WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo (Chrissie) touched the lives of so many, ours included, and it is incredibly sad to think she is gone. Leslie was an extraordinary generous, compassionate soul and we were lucky to know her, she was inspirational and gave unstinting support to many people on this site and elsewhere too. She was just 28 when she died, only 21 when she was diagnosed with a genetic colon cancer. Life has been very cruel, absolutely tragic.
Leslie was an absolute rock to those folk on the Mumsnet cancer support threads, she organised them for years, always making time for others even when she was so ill herself, many handholds offered, gently encouraging, wise beyond her years, and the threads that still run are a legacy, a truly loving, giving, supportive safe place.
She was an absolute stalwart on the Woolly Hug threads, always ready to join in, ready to help someone else. She and her parents have made so many gorgeous things over the years, super snuggly scarves and mittens for refugees, Billie's Blankets for children with cancer. Extraordinary. So many children and adults feeling their love and support, both at home in the UK and much further afield.
There aren’t enough words to explain how highly we thought of her, how much she was loved on here. We can all learn from her, anyone who came into contact with her did.
We have written to her wonderful folks and we are so glad they have accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, so glad we can do this for her. Her wonderful friend @TwitterQueen has been fabulous in helping with ideas, colours etc and this has been great. We see this blanket as a tribute to Chrissie a celebration of her and we hope you will be able to help us.
We have some ideas from TQ, but different folk knew her differently, so please do make what is right for your own tribute.
Chrissie was a lifelong veggie with a huge love of cheese!
She also loved pizza, ice cream and cake!
She had two big bunny rabbits called Marigold and Juniper!
She loved the pusheen character and had some very jaunty PJs.
She loved knitting and crochet and had wonderfully impressive skills.
She loved her shoes! Glitzy and glam ideally with sparkles, she saved her best pairs for the chemo ward.
Her name WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo comes form the NBC comedy Parks and Rec - find it, give it a go, we love it too.
Lots of beautiful ideas for squares, but please don’t feel daunted, simple squares are needed too.
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
King Cole Luxury Merino DK (new this time)
Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK
Patons Merino Extrafine DK
Colourwise…
Limes to mid green. not dark please.
Mid to light blues
Oranges
Plum type purple
Teals
Then for accents and embellishments (not whole squares)
Pinks
Red, but one of these two please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please
Cream but please one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream, or Drops Merino 01 off white
Taupe - Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM7 Taupe
Stone - Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM9 Beige, Debbie Bliss Rialto 06 Stone
Yellow please Drops merino extra fine DK no 24 ‘light yellow’
It would be lovely to have some sparkle in this blanket, so any sparkly thread is fine but just for embellishments please, we need to know the blanket can still be machine washable. We will certainly add some into the border too.
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. Please knot off VERY carefully when finishing or changing colour and sew your ends in, thank you! Previous blankets can be seen on our website
When ready for posting, it will be the Teddington address, if you would like to include a card for Chrissie’s family, please do, we will pass it on.
She looked after so many here on Mumsnet, time to do something for her now
Sending so much love 