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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
KnottyAndPistey · 22/08/2025 19:30

My loves, im now away for a few days. Back at the end of next week when I will be cracking on. I’m leaving Maud in charge of everything. I mean, what can go wrong right?

OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 22/08/2025 19:43

KnottyAndPistey · 22/08/2025 19:30

My loves, im now away for a few days. Back at the end of next week when I will be cracking on. I’m leaving Maud in charge of everything. I mean, what can go wrong right?

I'm sure everything will be fine!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 22/08/2025 19:51

What could possibly go wrong?

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 22/08/2025 20:00

Oh look the guests have arrived!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 22/08/2025 20:00

Hell’s teeth 😃😃.

OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 22/08/2025 20:14

KnottyAndPistey · 22/08/2025 20:00

Hell’s teeth 😃😃.

I'm sure they'll behave themselves and tidy up after!

MyrtleLion · 22/08/2025 20:53

They do look very well-behaved. Maybe they’re just going to practise their country dancing and swap knitting patterns?

😂😂😂

ifIwerenotanandroid · 22/08/2025 21:15

Dream on!

Boiledbeetle · 22/08/2025 22:40

We are keeping an eye on them and the boys have been sent back to the Staunch Ally.

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 · 26/08/2025 12:38

Just checking in on the Maud and the other gerbils

👀

OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 26/08/2025 13:56

KnottyAndPistey · 26/08/2025 12:38

Just checking in on the Maud and the other gerbils

👀

All was well when we left after the party. Everything was tidied and cleaned, nothing broken.

I'll just check and see what she's up to today...

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 26/08/2025 20:29

Maud's doing an excellent job of looking after the cats, who have managed to persuade her that cat treats are given out at a rate of one packet per cat every hour!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 27/08/2025 12:19

Has Maud ever been cat-sitting before?

Do we need to send over a sensible gerbil? Are there sensible gerbils?

Boiledbeetle · 27/08/2025 12:30

MyrtleLion · 27/08/2025 12:19

Has Maud ever been cat-sitting before?

Do we need to send over a sensible gerbil? Are there sensible gerbils?

Maud IS the sensible gerbil!

And no, before her stint at Woolly Hugs HQ the most Maud had done was ride the Bluestocking cat round the goat paddock a few times whilst shouting I am Spartacus at the top of her voice.

MyrtleLion · 27/08/2025 13:18

Boiledbeetle · 27/08/2025 12:30

Maud IS the sensible gerbil!

And no, before her stint at Woolly Hugs HQ the most Maud had done was ride the Bluestocking cat round the goat paddock a few times whilst shouting I am Spartacus at the top of her voice.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Boiledbeetle · 27/08/2025 13:36

See, here she is being all sensible. Although it's the third meal in a row that she's ordered in a takeaway!

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 · 27/08/2025 15:59

Boiledbeetle · 27/08/2025 13:36

See, here she is being all sensible. Although it's the third meal in a row that she's ordered in a takeaway!

These pictures are so darn cute! And I’m laughing 😆

FuzzyPuffling · 27/08/2025 17:55

She's watching the "Thorn Birds". Retro telly!

Boiledbeetle · 27/08/2025 19:56

FuzzyPuffling · 27/08/2025 17:55

She's watching the "Thorn Birds". Retro telly!

She's got a bit of a thing for Father Ralph de Bricassart

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
FuzzyPuffling · 27/08/2025 21:17

Maud, do get a grip!

MyrtleLion · 27/08/2025 22:47

It would be a shame to let her know that Richard Chamberlain who played him in the TV show was gay.

Boiledbeetle · 27/08/2025 22:57

MyrtleLion · 27/08/2025 22:47

It would be a shame to let her know that Richard Chamberlain who played him in the TV show was gay.

I know I was absolutely gutted when I found out so I'm not going to tell her.

lcakethereforeIam · 27/08/2025 22:59

In that case this might cheer her up, when Philippa and Peter Scott realised they could identify individual Beswick swans by their unique beak patterns, they named the first one Maud, 🦢

Boiledbeetle · 30/08/2025 23:00

Maud, although she can't actually read a calendar, is fairly sure @KnottyAndPistey is due home soon ish.

She's been busy getting the house all cleaned up ready for her friends return.

Not sure where the living room carpet got to, but I'm sure K&P won't notice!.

Maud is literally jumping for joy, of course that may be because she's realised she won't have to empty the litter tray again for a while

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 · 31/08/2025 10:55

Furntus Polest!

Furnotur Polisa!

😆😂😅🤣

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