Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for the lovely Needschoolhelp. Remembering baby Alfie. Crafters and donors, we need your help.

[KnottyAndPistey]

Devastating news from lovely needschoolhelp, her beautiful baby son Alfie died suddenly from SIDS earlier this month. He was only twelve weeks old. There are no words, it is absolutely devastating for her, her DH and Alfie’s big brother and two big sisters. Utterly shocking. We send them all so much love and will keep them very close in our hearts and thoughts. Her thread in Bereavement is here.. If you’d like to add a message of condolence.

We are so pleased that she has accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, for all of them, and so we come asking for help, both crafting and donating. It really will be a tribute to a life filled with love. Could you help us? Thank you

From lovely needshoolhelp…
His date of birth was 14/10/20 if that could be incorporated along with his name. Maybe a rainbow or/and an angel if that would be possible.

She also mentions lighting candles has given them some comfort, lighting them not only for their beautiful Alfie but for all the beautiful babies taken far too soon.

Maybe someone could make tiny handprints and or footprints too?

The colours we will be using…
Baby blues
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

Then for embellishments and accents, little bits only please…
Rainbow shades
Darker blues

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

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.

When posting, it will be the Teddington address, please make sure you add your name and who the squares are for, and if you would like to include a card for the Needschoolhelp and her family, please do, we will pass it on.

Thank you so much lovely Woolly crew.

Remembering Alfie xxxxx

Blue I've just come on to ask that exact question!

And if I did a candle, could I use a teeny bit of drops yellow (24) for the flame?

Morning lovelies

That drops is perfect. Have it in mind for joining actually and @Spindelina absolutely yes.

Thank you so much everyone xxx

In memory of baby Alfie. with love in every stitch . 💐 xxx

Lovely squares, Yiayoula.

@KnottyAndPistey is this too much rainbow?

Beautiful squares, yiayoula and spindelina!

This is only my second time making a granny square, I so hope that I’ve got it right!

That is very even and tidy for your second square @BabbleBee! Perfect and delicate.

@Lilyofthevalleys

That is very even and tidy for your second square *@BabbleBee*! Perfect and delicate.

Thank you! I’ve had a good friend teaching me via zoom this lockdown.

I’m a bit worried though because it measures bigger than 6 inches - I used a 4mm hook and measured one row in and it wasn’t big enough. Do I need to do another one and do something differently?

How much bigger?

Babble it depends on how much over. If it's just a bit over, that's fine. In general though, a bit under is easier to deal with than a bit over (you can stretch squares when attaching them to each other, but shrinking them is harder).

I’ve attached pictures of edge to edge (6 1/4 inches) and the previous row (5 1/2).

If it’s too big I can do another, just want it to be right!

@BabbleBee can you unpick the last round? I actually aim at 5 1/2 inches.

[quote Lilyofthevalleys]@BabbleBee can you unpick the last round? I actually aim at 5 1/2 inches.[/quote]
I can try, another skill to learn

Yes, definitely just undo the last round, it is always easier if slightly under size as they stretch to fit so easily!

@Spindelina

Lovely squares, Yiayoula.

@KnottyAndPistey is this too much rainbow?

Absolutely perfect, xxx

Absolutely beautiful treasure on here, thank you so much everyone xxxx

@KnottyAndPistey the friend who taught me has said to do it again with a 3.5 hook so it is the same but smaller - can you advise what’s best please? Sorry to ask such ridiculous newbie questions!

I'd just undo what you have, just that last round and remeasure?

If you want to experiment and see what your crochet is like with a 3.5 that's definitely something to try, but we have no fixed number of rounds required for a square, so it would be good either way!

A woolly parcel has arrived today with a lovely blue. Thank you.

@KnottyAndPistey

If you want to experiment and see what your crochet is like with a 3.5 that's definitely something to try, but we have no fixed number of rounds required for a square, so it would be good either way!

The first one is fine with one row taken out, and the second on a 3.5 hook looks ok too. I’ll get them in the post tomorrow 🧶

Well done @BabbleBee, can feel the love in your perseverance x

Thank you @Lilyofthevalleys it’s important to get these things right! My 8yo has sprinkled some extra love in the stitches too.

A couple of squares with donor wool for darling Alfie. Much love xx