Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the family of the wonderful NormaStanleyFletcher.

[KnottyAndPistey]

Norma had been a Mumsnet regular over the years across the boards, with a real zest for politics, feminism and strong opinions about Boris Johnson, as anyone at the MN 15th birthday party will tell you. Remembering THE Heckle which was epic. Love her for it. She also ran the Christmas appeal which would have been an astonishing amount of work. She cared enough for others to make it happen. Norma genuinely touched the lives of so many here on Mumsnet, ours included. Such a compassionate beautiful soul.

It was desperately shocking to hear of her death in August. She had been very ill and in the end her body couldn't cope any more. Devastating for her husband and their wonderful children, their families and friends. They will miss her terribly.

Norma really wasn't one to burden others with her worries, but was a very kind and selfless friend. So supportive of others. Generous to a fault in many ways, and very bloody entertaining. We can all learn from her.

We were so glad when her family accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, truly there will be love in every stitch. Can you help us? We shall need donors and crafters alike, please post below with offers of help.

Norma was a passionate feminist and so we are looking a suffragette colours as our main palette, so please do check these out..

Main colours
Suffragette purple
Suffragette green
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

Accents - so not whole squares, but use within a square
Blues
Oranges
Black
Silvers
Red, but one of these two please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please
Yellow please Drops merino extra fine DK no 24 ‘light yellow’

We have some ideas from knowing her across the boards, but different folk knew her differently, so please let us know if you have other ideas.

The ideas we have
Anything connected to feminism and the Suffragettes
Boris Out/ Tories Out/ love for the EU themes would be great.
She loved olives, Border collies, ravens and crows!
She was passionate about the NHS.
Bali was her favourite place.
She loved Banksy, Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett

With your love and support we’d actually like to create TWO blankets, one for her family and a second to auction for Refuge, to help raise some funds in her name. So if making, please try to make a couple of extras, especially in the Suffragette colours.

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 Norma’s family, please do, we will pass it on.

Such a stalwart for so many here on Mumsnet, time to do something for her now

We were lucky to know her.

Sending so much love

I posted some squares today x

I will get these in the post in the next couple
of days

Morning lovelies!

I have been really unwell with Covid. Is there a final date? Do I still have time to contribute? Sorry, for my tardiness.

@CraftyWoman the last posting date is Saturday 21st November so still a little bit of time left. Sorry to hear you haven't been well - hope you're recovering and feeling better now.

These are going in the post tomorrow. With thanks again to my lovely donor.

Thanks @TheWoollybacksWife

My three slightly wonky offerings should be in the post tomorrow. Bit defeated by the olives in the end.

@CraftyWoman

I have been really unwell with Covid. Is there a final date? Do I still have time to contribute? Sorry, for my tardiness.

We'd make time, if you need longer, just shout

Sorry you've been unwell. you poor thing

Amazing treasure in here, can't thank folk enough!

Phew, I'm still in time I think! I have a few squares for Norma in suffragette colours.

Pretty plain , I thought I'd go more for texture than clever things which I can only do wonky! One of them is a single crochet stitch throughout which I thought was interesting, it was so easy to make! I rather like the look of it too

I need the posting address! can't send PMs at present, is that a site-wide problem?

Those are beauties Jux, let me see if I can message you xxx

@Jux seems to have gone through, maybe it was just a blip. PMs are a law unto themselves at the best of times

I got it!! Yes, those pesky PMs really do their own thing don't they

My donor wool ( thank you ! ) has arrived in this morning’s post - will be making a start this afternoon - please may I have a few days grace ?
Beautiful yarn - King Cole Luxury Merino in Leaf and Hyacinth - thank you very much, lovely donor .
I hope to do it justice. Will post pics ASAP !

Just have to finish one square and sew peskies in.
Hope to post tomorrow .
The Raven blocked well , it came up a wee bit bigger than the chough I did but I think when in with other squares it will be fiiiine !

Wow Trumpton, that raven is fabulous!

Morning all.

For those of us severely allergic to wool😥

Do you have any other suggestions. Is it Ok to use Alpaca? I often see these threads, but really struggle to work with any wool content, even in tiny amounts.

Sneezing, itchy eyes and throat itchy fingers etc etc

Trumpton! That is amazing, truly I bow down in awe!

TheEmoji that's so unfair I sympathise deeply. It must be very frustrating and disappointing.

I have sent my squares - think I sent them on Friday but can’t quite remember

My squares are going in the post today.

Are squares to go to Ted ?
I have address if so .
I am a one trick wonder and that raven is it !
But thank you for your kind words .

Address sorted . Squares in post !

All done !
Thanks again to the lovely yarn donor.
Hoping to catch this afternoon’s post.

Phew, just finished tonight so I can catch the post tomorrow.

See what arrived today @KnottyAndPistey! Thank you so much.
Have nearly finished my first square already, & will get them all done and in the post asap.