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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. A Blanket for the very lovely peachgreen. Crafters and donors, we need your help.

236 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 27/01/2021 15:56

Many of you we know have been wonderfully supportive of lovely peachgreen since her fabulous DH Mike was first taken into ICU with breathing difficulties, through until his devastating death last October, her bereavement threads are here and here.. if you would like to add a message. There are no words are there? Such a terrible loss, we are incredibly sorry and send so much love to her and their little daughter Lyla, they are very close in our hearts and thoughts.

We had so many requests to offer peachgreen a blanket, so much love and support and we were so pleased when she said yes. Together we will make something very beautiful to celebrate Mike’s life. A real tribute. Will you help us make this for peachgreen and their daughter?

We need your help, either crafting or donating Thanks

From lovely peachgreen...
In terms of things to include, this list is totally random and please free to ignore anything that's too difficult!

  • On the day of his funeral we saw a huge double ended rainbow which stayed in the sky the whole time we were driving from the crematorium to the church. I always associate rainbows with him now so would love rainbows.
  • His favourite colour was purple.
  • He loved and worked in the theatre, especially musicals. He used to provide closed captions for d/Deaf audience members.
  • We lived in London for a long time. Special places for us include Waterloo Bridge, the River Thames, St Paul's (where he proposed) and the Globe theatre.
  • He was from Belfast and we lived there after we got married. We love the Harland and Wolf cranes.
  • His favourite movie was Jaws and he loved shark movies in general.
  • His initials were MSW.
  • He loved walking in the Mourne mountains.
  • My nickname for him was Momo.
  • He called me "My Heart" and Lyla "Small Heart" so I would love a square with two hearts, one big, one small.
  • Our wedding anniversary is 5th December 2015.
  • He was born in 1977 and his username for everything was product1977.
  • We met via Twitter and had stylised birds (like the Twitter logo) as symbols on all our wedding stationary.
  • He was a Christian.
  • He loved kayaking.
  • His favourite quote was "Nothing good gets away" (from John Steinbeck's letter to his son about love)
  • He loved a good cup of coffee!
He loved the sea.

A lot of ideas and we are keen to include as many as poss, so please do look through, help where you can, thank you so much. Folk who do lettering, those dates and initials and phrase are so important, can you help there?

The Yarn we will be Using….
Debbie Bliss Rialto DK ( can only be bought from Love Crafts)
Drops Merino Extra Fine DK
Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK
Katia Merino 100% DK
King Cole Luxury Merino DK Currently on sale at Wise Badger
Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK Currently on sale on at Black Sheep Wools
Patons Merino Extrafine DK Currently on sale at Lady Sew and Sew Knits

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, 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 - Try Wool Warehouse, Wise Badger,Laughing Hens, Love Crafts, Black Sheep Wools, Lady Sew and Sew Knits

From her words we have come up with this colour palette..
Main colours
Purples obviously, rich and warm shades, if in doubt please check
Blues
Greens
Taupes
Silver grey

Then for accents and details
All rainbow colours, bright and cheery
Cream, one of the following - Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM4 cream
Orange
Yellow one of these two please.. Drops merino extra fine DK no 24 ‘light yellow’ Or the brighter Patons Merino Extrafine DK shade 120
Black

Important crafting info
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! No blocking please, makes it much easier to join squares.

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

Thank you so much lovely Woolly crew. Thanks

Lovely peachgreen we are thinking of you and Lyla, sending love and strength. xxxxx

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
EssentiallyDelighted · 27/01/2021 22:44

Count me in, I will check my yarn stash tomorrow Flowers

Redbrook · 27/01/2021 22:53

I’ll do some squares .

KnottyAndPistey · 28/01/2021 09:05

Morning lovely people [b

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 28/01/2021 09:06

Clearly I need more Brew!

OP posts:
Iwantacampervan · 28/01/2021 09:10

Good morning - I can knit a few squares (I sent a PM yesterday).Flowers

Choconuts · 28/01/2021 09:29

I would love to join in but not sure how to DM via the app?

KnottyAndPistey · 28/01/2021 10:20

My daughter is using my computer right now, but as soon as she’s off I’ll be here to help everyone. I don’t feel I can boot her off Halo

@Choconuts I’ll come to you as soon as poss x

OP posts:
peachgreen · 28/01/2021 10:36

I have just seen this thread and I so, so touched and grateful. Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart.

Mike was a truly lovely, kind, gentle man who lived for me and our little girl. I'm not sure I deserve your kindness but he definitely did, he was a very special person. Thank you everyone.

