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

[KnottyAndPistey]

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.

Thankyou to everyone who has offered money to support the wool purchase it really means a lot 💗

Thanks also to @KnottyAndPistey for the continued hard work you put into arranging these amazing blankets 💕

I want to respond but don’t know what to say.

I am so moved, and grateful to you all.
I cannot tell you what this kindness means and how it touches me so deeply.

My words are not conveying me fully right now, but I did so much want to respond.

Swashy (and Bear)

❤️

@KnottyAndPisteycould you message me about donating also? Thank you, and love to Swashbuckled ❤️

We are here for you, you don't have to say anything or you can tell us even more about your son or whatever you want!

I didn't know you before today, but my heart goes out to you. He sounds like an amazing young man. Life can be so unfair & my heart is breaking for you. 🌹

I used to knit & crochet for Woolly Hugs blankets, but I had a stroke in January & have lost the feeling (but not the muscle memory) in my right hand side. My brain wants to knit & still can, but I'm not sure if I will be able to with no feeling. I'm going to find out in the next day or so aren't I. 🤷🏻‍♀️it will be attempted with much love xx

biggest hugs

Dear Swashy,

So, so moving to read your beautiful words.

I love this thread and all the people in it. Unbearable sadness can be softened by kindness and kind acts, it moves me deeply. I think it is extraordinary how this liminal place where people flit by and reveal only a small part of themselves can open up into a place of deep, true connection and love.

I love the simple but powerful concept of people knitting a soft blanket out of little squares, each person as they knit or crochet thinks about you and your lovely son with love and tenderness, knitting their kindness into each stitch, and those who can't knit enact their kind thoughts through the physical craft of those who willingly can.

We will all grieve during our lifetimes, and that grief is part of what makes us whole. So the woolly hug blanket physically represents this wholeness, love and grief and comfort. It is a beautiful, warm, ordinary yet extraordinary thing.

All my love, though we have never met, my heart is full, lovely Swashy.

inky ❤️

@WoollyHugsAreTheBest I really hope you achieve a square. I can sense your loving determination through your post. Go for it ❤️

Inky puts it perfectly.
The "nest of vipers" holds you close.

Thank you, I hope so too!!🌹

I too cannot knit at all but am sending love the Swash and her family ❤️. Thank you so much @KnottyAndPisteyfor doing this. If donations would help please let me know

Gosh, @inkymoose , that’s lovely.
I’m not good with words so I’ll put my thoughts into a woolly square. When that’s joined with all the others, I hope that @Swashbuckled will feel our combined hug of love, kindness, support and comfort.

Afternoon folks and the biggest hugs for you Swash.

I'm so utterly and deeply moved by your message Swash, so glad we can do this for you, but how we all wish it was different. We are so sorry life has been so desperately cruel to your boy, to your daughter, to you, to all who love him.

And @inkymoose you have articulated so well, you've put it perfectly and Im so deeply moved by your words too.

@FuzzyPuffling - the best of the nest

@AelitaQueenofMars and @Igmum you have mail, thank you

Thank you so much to the lovely donors, we fully recognise that crafting costs and some folk wouldn't be able to join in without donated yarn, and in turn it helps those who don't craft (yet, we will get you... 😘) be a full and active part. It's all about being inclusive and joining together.

Funds. safely here, a huge thank you @Boiledbeetle

Oooooo and Lovely crafters do post pics as we go along, it’s so nice to see crafting in action. Thank you

I've paypalled you, thank you for organising this you lovely vipers 😍

Hello, I’d like to help. I may need some yarn. Thinking I might try a black mini and a bear maybe?

Morning folks

@SpringSparrow yes please, thank you - you'll do an amazing job as always.

@SpringSparrow - message when you have finalised colours and I'll get it sorted for you

Another lovely donor to thank, absolutely wonderful

@Igmum Funds safely here, a huge thank you.

@WoollyHugsAreTheBest really sorry to hear you have been unwell and things have been challenging, wishing you all the best

I'm starting with a red and white striped football scarf on green, but am waiting (impatiently) for my yarn to arrive

I am so sorry, how awful.

I can't knit but I'm good at crochet if that's any good? I would like to help. Probably plain granny squares would be best or I could do sunburst ones in appropriate colours. I've made lots of blankets over the years. I would need some wool though please. Could you please let me know how I can join in? (If you need me)

Crochet and knit are equally lovely and yes please to you joining us. Please can you message your address for the yarn donation. Thank you.

Checking in from forrin parts ( but promise to knit furiously on return to make last posting date).
Came on to thank the yarn donors, and was moved to tears by the posts especially @Swashbuckled (big hug to you from this stranger) and @inkymoose.
Truly cannot imagine anything worse than losing your child. xxxx

@KnottyAndPistey , TIA for posting the yarn . Afraid it’ll be my trademark plain hearts and stars, but there are such wonderful ideas for squares upthread I’m honoured to be providing some of the background .

@Yiayoula - from Swash - do some of your stunning heart knits, absoutely perfect.

"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.”

I’m so sorry for your loss 💔
I’d like to donate some money for the yarn if possible.