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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.

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Raiponceinatangle · 16/06/2025 22:53

Ahhhh @KnottyAndPistey I’ve only just seen this, I don’t visit Mumsnet quite as often as I used to. I could possibly do a couple of squares (will have to to check my stash tomorrow to see if I’ve got the correct colours) if you think you still need some? Sending much love to SwashBuckled

KnottyAndPistey · 17/06/2025 10:03

MyrtleLion · 16/06/2025 21:08

Well, I managed around 15 rows then dropped a stitch and it went to hell.

I'm probably tired. I've unravelled it all and will try again tomorrow.

We believe in you! <waves pompoms>

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 17/06/2025 10:04

@Raiponceinatangle - glad to have you on board. Thank you so much

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KnottyAndPistey · 17/06/2025 10:11

Morning from Ibiza where I’m in bougainvillea heaven. Not the best pic but I’m looking at this right now!

And we have a lot more lovely donors to thank. You are all fantastic. Thank you.

@WhiteWidowWithAttitude

@Blondeshavemorefun

@WeBuiltCisCityOnSexistRoles

@LoseLooseLucy

R

MH

again, the most enormous thanks

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 17/06/2025 10:12

The pic would help. Look at that colour 😍

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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Boiledbeetle · 17/06/2025 12:06

KnottyAndPistey · 17/06/2025 10:03

We believe in you! <waves pompoms>

You'll be needing the Bluestocking Cheerbils. They do a cracking routine, sometimes!

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.
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 17/06/2025 16:05

KnottyAndPistey · 17/06/2025 10:12

The pic would help. Look at that colour 😍

Isn't it beautiful. 😍

MyrtleLion · 17/06/2025 17:07

I have a square!!!

And I even had to knit a new bit of yarn in because it broke.

I still have to sew in the ends, but I'm very chuffed.

I also think I might be able to repurpose the blue wool I used to make another square now that I know how to add in new wool.

However I will start my next square in Caribbean Sea colour.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
WoollyHugsAreTheBest · 17/06/2025 18:36

MyrtleLion · 17/06/2025 17:07

I have a square!!!

And I even had to knit a new bit of yarn in because it broke.

I still have to sew in the ends, but I'm very chuffed.

I also think I might be able to repurpose the blue wool I used to make another square now that I know how to add in new wool.

However I will start my next square in Caribbean Sea colour.

Very well done!! 💕

look forward to seeing the Caribbean Sea knit up!! 😊

KnottyAndPistey · 18/06/2025 10:16

Oh @MyrtleLion - feeling ridiculously proud

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KnottyAndPistey · 18/06/2025 10:27

A friend who is a Mumsnetter but not on this thread is working out how to do a chefs trouser checked square. This level of talent blows my mind. Especially as she’s making it up. This is it in progress!

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
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bookbook · 18/06/2025 13:58

With much love in the stitches for SwashBuckled. The picture doesnt show it well , but the words are in chocolate brown ( with many thanks to KnottyAndPistey for supplying the yarn ) , and the heart in navy blue

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/06/2025 14:13

On a whim yesterday, I made a plate of food! It's awaiting its own background square, probably in this blue. It's steak & chips - unless anybody's vegetarian, in which case it's nut roast & chips.😁

I finished the football square but had to redo the ball as I was going to adjust the applique stitching in just one place, & cut the wrong thread. 🙄

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Baital · 18/06/2025 14:14

Thank you to the lovely person who donated this yarn! It has just arrived and I am going to get started this afternoon

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
Myfridgeiscool · 18/06/2025 14:26

@KnottyAndPistey my wool has arrived today…getting my needles out.
Going to knit lots of love into a little square.

MyrtleLion · 18/06/2025 16:52

Caribbean Sea square knitted. I am so proud to make my tiny ordinary contribution when I see the huge talent here.

I will now attempt stocking stitch in honour of the Bluestocking.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/06/2025 17:07

.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
ifIwerenotanandroid · 18/06/2025 17:15

Also, for her advice on beginning & ending rows...

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
shutupgardenbirds · 19/06/2025 08:50

Can someone please PM me the postal address. I have 3 squares ready to go

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 08:53

Good morning. @shutupgardenbirds I am on my way. Brew

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 08:55

Finished my base square last night on the way home. This yarn is a pleasure to work with, it’s the new Yarnsmiths.

Woolly Hugs. Desperately sad news we are afraid. Making a Blanket for lovely Swashbuckled whose son has tragically died.
OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 08:59

hurrah for the edit button. I’d written I was biting the yarn. Not it’s the yarn. Now I’ve told you all anyway. 😃😃

OP posts:
MadisonAvenue · 19/06/2025 09:29

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 08:55

Finished my base square last night on the way home. This yarn is a pleasure to work with, it’s the new Yarnsmiths.

Edited

It’s a new yarn to me and it’s really lovely to work with, the colours are beautiful too!

KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 10:42

MadisonAvenue · 19/06/2025 09:29

It’s a new yarn to me and it’s really lovely to work with, the colours are beautiful too!

And so many!

OP posts:
KnottyAndPistey · 19/06/2025 10:44

StarThe first squares are here. Beautiful snuggly garter knits in silver. Thank you so much lovely Nettletea Flowers

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