Refugee project posting window is open between November 1st and Easter each year.
The address will be Southsea.
You will have read that we have been revisiting our Refugee project following increased challenges to get items to folk who need it most, and this was before Covid came on the scene. Heartbreaking as the need is very much still there.
We have decided that the best thing for us to do is concentrate on blankets, so will be not be asking for clothing. Apologies as we know how keen folk are. If this is something you’d like to continue making, have a look at Knit for Peace as occasionally they collect such treasure.
What we are collecting now
6 or 12 inch squares ONLY in shades similar to the picture. Or whole blankets but only in these types of colours. If making the whole blanket the most useful for agencies are those single bed sized.
You do not have to use Stylecraft Special DK, any good quality soft acrylic DK is perfect acceptable. but in shades similar to these. No lighter please.
All ends must be sewn in securely, please do ensure that you make your square usable.
Please note we cannot accept second hand or used blankets for this project.
Where and when to post…
We are still operating our Posting window for this. It has worked will for us. So the Refugee project window is open between November 1st and Easter, the address will be Southsea.
Thank you so much for your continued support. Sad we could not continue as we were doing.
Our lovely TQ. TwitterQueen. We thought the world of her, she touched the lives of so many and we were all better for it. It was absolutely devastating when she died from ovarian cancer. Fuck cancer. Life was epically cruel to this beautiful woman.
We send our love and thoughts to her wonderful girls of whom she could not be more proud, her love for them shone like the brightest star, and we think of all who love and miss her everyday. We will remember TQ with hearts full and a big smile as we recall her in a dinner plate sized super sparkly badge at our Hugathon in September 2018. Epic!
She was a MNer for many years and will be sorely missed by so many of us here. The love and support she gave to so many folk on the cancer support thread was quite extraordinary, even when she was so ill herself. We were constantly in awe of this wonderful, thoughtful, super intelligent, caring, bloody funny woman. She sought to raise awareness of ovarian cancer which is often called the ‘silent killer’. She really wanted more women to be aware of what few symptoms there are and in doing so undoubtedly saved lives.
How lucky we were to know her. We were so glad to be able to send Woolly Hugs to her three daughters, she herself had contributed to so many, it was an honour. Her three daughters chose their own colour schemes and we hope we did TQ proud. We miss her. Our original thread is here…
Starting off with some pictures of the blankets all together, then a closer look at each. Pippa’s in shades of purple, Jess in pink and purple, Bobby (Roberta) in yellow and blue.
Whilst in many ways it feels like it is till about March, it is indeed August and we go on our summer break from Friday 7th August until Monday 14th September, posting to ushers now stopped and it restarts on September 12th. We can’t thank everyone enough for all your hard work, compassion and enthusiasm, we know now that the Woolly Hugs crew are made of stern stuff. This year so far has been utterly exhausting in many ways and we are so truly grateful to the Woolly Hugs crew for keeping the faith and the wool going!
We know that many of you love a summer break project, some of you certainly need to be kept out of mischief 🙂 and if you need yarn to take part, please do message us.
Our first projectis for those who enjoy amigurami and this will be making special Giraffes, Gertie Giraffe who is crocheted and Ginny Giraffe who is knitted. They are for very sick children at the Great North Children’s Hospital to celebrate their 10th anniversary. All crafting info is here, these giraffes are utterly adorable!
Our second projectis the Snugs for Christmas, this year we will be supporting Looked after children (in foster care) in the Yorkshire area and are delighted. We welcome whole blankets and squares. Please do check the crafting info carefully. It is all here…..
We are so truly grateful for absolutely everything you all do. Please do have a restful summer. Stay well, message if you need us, we will be around to help messages etc, but possibly not every day. Huge love to you and yours
Ginny and Gertie xxxx
Will you join the Spotty Pose this summer and make a Giraffe for the Great North Children’s Hospital?!The 2020 Palette for our Snug for Christmas project, all help welcome, thank you x
Welcome to the Spotty Posse! We were delighted to be approached by the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to help with their 10th anniversary celebrations. Their logo is this gorgeous giraffe and they would like as many cuddly giraffes as possible to give to the very ill young patients in their care. Due to Covid their physical party celebrations has sadly been cancelled, such a shame, but the giraffes are very much wanted! We’d love to send as much woolly love as possible in the form of giraffes and hope you will be able to help us. Maybe this will be the moment you learn a new skill even
Thanks to lovelies Lisa McA and Steph D we have knit and crochet patterns, which are tried and tested. If you get stuck hopefully they will be able to help! The crochet and knit version are slightly different in size but we don’t think this matters at all.
