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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 Beccajo. Lovely donors and crafters, please, your help is needed.

336 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 27/01/2015 14:17

Desperately sad news we’re afraid. In the run up to Christmas, the folk on the current Tamoxigang thread received a message from the DH (on MN as firethornuk) of the very lovely beccajo.

Not long after her last post on this thread she went into hospital, she was very unwell, but she was improving under the care of the drs and nurses. She received her next 2 doses of chemo in hospital which didn't really agree with her. So she was due to have a brand new drug tomorrow. She was doing really well and we had some hope that her new chemo would work for her.

Sadly, last Friday she developed a terrible headache and a scan revealed 2 brain tumours, one of which had bled heavily. She deteriorated very quickly. But she was comfortable, and passed away peacefully with her family with her.

There aren’t really any words are there? We are just so very sorry life has been so cruel. Our thoughts are with beccajo's DH, their little children, family and friends at this time. We are so pleased to say that her DH has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, and we hope that he and their children will feel our love and support and that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can to them. Beccajo was a very busy MN poster, and the site will miss her kindness and support for others.

Please, 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. If you need yarn and are a hooker, do let us know, as we have part balls that will be perfect for crochet.

The Yarn we are Using….

  • Artesano Superwash Merino DK
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
  • Drops Merino Extra Fine DK
  • 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. If you still have any of our wools that have been discontinued - Rowan cashsoft DK, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK or James C. Brett Pure Merino DK in your stash, please do use them.

The colours…

  • Warm purples
  • Pinks
  • Blues
  • Greens

Her DH has thought of some ideas to reflect Becca’s loves

  • Snowboarding, snowflakes
  • Sailing and the sea.
  • Roses and gardens, they had planned a rose border for their garden, which her DH is hoping to make this summer.
  • Her favourite colour was purple, she loved pinks too.
  • We do have the family initials if this is something someone would like to do, please PM.

Thanks Thanks

All crafting abilities genuinely welcome, squares made by beginner or expert are equally welcomed. It really is the love and thought that counts.

Lots of ideas for sure, but please don't feel daunted, 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.

Help with Crafting
Knotty (KnottyLocks* ) will help with any crafting/colour queries, do PM her or post on the thread.

  • Squares to be 6 inches, using 4mm hook or needles.
  • We recommend double knotting yarn to ensure the square is extra sturdy, and make sure you get a needle to sew the pesky ends in, rather than cutting to the knot which makes the square fragile.
  • Please avoid blocking your squares, makes then harder to use and anyway the other squares WILL pull them into shape!!
  • Our website has lots of practical info, including recommended online retailers of our yarn.
  • If you are new to us, maybe have a look at our website, where there are albums of previous blankets.

We are on Facebook and Twitter at MNWoollyHugs/@MNWoollyHugs which are both good ways to keep in touch.Do join us there.

This means such a lot to Becca's DH, and will be so lovely for him and their children to have. Together we will make something very special for them.

Thinking of beccajo and all those who love and miss her.

Heartfelt thanks Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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KnottyAndPistey · 21/05/2015 11:49

Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving. Huge thanks to the lovely crafters for everything they do, just amazing Thanks

Thanks Tokelau Such beautiful crochet, just lovely, in pink and purple such super designs Star

Thank you so much, these are fabulous Thanks

Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks
OP posts:
firethornuk · 13/09/2015 13:44

Thanks to everyone who had an input into our wonderful Wooly Hug. Its beautiful, and so big and warm and snuggly and heavy.

There is so much detail in every square, and I keep finding new details that I havn't seen yet.

The kids & I had a trip to RHS Wisley today, which was one of our special places, we used to go there as a family and have a picnic. So I took our woolly hug there today and had a special moment with the kids in our special spot.

Woolly Hugs. For our own Beccajo. Lovely donors and crafters, please, your help is needed.
Woolly Hugs. For our own Beccajo. Lovely donors and crafters, please, your help is needed.
Woolly Hugs. For our own Beccajo. Lovely donors and crafters, please, your help is needed.
KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2015 18:08

We are so glad the Woolly Hug is with you all, but how desperately we wish it had never been needed.

Such beautiful children, bless their hearts, yours too. We think about you such a lot, and Becca, sending so much love. xxxx

OP posts:
Isitoktodoadam · 15/09/2015 21:02

It looks fantastic. Well done everyone.

Marshy · 15/09/2015 21:08

Lovely to see the pictures James. Beautiful children. I hope you are all doing ok.

HumptyDumptyBumpty · 15/09/2015 21:22

That's a beautiful photo. Your children are fantastic - a credit to you and Becca. Sending woolly hugs and all best wishes (Jan antenatal thread member) xx

CorBlimeyTrousers · 16/09/2015 07:25

It's beautiful and what beautiful children you have too. I was just thinking about Becca recently (I 'knew' her from another forum). I hope you're all doing ok.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 09/10/2015 05:56

Your children are so sweet and adorable James, I'm welling up all over again. Hug them for me, will you?
I'm glad the blanket is with you (looks stunning, well done everyone!) and I hope it will do its job of comforting you all in those difficult times and bring you some joy and sunshine.
Thinking of dear Becca and sending you all lots of love

Coconutty · 09/10/2015 06:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 10/12/2015 08:50

Our thoughts are especially with lovely Beccajo, her husband, beautiful children, family and friends today, one year on, sending so much love to them all. xxxx

Thanks
Woolly Hugs. For our own Beccajo. Lovely donors and crafters, please, your help is needed.
firethornuk · 11/12/2015 17:43

Thank you for thinking of us. We made it through the day as best we could. The kids helped me decorate a wreath with lots of leaves and flowers from our garden which we took to the grave. It was quite therapeutic and it looks lovely. x

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