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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

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MrsHathaway · 26/06/2016 11:30

I search for "dishcloths" on Pinterest to get ideas. I read that Jo Cox was a big fan of musicals, so I've found some music-themed patterns (treble clef, quavers, etc).

I failed to find a houseboat pattern that wasn't going to be far, far too big and difficult.

CiderwithBuda · 26/06/2016 14:42

Just looked in my stash and I have lots of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. I assume that's not suitable now? I have vintage type colours - grape, soft blue and soft teal.

I can order some Stylecraft but just thought I would ask!

DixieNormas · 26/06/2016 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HerRoyalFattyness · 26/06/2016 18:30

How far under dixie? if it's only a tiny bit then could it possibly be stretched?

ShoeJunkie · 26/06/2016 18:55

I collected my yarn from the post office yesterday and I'm half way through my first square in sherbet. Smile

Akire · 26/06/2016 19:19

Could you do a chain stitch round once dixie?

PeaceOfWildThings · 26/06/2016 19:23

Dixie, I do a round of single crochet, with half-double crochet at the corners, it finishes them off really neatly.

Honeyandfizz · 26/06/2016 19:37

Runninglou that was me! Glad it arrived safely and that you can make something lovely with it. I think you all do a wonderful job with your amazing blankets Flowers

Nibledbyducks · 26/06/2016 20:11

I've done these so far...

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
Marcipex · 26/06/2016 20:33

Lovely, Nibled.

DixieNormas · 26/06/2016 21:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Alfieisnoisy · 27/06/2016 07:03

Did my square last night in Denim colour. Pleased with how it came out, I just need to see the ends in and then send it,

MiniLop · 27/06/2016 09:23

Nibled they look lovely!
I've knitted 2 so far, bought a crochet hook yesterday, never done it before so thought I'd give it a go. I watched about 5 YouTube videos and couldn't get past a chain. The double crochet bit really throws me Sad can anyone point me to a really good tutorial, either video or pictures?

KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 09:51

Morning Brew

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KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 09:57

Lots of folk to help, please bear with!

Thanks
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KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 09:59

Akire Folk will make whatever they can, and it is all good, we truly appreciate every single stitch.

If we get more squares than is needed for the 3 blankets, we aim for everyone to get atlas one square in, then we will channel them into our Refugee project and or our Kinship project which both aim to give comfort where needed.

All squares will be used for projects that reflect Jo's ideology.

Thank you xxx

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KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:00

Re sizing of squares, it is much easier if a square can be just under, rather than just over. As long as it gently stretches to 6 inches it is just fine.

Thank you

Thanks
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Pastamancer · 27/06/2016 10:00

I'm a beginner too MiniLop and have found useful to get started

KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:01

Lovely marci Thanks

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KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:02

Cider - for this project we are using Stylecraft Special DK, thank you Thanks

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KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:04

We do have some tutorials linked to from our website which have been recommended. It is just wonderful that so many folk have been inspired to take up crafting.

Have a look here....

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Lua · 27/06/2016 10:06

Hello, I would like to send you squares. How can I send them to you?
Many thanks for organizing this!

MiniLop · 27/06/2016 10:07

Thanks pasta - I've been knitting for years and thought it would be easy to learn crochet but I was very wrong!!
I'll take a look at your link too k&p, thanks Smile

KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:12

Nibledbyducks - beautiful thank you!

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KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:12

Coming to message you Lua thank you Thanks

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