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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Woolly Hugs. Supporting refugees, lovely crafters and donors, fabulous Mumsnetters we need your help.

994 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 05/09/2015 14:24

As for so many others, we have been moved to tears by the heartbreaking plight of refugees, both in Europe and further afield, and the inhumanity which seems to surround them too often. We have donated, signed petitions on change.org and written to our MPs, and understand the feeling of shouting in the wind, we desperately want to do more.

There is something practical we can do together, and it really will help, but fabulous Mumsnetters, we are going to need your support.

We can get woolly warmth to families in refugee camps in Kurdistan, thanks to the amazing charity Knit for Peace. There are 1.8 million refugees trapped there, most have fled civil wars and ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Winter is coming, it will be even more desperate and absolutely freezing. We are also developing links to get resources to children and families elsewhere, and on their arrival in the UK. We just want to help keep folk warm. We know we can’t help everyone, but we can some.

We really need your help, here’s how…

  • We need 12 inch, or six inch squares. Knit or crochet both equally welcome.
  • Yarn to be used - any good quality acrylic DK, for example Stylecraft special DK
  • Any colour, any style, it is all good.
  • Squares equally welcome if made by beginner or expert. Truly.
  • No one think their's wouldn’t be good enough. They will be.
  • We'd love to receive whole blankets, but absolutely understand time constraints.
  • We’d also love to receive hats and gloves/mittens for any age, baby sized through to adult, the same for jumpers. But appreciate that is a very big ask.
  • If you’d like to donate yarn or funds, let us know - we’d absolutely LOVE to hear from you, we need you too. This will be a real team effort
  • If anyone would like to join in crafting but can’t afford to, please PM us, we can help.

One square, one blanket, a pair of gloves, one warm hat, one step at a time, really every little thing will help. Together we can make a difference.

Thanks

Sadly we cannot accept items other than home made woolly ones at the moment, if this changes we will come back.

If anyone arrives in this thread and holds similar views to Cameron, no need to post, just move along. This is a positive, humanitarian thread taking positive, humanitarian action.

Do join us on our Facebook page Woolly Hugs and Twitter @Woolly_Hugs - both good ways to keep in touch.

If you'd rather email us than PM we are [email protected]

Thank you doesn’t come close, bless you. Thanks

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KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2015 16:03

Folk are just amazing! Thanks

The most enormous thanks to NannyR for a fantastic collection of eight super snuggly beautiful baby cardigans for our Refugee project. Love! Do you have a link for this pattern? Tis looks great.

Thank you so much. Star Thanks

Woolly Hugs. Supporting refugees, lovely crafters and donors, fabulous Mumsnetters we need your help.
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Meggymoodle · 16/09/2015 18:58

Hello. Hoping it's not too late to start knitting - my wool arrived today. I am desperately untalented and have only just (at the age of 41) learnt to knit but I reckon I can manage some squares. Just in case I'm feeling uber-confident, do you have a recommended (very easy) hat pattern somewhere?

Also could you please let me know where to send finished items?

Thanks so much for doing this.

NannyR · 16/09/2015 22:33

The pattern for the baby cardigan above is a 1960s Elizabeth zimmerman pattern called "baby surprise sweater". It's not easy to get hold of on line, but I have a years old photocopy I could scan and email. It's a really easy knit, all in one with just two seams at the shoulders.

ArtyBat · 17/09/2015 08:39

NannyR - I've fallen in love with your baby cardigan Smile.

If you are happy to share the pattern I'd love to knit one or two.

KnottyAndPistey · 17/09/2015 09:39

Morning Brew

Welcome Meggy - have a look here... These are patterns folk have been recommending for this project. I know there are more further up this thread that we still need to add. Will PM you posting info, thank you, you are a Star

NannyR It really is such a clever and lovely pattern, if you could scan and send we are [email protected] and then we can share.

Thank you all Thanks

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 18/09/2015 08:23

I have done two inches of my first square. woohoo! Blush

I'll try and get at least one to you!