It's funny, I used to see threads on Woolly Hugs for people and think how desperately sorry I was for those going through such grief. I never imagined I would be one of them. It is a lovely thing you do here and once I get back on my feet I plan to pay it forward by joining in myself.

Again, thank you all so much, and thank you to my wonderful January Babies 2018 mums who I believe nominated me for this. What a godsend you are and have always been.

ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba · 28/01/2021 10:42

So sorry to hear about your lovely husband Peach, my heart breaks for you and your little girl. sending you lots of love.

As always I'm in with 2 squares, got yarn x

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 28/01/2021 13:08

I've only just seen the PM (not a fan of the new system!)

I followed Peachgreens threads (under another name) and was so very sad.

Much love to both our girls xx.

I haven't been a very good hugger of late, but I promise to start a square tonight.

Mike seemed like a truly fabulous bloke & they seemed like such a lovely wee family. Life is bloody unfair 😥

KnottyAndPistey · 28/01/2021 13:12

Much love to you peachgreen and your beautiful daughter, thinking of you and your wonderful Mike xxx

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KnottyAndPistey · 28/01/2021 13:13

@ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs I have no idea about a new system, what is happening?!

Also huge ole hugs from us darling xxx

Thanks lovely @ZingDramaQueenOfSheeba xxx

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Costacoffeeplease · 28/01/2021 16:00

I followed your journey @peachgreen and was so sad to read the outcome. I have yarn and will crochet some squares with love

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 28/01/2021 20:05

@KnottyAndPistey. Lovely hugs - thank you xx

Sorry didn't mean to alarm you, but just the way they changed the notification of PM's a while ago.

I wish we were on a count down to a meet up x

FluffandBuzz · 29/01/2021 07:49

I'm joining the woolly hugs crew for the first time for this one. Thanks for having me everyone.

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss peachgreen. You definitely deserve kindness to get you through the dark days and please be kind to yourself too. It's been lovely to read a little about your DH and the things that mattered to him. I'll be thinking of you all as I crochet some squares

ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs · 29/01/2021 08:55

@FluffandBuzz- welcome 🧶

Identitytheftisnotajoke · 29/01/2021 10:35

Hi @KnottyAndPistey - just coming back to this again. I'm joining for the first time as haven't heard of the woolly hugs crew before but am from the January babies group that @peachgreen mentioned.

I just wondered if I just pick anything from the list or if you let each other know what you're working on so you don't end up with lots of the same thing?

KnottyAndPistey · 29/01/2021 13:50

Afternoon lovely people :)

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 29/01/2021 13:50

[quote ChippingInLovesWoollyHugs]@KnottyAndPistey. Lovely hugs - thank you xx

Sorry didn't mean to alarm you, but just the way they changed the notification of PM's a while ago.

I wish we were on a count down to a meet up x[/quote]
We are in a way - just a long one!

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KnottyAndPistey · 29/01/2021 13:52

@Identitytheftisnotajoke

Hi *@KnottyAndPistey - just coming back to this again. I'm joining for the first time as haven't heard of the woolly hugs crew before but am from the January babies group that @peachgreen* mentioned.

I just wondered if I just pick anything from the list or if you let each other know what you're working on so you don't end up with lots of the same thing?

Welcome, its wonderful to have you here, do see if any of the others in your January babies group would like to join us Thanks

You just pick something from the lots, whatever you want to make is perfect, thank you so much x

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lightlypoached · 29/01/2021 14:39

hello, I 'met' Peach on twitter and had the pleasure of knitting a cardi for Lyla when she was born (my first go at intarsia).

I'll do a square or two.

KnottyAndPistey · 29/01/2021 16:15

@lightlypoached

hello, I 'met' Peach on twitter and had the pleasure of knitting a cardi for Lyla when she was born (my first go at intarsia).

I'll do a square or two.

How wonderful @lightlypoached, so glad to have you with us, thank you so much xxxx
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 29/01/2021 16:16

@Choconuts

I would love to join in but not sure how to DM via the app?
@Choconuts

Hello there , no need to message unless we can help you by sending yarn? Do you need? Very glad too have you on board with us xxx

OP posts:
ShineOnYouCrazyDiamondAndPearl · 29/01/2021 16:18

Hi, I would be honoured to help, but my help only teaches as far as donating wool as sadly my knitting never makes it past casting on Blush

Could I be matched with a knitter please, and I’ll get some wool sent on Flowers

Bless Peachy Sad

NoSquirrels · 29/01/2021 16:28

I’d be very happy to send some wool to someone. I can’t knit or do anything else useful but would love to support someone who can.