Woolly Hugs. Photos of the finished Blanket for CatThiefKeith's family and a message from her DH now on this original thread. TITLE EDITED BY MNHQ

[KnottyAndPistey]

Just devastating. Like many we just couldn’t take it in that CatThiefKeith had died so suddenly from the bastard illness meningitis. Utterly shocking. Words really do fail, we are just so very sorry life has been so cruel to her, her DH, young daughter, their families and friends. We are so pleased to say that her DH has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, and we hope that he and their DD will feel our love and support and that the blanket may give whatever comfort it can to them. There is a thread here if you would like to post condolences She brought a smile to so many faces with her stories of her mad life, Mumsnet is a sadder place without her here.

We want to make it a real tribute and celebration of CTK, will you join us?

We shall need crocheters, knitters and donors. If you would like to donate wool or funds, we can match you up. If you would like to join in but need donated wool, we can help there too. Please message with your offer of help.

Our palette for CTK is quite specific, so please do read carefully

• Red, her DH has asked for it to be predominantly red, and we will be using these 2 for consistency one of these please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please. *Turquoise and lighter blues *Cream, one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream, or Drops Merino 01 off white *Apple, pistachio and lime greens
• Orange - 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) *Coral - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 55 only please *Lighter silver Just for embellishments please - Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM7 Taupe -

Ideas and suggestions for squares.
Her DH has asked for any camper van motifs or designs and then ideas to come from her MN friends. Now different folk knew her in different ways, whether it was debating the existence of goldfish in funfairs or taking dogs on trains, many many stories were shared, and we would like to reflect these, so please, if you have an idea that you would like to share, please do, or post on the thread and we will try and get someone crafting it, but what we ask is that you send us a note we can pass on with the blanket to explain your ideas, help create a memory blanket for her DD. We hope that makes sense. xxx

Important - 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
Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool 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

Squares to be six inches, using 4mm needles or hook, no blocking of squares and please knot off sturdily when changing colours or finishing, leave a good end and use a needle to sew in the peskies.

There is support for buying colours on our website, here. Previous blankets can be seen on our website All crafting abilities genuinely_ welcome, squares made by beginner or expert are equally welcomed. It really is the love and thought that counts.

I’ve got one of the reds, a cream, and an appropriate green. I’ll get some squares done with those.

Bless you and your lovely woolly hearts.
Please keep adding thoughts and ideas; they'll help create a blanket to treasure

I'd love to do some but would you mind sending some wool pls? I'll PM now

I'll crochet and happy to donate too. Have PM'd

Thank you as always for coordinating this Knotty and Pistey

Please count me in. Keith was so loved by so many; I suspect that the hug is going to be enormous

ohfour I do hope there will be enough so each family has their own woolly hug.

I'd be happy to crochet, will check my stash.

Oh Elephant that would be wonderful- excellent thinking

Morning lovelies, just away to PMs - may be a while, the response has been incredible. Just like CTK xx

I'm definitely in - thank you so much for the message linking to this thread!

Happy to donate wool for some wonderful crafter to create squares with - up to 4 balls, no problem.

Have PM'd you back as well so just let me know who you're matching me with and I'll get onto it. xxx

I am so glad this is happening for Mr. CTK & their daughter. Out of such tragic circumstances a showing of solidarity and love. I can't crochet or knit for toffee so pease put me on the donate list.

In terms of theme ideas, her motto in life was 'a day without laughter is a day wasted'. If this is something that could be incorporated that would be cool. She was also very fond of a pint at her local!

I have a special request that i would like to pm you KnottyAndPistey, maybe you could match me up with a suitably skilled individual?

Thanks

I'll donate wool as I can't knit for toffee.

Everyone is so wonderful, thank you! xxxx

Have discussed it with you in pm but will def be crocheting one or two squares. I'm so sad this is needed :( But I'm glad I can help x

I've just ordered yarn to be delivered to the lovely crafter I've been matched with. I've been matched with you before so I know whatever you create is going to be just beautiful .

Have just posted this on our FB page too, but we need help for a crafter who would like to try this

Can anyone help ?

Are you able to 'translate' visual crochet patterns?

That link work?

I'm in. So sad that it's needed, but glad to be able to help in a tiny way.

Loves ((((((((Hugs))))))) and Support

@ KnottyAndPistey

Not carefully proof read, but might help alongside the drawn pattern...

1: Ch8. slst to make a circle.
2: Ch3, [ch1, tr] six times, ch5 and turn
3: Skip one ch1space, [dc in ch1 space, ch3] three times, dc in ch1 space, ch2, tr in third ch of ch5 at beginning of row 2, ch5 and turn.
4: skip ch2 space, dc in first ch3 space, [ch3, dc in ch3 space] twice, dc in ch3 space, ch2, tr in third chain of ch5, ch5 and turn
5: skip ch2 space, dc in ch3 space, ch3, dc in ch3 space, ch2, tr in third chain of ch5, ch5 and turn
6: skip ch2 space, dc in ch3 space, ch2, tr in third chain of ch5, dtr in third chain of ch5 at end of row5/beginning row6,, ch3 and turn
7: [ch1, tr sideways in dtr at end of row 6] five times, ch7 and turn
8: ch1, [trtr, ch1, dtr] in ch1 space, ch1, [tr, ch1, htr] in ch1 space, ch1, dc in ch1 space, ch1, [htr, ch1, tr] in ch1 space, ch1, [dtr, ch1, trtr] in ch1 space, ch7, slst in third ch (row 6/7 turning chain).
9: slst in next 2 ch and on top of dtr. [dc, ch1] twice sideways in tr. [htr, ch1] twice in ch2 space. [tr, ch1] twice sideways in tr. ch3, slst to same chain as bottom of tr. slst in next 2 ch, slst in top of tr at end of round 2. [ch1, tr] twice in starting chain circle, [ch2, dtr, ch2] in starting circle, [tr, ch1] twice in starting circle], slst to top of ch3 turning chain at beginning of row 2. ch5, 2tr in same ch (ie beginning row 2). slst in top of tr at end of row 3, slst in next 3 ch (third one should already have a tr in it). ch3, [ch1, tr] twice sideways in tr, [ch1, htr, ch1, dc] in ch2 space, slst to next chain (should have dtr in already).

I still can't believe that we need a blanket for CTK

Thank you so much Spin - have just C&P that to her, and linked her to the FB post xxx

Please would you send me a link to the Facebook post. Thank you.

It is the last post on the page, sorry unable to link directly

see here

I think this should work for a direct link to the FB post.

Wow! JDH, if you're looking here, well done! I would love to give that a go, but I imagine there are going to be quite a lot of them now, so won't add to them. I still have to work out if I can get wool for this myself.