KnottyAndPistey · 18/09/2015 08:58

Honestly one is fabulous! That's the joy of the joint blankets, everyone can help, thank you

PS It would take me at least two weeks to knit a very plain six inch square. Then I would drop a stitch, have a tantrum and have to start again.

Respect to all knitters!

Crochet was the way forward for me Grin

Pistey x

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OhYouBadBadKitten · 18/09/2015 09:03

If I did crochet, it would be shaped like a moomin Grin

PurpleFrog · 18/09/2015 09:18

I am currently doing some squares for joint blankets.

Will the blankets be washed before they are sent? We currently have a puppy who is very intrigued by my crochet. I have spent a lot of time this summer sitting on the sofa with my work held at arms length above my head - not very conducive to quick progress. Anyway, this morning she rushed past me while I was making my breakfast and hid under the kitchen table. She had pinched my current square from the very back corner of my side table and had a trail of wool going round chair legs etc. throughout the living room, hall and kitchen. Sigh! I don't think any harm has been done, but it was a bit wet! Blush Cheeky monkey! Grin

KnottyAndPistey · 18/09/2015 09:26

Hooooge arf at Moomins Grin Now there would be PLENTY of character!

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KnottyAndPistey · 18/09/2015 09:28

Awwww puppy!

We would plan to wash them anyway, esp if they are waiting for any length of time, kinda freshens them up. Like to feel they are ready to go iyswim?

Thank you Thanks

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IamAgamemnon · 20/09/2015 22:06

Hi Knotty I would love to crochet some squares for this project.
I'm just a beginner so not sure how quickly I can do one (need to get some wool firstSmile) but would love to help, even if it is only a little bit.

KnottyAndPistey · 22/09/2015 09:08

This would be brilliant, bless your heart, thank you Thanks

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lucysmam · 22/09/2015 13:50

Hello Smile

Just wondered if there's any word on non-knit items yet?

KnottyAndPistey · 22/09/2015 17:13

Hello there :)

We've not heard just yet, will go and follow up for you, thank you though Thanks

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KnottyAndPistey · 22/09/2015 17:14

Beautiful hats arriving from lovely WoollyBacks - I see what you mean about Harry Potter, and it's fabulous!

This one of four, thank you so much, squares too, marvellous Thanks

Woolly Hugs. Supporting refugees, lovely crafters and donors, fabulous Mumsnetters we need your help.
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lucysmam · 22/09/2015 17:21

Ok, I'll check back again over the weekend and see if there is anything then.

Fabulous work by everyone Star Star Star all round!

KnottyAndPistey · 22/09/2015 18:51

Lucysmam, am just about to PM you.

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lucysmam · 22/09/2015 21:07

I've just sat down (tonight is Rainbows night)...will take a look now Smile

DelphiniumBlue · 22/09/2015 21:13

My knitting isnt up to much, but can do a crochet blanket. Can do large-ish baby blankets, or one bigger one in that time frame - which would be more useful?

TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet · 22/09/2015 23:40

Hallo
We've moved this over to Woolly Hugs to stop it going poof
Keep up the good work MNers
Kindest
MNHQ

dazzlingdeborahrose · 23/09/2015 07:11

I can't knit anything other than squares. Will try to get some done this weekend and send them off. If you could PM me the address?

dazzlingdeborahrose · 23/09/2015 07:24

Oh, and I've copied and pasted the original message to a craft group I'm involved in at work - many far more talented ladies than myself. Hope that's okay.

KnottyAndPistey · 23/09/2015 08:52

We [heart] you Olivia de Mumsnet, thank you so much Wine

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KnottyAndPistey · 23/09/2015 08:54

DelphiniumBlue Bless you, thank you, we are keen to get bigger blankets where poss over to Kurdistan, so maybe as big as you can? We do see this as an ongoing project, and are meeting with the folk who will actually be driving them over hopefully next week.

Thank you Thanks

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