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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 for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.

696 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 21/06/2016 19:23

There cannot be a single soul who has not been shocked and horrified by the devastating attack and murder of MP Jo Cox. Truly awful, at times like this one struggles to find the words to make any sense, there just aren’t any. We feel desperately sorry for Jo’s children, DH, parents, family and friends, and are thinking of all who love and miss her.

In one of the most beautiful and courageous pieces written her husband Brendan has said she would have wished now for their children to be bathed in love, this really resonates with what we hope Woolly Hugs is all about.

Jo represented the good things in the world, all that is the opposite of bitterness and hatred. Let us do something now for her, for her husband and their children, by sending love, compassion, strength and support. We hope it will bring them a little comfort. We are thinking of them. Thanks

We are very fortunate to have one of her good friends on board, we asked if she could help us, and she will, and will be able to pass on the blankets to the children when the time comes, we can’t thank her enough, she says “With your permission, I will pass the message on that they are being made. I know they have taken great comfort from the love everyone's shared in the last few days and this will be equally welcomed. You are brilliant. Thank you xxx.”

So this is our plan, can you help us?

Firstly, we would like to make a blanket for both of Jo’s children, their DS Cuillin aged 5 and DD Lejla aged three, these to be big enough that they can snuggle with their dad and find warmth and comfort. There will be love in every stitch for them.

Secondly we would like to make a blanket for Auction in the run up to Christmas, and have chosen one of Jo’s charities to be our recipient. Brendan said it would have been Jo’s wish that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her, so we have chosen the charity called Hope not Hate. See here... It seems right.

Thirdly, may we encourage folk to contribute to our existing Woolly Hugs’ Refugee Project, all crafting info is here. Jo campaigned tirelessly for refugees, this seems very appropriate. We know we cant help everyone, but one square, one blanket, a pair of gloves, one warm hat, one step at a time, really every little thing will help. Thank you.

Crafting information for the three blankets
All yarn to be Stylecraft Special DK, which is very easily available. Try here. Please make sure your square fits into one of these palettes. It will make it much easier. Thank you.

Vintage: Duck egg, grape, sage, storm, parchment, pale rose, pomegranate, raspberry, cloud blue, sherbert.

Traditional: Parchment, cloud blue, denim, sherbert, aster, petrol, lipstick, claret, burgundy.

  • Squares to be 6 inches, using 4mm hook or needles.
  • All crafting abilities genuinely welcome, simple, complex, squares made by beginner or experienced are equally welcomed. It really is the love and thought that counts. When finished please sew in those ends* but don’t block your work.
  • Then PM for details for posting.

Last posting to be July 27th.

We are on Facebook as Woolly Hugs and Twitter @Woolly_Hugs which are both good ways to keep in touch. Do join us there if you would like to.

"She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now, one that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.”

As always heartfelt thanks for your support.

'She met the world with love'
Thinking of beautiful Jo and her family, sending so much love Thanks

OP posts:
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Pastamancer · 23/06/2016 11:22

I'm partially deaf and struggle with YouTube as most don't have subtitles so I have no idea what they are saying :(

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 23/06/2016 11:24

I've ordered three balls, and will get knitting as soon as they get here. I will do my usual squares with appliqued flowers, and might crochet a square too.

This does mean that poor dh's sock is bumped even further down my works-in-progress list! I knitted one and four-fifths of a sock last year - I just have the foot left to go, on the second sock - but it has been languishing at the bottom of my knitting bag for months now. Blush

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 23/06/2016 11:24

What a lovely project. Jo seems to personify everything that Woolly Hugs stands for.

I will aim to do some squares for this and send them with my squares for the other Woolly Hugs Flowers

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 23/06/2016 11:34

Pastamancer if you cannot find a local teacher, there are some good photo tutorials online that might be easier.

I like Cherry Heart ones.

The Little Tin Bird ones are also quite good.

A basic granny square is a good way to start as you can just do as many rounds as you need to reach the correct size.

When you're looking online be aware that there are UK and US crochet terms, so you just need to know which one the pattern is using :) both of those sites use UK terms.

Pastamancer · 23/06/2016 11:38

That's great, thank you

Nibledbyducks · 23/06/2016 11:44

I can knock up some squares, I have plenty of style craft.

blueskyinmarch · 23/06/2016 12:14

Look, look. My yarn and hook have arrived! They are such lovely colours. I plan to sit in the garden all afternoon with my laptop learning how to crochet squares!

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
KnottyAndPistey · 23/06/2016 12:16

More wool is on the way, all hail the donors, we love them Thanks

Back later with thanks, this project has blown us away, we have crafters from every corner of the UK, from Ireland, Australia and the USA. The world is still full of good people.

Star
OP posts:
MrsHathaway · 23/06/2016 12:32

Pasta I rely on subtitles too but find YouTube tutorials fine because I just want to see what their hands are doing.

If you'd like to pm me your address I'd be delighted to send you the magazine that got me started crocheting this spring. The combination of written instructions and videos to copy might be just what you need.

tribpot · 23/06/2016 12:43

Pasta, you might want to look at the Drops tutorials as they are deliberately done without any speech, e.g. .

seaweedhead · 23/06/2016 12:48

I'm in. Have got suitable yarn in my stash somewhere...

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 23/06/2016 12:57

I probably have suitable yarn in my stash too - but it is buried in a cupboard, under all of ds3's stuff from university, and I'm not going in there without protective gear!

Plus, yarn buying is never a chore!

Tulips1 · 23/06/2016 13:06

Wool and crotchet hook arrived today here today too, colours are lovely. Won't be sitting outside to learn though - in SE and it looks like rain again.

Pastamancer · 23/06/2016 13:33

Thanks for all the advice, I just need to get some yarn and a hook now :)

averythinline · 23/06/2016 14:03

I'm in have various colours of the style craft so hopefully some will be the right shades! Can crochet....I learnt via attic 24 as i found videos confusing....

averythinline · 23/06/2016 14:04

I will need the postal address though if someone can pm me Smile

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 23/06/2016 14:27

Pastamancer - if you fancy a holiday in Scotland, I'll help you with knitting and crochet!

MrsHathaway · 23/06/2016 14:31

Yarn arrived safely today. Colours lovely in real life - photos can't do them justice!

Finishing refugee hat then squares are next.

jelly10 · 23/06/2016 15:46

I have some of those colours and would love to join in. I haven't been involved in a woolly hug before, thank you for organising it. I hope that plain granny squares are ok - that's the extent of my crocheting! Smile

FaithAscending · 23/06/2016 16:33

My yarn arrived this morning. Got some time tonight so will crack on.

Flisspaps · 23/06/2016 18:51

My wool has turned up today, I'm going to get the kids into bed and then get started on my wobbly granny squares Grin

peaceloveandtwirlywoos · 23/06/2016 20:52

Oops just realised I don't have petrol because I used empire. Derp. Ordered some more ;)

KnottyAndPistey · 24/06/2016 08:23

Morning Brew

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KnottyAndPistey · 24/06/2016 08:31

More lovely donors to thanks, honestly you are marvellous, bless you Thanks

Thanks Woolfey Star

Thanks VR Star

Thanks BJ Star

Thanks MrsPurchase Star

Thanks SS Star

Thanks AD Star

Thank you Star Thanks

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PeaceOfWildThings · 24/06/2016 08:54

Morning, lovelies! Flowers
Thanks so much!

I am itching to start some squares, but am waiting for the arrival of some pegs to start collecting samples of all the SCDK in my stash (before I lose the labels).