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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
inkymoose · 20/06/2025 11:26

Here are my squares - I am working on the Seagreen one, the other two are finished but they are a bit curly uppy, apparently this is a feature of stocking stitch. The finished ones are supposed to represent different kinds of water.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MadisonAvenue · 20/06/2025 11:56

bookbook · 20/06/2025 10:00

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

I’ve already cropped it right down to the very edges of the squares and it was still saying it was too big 🤷‍♀️
Just tried to post again and still nothing doing.

MadisonAvenue · 20/06/2025 11:57

Brainwave! Screenshot of the photo 😂

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
teawamutu · 20/06/2025 12:46

Is it too late to volunteer if I'd need to order the yarn first?

AlexandraLeaving · 20/06/2025 13:27

MadisonAvenue · 20/06/2025 11:57

Brainwave! Screenshot of the photo 😂

I think that's the same green I'm using :)
Yours look fab.

MrsMitford3 · 20/06/2025 13:50

@KnottyAndPistey

So glad this thread popped up as the heat has melted my brain.

Just paypal'd you some yarn money-hope it's not too late!!!!!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 20/06/2025 14:37

teawamutu · 20/06/2025 12:46

Is it too late to volunteer if I'd need to order the yarn first?

Wool Warehouse is pretty quick, & squares have to be in by July 18th, I think.

teawamutu · 20/06/2025 16:06

ifIwerenotanandroid · 20/06/2025 14:37

Wool Warehouse is pretty quick, & squares have to be in by July 18th, I think.

I saw that after I posted and have ordered a few skeins from WW. No idea quite what I'm doing yet but I'm in.

Love to Swashbuckled at this unimaginable time from a fellow FWRer.

MyrtleLion · 20/06/2025 16:14

inkymoose · 20/06/2025 11:26

Here are my squares - I am working on the Seagreen one, the other two are finished but they are a bit curly uppy, apparently this is a feature of stocking stitch. The finished ones are supposed to represent different kinds of water.

These are beautiful, inky!

I'm glad you said that curling up is a feature of stocking stitch - my eleventy billionth attempt is very curly.

KnottyAndPistey · 20/06/2025 18:16

teawamutu · 20/06/2025 12:46

Is it too late to volunteer if I'd need to order the yarn first?

Glad to have you with us @teawamutu

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 20/06/2025 18:20

Beautiful treasure there @inkymoose and @MadisonAvenue

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KnottyAndPistey · 20/06/2025 18:21

Funds safely here and we are truly grateful. Thank you so much @MrsMitford3

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KnottyAndPistey · 20/06/2025 18:23

Yes stocking stitch curls but as soon as it’s in the blanket it lies beautifully.

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inkymoose · 20/06/2025 19:17

KnottyAndPistey · 20/06/2025 18:23

Yes stocking stitch curls but as soon as it’s in the blanket it lies beautifully.

Thank you, that's reassuring 😊

KnottyAndPistey · 21/06/2025 09:12

Morning woollies Brew

OP posts:
user1471538283 · 21/06/2025 12:05

I've just posted mine today. I'm sorry for the delay, work has been hectic x

inkymoose · 21/06/2025 12:08

Completed my third square today. Could somebody PM me the address to post the squares please?

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ToadyPoady · 21/06/2025 12:17

Morning all! Loving all the photos shared so far, so many talented and thoughtful crafters in this lovely little corner of Mumsnet.

Sorry if I missed it but is anyone already doing the initials? If not I’m happy to do them.

KnottyAndPistey · 21/06/2025 18:52

I love that too @inkymoose

have messaged the address. Thank you!

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KnottyAndPistey · 21/06/2025 18:52

Initials would be fab @ToadyPoady Thank you so much.

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KnottyAndPistey · 21/06/2025 18:54

user1471538283 · 21/06/2025 12:05

I've just posted mine today. I'm sorry for the delay, work has been hectic x

Flowers Literally no delay has been had. Whatsoever. You are ahead of the last posting date so technically early!

OP posts:
Myfridgeiscool · 21/06/2025 19:13

I’ve done two squares today, when is the deadline?

superoz · 22/06/2025 01:24

My wool had arrived and I am about to start crocheting!

KnottyAndPistey · 22/06/2025 09:14

Morning folk. Upthread we set the last posting date as….

Friday 18th July

Does this still sound good to people?

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MercyChant66 · 22/06/2025 10:00

Morning Knotty - sounds fine for me but I’m just doing easy background squares…

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