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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:
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CautiousLurker01 · 08/06/2025 23:02

So very sad to hear about Ted. I have some Debbie Bliss Rialto in various colours. Will dig some out tomorrow and report back. Would be a privilege to offer some squares for his blanket.

shutupgardenbirds · 08/06/2025 23:13

I'm afraid all I can do are the most basic of squares but if they're welcome then I'm more than willing to have a go.

Yiayoula · 09/06/2025 07:07

@shutupgardenbirds -I’ve been part of Woolly Hugs for years , and only do plain squares - I can assure you they are always welcome, as are you.
”Love in every stitch”.

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 09/06/2025 07:27

I've been with Woolly Hugs (under a different name) for so many years I've listened to count!

N The plain square are not just wanted, they're needed! Otherwise the picture/design squares are too much. The plainer squares highlight them!

as was said earlier. Better slightly small than any bigger.

xx

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 09/06/2025 07:30

Ted sounds like an amazing lad, so incredibly sad, poor Swash (&DD)

Tiddlersfish · 09/06/2025 07:38

I can just about crochet but would love to make a couple of squares for Swash. I will pop in a WW order today x

IoWfairy · 09/06/2025 08:28

Reporting back after examining my stash - it looks like I have the required ingredients to attempt a ‘dartboard’ square. I will give that a go.

KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 08:32

Good morning wonderful people Brew

Will be here v soon to help folks, but just so grateful to each and every one of you for these fantastic offers. THANK YOU

@Crazyladee remembering your fabulous boy xxx

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Tiddlersfish · 09/06/2025 08:42

I’ve ordered the granny square deck too alongside the yarn so will make a couple of pretty non descript patterns in the colours suggested. Sending love too Teds family ❤️

SpiralArchitect · 09/06/2025 10:33

Really sad to hear this news - I will, of course, get my hook out and make some squares.
Sending love to Swashbuckled and her family Flowers

Igneococcus · 09/06/2025 10:54

I would like to contribute some plain squares. I will message you for address later, op.

KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 11:18

Here to help, thank you everyone.

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KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 11:19

ToadyPoady · 08/06/2025 22:59

So sorry to see this, he sounds like a wonderful son, so very sad. I’d be honoured to make a couple of squares, I’ll try and do a bear in a flat cap and a mini logo.

These will be fabulous, thank you

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 11:20

IoWfairy · 09/06/2025 08:28

Reporting back after examining my stash - it looks like I have the required ingredients to attempt a ‘dartboard’ square. I will give that a go.

brilliant, will tick it off my mental list of themes to include if poss, thank you

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KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 11:21

I'm off to messages Brew

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KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 11:57

To those who have so kindly offered money for wool, I have messaged you with the info, we are truly grateful, thank you

@UpUpUpU @CosmicMountain @Bowednotbroken @Boiledbeetle

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 11:57

shutupgardenbirds · 08/06/2025 23:13

I'm afraid all I can do are the most basic of squares but if they're welcome then I'm more than willing to have a go.

They will be perfect

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PermanentTemporary · 09/06/2025 12:06

@KnottyAndPistey could you message me about donations? All thoughts to Swash at this very sad time.

I'm sitting having my lunch with the Woolly Hugs blanket you all made when my dh died in 2018. It is still such a comfort to me in a way that other things aren't, because it's about the person he was and not about his death.

MyrtleLion · 09/06/2025 12:44

I'm currently on holiday and haven't knitted for years, but I'm willing to try and knit some plain squares.

I'm also having ankle surgery in the next few weeks, and will be immobile in a cast, so if I'm any good I might send you the Swashy squares then finish off the wool and send spares for the next blanket.

When would you like them?

MrsMitford3 · 09/06/2025 12:47

I'm sure in the past I donated money for yarn as I can't knit-is that an option? please let me know how to do it.

GammonAndEgg · 09/06/2025 12:51

KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 11:57

To those who have so kindly offered money for wool, I have messaged you with the info, we are truly grateful, thank you

@UpUpUpU @CosmicMountain @Bowednotbroken @Boiledbeetle

Please add me too.

lcakethereforeIam · 09/06/2025 14:52

I've just learned about this. I've been away from the Bluestocking for a couple of days. I haven't knitted anything for years but if I can find the wool and translate the pattern I'll give it a go. Tension tends to be something that happens to other knitters though😃. When do they need to be done by?

KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 14:55

Thank you too to @MrsMitford3 and @GammonAndEgg - you both have the info now too. Thank you so much

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 14:58
Thanks Thank You GIF by Lumi

I think we are now sufficiently underway enough to be able to set a last posting. If you need the posting address please just message.

Friday 18th July

If you are seeing this thread for the first time, still plenty of time to join in. In total ideally we will need to receive 99 six inch squares.

We can easily do this!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 09/06/2025 14:59

Its all mod cons on MN these days, GIFs, easy bold, reactions @MumsnetTowers you are spoiling us.

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