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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. Our Project to help refugees continues. One square, one blanket, a pair of gloves, one warm hat, one step at a time, really every little thing will help. All support welcome.

526 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 06/02/2016 09:44

When we started this project last September we had no idea how enormous it would become and honestly have been blown away by the response. We should have known, folk never fail to amaze. We can't find the words to express how grateful and thankful we are that so many have risen to the challenge. We know we can't help everyone, but will help as many as we can, and each warm item goes to an individual with love and support from us. Just looking at numbers of items we have already sent to refugees in Kurdistan and Lesvos...

Blankets made by individuals - 127
Blankets made using separate 12 or 6 inch squares sent in - 34
Hats - 805
Cardis/ jumpers etc - 90
Footwear - 15
Scarves - 145
Gloves/wrist warmers - 53

What an extraordinary response Thanks

It is the together bit, that's our strength, we are so grateful to everyone for every single stitch.

With your love and support we need to carry on. Every day more desperate folk are struggling in appalling conditions, there is no end in sight. In this next phase we will continue to send to refugees in Kurdistan and Lesvos and will also be supporting Syrian families arriving here, initially through contacts on the South coast.

Can you help us fabulous mumsnetters?

Because it still stands, we have C&P the OP for all crafting info from our first thread, which is here....

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.

Star Star Thanks Thanks

OP posts:
Thread gallery
225
KnottyAndPistey · 10/11/2016 09:46

Star Thanks Your compassion and love will mean the world to the recipients. Today these 63 blankets, 491 hats, 155 scarves, 96 jumpers/cardis, 7 shawls, 35 pairs of mittens, 14 pairs bootees and 7 cuddly toys started their journey to refugees who need them most. They go with love in every stitch. How amazing you all are. Just extraordinary.

Thank you so SO much.

Woolly Hugs. Our Project to help refugees continues. One square, one blanket, a pair of gloves, one warm hat, one step at a time, really every little thing will help. All support welcome.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 14/11/2016 11:08

Morning Brew

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 14/11/2016 11:10
Brew
KnottyAndPistey · 14/11/2016 11:37
Wine
OP posts:
SoupDragon · 14/11/2016 11:39
Shock

It's not even noon

CommunistLegoOoOoBloc · 18/11/2016 13:21

Is it too late to send along a few cardigans and hats? I've got a few blankets for the hospital too, thought I could pad out the parcel :)

KnottyAndPistey · 19/11/2016 06:50

Not at all. All ongoing. One more collection this side of Christmas, last posting Dec 3rd. Then end of January. Thank you so much xxx

OP posts:
theDudesmummy · 19/11/2016 11:46

Box of scarves posted to you yesterday. The knitting goes on...

KnottyAndPistey · 21/11/2016 10:02

They are here and just perfect, thank you xxxx

OP posts:
theDudesmummy · 27/11/2016 18:35

Another parcel of scarves will be posted on Tuesday!

MadisonAvenue · 01/12/2016 12:36

There's a parcel on the way to you containing four hats and a pair of baby mitts. I've never knitted anything like that before so I hope they're okay!

I'm now working on some more for the next deadline.

WhoKnowsWhereTheT1meG0es · 01/12/2016 12:43

I haven't posted on this thread before, but have started on some squares this week, so I'm marking my place. Will be sending them after your winter break.

breatheinskipthegym · 01/12/2016 13:02

1.8 million refugees? Ashamed of my ignorance, but I'd never managed the enormity of this. My great grandmother taught me to knit as a child, but it's not a skill I retained sadly. Please PM me details so that I can make a financial donation. Touched by everyone's efforts.

bookbook · 01/12/2016 22:42

I just have to finish Xmas stuff, then will gladly do some hats/gloves after New Year - have loads of bits of DK wool that I can use - did I see just acrylic? I have Sirdar crofter if any good?

Lovelybangers · 01/12/2016 23:21

I have been knittinghats - but think I'll miss this next delivery.

I will save them up for January's batch.

newmumwithquestions · 01/12/2016 23:46

I can't knit but have knitted baby jumpers, cardies etc made by more talented family members that my DC is growing out of - would these be of any use to you? I'd only send things in good condition.

BlueEyeshadow · 04/12/2016 23:11

I've just parcelled up some squares and scarves, but realised I've missed the latest deadline. Oh well. Hope they can go the next time! Need space for Christmas now!

KnottyAndPistey · 05/12/2016 09:45

Morning!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 05/12/2016 09:49

Thank you everyone, yes next posting date to aim for is January 28th.

We say any wool for whole items Book but just acrylic for squares to go towards joint blankets, just makes that bit easier.

If anyone would like to join our Woolly Hugs Construction crew page, it is here, we are very grateful for every single moment of your time and every single stitch.

We know lots have joined already, thank you, but all are welcome.. If not on FB, message us to let us know you'd like to be involved in this way.

This is the pinned post… This page is set up to support the work of the charity Woolly Hugs, by bringing together wonderful folk who would like to help with construction of blankets. We hope folk will be able to find any support they need, please do ask questions, this is a learning journey for us all!

We will ask on there for particular help we need.

We are truly grateful for every single stitch. Thank you. xxxx

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 05/12/2016 09:50

newmum Thank you - we can accept new and as good as new homemade knitted and crocheted items, thank you Thanks

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 05/12/2016 09:50

breatheinskipthegym Thank you so much, every penny helps, we are truly grateful. Will come and message you now. Thanks

OP posts:
bookbook · 06/12/2016 12:36

Thanks for letting me know - just a clanger, and a hot water bottle cover to go, and then I will get on with some :)

KnottyAndPistey · 12/12/2016 16:41

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

Our last delivery of 2016 Thanks

47 pairs of gloves/mittens, 26 blankets of which 3 were made using separate squares, 302 hats, 17 cardigans/jumpers, 8 pairs of socks/bootees, 36 scarves/cowls/shawls.

Our next collection of items for Refugees in Kurdistan and Syria is away, off to those folk who need warmth and comfort.

With your love and support we continue, next deadline is January 28th. The most ENORMOUS thank you. Thanks xxxx

Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star

Woolly Hugs. Our Project to help refugees continues. One square, one blanket, a pair of gloves, one warm hat, one step at a time, really every little thing will help. All support welcome.
OP posts:
BlackeyedSusan · 13/12/2016 23:13

we can accept new and as good as new homemade knitted and crocheted items, thank you Thanks

that is good because some accidently fell off the rail in the charity shop... oops. Grin

GrumpyInsomniac · 26/01/2017 18:13

Completed blanket is away in the post as of this afternoon.