We are using Stylecraft Special DK in Saffron and Walnut only please.
For Team Hooker!! It’s Gertie Giraffe!
For Team Hooker, it’s Gertie Giraffe!
Pattern adapted from I love buttons by Emma http://ilovebuttonsbyemma.blogspot.com/2013/01/crochet-giraffe-pattern.html
You will need
3mm hook for main giraffe
2mm hook for hearts
Stylecraft Special DK in Saffron (60g) and Walnut (20g)
70g toy stuffing
Wool needle for sewing up
Abbreviations
Ch- Chain
Dec- Decrease
SC- Single crochet
Rep- Repeat
(US Terms)
Arms (make 2)
In Walnut R1: Ch 2, 6 SC in second Ch from hook (6) R2: SC 2 in each SC around (12) R3: SC 1, 2 SC in next SC , rep 6 times (18) R4-5: SC 18 R6: SC 1, Dec 1 (12)
Change to saffron R7- R23: SC 12
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together
Stuff firmly as you go, leave near the end lightly stuffed.
Legs (make 2)
In Walnut
R1: Ch 2, 6 SC in second Ch from hook
R2: SC 2 in each SC around (12)
R3: SC 1, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (18)
R4: SC 2, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (24)
R5-R8: SC 24
R9: SC 2, Dec, rep 6 times (18)
R10: SC 1, Dec 1, rep 6 times (12) Change to Saffron
R11-R33: SC 12
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together
Stuff firmly as you go, leave near the end lightly stuffed.
Horns (make 2) In Walnut
R1: Ch 2, 6 SC in second Ch from hook
R2: SC 2 in each SC around (12)
R3-R5: SC 12
R6: Dec 1, rep 6 times (6)
R7-R13: SC 6
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together
Stuff walnut end firmly as you go, leaving the Saffron part unstuffed
Head
In Saffron
R1: Ch 2, 6 SC in second Ch from hook
R2: SC 2 in each SC around (12)
R3: SC 1, 2 SC in next SC , rep 6 times (18)
R4: SC 2, 2 SC in next SC , rep 6 times (24)
R5: SC 3, 2 SC in next SC , rep 6 times (30)
R6: SC 4, 2 SC in next SC , rep 6 times (36)
R7-13: SC 36 R14: SC 5, 2 SC in next SC , rep 6 times (42)
R15: SC 6, 2 SC in next SC , rep 6 times (48)
R16-18: SC 48
R19: SC 6, Dec 1, rep 6 times (42)
R20: SC 4, Dec 1, rep 7 times (35)
Sew on eyes if you don’t want to added them when fully made up.
R21: SC 3, Dec 1, rep 7 times (28)
R22: SC 2, Dec 1, rep 7 times (21) Stuff firmly as you go
R23: SC 1, Dec 1, rep 7 times (14)
R24: Dec 1, rep 7 times (7)
Fasten off and weave in end
Ears (make 2) In Saffron
R1: Ch 2, 6 SC in second Ch from hook
R2: SC 2 in each SC around (12)
R3: SC 1, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (18)
R4-9: SC 18
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together
Body
In Saffron
R1: Ch 2, 6 SC in second Ch from hook
R2: SC 2 in each SC around (12)
R3: SC 1, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (18)
R4: SC 2, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (24)
R5: SC 3, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (30)
R6: SC 4, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (36)
R7: SC 5, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (42)
R8: SC 6, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (48)
R9: SC 7, 2 SC in next SC, rep 6 times (54)
R10-R19: SC 54 R20: SC 7, Dec 1, rep 6 times (48)
R21: SC 6, Dec 1, rep 6 times (42)
R22: SC 5, Dec 1, rep 6 times (36)
R23: SC 4, Dec 1, rep 6 times (30) Stuff firmly as you go
R24: SC 3, Dec 1, rep 6 times (24)
R25-38: SC 24
R39: SC 1, Dec 1, Rep 8 times (16)
R40: Dec 1, Rep 8 times (8) Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing together
Firm stuffing as you go
Hearts (6-8) In Walnut using 2mm hook
Make Slipknot and Ch1
Into Ch1 work 3 DC, 3HDC, TRC, 3 HDC, 3 DC, SlSt into hole in centre and fasten off
You can split the ply in the walnut yarn to make smaller hearts or just work with the DK as it comes. If using DK without splitting, you might want to stick with the 3mm hook.
