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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

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Thread gallery
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emilybohemia · 11/02/2016 14:38

I don't knit or crochet and wondered if you might know if anywhere is collecting any crafts eg toys, or if things like that are not needed? I sew and make dolls and toys, but can't knit or crochet you see.

KnottyAndPistey · 11/02/2016 16:34

Aha Purple

Beautiful, thank you so much xxxxxx

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.
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KnottyAndPistey · 11/02/2016 16:36

Emily We have had first news of Syrian families arriving through our connections on the south coast. We are very happy to receive your lovely crafts to go there, if that is something you would like? Alternatively Refugee Child would love them for sale to raise funds. Either way you can send to us, thank you so much xxxx

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PurpleFrog · 11/02/2016 17:03

Glad it has arrived OK! I am always really twitchy when I send stuff off into the unknown...

emilybohemia · 11/02/2016 22:12

Thanks, either sounds good. I am making some things soon, so will let you know.

KnottyAndPistey · 12/02/2016 08:33

Oh same Purple horrid! Thank you again, and for the Angel Hug, Teds and envelopes too, just marvellous of you Thanks

Thank you emily do shout if we can help you, and when you are ready for posting xxxxx

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KnottyAndPistey · 12/02/2016 08:34

And we are away next week, so apologies now for radio silence, back on Monday 22nd....

Thank you everyone Thanks Star

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Mhw02 · 12/02/2016 13:20

Did all 3 of my parcels arrive?

BlackeyedShepherdsbringsheep · 13/02/2016 08:30

three more squares to go then some finishing, peskying, and sewing them all together.

the squares are getting played with currently. there goes my carefully piled up planned layout.

BlackeyedShepherdsbringsheep · 15/02/2016 10:44

psst

has she gone?

while the cat is away

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 16/02/2016 15:06

Gotcha Grin

We are moving out to PILs this weekend for 2 weeks as first part if building works starts on Monday - eek!
But I've just been sorting through stuff in loft and already planning to make more Billie Blankets/Little Hugs/ Taggy blankies - because I can actually set up a sewing room in DS2's bedroom and come back home most nights to enjoy peace and quiet and get some sewing done! (I've been neglecting my sewing machine and I'm quite excited about this! )
Then when we are back in I can carry on with crochet for this project.
And I've started making a little bag for the Easter sale Smile

Have a great halfterm everyone!

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 16/02/2016 15:15

Pistey&Knotty

We have tons of soft toys we are ready to part with - all "pre-loved" but clean and would make some children very happy.
Do you think Refugee Child would welcome these or only new & handmade would do?

(I can't bear to throw them away, but just don't know what to do with them)

theDudesmummy · 16/02/2016 18:01

I also have a number of soft toys, some new, some barely touched, and am not sure where would be the best place to send them to. If anyone has any ideas...

BlackeyedShepherdsbringsheep · 21/02/2016 18:26

nothing to see here.

all been good. at least they have

KnottyAndPistey · 24/02/2016 08:00

Morning Brew

Thank you so much, back and catching up!

Thanks
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Drinksforeveryone · 24/02/2016 11:57

Wow! some excellent pieces !

I am quite new to knitting - but will do a few squares.

It will be nice to think I am being useful to someone. Albeit in a small way.

KnottyAndPistey · 24/02/2016 21:35

With your love and support our Refugee project goes on, and we are so pleased that we can now get our woolly warmth into Syria itself, to beleaguered families in Qara, through the fab charity Knit for Peace,

So please keep going! Thank you so much.

Thanks
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BlackeyedShepherdsbringsheep · 24/02/2016 22:07

sorry about the crisp packet, thought I had got them all.

I have lost a square during the half term melee as well as the plot and some marbles but I have at least identified the colour the final square is supposed to be.

I have started another coloured blanket in the mean time as I need to tidy up a bit to find the missing square.

I have decided to say sod it and am making 8 inch squares. (fewer squares to get lost, less sewing together. and less bloody peskies as some of the squares will be made from one colour yarn!)

plus I will have to make enough for a blanket as they will not sew with others as easily.

KnottyAndPistey · 25/02/2016 08:39

Morning!

Been having a think about these needing new home cuddlies. Very occasionally Knit for Peace are asked for soft toys, but that is rare, and when they are, they need to be new hand knit or crochet. Thats their specification for transportation, fair enough. They can't transport masses as it costs so much, and they tend to be bulky.

Refugee child collect 'as good as new' cuddlies, but they don't go to the children abroad they are sold to raise funds. Very happy to dig out their address if anyone would like to support them in this way?

Also thinking of the Red cross or Refugee Action who may have charity shops more local to you? They are raising funds to support families at home and abroad, so anything anyone can do to raise funds there is fantastic.

Also thinking of the children arriving here (no requests but am not sure they have arrived yet) happy to have a collection of newly made for us sewn/knitted toys we can send on to them. I know emily is making for us here.

Not sure this actually helps anyone, but hopefully gives ideas, happy to dig out Refugee Child's address.

Brew
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theDudesmummy · 25/02/2016 18:57

Thanks for hose ideas, I wil look into them. Meanwhile, good news about Knit for Peace getting into Syria, and I will be posting some more scarves to you next week.

KnottyAndPistey · 28/02/2016 10:19

Morning Brew

Thats fab thank you, lots to catch up with, back in a bit xxxxx

Thanks
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KnottyAndPistey · 28/02/2016 11:19

Woolly treasure for sure! Thank you WallacePiffleSnaffleThistle Love that name! All for our Refugee Project. You star xxx

Thanks
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.
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KnottyAndPistey · 28/02/2016 11:19

For babies through our Refugee Project and all from the very lovely EK Thank you so much. xxxx

Thanks
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.
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KnottyAndPistey · 28/02/2016 11:20

Beautiful!

Thank you everyone who sent in these separate squares for our Refugee Project and to lovely JE for constructing so beautifully. It's gorgeous xxxxx

Thanks
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.
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KnottyAndPistey · 28/02/2016 11:21

Super snuggly and cosy. Thank you so much MA for all these fabulous mittens for our Refugee Project. You absolute star. Xxxx

Thanks
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.
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