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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
71
TattooEnvy · 01/07/2016 19:43

Hi! Just want to say firstly that I think this is amazing! Really restores faith in humanity Smile

I'm another one that has been inspired to learn to crochet so I can contribute to this very sad, but wonderful, cause so I've been teaching myself for the last few days.

I was wondering if you still need squares? I've been doing some sunburst(?) squares, some in the vintage and some in the other pallet (traditional?) hoping to manage a few of each before the deadline. If you still need squares, I'll pm for where to send them when I get on mumsnet on the proper website rather than the app Smile

I think everyone I know will now be getting a crochet scarf or some sort for Christmas Grin

HerRoyalFattyness · 01/07/2016 19:46

I explained woolly hugs to my 7 year old today. He things it's amazing and wants me to buy him some children's needles and teach him how to knit.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 01/07/2016 20:04

Tattoo well done for learning. I've not seen them turn down a square yet! Grin

TheWoollybacksWife · 02/07/2016 02:21

I have completed my squares and I'm just working through my stash to add some extra squares for the refugee project while I'm making up a parcel.

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
MrsHathaway · 02/07/2016 09:41

Lovely colour combinations, WoollybacksWife.

I really love the groups of colours.

blueskyinmarch · 02/07/2016 09:48

Wollybackswife. I love the design on the left. What is it called? Is there a YouTube tutorial for it anywhere. I can only do new designs whilst watching exactly where the hook and yarn go.

TheWoollybacksWife · 02/07/2016 10:38

Thank you both Blush

MrsH I really struggle with colour combinations but I had loads of part balls after finishing another project so had lots to choose from. I must have had a flash of inspiration about those combinations.

Bluesky both designs are from the Jan Eaton 200 crochet blocks book. The one on the left is called Dahlia.

Pastamancer · 02/07/2016 18:38

I have finished my first granny square, as it is my first one I won't be sending it but will use it as a template for doing the proper ones. I've also found somewhere locally to buy the right yarn so that's handy to know for future projects. It's in Truro Pannier Market for anyone else in Cornwall.

fanjodisfunction · 02/07/2016 21:43

I got the wool, thank you donors! A pic of the work so far.

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
DixieNormas · 03/07/2016 06:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pastamancer · 03/07/2016 10:58

Not too bad for a complete beginner

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
DixieNormas · 03/07/2016 11:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 03/07/2016 12:10

I have three so far. One more to do and then will post. Can't work out how to PM for address on the app though

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 03/07/2016 12:12

Dixie, blocking is where you set the size of the square - usually by stretching and pinning either with or without water/steam. It is a pain in the arse, but not as bad as sewing the sodding ends in.

DixieNormas · 03/07/2016 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PeaceOfWildThings · 03/07/2016 13:03

This is as far as I've got. I'm posting a photo to ask for colour ID help! The 9 square blocks are supposed to be one in Vintage, and one in traditional. I know the Vintage colours are ok, but can anyone confirm that the reds I'm using in the Traditional set are indeed Claret and Burgundy?

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
PeaceOfWildThings · 03/07/2016 13:06

This might show the colours a bit better. Blush

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
MrsHathaway · 03/07/2016 14:05

Very even, Pasta! Well done.

Colours look right to me, Peace, but I'm not an expert.

Here's my Jo squares (some vintage, some traditional). Two new stitches and two new techniques - very good practice!

I promise they'll all block to 6"x6" although they look jolly squiffy just now.

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
TheDisreputableDog · 03/07/2016 18:12

Oooh MrsHathaway I love your roses ^^

Finally ordered a hook and some wool... Hoping to learn and do some squares for the refugee project in Jo's memory.

Marcipex · 03/07/2016 19:41

Peace, those look like claret and burgundy to me fwiw.

Lovely squares everybody.

MrsHathaway · 03/07/2016 19:50

Thanks Dog.

- but beware, she uses US terminology. In UK terms the rose requires only chains and treble crochet so you don't need to be an expert. Fwiw I only learned to crochet ten weeks ago!
MiniLop · 03/07/2016 19:57

Quick question, is it better for my squares to be square, or each dimension as close to 6" as possible? I'm half way through a square at the moment which is just over 5.5" wide (will easily stretch out to 6"). So should I make it a 5.5x5.5" square or 5.5x6" rectangle (so one dimension is correct)? If that makes sense?! ConfusedGrin

MrsHathaway · 03/07/2016 20:09

If it stretches gently then stop! They say easier slightly too small than too big.

HerRoyalFattyness · 03/07/2016 20:33

Started another square.

Everyone is doing amazing. I can only do very basic ones at the minute.

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
PeaceOfWildThings · 03/07/2016 22:10

Thanks folks, I'll add what I've got left of those colours to a bag with traditional colours, for next time.