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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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385
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 12:26

KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 11:57

Maud has had a lovely lovely time here and I adore her. She loves everything about wool and has mastered the art of bustling. But sometimes I do find her wistfully looking out of a window. I know ahe’s missing the bluestocking pub and all the little gerbils. It’s time for her to go home 😭

I think Maud probably is ready to go home, she's checking things off her to do list.

She's enjoyed being the only gerbil, but the other gerbils miss her terribly and her phone calls home have been getting more frequent.

She's added assisting with the parcels to her list.

She's acting very stoic, but does keep mentioning she's got a bad cold which is why her eyes keep leaking, but I don't think she's actually got a cold.

She has mentioned maybe visiting you over Christmas though depending on her shifts at the Bluestocking!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 12:54

I see she's leaving you a little reminder of her @KnottyAndPistey

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Yiayoula · 15/09/2025 13:49

Thank you , @KnottyAndPistey , for everything you have done to get the blankets, cushion and little Teds on their way to Swashy and Dr Swashy.
Looking forward to the photos in due course .
And what a brilliant suggestion from @Bearfrills for crafted Mini Mauds for the Christmas Sale! ❤️
All bidders please form an orderly queue behind me ……

MyrtleLion · 15/09/2025 13:56

Aww, Maud is in such a difficult place - missing the gerbils and the Bluestocking, and missing Knotty in anticipation of leaving. She has been such a help. I hope she knows it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Bluestocking gerbils were preparing a lovely welcome home for her.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 15/09/2025 14:10

Her co-creator & I can't wait to see our little one again.

Soooooo many thanks to K&P.💙Can't wait to see the pix, too.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 15:08

Maud is supposed to be cooking @KnottyAndPistey a roast, but seems to have got sidetracked with a nice bottle of Merlot!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 15:40

The wine is working.

Owen Paul My favourite waste of time is playing on the radio.

The chicken is cooking nicely

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 16:32

Tea is ready.

Maud is rather proud of her knitted flower centre piece.

She's even plated up some food for the cats!

What you can't see in these shots is...

Maud is wearing Crocs

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 · 15/09/2025 18:26

Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 16:32

Tea is ready.

Maud is rather proud of her knitted flower centre piece.

She's even plated up some food for the cats!

What you can't see in these shots is...

Maud is wearing Crocs

You can see them when you click on her image!

KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 18:28

i believe crocs are fashionable again.

OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 18:29

MyrtleLion · 15/09/2025 18:26

You can see them when you click on her image!

She looks ever so cute in them.

Staying at Woolly Hugs HQ seems to have knocked years of her.

Of course that may just be because her travelling outfit is rather stern.

Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 18:30

KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 18:28

i believe crocs are fashionable again.

Again?

You mean I'm back in with the fashionable people.

Yay!

Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 19:02

An interesting choice of tv watching this evening.

I fear once home the gerbils will be knitting post box toppers

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
FuzzyPuffling · 15/09/2025 19:22

Perhaps Knotty&Pistey can pop into the Bluestocking now and again to have a hot chocolate with Maud?

Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 20:26

FuzzyPuffling · 15/09/2025 19:22

Perhaps Knotty&Pistey can pop into the Bluestocking now and again to have a hot chocolate with Maud?

That sounds like a wonderful plan.

Maud has got a head start on the hot chocolate.

She looks totally different when she hasn't got her hat on.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
FuzzyPuffling · 15/09/2025 20:28

The balls of wool and needles look a little bit like skull and crossbones. Which, I suppose, is quite apt for Swashy.

Bearfrills · 15/09/2025 20:38

KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 18:28

i believe crocs are fashionable again.

I'll remind Mr Frills of this because whenever I wear mine he threatens divorce. He doesn't realise I've bought him a matching pair for Christmas Wink

Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 20:38

FuzzyPuffling · 15/09/2025 20:28

The balls of wool and needles look a little bit like skull and crossbones. Which, I suppose, is quite apt for Swashy.

That would be more fitting.

As it happens Maud spilt her hot chocolate so a change was required.

Plus it's rather chilly tonight, so here's some Maud knitted whilst she's been at Woolly Hugs HQ

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 20:44

Bearfrills · 15/09/2025 20:38

I'll remind Mr Frills of this because whenever I wear mine he threatens divorce. He doesn't realise I've bought him a matching pair for Christmas Wink

So, you really want that divorce then!!

I'm crossing my fingers for a pack of Jibbitz off my sister. I want to be able to walk around with this on my Crocs 👇

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 21:08

I shall miss Maud, but maybe she will visit. I’ll leave the key under the flowerpot.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 21:09

Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 20:44

So, you really want that divorce then!!

I'm crossing my fingers for a pack of Jibbitz off my sister. I want to be able to walk around with this on my Crocs 👇

😅😅

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 21:10

I shall pop into the Bluestocking! I’ll miss all your photos. 😃

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 21:12

Now I live by the motto that no gerbil is left behind. And I don’t want to be unprepared in the event of us reaching 1000. So. Part 2. In case!

www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5411321-woolly-hugs-part-2-the-blanket-for-lovely-swashbuckled

OP posts:
FuzzyPuffling · 15/09/2025 21:13

Knotty, I'm sure you'll receive an invitation to the next Gerbil Extravaganza Performance.
I'm not sure what they're doing next...

I'm hoping for "The Pirates of Penzance", featuring Swashy's galleon.

KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 21:16

Well earlier Maud was hanging out of my skylight singing something about Argentina. Said it was the closest she could manage to a balcony? Or something.

maybe

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