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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

Woolly Hugs' new project: Little Hugs for Little People. Woolly Crafters, Sewing Folk and Donors Sign Up Thread.

999 replies

KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:12

This is Phase 1 of what we hope, in time, will be an ongoing project.

Our basic aim is to provide little blankets and quilts that give comfort to babies and small children who are seriously ill in hospital.

The Inspiration:
When we offered a blanket to Greengoose after her beautiful daughter Merryn passed away, she told us how Merryn had been given a small handmade blanket whilst she was in hospital. As Greengoose said,
"Merryn's little square meant and still means so much to us, and so many families end up in hospital early or unexpectedly and have nothing of their own ready or with them, and even if they do, just to know you are thought about means so much. "

We offered to make a little blanket or two, alongside our Woolly Hug, to send to the hospital to 'replace' the one that had been given to Merryn, so that another small child could be comforted as Merryn had.

And so began a bigger idea...

With Merryn's blanket in mind, and knowing how Expat's darling daughter Aillidh had so much comfort from a blanket handmade by a wonderful group of friends, we wondered if we could do something more to help.


The Project. Phase 1

We contacted a few hospitals and very early on developed a lovely relationship with Yorkhill Hospital for children, where Aillidh was treated.
This stage of the project is to provide Yorkhill with small blankets and quilts that they can give to the babies and children that are receiving treatment under their care.
The start of this project coincides with Yorkhill's fundraising week. Their website is here
We hope to develop links with other hospitals in the near future and to include them in future phases.

How you can get involved:

You can help by either making a complete Little Hug
Or
By making 6" squares using Stylecraft Special DK yarn or Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK, Rowan Cashsoft DK and Sublime Extra Fine Merino wool DK


For all of the Little Hugs:

Minimum size: 18 inches by 18 inches
For example, that's 3x3 6 inch squares with a small edge.
If you would like to make a blanket or quilt that is bigger, that would be lovely too.

Colours: Your choice!
We'd like to be able to provide a range of Little Hugs suitable for boys and girls.
If you would like to make something specifically for a boy or girl, that would also be lovely.

Things to avoid:
Buttons
Sequins and beads
Any embellishments that could scratch delicate skin or could be swallowed.
If using applique, it needs to be firmly stitched on with no hard edges.

Materials and ideas:
Woolly Blankets:
Suggested yarn: Stylecraft Special DK, a soft, non-scratchy acrylic that is a very reasonable £1.60 - £2 for 100g ball.
Pure cotton DK
If you would like to make a whole blanket, you could use a different weight yarn and a yarn other than those above. The essential thing is that it needs to be soft against sensitive and delicate skin and that it can be machine washed.
Ideas:
Blankets could be made from squares stitched or hooked together
Granny stripes or ripples
They could be made in one piece or in blocks, as well as squares

Quilts and stitched blankets:
Pure cotton and good quality fleece. The cotton can be from recycled sources.
We suggest that you wash both separately before sewing to allow for any difference in shrinkage.
Ideas:
Traditional style quilts, from simple square designs to more complex patterns
Cotton edged fleeces, with or without appliqué
Quilt and fleece combination: quilted front with a fleece back


Donors:
If you would like to contribute towards materials, you can either donate via Paypal here on our Woolly Hugs website with a message letting us know which project you are donating to. If you do not have Paypal, please PM RatherBeOnThePiste as we have other ways that you can donate.

If you would like to take part in this project but feel you can't due to the costs involved, please PM Pistey and we'll try to help with materials.


As ever, thanks for your support Thanks

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RatherBeOnThePiste · 14/09/2012 11:17

Am so pleased we are going to be extending Woolly Hugs and making these little hugs for little people, giving love and support to these families in hospital, who are going through very difficult times. Feel so inspired by greengoose's words, and so pleased we are starting this project with Yorkhill.

And please do PM me if I can help you at all Thanks

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CMOTDibbler · 14/09/2012 11:19

Thats a lovely idea. I once visited a hospital where all the cancer patients were given quilts as part of a project called 'Covered with love', and the quilts gave a lot of comfort

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MinnieBar · 14/09/2012 11:23

Sounds fab. Count me in - not quite sure that I can put my squares together... really must attempt crocheting again...

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MrsY · 14/09/2012 11:26

This is so lovely. We still have Benedict's Sands blanket and a lovely hand knitted blanket that had been donated to the labour ward and they are both so very special to us.

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KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:26

Minnie, you can sew them together. Smile

Or can you? Grin

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ORANGEgiraffesCantWearGOLD · 14/09/2012 11:28

:)

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GlaikitFizzog · 14/09/2012 11:28

Oh this is lovely. Yorkhill is a wonderful hospital, I have friends whose children were born there.

I'm in as ever. Will go buy some stylecraft now. Or I have loads of 100% cotton yarn left over from a friends blanket. Could I use that? I'd do a whole one.

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GroupieGirl · 14/09/2012 11:29

I've only recently spotted your Wooly Hugs projects and would definitely like to be a part of such a wonderful idea. My knitting is a little rusty, and I"m sure I'll pester you with questions...but please let me know where my help would be most needed.

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KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:29

Glaikit, a cotton yarn blanket would be lovely Smile

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GlaikitFizzog · 14/09/2012 11:30

Oops didn't read the op properly! Cotton dk is a goer! Clickety click! I'm off are ready!

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KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:30

Groupie, ask away. We'll help in whatever way we can.

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Naoko · 14/09/2012 11:31

I am in :) Not sure whether for a whole blanket or squares yet, and either way wool purchase will have to wait until I stop being quite this flat broke, but I definitely want to help.

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fanjodisfunction · 14/09/2012 11:31

You know I shall be involved pistey.

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LookAtHerGo · 14/09/2012 11:32

Ooh. Count me in for this. I'm presuming there is no specific date they need to be made by.

I have 2 balls of wool here, prob need to buy another one to ensure I have enough. Grin

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KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:35

Fan! I was just about to PM you with the link Smile

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DancesWithWoolsEnPointe · 14/09/2012 11:37

I'm in - I'll make a whole one with my own wool.

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GlaikitFizzog · 14/09/2012 11:37

Can I say for anyone not good at sewing or hooking, if you google log cabin blankets. They are knitted in one piece by picking up stitches from the previous panels this is one I've just finished for a friend there are patterns available but you can just make it up as you go.

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fanjodisfunction · 14/09/2012 11:38

knotty your on the ball as always. I would like to offer my services for sewing together, also I shall make some squares and blankets myself.

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KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:38

We are aiming to have gathered the first lot of blankets/squares by Saturday 13th October.

BUT as we are hoping to have this as an ongoing project, blankets and squares after that date will obviously be lovely too Smile

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nickelcognito · 14/09/2012 11:38

If you make a whole blanket, does it have to be made of 6" squares, or can it be a 18"x18" single square?

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KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:40

Cheers, Fan my lovely Smile

I suspected as much, bless you.

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/09/2012 11:41

I'm going to mark my place on the thread, I am quite busy at the moment, but it is something I would like to help with at some point.

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KnottyLocks · 14/09/2012 11:41

Nickel, as long as it's no smaller than 18 x 18, how you make it is up to you.

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WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 14/09/2012 11:43

x-posted. Highly unlikely I will have anything done by the 13th Oct but if it carries on I will try and contribute.

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GroupieGirl · 14/09/2012 11:45

Thanks Knotty - I'll check what wool I have and start from there, but if anyone has any spare I may put in a plea!

G-Fizz that's very helpful! Thankyou...my sewing together leaves a lot to be desired!

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