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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
MercyChant66 · 18/07/2025 21:02

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

I’m in awe of the beautiful intarsia and appliqué work that’s been coming through Knotty’s letterbox but I must say that I also love a simple diagonal garter stitch too @Whatsthatbrightlight.
This is going to be a very special blanket - full of texture and love.

SpringSparrow · 18/07/2025 22:54

I put my squares in the post today. Took a photo of little Ted tucked up in his bed for the journey. He is wearing his flat cap which is actually made with some finer Rowan yarn that I had. Hope he arrives safely.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/07/2025 23:18

😍Bon voyage, Little Ted!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 19/07/2025 01:00

MercyChant66 · 18/07/2025 21:02

I’m in awe of the beautiful intarsia and appliqué work that’s been coming through Knotty’s letterbox but I must say that I also love a simple diagonal garter stitch too @Whatsthatbrightlight.
This is going to be a very special blanket - full of texture and love.

True - the single colour squares are so well made with their textures & patterns.

KnottyAndPistey · 19/07/2025 10:36

Did Maud pack an umbrella? Only the poor thing keeps running down the path to check for the postie. And we are having torrential rain this morning.

I’m in awe of all the knitting @MercyChant66 - it’s witchcraft I swear 😃

@SpringSparrow - that’s bloomin ADORABLE

Brew
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Boiledbeetle · 19/07/2025 11:12

@KnottyAndPistey Grenadine, Gaspatchio and Giggi have found the umbrellas they packed and gone out to assist.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 19/07/2025 11:13

It's bucketing down at yours isn't it!

KnottyAndPistey · 19/07/2025 12:30

Yes. Many, many buckets. ☔️

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KnottyAndPistey · 19/07/2025 12:31

I’ve packed Maud off for a bath and hot chocolate. She’s soaked through.

But her patience was rewarded…..

stand by

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KnottyAndPistey · 19/07/2025 12:33

Star Achingly beautiful. Her trademark knits. Perfect hearts in a denim blue. Thank you so much lovely @Yiayoula 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 · 19/07/2025 12:41

Star Super gorgeous and talent beyond my imagination as I know she had to work the chef’s trouser checkerboard pattern out. How? No idea! Thank you so much lovely LM 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 · 19/07/2025 12:48

Star Oh my goodness! Absolutely wonderful blue stocking treasure! Little Ted comes out of his stocking. He’s approximately 12cm tall. Super cute and beautifully knitted. Thank you so much lovely @Aswithglad Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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Boiledbeetle · 19/07/2025 12:58

Im beginning to think Maud has the potential to turn into one of those gerbil houseguests that get AIBU threads written about them.

I do hope she is actually being useful in between long baths and longer snoozes.

And today's blanket squares are all amazing.

😍

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 19/07/2025 13:09

AIBU to ask for advice on ending guest’s visit. Gerbil related.

Me, come January. 🤭

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KnottyAndPistey · 19/07/2025 13:11

Look how bloomin cute!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 19/07/2025 13:13

Love the little footie scarf ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️

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FuzzyPuffling · 19/07/2025 13:17

I'm just heart emoji-ing all these posts. Wonderful!

Yiayoula · 19/07/2025 14:55

@KnottyAndPistey - glad they’ve arrived safely .
Well done, Royal Mail , as DH posted them 2pm yesterday afternoon ! ⭐️

Boiledbeetle · 19/07/2025 18:07

I see Maud, fortified by a bath, Love island and a snooze is on with getting ready for sorting the squares.

The gerbils are currently bringing in the boxes, labels and marker pens.

I'm aware @KnottyAndPistey has probably already done this, but Maud will be sorting out the squares.

Maud WILL be doing it again whilst giving that look of "ah bless she can't tell those are two very different shades of the same wool colour" in a raised eyebrow sharp intake of breath way whilst saying "are you sure they are the same colour?"

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 19/07/2025 18:14

I mean she not wrong, but who else is actually going to notice??

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ExtensivelyDecluttering · 19/07/2025 18:48

I am a little worried that my squares might have got lost in the post, I sent themover a week ago @KnottyAndPistey please could you look out for two plain light blue crochet squares (worked in rows not rounds). Thank you.

Having just scrolled the thread gallery, I think this blanket is going to have some of the best squares I have ever seen and I have been making squares for them for many, many years ❤️

EdithStourton · 19/07/2025 19:06

I love the way that @KnottyAndPistey has a television table partly propped on the sofa. Maud has clearly got herself well settled in.

Loving the squares, btw - wonderful Teds and galleons and all sorts. I'm a decent knitter, but there is so much in the 'utterly brilliant league'.

inkymoose · 19/07/2025 19:51

Isn't this the most wonderful project. I am desperately sad for Swashy and Dr Swash, the most terrible loss for them, and here we are doing something together - making a woolly hug full of love and care. The squares are so lovely. It's magical seeing them each appear. I feel proud to be involved, and to make something so special yet practical for our friend, to try to comfort her and let her know we truly care.

Thank you @KnottyAndPisteyfor all your work, and everyone else here for your contribution, your thoughts and your loving kindness.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 19/07/2025 21:40

Boiledbeetle · 18/07/2025 08:03

They are just making Knotty's breakfast.

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

Aww bless! They're so good!!

KnottyAndPistey · 20/07/2025 10:11

Morning folks! Maud is just making coffee. Was worried because the kettle is bigger than she is, but she seems to have it under control. Hopefully.

hmmmmm @ExtensivelyDecluttering not here yet, that’s a real worry. 😩 Hopefully they are just taking the scenic route. I could send the gerbils out to find them.

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