Making up
Head and Face 1. Add horns to top of head. As a guide you want to place them roughly where the Decreases start about 1 cm apart. Sew round the bottom edge making sure there are no gaps between head and horn.
2. Add the ears. In line with the horns. Fold the ear in half and pull the sewing up end through the other corner and draw it together to form a little cup shape. Sew round the edge making sure there are no gaps between ear and head
3. Eyes (Make 2) – Using Walnut and 3mm hook Ch3 and fasten off. Now weave fastened off end through the chains and back again, then pull tight into a small knotted ball. Knot both ends together and sew into place about 1cm below the horns, about in line with the gap between horn and ear. Repeat for other eye. 4. Add nostrils using Walnut
Body, Arms and Legs
1. Using cast off tail sew closed the open ends of the 2 arms and 2 legs. Leave the rest of the tail for attaching to body
2. Place Arms at the point where the Decreases finish before the neck section, sew flat following the stitches in the round. Make sure you sew over the “shoulder” and under the armpit to create a strong join that isn’t too floppy 3. On giraffes bottom you want to place the legs, so the toes are pointing at 10 and 2 on a clockface looking at the bottom with his front facing up. This will help him balance and sit up on his own. Sew both legs on firmly as you did with the arms.
4. Attach head to body. This is fiddly. The top of the neck should be flush with the back of the head. Sew in place firmly all the way round. You might need to add a stitch or two under the chin to pull the face into a more natural resting place.
5. Scatter hearts around the neck and torso area.
6. Give him a squeeze to add more love
For Team Knit!! It’s Ginny Giraffe!
For Team Knit!! It’s Ginny Giraffe!
Giraffe measures 10 inches ( 26 cms)in height
Materials
Stylecraft Special DK in Saffron and Walnut
15 gm walnut
60 gm saffron
Oddment of black for features
a pair of 3.25mm (US3 :UK10) needles
Acrylic toy stuffing
Plastic headed black marker pins
Abbreviations
altalternate
begbeginning
cont continue
decdecrease
foll following
garter stgarter stitch – knit every row
inc increase by knitting in front and back of stitch)
kknit
k2tog knit 2 stitches together – if these are the last stitches on the row, then work together through back of loops
LH left hand
m1 make one stitch – pick up horizontal loop between the needles and work into the back of it.
ppurl
p2tog purl two stitches together – if these stitches are the first in the row then work together through back of loops
remremaining
rep repeat
st(s) stich(es)
stocking -st stocking -stitch -kniton the right side , purl on the wrong side
tbl through back of loop(s)
togtogether
( ) repeat instructions between brackets as many times as instructed
Body (make 2 pieces)
Beg at lower edge, Using thumb method and saffron cast on 35 sts.
First and next foll 4 alt rows : P
inc row : K10, m1, k15, m1, k10 (37sts)
inc row : K11, m1, k15, m1, k11 (39 sts)
inc row : K12, m1, k15, m1, k12 (41 sts)
inc row : K13, m1, k15, m1, k13 (43 sts )
inc row : k14, m1, k15, m1, k14 (45 sts)
Next row : P
work rows1- 4 in stocking-st starting with a knit row
All odd rows5-35
K2tog , knit to last 2 sts , K2tog tbl
All even rows 6- 36
Purl
13 stitches remaining
Rows 37-56 stocking- st
Cast Off
Base
Using thumb method and saffron cast on 20 sts
First row : P
Inc row : K1, m1, k to last stitch , m1, k1
rep these 2 rows 5 times more ( 32 sts )
Beg with a purl row , stocking- st 5 rows .
