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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. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help

394 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 10/01/2017 17:18

Many of you we know have been wonderfully supportive of lovely Tunnocks, now known as thatscottishconfection, since her husband was first diagnosed with cancer three years ago and many will remember the journey they were on. Heartbreakingly we are very sorry to say that just before Christmas he died. Such sad news, we send so much love to her and their little children, they are very close in our hearts and thoughts.

Her thread is here although it is currently in chat so will disappear there is a second here..also in Chat..

In it she made this beautiful post

"It's strange, I suppose, that I've imagined -numerous times - us talking it over, when it's over. Once you can think straight again, and marshall the right words for the right things out of your mouth.

You say: 'I'm so sorry. I never wanted to put you through that. It's the last thing I wanted for you'. Because it's the sort of thing you would say, and pretty much did say, years ago.

And I say: 'It's not your fault. It couldn't be less your fault. And I'm sorry for the times I wasn't more patient. It was so hard.' And I squeeze your hand.

We are walking and talking in a wood, or by a river, or by a river in a wood, because that's where we often would be walking.

And we are holding hands and your hand isn't shaking, and you are walking quickly like you used to, and in a straight line. The wind is messing up my hair and sticking it to my lip balm, and you are wearing that red puffer jacket I always hated, but I don't care about either of these things.

And the low sun is shining, almost white, and sometimes getting in our eyes, and the ground feels crisp with a light frost and, although it is midwinter, it feels like a new beginning.

And we agree how relieved we are that it is all over. And how it feels like a...a great lifting of things.

And you smile at me and say 'Shall we go back to the children?' And so we do, together."

Thanks Thanks

We have offered to make Tunnocks a blanket to show our love and support and to offer what comfort we can, and we are delighted to say she has accepted. Will you help us make this for her and their children?

We need crocheters, knitters and donors (of funds or wool) If you would like to be involved in any way, please post on this thread and PM us with your offers: crafting, donating, need wool, etc, we can help you with all of it.

Our Yarns

  • Drops Merino Extra Fine DK
  • Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK
  • Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
  • Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK 
* Artesano Superwash Merino DK
  • Patons Merino Extrafine DK

Just from the brands listed please because we know they combine for wash and wear. If you still have any of our wools that have been discontinued - Rowan Cashsoft DK, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK or James C. Brett Pure Merino DK in your stash, please do use them.

Our listed yarns are all easily available online - Try Wool Warehouse, Wise Badger, Laughing Hens

Some ideas..
“He loved cycling and the natural world (especially climbing trees!), he loved cooking and growing vegetables and looking after his chickens. He was a mechanical design engineer and was always bringing things home from work to tinker with. He was half Irish and we try to visit County Cork every year. We have a great Egyptian rescue cat called Mickey (ginger) who he chose and who spent the whole last week of his life on his bed (he knew better than the doctors).

Thank you again - I've received such support from people I've never met and it helps more than you can know.”

We also have the family’s initials, if this is something you’d like to help with.

From her words we have come up with this colour palette..

  • Blues
  • Greens
  • Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM7 Taupe
  • Oranges - one of these please, Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK - Pumpkin (373) or Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Tangerine (56) or Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Burnt Orange (43)
  • Cream, one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream

Then Silver for embellishments

Simple or complex, made by beginner or expert, we genuinely welcome them all. It really is the love and thought that counts. There is support for buying colours on our website, here. Squares to be six inches, using 4mm needles or hook. Previous blankets can be seen on our website If looking for ideas for a pattern, there are many linked to from our website under Crafting

We also have a Facebook page Woolly Hugs and are on Twitter @Woolly_Hugs

When ready for posting, please PM for info, if you would like to send a card to the family via us, please do. As always, we thank you so much for your support,

Lovely Tunnocks we are thinking of you all, sending love and strength. xxxxx

OP posts:
Thread gallery
58
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 30/01/2017 05:40

Brew. Morning x

KnottyAndPistey · 30/01/2017 07:37

Morning lovely people Brew

OP posts:
MrsHathaway · 30/01/2017 09:50
Brew

Hoping to post today as I have a good pile of "characterful" squares from new patterns.

Much love to the Tunnocks x

Iwantacampervan · 30/01/2017 15:27

I'm about to send off some squares for Tunnocks.

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 31/01/2017 07:09
Brew

Big Hugs Tunnocks xx

KnottyAndPistey · 31/01/2017 17:10

Afternoon all Brew

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 31/01/2017 17:13

Lots of thanks this evening. Beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving. Huge thanks to the lovely crafters for everything they do, just amazing Thanks

Starting first though with two wonderful donors, yarn is with your crafters and they will make something very beautiful for Tunnocks from you both..

Thanks Jenijena Star
Thanks Zhx3 Star

Thanks KnittingPearl Fabulous knitted designs, shamrock, bike, map of Ireland! and orange cat, pics are here I know, these are so clever, perfect. Star

Thanks SevenTillFour A beautiful knit in apple green, simply gorgeous. Star

Thanks MrsHathaway Wonderfully textured crochet in apple green, super blue heart embellishment. Lovely. Star

Thanks FiveGomadinDorset Beautiful knits in green, super textures, really snuggly. Star

Thanks SDTG Two of STDG’s trademark flowers, in burnt orange on cream, so beautiful. Star

Thanks Redbrook In a beautiful teal colour, two super knits, beautiful designs, gorgeous. . Star

Thanks No name Wonderful crochet, cream, green and blues, 3d flower, spiral, beautiful mix of texture and colour sorry but can’t see who from. They are beautiful though. Star

Thanks MadisonAvenue Gorgeous knits in cream and forest green, lovely shamrock, bike design, super textures, all fabulous. Star

Thanks PugaLugs Beautiful granny square in orange and apple, just fantastic. Star

Thanks PiggyPlumPie Beautifully knitted moss stitch square in a turquoise blue, fabulous.. Star

Thanks SpiralArcitect Pics of these on the thread too, lovely crochet, beautifully done, in blues and green, stunning. Star

Still unpacking today’s post!

