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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.

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Thread gallery
385
KnottyAndPistey · 14/07/2025 10:06

Star Beautifully crocheted treasure, absolutely cracking. Love all. Gorgeous. Thank you so much lovely @ToadyPoady Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 14/07/2025 10:11

Star Delicious grass green knits. Absolutely wonderful. Gorgeous texture. Thank you so much lovely @MercyChant66 Flowers

PS. I think this is my favourite colour. FWIW 🤭

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 14/07/2025 10:23

<faints>

MAUD!

😍

Star Just wow! All the things! Football, Ted, boiled beetle, an adorable gerbil called Maud, initials, teeny tiny cake, hearts, squares in both knit and crochet. Talent abounds! Thank you so much lovely @ifIwerenotanandroid Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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inkymoose · 14/07/2025 10:37

KnottyAndPistey · 14/07/2025 09:54

So back to our beautiful blanket and yes, a pile of parcels was ready as we thought. Stand by……

Ohhhh soooooo gorgeous! Treasure indeed. Thank you for posting all the lovely photos @KnottyAndPistey - it's so delightful seeing them all ❤️🩵

Boiledbeetle · 14/07/2025 11:10

I am genuinely surprised (and a tiny bit jealous) and blown away at what all you women can do with a ball of wool.

It is going to be a beautiful blanket for Swash

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/07/2025 12:59

Hurrah! This blanket is going to be AMAZING! So glad the galleon is there 😍, & the Ted that Edith was dubious about (but is wonderful).

The peas!!!

Thank you @KnottyAndPistey

ifIwerenotanandroid · 14/07/2025 13:13

Love the full Ted & the initials (mine are wobbly threads but those are great).

I tried to do news & politics & was experimenting with making knitting look like newsprint, but didn't get it quite right.

I also failed at representing the Bluestocking pub & a Tunnocks tea cake wrapper.😂I had silver lurex yarn & everything. 😥

KnottyAndPistey · 15/07/2025 10:30

Mornio good people and gerbils Brew

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KnottyAndPistey · 15/07/2025 10:37

Just a gentle reminder that last posting for squares is this Friday.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 15/07/2025 10:40

Star Beautiful knits arriving this morning. Super texture and a fantastic bear paw print. Love it. Delicious in denim blue. Thank you so much lovely @IcakethereforeIam Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 16:45

No woolly parcels today. BrewCake

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Boiledbeetle · 16/07/2025 16:54

KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 16:45

No woolly parcels today. BrewCake

Once you've got all the squares and rearranged them twenty billion times how long does it usually take to then transform it into a woolly hugs masterpiece?

KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 18:13

I’d say working around family etc I’d allow 3 - 4 weeks. It’s a big job and not one to rush. I’ll crochet them together and add a border. Currently thinking to join in dark blue and add some brown into the border as they are significant colours for Swashy. But once the layout is done it’ll be easier to see what would fit best.

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Boiledbeetle · 16/07/2025 18:25

Is it not rather hot in this weather sitting sewing 99 woollen squares together?

Do we need to send Maud and some of the other gerbils to fan you whilst you work?

They'll be happy to have a day out from the Bluestocking.

Admittedly you've not got much chance of anything above your ankles being fanned unless you hang some from the light fitting strung on little wool harnesses.

And don't let them tell you they need paying.

They don't.

MyrtleLion · 16/07/2025 19:50

I think some of them might be on the arms of Knotty's chair, but they're more interested in the blanket making than fanning.

This is the problem with gerbils. They are always very keen, but not necessarily very helpful.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 19:51

It’s definitely cosy

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KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 19:58

The tiniest concern re Maud

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KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 19:58

Tiny

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MyrtleLion · 16/07/2025 20:01

Keep it that way. She'll be fine. She just pretends she might be in danger/need of assistance so she can have all the hugs. Do feel free to award hugs, but only at your own discretion.

KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 20:03

This

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 20:04

How are gerbils with feline friends?

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superoz · 16/07/2025 20:06

I’ve just sent mine off today on next day delivery. Sorry been a bit disorganised at the moment. Hopefully will arrive tomorrow.

Boiledbeetle · 16/07/2025 20:06

KnottyAndPistey · 16/07/2025 20:04

How are gerbils with feline friends?

Edited

They love them, but prefer them dressed as Spartacus.

Shall they bring costumes or do the cats already own one?

MercyChant66 · 16/07/2025 21:24

KnottyAndPistey · 14/07/2025 09:53

The festival is lovely. All crafts, and enormous range of classes. The daughter of one of our helpers did a glass bead workshop with Bunsen burners and everything and a clay vase workshop too. Really amazing experiences. We did a drop in make us a square for a Snug or Cwtch. Find out more about us we had a yarn lucky dip and raffled a beautiful blanket. I’d definitely recommend

Just wondering if you ever go to Yarndale in Skipton? X

KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 10:12

If they could bring outfits that would save time. I have three. S, M, L

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