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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.

MNHQ have commented on this thread

Woolly hugs

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for WatcherOfTheNight. Lovely crafters and donors we need your help.

168 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 30/11/2017 17:58

Such awful news we are afraid, the very lovely WatcherOfTheNight’s wonderful daughter died very suddenly and unexpectedly on September 1st, she was only 22 with the whole adventure of life ahead of her. Life can be so very cruel. It was later found she died from Sudden Arrythmogenic Death Syndrome. Absolutely horrendous, absolutely out of the blue. We are so sorry, and send much love to her family and friends, huge hugs. x Watcher’s thread is here, but in chat so it will disappear soon.

Her DD's is Ashlee, she will be loved and missed by all who knew her.

We are so glad lovely Watcher (one who gives so much as part of the Night Watch here on Mumsnet) has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug for their family. It truly will be a tribute and celebration of a life filled with love.

We need crocheters, knitters and donors (of funds or wool) Sincere thanks. Thanks
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.

Reading Watcher’s message about Ashlee was like reading about someone we know, such a bright, happy, beautiful girl, so much love and enthusiasm. Please if you can help with any of these ideas if would be fantastic.

  • Ash adored animals, especially dogs, cats & butterflies.
  • She was passionate about the environment, she fed tired bees sugar water & rescued frogs from cats & her last ever post on Facebook was about how bread is bad for ducks.
    *Ash spent her spare time going to concerts with friends, loved Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith as well as many more but she was obsessed with IDirection.
    *The line “that’s what makes you beautiful” is really special, can anyone take that on, maybe embroidery? Please message if so. x
  • She loved Pokemon Go. She spent her time home from uni playing this with her brother, they spent hours traipsing around our local area hunting.
  • She spent Sundays when home from uni at Nan’s baking cakes with her cousins and painting their nails various shades of sparkly purple & pinks.
  • Above all Ash loved her family, especially her little brother & younger cousins.

    Beautiful Thanks

    Colourwise...
    Her favourite colour was purple, then pink, so these two please
    Greens
    Blues
    Just for embellishments/accents, orange, taupe, yellow, black, red and cream.
    If wanting to add a bit of sparkle, merino wool with sparkle is fine, but please only embellishments and do check it is machine machinable. Sock yarn to DK is fine. No sequins please as they will damage the merino.


    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 - Wool Warehouse, Wise Badger, Laughing Hens as a few egs. There are good sales around at the mo/

    Simple or complex, made by beginner or expert, we genuinely welcome them all. It really is the love and thought that counts.

    Squares to be six inches, using 4mm needles or hook. Previous blankets can be seen on our website Please securely sew your ends in with a needle and don't cut too close to the knot. When ready for posting, please PM for info.


    My nan made all of us crochet blankets when we were little so hearing that people want to make one for Ash has really touched me & makes me feel she’s looking over me.x


    As always, thank you so much for your support. Thinking of Ashlee and her family.


    Us xxx


    Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star


    We find from lovely Watcher there is free screening and testing available, CRY (cardiac risk in the young ) hold screening clinics for all 14-35 year olds, we had no idea, please do share widely, we will certainly be spreading the word too. Have a look please and have a think.
    See here www.testmyheart.org.uk Sadly it is too late for Ashlee, but sharing and acting upon this could well save others. Thank you xxxx




    Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star Star
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MadisonAvenue · 27/11/2018 18:23

Watcher that is absolutely beautiful!

Glad we're not the only family with varied decorations. We have so many infant and junior school decorations including an angel which our youngest made in Reception, so it'll be used for it's 15th year this year, it's basically a print out of an angel badly coloured in and folded around so that it stands and the wings are cut outs of his tiny age 4 handprints. I wonder if the teachers realise just how precious these things are that they send home?

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WatcherOfTheNight · 27/11/2018 00:04

@KnottyAndPistey
I have sent you a pm,I hope it makes sense!
I'm a bit emotional tonight & have opened a bottle of wine .
I will never be able to thank you all enough for all you've done .
It's still quite unbelievable to me that people who I've only "met" online have shown me more support than those I know in RL.

Please share your amazing achievements !
so little is known of SADS & other undiagnosed heart conditions that killed my beautiful DD & at least 12 other youngster A week .
I hope in future we can raise more awareness & prevent deaths of other children Thanks

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KnottyAndPistey · 25/11/2018 22:31

Oh that really is beautiful Watcher xxx

Some folk have different themes on their trees, colours or whatever, but we are like you - I name that style Family Eclectic!

For years we had a loo roll covered with cotton wool and odd bits for hat and buttons that my DD made as a snowman on top of the tree because she'd decided that's where it should go. In the end it mostly was just a loo roll, but it still comes out. Precious things

Can only begin to imagine how difficult life is, but how extraordinary was your fundraiser, that is amazing.

