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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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Thread gallery
71
MrsHathaway · 05/07/2016 16:35

Have just sent a parcel 💗

blueskyinmarch · 05/07/2016 16:36

Thank you. I like the Bellacoco tutorials. i have done a few now.

PeaceOfWildThings · 05/07/2016 17:55

I've sent a parcel today too.

DixieNormas · 05/07/2016 18:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DameFanny · 05/07/2016 18:19

Just checking in to keep this thread on my 'I'm On' list. I've done 5 squares so far - 4 plain, one heart - and am fiddling with the outskirts of a 6th to make it 6". More hearts will follow.

KnottyAndPistey · 06/07/2016 07:15

Morning Brew

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KnottyAndPistey · 06/07/2016 07:17

Looking hopeful for some woolly arrivals today!

:)

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KnottyAndPistey · 06/07/2016 07:18

Beauties for our Jo Cox project. Top row from lovely RiaOvertheRainbow, bottom row from lovely SP.

All just fabulous. Thank you!

Thanks
Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
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blueskyinmarch · 06/07/2016 15:35

I seem to have trouble getting my squares to be 6 inches. The one I am doing (see picture) is about 5.5 inches. Adding another round will make it too big. Will this be able to be pulled to size?

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
SandwichYum · 06/07/2016 15:43

bluesky if you add a round of double crochet (US single crochet) it should be just right!

blueskyinmarch · 06/07/2016 16:11

Sandwich I have tried that with other squares I have done and it always seems a bit wonky. I am not actually sure how you start. I have just been doing a single chain then doing the double crochet. Actually I might just be doing UK single crochet. Help!

SandwichYum · 06/07/2016 16:38

What you have done looks like treble crochet (US double crochet). Double crochet (US single crochet) is about half the height of treble crochet so a round of that should do it (one of your rounds adds about an inch to the size so what I suggest should add about half an inch to the size. To do that insert hook into stitch, yarn round hook, pull through a loop (2 loops on your hook), yarn round hook again and then pull yarn through both loops. Hope that helps? It shouldn't matter if it is a bit winky as they will stretch.

SandwichYum · 06/07/2016 16:38

Wonky!

PeaceOfWildThings · 06/07/2016 16:52

Also, if you make the first and last stitches of each side (one on either side of your chain stitch(es) in the corner) it makes the corners a bit pointier and the wonkiness is not so obvious. They are not wonky when put together, the woolly hugs team weave more magic and love into them and they all come out right.

blueskyinmarch · 06/07/2016 17:02

Do I start with a single chain or straight into the double crochet?

SandwichYum · 06/07/2016 17:28

I'd start with a single chain then go into the double crochet

PeaceOfWildThings · 06/07/2016 21:51

I use 2 chain stiches, one for the side, one for the top of the first single crochet, and I put it into the same stitch/hole it comes from, as near as I can.

PeaceOfWildThings · 06/07/2016 21:52

In other words, you can try diong it a couple of different ways and do what you like best. There is no absolute right or wrong!

KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2016 09:25

Morning loves Brew

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PeaceOfWildThings · 07/07/2016 11:33

Morning! StarBrewFlowers

KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2016 14:34
Wine
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KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2016 14:34

:)

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KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2016 14:35

All for our Jo Cox projects, and just marvellous, so lovely to know there are so many wonderful folk in the world, bless you. xx

Top to bottom, L- R. thank you to...

  1. MayhemandMadness
  2. B
  3. Genome
  4. AM ( thank you for the donation too xx)
  5. The Fabulous Medina Isle of Wight Park Run Knit and Natter group - Bridget, Coral, Georgie, Liz, Emma, Abbie, Joy, Sue, Sarah and Wendy.

You are all just amazing, thank you. xxx

Thanks
Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
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ExitPursuedByABear · 07/07/2016 15:20

Fabulous

KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2016 16:19

Isn't it just lovely Exit ? xx

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