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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
ExitPursuedByBear · 22/06/2016 21:28

7 rounds? Do you mean 7 balls for one square?

JulesJules · 22/06/2016 21:29

I'm in - I've got a bit quite a lot of Stylecraft in the vintage colours Grin

Thank you for doing this 💕

FreezerBird · 22/06/2016 21:38

Novice crocheter here; 7 rounds definitely doesn't mean 7 balls, but I'm struggling to describe what it does mean. (Helpful)

I can knit better than I can crochet (and certainly better than I can describe crochet...) and would love to knit a square or two.

I don't have any of that yarn in the stash, so being matched with a donor would be fab, thank you.

Marcipex · 22/06/2016 21:39

No, Exit!
She means seven circuits of triple crochet. (Though I do six usually for a 6" square)

ExitPursuedByBear · 22/06/2016 21:40

Phew.

MaximilianNero · 22/06/2016 21:45

I'm in - I've ordered some yarn and it's on its way Smile

I'm a beginner as well, but hopefuly I'll love doing crochet as much as I enjoy watching other people do it online - following the fast hand movements gets addictive Grin So this is my jolt to actually try it after seeing all these lovely blankets, clothes and beginners tutorials on youtube.

Marcipex · 22/06/2016 21:46

Exit, this square has 4 rounds so far. That includes the little four leaf cross that is the centre iyswim.

Woolly Hugs for Jo Cox. Donors and crafters, we need your help.
GodlessDomestic1 · 22/06/2016 21:53

A donation has been paypal'd to you.

MrsPurchase · 22/06/2016 22:03

Evening all, will donate as before, have been so, so sad about her senseless murder. Thanks crafters, and thanks to you Knotty and Pistey 😘

KnottyAndPistey · 22/06/2016 22:08

Evening all Wine

Thank you so much to everyone joining us today, wonderful Thanks

Wolfcub We are so sorry, can only begin to imagine how you are all feeling, hugs. xxxx

Thank you so much everyone for all your support, to this, to each other and just for being wonderful. The world is still full of good folk. xxx

Away to PMs Thanks

OP posts:
Zhx3 · 22/06/2016 22:21

I have just sent yarn to a crafter, contacted you via Facebook.

Am pleased to be a part of this project. Thank you for organising Flowers.

MargaretRiver · 22/06/2016 22:23

Bumping to put this back in Active

FrancineSmith · 22/06/2016 22:34

Haven't picked up my needles for a few years, but would love to join in sending a few squares if I can be matched with a donor please.

MrsKCastle · 22/06/2016 23:16

I've made a start using some traditional colours and have ordered a nice selection of the vintage. Knotty & Pistey, would I be right in thinking that there's no such thing as too many squares? I can probably get a fair few done by the last posting date, am thinking maybe to do a few 6in and then the rest as 12in for the refugee project? Or all 6in?

AbelMancwitch · 23/06/2016 06:44

I've order my yarn yesterday and will do a few squares. Jo's death has really affected me, so it feels good to be able to do something practical, however small.

Honeyandfizz · 23/06/2016 06:50

My yarn has been ordered and is on its way to the crafty lady in Manchester Flowers

theDudesmummy · 23/06/2016 06:56

I can't do squares (not a neat enough knitter) but will continue to make scarves for the refugee project and am thinking of Jo and her family.

lellibobs · 23/06/2016 07:18

Our knit and natter group is on it and will continue with our refugee blankets and do some special squares in the stated colours. So sad a reason but we must make sure we respond with woolly love and hugs!

ScienceRocks · 23/06/2016 08:27

I've found some burgundy stylecraft in my stash so have sent it with my squares for the other two woolly hugs that are going on at the moment.

honeysucklejasmine · 23/06/2016 09:03

Sorry for confusion Exit. I would guess you'd need to do at least 6, then whip out a ruler to check. Will vary slightly depending on tension.

Pastamancer · 23/06/2016 10:07

I'd like to learn how to crochet and contribute. Don't suppose there is anyone in Cornwall who would be able to help teach me? I can't knit to save my life but am hoping that I will get on better with crochet.

MrsHathaway · 23/06/2016 10:18

Fwiw Exit and others, it's easier to slightly stretch a too-small square when blocking than to try to squash a too-big square. So if a round takes you to 5.6" and your rounds are about 0.8" ... stop!

Knitting is easier for this kind of thing because rows are shallower than treble crochet except when I rib and all the counting goes out of the window.

FaithAscending · 23/06/2016 10:21

Pastamancer if you can't find someone local, have a look at YouTube videos. I've found it easy to learn with Jayda institches and Bella Coco beating in mind I cannot knit for the life of me! Try a granny square which is very simple but looks pretty!

ExitPursuedByBear · 23/06/2016 10:29

Bless you all. I don't knit or crochet. I have sent 7 balls of wool off to a knitter and was worried that she would only have enough for one square!

I envy all you crafters your ability, but as I have said before on these threads, my square was always the one left in the bottom drawer of the teacher's desk when we used to knit squares for blankets for the elderly. Mind you, it was usually knitted with some manky grey wool left over from the school socks Mum used to knit for us.

K & P tried to persuade me to give it a go, but I can now claim arthritis in my hands as an excuse.

Happy Crafting Star

KnottyAndPistey · 23/06/2016 10:45

Morning Brew

OP posts: