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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:
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MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 15/02/2017 10:00

Thank you so much, Woolly, that means a lot! It's safe to say that I'm pretty much addicted now! DH keeps looking at my bags of yarn and sighing please don't let him realise I've had two more deliveries!

Book, that's great, thank you. I'll be sure to keep a note of those dates.

I think the amazing thing about Woolly Hugs is that they wrap the crafters, as well as the recipients, in kindness. I'm absolutely loving being able to take part in something so special. What a privilege.

Right, off to crochet!

MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 16/02/2017 15:30

This is what I've been working on yesterday and today. The green one is a design called Lacey Wheel. I'm not up to doing motifs, etc so I hoped this would tie in with the cycling.

The other one I did because the colour reminds me of a summer sky.

Hoping to get a couple more done before posting on Saturday.

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 17/02/2017 18:11

Malcolm. They look great!

Good idea re the cycling bit! I've only been doing crochet Granny squares, I haven't tried doing rows yet, so motifs are a long way off! I'm going to crochet a square for Tunnocks to put in with my knitted ones, I might do the middle of the Marigold square.

tatyr · 17/02/2017 21:23

My squares are in the post, only 3 I'm afraid as I'm not a very speedy worker. These a my first granny squares too so happy to have learned something new (though haven't quite mastered how to move onto the next row without having an extra chain showing) hope they arrive safely

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 17/02/2017 22:14

Here's one I did yesterday.

Just working on my final square, I've had to frog it back to the beginning several times but I am determined to do it! Hoping that it will be okay to post on Monday.

Colours for this one were the Sublime in pumpkin then the Drops Merino in cream and I think denim.

The two smallest Malcolms have been playing with the yarn, so there's love and hugs from them too in there for Tunnocks.

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
jetSTAR · 18/02/2017 14:23

Posted my squares today. A bit random this time so I hope they will fit in.

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
KnottyAndPistey · 19/02/2017 12:45

Hello there lovelies, apologies for the delay, have been away over Half Term and just catching up. Beautiful squares!! xx

Thanks
OP posts:
MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 19/02/2017 16:41

Finished my final square today.

Will pop all four in the post tomorrow. Thinking of Tunnocks and her family. 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
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 19/02/2017 17:41

Malcolm. They're FAB! The 'LOVE' one has turned out brilliantly. Well done 💐

I have crocheted this square to go with my knitted squares.

However, the observant amongst you will notice that it's not square 🤣 I hadn't paid enough attention to the pattern & thought it 'squared up' before it does. I lack the skill to turn it into a square without a pattern & don't have time (or the wool I don't think) to make itba 12" (plus I think they only want 6's for this blanket) so sadly, it won't be featuring on Tunnocks blanket, but I have started another that I can get in the post tomorrow (with the knitted ones). I'm such an idiot 😂

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 19/02/2017 18:01

Tatyr. They're lovely squares - which wool & colours did you use?

Jet. They're great too! What is the pattern called that you used for the cream one?

PurpleFrog · 19/02/2017 22:12

My squares should be in the post tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed your holiday, Pistey!

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
Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
KnottyAndPistey · 20/02/2017 10:38

Morning loves, thanks Purple - was actually on the Piste Grin

Beautiful squares all! Totally stunned by how bloomin clever folk are! Have a pile of woolly treasure here for lovely Tunnocks, so will be back in a bit.

Brew
OP posts:
MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 20/02/2017 11:21

Purple, I love your squares! May I ask where you got the pattern from?

PurpleFrog · 20/02/2017 11:33

MalcolmTucker - chicken one was from Ravelry. I designed made up the carrot one and I think the 3rd was from Jan Eaton's 200 blocks book with an extra round or two.

MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 20/02/2017 22:27

Thanks, Purple, I shall definitely have a nosey next time I'm on Ravelry which is far too often!

MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 20/02/2017 22:28

Oh my goodness, just saw you made up the carrot one! That was my favourite!!! How clever you are. I suspect trying to replicate it is way beyond my skills at this point though!

Wolfiefan · 20/02/2017 22:31

What amazing squares! You are all so talented.
If anyone ever wants to help a rookie out?! Wink

tatyr · 21/02/2017 09:47

chipping my wool was donated, Drops extra fine merino in light grey blue, and off white. It's the most beautiful wool I've ever used!

LumelaMme · 21/02/2017 13:45

Love the chicken square, Purple!

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 21/02/2017 20:32

My squares are finally on their way.

I gave up trying to give my chicken an eye as I couldn't get it to not look weird. Hopefully she looks OK without an eye...

Lots of love to tunnocks and family Flowers

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 21/02/2017 23:32

tatyr. Thank you. I'll try the Drops one next time 😊

KnittingPearl · 22/02/2017 19:22

Malcolm, I can't believe you've only just learned to crochet and you are producing such amazing squares! I am teaching myself (started in half term) and it's not going well at all - teaching myself to knit came much more easily. Have you used any particular books or websites?

MrsDilligaf · 22/02/2017 21:19

Oh my goodness those squares are beautiful.

I wholeheartedly agree - the wool is lovely to work with and so soft.

Tunnocks I still think of you often and hope you are all finding a way through the grief xx Flowers

thatscottishconfection · 22/02/2017 21:41

Goodness me. These squares. I just cried.

FlowersFlowersFlowers

bookbook · 22/02/2017 22:23

KnittingPearl - as a knitter, I have also been teaching myself crotchet.
The Bella Coco you tube tutorials are really good - granny square is the basic one , but she does loads of others.
Tunnocks - no words would ever be enough, but I hope the blanket helps
Flowers