Woollyhugs > Articles by: woollyhugs

Chernobyl 2024. Reach for the stars!

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia as we all know is incredibly devastating, some of our Chernob families have been able to leave, others have to stay, but the CLL continue to be astonishing in their efforts to support families. Even those who managed to flee now have incredible stuggles as funding ceases and finding accommodation or meeting basic needs are a challenge.

We can’t fix this, but we can do our part as best we can. We can confirm our project will run in 2024, and are launching it as Chernobyl 150. We aim to achieve 150 blankets!

Check out our Christmas in Poland blog. Looking back to last year, mid December 45 Ukrainian children were driven to Lubin in Poland by our friends at the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline for a respite break with Christmas treats and Father Frost! We can only imagine how much this was needed. We have included a few pics from their trip. So delighted to see our name on their fireplace. These children already have very little, still with the threats from the legacy of Chernobyl , now with war looming all around and the impact that has on every part of daily life. Each child was given one of our blankets. This is overwhelming. In addition, children and their mums already refugeed in Lublin came for a Christmas partyWhat the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline have done here is extraordinary, so glad these children and families have a warm blanket full of love from us. So glad we can do this. These kids are now all going back into Ukraine with the uncertainty, dangers and chaos. Ot continuing with their refugee status. But they’re all taking love and woolly warmth from us. It doesn’t fix anything but it’s a tangible sign of love and care.

This means the world. Thank you!

 

So we hope you are all ready for Chernobyl 150 in 2024?!

24 we hope to repeat this, and with your love and support we are very hopeful!

We need YOU!!

Here’s how you can help….

Candy floss
Blush
Shrimp
Fondant
Bright pink
Pomegranate
Fuchsia purple
Emperor
Proper purple
Boysenberry
Magenta
Plum
Claret
Lipstick
Tomato
Spice
Clementine
Mustard
Saffron
Citron
Parchment
Dandelion
Violet
Lavender
Aster
Bluebell
Storm blue
Denim
Turquoise
Empire
Petrol
Lapis
Lobelia
Cornish blue
Lime
Pistachio
Meadow
Apple
grass green
Cypress
Kelly, green
Teal
Sage
Aspen
Spearmint
Sherbet
Duck egg
Cloud blue

Squares. We need twelve inch squares in the Stylecraft Special DK palette as in photo,  if 12 is too much, 6 inch squares are fine too, just this yarn in these colours please, inc for embellishments so the blankets come together and are consistent for wash and wear. Knit and crochet equally welcome, beginner or expert, as simple or complex as you like, single colour, multi colour. Design of square up to you, but not too lacy, they need to be hardy. Please use a 4mm hook or needles. If sizing is a challenge with your pattern/tension, we prefer them just under sized rather than over!

SO IMPORTANT! Please ensure you knot off every end/colour change very very securely, leave approx a 6 inch tail end and use a needle to sew in. These blankets have to be super sturdy as there is no way back to fix them if squares collapse.

Whole blankets We know some crafters love to make their own whole blankets and this is wonderful! Please use SSDK. Finished blanket size remains the same at 48inches by 60 inches, and please work within the colour palette.

Donating funds As always we like to be inclusive and would love to send yarn to folks who otherwise would not be able to craft. In addition,we already know there will be the cost of transporting them to the children again and would be incredibly grateful to anyone who would like to donate funds for this project.

Our Paypal is admin@woollyhugs.com

Bank transfer

• We are a Cooperative account in the name of Woolly Hugs
• Account number: 65579631
• Sort code: 089299

Please do inc your name so we can thank you properly.
Any funds raised from our Spring/Easter sale in 2024 will be used to support this project too. 

LAST POSTING FOR SQUARES  IS JUNE 14th 2024!

LAST POSTING FOR WHOLE BLANKETS IS JULY 1ST

THANK YOU.

In 2019 we were able to visit children at home in Belarus, who the previous year had received our blankets when visiting Bristol. Such an honour to be able to do this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you wonderful people.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Bestival July 2023 and BESTIES!

Camp Bestival 2023

Woolly Hugs is headlining (in our hearts) at Camp Bestival this summer. Well we are ACTUALLY having a charity stall! Please come and find us if you are attending! Tortie will be in attendance.

We really need your help please beautiful people! Here’s how…

As well as spreading the woolly message and rallying more crafters to our ranks, we shall be running some craft activities and a game for visitors, and are looking to have a few craft items to sell. This is where BESTIES come in!

How to help by making…

The theme of Camp Bestival 2023 is animal snap and the animal kingdom, so we are looking for small handheld pocket friends in animal themes. Sewn, knitted, crocheted. These sold incredibly well last year, and with your love and support they will again. This quote from the organisers….

“Animals come in all shapes, sizes and styles…just like us lot in the human race… We wanted to celebrate the amazing 8.7 million species there are out there in the world! From the tiddliest underwater creature in the depths of the oceans to the highest bird in the sky… Travel down as a family of animals, come and find your mate in the crowd, team up with a tribe or friendly up with a twin flame. Whatever your vibe, wear it with pride and join in the Animal Snap!” Josie & Rob da Bank.

