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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Zombie and Woolly Hugs. Our second thread! Come and find out about Candy's Hugs, all very welcome.

977 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 15/01/2017 09:33

Welcome to our second thread, may it be as vibrantly riotous as the first!

Anyone reading this thinking Shall I? Can I? Yes you can! :) We would love to have you on board, from someone who is keen to learn crochet or knitting to the more experienced, ALL are welcome here. And a lack of funds is no barrier, we have wonderful donors who want to take part and need a crafter, so we can send you yarn, needles and hooks if necessary. It is all about being inclusive and team work.

So let's crack on!

This then a C&P of the crafting info from thread one.

Our lovely Zombie (who has said she doesn’t mind being outed as Candy) has long been a supporter of Woolly Hugs, bless her for it! Recently she made a very kind donation to us, and we would love to start an Ongoing project to honour this remarkable woman, who we have both had the privilege of meeting, dancing and drinking with. wine wine She is utterly fab-u-lous. :)

After a chat with Zombie we have made a plan which she loves. We would like to make comforting cosy blankets with love in every stitch for women going through treatment for breast and other cancers, and at times these may form part of palliative care. They will be called Candy’s Hugs.

Zombie is a bright and beautiful woman so we have chosen a palette to reflect this which we call Vibrant Riot; it is inspired too by a blanket that was made for her to give big hugs as she goes through treatments.

Will you join with us? If you would like to be involved in any way, we’d love to have you on board. Please post on this thread and PM with your offers: crafting, donating, need wool, etc, we can help you with all of it.

The yarn is Stylecraft Special DK. Just this please for consistency, and in these colours...

Vibrant Riot Palette
Boysenberry
Claret
Empire
Fuchsia
Grass
Kelly green
Lavender
Lime
Lipstick
Magenta
Meadow
Petrol
Plum
Pomegranate
Saffron
Sherbet
Shrimp
Spice
Turquoise
Tomato
Violet

Squares to be 12 inch or 6 inch, crochet or knitted equally welcome, please use 4mm hook or needles. No blocking necessary and please sew in ends, and make sure any colour changes are firmly knotted.

All crafting abilities genuinely welcome, squares made by beginner or expert will be equally cherished. Simple, complex, single colour, mixed colour. It really is the love and thought that counts.

If you would like to learn how to knit or crochet in 2017, let's do it! We have help for the complete beginner here…. And are on hand to help talk you through as well. YouTube has lots of tutorials, you WILL find one that suits! smile

If you feel ambitious and would like to make a whole blanket, then that is wonderful, we are aiming for blankets approx 48 inches by 60 inches, certainly no smaller.

Candy’s Hugs will be an ongoing project, our first posting date is to be January 28th. Do message for posting info when ready.

We are on Facebook - Woolly Hugs and Twitter too @Woolly_Hugs both are good ways to keep in touch.

Thank you so much xx

Thanks
Zombie and Woolly Hugs. Our second thread! Come and find out about Candy's Hugs, all very welcome.
OP posts:
Thread gallery
162
stephiehelen · 25/01/2017 03:38

Hi,
I have a pile of squares all ready for you, I'll post them off the next time I get to the post office.
The sizing is a bit variable, some too small and some too big. I am new to knitting, but they are getting better as I get more used to it, put I am sending you what I have.
I am almost out of wool, so may I have some more when these come back to you.
Bye for now smile

Coffeeandcrochet · 25/01/2017 07:40

Right, peskies sewn in on 3 out of 4 squares but the last one, well, I may be some time... Shock

Zombie and Woolly Hugs. Our second thread! Come and find out about Candy's Hugs, all very welcome.
FaithAgain · 25/01/2017 07:51

Marking my place because I intend to contribute! Just ordered some yarn Smile

KnottyAndPistey · 25/01/2017 07:57

You need Harry Coffeeandcrochet

Zombie and Woolly Hugs. Our second thread! Come and find out about Candy's Hugs, all very welcome.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 25/01/2017 08:03

Morning everyone Brew

MyNameIsJane Welcome, thats fabulous progress, well done you!

Woolly HQ has very stretchy sides Spiral Grin

Stylecraft Special DK is indeed the one, the colours are in the OP xx

theresnoonequitelikegrandma have messaged you my love

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 25/01/2017 08:08

Our lovely Candy yesterday at the hospice, that smile of hers! Bless her, and if you look she is being kept warm and cosy by the original Candy's Hug, one we made for her in this palette a couple of years ago. Thanks

This pic was on her Facebook yesterday, and she is very happy for it to be shared.

Let's crack on. Brew

Zombie and Woolly Hugs. Our second thread! Come and find out about Candy's Hugs, all very welcome.
OP posts:
BantyCustards · 25/01/2017 08:43

I have never crocheted in my life but would love to become part of Zombie's WH army.

Do I need to PM someone?

FireflyGirl · 25/01/2017 09:10

Morning all.

I got that crochet book from the library, MrsH. It's got lots of lovely squares in! I can't wait until next week to try some of them - I'm feeling inspired!

Banty PM Knotty&Pistey if you need some wool sending. There's a link to tutorials in the OP, or else we've all found Bella Coco on YouTube very easy to follow.

It's lovely to see Zombie enjoying her blanket. WoolyHugs is mostly faceless, and I understand why, but it is so nice to see a smiling face Grin

I never thought of looking on Amazon for the wool...

