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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
Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 21:34

KnottyAndPistey · 15/09/2025 21:08

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

I'm sure she'll be finding many reasons to be nipping back to yours...

to learn new knitting techniques,
a gossip over hot chocolates
a snuggle with Fawley

are just some that spring immediately to mind.

MyrtleLion · 15/09/2025 22:58

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

There's a new TV show like Bake Off and Sewing Bee and it's about knitting. They'll be doing yarnbombing! Probably broadcast in 2026.

Game of Wool!

But don't tell the gerbils yet because it's going to be on after Christmas and you know how ferocious argumentative excited they get if they start looking forward to that too early.

Boiledbeetle · 15/09/2025 23:33

Maud is all packed.

Her travel outfit is hanging up.

She's got Fawley to snuggle with.

she's ready for the most important of tasks tomorrow and is honoured to be escorting @KnottyAndPistey to the Post Office to send the blankets and cushion to Swash.

And then she'll be travelling home to the Bluestocking. First class all the way as she's flying Puffin Air whilst the gerbils drive her many new clothes and other stuff home in the camper van.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 08:41

Fawley is getting very sad that Maud is leaving today. She has just hidden her shoes down the garden to try to stop this.

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

Here we go then. All cards, lil teds, both blankets and the cushion. Getting a huge envelope at the PO. And will then use 90 million metres of parcel tape.

Come on Maud. Let’s go.

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:
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 09:41

KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 09:32

Here we go then. All cards, lil teds, both blankets and the cushion. Getting a huge envelope at the PO. And will then use 90 million metres of parcel tape.

Come on Maud. Let’s go.

Maud will just be a moment, She's just got her shoes back.

Turns out Fawley has quite a stash of odd shoes down the bottom of the garden.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 09:50

Maud, get off the cushion.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 09:57

I suspect Maud is delaying by trying to pretend the Post Office is the other way.

Nice tights @KnottyAndPistey

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 11:26

I do look fancy don’t I?!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 11:28

The blankets and cushion are posted and all on their way to Swash. To arrive tomorrow. I have all the tracking we could wish for. 💙💙💙💙

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 11:29

Maud is going to have her lunch here. Then she’s ready to go 😭😭😭😭

OP posts:
MyrtleLion · 16/09/2025 11:29

Thank you so much @KnottyAndPistey!

You have done us proud 💙

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 11:31

KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 11:28

The blankets and cushion are posted and all on their way to Swash. To arrive tomorrow. I have all the tracking we could wish for. 💙💙💙💙

Excellent news.

I hope Maud didn't get too tangled up in the parcel tape stage!

The gerbils and @FuzzyPuffling are nearly at Woolly Hugs HQ.

So by the time you've had lunch they'll have arrived!

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 11:41

I think Fawley is trying to steal a cookie.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 11:48

There will be a slight delay to Maud's departure.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:09

Tire is fixed.

They've just stopped for lemon drizzle cake and hot chocolates.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:15

They are back on the road and ten miles away.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:19

Maud's just nipping to the loo, (I'm sure Fuzzy will appreciate her doing so!)

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 16/09/2025 12:28

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 11:48

There will be a slight delay to Maud's departure.

Did Maud somehow arrange this?

She seems reluctant to return to the Bluestocking.

Which is a shame, as the gerbils are getting a bit grumpy in their impatience to see her.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:34

MyrtleLion · 16/09/2025 12:28

Did Maud somehow arrange this?

She seems reluctant to return to the Bluestocking.

Which is a shame, as the gerbils are getting a bit grumpy in their impatience to see her.

MAUD IS ABOUT TO SET OFF

The gerbils are just packing up

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:35

A final hug with @KnottyAndPistey and Fawley

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:36

The gerbils are on their way home with Mauds many belongings

@FuzzyPuffling is making sure Maud is fit to fly.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:36

And they are off.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 16/09/2025 12:36

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:36

The gerbils are on their way home with Mauds many belongings

@FuzzyPuffling is making sure Maud is fit to fly.

Two sets of goggles!

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:37

And up

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