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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
BaggyCheeks · 16/01/2017 15:05

Thank you for my wool, it arrived today! Looking forward to getting started with it Smile

glenthebattleostrich · 16/01/2017 15:13

I know, says I, I'll learn to crochet. Ooh, I've been doing it for a week, now let's find a bloody hard thing to do.

It is supposed to be a wave, as in infinity wave/ everlasting.

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
PopGoesTheFuckingWeasel · 16/01/2017 15:23

Glen what's wrong with that? It looks fine to me!

You crochet like I do: my stitches always look "fatter" than they should. However, I make things to order, and no one has ever complained!

What size hooks are we all using?

BigApple11 · 16/01/2017 16:23

I use a 4.5. My tension is well tight!!

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 16/01/2017 16:28

KnottyAndPistey

Would you please let me know if the square on photo (posted on 13/01 at 9:47) is ok, please?
Thank you.

PopGoesTheFuckingWeasel · 16/01/2017 16:44

Thank you BigApple 😁

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 16/01/2017 17:35

@KnottyAndPistey - I have two squares ready to post - are they going to the same address as the Candy Hug squares - because I have 4 of those ready to go too.

bookbook · 16/01/2017 17:44

Just a pop in , I am trying out some new "ferrari' needles ( bamboo actually) and bought some wool today, so will pop a photo on- doing a simple tree design , to see if its okay to send off with my candy hugs later in the week

bookbook · 16/01/2017 18:50

scrub that - needles great, pattern not so great.

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 16/01/2017 22:32

bookbook I love my bamboo needles. Tree patterns are really hard on 6"squares, there's really not the room. I've done the twining tree before & I was going to do it for Tunnock's blanket, but someone beat me to it (and in the same colour, clearly great minds think a like!) I can't find many other actual trees.

bookbook · 16/01/2017 22:40

That was me Chipping :) - I was trying to transfer a cross stitch pattern into a texture knit and purl , but it was just too messy ...!

slithytove · 16/01/2017 22:43

Thank you chippin that site looks great, will that first basket weave square be 10 or 6? Can you scale the pattern to 6 for me?

TheWoollybacksWife · 16/01/2017 22:52

K&P is there any chance of some small balls of contrast yarn? Three additional colours to go with the Drops Forest Green that I have ordered would be smashing. I'd like to try my hand at this design.

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 17/01/2017 01:46

Slithytove That cast on will be too big. I did adapt it but it's not easy to follow & possibly not correct. I'll repost it later tonight.

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 17/01/2017 01:48

bookbook I know it was you 😂 I should have put a 😬

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 17/01/2017 01:50

Sorry slithytove I forgot to attach the photo!

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 · 17/01/2017 01:52

The light in here is awful, sorry. They look wonky, but they're actually not.

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 17/01/2017 07:22

Brew. Just let the wishing mug know what you'd like! 😬

MadisonAvenue · 17/01/2017 08:08

Morning all, I've made a start and you might just be able to make out the bike on my curly square

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 17/01/2017 10:30

Madison. That's fab! I'm looking at one of the ones in two colours, with a bike, but the bike is too big and I'm not sure I can scale it down without it looking like a tricycle 😂 I think I'll keep looking!

BigApple11 · 17/01/2017 12:22

Can I just say I am CRAP at crocheting trees GrinBlush the knitted ones look so much nicer! Have done one that looks ok and I am going to try and appliqué onto a square. I might attempt a small appliqué ginger cat to go with it however these are not my best skills !!! K&P I think I'd better stick to what I know ShockConfusedBlushGrin pics later (I've had to come to work today)

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 17/01/2017 12:31

BigApple. Work? Work? Don't they know you've got important crocheting to do? Hmm

Looking forward to the photos later, I'm sure you're being too harsh on yourself!

KnottyAndPistey · 17/01/2017 16:41

Afternoon lovely folk Brew

Madison that is seriously clever!

TheWoollybacksWife - will get Knotty on it, have sent out all my bits of colour, but know she had some too. Thank you x

OP posts:
Yddraigoldragon · 17/01/2017 20:15

Oooh I have wool! Thank you to my lovely donor, look at the beautiful colours!

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the very lovely Tunnocks, also known as thatscottishconfection. Crafters and donors, we need your help
bookbook · 17/01/2017 20:51

Madison - respect! ( I , like Chipping looked at a 2 colour pattern and decided against Blush )
Its just I am now running out of time, as I am away on holiday next week .