Please or to access all these features

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 · 03/07/2025 15:06

Thank you @MercyChant66 - have sent.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 03/07/2025 15:08

Pre made blanket squares! The little tykes 😯

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 03/07/2025 15:09

Beautiful as always @SpiralArchitect Thank you.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 03/07/2025 15:10

@ifIwerenotanandroid - yes same add. Teddington. Thank you

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 03/07/2025 15:13

Star Beautiful treasure arriving safely with no birthday card not Nike voucher in sight. 😥Superb crochet. Gorgeous designs. Thank you so much lovely @MadisonAvenue Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
2025ismybestyear · 03/07/2025 15:17

Gosh. I've not seen a Wooly Hugs request in a long time and this one has floored me 😢. My son is 24, currently abroad, and I can't fully imagine how the family are feeling, of course.

I am so so sorry. RIP Ted Bear. You sound an incredible young man.

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 03/07/2025 20:30

inkymoose · 03/07/2025 14:46

Both beautiful, but I absolutely love the heart square. I wish I could crochet, but knitting is as far as I am able to go - crocheting is an alien craft to me.

It was to me too. People had tried to teach me. Utter fail. UNTIL I watched YouTubers doing granny squares. Each one I learnt something different from & you can see things from different angles etc. I still don't do 'rows' very well, but learnt to do squares! The advantage being REWIND (again & again &again) If I can learn, you can too, if you want to.

Boiledbeetle · 03/07/2025 21:26

KnottyAndPistey · 03/07/2025 15:08

Pre made blanket squares! The little tykes 😯

I know!!

They've put them to good use though and made a blanket for the Woolly Hugs snug in the Bluestocking!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
inkymoose · 03/07/2025 22:26

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 03/07/2025 20:30

It was to me too. People had tried to teach me. Utter fail. UNTIL I watched YouTubers doing granny squares. Each one I learnt something different from & you can see things from different angles etc. I still don't do 'rows' very well, but learnt to do squares! The advantage being REWIND (again & again &again) If I can learn, you can too, if you want to.

Oooooh thank you so much for the encouragement!

I shall give it another go .... there will be many, many rewindings

KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 09:22

Look at Bellacoco @inkymoose

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 09:23

Morning folks. Out for the day. Car crochet currently in action. I’m not driving obvs 😃

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 09:23

Car crochet pic would help

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 04/07/2025 09:51

KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 09:23

Morning folks. Out for the day. Car crochet currently in action. I’m not driving obvs 😃

🤣🤣🤣

hope it's a nice day out!!

inkymoose · 04/07/2025 10:34

KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 09:22

Look at Bellacoco @inkymoose

Thank you!

😊

KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 18:53

Incoming treasure. Stand by…

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 18:55

Star Beautifully crocheted treasure in blues, cream, green, taupe. Gorgeous. Thank you so much lovely @Zhx3 Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 18:58

Star Gorgeous knits, rich textures, super designs. Beautiful treasure. Thank you so much lovely @Chersfrozenface Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 19:04

Star Absolutely delicious heart knits. Truly superb. Gorgeous treasure. Thank you so much lovely @Iwantacampervan Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 04/07/2025 19:15
I Love You GIF by Sesame Street

I've just been scrolling through all the images in the thread gallery.

It's going to be an amazing and beautiful blanket.

You truly are a bunch of extremely talented and thoughtful women!

Still not tempted to try myself though!! I know my limitations.

AlexandraLeaving · 04/07/2025 20:10

I’m not sure this one will work/be suitable but am relieved to have finished it so wanted to share.

The blue sticking stitch is to represent the Blue Stocking. The pea pod was to represent veg prepping duties.

@KnottyAndPistey are you likely to be in late afternoon on Sunday? I have to be down your way for something and could drop my squares off then, or leave them in a suitably safe place.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 04/07/2025 21:26

Oh @AlexandraLeaving thats astonishing! Thank you so much.

We are at the British Grand Prix until very late on Sunday, but my porch door is open so please leave inside. Just do make sure it’s named.

OP posts:
SpringSparrow · 04/07/2025 21:46

I have finished my little bear square. I have made him a little bed pocket with a heart shaped pillow.

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.
SpringSparrow · 04/07/2025 21:49

@AlexandraLeaving I love your pea pod, that’s amazing!

bookbook · 04/07/2025 22:12

My other squares , with much love in the stitches to Swash ( I see I wasnt the only one to depict chef! ) . The heart has navy blue in the centre , it. Is hard yo see in the photo

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
SpringSparrow · 04/07/2025 22:17

@bookbook beautiful squares, I especially love the little cottage and stream.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is not accepting new messages.