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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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SpringSparrow · 24/07/2025 23:06

Aw @KnottyAndPistey thank you for the lovely comments! So glad to see Little Ted arrived safely with the squares. I’d sent them tracked and was beginning to worry as the tracking photo was not of my parcel! 😬

Boiledbeetle · 25/07/2025 19:13

I'm sorry about the water coming through the kitchen ceiling @KnottyAndPistey Gwenda got a little enthusiastic with her toilet cleaning, but I'm sure it will dry out in no time.

Gaynor and Gloria are trying to pretend they had nothing to do with it and weren't enthusiastically encouraging her five minutes ago!

Maud only left them alone for 5 minutes.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 25/07/2025 19:22

I wondered what it was!

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Boiledbeetle · 25/07/2025 19:33

Maud had just been round to speak to the contractor. Clara says give it a couple of days to dry out and she'll come and paint over the water stain!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
fuckitallabit · 25/07/2025 19:59

I've been slow - apologies! Posting tomorrow x

KnottyAndPistey · 26/07/2025 13:02

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at authors request

MyrtleLion · 26/07/2025 13:05

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at authors request

There’s an identifying postcode on that label, so you might want to ask MN to remove the image, then repost it.

KnottyAndPistey · 26/07/2025 13:11

Five days for a first class parcel!!

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KnottyAndPistey · 26/07/2025 13:15

StarExtra beautiful because we thought they were missing, gorgeous crocheted treasure arriving safely! Super. Thank you so much lovely @JamieFrasersSassenach Flowers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 26/07/2025 13:17

MyrtleLion · 26/07/2025 13:05

There’s an identifying postcode on that label, so you might want to ask MN to remove the image, then repost it.

I have. It’s my postcode. It’s ok, wasn’t too worried

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JamieFrasersSassenach · 26/07/2025 13:26

I’m so happy/relieved they have arrived @KnottyAndPisteyat last!!

fuckitallabit · 26/07/2025 20:24

@knottyandpistey- and if I'm too late just use my squares in other blankets if you can. Sorry, was v disorganised this time

Bowednotbroken · 27/07/2025 20:15

Apologies for my promised funds not materialising - I’m ashamed to say I did not ever manage to work out how to access DMs which is shocking I know and I’m sorry. The work you have all put in is fabulous. I’m filled with awe.

Boiledbeetle · 27/07/2025 21:56

Bowednotbroken · 27/07/2025 20:15

Apologies for my promised funds not materialising - I’m ashamed to say I did not ever manage to work out how to access DMs which is shocking I know and I’m sorry. The work you have all put in is fabulous. I’m filled with awe.

Woolly Hugs have a donate page on their website.

I've stuck a screenshot on that includes the web address.

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.
Bowednotbroken · 27/07/2025 22:14

Thank you!

WitchDancer · 28/07/2025 07:58

Bowednotbroken · 27/07/2025 20:15

Apologies for my promised funds not materialising - I’m ashamed to say I did not ever manage to work out how to access DMs which is shocking I know and I’m sorry. The work you have all put in is fabulous. I’m filled with awe.

They can only be accessed through the desktop and not the app if that’s helps.

Bowednotbroken · 28/07/2025 08:00

Ah! Having been away for some weeks that would explain it - thank you.

KnottyAndPistey · 28/07/2025 17:36

Afternoonio!

@fuckitallabit - just sent you a message Brew

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KnottyAndPistey · 28/07/2025 17:43

So this afternoon, Maud and I did the sort. We split the squares into two and then we worked on both layouts. She is exhausted. But it’s done! We had lots of Brew

Oh, and the most wonderful part is that both blankets are the full size (ie 121 squares!)

Maud was super proud to place this square. I don’t blame her. It’s adorable

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 28/07/2025 17:53

Squares are now bagged in numbered bags according to horizontal rows as in the pic.

Everyone is represented in both (if you sent more than one square, which I think was everyone) Everyone was v generous so after making sure everyone was represented and the layout was balanced colourwise there were a handful of squares over. So these are being kept safe for a future blanket. As much as we don’t like to think of it, there will be another bereavement blanket made. So a huge thank you there.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 28/07/2025 17:57

I’m away from Wednesday until next Monday. But I’m organised now, poised and ready to start hooking our beautiful blankets together ❤️❤️

I’m thinking to send all the little gerbils back now and maybe just keep Maud here? I’m attached. And she so helpful.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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Boiledbeetle · 28/07/2025 18:06

Maud is delighted to stay at yours, she's looking forward to looking after the cats whilst you are away.

The other gerbils should be back home in an hour or two.

Just as soon as they've turned round at Tescos roundabout and come back for Gratin hiding out in the living room, peeking out the window!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 28/07/2025 18:10

Boiledbeetle · 28/07/2025 18:06

Maud is delighted to stay at yours, she's looking forward to looking after the cats whilst you are away.

The other gerbils should be back home in an hour or two.

Just as soon as they've turned round at Tescos roundabout and come back for Gratin hiding out in the living room, peeking out the window!

I love Gratin!

Is that a gerbil hiding behind the VW badge, or has the badge been changed to the GerbilMobile?

Thank you @KnottyAndPistey for sorting the blankets and for the stitching together to come.

Boiledbeetle · 28/07/2025 18:50

Gratin is now in the van with the rest of them after they spent half an hour searching for her. She finally turned up. She was pretending to be a cat toy.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 29/07/2025 00:03

Aw. Thank you, K&P, for designing the blankies.

Hello, Maud! Lovely to see your square again. And I'm so glad you've found a new home. We'll miss you at the Bluey, but you must follow your star.

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