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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 · 17/07/2025 10:14

I’ve never been to Yarndale @MercyChant66 - it’s always on DHs birthday weekend. Have you been? I see the pics every year. Looks amazing

OP posts:
MercyChant66 · 17/07/2025 11:40

KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 10:14

I’ve never been to Yarndale @MercyChant66 - it’s always on DHs birthday weekend. Have you been? I see the pics every year. Looks amazing

I go with a friend each year and it’s always fun and a good excuse for a weekend away - but not if it’s a birthday weekend! I was just checking that I hadn’t missed a Woolly Hugs stall!

Yiayoula · 17/07/2025 12:40

Home from forrin parts last night , checked the “squishy parcel” was indeed yarn (thank you, kind donor) - Drops Merino in a deep wedgewood blue- slurped tea, showered and slept .
One square completed (promise to sew in the peskies) , will do another one , possibly two if time and yarn allow.
In first-class post late this afternoon or tomorrow morning .

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 17/07/2025 12:43

Gorgeous - and so quick, @Yiayoula!

Yiayoula · 17/07/2025 13:40

Thanks, @SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius - only done because I ignored the pile of washing that emerged from the suitcase, and DH tackled the mound of (mostly irrelevant) mail, flyers etc !
Actually, I could become accustomed to knitting all day …..🤔

KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 13:52

Beautiful @Yiayoula ❤️❤️

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 13:53

No woolly arrivals today so I’m getting ready for the arrival of the gerbils. Snacks wise, Twiglets?

OP posts:
SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 17/07/2025 14:13

As requested, @KnottyAndPistey.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 17/07/2025 14:44

KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 13:53

No woolly arrivals today so I’m getting ready for the arrival of the gerbils. Snacks wise, Twiglets?

They are just leaving. Could take a while they've never got to grips with the sat nav.

I think they are staying for the duration, and Maud certainly seems to have dressed for the occasion.

Your felines will be impressed with the Sparticus outfit! Now we've got the last one off the gerbil.

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.
KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 15:24

I literally can’t wait. Just about to put out the bunting.

OP posts:
Yiayoula · 17/07/2025 15:28

@KnottyAndPistey - Hope you have enough glasses for all that gin……
Maud looks very elegant, though I worry she may overheat.

KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 15:33

But I lied!

Star I do have woolly treasure today! Evri has just been. With beautifully crocheted squares in silver and sky blue. Gorgeous. Thank you so much lovely @superoz Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 15:34

Maybe I’ll just use a straw @Yiayoula

Less washing up. 😃

OP posts:
ifIwerenotanandroid · 17/07/2025 15:43

Well, I've tried & failed to post these today. Will try again tomorrow. The PO's computer system was down but I don't know if that's just the village PO or everywhere.

The first pic is a Swashy square on behalf of @SionnachRuadh & it should be a red fox - I used the one approved red yarn but somehow even IRL it looks rusty! Sorry the square is a bit rough. I did my best, but multi intarsia knitting & crocheting into knitting aren't things I've done before. I was going to crochet & applique a fox's head, but over on an Arts & Crafts thread, nobody could understand the pattern any more than I could, so that was a non-starter. Anyway, it's made with love & effort & much unpicking, so I hope it's OK.

The other 3 pix are Little Hugs which are in the same package. I call them Stripe, Daisies & Colouring Outside the Lines.😂

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.
Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Yiayoula · 17/07/2025 15:53

KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 15:34

Maybe I’ll just use a straw @Yiayoula

Less washing up. 😃

Happy Hour Cheers GIF by Jake Martella

Enjoy ! 🍸

Boiledbeetle · 17/07/2025 17:23

Some more gerbils have decided to use their holiday leave

At least this lot are bringing tonic with the gin

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
FuzzyPuffling · 17/07/2025 17:25

Who will provide us with hospitality back at the Bluestocking? All the gerbils seem to have deserted us. Time for the quokkas to do a shift?

Boiledbeetle · 17/07/2025 17:28

FuzzyPuffling · 17/07/2025 17:25

Who will provide us with hospitality back at the Bluestocking? All the gerbils seem to have deserted us. Time for the quokkas to do a shift?

We do actually have 100s of gerbils, but most spend the majority of their time up Peak Woo playing goat and micro pigs rodeo.

Boiledbeetle · 17/07/2025 20:08

I knew they shouldn't have let Guthleberg drive. She doesn't speak or understand a word of English.

It could take a while, but they've got the map out, reset the sat nav and Gertrude will be taking over the driving.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 17/07/2025 20:22

Turns out they were only round the corner once they'd got their bearings.

@KnottyAndPistey open the door, Maud is dying for a pee and a cup of tea

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 17/07/2025 20:45

Ohhhhhhhhhh my word. They are here! Gerbils everywhere, checking out the facilities and inspecting what’s in the fridge. Maud is testing out the tv remote and there are others rolling in the squares. They are a busy bunch aren’t they?!

NB. Maud has the tv remote upside down but I’ll leave her to work that out.

OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 17/07/2025 20:56

I see Maud has given up on the remote and palmed it off to one of the other gerbils.

Awwww look one of the gerbils is stressed as mini Maud.

They do look up to her. Bless

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 · 17/07/2025 20:58

AI is struggling tonight the gerbils are losing cohesion.

I wonder if its because they never usually venture this far from the Bluestocking?

FuzzyPuffling · 17/07/2025 21:15

If they carry on like this, we'll have to send Clara Capybara and Daughters to fetch them.
Gerbil holidays, eh?

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 17/07/2025 21:22

KnottyAndPistey · 15/07/2025 10:37

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

I see you're taking the subtle approach!

🤣🤣🤣🤣

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