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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
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 17/07/2025 21:31

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.😂

It's gorgeous!!😍

MyrtleLion · 17/07/2025 21:34

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 17/07/2025 21:31

It's gorgeous!!😍

It is! So amazing!

Boiledbeetle · 17/07/2025 23:40

I think you are going to have to get Maud a key cut.

She nipped out for more supplies!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 18/07/2025 07:26

@KnottyAndPistey

How were your guests overnight? What's on the breakfast menu?

Boiledbeetle · 18/07/2025 08:03

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 18/07/2025 07:26

@KnottyAndPistey

How were your guests overnight? What's on the breakfast menu?

They are just making Knotty's breakfast.

They've calmed down now, it was the excitement of being in a new place I think.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Yiayoula · 18/07/2025 08:43

Three squares done , just 3gm of yarn left over so was very relieved to cast off on the last one !
All blue hearts as per the photo posted upthread.
With love in every stitch for Swashbuckled 💙💙💙.

KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 11:42

Winning at yarn chicken @Yiayoula did you knit faster at the end?! I crochet faster when I think I’m running out 😃

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 11:44

Loving having gerbils round the place. It’s like Snow White with all the lil woodland creatures.

Until about 5 seconds ago Maud was sitting there on the doormat waiting for the postie. Bless her

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/07/2025 12:16

Parcel posted this morning.

waves to Maud

Yiayoula · 18/07/2025 12:27

KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 11:42

Winning at yarn chicken @Yiayoula did you knit faster at the end?! I crochet faster when I think I’m running out 😃

Yes !!!!
Thank goodness it’s not just me…..🤣🤣🤣

ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/07/2025 14:08

Yiayoula · 18/07/2025 12:27

Yes !!!!
Thank goodness it’s not just me…..🤣🤣🤣

Some quilters I knew did the same: put their foot down & increased the speed of the sewing m/c when the thread was running out.😂

KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 14:41

Maud has just bustled in with parcels. Stand by….

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KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 14:44

Star Beautiful crochet in blues. Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much lovely @Sunshineandrainbow Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 18/07/2025 14:49

Beautiful. I am in awe of the talent.

KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 14:50

Star And gorgeous knits arriving too. Loving the beautiful textures. Superb treasure. Thank you so much lovely @Whatsthatbrightlight Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 14:50

FuzzyPuffling · 18/07/2025 14:49

Beautiful. I am in awe of the talent.

Me too!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 14:51

Maud is now going for a nap, it was a long morning on tenterhooks. She’s worn out. 😍

OP posts:
SpringSparrow · 18/07/2025 14:59

I have just finished my Mini Countryman, just need to find something to post them in and get down to the post office!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 18/07/2025 16:26

The gerbils are on with plating up tea and Gertrude has gone to wake up Maud.

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 · 18/07/2025 16:35

KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 11:44

Loving having gerbils round the place. It’s like Snow White with all the lil woodland creatures.

Until about 5 seconds ago Maud was sitting there on the doormat waiting for the postie. Bless her

She's just been to check to see if there's any more parcels.

She couldn't see any.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 18:00

That’s why she’s empty handed. She keeps checking. I’ve told her now to leave it until tomorrow. She’s been dipping in and out of the Tour de France this afternoon. Who knew gerbils were so into their cycling?!

OP posts:
ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/07/2025 18:30

Boiledbeetle · 18/07/2025 16:35

She's just been to check to see if there's any more parcels.

She couldn't see any.

Edited

😍😂

Sunshineandrainbow · 18/07/2025 18:30

KnottyAndPistey · 18/07/2025 14:44

Star Beautiful crochet in blues. Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you so much lovely @Sunshineandrainbow Flowers

Thankyou for posting a photo of my squares arriving safe, really brightened my day 💗

ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/07/2025 18:30

SpringSparrow · 18/07/2025 14:59

I have just finished my Mini Countryman, just need to find something to post them in and get down to the post office!

Amazing!

EdithStourton · 18/07/2025 18:35

@ifIwerenotanandroid I LOVE the fox.

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