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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
GrumpyInsomniac · 14/01/2017 09:21

Have pm'd you xxx

KnottyAndPistey · 14/01/2017 09:58

Just out of PMs and have just replied, love the peas bookbook xxx

OP posts:
bookbook · 14/01/2017 10:21

I know I am old now - can I heckers like find the address to send it to. Should have written in my actual address book, and not left it to the tender mercies of t'internet....

bookbook · 14/01/2017 10:41

found it Blush

AgentProvocateur · 14/01/2017 10:53

You're all so talented! Beautiful squares.

I have sent a cheque off to the WH address this morning, so that should be with you next week.

Whatsthatbrightlght · 14/01/2017 11:17

Lovely wool has arrived safely this morning, thank you x

WildEyedAndCrafty · 14/01/2017 11:33

Sorry I'm joining you so late. I have just had a sort through of my stash and have some Sublime in pumpkin, camper green and clipper blue. I will get some plainish squares knitted and am happy for them to be used wherever needed if you already have plenty.

Tunnocks, you and your DC are so much in my thoughts Flowers

rubycon · 14/01/2017 11:36

my donor yarn has arrived this morning - Taupe, Pistachio and Denim - thank you very much, lovely colours together!

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/01/2017 12:42

My yarn has arrived too, so I will get knitting after lunch. With a bit of luck there will be some rugby for me to watch while I knit!

Dutchoma · 14/01/2017 12:46

Just received my two balls of green, such a lovely colour, thank you.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 14/01/2017 13:10

I had a lovely ball of green turn up this morning, thank you

BigApple11 · 14/01/2017 13:26

My wool arrived today, thankyou so much to my donor. Will get cracking after my batch of candy hugs squares are done. k&p is there anything in particular you want me to do? Brew

CerealShopper · 14/01/2017 16:13

Two balls of Drops arrived today - thank you lovely donors!

I shall be cracking on with squares this evening, although I won't be able to match books' creativity!

bookbook · 14/01/2017 16:45

Cereal - I've just been knitting a long time, and now know how to surf Ravelry!. Also I retired last year, so have more time than a lot of you busy folk, and so glad to knit to help.

MrsHathaway · 14/01/2017 16:55

Have finished my Tunisian Simple this afternoon. Not particularly flexible so I've got as close to six inches as I possibly can!

TheNinjaGooseIsHooking · 14/01/2017 17:45

oooh ExitPursuedBySpartacus fab choice of colours thank you Grin

MadisonAvenue · 14/01/2017 17:45

Mine from my donor hasn't yet arrived, fingers crossed for Monday!

bookbook · 14/01/2017 18:38

ooh, a bit of foot tapping? I get remarkably itchy when I want to get on with things :)

BoreOfWhabylon · 14/01/2017 18:57

My donated wool will be delivered to a crafty person on Monday Smile

CerealShopper · 14/01/2017 20:37

Please can someone tell me how to measure a granny square? I've followed a pattern but it is 5" going across, or nearly 7" if I measure diagonally!

CerealShopper · 14/01/2017 20:46

Tis OK, I Google drive. Most advise to measure along the sides, not corner to corner

CerealShopper · 14/01/2017 20:51

I DO NOT Google drive, bleeding autocorrect!

Jenijena · 14/01/2017 20:55

If I can donate wool to someone more able to craft than me to help, then please do let me know.

Wolfiefan · 14/01/2017 21:38

Do we have a final posting date yet? Thanks.

bookbook · 14/01/2017 21:54

It has not been mentioned yet as far as I know , Wolfie , I just wanted to get mine done and posted as I go away next week, so didn't want to miss the posting date . I seem to think someone upthread mentioned its usually about a month after first posting .