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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
AlexandraLeaving · 04/07/2025 22:30

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.

That is wonderful. 👏👏

AlexandraLeaving · 04/07/2025 22:32

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.

Thank you. Will aim to leave in the porch on my way to or from the concert (depending on whether I’m still knitting on the way there). Will label things clearly I promise.

AlexandraLeaving · 04/07/2025 22:33

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

Those are gorgeous. Particularly love the wee cottage.

Boiledbeetle · 04/07/2025 22:41

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.

Geranium is on collection point duty at the Bluestocking tonight.

She can't stop looking at your square.

I don't blame her.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 04/07/2025 22:50

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.

Gorgeous!!😍

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 04/07/2025 22:52

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

Gorgeous as always!!

MrsBucketHat · 04/07/2025 22:55

I’ve got tears in my eyes scrolling through this thread. You’re all wonderful people, what a beautiful thing to do for someone going though such a desperately sad time.

Myfridgeiscool · 05/07/2025 08:04

I’ve just looked through the thread gallery, it’s so lovely!

@KnottyAndPistey how many squares do you have and how many do you need?

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 05/07/2025 17:05

Myfridgeiscool · 05/07/2025 08:04

I’ve just looked through the thread gallery, it’s so lovely!

@KnottyAndPistey how many squares do you have and how many do you need?

Last posting date isn't until Friday 18 July.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 05/07/2025 17:07

If you need more squares, @KnottyAndPistey, I could do a couple more.

ElizaBlack · 05/07/2025 17:38

I’ve made two Bluestocking-based knitted squares and several plain ones.

May I join the others in asking if many more squares are needed? I can knit plain ones quite quickly and have time to do a couple of more complicated ones if they would be useful (and if I can think of ideas which haven’t been used already, one of mine already has since I made it, in two different ways 😀 but I don’t think that matters.)

KnottyAndPistey · 05/07/2025 20:18

Evening from Silverstone and the British Grand Prix!

So last posting is July 18th and the week after that we’ll know what’s what in terms of numbers. I reckon we go from there?

Please no one fret. Honestly this is going to be just super for Swash. I’m impatient though! Looking forward to working on our layout and joining.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
Baital · 06/07/2025 01:32

I have done a plain one in garter stitch, and have started a stripey one in stocking stitch.

JamieFrasersSassenach · 07/07/2025 07:06

I have just got going - it’s been a hectic few weeks here. This is my first square completed.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2025 08:30

Beautiful treasure! Thank you both.

Good morning. Brew

Back home. To a wonderful collection of parcels. Stand by folks!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2025 08:33

Star Absolutely gorgeous. Beautifully crocheted treasure. Thank you so much lovely @SpiralArchitect Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2025 08:36

Star More beautiful crochet arriving. Absolutely superb. Thank you so much lovely @BlueEyeshadow Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2025 08:42

Star Absolutely wonderful squares and marvellous to have the mini logo represented. Gorgeous treasure. Thank you so much lovely @PurpleFrog Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 07/07/2025 08:48

Star Super snuggly garter and blue stocking (stitch) - absolutely gorgeous knits. Thank you so much lovely J. Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
AlexandraLeaving · 07/07/2025 22:34

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.

Hi @KnottyAndPistey please could I double check (by PM) your address as I tried to drop by yesterday but the porch was locked (so I was worried it looked like I was trying to burgle you - or even one of your neighbours if I had the wrong address written down). Sorry to be a pain, just don't want to post to the wrong place.

ToadyPoady · 08/07/2025 22:42

Just finished these today, will get them in the post before the end of the week.

As always it’s a pleasure to be part of Woolly Hugs and to see everyone’s creations, all made with so much love and care ❤

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 · 08/07/2025 22:46

ToadyPoady · 08/07/2025 22:42

Just finished these today, will get them in the post before the end of the week.

As always it’s a pleasure to be part of Woolly Hugs and to see everyone’s creations, all made with so much love and care ❤

They are so lovely. Another person who's skills I am envious of ❤

inkymoose · 08/07/2025 23:40

ToadyPoady · 08/07/2025 22:42

Just finished these today, will get them in the post before the end of the week.

As always it’s a pleasure to be part of Woolly Hugs and to see everyone’s creations, all made with so much love and care ❤

Gorgeous work 🩵

KnottyAndPistey · 09/07/2025 11:37

Absolutely super @ToadyPoady thank you!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/07/2025 11:39

Star Beautiful treasure arriving. Gorgeous grannies in greens/blues and silver. Thank you so much lovely @theWoollybacksWife Flowers

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