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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
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KnottyAndPistey · 08/06/2025 18:16

Then it couldn't be more perfect , thank you

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 08/06/2025 18:17

I can't knit, but as a fellow Bluestockinger Swashy is in my heart.

KnottyAndPistey · 08/06/2025 18:18

ifIwerenotanandroid · 08/06/2025 17:48

I'd like to do something for my lovely fellow Bluestockinger. Don't know what, yet. My ideas usually outstrip my talents, but it will be done with love.❤

Then it couldn't be more perfect , thank you

OP posts:
IoWfairy · 08/06/2025 18:41

Such sad news. I will certainly make a square or 2

MarieDeGournay · 08/06/2025 18:47

I'm infinitely better with words rather than knitting needles. I've expressed my love and sympathy in words to Swash and her dear daughter in the Bluestocking where we are both regulars, and I think I'll leave it at thatSmile
This is such a beautiful gesture, love and admiration to everybody who knits a hug for dear Swash💙

Bowednotbroken · 08/06/2025 18:50

I can no longer knit but would like to donate some money for wool for others to do so. Please let me know how? Many thanks.

Mumof2amazingasdkiddos · 08/06/2025 18:53

Sadly I am unable to make a square but I wanted to post to pass on my condolences and to hopefully give the post a bump so those who can contribute will see it.
I've not come across woolly hugs before but now I am aware, I think it's a beautiful tribute and I hope by bumping the post others will become aware and be able to help. God bless x

HedwigIsMySpiritAnimal · 08/06/2025 18:54

He sounds like a wonderful young man - what a terrible loss 😢. The blanket sounds so beautiful already x

MamaBobo · 08/06/2025 18:59

That’s just the most awful news. As a mother of one son in his twenties I cannot imagine the agony that poor Swash is dealing with. I’ve never come across this on MN before but it’s a beautiful thing. I’d love to contribute but I’m not in the UK atm so I don’t think I’ll find the yarn needed to crochet something. Can I ask to donate please? This sort of thing does restore a bit of faith in humanity.

Magpiecomplex · 08/06/2025 19:01

I crochet but I can't work with wool so I will find another way to support Swashy. Thank you for doing this.

Iwantacampervan · 08/06/2025 19:14

I will look in my stash, I am sure that there are some balls of blue in there.

Whatsthatbrightlight · 08/06/2025 19:16

Such terribly sad news. I will do some plain squares.

TheNinjaGooseIsHooking · 08/06/2025 19:29

Sending much love to Swash and her family, how devastating

I'm in, have pmed

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 08/06/2025 19:41

Definitely count me in. My heart is broken for Swashbuckled, and I will do anything I can do to offer a little comfort.

EdithStourton · 08/06/2025 20:06

Fellow inmate of the Blue Stocking, so count me in.
When do you need the squares by? I'll need to order the wool I think.

Sunshineandrainbow · 08/06/2025 20:32

Pm sent, thankyou

Bearfrills · 08/06/2025 20:58

I'll do a WW order tomorrow and make some squares.

inkymoose · 08/06/2025 21:12

I'm at the Bluestocking many a day and night. I think the Blanket is a wonderful project. It's so heartening reading people's thoughts and wishes.

I send much Love to Swash and her daughter. The sudden and terrible loss of her son touches me so deeply. I don't think my hooves are right for knitting, but I would like to try.

Thank you all at WoollyHugs for this. I haven't come across it before, and I'm so glad I have now.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Crazyladee · 08/06/2025 21:16

I lost my 24yr old son suddenly too.
I recieved the most beautiful "woolly hug" merino blanket from you amazing ladies. I can't knit or sew, but I would love it if I could send a donation towards materials or postage etc. Please let me know if I can help in this way.
Sending love and prayers to Swashbuckled and family. ❤️

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 08/06/2025 21:27

I’ve ordered some yarn, and I will do four of my appliqué flower squares.

BlueEyeshadow · 08/06/2025 22:10

I can do some squares and I think I have blues and greens.

Lollipopsicle · 08/06/2025 22:22

Fairyfellowsmasterstroke · 08/06/2025 16:17

Such desperately sad news.

I'd be honoured to contribute a few squares for Swashbuckled blanket.

Before I order some wool would someone please look at this label which comes from yarn I have in my stash. The yarn was used on a previous project but I can't see any mention of whether it's DK or not!

I want to check suitability before I start crocheting.

If it is DK then I have some suitable yarn balls ready to go.

Thank you.

It’s yarn group B, so DK. x

AlexandraLeaving · 08/06/2025 22:26

I will try to do a couple of squares. So very sad.

OneFineDay13 · 08/06/2025 22:54

This is so sad , sounds like a lovely young man 😢

ToadyPoady · 08/06/2025 22:59

So sorry to see this, he sounds like a wonderful son, so very sad. I’d be honoured to make a couple of squares, I’ll try and do a bear in a flat cap and a mini logo.

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