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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

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Thread gallery
58
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 23/02/2017 00:13

KnittingPearl

Granny

Another Granny

Try these two as well.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 23/02/2017 09:13

I prefer photos to videos, so I like Cherry Heart especially her stitch directory. Also Little Tin Bird has some free granny square patterns.

MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles · 23/02/2017 16:20

KnittingPearl thank you so much! I'm absolutely loving crocheting, I just wish I'd discovered it earlier!

As book said upthread, the Bella Coco tutorials on You Tube are excellent. That's where I started, I crocheted along with a couple of her tutorials. Then I bought the Jan Eaton 200 squares book - Bella Coco does a tutorial on the Willow Square from it, and working alongside the tutorial with the written pattern helped me to understand what the terminology meant, as initially it looked like absolute gobbledegook!

Then I just found other patterns from Pinterest, Ravelry etc and spent lots of money on more yarn and went from there.

I use the Clover Amour hook and I'd swear by it, it's so comfortable and easy to use. I just couldn't get to grips with the normal metal hook (ha ha!).

Good luck and let me know if you want me to link to any of the You Tube videos etc.

PenelopeParmesan · 23/02/2017 22:04

Are you still accepting squares for this one @KnottyAndPistey time has somewhat run away from me

KnittingPearl · 23/02/2017 23:04

Malcolm, Chipping and bookbook, thank you so much for the suggestions and links - I shall be occupied, I can see!

Tunnocks, Flowers

KnittingPearl · 23/02/2017 23:06

And Leslie, thank you too!

GrumpyInsomniac · 24/02/2017 09:58

Will be posting tomorrow or Monday, as soon as I can get out of the house. Sorry to be so late :(

KnottyAndPistey · 24/02/2017 12:40

Apologies for the delay, have mostly been away for the last two weeks

Beautiful squares have been arriving, huge love and thanks to the crafters, all just marvellous..

Thanks Iamnotausernumber Beautiful knits in teal, basket weave and moss. Fab. Star

Thanks SB A gorgeous denim blue traditional granny square. . Star

Thanks Whatsthatbrightlight Beautiful knits in denim blue and apple green Star

Thanks Macdog Wonderful collection of granny squares in forest green and blues, super. . Star

Thanks TheWoollybacksWife One gorgeous green knit and a super blue woven design in crochet, lovely. Star

Thanks tatyr Absolutely gorgeous, in cream and soft blue, stripes and grannies. Fab Star

Thanks jetSTAR Wonderful crocheted grannies in blues and greens and a super bull’s eye circle to square, so lovely. Star

Thanks LumelaMme Beautiful crochet, solid granny and traditional, circles to squares, cream, blues, greens. Smashing. Star

Thanks Chickensaresafehere A gorgeous garter knit square in apple, fabulous. Star

Hopefully this is us caught up with, waiting for the post now!

Thank you everyone Thanks

Love to T and family xxx

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PurpleFrog · 24/02/2017 14:05

Oh - I thought mine should have arrived with you by now! Maybe tomorrow...

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 24/02/2017 20:35

You should get mine tomorrow. Feel free to take the pee out of me re the packaging 🤣😂. I normally send them as a small parcel, but thought I'd see if I could send them as a large letter & it was the only way I could get them to lay flat. I'm open to more sensible suggestions 🤣😂

Lots & lots of Hugs squished in there Tunnocks and my first ever Woolly Hugs crochet, they've converted me from knitting! 😘Xx

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
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 24/02/2017 21:31

Lovely squares Chipping and very impressed that you got them into a large letter - how?! Shock

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 25/02/2017 23:57

Thanks Leslie. I used two pieces of very thin card (adverts that had just come through the post), lay 4 flat on the bottom and one on top sandwiched between the card then using my darning needle put a few tacking stitches through the lot. All in an ordinary A4 envelope.

IAmNotAUserNumber · 26/02/2017 08:45

Chippin I like your method Grin

KnottyAndPistey · 26/02/2017 10:23

Purple - they are here, that was me catching up, shall do yesterday's arrivals in a mo, thanks all, and morning Brew

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PurpleFrog · 26/02/2017 11:38

Phew! Was beginning to think I had forgotten to put them in the package. (I saw my Candy Hugs squares on Facebook after I posted here.) Smile

KnottyAndPistey · 26/02/2017 18:09

Sorry PF - it all takes an age!

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KnottyAndPistey · 26/02/2017 18:10

In a good way obvs! x

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KnottyAndPistey · 26/02/2017 18:11

Beautiful squares have been arriving, huge love and thanks to the crafters, all just marvellous…

Thanks WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo Adorable chook! Such clever knitting, gorgeous textured knit too, wonderful. Star

Thanks Zing Beautiful crochet , three fabulous colourful traditional grannies. Star

Thanks MalcolmTuckersOmniShambles Absolutely wonderful, crochet squares, the LOVE square, a 3D flower, beautiful grannies too. Star

Thanks StellaMarie Beautiful crochet in apple green and cream, gorgeous. Star

Thanks ChippinIn Super knits, gorgeous textures in forest green and soft blue grey and a fabulous first crochet square, a colourful granny in greens! Star

Thanks PurpleFrog Love the chook square! So fabulous, the carrot is too, wonderful solid granny design competes the set. Marvellous. Star

Thanks MinnieBar Beautiful crochet in green s, tangerine and taupe, a super spiral handwoven solid granny, very clever! Star

Thanks Ginxed A fab crochet design with orange cat, cpomplete with curly tail in 3D, brilliant! Star

Thank you so much everyone, this is going to be such a beautiful tribute Thanks

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Semaphorically · 26/02/2017 21:44

I have one to post, when is the final date? (Sorry I've been disorganised! Life got in the way)

GrumpyInsomniac · 27/02/2017 15:22

My squares have just gone in the post now, and I have even remembered to include a note saying who they're from, assuming you can read the handwriting.

Will carry on with Chernobyl squares now x

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 27/02/2017 23:34

Semaphorically. Saturday 18th of February

🤣 I'm sure if you get them sent soon it'll be fine.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 27/02/2017 23:37

Chipping very ingenious! I admire your commitment to cheaper postage Grin

KnottyAndPistey · 28/02/2017 09:09

Morning lovely people Brew

Anyone still with squares to send, please do, all is well :) x

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KnottyAndPistey · 05/03/2017 13:29

And more woolly treasure has been arriving, filled with love, thought and care, bless the crafters. Star

Thanks littlemissneela Beautiful crochet in apple green, gorgeous textured circle to squares Star

Thanks Whore Traditional grannies in cream, denim and apple Star

Thanks GrumpyInsomniac Beautiful crochet in green and denim blue, lovely wheel type designs, plus atraditional granny Star

Thank you so much everyone Thanks

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KnottyAndPistey · 05/03/2017 13:46

More woolly treasure arriving safely!

Thanks HoggyTruffle Beautiful crochet, traditional grannies in shades of green and cream, gorgeous. Star

Thank you Thanks

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