So loads of possibilities, please note we are not looking for matching pairs, just singles. Have included Ali’s pattern from last year should folk wish to use it as a base for their Bestie. Scroll down..

Have a look at this Pinterest board for ideas..

How to help us by purchasing resources.

The children loved making pompoms last year, parents donated for these craft workshops, and it was a fabulous opportunity to chat about the work Woolly Hugs does. The number of crafters was pretty limited by the number of kits we had. So if anyone would like to buy us a set or two, thank you so so much, have a look here (at scissors and pompom makers) Our Amazon Wish List

Last posting for Camp Bestival is Saturday 15th July, to Teddington, please write BESTIES on the outside!

Photos from 2022

 

This is the pattern from 2022 if anyone wishes to use as a base…

 One for the Crochet crew. This is the base as devised by lovely Ali Oxford. Suggestions for personalising are as below. Safety eyes only please, or embroidered. We can email a PDF if that’s easier, email us on admin@woollyhugs.com

Woolly Bugs can be made in any yarn and colour. You can use plain or variegated yarn. Personalise your bug with accessories – spots, spikes, hats, wings, hair, etc. You could make them into real bugs – ladybirds, bees, etc. Let your imagination run wild. Please ensure that all accessories are securely attached to your bug

Accessory Ideas

SOLD OUT. The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon Central London. Saturday, 16 September 2023

NB This event is sold out – if you would like to go on the waiting list, please email us, thank you!

The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon in Central London takes place on Saturday 16th September 2023 between 11.00am and 3.30pm, at the stunning Friends House, Euston Road. Friends House is a Grade II listed building, completed in spring 1927, for which the architect, Hubert Lidbetter, won the RIBA bronze medal for “best building erected in London”. How lucky are we?!

Our Venue is fully accessible. Access to the ground floor is via a gentle and wheelchair-friendly ramp from the street pavement. We are on the first floor in the Hilda Clark 2&3 Boadroom and this is easily accessible by lift, just ask at Reception. There are accessible bathroom facilities.

Tickets will include a special London gift and event bag. We will also be running a rather fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) We will also be running a DeStash table. If you have crafting items to donate to our DeStash table please do bring, remember one person’s destash is another person’s treasure! So do bring along some cash, or we do have a card machine if that is easier, happy to tap for any amount! Whilst this is primarily a meet up we always need to raise funds! We have had to increase the price to £18 with a review at the end of the year. All venues are needing to charge more, so this increase was sadly inevitable and we can’t run events at a loss. Thank you for understanding!

And finally we will play a couple of games of our infamous Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this!

Our Hugathons are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow Woolly Huggers who share a love of crafting. They are friendly and inclusive. It is a great time for chatting with your fellow Woolly crew and sharing ideas. If Tortie behaves we will let him come too! We’ve included some testimonials from folk who have been to one before, which might be useful if this is your first time.

During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In London we are focussing on our Snug project for Looked After children. . We will provide all SSDK, but please remember to bring your 4mm hooks/knitting needles, you will need them! If you have any squares already made for THIS project, please bring them, it may be that we can get some kits out for construction.

You will need to be pretty self sufficient for this venue. All we can offer is water and sadly the gorgeous cafe does not open at weekends. So please bring packed lunch, drinks etc. Literally over the road is Euston station with a Pret, Costa, M&S, so you copuld easily duck out and grab coffees etc.

Do join us, we’d love to meet you or see you again. And if you are worried about not knowing anyone, let us know and we can get you seated and chatting as quick as a flash.

The venue address… Friends House – 173-177 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BJ

Getting there…

  • Friends House is located in central London, directly opposite Euston Station and a short walk from King’s Cross and St Pancras International stations. All major London terminals are easily reached via the Underground.
  • The nearest London Underground station is Euston, which is served by the Northern, Piccadilly and Victoria lines. Euston Square Station is a five-minute walk away and is served by the Metropolitan, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines.
  • Bus Routes 18, 30, 73, 205 and 390 stop outside Friends House.
  • Bus Routes 59, 68, 91, 168 and 253 also stop nearby.
  • There is no on-site parking available at Friends House. The local roads have metered parking bays and fall within TfL charging zones. TFL driving information is available on the TFL website: tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/. There are three disabled blue badge parking bays located in Endsleigh Gardens. Information about Camden Council parking is available on the Council’s website: www.camden.gov.uk/where-to-park.

