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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. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.

1000 replies

KnottyAndPistey · 08/06/2025 14:44

Desperately sad news, we are afraid, lovely Swashbuckled’s wonderful son Ted has died in a road traffic accident where he was a pedestrian. He was just 24, it is unspeakable sad, and we send much love to her and her daughter. There are no words really are there? It’s absolutely devastating. Lovely Swash is on a long running thread on Mumsnet and this request has come from lovely folk on there with her.

We are so glad Swash would like a Woolly Hug. For those new on here, this is a long standing tradition on Mumsnet where folk come together to make a blanket for one of our own who has been bereaved. We hope it may give whatever comfort it can. There will be love crafted into every stitch. We want it to be a tribute and full of memories.

So we are now asking for help once again. We shall need crafters and donors of funds and wool, can you help us? We’d be so grateful. Thank you so much.

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.

Ideas from lovely Swashbuckled, have copied some as quotes

Her son’s name is Ted and his friends gave him the nickname “Bear”.
Her daughter’s initials are HLF and Swashbuckled’s are SJF

“He lived with me, just the two of us.
We were extremely close and had an incredible bond.
He has always been so happy, cheerful, polite and loving. We always described him as “pure of heart” as his nature was so open and warm and he didn’t seem to have any of the complications that some of us struggle with.”

“His eyes were navy blue and he had dark brown hair. I think of him in those colours.”

“He was a chef. He led the team at work and the phrase he always used to motivate them on busy shifts was “In it together”. I think of him saying that phrase to me now, as we stick together through the rest of my life.”

“He has a small flat cap collection in his bedroom, which he has displayed with some football shirts.
He loved football and was loyal to his team (although they were in a lower league). His team play in red and white.
He enjoyed watching darts and had recently joined a local darts club. He bought a dart board for his room and experimented with different darts sets and was pleased with his progress.
He was saving up to buy his first house, and loved watching his savings build. He was good with money.

He loved news and politics.

He liked cooking at home too, where he could choose what to make, and experiment with different dishes.
He had just bought a new car, and only had it about three weeks. It was a black Mini Cooper countryman and he was so pleased with it, and proud of it. (It has just been taken back by the dealer, who was very kind.)
We lived together in a stone cottage by a small river. There is a little bridge from the lane that you walked over to the front of our house.”

We’d also love to have a bluestocking referenced square - really important. If you are unsure what this term means pls do a bit of research before undertaking.

So many ideas for themed squares, and we need simple squares too.

The Colours
Blues including navy
Silvers and greys
Taupes
Greens - nature inspired
Cream but only this one please Drops Merino Extra Fine - Off White (01)

Then to create the above ideas, so accents/ not whole squares
Dark browns
Black
Red, just this one please Drops Merino Extra Fine DK 11, Crimson red.

The Yarn we will be Using….
Debbie Bliss Rialto DK only available on Love Crafts
Drops Merino Extra Fine DK, currently on sale at Wool Warehouse
Katia Merino 100% DK
King Cole Luxury Merino DK
Yarnsmiths Merino DK Superwash - new to us and a BIG sale at Wool Warehouse. Loads of colours, looks exciting.

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 or have become less easy to find- Artesano Superwash Merino DK, Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK, Jenny Watson Pure Merino DK, Patons Merino Extrafine DK or James C. Brett Pure Merino DK in your stash, please do use them.

Posting will be Teddington, please message if you need the address. If you'd like to include a card for her family , please send with your squares. And please don't forget to include your name!

Thank you lovely crafters, thinking of lovely Swash and her family, and all who love and miss Ted.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
385
KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 10:47

StarMore treasure arriving. Absolutely beautiful. That dartboard was a lot of work, a huge thank you @IoWfairy Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
EdithStourton · 19/06/2025 11:14

A quick question - is stranded colour work okay, or does it just mess up the look of the back of the blanket?

Also, could someone please PM me the posting address?

MercyChant66 · 19/06/2025 13:05

MyrtleLion · 18/06/2025 16:52

Caribbean Sea square knitted. I am so proud to make my tiny ordinary contribution when I see the huge talent here.

I will now attempt stocking stitch in honour of the Bluestocking.

Great tension and lovely even rows, MyrtleLion - well done!

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 14:48

EdithStourton · 19/06/2025 11:14

A quick question - is stranded colour work okay, or does it just mess up the look of the back of the blanket?

Also, could someone please PM me the posting address?

