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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
ifIwerenotanandroid · 12/08/2025 18:18

KnottyAndPistey · 12/08/2025 16:17

Had to fight hard to convince Maud that this Tunnocks is not real. Bless her. Caught her trying to unwrap it!

This is now attached. Hopefully that’s the end of it. 😃

Fabulous teacake wrapper!

KnottyAndPistey · 12/08/2025 19:30

Oh. My word. I saw this. And had to be FIRM. I love her though. Even when she’s a huge chocolatey mess.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 12/08/2025 19:36

Don't unravel it, Maud!

Boiledbeetle · 12/08/2025 22:04

KnottyAndPistey · 12/08/2025 19:30

Oh. My word. I saw this. And had to be FIRM. I love her though. Even when she’s a huge chocolatey mess.

I see all is forgiven.

Love the matching pyjamas.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Sunshineandrainbow · 13/08/2025 07:14

It's looking fab @KnottyAndPistey do you join the squares in strips and then join the strips? Do you crochet them together or sew them? I am just doing my first blanket of squares and interested in how people get them together! Thanks

KnottyAndPistey · 14/08/2025 15:45

Afternoon! I join them separately I find it works better and I can focus on each square. Once row 1 and 2 are joined it’s much easier.

I crochet. Put wrong sides together and crochet between the outermost loops on each square. Just a DC join. This part was a bit different as it’s fitting in a 12 inch.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 14/08/2025 15:46

I love our matching pyjamas 😍

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 14/08/2025 15:53

Like this

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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Boiledbeetle · 14/08/2025 18:38

KnottyAndPistey · 14/08/2025 15:46

I love our matching pyjamas 😍

It's matching t shirts and shorts today I see.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 14/08/2025 23:36

Boiledbeetle · 14/08/2025 18:38

It's matching t shirts and shorts today I see.

That is adorable, Boily!

KnottyAndPistey · 15/08/2025 10:20

That’s exactly what we look like!

The fabulous fox is now in on 3 sides. ❤️❤️

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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KnottyAndPistey · 15/08/2025 15:35

Just started edging. Not planning any complex edging as the blanket really speaks for itself and its big already. So going minimal. Probably three rounds, two colours. The whole blanket is looking amazing ❤️❤️

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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MyrtleLion · 15/08/2025 16:53

Maud is helping.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 17/08/2025 18:41

Round 2. Ding ding.

Maud is making dinner. She said leave it to her. We have.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 17/08/2025 18:56

Roast chicken for tea I see!

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.
Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 17/08/2025 19:32

And it was magnificent <chefs kiss>

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ifIwerenotanandroid · 17/08/2025 20:37

KnottyAndPistey · 17/08/2025 18:41

Round 2. Ding ding.

Maud is making dinner. She said leave it to her. We have.

I spy chef's trousers!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 17/08/2025 20:39

Boiledbeetle · 17/08/2025 18:56

Roast chicken for tea I see!

Really, what are we going to have to call you now? Walt Beetle, or Boiled Disney? That's so lovely.

Boiledbeetle · 18/08/2025 18:49

Maud has been up to no good I see.

She just couldn't leave it alone!

Im sure she'll be very sorry when K&P notices!!

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.
Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 18/08/2025 20:59

Boiledbeetle · 18/08/2025 18:49

Maud has been up to no good I see.

She just couldn't leave it alone!

Im sure she'll be very sorry when K&P notices!!

Won’t she be disappointed when she realises it’s made from wool and not chocolate yumminess? 🤔🧐😕

Boiledbeetle · 18/08/2025 21:03

MyrtleLion · 18/08/2025 20:59

Won’t she be disappointed when she realises it’s made from wool and not chocolate yumminess? 🤔🧐😕

I think she was told, repeatedly, but until she proved it for herself... The realisation that Knotty was telling the truth seems to have penetrated finally.

I hope she was super careful taking it off.

MyrtleLion · 19/08/2025 11:30

Boiledbeetle · 18/08/2025 21:03

I think she was told, repeatedly, but until she proved it for herself... The realisation that Knotty was telling the truth seems to have penetrated finally.

I hope she was super careful taking it off.

Will she be able to reattach it, or has she created more work for Knotty? And how will she make up for it?

KnottyAndPistey · 19/08/2025 14:33

So I have reattached the Tunnocks embellishment. Maud realised her error but shall we say, not early enough.

Still no harm done. although if you look carefully there are one or two teef marks. Possibly.

Onto Round 3 and final round of the border.

Swashy….. “His eyes were navy blue and he had dark brown hair. I think of him in those colours.”

Think it all goes beautifully

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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ifIwerenotanandroid · 19/08/2025 15:21

Beautifully done, K&P.

KnottyAndPistey · 19/08/2025 16:43

Really pleased to let you l know that Swashy’s blanket is finished. It is absolutely beautiful, in itself and in how everyone pulled together.

There may be one or two pesky ends to sew in but Maud assures me this is her forte. Who knew gerbils were so multi talented?!

So onto our second beautiful blanket. So glad we can do this for them. Thank you folks.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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