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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 · 13/06/2025 17:59

Some more donated yarn has landed with a crafter. Thank you so much lovely donors of funds.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 13/06/2025 18:00

Ahhhh my pic fell off

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
user1471538283 · 13/06/2025 18:03

That's so useful about hook sizes. I took an a bit "loose" and tend to use 3.5. I will make sure the squares are the correct size x

Boiledbeetle · 13/06/2025 18:59

Over at the Bluestocking pub we've just moved to a new Bluestocking thread and the gerbils have already commandeered a room for their knitting.

It's a shame their efforts for Swash will only ever be virtual as they seem to be steaming through those squares!

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.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 13/06/2025 19:06

I've made a red & white granny square (football colours) & a teddy bear square, & am just finishing off a pale blue square with a football on it (after 4 attempts at a football, & I hope it's recognisable!). I didn't have any green yarn, so it's a ball lobbed into the air.😁

(Red & 'white' = as specified in the original instructions.)

Igneococcus · 14/06/2025 09:02

@KnottyAndPistey
My wool arrived yesterday and I'm going to get knitting this weekend. I just have one question: what does "blocking" mean in "No blocking please, makes it much easier to join squares." here? I learned knitting in German and I don't know what this means in the context of knitting.

SpringSparrow · 14/06/2025 09:12

@Igneococcus blocking is where you wet or steam your finished knitted piece and then pin it out and stretch it into the shape you want. @KnottyAndPistey don’t want you to do this as it’s easier for someone to join the squares when it’s not blocked!
@KnottyAndPistey i pm’d you about yarn, thanks!

Igneococcus · 14/06/2025 09:17

Thanks @SpringSparrow

KnottyAndPistey · 14/06/2025 09:30

Igneococcus · 14/06/2025 09:02

@KnottyAndPistey
My wool arrived yesterday and I'm going to get knitting this weekend. I just have one question: what does "blocking" mean in "No blocking please, makes it much easier to join squares." here? I learned knitting in German and I don't know what this means in the context of knitting.

Spring answered beautifully. Blocking affects the stitches and does make it harder to join. All squares get pulled into shape by those around them, so its never a problem anyway.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 14/06/2025 09:30

Morning folks Brew

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 14/06/2025 09:31

I love the gerbils!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 14/06/2025 09:31

ifIwerenotanandroid · 13/06/2025 19:06

I've made a red & white granny square (football colours) & a teddy bear square, & am just finishing off a pale blue square with a football on it (after 4 attempts at a football, & I hope it's recognisable!). I didn't have any green yarn, so it's a ball lobbed into the air.😁

(Red & 'white' = as specified in the original instructions.)

Edited

a header maybe?!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 14/06/2025 09:39

I'm attempting a lil striped football-esque scarf today, fingers crossed, if It goes well, I'll make one for all the gerbils too

OP posts:
Boiledbeetle · 14/06/2025 10:08

KnottyAndPistey · 14/06/2025 09:39

I'm attempting a lil striped football-esque scarf today, fingers crossed, if It goes well, I'll make one for all the gerbils too

❤️ The Bluestocking gerbils are wonderful little things, they love to serve (although they do have a tendancy to get very drunk on gin).

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.
MadisonAvenue · 14/06/2025 10:11

My yarn has just arrived, thank you so much ❤️

KnottyAndPistey · 14/06/2025 10:34

Boiledbeetle · 14/06/2025 10:08

❤️ The Bluestocking gerbils are wonderful little things, they love to serve (although they do have a tendancy to get very drunk on gin).

My kinda people.

OP posts:
user1471538283 · 14/06/2025 12:37

My wool is here! Thank you to everyone! I'll make a start this weekend! X

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
MyrtleLion · 14/06/2025 17:09

My wool has also arrived - vacuum-packed!

Steel Blue and Caribbean Sea.

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.
EdithStourton · 14/06/2025 18:12

Clearly it's wool arrival day as mine has come too.

MercyChant66 · 14/06/2025 18:24

A moss stitch square started in Yarnsmiths grass green - this looks like a popular colour! Xxx

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
user1471538283 · 14/06/2025 22:00

@KnottyAndPistey - I've DMed you! I've done my squares and I'd be more than happy to do more!

superoz · 14/06/2025 22:42

Hi, arrived to this thread quite late but if you still need someone to crochet some plain squares let me know. I’m afraid I haven’t got any yarn in the right colours yet though.

Yiayoula · 15/06/2025 07:02

Have been informed by DS (plant -waterer and mail sorter in our absence) that “a soft bag” has arrived, so assume that’s the yarn 🧶- many thanks, K & P and the lovely donors xx

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/06/2025 07:25

@KnottyAndPistey I’ve just seen this. I would like to send some money to you for a woolly hug - let me know what a ball of wool costs now and will send over as I def can’t knit 😘

So sorry for The loss of @Swashbuckledlovely son Ted - I’ve always said a parent should never have to bury a child 😢

I was lucky enough to be chosen for a Woolly hug after my dh died.

This is now 14yrs ago but the blanket made with such love and care in every stitch is still a great comfort to me and soft to snuggle and wraps me in love 💜

so threads like these are close to my heart and if I ever see one I always want to donate

much love to all who help whether a knitter/crafted or a woolly gatherer

every square is knitted with love and then put together for a beautiful precious memory to snuggle you with love that is forever and even 14yrs on - I still am so touched by all who made for my dh 💜💜

@KnottyAndPistey you do such amazing work 💖💖

Igneococcus · 15/06/2025 07:55

MercyChant66 · 14/06/2025 18:24

A moss stitch square started in Yarnsmiths grass green - this looks like a popular colour! Xxx

I also got the Yarnsmith grass green, currently knitting a test square. I've also got sage, both lovely colours.

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