Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the family of Mumsnetter JsOtherHalf who very sadly died recently

[KnottyAndPistey]

Desperately sad news we are afraid, the long standing Mumsnetter JsOtherHalf died suddenly on June 9th from an asthma attack, absolutely shocking, life has been so utterly cruel to her, her young son aged 11, husband, family and friends, our hearts and thoughts are with all who love and miss her. There is a thread of condolences here

Her wonderful DH has said how overwhelmed he is with how capable of goodness people are, and we are so pleased he has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug.

Many of you will have come across JsOtherHalf posting on MN, she was very often the voice of calm and reason on AIBU and the litter tray, but loved giving support and advice whether it was about eczema treatments, to swimming lessons, relationships, laundry bins or school reading. Our site needs folk like her and she will be missed. We are so glad that we can do something now for her son and husband, but we shall need your help.

We have quite a few ideas for squares, which if anyone can undertake would be fantastic, but simple squares in the colours will be great too.

She loved Huddersfield Town football club
The family initials are K, J and W
She loved reading Harry Potter, Mumsnet, Terry Pratchett, internet stuff
She loved Chris De Burgh, Neil Diamond
They have two tabby cats
She loved and supported the charity Cerebra
Could anyone embroider the word ‘Groovy’ on a square? Also ‘ginger ninja’

Colours
We shall be working the colours around her beloved Huddersfield Town and her love of purple, so..

*Rich mid and darker purples.
*Blues, from light blue, through to denim
*Cream - one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream, or Drops Merino 01 off white

Then for accent colours (not whole squares) and embellishments
*Yellow stars for Cerebra, and Harry Potter lightening bolt
*Orange
*Mid to light silvers
*Plum
*Red (one of these two please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please)

The yarn we will be using
Debbie Bliss Rialto DK
Drops Merino Extra Fine DK
Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK
Katia Merino 100% DK
King Cole Luxury Merino 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 - Artesano Superwash Merino DK, 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 all v good and stock our brands.

Squares to be six inches please. Use 4mm needles or hook. Make sure all ends are very securely sewn in. No blocking please as it makes squares harder to join.

Simple or complex, made by beginner or expert, we genuinely welcome them all. It really is the love and thought that counts. When ready for posting, it will be the Teddington address, if you would like to include a card for the family, please do, we will pass it on. Please though do wait until after September 1st, don’t want any treasure getting stuck in the sorting office.

Sending so much love to JsOtherHalf's son and DH and all who love and miss her xxx

bookbook and anyone else! How do you 'hide' one colour yarn when you're using another one? Do you cast off and on all the time? So when you're changing from blue to yellow to blue again, how do you do it????

TIA

Hi Twitter - I keep both colours going while doing the colourwork - I only cast on once, cast off once usually ( unless there is a very big gap ) I carry the' non stitch' colour across the back of the work until I need to use it again. If that makes sense? I catch it every 2 stitches regardless, so it doesn't give long loops on the back . Its a simple form of fair isle, but I don't keep hold of both yarns at the same time ( I'm not that dextrous! ) Here is the back of the HP square I made the other day, so you can see what it looks like .
You need to practise to find what works for you, , and that you are keeping the tension even - its very easy to tighten the yarn that isn't being used too tight, which skews it rather .

Ah thank you Book! that's very helpful

I should say I join in the second colour , ( not cast on ) leave a good long bit to sew in , and join it in a few stitches before you need it, to give it a bit of an anchor to start

Yes. I'd do that

Morning

Is everyone ok for woolly wool?

Fine for wool here - have been just a tweak busy the last few days, but have just sorted design for ginger ninja, so will be on that tonight hopefully. Where on earth does time fly? ( Well I do know ......honestly )

I have been busy! The two diamond centres are supposed to be for Neil Diamond but it's not very obvious...

The photo doesn't show it, but I have outlined the whole of the 9 and 3/4 bobbles in red to make them stand out more.

Parcel of lovely wool just arrived thank you the colours are perfect.

Twitter, those a lovely! How clever you are

Can't do the do, but happy to buy yarn.

Ah. Phew! DoubleR. Yep, that's me . Sorry you had a wait .

I've managed 2 squares in blue tones. Will see if I can do more (if needed) once they're back to school.

Thank you Jux

What do I need to do to get yarn to somebody with far more magical fingers than mine?

Hi MrsM I would PM KnottyandPistey - they will put you in touch with someone who needs wool, or someone already on here may contact you directly.

Thank you kindly Twitter

Morning - square #3 , another 'characterful" one, but with much love to Js family .. Have a few other things to do now, but will hopefully get another done before the posting date
( K& P -messaged you )

Bookbook that's amazing! You're so clever xx

Properly clever, we are constantly in awe!

Twitter! Thats astonishingly clever!

MrsM - you have an address, thank you so much, all hail the donors

that wanted to be donuts

All hail the donuts

it could work

definitely hail the donuts!
Twitter - I forgot to say how lovely your squares are. I love the outlining .

Thanks Book

I want a donut now