Would love to see your tree if you get there

Huge love to you W, thinking such lot about you and Ash xxxxx

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WatcherOfTheNight · 25/11/2018 12:41

Thank you @KnottyAndPistey ,I am actually doing that with the decorations,I received beautiful ones as gifts last year .
My tree is 7ft & very much a family tree,full of decorations handed down & bought for me over many years .
I will share a photo when I finally get around to putting it up.

I knew this year with the first anniversary would be difficult,last year I think we were still in shock.
I've also been unwell & it's my birthday this week which I think is contributing to my low mood along with trying to sort out problems with Ds who's doing well considering but still has moments that he's finding hard to cope with.

I have had moments where I am managing a bit better & pushing to be productive, I have been in contact with a local charity & we recently held a screening day for children aged 10-18 in Ashlee's memory ,this is the first ever for this age group.
It was fully booked & we raised a lot of awareness of undiagnosed heart conditions in children.
The charity also donated a defibrillator to our primary school in her memory.

I can't remember if I mentioned in my pm but I received a wonderful surprise from a lovely lady who lives locally,she said she wanted to do something for us to let us know that people remember Ash & that they are thinking of us .
I am so touched by her kindness as she's had a very difficult time herself.
It's hard to see but it's made with tiny little stones that sparkle.

Watcher x

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for WatcherOfTheNight. Lovely crafters and donors we need your help.
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KnottyAndPistey · 21/11/2018 09:21

Wotcher Watcher Brew

Please do share away! I found your reply and I’m so sorry to have missed it. Huge hugs xx

Ashlee will be part of every Christmas you have because she is family. I can only imagine how difficult and sad it is tho. Could you buy her a tree decoration each year of something she loved? Wouldn’t matter if you have a tree or not, you could hang it up? Saw some really random ones around this year like sausage dogs/tacos/cheese in Paperchase etc. I’m so sorry she’s not with you Watcher, the hugest Hugs.

I’m just having a cuppa contemplating the sale. Once the Auction goes live at 11 and actually WORKS Gin I’ll be happier. No reason why it shouldn’t but it’s technology!

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WatcherOfTheNight · 20/11/2018 20:45

Ps. Did my Pm go through @KnottyAndPistey ?
It was sent in reply to the last pm you sent which I found when I was going through the 10,000 I have let build up 😫
I saw your message when trying to go through & delete them .
I've been lurking on MN the last few days & have had tech issues here too ?

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WatcherOfTheNight · 20/11/2018 20:39

I'm so pleased to hear this @KnottyAndPistey Smile
I didn't realise it would be live already but it does make sense ,I have been putting things off & forget how close we are to Christmas.
I Shut my FB account down as I found it difficult but will be logging in again now !

Also I'd love to contribute to someone else's Woolly hug seeing as I've missed helping with this.
Today I've been trying to organise myself & order essential presents for DS but it's so hard,I've spent most of it in tears ,I still instinctively go to add items for Ashlee,maybe I always will ?

CRY have a FB group for mums who've lost children to SADS ,I joined a few months back.
Its a quiet group where we can share our experience & talk if we need to .
I didn't really feel strong enough to post before deregging but I did read & I'd like to share your fundraising page with the other mums in the group if that's ok ?

Watcher x

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KnottyAndPistey · 20/11/2018 15:46

@WatcherOfTheNight Thanks

We missed your post Watcher - so sorry! Thank you for tagging us here. We were coming to find you today too. Have been thinking such a lot about you and Ashlee as everything comes together, we hope we raise a lot of funds for such a vital charity. So glad we can do this Thanks

We are on final preparations Gin

Our Auction Site is READY! It will go live TOMORROW at 11am.


All other beauties will be sold by instant sale on our special Facebook event page over the course of the sale. All 7 albums of wonderful craft are inked to from the pinned post in there.



So to find us...


Auction site..



Facebook event page...

THANK YOU!!! xxxxx

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WatcherOfTheNight · 19/11/2018 20:24

I forgot to say that I'd like to send some wool towards the items ,could someone let me know what I need to get & who to send it to x

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WatcherOfTheNight · 19/11/2018 20:21

Hello everyone,it's a been a long time !
I don't know if anyone will see this but I have to say it.
I received a message from @KnottyAndPistey letting me know that you were all thinking of us with the first anniversary approaching & telling me of your plans for CRY this Christmas.
I did reply but I don't know if it's gone through as I haven't heard anything back as yet .
I have to thank you all for giving me faith and comfort yet again when I'm at my lowest point.
I can't put into words how much it means to me ,the blanket meant so much but to find out you are now making Christmas items to raise money for CRY in my daughters memory is absolutely amazing.
It's been an absolutely horrendous year but you've lifted me up again.

I spoke with the founder of CRY recently & told her what you are doing ,I felt so proud that my daughters memory is being honoured like this & I hope you all are proud of yourselves too.
So many people know nothing of SADS &that has to change !