@EdithStourton stranded work is fine as long as the back isn’t too loopy and will get snagged once the blanket is in use

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 14:52

Some more beautiful treasure arriving safely. Gorgeous. We’ve seen them upthread and they are super. So clever. Bobble letters and a stripe. I’ve used her photo for the first. Thank you so much lovely @Fairyfellowsmasterstroke Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
EdithStourton · 19/06/2025 15:20

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 14:48

@EdithStourton stranded work is fine as long as the back isn’t too loopy and will get snagged once the blanket is in use

Brilliant, thank you.

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 16:49

With a red and white striped football scarf sized to fit a gerbil, my first square is done. Truly love in every stitch for Swashy.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 16:50

There was a pin still in it! If you see it, don’t worry, I’ve taken it out Blush

OP posts:
MyrtleLion · 19/06/2025 19:21

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 16:49

With a red and white striped football scarf sized to fit a gerbil, my first square is done. Truly love in every stitch for Swashy.

This is amazing work!

user1471538283 · 19/06/2025 19:27

Such beautiful work! I've got my squares done and I'll post them tomorrow!

Serencwtch · 19/06/2025 21:14

Have you got a link to some of their threads. I've never heard of them & tried the search feature but it just came up with links to this one posted on several boards.
Am on MN alot so would recognize threads but not necessarily their user name.
I run a knit & natter group so could help.

bookbook · 19/06/2025 21:20

Serencwtch · 19/06/2025 21:14

Have you got a link to some of their threads. I've never heard of them & tried the search feature but it just came up with links to this one posted on several boards.
Am on MN alot so would recognize threads but not necessarily their user name.
I run a knit & natter group so could help.

here you go ! www.mumsnet.com/talk/woolly_hugs

Serencwtch · 19/06/2025 21:28

bookbook · 19/06/2025 21:20

Ah no I meant the poster swash that it's for. I know what a wooly hug is but no clue what poster it is

RainbowZebraWarrior · 19/06/2025 21:39

Serencwtch · 19/06/2025 21:28

Ah no I meant the poster swash that it's for. I know what a wooly hug is but no clue what poster it is

If you try putting Swashbuckled into Advance Search, almost 2000 of their post come up.

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 21:40

Hello there @Serencwtch Swashbuckled is a member of a very long running chat thread on a feminism, sex and gender board. There wasn’t a bereavement thread but the request came through her friends on there, for which we are so grateful.

OP posts:
bookbook · 19/06/2025 21:40

ah , sorry , misunderstood ! I believe she is on threads called The Bluestocking ? But thats as far as my knowledge extends

MyrtleLion · 19/06/2025 21:45

bookbook · 19/06/2025 21:40

ah , sorry , misunderstood ! I believe she is on threads called The Bluestocking ? But thats as far as my knowledge extends

Swashbuckled's post about her son on this page of The Bluestocking two threads ago.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5336999-the-bluestocking-womens-pub-the-return-of-salad-and-the-lion?page=6

Baital · 19/06/2025 21:47

The first post on this thread has lots of info about Ted. I don't know Swash, but want to send a little bit of love and care to someone who has lost their lovely child. I hope I never face their situation.

bookbook · 19/06/2025 21:55

MyrtleLion · 19/06/2025 21:45

Swashbuckled's post about her son on this page of The Bluestocking two threads ago.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5336999-the-bluestocking-womens-pub-the-return-of-salad-and-the-lion?page=6

thank you

Serencwtch · 19/06/2025 22:00

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 21:40

Hello there @Serencwtch Swashbuckled is a member of a very long running chat thread on a feminism, sex and gender board. There wasn’t a bereavement thread but the request came through her friends on there, for which we are so grateful.

Oh okay probably not appropriate for this particular knit & natter as don't want to cause offense (it's an inclusive neurodiverse group so some views may not align with hers)

Really truly dreadful thing to happen. I hope it brings some comfort & helps to know that people care.

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 22:48

Thank you @Serencwtch we hope so too.

OP posts:
Yiayoula · 20/06/2025 05:43

@bookbook , @ifIwerenotanandroid and of course @MyrtleLion - amazing squares !
This is shaping up to be an amazing blanket already.

MadisonAvenue · 20/06/2025 08:06

It’s not allowing me to add an image, says it’s over 6mb when my phone says it’s 3.8, but I’ll get my squares to you in the next week,

KnottyAndPistey · 20/06/2025 08:07

I had the same issue yesterday @MadisonAvenue

OP posts:
bookbook · 20/06/2025 10:00

MadisonAvenue · 20/06/2025 08:06

It’s not allowing me to add an image, says it’s over 6mb when my phone says it’s 3.8, but I’ll get my squares to you in the next week,

Mine did the same yesterday - I just went back to my original photo and cropped it by a tiny bit , it was okay then 😊

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