Woolly Hugs. For our own Beccajo. Lovely donors and crafters, please, your help is needed.

[KnottyAndPistey]

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.

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

I knew becca from the Tamoxigang, and was devastated to hear the news before Christmas. Really delighted that there will be a woolly hug going to Becca's amazing DH and children - I've not knitted since school but will donate via PayPal x

I started a square last night, hoping to create a garden square. my clever mum has made some lovely flowers to go a plain square.

I'm so sorry to read this, I'll hook a couple of squares....with love and thinking of beccajo and her family

I knew Becca from the tamoxigang thread. She was so strong and so supportive of everyone else there. I couldn't believe the news when I heard it and my heart goes out to her husband and young family.

I've not taken part in a woolly hug project before so will have to do my homework but will knit a square for her

I've been re-reading this. I have questions:

• 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.

How many stitches (roughly) is 6 inches? Does is vary widely?
I ordered Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Mint (054). Is this the wrong one? What is double knotting yarn?

I'm sure that green is fine, double knitting is just the type of yarn to use. and it can depend on your tension as to how many stitches get you to six inches. I crochet and its generally 30 for me.

I'm sure someone else will be along to help answer your questions.

So sad, but lovely seeing some old names from the Jan threads again.

I'll hook a couple of squares too, I have wool

oh and rereading myself double knotting means when you finished double knot the end to secure the square and sew in your yarn so it can't be seen to make it easy for the person to sew together.

Hi spacefrog, hope you are well

Thanks fanjo

Hi Spacefrog, I hope you're well xx

no problem many if you have any other questions please post or pm ratherbeonthepiste or knottylocks

Space

Hi space

Thinking of Beccajo and family xxx

Have pm'd you Pistey, I can help (it's Bella btw)

Fanjo, yes, double knotting was a typo I think. It should be double knitting (DK).

reading it again naimh I think its double knotting the end of your work so it doesn't unravel.

Hi space. Great to see you.

Thank you so much everyone. Apologies for absence yesterday, had a very long day, but back to help.

Catching up now.

Fanjo, I see what you mean now! I hadn't noticed that before, thanks.

Yep, it is double knotting.

Sadly we've had a few squares we've had to do emergency repairs on lately, either because they've worked themselves loose at the point of yarn changes or after knotting the ends have been cut really close to the knot, rather than sewn in.

Oh no! Sorry to hear that.

I try and triple knot mine and then sew in the peskys separately if you have two bits of yarn, in the hopes it stays knotted.

I'm so sad to hear this - I was on the same antenatal thread (although not her in for ages).

If really like to make a donation so grateful if someone coukd PM me how (sorry if I've missed something obvious)

I knew Becca from the tamoxigang thread and think about her often.

I have pm'ed RatherBeOnThePiste re the best way to contribute.

Just catching up again, lots of PMs, am away there now.

Thank you everyone