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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 · 04/09/2025 09:49

The label is almost as big as the cushion pad! Lovely @bookbook has made a 12 inch backing square too. Thinking a button fastening. Just need to work it out.

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.
OP posts:
inkymoose · 04/09/2025 13:46

KnottyAndPistey · 04/09/2025 09:49

The label is almost as big as the cushion pad! Lovely @bookbook has made a 12 inch backing square too. Thinking a button fastening. Just need to work it out.

What a lovely thing. I really like the holey pattern on the cushion back, too, and the In It Together front is gorgeous 🩵

MyrtleLion · 04/09/2025 13:49

Maud is “helping”.

I’m not sure she understands about a button fastener.

Or that the thread goes through the eye of the needle.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 04/09/2025 13:52

MyrtleLion · 04/09/2025 13:49

Maud is “helping”.

I’m not sure she understands about a button fastener.

Or that the thread goes through the eye of the needle.

All that hard work has tired her out though

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 05/09/2025 20:19

Maud has returned from her day out at a Star Trek convention (don't ask!)

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 06/09/2025 10:08

Maud! I had no idea

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 06/09/2025 10:11

I got the buttons for the cushion yesterday. My lovely friend runs a yarn shop in Southsea. And she donated them. Because she is just lovely like that. Porcelain I think. Took the cushion with. And they are perfect.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
SpiralArchitect · 06/09/2025 10:48

Boiledbeetle · 05/09/2025 20:19

Maud has returned from her day out at a Star Trek convention (don't ask!)

Maud is very much looking the part there. Does she have a Borg name?

Boiledbeetle · 06/09/2025 11:41

SpiralArchitect · 06/09/2025 10:48

Maud is very much looking the part there. Does she have a Borg name?

A random borg name generator suggested

Knitrix-9 of the Bluestocking Collective

But Maud is shaking her head and is open to suggestions.

She's refusing to take the costume off.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
SpiralArchitect · 06/09/2025 14:40

@Boiledbeetle Maud should definitely be 1 of (however many gerbils she has under her), and surely she is Borg Queen of her Collective??
(I am really outing myself as a bit of a Trek Nerd here 😅)

Boiledbeetle · 06/09/2025 14:54

SpiralArchitect · 06/09/2025 14:40

@Boiledbeetle Maud should definitely be 1 of (however many gerbils she has under her), and surely she is Borg Queen of her Collective??
(I am really outing myself as a bit of a Trek Nerd here 😅)

I defer to your superior knowledge.

On the gerbil front, it's probably 100 + at this point, (although we do have them on birth control and separate from the male gerbils accidents still happen).

And you are correct she is the Borg Queen of her collective!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 06/09/2025 16:34

Boiledbeetle · 06/09/2025 11:41

A random borg name generator suggested

Knitrix-9 of the Bluestocking Collective

But Maud is shaking her head and is open to suggestions.

She's refusing to take the costume off.

I don't blame her, she looks fabulous & it must be very freeing after all those layers & petticoats.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 06/09/2025 16:38

KnottyAndPistey · 06/09/2025 10:11

I got the buttons for the cushion yesterday. My lovely friend runs a yarn shop in Southsea. And she donated them. Because she is just lovely like that. Porcelain I think. Took the cushion with. And they are perfect.

They're beautiful & so is the way so many people have donated to Swashy's blankies.

KnottyAndPistey · 07/09/2025 18:36

Agreed ❤️

4 verticals and the border left. Getting there!

OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 07/09/2025 19:39

KnottyAndPistey · 07/09/2025 18:36

Agreed ❤️

4 verticals and the border left. Getting there!

That will explain why Maud is currently attempting to hide all the knitting supplies.

Bless her, I think she likes it at yours!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 10/09/2025 10:44

Do you know, I wondered how it keeps disappearing.

Onto the border!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 10/09/2025 10:51

Starting another new ball. Thank you again lovely donors!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 10/09/2025 10:58

Had to get Swash’s out to remind myself of the border!

And it made me think, if anyone would still like to send a card, now is the time. Please message for the address. Thank you!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
MyrtleLion · 10/09/2025 11:11

It's really wonderful to see the blankets coming together. So much love and care for @Swashbuckled and her daughter, Dr Swashy.

Thank you @KnottyAndPistey for starting this project, coordinating knitters, crotcheters, yarn, donors and for turning our work into a work of art. 💙

KnottyAndPistey · 11/09/2025 16:38

Well into the penultimate round of the border. A last new ball of blue needed!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 11/09/2025 17:35

Maud thinks she may need a bigger bag than what she arrived with.

And it's hitting her hard that the blankets are nearly done.

I think she has liked being the only gerbil in the village.

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.
AlexandraLeaving · 11/09/2025 17:37

Boiledbeetle · 11/09/2025 17:35

Maud thinks she may need a bigger bag than what she arrived with.

And it's hitting her hard that the blankets are nearly done.

I think she has liked being the only gerbil in the village.

Perhaps Maud could continue her travels around the rest of the (broadly) human community - a sort of gerbil ambassador for the Blue Stocking?

Boiledbeetle · 11/09/2025 17:54

AlexandraLeaving · 11/09/2025 17:37

Perhaps Maud could continue her travels around the rest of the (broadly) human community - a sort of gerbil ambassador for the Blue Stocking?

I think she'd do a good job.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 11/09/2025 17:57

Maud has done a brilliant job! I'm sure she'll get a rapturous welcome on her return to the Bluestocking.

The gerbils really miss her.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 11/09/2025 18:00

I hope she gets back soon - I see the gerbils are too depressed to work behind the bar & we're having to get our own drinks. That's not on!

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