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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
FaithAscending · 15/09/2016 16:57

Hello! Fell off the thread over the summer but I'm checking back in to see the progress!

KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2016 08:22

Progress has been made!

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KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2016 08:28

We did the sort for the children yesterday.

Very carefully. :)

Star All squares were stored in sandwich bags, one bag per crafter.

Star We took one square from everyone's bag

Star And this was just under 100 squares in each colour scheme.

So we topped up each to 100, so the children's blankets will be 10 by 10, and they are absolutely gorgeous, honestly wonderful!

And the next step is underway, we are now sorting 100 squares of each palette for the auction blankets.

Then when that is done, we are onto the next step Wine

Thank you so much everyone
Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks

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FaithAscending · 16/09/2016 09:44

Smile That's amazing! It's such a lovely thing to do.

MiniLop · 16/09/2016 10:38

Sounds like brilliant progress Grin can't wait to see them!

BlackeyedSusan · 16/09/2016 18:39

well done.

KnottyAndPistey · 22/09/2016 09:34

Morning all Brew

Construction is underway!

One blanket for each child
One in each palette to auction for Hope not Hate
One pencilled in for Bernard Kenny, the man who tried to save her

At least eleven Kinship Hugs for families who need woolly love and comfort...

Extraordinary , thank you xx

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ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 26/09/2016 09:18

That is an amazing response, all those squares!
Fantastic, can't wait to see them

Macarooned · 01/10/2016 14:09

Afternoon Brew
I am just starting construction on a kinship hug [gulp] Confused Grin and I have a question....one of the squares in the pack appears to have, err, something on it (possible baby spit up)....should I chuck it in v gentle hand wash cycle or try to "sponge" it....help!!

Macarooned · 01/10/2016 14:19

Eeek sorry another question Blush
There is a rogue square from outside the colour palate ..... wisteria, 2nd up on right hand side, do you think it matters or not??? I can easily replace the square with a correct colour and return the rogue one!
Thank you thank you thank you, any outside help gratefully accepted Brew Flowers

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
KnottyAndPistey · 01/10/2016 15:57

Sponge, and see Mac

Sorry what a first experience Grin

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KnottyAndPistey · 01/10/2016 15:58

Or bung in the wash, 30 degrees, if its too grim to touch Shock

I think keep the wisteria, not sure how that happened, what do you think?

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KnottyAndPistey · 01/10/2016 16:00

Since we sent this to you, we received a whole lot more in this colours scene, so we could replace both if you'd prefer.

The whole blanket will be washed before it goes out, no one will ever know

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Macarooned · 01/10/2016 16:56

Thank you!

So I tried sponge but there are quite a few "splatters" Blush Grin and it's a v textured piece so i bunged it in machine on the hand wash woollen 30 degree cycle with woolite...will let you know how it turns out!

I think I'd prefer to replace the wisteria [twitch] not that I'm fussy or anything Wink ... I can hook a replacement quickly with the yarn you sent already or you can send one of the new ones, I really don't mind!

X

Macarooned · 01/10/2016 19:38

Good news....the square came out the machine good as new, phew! Love SSDK Flowers Star

KnottyAndPistey · 02/10/2016 07:21

Just why we use it!

Good news, thank you so much

Would be quicker to make most likely, away for a few days so not able to post until next Thursday or Friday. Thank you so much for doing all of this. xxx

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Macarooned · 02/10/2016 22:22

Fine by me, I'm on it now Wine Flowers

BlackeyedSusan · 13/11/2016 18:11

how is the construction going?

civilfawlty · 13/11/2016 18:13

Xx

KnottyAndPistey · 16/11/2016 18:07

*Jo Cox project update**

Tomorrow evening we will be announcing our Auction for Hope not Hate (Dec 3rd - 10th) and sharing photos of the wonderful blankets, this just a tiny taster!.

Our beautiful blankets for her children will be going at the same time too, and we will be sharing photos of those once the children have received them.

Thank you again everyone, what an extraordinary outpouring of love.

Watch this space!!!! xxx

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
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TheDailyWail · 16/11/2016 18:12

You've all done a wonderful job. X

MadisonAvenue · 17/11/2016 13:42

That looks absolutely beautiful!

HelloSunshine11 · 17/11/2016 22:50

I wish I'd known about this sooner. How wonderful. I'm now going to peruse the other threads to see if I can contribute to another WH project.

franke · 18/11/2016 15:31

The auction blankets are wonderful - I think I can spot my square Wink. Can't wait to see the other two. I've got masses of yarn left over, I should get knitting, it's doing nobody any good sitting in a bag in my living room.

KnottyAndPistey · 18/11/2016 21:12

Well, here they are!

These two beauties are for Auction for HOPE not hate in memory of Jo Cox. ❤️ Our Auction starts Dec 3rd, the site is here... , lots more photos, do go and see!

No bids please until 6pm on Dec 3rd.

Thank you to lovely Sally W and Jo E for constructing these wonderful blankets, made using contributions by so many, full of love and compassion, Jo Cox and her family are very close in our thoughts.

Thank you so much to Kirsty Blackman MP for helping us at Westminster yesterday meet with others to spread the word there.

Please help us make this every success, bid and share, THANK YOU!!

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