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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 · 16/09/2025 12:38

They'll be at the Bluestocking by tea time

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:39

MyrtleLion · 16/09/2025 12:36

Two sets of goggles!

Just in case. Very prepared is Fuzzy.

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:40

Maud left the guest bedroom in pristine condition.

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.
FuzzyPuffling · 16/09/2025 12:40

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:39

Just in case. Very prepared is Fuzzy.

One set is reading goggles.

MyrtleLion · 16/09/2025 12:43

FuzzyPuffling · 16/09/2025 12:40

One set is reading goggles.

That makes sense. Though I'm wondering how she can read while on the wing. But I shouldn't worry about such things. I'm sure Maud is capable of many things.

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:45

đź’™

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
FuzzyPuffling · 16/09/2025 13:04

Puffin Airways would like to offer a voucher for a return flight to the Bluestocking for K&P and Fawley. Maud insisted!

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 13:49

I see Glenndarr "doubble n doubble r" is working in the voucher department this week.

I think it's still valid, but I'll get another sent through anyway.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 13:52

Much better job from Gertrude.

I think Glenndarr's skills lie elsewhere.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 14:08

I watched her until they were out of sight.

The house feels very quiet now.

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 14:12

KnottyAndPistey · 16/09/2025 14:08

I watched her until they were out of sight.

The house feels very quiet now.

❤️

Fawley will be in need of extra snuggles this evening I think.

Maud has arrived home safely.

But I'm sure she'll be back to visit you before too long.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 20:37

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/5411868-which-dress-to-my-welcome-home-party

Maud polled Style and Beauty over her party outfit

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.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 20:37

and ended up in something completely different

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
inkymoose · 16/09/2025 20:41

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 12:45

đź’™

🩵

inkymoose · 16/09/2025 20:44

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 20:37

and ended up in something completely different

Ooh that's

ever so stylish!

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 20:48

inkymoose · 16/09/2025 20:44

Ooh that's

ever so stylish!

Isn't it!!!!

Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 22:10

Maud had a lovely welcome home and after drinking rather a lot of wine is now snoring her head off in the snug.

Luckily she's not rostered to work until next week.

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.
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.
Boiledbeetle · 16/09/2025 23:07

She's going to have a sore head in the morning

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 16/09/2025 23:27

As it's late and the thread is filling up, here's the link from K&P for the next thread.

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

Boiledbeetle · 17/09/2025 10:11

Maud is very hungover.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 17/09/2025 10:49

Dr Bessie has brought the Binge Advil - extra strong ibuprofen - and recommends plenty of water, rehydration salts, and rest, plus something light on the stomach later, like toast and fruit, once Maud feels up to it.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
lcakethereforeIam · 17/09/2025 10:50

Ginger tea might settle her stomach a bit.

KnottyAndPistey · 17/09/2025 10:52

Honestly Maud

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 17/09/2025 10:56

So obviously I am tracking our precious parcel, and I can see it is at a sorting office close to Swashy with the delivery time of before 1pm.

It makes me very twitchy when a blanket/s go out of my care and before they arrive!

And we are on something like 998 posts, so come over to our new thread

bring Maud, not sure she can make it on her own right now

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5411321-woolly-hugs-part-2-the-blanket-for-lovely-swashbuckled?reply=147182821

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 17/09/2025 10:57

<switches off the lights>

But the door is left open......

OP posts:
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