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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.

Original poster

The Mumsnet, we need your help to make a Woolly Hug for lovely JuanPotatoTwo

378 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 26/04/2017 19:12

We were so very sorry to hear JuanPotatoTwo’s desperately sad news that her DH had passed away last month, he had renal failure. We are so very sorry for their loss and our thoughts are with her, their children and their family. We hope that this blanket will bring some comfort at such a devastating time, we were so glad they accepted our offer. Juan’s original thread is here… second here.. we see lots of you lovely folk are supporting her there, bless you.

We shall need crocheters, knitters and donors. If you would like to donate wool or funds, we shall need both and we can match you up. If you would like to join in but need donated wool, we can help there too.We have part balls if any hookers need yarn, please say. Please PM us with your offers of help THANK YOU SO MUCH.


We take our ideas from a beautiful piece written by his daughter

  • He was a keen rugby player, clearly enjoying much success before his illness started, playing for amongst others Leicester Tigers and England schools, so club and country, lots of rugby ideas there. Leicester colours are green, red and white, will attempt a link.
  • They met at a pub called The Navy for anyone who can do writing.
  • He had a red cable knit cardi he loved and wore endlessly, we do have an idea for these.
  • He loved gardening and roses
  • Cups of tea and lemon drizzle, and watching The Chase
  • They have a cat
  • And he once made Juan a Squirrel costume!

The Yarn we are Using….
Artesano Superwash Merino DK
Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
Drops Merino Extra Fine DK
Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK
Katia Merino 100% DK (new to us this time)
Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK
Patons Merino Extrafine DK

Colourwise…
Red, one of these please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please.
Greens from forest to brighter.
Blues, but not turquoise please
Cream, one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream, or Drops Merino 01 off white

Accents and embellishments then in
Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM7 Taupe
Oranges - one of these please, Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK - Pumpkin (373) orDebbie Bliss Rialto DK - Tangerine (56) or Debbie Bliss Rialto DK - Burnt Orange (43)

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

We also have a Facebook page Woolly Hugs and are on Twitter @Woolly_Hugs Do join us.

When ready for posting, please PM for info. As always, thank you so much for your support,




He used to call us The Mumsnet to wind Juan up :) Come on The Mumsnet, let us do him proud xx

Lovely Juan we are thinking of you all, sending love and strength. xxxxx

OP posts:
Thread gallery
62
JustKeepKnitting · 27/04/2017 12:11

I have Debbie Bliss Rialto in Ocean and Jade, assuming these are both ok I shall do some squares x

MrsDilligaf · 27/04/2017 13:12

I'm in.

Happy to help. But so very sorry to hear about Juan's DH Flowers

Will pm xxx

AdoraBell · 27/04/2017 13:40

I can't crochet for toffee, but will gladly send some yarn. Will have to wait for payday, so next week. I'll check back then to see what's needed in terms of type and colour.

JuanPotatoTwo · 27/04/2017 16:29

Hello lovely people, I've just been linked to this thread. I've read it and am now in tears (proper ones!) - a fairly regular occurrence these days. I can't believe that so many people are prepared to spend time, energy, effort and expense on us. You are all so kind and thoughtful, and we (the dc and I) are immensely grateful and touched.

If anything good can be said to have come out of Mark's death it is the wonderful support, wisdom and comfort that people on here (and in rl) have so willingly dispensed. He would have loved knowing that he's provoked conversation on The Mumsnet - he used to call it that to wind me up! I wish I could feel that I had or could thank you all adequately, perhaps I can pay all this kindness forward one day. I do try to do that anyway but I'll try harder!

Wolfie I'm glad your son is doing well - long may it last. And flutter - who is your mum?! I started off my thread after Mark died using DH, then I progressed to M, and finally I thought, sod it, what does it matter if I use his name?! So anonymity went out the window, and to compound it, I posted a picture of him on my first thread!

The Mumsnet has helped me through these last horrible weeks, and I suspect it will continue to do so. Thank you all xx

Wolfiefan · 27/04/2017 16:39

Oh Juan I'm so sorry this bug is needed. I am more than happy to contribute. Know that love and snuggles will be in every stitch. Lots of love to you and your family.
(I will probably get kicked off MN for that. It's worse than an unmumsnetty hug. But I don't care!!!)
Flowers

Wolfiefan · 27/04/2017 16:39

Bug? What bug?
HUG!!!!!

