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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
GrumpyInsomniac · 26/01/2017 18:15

Also, I have this very bad habit of not putting a note in to say who it was from, but it will have an East End postcode on the back, and is mostly blues. Sorry Blush

NerrSnerr · 28/01/2017 08:23

Hello, just checking in. I have made a start on a some squares. I have some time on my hands, I'm off work until my baby comes so about 10 weeks of spare time. In between baby knitting I will get stuff done for this project too. Reading through the thread it's amazing how much stuff has already been sent, hopefully I will be able to contribute a bit too.

Lucienandjean · 30/01/2017 15:44

I've wandered over from the Candy's Hugs thread as I've used up all of the suitable wool that I had for that project. While I'm waiting till I can get some more, I thought I could use up some of my stash on making a blanket for refugees.

One question though, how big should a blanket be? I was thinking of crocheting a whole one, just a huge granny square as I'm not very skilled yet. But how big is useful? Thanks.

daciousme · 31/01/2017 10:57

Hello I only work in inches so a whole blanket would be 36ins. by 48ins. - that's a lot of crocheting!! - but would be lovely.

Lucienandjean · 31/01/2017 13:37

That sounds doable - would keep me out of mischief for a while!

BlackeyedSusan · 05/02/2017 18:58

I need a kick up the arse to get on with it.

Maximummonkey · 05/02/2017 19:12

A friend of mine has given me some cones of acrylic yarn, so I've made a start on some squares for this. My aim is to fit as many squares into a small package as I can to maximise on postage costs.
I too have used all my stylecraft for the Candy Hugs. Will need to purchase some more soon.

chickensaresafehere · 06/02/2017 15:40

Refugee squares posted on Saturday,so hope to be with you by Tuesday.

I have enlisted the help of my Mum Blushas I must be the slowest knitter EVER!!! She bangs them out so bloody quick,she puts me to shame!!

She said to me on Friday 'I'm so glad you asked me to knit these squares,chickens,it keeps my mind occupied & gives me something to do when I feel lonely & bored'' which was lovely as she is on her own now since Dad went into a nursing home with advanced dementia.

WitchDancer · 16/02/2017 16:26

Room for some more squares? I've got a basket of leftover wool that needs something doing with it and am happy to do some squares if you need more?

TheoriginalLEM · 16/02/2017 16:54

oooh, I have lots of random wool to use, will make some squares (when ive run out of candy's hugs wool) Love wooly hugs

barcelo · 01/03/2017 16:50

Is it too late for hats ?

I have knitted 3 over the past few weeks -but don't know if they'll be needed now it is March!

Hopefully they will be of use to someone . Please can you send me the postal address.

KnottyAndPistey · 11/03/2017 10:26

All ongoing my loves, we are grateful for every single stitch thank you!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 11/03/2017 10:28

Saturday 22nd April is the next collection deadline, although it is all ongoing, we know folk love to have a date to aim for!

Crafting info is here too, plus dates...

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 11/03/2017 10:29

barcelo just coming to PM you xxx

OP posts:
theDudesmummy · 15/03/2017 09:19

Oh I am glad it is ongoing as I have done some more scarves, they will be on their way to you...

KnottyAndPistey · 15/03/2017 09:34

All ongoing my love, thank you - have Ninja popping round in a bit to help get the latest collection away. It is huge, everyone is so wonderful!

OP posts:
theDudesmummy · 23/03/2017 18:59

Did you get my scarves?

KnottyAndPistey · 23/03/2017 21:22

We DID, gorgeous, thank you so so much xxxxxx

OP posts:
theDudesmummy · 25/03/2017 09:21

I am knitting more.

PicardsCombOver · 07/04/2017 00:42

Hello Knotty and Pistey Grin just wondering if the parcel of children's hats etc arrived safely and if they are suitable for purpose? X

Okkitokkiunga · 07/04/2017 20:44

Hello. On the website page, the top blanket is joined with contrasting dark yarn. What stitch would that be? I am newbie at Crochet but would like to try a whole blanket and like the look of that. Gulp! Thanks.

WitchDancer · 08/04/2017 08:59

Morning all! I'm low on Candy Hug wool so I'll be taking some of my stash on holiday too, which will be for Refugees. You never know, i may find some more knitters/hookers while I'm there. Grin

Jux · 08/04/2017 17:40

Hi there hookers/knitters.

I can't find cAndy's Hugs on the website. Is there a separate site?

WitchDancer · 08/04/2017 18:53

There's a woolly Hugs category under Body & Soul Jux

bookbook · 08/04/2017 20:55

Okki- Bella Coco does two or three video tutorials for joinng squares - I have been prepping. for next year ......:)
its here Jux
Candys Hugs