Watcher

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DawnMumsnet · 30/06/2018 10:13

Just wanted to echo everyone's words here. The blanket is truly beautiful and every single stitch shows the love and warmth flowing to our lovely WatcherOfTheNight. Flowers

Huge thanks to KnottyandPistey and all the lovely Mumsnetters who have helped to create this beautiful tribute to Ashlee.

Sending all good wishes to you and your wee boy, Watcher xx Flowers

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Jux · 26/06/2018 18:29

So touched by your posts, Watcher. Those tears are bittersweet, and will help you heal. Know that we are all thinking of you and holding your hand virtually.

So privileged to have been a small part of this.

Love in every stitch. xx

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SasBel · 25/06/2018 19:46

It is wonderful!
So glad it brings you comfort Watcher.

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bookbook · 25/06/2018 18:43

Just so beautiful - and truly humbling to be a very small part of it.
Gorgeous work K&P
Watcher love and strength to you

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clairethewitch70 · 25/06/2018 18:27

Hugs - love in every stitch Flowers

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MadisonAvenue · 25/06/2018 17:32

Oh goodness....that is absolutely beautiful.

So much love to you Watcher

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BoreOfWhabylon · 25/06/2018 17:30

Oh how beautiful!

I am proud to have been a very small part of this

WatcherOfTheNight I hope it brings you comfort (((hug)))

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KnottyAndPistey · 25/06/2018 17:05

We are all so glad the blanket is with you lovely Watcher, we hope it helped on Saturday and will continue to bring comfort, even if only in the tiniest way, we say love in every stitch and it really is true, we are thinking of you all and your beautiful Ashlee. xxxx

We took a lot of photos, and they can all be seen here, folk are so amazing, so much care, love and thought


Thank you Thanks

Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for WatcherOfTheNight. Lovely crafters and donors we need your help.
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WatcherOfTheNight · 23/06/2018 08:32

It has @bookbook ,it arrived yesterday morning !
I Sat with it over me on the bed yesterday evening & kept finding more little details I'd not noticed.
I'm almost scared to touch it it's so beautiful!

My niece will be here today & I know she will feel the same.
I had another delivery a few weeks ago from one of daughters friends with 2 Ashlee Angel bears made out her clothes ,they are also gorgeous. I gave one to my niece & one to my son but he's not quite ready for it yet so it's comforting me.

I know I will need the blanket tonight as I'm off to see Ed Sheeran ,my daughter bought tickets before she died & because he meant a lot to her I have decided I will still go.
He is singing some of the songs played at her funeral & I know it is going to be a difficult evening but I will come home & wrap myself up in my Woolly Hug 💜

I have tried to post a video as it won't all fit in pic but the app won't let me so I'll try again later .
Love to all of you ,especially those who played any part in this beautiful gift X

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bookbook · 21/06/2018 10:23

Watcher - I hope the hug brings you comfort Flowers

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KnottyAndPistey · 21/06/2018 10:05

coming to message you now I mean!

We just need an address for posting xxxx

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KnottyAndPistey · 21/06/2018 10:03

Huge huge hugs for you Watcher my love, your Woolly Hug has contributions from so many friends on MN, and it really is beautiful. Have taken a lot of photos to share with the crafters once it is with you, we hope it really is a tribute to your beautiful girl. Coming to your message now xxxx

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WatcherOfTheNight · 20/06/2018 09:08

@WitchDancer yes it shows ,I love all that I have seen posted on this thread & can't wait to see them all together .
My niece is very excited too.

I am glad to see people on this thread that have been prompted to go for testing,& sorry that there have also been others who have suffered a similar shock & heartbreak.
I am trying to build my strength back up at the moment,so that I am in a better place to raise awareness of SADS & similar undiagnosed heart conditions in the very near future.

Watcher 💜

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WitchDancer · 19/06/2018 21:53

Love in every stitch Watcher 💕

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WatcherOfTheNight · 19/06/2018 13:36

Hello everyone,wow it's been a long time !
I've become a bit of a recluse to be honest,I'm finding life so hard without my daughter & find it hard to talk,every day is a struggle.

I was so pleased to receive your message Knotty&Pistey ,it really couldn't have come at a better time !
Reading through this thread has made me so emotional,in a good way though as the squares are absolutely amazing ,so very beautiful & I will never be able to thank you all enough for this special memory you are giving me of my daughter .
From the bottom of my heart thank you all so much ,it truly is a wonderful gift you are giving us 💜

@DawnMumsnet ,thank you so much for my special purple sparkly book & pen ,it was actually delivered on my birthday!
I use it to write my memories in & was very touched to receive it.

I hope I'm making sense & not rambled to much,I'm exhausted today but wanted to let you all know you've made me smile xxx

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