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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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RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/01/2015 15:49

Thanks lovely, yes, any of these colours are just fine,

  • Warm purples
  • Pinks
  • Blues
  • Greens
RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/01/2015 15:50

alteredimages

We are happy to post to Egypt, can post on Thursday if you let us have your address?

PolterGoose · 27/01/2015 15:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpiralArchitect · 27/01/2015 15:54

I have some blue and will make a square or two. Will pm Pistey.

Thinking of Becca's family and friends x Flowers

TheNinjaGooseIsHooking · 27/01/2015 16:00

thoughts are with the family Flowers

away to pm

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/01/2015 16:05

Thanks you so much everyone Thanks Just back to PMs now Thanks

chocolatespiders · 27/01/2015 16:19

I badly want to help.. But can only plain knit or knit one purl one would that be suitable or not?

Galena · 27/01/2015 16:20

Have pmed.

GleamingHeels · 27/01/2015 16:20

So sad, I'm in, will need a donor though - will PM you Pistey

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/01/2015 16:24

chocolatespiders That sounds perfect, thank you so much, welcome on board Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/01/2015 16:25

Gleaming - we have wool for you, part balls, be perfect for your lovely crochet, thank you Thanks

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/01/2015 16:26

Thanks Galena am away there now Thanks

Naturegirl82 · 27/01/2015 16:31

I'd like to join (from the Jan 2014 antenatal thread). I'll check my wool stash to see if I have anything suitable. Will be crocheting from me.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 27/01/2015 16:54

Naturegirl82 Welcome on board, do let us know if you need help with wool, we have plenty here from our lovely donors

Thank you so much xx

Tarlia · 27/01/2015 17:07

How very sad :( Thinking of her family.

I can make a square or two, I will check if I have the correct colours.

Opheliabumps · 27/01/2015 17:11

How sad Sad

I've just pm'd you pistey

RiaOverTheRainbow · 27/01/2015 17:20

Very sad news, thinking of Beccajo's family.

PMing now.

SpaghettiMeatballs · 27/01/2015 17:22

I'm so sorry to read this. Life is so cruel.

I can definitely make a few squares.

AmaDablam · 27/01/2015 17:31

Very sad to hear this news. I will certainly contribute some squares. Will pm pistey later. Thinking of Becca, her family and all those who had come to know and care about her through mumsnet Flowers

TobyLerone · 27/01/2015 17:36

I'm happy to buy the yarn and knit. So do I just do it or do I need further instructions? And how many do I do?

TobyLerone · 27/01/2015 17:37

Unless one of the antenatalers wants me to knit on their behalf?

WoolPixie · 27/01/2015 17:41

Oh how sad, sending much love to her family. Count me in. Will pm you Pistey

TheWoollybacksWife · 27/01/2015 17:42

Count me in Pistey I'll get my own yarn this time, thank you for previous donations. I'll PM you.

Much love to Beccajo's loved ones Flowers

If any of the "novice" knitters or crocheters are in North Northants or the Harborough bit of Leicestershire then I'm happy to meet up and do tea and cake and work on our squares together.

AMillionNameChangesLater · 27/01/2015 17:57

I was on the ante-natal thread with her. Please can you PM me and i'll donate some wool?

AMillionNameChangesLater · 27/01/2015 18:00

Actually, i'll still donate, but i'll try doing a square. I'm worried it'll be rubbish, but i'm sure it'll be fine