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.

My yarn has arrived!

I'm just rattling of a crochet scarf for my daughter as have to give it to her later today and then I shall start on my square this evening.

Any yarn left over I will send with the square so you an pass on to someone else.

How's this for a camper can? thewhoot.com.au/crochet/crochet-volkswagen-bus

It's not a square though. I do love the fish on the roof!

Isn't that a surfboard Jux

My wool has been dispatched today so should be with my knitter early next week

I thought it was a surfboard too, but it does look like a fish :)

Sorry I can't knit or crochet, but I've just made a small Paypal donation if that can be used for someone who needs wool.

I'm thinking surfboard too

Thank you to my lovely donor, a ball of blue Drops has just been delivered

Yes BigApple11! That was me! That arrived quickly, I only ordered it yesterday morning. Are the colours OK? I was talking to Knotty and Pistey about your fabulous crochet skills when we were matched again - I'm certain it will be beautiful .

Heman you are a legend.* I’ve made a start. The colours are much brighter / darker irl than they look here. I’m going to do the fish again with a smaller hook.*
Do you have any ideas for squares ? I was going to do a red bobble heart square.* If any red left after that I’ll do some 3D roses like I did before.* (I think camper vans are beyond me)

The turquoise is lovely and the green very restful.**

Oops bold fail sorry all

Oooh gorgeous Big. See, that is a fine example of why the donor/crafter system works! I just cannot crochet. I can't 'see' it at all . I've sat with people and they've taken me through it, I watched tutorials online step by step and nodded sagely but I just can't grasp it. I can't do jigsaw puzzles either as I can't see how the shapes fit together .

I loved the 3D flowers one you did for Juan's blanket. I did have a vision of a sea/ocean type things when I chose the colours . Just a vision in my head, mind. No way I could actually make it myself!

Afternoon lovely people

My wool arrived today too. It was packaged in a very pretty bag. I will start designing tonight and get a few rows done. May I ask how many stitches do people cast on generally for the size? My tension is normally in line with commercial patterns.

for 6" elephant most do about 33 . I knit a bit looser, and do anything from 29 to 31 depending on what I am making

Thanks Book

Safely delivered pale blue and bright red. Many thanks to lovely donor LA in W and I will work hard to do it justice.

Champing at the bit here - my wool has been shipped - fingers crossed for tomorrow :)

Been on pinterest and have got a few ideas that I have made into grids to knit the pictures in the squares. Found a camper van and a lovely teacup with a cat in it. Just waiting for my wool to arrive from Knotty and Pistey.... Does anyone know what CTK's favorite beverage was as I was thinking of doing a square including it if I can.

I was looking through some old posts of CatThiefkeiths yesterday and a couple of things that she said she liked were Gin, and was a big fan of Terry Prachett. She also had a three legged cat.

Do we know the origins of her username? Was there a cat? And who was Keith?

I'm in, have just ordered some of the Drops red. I'm not really up to intricate designs, but will do some characterful textured squares for background. So sorry that this is needed for CTK's family, so sad.

KnottyandPistey thanks very much for sending the PMs, it's really helpful to get a heads up about new blankets.

Fekko IRCC CTK was 'given' her name by another poster, I think someone who maybe not on here now. It was something to do with CTK driving somewhere and finding a cat in her car. I think it was a longish journey so she couldn't just turn around and take the cat back. I think CTK may have had Keith in her original username but I am not sure, or maybe the cat was christened 'Keith' on the thread. Sorry this is all a bit hazy. I have done a bit of digging but may be it was all in 'Chat'. I hope someone with a better memory will be along to tell me I am posting utter bollocks

Thanks Jingle I have made a gin bottle square before for Zombies blanket so will make one for CTF. I also have a love of cats so will do some feline themed squares.

Off the subject a bit, I went to the Knitting and stitching show yesterday in London lots of wooley temptation and ideas to be had. A really lovely day out.

Ooh catmadcaz im off to the knitting and stitching show tomorrow :) . I'm really looking forward to it. Did you buy anything? Anything you recommend as a must see? Last time I went with three friends and we all stick together and had a coffee break, a lunch break and then a tea break! This time I'm just going to go round with one friend and might split up to look round!

A lovely ball of turquoise and a orange have just arrived thanks to my lovely donor. Shall get cracking when nap time hits for the toddlers. Off to browse Pinterest and revelry for patterns

Catmadcaz's Gin square is the stuff of legends!