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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.

Woolly Hugs. We need your help. We are making a blanket for the family of the wonderful Oldsilver.

275 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 02/05/2019 17:30

Just devastating. Like many we just couldn’t take it in that Oldsilver had died so suddenly and unexpectedly from a heart attack in April. Utterly shocking. Words really do fail, we are just so very sorry life has been so cruel to her and truly devastating for her DH, young son, family and friends. She was a total legend here on Mumsnet, posting on many boards, but her true love was with the Nobdies, and they too will miss her terribly.

We are so pleased to say that her DH has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, and we hope that he and their son 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…

Oldsilver was devoted to her husband (P) and son (D) – their initials would be great. The initial ‘H’ is also significant for her. As well as her family, her great loves were her garden and veg patch, and a tortoise called Brian. She also loved elephants, dragons, biscuits, cider, ferrero rocher, cider, 1980s pop and fashion (!).

She adored flowers, and her favourite colours were blue and purple – any bold colours but NOT PINK!

A favourite photo of her, which her DH has allowed us to post, is this one of her going to a formal do dressed as a bottle of Hooch. She had the most brilliant sense of humour

She was very into stationery and kept meticulous lists and records. On MN she was the keeper of all the Nobdie archives, and instigator of many evenings listening to the Wurzels. Her name was inspired by the silver rings she wore.

Thanks

What an amazing woman. How lucky we were to know her. We want to make her Woolly Hug a real tribute and celebration, please 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.

There are lots of ideas for squares, if you can, but simple squares made with love are equally loved and cherished

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.

Colours
Garden greens, so think apple, pistachio, Drops green.
Mid to light silvers
Accents/Embellishments…..Bright blues, orange and purples. Red too, (one of these two please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please, and Yellow but this one please… Drops merino extra fine DK no 24 ‘light yellow’

** NB definitely NOT pinky purple, not even bolder shades please.

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.

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

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.

Sending so much love to OldSilver’s son and DH and all who love and miss her xxx

Woolly Hugs. We need your help. We are making a blanket for the family of the wonderful Oldsilver.
OP posts:
Thread gallery
25
MrsMozartMkII · 19/05/2019 17:22

They're all lovely!

Magna · 19/05/2019 17:32

All these lovely squares, you are all amazing Flowers

WitchDancer · 19/05/2019 20:15

I can't tell which one was your last Blue, they're all lovely

MrsJonesAndMe · 19/05/2019 20:57

Ah, lovely squares. I've one more to do.

MadisonAvenue · 20/05/2019 09:36

I’m going to try to get these in the post today, thank you to my donor.

Woolly Hugs. We need your help. We are making a blanket for the family of the wonderful Oldsilver.
MrsMozartMkII · 20/05/2019 10:27

Wow. The skills are amazing.

WitchDancer · 20/05/2019 10:42

Lovely Madison! I particularly like the linked rings

Iwantacampervan · 20/05/2019 19:54

I'm working on my squares - I'll hopefully get them posted by the end of the week.

TheStigReturns · 20/05/2019 20:35

Is there still time to join?
Was at Olds' funeral today and Mags told me about the WH. I would love to make something for Olds.

Pteroyawn · 20/05/2019 23:08

What's the deadline for squares? I've made one with Brian the tortoise on it but have another couple to potentially finish.

KnottyAndPistey · 21/05/2019 09:49

Morning lovely people Brew

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 21/05/2019 09:50

Re the last posting date, how does June 14th sound?

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KnottyAndPistey · 21/05/2019 09:52

Hopefully that gives Stig plenty of time.

Loving the squares on here. Beautiful treasure.

Squares here plus 3 I need to liberate from the Post Office. Back after work.

If there’s anyone else who’d like to join us, please do. Xxx

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NoWayNoHow · 21/05/2019 10:25

Hi Knotty and Pisty. Long time no square making, but I'd love to make something (very rudimentary!!) if you can match me with a donor?

If so, please PM me and I'll let you have my address.

TheStigReturns · 21/05/2019 11:17

Thanks K&P I can manage to get something sorted for then. Will get yarn ordered when I go for lunch.

KnottyAndPistey · 23/05/2019 10:41

Fabulous Stig Thanks

NoWay! Lovely to see you again, and yes of course to yarn, will be in PMs in two ticks, just lining up some wonderful thank yous xxxx

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 23/05/2019 11:37

Cup of tea and a biscuit anyone?

Woolly Hugs. We need your help. We are making a blanket for the family of the wonderful Oldsilver.
OP posts:
TheWoollybacksWife · 23/05/2019 11:42

Are they on a square for the blanket? That's brilliant! BiscuitBrew

KnottyAndPistey · 23/05/2019 11:42

Lovely woolly treasure has arrived safely! Huge thanks to all Thanks

Thanks Zing Two beautiful mixed colour grannies - greens, blue and silver, gorgeous. Star

Thanks CN Gorgeous solid grannies in two beautiful shades of green, one very close to that ^^ Hooch bottle! Perfect. Star

Thanks LJ Beautiful granny style heart, crocheted in purple and silver, just gorgeous, plus a super traditional granny and flower square with yellow added in. Lovely Star

Thanks Yiayoula Three fabulous knitted hearts in what I think of as her trademark square, totally beautiful, in a glorious apple green, wonderful. Star

Thanks JG The plate of biscuits square as seen above! Stunning! Plus a beautiful silver bobble heart, and an embellished one in blue too, P&D, an adorable 3D tortoise, carrots and cabbages, and a beautiful array of flowers too. Gorgeous! Star

This blanket for Olds' family is going to be beyond amazing, thank you so much everyone! xxxxxx

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KnottyAndPistey · 23/05/2019 11:43

Yes, they are!!

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Blazedout · 23/05/2019 12:06

I'm happy to help with squares if you need more. I'll need wool as I only have normal dk. Can get them knocked up and sent by the end of next week.

bookbook · 23/05/2019 12:19

K&P - did you get mine ? thought I had put them in with the Little Hug , or maybe the Chernobyl I joined

PurpleFrog · 23/05/2019 12:55

I'm currently doing an elephant... or at least its head. Just checking I can use a tiny bit of cream for tusks?

WitchDancer · 23/05/2019 15:25

Those biscuits are brilliant!

Iwantacampervan · 23/05/2019 15:46

Cup of tea and a biscuit anyone?
Yes please! They are great.