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

Hi Pistey, did my square arrive? It was posted around the 11th Aug?

Me again. I always seem to be late with my squares :( I promise I'm not usually so unreliable. I'd been hanging on to the squares until after 25th and then I've had tonsillitis since Sunday so I've been lying on the sofa looking at them and thinking 'I really must post those today' but I haven't left the house for days. I'm on the mend now and managed a trip to Waitrose earlier so should be able to post them tomorrow or Monday, I hope that's OK x

Sorry, I've been unwell and missed the last posting date, again . Can't get to the P.O. until Tuesday so will hopefully post then.

No apologies from anyone! There is no huge great rush, please just worry about getting better! When you can post them, please do, but don't fret. All is well :)

More beautiful woolly treasure has arrived, thank you so much to everyone, just gorgeous.

Jacksmania Absolutely stunning! A beautiful pink 3D flower on forest green, wow

McKayz Super snuggly, a gorgeous knitted square in a navy. Tis lovely

PurpleFrog Just lovely, a ball of wool and knitting needles on a pink square and an amazing spiral - how did you do thisPurple?! Gorgeous!

BellaVita Beautiful crochet in green and pumpkin, Bela which green is this? I luffs it! Gorgeous square

Yegods Tis here! Skied in from Austria and is very lovely indeed. In a Guiding blue, and beautiful crochet square with a bobble circle. Fantastic

RiaOverTheRainbow Oooo lovely! Three beautiful knits in blue and pink, including entrelac! Gorgeous textures, just marvellous.

Woolfey Beautiful crocheted squares in apple and navy, really super

YellowStripe Gorgeous in green, three super granny squares, early fabulous

Heartfelt thanks to everyone

You are stars.

Sorry there is only one. DD took the rest of the ball for a tour of the house and garden while DH was 'watching' her

Glad you like my spirals. They were an experiment. I found them on Ravelry which linked to this page josiecalvertbriggs.co.uk/2014/07/19/free-pattern-for-spiral-squares/

After doing the first one I thought the technique would make a good ball of wool, but wished later that I had just gone for a solid colour rather than tried to do a ball of variegated yarn.

Did I do two different greens on the square?

Posted my square yesterday, it's in a box with various bees, sheep etc for the craft sale.

It's supposed to look like a camping badge. In case you wonder

My squares are done and will be posted along with bits for the craft sale tomorrow been on holiday. X

I posted my squares last Friday. They might arrive this week, depending on the post.

So glad it arribed! Posted it over a month ago, so it has certainly taken the scenic route. :)

I love the descriptions you give and even remember some of them when the photos are published and see how each hug comes together. You are marvelous!

Love and warm woolly hugs to knittingnovice's family.

Afternoon :) It has been the most glorious day, have been thinking such a lot about Knittingnovice, bless her.

More beautiful squares have been arriving. Woolly treasure indeed, thank you everyone xx

MinnieBar In blues and lilac, a gorgeous granny desigm Super

MasterFlea Really lovely in lilac and apple, crocheted initial designs, the initials of Knitting and her DH. Perfect

Sleepytea Beautiful super snuggly knits in Guiding blue. Fabulous

JulesJules A fabulous corner to corner knit in pale and dark blue, with a marvellous camp fire embellishment. So clever.

Huge thanks everyone

Lovely Bella I suspect it is lime, I'm looking at, it is bolder than apple iyswim?

Thanks HQ :)

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving, huge thanks lovely crafters.

PrimroseMill A beautiful granny square in purples, pink and green with super 3D flower, just gorgeous.

Hello, did my squares and left over yarn make it ok (sent with some bits for the craft sale)?

Morning :)

And apologies for the delay. Such beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving for lovely Knittingnovice's family. Huge thanks to the crafters, you really are something very special, I hope you know?

ifyourehoppyandyouknowit Beautiful knits in mulberry and forest green, gorgeously rich, super textures, love the leaf. Love them both!

RahRahRasputin In a perfect Guiding blue, a beautiful knitted trefoil design, and a super clover/heathery colour super snuggly textured knit. Which stitch is this Rah? Luffly and cosy.

Ninja In Guiding blue and cream, a gorgeous crochet trefoil design, fab steam train and lovely snuggly flower too. All gorgeous.

Much love to you all, and enormous thanks

Yay! Glad they arrived :) the purple one is in blackberry stitch. I think it is my new favourite stitch as it's so soft.

Tis just lovely, so warm xx

Just seen a beautiful photo of Knittingnovice's DD starting school today. Such a precious special day. Thinking of her lovely mum xxx

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving, apologies for the delay in coming here. Huge thanks to the lovely crafters for everything they do, just amazing

WildEyedAndCrafty A super blue granny and a gorgeous square in turquoise with bluebell embellishments. Just lovely

Not sure who sent these lovelies Three gorgeous granny squares in teal, beautiful.

fan Two beautiful crochet squares, inc a lovely camping scene, with tent, campfire and moon. Perfect. I thought about Knitting when we were camping at MiaFest, had a fabulous campfire, she would have loved it.

Thank you everyone, you are stars xxx

Absolutely fabulous.

As a tribute to Knitting's love of all things Strictly, the very amazing OwlCapone has sent a square depicting Len Goodman with natty bow tie and a sevvvvvvvvvvvvvven board. Just perfect crank you so much.

Thank obvs!!

On the bloody phone :)

Crank! [arf]

It was a struggle. Perhaps a square too far.

It is so perfect for her family, so worth the struggle. xx

Beautiful woolly treasury has been arriving, this by hand

MNP On Guiding blue crochet back grounds, a fabulous tent and a depiction of the Rainbow Brownie logo. Absolutely marvellous.

Pidj In a purpley pink and green two gorgeous granny squares, just super

Thanks both so much, you are stars

Evening :)

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving, and it is fabulous, such a lot of work, huge thanks, you are awesome

OpheliaBumps Lovely Ophelia has beautifully knitted all the initials for Knitting's family, so five squares, all just gorgeous, perfect. Huge thanks

Thank you so much for these xxx