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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 · 09/07/2025 11:43

Star Deliciously rich textures in crochet. In this deep glorious blue. Absolutely super. Thank you so much lovely HF

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/07/2025 11:44

^^^ the colours look a bit random in this pic I realise. but they are all the same deep blue!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/07/2025 11:55

Still they come….

Star Incredibly talented knitting from lovely @bookbook

“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.”

Plus Chef!

love it. And a dark brown and navy heart.

Such wonderful treasure. Thank you lovely @bookbook Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/07/2025 12:00

As an aside, did anyone else watch Boiling Point with Stephen Graham? About the chef working in his restaurant. It was filmed in one shot take. Few years ago. Well I am in AWE of any chef and anyone working in restaurants. Total utter respect. Absolutely exhausting just watching. The demands, the pressure. Blimey. In awe!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/07/2025 15:39

Star More beautiful treasure has arrived. Absolutely super crochet. Love the grannies and all the initial work too. Gorgeous. Thank you so much lovely AO Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 16:44

So many gorgeous squares!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 18:23

I've made another 3 squares, all connected with the Bluestocking, & will definitely, definitely, be posting everything tomorrow.😁

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.
EdithStourton · 09/07/2025 18:28

Android, those squares are amazing!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 18:34

Thank you! I hope the people they represent approve. And I hope dear Swashy likes them, of course.

Boiledbeetle · 09/07/2025 19:10

ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 18:34

Thank you! I hope the people they represent approve. And I hope dear Swashy likes them, of course.

The blue hearts are beautiful. 💙

As you know Maud the gerbil is beside herself to be chosen to represent the gerbils and is in awe at how you really captured her likeness.

I am not only in awe of your knitting and crochet squares but also honoured to be appearing as a representative of the Bluestocking pub.

You've captured my likeness so well 🪲

(I've just noticed AI knitted the whole image!!)

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.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 19:18

Poor Fuzzy got misidentified as a magpie elsewhere & now the AI has made her look like a penguin! Very versatile bird, the puffling. Maybe we should use Fuzzy as a spy or a private investigator.

AlexandraLeaving · 09/07/2025 20:00

ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 18:23

I've made another 3 squares, all connected with the Bluestocking, & will definitely, definitely, be posting everything tomorrow.😁

Absolutely love those.

MarieDeGournay · 09/07/2025 20:13

ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 18:23

I've made another 3 squares, all connected with the Bluestocking, & will definitely, definitely, be posting everything tomorrow.😁

Thank you so much, Android, I am so happy that my woolly hug for dear Swash is represented by lovely a blue [my choice BTW] shamrockSmile

I'm very grateful to you and to all the skilled and imaginative needlewomen who have produced all these beautiful squares 💙xx

Swashbuckled · 09/07/2025 23:02

I’ve not checked in with Mumsnet for a while but have just caught up on this thread.

These squares are so beautiful, and moving, to see. I don’t know any of you in real life, but to see how you have knitted (and crocheted) such thoughtful beauty with what feels like a kind of love for me, Bear and my daughter has moved me to tears.

I am so appreciative, and grateful to you all for every single stitch. Again, my words feel inadequate in conveying what I want to say. But this is so moving, and feels so supportive, and I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

inkymoose · 10/07/2025 10:32

ifIwerenotanandroid · 09/07/2025 18:23

I've made another 3 squares, all connected with the Bluestocking, & will definitely, definitely, be posting everything tomorrow.😁

Oooh Boiled and Magpie! 🥰 as well as Maud the Gerbil 🩵❤️

KnottyAndPistey · 10/07/2025 11:20

All love @Swashbuckled Huge hugs. When you get this blanket, wrap yourselves in it and know it comes from so many. Love in every stitch we say and it’s true. Xxx

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 10/07/2025 11:21

I love Maud. So much.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 10/07/2025 11:23

Star And I love these. Beautifully crocheted treasure. It’s the willow square in grass green. Gorgeous. Thank you so much lovely JE Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
MyrtleLion · 10/07/2025 13:24

If you get more than 99 squares, will you just make the blanket bigger?

ifIwerenotanandroid · 10/07/2025 13:46

inkymoose · 10/07/2025 10:32

Oooh Boiled and Magpie! 🥰 as well as Maud the Gerbil 🩵❤️

Oh no! Failure. It's FuzzyPuffling, not Magpie! (And DeanElderberry.) Too late now, it's in the post at last. I think Magpie made her own.

The blue shamrock is a design chosen by MariedeGournay.

All that green is stunning.😍

Boiledbeetle · 10/07/2025 13:56

ifIwerenotanandroid · 10/07/2025 13:46

Oh no! Failure. It's FuzzyPuffling, not Magpie! (And DeanElderberry.) Too late now, it's in the post at last. I think Magpie made her own.

The blue shamrock is a design chosen by MariedeGournay.

All that green is stunning.😍

Edited

To be fair there's a huge massive beetle hogging the square, stopping anyone else from getting a look in at a decent size!

(I'm big boned alright!)

ifIwerenotanandroid · 10/07/2025 14:09

I designed smaller versions of you but they wouldn't work & insisted they had to be bigger. Maybe I should've done a square each, but I didn't want to put too many Bluestocking squares in when it was supposed to be about Ted/Bear.

When someone suggested Colin the Dachshund over two squares I was sooooo tempted, though.😁(Anybody can picture that in their head, right? The AI can't. Over to you, Boily - find the magic words, please.)

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.
Boiledbeetle · 10/07/2025 14:44

ifIwerenotanandroid · 10/07/2025 14:09

I designed smaller versions of you but they wouldn't work & insisted they had to be bigger. Maybe I should've done a square each, but I didn't want to put too many Bluestocking squares in when it was supposed to be about Ted/Bear.

When someone suggested Colin the Dachshund over two squares I was sooooo tempted, though.😁(Anybody can picture that in their head, right? The AI can't. Over to you, Boily - find the magic words, please.)

Like this,

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 10/07/2025 14:46

Exactly! Thank you, dear Boily.

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