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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 · 28/06/2025 21:11

Woolly hugs must be practically a full-time job!

Blondeshavemorefun · 28/06/2025 22:34

MercyChant66 · 28/06/2025 20:17

Oh Blondes, I know you well from your excellent PB thread but hadn’t realised you’d been a bereaved woolly hugs recipient too. I’m so sorry. I feel very privileged to be able to contribute just a little bit of crafted love here for Swash and am so glad you have your own blanket too. ❤️

Thank you @MercyChant66 dh died a long time ago (2011 so 14yrs ago) tho also sometimes still feels like yesterday

it’s also amazing that decades on that woolly hugs is still going and that’s down to @KnottyAndPistey 💜💜

Bearfrills · 29/06/2025 15:39

The Yarnsmiths is beautiful to work with, the colours are lovely and vibrant too.

Square made today, crocheted in the garden with blue skies and love.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Bearfrills · 29/06/2025 15:41

It looks a little purple in the photo, it's actually a navy blue.

SpringSparrow · 29/06/2025 20:05

I’ve made a little bear with a flat cap. I’m thinking I will make a little sleeping bag or a pocket.

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.
Boiledbeetle · 29/06/2025 20:31

SpringSparrow · 29/06/2025 20:05

I’ve made a little bear with a flat cap. I’m thinking I will make a little sleeping bag or a pocket.

That is adorable 😍

inkymoose · 29/06/2025 21:16

SpringSparrow · 29/06/2025 20:05

I’ve made a little bear with a flat cap. I’m thinking I will make a little sleeping bag or a pocket.

Awwww so delightful 🧸

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 30/06/2025 02:43

SpringSparrow · 29/06/2025 20:05

I’ve made a little bear with a flat cap. I’m thinking I will make a little sleeping bag or a pocket.

He's adorable!!

id love him in a wee drawstring 'sleeping bag' so I could take him with me, but keep him clean!!

Yiayoula · 30/06/2025 06:55

@SpringSparrow that’s inspired ❤️- absolutely gorgeous little bear.
Don’t wish to be presumptuous, just wondering if Swashy and her daughter would like a little Ted Bear each, to carry with them - rather like the Woolly Hearts project?
Feel free to ignore !
I don’t wish to add to your workload but Ted Bear in his cap is soooo perfect xx

KnottyAndPistey · 30/06/2025 14:13

Afterroonio Brew

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 30/06/2025 14:18

All crafting info for Little Hugs is here @inkymoose Thank you.

www.woollyhugs.org/2017/02/05/our-little-hug-project/

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 30/06/2025 14:18

Beautiful treasure @Bearfrills snd @SpringSparrow A huge thank you.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 30/06/2025 14:19

Love the idea of a pocket square for the blooming adorable bear @SpringSparrow

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 30/06/2025 14:24

Star Beautifully knitted treasure arriving. Her trademark flowers and they are glorious. Thank you so much lovely @SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
inkymoose · 30/06/2025 19:26

KnottyAndPistey · 30/06/2025 14:18

All crafting info for Little Hugs is here @inkymoose Thank you.

www.woollyhugs.org/2017/02/05/our-little-hug-project/

Thank you 🥰

Zhx3 · 30/06/2025 22:01

I'll get these in the post on Wednesday. Much love to Swashbuckle 💐.

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.
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.
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 30/06/2025 22:20

@Zhx3

they're lovely!! What stitch is the green one, it's really pretty.

Zhx3 · 30/06/2025 22:39

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 30/06/2025 22:20

@Zhx3

they're lovely!! What stitch is the green one, it's really pretty.

It's from a crochet book by Jan Eaton, the pattern is called "Bluebells", mainly 3 triple crochets into a double crochet stitch.

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 30/06/2025 22:47

Zhx3 · 30/06/2025 22:39

It's from a crochet book by Jan Eaton, the pattern is called "Bluebells", mainly 3 triple crochets into a double crochet stitch.

Thank you, it really is lovely, mind you, that's just as much the quality of crocheting as the pattern!

ExtensivelyDecluttering · 01/07/2025 10:57

I did an entire Chernob blanket in that bluebell pattern this year, I really like it. The only thing was making sure all the squares were the same way up / same way round when I came to assemble it.

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 01/07/2025 15:46

ExtensivelyDecluttering · 01/07/2025 10:57

I did an entire Chernob blanket in that bluebell pattern this year, I really like it. The only thing was making sure all the squares were the same way up / same way round when I came to assemble it.

Oooh I bet that was lovely! Any chance you want to post a photo??

Myfridgeiscool · 01/07/2025 17:26

SpringSparrow · 29/06/2025 20:05

I’ve made a little bear with a flat cap. I’m thinking I will make a little sleeping bag or a pocket.

Oh my word this is adorable!!!
a wee sleeping bag would make is even cuter!

Myfridgeiscool · 01/07/2025 17:30

Here’s my blue, grey squares. Thanks so much to the lovely person who sent the wool to me. I’ve sat in the garden under the brolly doing these.
Could you please PM the address @KnottyAndPistey.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MadisonAvenue · 01/07/2025 20:49

This blanket is going to be beautiful ❤️

I’ve sent my squares today, or at least I hope I have. I did the Royal Mail collection thing where they bring the sticky label and also had a birthday card collected at the same time. They didn’t bring the labels though, the postman just had A4 printed sheets for each, obviously not sticky, which he just wrapped around each item and ‘secured’ with much too big elastic bands. He did say that there would be labels but I’m not confident that the items will actually get as far as being labelled before slipping out of the elastic bands. It all seemed a little half-arsed.
Long story short, you may get a birthday card and a Nike voucher 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

Chersfrozenface · 02/07/2025 12:02

My blue, green and taupe squares, including pennants flying from the masts of Swashbuckled's ship, sea with wavelets and the sea lapping on the sandy shore of an island with green vegetation, where the galleon can find safe anchorage.

I'm not the world's most accomplished knitter, but I've done my best for dear Swashy.

@KnottyAndPistey can you message me the address, please?

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