From folk who have been to a Hugathon before…

Walking into a room of people you might have never met could be daunting … but at the Hugathon you are surrounded immediately with love, purpose and wool! What better way to spend a day? Alexsis

A warm woolly welcome to all. I travelled there alone, anxiously entered, not knowing a soul. Within a few mins I felt so welcomed and part of this wonderful group. A room full of like minded people, wool galore, cakes, tea, coffee, and probably gin Julie

A wonderful experience meeting friends and like minded people. Like sinking into a warm bath of friendship I’ve always known but never met before. Jen

Attending the Woolly Hugs Hugathon was an amazing experience, putting faces to the names you had made friends with online in the pursuit of a common goal to spread yarn love around the UK and the World. Paula

A fabulous day meeting ‘strangers’ I have known online for years. Sharing yarn, craft skills, cake and laughter. Returning home full of love for the wonderful Woolly Huggers! Jo

It was lovely to meet all the folk I have made virtual friends with online . It gave me a real sense of us working together helping to make something beautiful and worthwhile . It was also lovely for the chat , laughter and to admire the amazing craftmanship going on around me , and how everyone was happy to share their expertise Steph

The hugathon is where the WH virtual community crosses over into a face to face community, meeting others who you may have got to know online. It’s so lovely to be able to sit and work and natter together, comparing notes and making friends. It epitomises the spirit of WH, crafters working together to benefit others. Alison

I’ve only been to one but it was brilliant and had gin! Anna

Bee’s Blankets in 2023

Introducing Bee’s Blankets

This project has been inspired by not only our friend Bee but by others who have children with autism and also by wonderful people who have either been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s or have had to support loved ones whilst often feeling helpless to know how to support them..
A few times now we have been asked to help families out on a one to one basis with lap sized sensory blankets for wonderful folk who may have dementia, alzheimer’s or autism.These blankets can be a soothing, stimulating  and comforting resource and the feedback we have had from those we have made has been very positive. We’d like to help more fabulous individuals and so are looking to develop this into an ongoing project with your help.

Bee’s Blankets

There are plenty of ideas to be found online, they are called many things – Sensory Mats, busy blankets, fidget blankets etc, but we have come up with some guidelines.

  • Bee’s Blankets MUST be machine washable. Everything MUST be sewn on securely and then securely! They must be safe and sturdy.
  • Blankets to be lap sized only, so from 50cm up to one metre, no bigger or smaller please.
  • Blankets can be made in wool, fabric, fleece and need to have interesting textures. This does not need to be too complicated, a classic granny square by its nature is very tactile.
  • Please do add on extra fiddly bits, but these MUST be securely fastened so as not to put the recipient  at risk.
  • Suggested extras include zips, ribbon, plastic rings, pompom trim, toggles etc. . All must be very secure!

 

 

 

Woolly example of a Bee’s Blanket

 

 

Spring Craft Sale 2023. Item 221. Say hello to Luna Lapin!

221. Say hello to Luna Lapin! She’s utterly charming!
Do zoom in to see all the incredible detail. She’s beyond beautifully made. Gorgeous little pyjamas and slippers! Super cute. She has hot air balloon fabric in her ears! We are in love. Luna is a quiet and kind rabbit with impeccable taste.😃😍 I need to find my tape measure but think approximately 40cm tall. Happy sigh.
Designed by Sarah Peel.
AUCTION LOT
Thank you so much lovely Julie G!

Spring Craft Sale 2023. Item 221. Say hello to Luna Lapin!

Auction Image

Starting Bid: £8.00

Refresh BidGoing for £23.20 Winning: Tracy M

Auction Closed

Ending On: March 18, 2023 9:00 pm

221. Say hello to Luna Lapin! She’s utterly charming!
Do zoom in to see all the incredible detail. She’s beyond beautifully made. Gorgeous little pyjamas and slippers! Super cute. She has hot air balloon fabric in her ears! We are in love. Luna is a quiet and kind rabbit with impeccable taste.I need to find my tape measure but think approximately 40cm tall. Happy sigh.
Designed by Sarah Peel.

item name : Spring Craft Sale 2023. Item 221. Say hello to Luna Lapin!

description : Thank you so much lovely Julie G!

Terms: spring-craft-sale-2023

  1. Tracy M bid £23.20 on March 18, 2023 8:58 pm
  2. Hilary bid £20.75 on March 13, 2023 5:14 pm
  3. Mhairi Roberts bid £20.20 on March 13, 2023 5:11 pm
  4. Hilary bid £15.70 on March 13, 2023 5:11 pm
  5. Angelina Mullins bid £15.20 on March 13, 2023 5:00 pm
  6. Jo bid £12.20 on March 13, 2023 3:07 pm
  7. Angelina Mullins bid £12.00 on March 13, 2023 3:06 pm [auto]
  8. Jo bid £12.00 on March 13, 2023 3:06 pm
  9. Angelina Mullins bid £10.20 on March 13, 2023 3:05 pm [auto]
  10. Jo bid £10.00 on March 13, 2023 3:05 pm
  11. Angelina Mullins bid £8.00 on March 13, 2023 12:20 pm

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Shipping Details

Shipping: P&P included within the UK, please contact us for further afield.

From: UK

To: Worldwide

Payment Details

Pay via PayPal : admin@woollyhugs.com We are a Cooperative account in the name of Woolly Hugs Account number: 65579631 Sort code: 089299 Please add a note with your name. If you would rather send cash or cheque (payable to Woolly Hugs) please do to the address below, please include your name. We will let you know it has arrived safely. Woolly Hugs c/o 22 Bridgeman Road Teddington TW11 9AH