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 27/04/2017 17:18

Hi Juan

You have already 'paid it forward' at least a thousand times over, so don't you be worrying about that. You're well thought of & loved amongst The Mumsnet! 😘

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 27/04/2017 17:22

Woolly That's dedication to the cause 🤣 I was thinking the Katia 023 or the Sublime Botanist. But that's only on my screen, it might be miles out. SSDK Sherbert looks like a really horrible grey.

I'm happy to buy any of them except Patons.

NormansNipple · 27/04/2017 17:45

Chipping I'm intrigued to know what you have against Patons?!

Some of the recommended colours aren't available on wool warehouse. I'm struggling to find a green and would also like a nice orange. If anyone finds a good green please can you let me know Smile

Yddraigoldragon · 27/04/2017 17:57

I'm in. And this is not a place mark.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 27/04/2017 18:26

Juan is there are particular colour of rose that you or Mark preferred? I have a nice rose pattern I could use Flowers

bookbook · 27/04/2017 18:33

Not many nice greens Norm - I am going for drops in forest green... And as you said , a couple of colours don't seem to be available - may be worth asking K&P if they have any in their stash.

JuanPotatoTwo · 27/04/2017 18:37

Thank you Wolfie - all hugs gladly accepted. Chipping you're making me blush - thank you for saying nice things.

Leslie he asked me to buy him some rose plants for Christmas and his birthday last year, yellow ones. He was just getting into the garden really as we had it done over last September. He called me outside sometime in late January or February to point out the new leaves that were sprouting on his roses - he said he was looking forward to pottering in the garden this year and watching his roses grow :( Thank you for doing this.

Pauleen · 27/04/2017 19:09

Yes I can help but need some wool. I have plenty of stylecraft but never use merino except for this.

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 27/04/2017 19:44

Juan I'm so sorry he isn't able to see them growing Sad hopefully they'll start to flower soon (I know nothing about gardening!)

I've sent KnottyandPistey a message to double check I'm allowed to use some yellow

TheWoollybacksWife · 27/04/2017 19:57

I can't find DS's top it's probably buried in the pit of odds and ends that 10 year old boys like to hoard. I was able to dig out a Tigers note book and I'm attaching a photo with Drops Forest Green for comparison.

Pistey it's even worse for us - we're from Rugby League country. We are now in exile in the south the midlands but have taken to Tigers due to work/uni connections with Leicester.

Will a moss stitch square be OK?

The Mumsnet, we need your help to make a Woolly Hug for lovely JuanPotatoTwo
MrsDilligaf · 27/04/2017 20:09

Well. The hug is underway. I've just finished my 1st square.

Flowers
WitchDancer · 27/04/2017 20:38

Nowt wrong with the Midlands Woolly - I'm West Midlands 🤓

TheWoollybacksWife · 27/04/2017 20:57

I love the midlands Witch. I spent the weekend with my sisters though and had a fab time partying in Liverpool. I sound like Our Cilla now Blush

MrsDilligaf · 27/04/2017 20:58

Seconding the nowt wrong with the midlands... I'm from the Warwickshire/Leicestershire region.

I'm on fire tonight. 2nd square done for Juan ((hug))

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 27/04/2017 21:08

Juan. It's not bloody fair xx

Norman. The Patons 'hatred' is a mix of things, but mostly I don't like the way it feels & I find it splits really easily, I find myself saying 'bloody wool' a lot, whereas with the others I'm thinking how lovely it feels. Sorry it's so boring! 😂

Woolly. Your photo looks like a GIANT ball of wool on a kitchen floor 😂 It looks like a pretty good match.

I'd still be interested to know what the other two are like if anyone has them.

Well done MrsD 😊

TheWoollybacksWife · 27/04/2017 21:14

We're not big enough fans to get the kitchen floor tiled in Tiger's colours Chipping although I think DH might consider it if he could have a giant Liverpool crest Grin

bookbook · 27/04/2017 21:31

MrsD Shock - I am still dithering on colours at Wool Warehouse, (putting order in tomorrow)
I have the drops forest green in my basket..

MadisonAvenue · 27/04/2017 22:03

Witch South Staffs-West Mids border here!

flutterworc · 27/04/2017 23:51

Juan - my Mum is Bookbook who says lovely things about you, so I wanted to help. I can't imagine it, and you seem so strong, so wanted to help you with a bit of yarn scaffolding so you don't always have to be that way if you don't want. xxx