FaithAgain · 25/01/2017 09:25

Banty I was a complete beginner a couple of years ago and learnt via YouTube tutorials. I found Jayda institches and Bella Coco easiest to follow. I'd start with a granny square if I were you!

kelper · 25/01/2017 10:22

Morning! KnottyandPisty I did send you a PM on FB yesterday but I suspect you get a lot of those, could I please have an address to send some squares to? Thank you :)

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 25/01/2017 10:30

I've PM'd this morning as I am happy to donate.

What a lovely idea.

AliceInUnderpants · 25/01/2017 10:42

I've finally finished darning ends so I have some squares here ready to go. 4 x 12 inch and 18 x 6 inch. I've used the opportunity to learn some new techniques so am pretty pleased with most of them.
Could someone please be a darling and PM me the address to pop these off to? I'll get to the Post Office before the weekend.

Zombie and Woolly Hugs. Our second thread! Come and find out about Candy's Hugs, all very welcome.
MadisonAvenue · 25/01/2017 12:24

Blimey Alice, you've been busy! They're lovely!

I'm just back from mailing my parcel.

BigApple11 · 25/01/2017 12:29

I'm loving all these pictures. Everyone is doing so well! For those who can't knit or crochet and may be feeling a bit rubbish about that, PLEASE DONT, us hookers are so grateful for any encouragement, support, donations. We couldn't do it without you. My squares are cracking on, I'm up to 23 now, pics later as I'm laid up with a chest infection. (Hence why so many squares)
Peace and woolly love to all, especially our dear Zombie BrewCakeFlowers

Spindelina · 25/01/2017 14:59

Love that pic of Zombie and her blanket. One of my first ever internet friends (we commented on the same blog a lot) died in similar circumstances many years ago. She would have liked a blanket like that.

I've just been in a charity shop and saw a learn-to-crochet book for £2. So I bought it, obvs. So then I needed to get onto Wool Warehouse and buy a crochet hook and loads more yarn. Look what you lot have made me do Grin.

chewingawasp · 25/01/2017 15:26

I have today received the second Candy Hug blanket! Smile
It is absolutely beautiful. I am overwhelmed and love the bright colours - it has really cheered me up.
Thank you so much everybody for all the hard work you have put into it. I will treasure it always. Thanks especially to Candy who is in my thoughts.
FlowersFlowersFlowersFlowersFlowersFlowersFlowersFlowers

rosesandcashmere · 25/01/2017 15:41

Hello! Sorry I'm not sure what to do. I've finished some squares! Please can someone send me the address?

NerrSnerr · 25/01/2017 15:43

Hello all. Just checking in, have wanted to join in woolly hugs for a while but never got round to it (which is an appalling excuse). Have ordered some wool today so as soon as they arrive I will start knitting.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 25/01/2017 15:47

Hello,

I'm not really sure what the etiquette is for blanket recipients, but I wanted to sneak in and say an enormous thank you :)

I got the most amazing surprise this morning when my Candy's Hug arrived! I must admit that at first I thought there had been a mix up Blush but then I read the lovely note. (Thank you Knotty and Pistey. You are so very kind.)

It is beautiful. It means so much. I know how much love goes into these squares and now I'm all wrapped up in that love. It's so soft and cosy. And all the colours and beautiful details. I can't stop stroking it and every time I look I see something new.

I will absolutely treasure this blanket. Thank you to everyone who contributed to it Flowers

I am due to have my next chemo tomorrow so my blanket will get its first outing. My mum makes a Billie's Blanket every chemo session. I usually manage a few rows of crochet in between faffing about and eating snacks Grin I'll make an extra special effort tomorrow!

There really aren't words enough to tell you how much I appreciate this. Thank you again Flowers

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 25/01/2017 15:49

Hi chewing I probably should've refreshed before I posted as I missed yours. Which shows how embarrassingly long I've been faffing about writing that Blush I hope your blanket brings you lots of comfort Flowers

chewingawasp · 25/01/2017 15:50

We can both be cosy in our blankets Smile

SpiralArchitect · 25/01/2017 16:00

Leslie Flowers
chewing Flowers

Snuggle into your blankets full of woolly love and know that we're all thinking of you...

ThursdayNextIsMyHero · 25/01/2017 18:07

How wonderful. Candy's hugs were only launched 20 days ago, and the first blankets have already been received. Amazing!
Chewing Flowers
Leslie Flowers

MadisonAvenue · 25/01/2017 19:09

Leslie Flowers
Chewing Flowers

So lovely to read that you got your blankets, thoughts are very much with you both.

NorksAreMessy · 25/01/2017 21:39

Novice Knitter Norks here

I seem to be stuck with stripes, but I am really enjoying knitting them all.
Glad to read previous comments about ability of construction witches to streeeeeeetch undersized squares, as one of my first few was a bit titchy.

Have tried to do some textures, but got distracted by Cormoron Strike on Audible and made what my Dad would describe as 'A bugger's muddle'. So I am sticking to stripes.
My main question is ..how many shall I make before I send them? And then what do I do with myself? (Make more, clearly)

Thank you for encouraging me to knit, I am quite proud of myself and so very happy to join the gang

Zombie and Woolly Hugs. Our second thread! Come and find out about Candy's Hugs, all very welcome.