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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 · 15/06/2025 09:23

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.

Yes please. Do msg your address thank you.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 09:26

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 💖💖

B!

this is so kind. Thank you, all the love to you, have just sent you a pm. Truly love in every stitch and remembering M. Xxx

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 09:32

I’m in love with the Yarnsmiths grass green. Going to be using it as a background square to my football scarf.

DD and I have come for a few days to Ibiza. I do stress the beautiful quiet part, not the foam party part!

And this was the start of the crochet scarf. It would possibly be big enough for a bluestocking gerbil. But this one is for Swash 🤗

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 09:33

MercyChant66 · 14/06/2025 18:24

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

we adore moss stitch. How beautiful and the green is delicious.

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 09:34

MyrtleLion · 14/06/2025 17:09

My wool has also arrived - vacuum-packed!

Steel Blue and Caribbean Sea.

Did the vac pack yarn recover from its enforced flatness?!

OP posts:
Baital · 15/06/2025 10:08

I have PMd re yarn. Would love to contribute, I can't begin to imagine what Swash and her family are going through

lcakethereforeIam · 15/06/2025 10:12

I've ordered wool. I might, for the first time in my life, knit a tension square. I've not knitted anything since I did a Where's Wally hat for my youngest...about 10 years ago? I can't remember if I knit tight or loose so a test seems sensible. It'll be a plain square, I'll try to jazz it up rather than just do stocking stitch. I'm surprised how anxious I'm feeling. I don't want to mess this up.

Bowednotbroken · 15/06/2025 11:42

It turns out that I don’t know how to access messages - apologies KnottyAndPistey. I’ve tried several times and am now having to resort to asking here for help. Embarrassing!

ifIwerenotanandroid · 15/06/2025 12:03

Bowednotbroken · 15/06/2025 11:42

It turns out that I don’t know how to access messages - apologies KnottyAndPistey. I’ve tried several times and am now having to resort to asking here for help. Embarrassing!

Top right, as screenshot. Click on the 3rd icon (person) & then on private messages. To compose a message, click 'Search usernames' & go from there; otherwise, received messages are down the lefthand side.

This is not the app - I don't know how that works.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Bowednotbroken · 15/06/2025 12:25

Thank you. I’ll try that.

MyrtleLion · 15/06/2025 12:39

KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 09:34

Did the vac pack yarn recover from its enforced flatness?!

Oh yes! Was that not visible in the second picture?

This is the yarn this morning.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 15/06/2025 14:07

MercyChant66 · 14/06/2025 18:24

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

I haven't got that colour but it does look lovely.

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 15/06/2025 14:12

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 💖💖

I'd friend in name change clothing!!

can't believe it's been 14 years! (Since DH died, not since we last 'chatted' )

it's about time we taught you to knit!! Then you can teach DD!!

££ very much needed too though!!

i'm glad you still feel wrapped in love by your blanket. It's always topped up when I see one of your posts 😍😘

WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 15/06/2025 14:17

MyrtleLion · 15/06/2025 12:39

Oh yes! Was that not visible in the second picture?

This is the yarn this morning.

Looks full & healthy after its suction ordeal.😂. Lovely colours!! I look fwd to seeing it knit/crochet up 😉

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/06/2025 15:16

KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 09:26

B!

this is so kind. Thank you, all the love to you, have just sent you a pm. Truly love in every stitch and remembering M. Xxx

💜

Fairyfellowsmasterstroke · 15/06/2025 16:00

Good Afternoon All ☕.

I've taken inspiration from Swashbuckled son's name and nickname and created these squares so that his name is incorporated into part of the woolly hug.

I had a bit of spare yarn so added a matching heart shape along with some random stripes (I thought they'd fill a space between other more interesting squares!).

These will be posted in the week with a massive virtual hug for Swashbuckled 💙💛💙

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.
Myfridgeiscool · 15/06/2025 16:12

Happy to knit if someone has some spare wool.
This is desperately sad news.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 15/06/2025 16:52

Fairyfellowsmasterstroke · 15/06/2025 16:00

Good Afternoon All ☕.

I've taken inspiration from Swashbuckled son's name and nickname and created these squares so that his name is incorporated into part of the woolly hug.

I had a bit of spare yarn so added a matching heart shape along with some random stripes (I thought they'd fill a space between other more interesting squares!).

These will be posted in the week with a massive virtual hug for Swashbuckled 💙💛💙

Those are amazing!

LoseLooseLucy · 15/06/2025 16:53

LoseLooseLucy · 11/06/2025 13:29

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

You’re all so lovely and talented.
I think my comment last week was overlooked, but the offer still stands.

MyrtleLion · 15/06/2025 17:04

My first square.

I'm not sure it's good enough to send in. A couple of dropped stitches at the beginning but it improved as I went along.

I don't know if it's big enough. I cast on 33 stitches and it looks 5" wide. I don't know how many rows I've knitted, but each row of double bumps counts 26. Is that 52 rows or 26 rows? And it's 4.5" long.

Happy to call a practice square - wool only arrived yesterday. Any tips on how to keep the tension in the last stitch of the row? It always seems loose.

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.
Yiayoula · 15/06/2025 17:09

LoseLooseLucy · 15/06/2025 16:53

You’re all so lovely and talented.
I think my comment last week was overlooked, but the offer still stands.

If you PM @KnottyAndPistey they will be very pleased to help you, the donors are very much appreciated !

ifIwerenotanandroid · 15/06/2025 17:47

@MyrtleLion Are you doing garter stitch (all knit rows) or stocking stitch (1 row knit, 1 row purl)? If it's garter stitch then the number of rows of double loops on one side is roughly half the rows you've done; for stocking stitch the number you can see is the total number of rows.

If you're doing stocking stitch, you could try doing the first & last stitch of each purl row as a knit stitch - I can't remember why, but I thought I read somewhere that it ?gave a better edge for squares. I hope someone else can give some more advice.

Considering you started with bamboo skewers the other day, you're doing brilliantly!

MyrtleLion · 15/06/2025 17:55

Thank you!

I'm doing garter stitch and cast off at 30/60 rows. When I cast off, it pulled it tighter than I thought it would.

I like the tip about the knit stitch before at the beginning and end of each purl row. I started stocking stitch last night and had more difficulty, but I had been drinking 🤣

Lots still to learn!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 17:57

Fairyfellowsmasterstroke · 15/06/2025 16:00

Good Afternoon All ☕.

I've taken inspiration from Swashbuckled son's name and nickname and created these squares so that his name is incorporated into part of the woolly hug.

I had a bit of spare yarn so added a matching heart shape along with some random stripes (I thought they'd fill a space between other more interesting squares!).

These will be posted in the week with a massive virtual hug for Swashbuckled 💙💛💙

These are truly beautiful. Thank you so so much!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 15/06/2025 17:58

@Myfridgeiscool yes please. Can you pm your address. Thank you!

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