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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
starsorwater · 10/01/2017 18:35

Thanks for asking me. Have sent a pm.

Justme3 · 10/01/2017 18:35

I'm truly terrible at crochet but I can try? Is this ok? Absolute beginner and can only go lines!

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 10/01/2017 18:36

I'll do at least one, hopefully two. My sympathies to tunnocks and family Flowers

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 10/01/2017 18:42

Battery is 1% so can't read anything - I'm in x

WhoKn0wsWhereTheTimeG0es · 10/01/2017 18:50

I'll crochet. I have wool.
Flowers

PeaceOfWildThings · 10/01/2017 19:00

Yes, I remember Tunnock's threads from when her DH was diagnosed and the many difficulties they faced. Am so very sad that it has come to this.

Will make a square. I have wool. x

HoggyTruffle · 10/01/2017 19:02

I'm in and have yarn.

SpiralArchitect · 10/01/2017 19:08

I'm in, plenty of yarn.

Thinking of lovely Tunnocks and her children Flowers

ExitPursuedBySpartacus · 10/01/2017 19:25

I'll donate wool if you match me up with someone.

Sad
MadisonAvenue · 10/01/2017 19:30

Count me in. I'll PM you.
Love to Tunnocks Flowers

PurpleMcPants · 10/01/2017 19:35

I would like to help too, I'm a knitter. I don't have any of those wools at the moment I don't think, I'll double check my stash.

KnottyAndPistey · 10/01/2017 19:43

Evening, thank you so much lovely people, just off to PMs Thanks

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 10/01/2017 20:35

Lovelies, please don't apologise for simple or beginner squares- we love them. It's always the thought and love that's gone into them that makes them special.

OP posts:
Dutchoma · 10/01/2017 20:50

I will do initials if you like. PM me with what colours I can easily order myself. Not read the full thread, so don't know if you had any other offers.

TheWoollybacksWife · 10/01/2017 20:58

Oma my lovely we are overdue a meet up - would you like to knit and natter? Smile

Much love to Tunnocks and also to Five Envy

Mummylin · 10/01/2017 21:03

I would like to do squares for Tunnock so will do some for Zombie and some for Tunnock. I will need some wool please.

IAmNotAUserNumber · 10/01/2017 21:03

I've ordered wool - here for the weekend I hope.

LazySusan11 · 10/01/2017 21:11

I'd like to donate, I can't knit I'm afraid and like five my family and I are treading this very new and uncomfortable path with my mum.

My thoughts go out to Tunnocks and also to Five, I wish you both comfort strength and peace 💗

TheWoollybacksWife · 10/01/2017 21:17

Total emoji fail there - I'm so sorry that was supposed to be Flowers

glenthebattleostrich · 10/01/2017 21:17

Ordered some pistachio and cream Jenny Watson, will do a square when they arrive.

Read the threads with tears in my eyes, love to tunnocks family.

Dutchoma · 10/01/2017 21:19

We are indeed Woolly. Have pm'd you.

Iwantacampervan · 10/01/2017 21:21

I've ordered some of this wool and will knit some squares for Tunnock - whilst I'm waiting I'll knit some more for Candy's Hugs.

MrsMozart · 10/01/2017 21:38

That blinking onion juice from Zombie's thread has wafted over here.

Right. Can't knit or crochet to save m'wotsit, so will happily buy some wool and have it delivered to someone who can do the do xxx

TheWoollybacksWife · 10/01/2017 21:44

Would the Drops Merino in "Forest Green" be a suitable colour?

BoreOfWhabylon · 10/01/2017 21:58

I'm the least crafty person on the planet but I can and will pay for some wool/yarn/whatever. Will pm.

Thoughts with Tunnocks and also Five, LazySusan all the others who are walking or have walked this hard, hard road.