Woolly Hugs. A Blanket for vickibee whose DH has very sadly died suddenly.

[KnottyAndPistey]

Very sad news we are afraid. There are no words really to describe her devastating loss, Mumsnetter vickibee’s wonderful DH suddenly and unexpectedly died at the beginning of July. Life has been so cruel to him, to his family and friends, to all who love and will miss him. An absolutely huge loss. We are desperately sorry. Her thread is here… We send so much love to her and their 14 year old son Alex, to their families and friends. We are thinking of them.

We were so pleased that the lovely vickibee accepted our offer of a Woolly Hug, she will be able to wrap herself and her Alex in it, there will be love in every stitch for them. Can you help us make this for her? We shall need donors of yarn, funds and crafters.

We asked vickibee about her DH.
His initials are SAH he lived with me and our son Alex
He was a proud Yorkshireman
Also proud to serve in the Staffordshire regiment for nine years, very patriotic.
A big footie fan, followed Barnsley FC, a season ticket holder followed them home and away. The team play in red and white kit. Their motto is Spectemur agendo, which translates as Let us be judged by our acts.
He loved Band of brothers and Game of Thrones

The main colours
Barnsley FC Red - but one of these two please, Drops Merino Extra Fine 11 Red, or Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK WM6 ‘Ruby’ please
Claret shades of reds
Greys from pale to dark
Off white/cream - but please one of the following - Drops Merino 01 off white, Debbie Bliss Rialto DK 02 ecru
Blues - from pastel to navy but not Turquoise

Then for accents within squares and embellishments only
Greens
Yellow - This one please - Drops merino extra fine DK no 24 ‘light yellow’
Turquoise

So ideas to go on for squares and a beautiful colour combination, we'd love the red and 'white' to feature prominently if poss.

The Yarn we are Using….
Debbie Bliss Rialto DK ( can only be bought from Love Crafts)
Drops Merino Extra Fine DK ( www.woolwarehouse.co.uk/yarn/drops-merino-extra-fine-all-colours currently on sale at Wool warehouse)
Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK
Katia Merino 100% DK
King Cole Luxury Merino DK
Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK Nice greys here. 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
We've had too many collapse recently, so need to ask everyone to please take care, thank you for understanding!
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.

So we are on our break from posting to us for the summer, so we ask that you post AFTER September 13th, with a last posting please of September 30th. Hopefully this will give folks a little extra time too over this summer period.

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 vickibee and Alex please do, we will pass it on.

Remembering her husband, thoughts very much with his family and all who love and miss him.

Thank you so much everyone

I'll do some squares. Don't have any suitable yarn though so I'll message you for some if that's ok.

Will do some squares, will check wool situation tomorrow!

I am in, red and 'white' it is

I can knit a couple of squares but will need wool - I'll send a message.

Yes I will do 2 squares - much love to the family.xx

I’ll do a couple of squares, I won’t need wool.

Morning beautiful people

Grabbing and heading into PMs. Thank you so much everyone. What an amazing response

@SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius that would be perfect, thank you

Is anyone up for (probably knitting) the Union flag?

I'm hoping to have replied to all PMs and have just been ordering yarn, please do let us know if you receive donor yarn, just post on here, otherwise we worry, thank you!

With love in every stitch xxx

Have cracked on with these as - fingers, toes and everything else crossed - we should be going over to see DD , son-in-law and grandchildren very soon. Just a tad excited …

I found Woolly Hugs when looking for crochet ideas, which has led me here… so I’m new to both crochet and Mumsnet now. Reading has been so sad but it’s wonderful to see so many crafters pulling together, I’d love to help out with a couple of squares if that would be ok? Could you let me know how it works?

Hi Rai

Basically you make a square or two measuring 6inches in either knit or crotchet, using a size 4 hook or needles. This then gets sent off to an address in Teddington and is assembled into a blanket.

The initial post will tell you the type of wool to be used, the colours, and some ideas of things that the family would like remembered. You don't have to go fancy though, plain squares are just as important to set off the themed ones.

It's important to ensure your pesky ends are fastened off securely and your ends woven in.

If you fancy giving it a go then you can either buy your own wool or message Knotty with your details and they will arrange some to come to you.

@Yiayoula

With love in every stitch xxx

Have cracked on with these as - fingers, toes and everything else crossed - we should be going over to see DD , son-in-law and grandchildren very soon. Just a tad excited …

Beautiful as always, Yiayoula!

Thanks, Zhx3 .
Just to echo what Witch posted above, about the important job the plain squares do, in setting off the themed ones.
Music to my ears, as a plain square knitter …🤣

These Woolly Hug threads are very inclusive and friendly , Rai, so hope you will be joining us soon !

WitchDancer thank you so much for all the info! I’ve ordered some of the wool from the list so hopefully it will arrive this week.

Yiayoula I’m glad plain squares are ok as mine certainly won’t be too adventurous, lol. I’ve done some knitting but think crochet sits better with me from what I’ve done so far. Fingers crossed the wool arrives soon and I can get started… The encouragement is much appreciated!

@Yiayoula

With love in every stitch xxx

Have cracked on with these as - fingers, toes and everything else crossed - we should be going over to see DD , son-in-law and grandchildren very soon. Just a tad excited …

@Yiayoula Absolutely beautiful as ever, thank you

@Raiponceinatangle Welcome on board, so glad to have you here Thank you all lovelies for helping!

Morning all - how are we doing?

I'm in. I don't have the wool though - will PM.

I'm running behind schedule with a few bits to finish off first , but will crack on asap :)

We’ve factored in time @bookbook the last posting date is end of September so hopefully no pressure. Everyone is very busy over the summer

Morning all

Received my yarn this morning so will crack on with mine soon.