Dec row : K2tog , k to last 2 stitches , k2tog tbl
Next row : P
Rep last 2 rows 5 times more (20 sts)
Cast off
Hind legs ( make 2 )
Beg at hoof using the thumb method and walnut cast on 6 sts
P 1 row
Inc row : (incin each st to end)
rep last 2 rows once (24 sts)
P 1 row
work 2 rows in garter st
Beg with a k row stocking- st 2 rows
Dec row : (K1, K2 tog ) to end (16 sts)
beginning with a p row , stocking- st 5 rows
Change to saffron
Dec row : (K2 tog) to end(8sts)
P 1 row
Inc row : K1 , (m1, k1) to end(15 sts)
P 1 row
Inc row : (K1, m1,k1,m1,k1 ) 5 times(25 sts )
Beg with a p row , stocking -st 21 rows
Dec row : K1, (k2 tog ,k1 ) to end (17 sts)
P 1 row
Cast off
Forelegs(make 2 )
Beg at hoof using the thumb method and walnut , cast on 6 sts
Thread yarn through rem sts, pull tight and secure
Inside ear piece ( make 2 )
Using thumb method and saffron cast on 6 sts
P 1 row
Inc row : K2 ( m1, k2 ) twice (8 sts)
Beg with a p row , stocking -st 3 rows
Dec row : K2 tog, knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl
Next row : P
Rep last 2 rows once (4 sts)
Thread yarn through rem sts , pull tight and secure
Horns (make 2 )
Using thumb method and saffron cast on 8 sts
Beg with a p row, stock st 4 rows, ending on a k row.
Change to walnut and p 1 row
Inc row : K1 , (m1.k1) to end( 15 sts)
Beg with a p row , stocking- st 3 rows
Dec row : (K1, k2tog) to end (10 sts)
Thread yarn through rem sts and leave loose
Making up
Body
Place the 2 halves of the body together, matching all edges and join row ends. Stuff the body, leaving neck and lower edge open.
Base
Pin base to lower edge of body and sew all the way around , adding more stuffing if needed .
Hind Legs
Gather round the cast on stitches of hooves, pull tight and secure. Stuff and join row ends of hooves . Join row end of legs on right side using mattress stitch. Stuff legs. Place body on a flat surface , pin legs to body and sew cast off stsof legs to body all the way around .
Forelegs
Work as for hind legs leaving gap to stuff. Stuff , close gap and with seam at centre inside edge, over sew cast off sts. Sew cast off sts of forelegs to base of neck at each side
Head
Join row ends of muzzle and with seam at centre underneath, join cast off sts. Gather round cast on sts, pull tight and secure. Join row ends , leaving a gap, stuff and close gap. Pin body to head, adding more stuffing to neck if needed. Attach head to bodily taking small horizontal st from head, then small horizontal st from body . Do this alternately all the way around
Ears
With wrong sides together, place inside ear piece down the centre of the ears, matching cast on sts, and allowing edges of ears to roll toward the centre. Sew in place and attach ears to head at each side
Horns
Roll each horn up from one set of row ends to the other. Pull stitches on thread tight and slip stitch in place. Attach horns towhead between ears
Embroidering the features
To make eyes , tie a knot in 2 lengths of black yarn, winding yarn round 6 times to make each knot. Check the knots are the same size. Tie eyes to head halfway down, with 5 clear sts between. Run ends into head.
Embroider nostrils in black taking 2 long sts. To begin and fasten off invisibly for the embroidery, tie a knot in the end of the yarn and take a large st through work coming up to begin embroidery. Allow knot disappear through knitting and be caught in stuffing. To fasten off, sew a few sts back and forth through work, inserting the needle where the yarn comes out .
