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

[KnottyAndPistey]

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."

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

Not snowed in yet, no. In fact, not a single snowflake, but at best we won't get any until late afternoon. The school have emailed to alert parents that there will possibly be delays due to snow & advised parents to 'leave early' to collect their children. i.e. We don't want to be stuck at school minding your kids because you're too daft to work this out yourselves! 😬😂

I'm in if you still need contributors.

No snow here, just dreary sky and drizzle.

No snow here in Gloucester yet, but I'm driving to Norfolk coast tomorrow so likely to encounter some!

Have sent you a carrot square today, 2nd class large letter. I am a bit bothered that the (sewn on) carrots stand out too well compared to the green leaves which are just embroidered dots on background square. If anyone else who sees it, and has time, feels the urge to add carrot stems/leaves to it, please feel free!

We had two minutes of snow here but nothing interesting - but we're in one of the few areas which are forecast snow on both days so who knows.

Will start hooking for lovely Tunnocks tonight.

I have just finished a square this evening . I realised I had some green , and when I read her words in the thread post, I wanted to do something that I felt/hoped tied in with it. The design is called Twining Tree. Done with much love to Tunnocks .

That is lovely Bookbook I am doing shamrock.

thank you ! Its a while since I used a cable needle. I so nearly did a shamrock.:)

Enough snow on the car windscreens for the kids going to school to make very very small snowballs this morn. That was it, but fecking fffrrrrizzzzin!

Bookbook Know for a fact you must be a very good knitter, these trees are stunning but very difficult, folk on Mumsnet used to refer to them as the Tree of Valium! Gorgeous, we were hooping someone would have a go, thank you

LumelaMme - Welcome on board, glad to have you here, yes please we need you, have replied to your PM xx

Bookbook that tree is beautiful.

2 squares on the way in the post today. Hope you are doing ok Tunnocks xxx

aw thank you K&P - - DH went out, so I had no interruptions

Is this ok?
It has DB Aqua or Duck Egg (or both) - I only have bits of wool not whole balls so can't tell what I have. They all look blue-ish to me, although there are greyish & lilac hues. I just don't know.

book that is gorgeous! I've seen that pattern before but been too scared to try it

Madison - its actually not too bad. It was much harder brainwork squeezing it into a 6" square. Had to do a bit of creative juggling of the pattern. I had to switch off Renovation Man on the TV to concentrate

book that was what partly put me off before, trying to size it down to 6". Not sure if I saw it on Ravelry and sat pondering about it?
I want to start a blanket for in this living room so might give it a try when I get around to that.
I love working on cables.

It was a ravelry one Madison - there are a few . I used this one
HERE which is a 9" square
It was mostly top and bottom I had to reduce , and 8 stitches either side less. I didn't need to lose much of the design of the branches, luckily

My Wise Badger order has arrived already. I only ordered on Wednesday and got the free postage so thought it would take a while. Now I have no excuse to start on my intarsia chicken square

bookbook I used that pattern as inspiration for a square for a previous blanket - I just did one tree, as it was my first attempt at cabling, and yours looks amazing with two.

ooooh lovely woolly wool has arrived from my donor, thank you Had to use the flash for the photo so colours not particularly accurate!

Ooh excited, I think that's from me !!!!!!!!!!

I feel it was worth the effort KnittingPearl I'm glad I was able to do it.
I have just finished making peas in a pod to go on another square. Hope to get that done tonight, and then I can get them in the post

Thanks book I've added it to my favourites on there for when I eventually get around to making our blanket.

plenty for those in need! Magic MN mugs, just tell it what you like!

The Mug of Requirement - get our friend JK on it

Morning lovely people, does anyone need help?

Not talking ironing

Yes - K&P !! !did you get my pm regarding the peas in a pod. I can sew on or not , but could get them to the post office this am for you if I know :}