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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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foxybingodotcom · 27/06/2016 10:13

Hi, could I join in please? It would just be a pretty basic seed stitch square? I'll order some yarn today.

KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:13

Seed stitch is perfect, thank you! Welcome on board Thanks

OP posts:
foxybingodotcom · 27/06/2016 10:20

Thank you - looking forward to starting it.

KnottyAndPistey · 27/06/2016 10:57

Thank YOU Thanks

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AbelMancwitch · 27/06/2016 11:06

Knitters- quick question: how many stitches are you casting onto 4mm needles to get the right size squares? All my patterns are just slighty out and I need to be more precise from the outset with knitting rather than crochet...

MiniLop · 27/06/2016 11:26

Abel depends on the pattern but around 37-39.

DixieNormas · 27/06/2016 11:28

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

runningLou · 27/06/2016 11:32

Abel I've been casting on 30 stitches and then I think it's about 45-48 rows? There's a lot of trial and error involved though!

Honeyandfizz thank you so much again for the wool!

MrsHathaway · 27/06/2016 14:17

Abel - I cast on 36 for a flat pattern (eg moss) and 42 for something that clumps (eg rib). Then I just keep going until it's nearly six inches, and do a shallow cast off.

MrsHathaway · 27/06/2016 14:18

Dixie are you doing them all in the same circumstances?

I did one the other day at knitting club. It was beautifully straight until people started talking about Brexit, at which point the rows got tighter and tighter ... Grin

Try to knit in a calm frame of mind to keep your tension even.

DixieNormas · 27/06/2016 14:54

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Akire · 27/06/2016 15:26

Dixie I had look at the first blue picture and you lost track on one side on second round (missing 3 stitches) so all rounds after less stitches on one side. That's why it's not quite right size.

Best way is to count each 4 corners of each round so it increase the same. If you send pic of others may be able see why gone wonky

DixieNormas · 27/06/2016 17:07

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DixieNormas · 27/06/2016 17:09

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DixieNormas · 27/06/2016 17:10

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PlaymobilPirate · 27/06/2016 17:52

First go at a mitred square 😀

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
TheDisreputableDog · 27/06/2016 18:37

Am really keen to give this a go but think it might take me a while to get started. Have sent a donation via PayPal and will try and start crocheting for the refugee project Smile

MsG · 27/06/2016 19:42

According to my Jan Eaton book, 7 rounds x

StillSmallVoiceOfQualms · 27/06/2016 20:50

Been meaning to make some squares for the refugee project but keep getting sidelined (poor excuse, I know).

But I've ordered some wool and will make some squares for the Jo Cox blankets and some extras for the refugee project as well.

BIWI · 27/06/2016 20:56

It's been so long since I knitted that I'd forgotten how to cast on Blush

However, that's rectified, and the first square is underway.

MrsUnderwood · 28/06/2016 08:03

I've ordered my yarn, in the vintage palette, just waiting for it to arrive!

KnottyAndPistey · 28/06/2016 08:49

Morning Brew

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BIWI · 28/06/2016 09:02

Hurry up K&P

KnottyAndPistey · 28/06/2016 09:12

On it my love

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HerRoyalFattyness · 28/06/2016 09:19

Hopefully my yarn will arrive today. It was dispatched yesterday. I can't wait to get started.