HEARTS
Abbreviations for Hearts
inc–knit into front and back of stitch
kfb–knit into front and back of stitch
B&T – Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread through remaining stitches on needle, draw up tightly and secure by threading yarn a second time through sts
SSK -Slip, slip, knit (Decrease – slip the next stitch on the left needle knitwise, then slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise. Take the left needle and knit through the front of the two slipped stitches on the right needle)
Row 4 Next and every following alternate row: P1, Knit to last stitch, P1
Row 5 K1, (Inc 1) 2 times, K1 (6 sts)
Row 7 K1,Inc1,K1,Inc1,K2 (8sts)
Row 9 K1,Inc1,K3,Inc1,K2 (10sts)
Row 11 K1,Inc1,K5,Inc1,K2 (12sts)
Row 13 K1,Inc1,K7,Inc1,K2 (14sts)
Row 15 Knit
Row 16 Left side P1, K5, P1, turn (work on these 7 sts only)
Row 17 K4, SSK, K1 (6 sts)
Row 18 P1, K2, SSK, P1 (5 sts)
Row 19 SSK, K1, K2tog (3 sts) B&T
Row 16 Right side Re-join yarnP1, K5, P1
Row 17 K1, K2tog, K4 (6 sts)
Row 18 P1, K2tog, K2, P1 (5 sts)
Row 19 SSK, K1, K2tog (3 sts) B&T
Posting will be to Teddington after September 12th please, with a last posting of October 1st. Thank you so so much, just thinking about the happiness these giraffes will bring makes for a teary moment!
Absolutely delighted to be starting this project again, we know how much it means to the wonderful children and the fabulous Children’s Family Trust. 2020 will be the turn for looked after children in Yorkshire to receive our Snugs this Christmas time. Our previous phases have been South Central, Midlands and the NE of England.
About the project
We are aiming to make blankets for children (0-16years) who are being looked after within the Children’s Family Trust. The Children’s Family Trust work with these children aiming to give them stability and security through to adulthood, helping them achieve their full potential, with the ideal being fostered within a family for life. We would like to make these children something permanent, that they can take with them wherever they are.
Crafting Info
Yarn is Stylecraft Special DK – just this please, inc for any embellishments.
Squares to be 12 inch ideally, or 6 inch if that is too much.
Knit and crochet equally welcome. Beginner or more experienced crafters also equally welcomed.
Please use a 4mm hook or needles.
No blocking please, and please ensure you are knotting off very thoroughly when colour changing or finishing, leave a 6cm end and use a needle to sew it in.
We are asking folk to avoid using a magic ring (crochet) to start as find that these don’t seem to always stand up to the pressures of wash and wear.
Please read the list of colours in our palette carefully, the list is below.
Squares to be single colour, multi colour, textured, whatever you like, they will be wonderful, thank you.Just avoid anything too lacy please.
It is VITAL all ends are sewn in firmly. Knot off firmlyly then sew at least 6 inches of yarn in PLEASE. These blankets need to last.
If you’d like to make a whole blanket, please use these colours too, makes thing easier at the giving stage! Whole blankets to be 48 by 60 inches, we would like them all to be single bed size no matter what age the child.
We are looking to make 30 blankets minimum, but children come and go into care so any more would be obviously be wonderful!
The colours are a twist on a rainbow theme…
Aspen
Aster
Bluebell
Cloud Blue
Cypress
Duck egg
French navy (new for 2020)
Lapis
Lavender
Lincoln
Lipstick
Lobelia
Magenta
Meadow
Pistachio
Plum
Pomegranate
Proper Purple (new for 2020)
Saffron
Sage
Sherbert
Spice
Storm Blue
Tomato
Violet
Thank you so so much. Posting please after September 12th. Whole blankets to Teddington, squares to Southsea. Last posting tbc but aiming for last week of October xxx
e were delighted to be approached by the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle to help with their 10th anniversary celebrations. Their logo is this gorgeous giraffe and they would like as many cuddly giraffes as possible to give to the very ill young patients in their care. Due to Covid their physical party celebrations has sadly been cancelled, such a shame, but the giraffes are very much wanted! We’d love to send as much woolly love as possible in the form of giraffes and hope you will be able to help us. Maybe this will be the moment you learn a new skill even
1. Add horns to top of head. As a guide you want to place them roughly where the Decreases start about 1 cm apart. Sew round the bottom edge making sure there are no gaps between head and horn.
4. Add nostrils using Walnut
3. On giraffes bottom you want to place the legs, so the toes are pointing at 10 and 2 on a clockface looking at the bottom with his front facing up. This will help him balance and sit up on his own. Sew both legs on firmly as you did with the arms.
The colours are a twist on a rainbow theme…
