted square in navy, with pink, purple and green centre, tis lovely!

Penguinpaperback Beautiful knits in a gorgeous soft lavender and a lovely purple, really fabulous. Super

Thanks so much everyone, you are all stars

Thanks Pistey. Will stick it in the post when I get home from holiday!

Just catching up :)

Hello, am I too late to post a square? Failed utterly to get to sewing in the ends and get it to the post office.

Not at all lovely, just send, you need the address?

No I have that, thanks.

I've posted my squares off today.

Morning :)

Thanks so much everyone xx

Received a parcel of two gorgeous plummy/purple crochet sqs yesterday with some Mia's Wood goodies in too, an adorable stuffed toadstool, fabulous child's apron and some cute hair accessories. But no name just a post code on the back, but I'm, not sure. Anyone?!

Not mine, but I did send a square from Austria, and wondering if it has arrived.

Not yet lovely, maybe it will ski in today?

Has my little flower with jade beads (and the square for KnittingNovice) arrived safely? I posted it off the week of Aug 4th (forgot which day exactly).

Oops, that was meant to go on the Mia's Wood thread.

Oh dear. Perhaps it took a wrong turn. Hope it isnt hanging around for Oktoberfest.

I posted my squares today - first class since they are a little bit late!

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving, absolutely gorgeous, huge thanks to all the crafters for what they do. Just awesome.

HoggyTruffle A beautifully done, Guide trefoil on navy and a lovely purple textured knit too. Beautiful

Un-named These beauties came in a collection for our Mia's Wood sale, everything is beautiful, but can't see a name. Two mulberry grannies - one a solid granny. Anyone?!

CrazyDesire Two in denim, two in apple, beautiful knits, super textures, gorgeous

NellyVarnish Gorgeous wee grannies in purple and pumpkin, beautiful,

MOS Two lovely striped knits in purples and blues, and MOS has got hold of a Rainbow badge, and a district badge from Knitting's area which are sewn on as embellishments. Perfect

PiggyPlumPie In pale green and silver, a gorgeous ganny square,, absolutely super

Weebarra Fret not - this is more than just OK, tis gorgeous! A super snuggly garter knit in navy. Gorgeous

WoolPixie On navy and forest green crochet, four super squares including a gorgeous campfire and tent embellishment - fabulous!

R Only got your name here, please do claim with MN nn! Tis gorgeous, a steam train embroidered onto a navy blue knit, fabulous!

Kveta Two beautiful squares, including a gorgeous crocheted square in denim. Just lovely

Huge thanks one and all, these are just so beautiful.

Thinking of lovely Knitting and her family. x

I've posted my stuff today. The rainbow bunting has disappeared. It's complete mystery, I've probably put it somewhere safe.

So there's some other bits for Mia's sale.