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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:
Thread gallery
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MrsKCastle · 24/06/2016 21:22

Definitely not too late, goldface. Last posting date is 27th July so you have a while yet.

I should have some wool arriving tomorrow, can't wait!

NoMudNoLotus · 25/06/2016 06:20

Knotty&pistey I have just transferred some PayPal funds .

You ladies are so compassionate don't ever underestimate the difference you make.

Woolly hugs - such a brilliant charity to help soothe people in distress.

rubycon · 25/06/2016 09:39

my lovely Storm Cloud yarn has arrived from an equally lovely donor. Many thanks!

Flisspaps · 25/06/2016 11:10

I've found making these squares incredibly cathartic over the last 24 hours - in light of the result and the fact it was everything Jo stood against, it feels very soothing to be able to actually make something physical, in her name, that will bring love and warmth to someone.

Does that make sense?

tribpot · 25/06/2016 12:35

It does make sense, Flisspaps. It's something that we as a community can do to combat the sadness. No-one imagines that Jo's family will miraculously be 'healed' of their grief but it is a physical manifestation of our sympathy for and solidarity with them. I gave money to Jo's fund as well, but it is more satisfying to make something.

FreezerBird · 25/06/2016 14:36

One lovely ball of yarn in grape arrived today - thank you to my lovely donor! (I don't know who it was - should I?)

Finishing a crochet tester in another yarn to brush up my rusty skills, then I'm on it!

I've found the last 48 hours very hard. I'm looking forward to putting my hands to work for something good.

MrsKCastle · 25/06/2016 15:09

Yes, I know exactly what you mean Flisspaps. It's been a very strange couple of days, lots of anxiety and anger in the air. But we have something that we can do to help, in whatever small way.

I've just taken a lovely big delivery of new wool- lots of vintage shades! Looking forward to getting creative with lots of different combinations.

KnottyAndPistey · 25/06/2016 15:22

Afternoon lovely people. Brew

More fantastic donors to thanks, honestly you are wonderful, bless you Thanks

Thanks NoMudNoLotus Star

Thanks AW Star

Thanks MA Star

Thank you Star Thanks

OP posts:
MsG · 25/06/2016 17:37

Has anyone got a fave pattern they're using? X x

Akire · 25/06/2016 18:04

What's average number people doing? I know some people will only do one and some 20 just curious?

DesertIslandPenguin · 25/06/2016 18:14

Akire I've done 5 so far. I'll probably do more as crochet usually helps me deal with stress sand I've got plenty of that going on at the moment.

PlaymobilPirate · 25/06/2016 19:00

I've done 2 - I only have the colours from the pinky list and feel guilty not sending for both but won't get to the wool shop till next week! Blush

Akire · 25/06/2016 19:13

Thanks done 3 took me 2.5h so if do 4/5 that's about 4hours to project. Feels about right

blueskyinmarch · 25/06/2016 19:41

My second square seems to be 6.5 inches. What have I done wrong? Will I keep it or send it?

Akire · 25/06/2016 19:45

Guess it be akward fit in, crochet or knit? Least crochet easier undo round

blueskyinmarch · 25/06/2016 19:51

Crochet but have tied it off so not able to undo. Next one I make I probably need to keep my loops tighter.

Akire · 25/06/2016 20:58

Can you not just cut It and unravel? If you losing a row you will have plenty left to sew in end.

MrsHathaway · 25/06/2016 21:10

it feels very soothing to be able to actually make something physical, in her name, that will bring love and warmth to someone.

Same!

I've done a crochet rose on a moss knit. I'm doing another rose and I haven't decided what to mount it on yet.

I had a vague idea to do three basically the same so there could be one in each and they'd kind of match.

I found a lovely lion crochet pattern but it's beyond me Blush - it says 8"x8" but there's a border and my tension is tighter.

blueskyinmarch · 25/06/2016 21:28

I have plenty of yarn. I will do another one but keep my loops tighter. It is all a learning process for me.

Marcipex · 25/06/2016 22:13

Circle in a square, hot off the hook.
Duck egg and pale rose, I thought I'd reverse the colours for the next one and have the duck egg in the centre.

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
runningLou · 26/06/2016 07:42

Thank you to the lovely donor who sent me 3 balls of wool in Aster, Denim and Parchment - I hope that's enough information for you to know who you are - am so grateful! So far I've knitted one square, just working on another.
There seem to be lots of people doing crochet on here - anyone else knitting? If so, what stitch / pattern are you using?

HerRoyalFattyness · 26/06/2016 08:08

Running I'll be knitting. I don't know which pattern I'll be using yet though (waiting for my wool to arrive) I think I'm probably going to do a few, all different.

MrsKCastle · 26/06/2016 08:33

I'm a knitter. I tend to do corner to corner squares because then it's easier to get the size right, you just keep increasing till it measures 6in and then decrease again! I've also done some textures, such as Chinese waves.

MadisonAvenue · 26/06/2016 09:56

Running, I'm another one who is knitting. I'm just working a variety of patterns.

MrsHathaway · 26/06/2016 11:27

Lou - I've done one in double moss (with an appliqué) and will probably do some k2p2 rib. I like to make different things as I think it's nice for little fingers and faces to have a variety of textures to feel.