Thank you so much everyone, beautiful treasure for Tunnocks and her family, what a wonderful tribute this blanket will be to her DH. xxx

OP posts:
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 31/01/2017 22:19

K&P. They all sound so lovely! It will be beautiful & full of love, just like Tunnocks! 😊

thatscottishconfection · 01/02/2017 00:10

FlowersFlowersFlowersFlowersFlowers

BigApple11 · 01/02/2017 21:16

Big love to you Tunnocks xxx

chickensaresafehere · 03/02/2017 12:07

Just finished a square,in a beautiful forest green,going to get going on with another & get them in the post next week.
Thank you for sending the wool,so lovely & soft!
Thinking of you Tunnocks x

TheWoollybacksWife · 07/02/2017 23:47

Off to the post office tomorrow with these. The crochet one is 5.5" so if someone wants to whizz a round of navy DC around the edge that would be marvellous - I literally had 2" of the navy blue left. It will stretch to behave though.

Sending love to Tunnocks and her loved ones. Flowers

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
KnottyAndPistey · 08/02/2017 10:57

Morning loves, just catching up, as always! Brew

OP posts:
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 08/02/2017 11:33

I've learnt to crochet 😬 So, I'm going to share the crochet love with Tunnocks too. I'll practice with the stylecraft yarn for a couple more days, then do one with the softer fluffier wool after that. The other squares still needs Pesky's dealt to. I don't mind doing the Pesky's , I just think of it as tucking in an extra tight hug for Tunnocks, the MiniTunnocks & the lovely MrTunnocks 😊

KnottyAndPistey · 08/02/2017 19:07

Such beautiful woolly treasure has been arriving for lovely Tunnocks and family. Huge thanks to the crafters, you really are something very special, I hope you know?

Thanks MrsDilgaff Beautiful knits, gorgeous textures in blue and green. Star

Thanks Chickensaresafehere A gorgeous garter knit in apple tree, lovely. Star

Thanks Ninja In teal, forest and burnt orange, squares inc a fabulous orange cat , and then 3 cats together, the chooks made me laugh! Gorgeous crochet. Star

Thanks Iwantacampervan Beautiful knits in burnt orange and cream, super snuggly, lovely. Star

Thanks Glenthebattleostrich Gorgeous in pistachio green and cream, a granny and C2C square. Fabulous. Star

Thanks TalkingSheds Wonderful crochet in tangerine and denim, a gorgeous heart and circle to square. Star

Thanks WhoKnows A traditional granny square in greens and blue, gorgeous. Star

Thanks BaggyCheeks Gorgeous granny square designs in apple green, really super. Star

Thanks BigApple Absolutely gorgeous crochet in cream, blues and apple, lovely flowers, brilliant cat and tree, and a tree she describes as comedy! It isn’t, its lovely :) Star

Thanks AmaDablam Gorgeous crochet, peas from his vegetable patch, beautiful tree and shamrock designs. Fabulous. Star

Thank you so much, everyone Thanks

Beautiful xxx

OP posts:
PurpleFrog · 08/02/2017 21:03

Is next week English half term? If so, are you suspending posting for the week? My squares are finished but I was doing some Candy's hug squares to share postage and was hoping to post soon.

KnottyAndPistey · 09/02/2017 08:13

It is indeed Half Term where I am at least next week, so if still to post, would suggest waiting until the end of the week if possible. Thank you so much xxxx

OP posts:
PurpleFrog · 09/02/2017 15:01

That's fine! I won't rush to put them in the post tomorrow. Smile

MrsDilligaf · 09/02/2017 16:20

Am so pleased that they arrived safe and sound.

@Tunnocks I think of you often Flowers

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 09/02/2017 17:41

Eek! I hadn't thought about half term. I was planning to post in the week. I'm hopefully going away next weekend so would it be OK to post them the following Monday (20th)?

Iwantacampervan · 09/02/2017 19:09

In our area it's half term week beginning 20th - still one more week to go!

IAmNotAUserNumber · 09/02/2017 21:22

My two squares, posted today

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 15/02/2017 08:48

Hi all,

I learnt to crochet a couple of weeks ago for Candy's Hugs and would love to make a couple of squares for Tunnocks. Although I'm a relative newbie, I've seen her posts and her words are so beautiful, they have moved me to tears on more than one occasion.

I've got some of the right wool arriving today and I should be able to do two or three squares over the next couple of days.

I know posting has stopped during half term, but does this apply to these squares too? Do I need to hold off until Saturday so that they won't arrive until Monday, i.e. after half term?

Also, is it to the same address as Candy's Hug?

Do you guys usually send Recorded Delivery?

Sorry for all the questions and the mammoth post! Thanks in advance!

TheWoollybacksWife · 15/02/2017 09:10

Malcolm I think you should be OK posting on either Saturday or Monday - I generally post first class to the usual address. There is usually a bit of wiggle room to allow for slow delivery etc.

Your crochet progress is amazing.

bookbook · 15/02/2017 09:37

Malcolm - I tend to send all squares in one parcel . I put them in different plastic bags inside, with a note in each for letting them know which is which. :) .
The woolly hugs website has a box on the right hand side - Dates - for all the important dates , just scroll down a bit
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