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Refugee Project with Choose Love

CLOSED NOW

URGENT HELP REQUIRED.
We are sure you have probably heard about the fire that has been raging in the Moria refugee camp in Greece. Absolutely devastating. The refugees there now have nothing and there are so many children. Winter will soon be upon them and they are terribly vulnerable. COVID is beginning to make an impact too. It’s relentless. Almost 13,000 people have been displaced from the camp, and thousands are thought to have lost their shelters and all possessions.
We have been asked via the group Portsmouth Cares to team up with Choose Love to help get resources over there. Every little bit will help these folk directly. Initially we were asked about sending blankets, but we’d like to see what we can do to help Phase one as well.
This really is a tight turnaround and we are obviously opening this project for posting NOW rather than wait.

Phase one
They urgently need the following items
Soap,
Toothpaste,
Shampoo
Shower gel
Deodorant
Nappies (all Sizes)

If you wanted to send items, possibly using Amazon etc might be a good way to make this easier. Totally up to you. One small thing will help one person. It really is a human to human connection and the sharing of basic needs.
This will all be shipped out to Greece around the 5th October. If you’d like to help with any of these items, bless your heart. THANK YOU. Please get these to our Southsea address BY OCTOBER 1ST. No later please xxx

 

Phase two
We are collecting refugee project blankets. Any size but obvs the larger the better. Again to Southsea. We are collecting squares too but unlikely these can be made up before this first deadline. There will be others.
They are also collecting tents and sleeping bags. If you have these, we’d love to take them too.
The deadline for refugee project blankets (tents/sleeping bags) to go to Moria Refugee camp in Greece is BY NOVEMBER 1ST. No later please xxx

Unless we hear otherwise, just the things as above.

These colours please for blankets and squares. Any good quality acrylic DK is fine, thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Truly everything will help. If you are thinking you’d like to send funds, please do directly to Choose Love
https://donate.helprefugees.org/campaigns/moria-emergency/
Honestly. The hugest thank you. We are so well placed here to help make a difference. These are just families like ours. The difference being luck at birth. Bless you for even reading this far
G&G

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.

 

 

2020. We did not see a Year like you coming. Our Woolly Review!

There is no denying this year has been extreme, bleak and challenging for everyone and in truth there were times earlier on when we struggled to see Woolly Hugs past families, lockdowns, work, health worries. Everyone has so much on their plate, we worried too that Woolly Hugs as a community and charity would struggle to stay afloat.

But out of this arise the Great Woolly crew, and we are BLOWN AWAY!! Your dedication and enthusiasm despite the pandemic is extraordinary,  unstoppable and a true force of good,  We’ve gained such strength and comfort from you all! We know many crafters have said that working on projects helped them enormously during lockdown and we are so glad of this. The response and enthusiasm to all our projects has been undimmed, the spirit, compassion, generosity, love and care, truly it feels boundless. Crafters and donors what you do is incredibly special and precious, giving woolly warmth comfort to others, especially in this dreadful year. Even Post Office trips in masks didn’t deter the Crew! Honestly we are blessed to know you all!

Just incredible. Saying thank you just doesn’t seem enough, but the most enormous thanks to everyone. There have been an enormous number of positives this year.

 

2020 saw the continuation of our Ongoing projects with new ones added in. From here in the UK to as far away as Syria and Greece children and families feeling love, warmth, support and comfort through our Refugee Project, Little Hugs, Kinship Hugs, Bees Blankets and Candy’s Hugs. Our Little Hug project (blankets for very sick children at The Royal Hospital for Children,  Glasgow, the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle, teens in GOSH and Royal Manchester Hospital for Children) enters its ninth year, still going as strong as ever, folk are amazingly generous, thank you.  Love to all the families and children who have received this year. Thinking too of all the families in Glasgow and the surrounds who have received our Angel Hugs and Teds incredibly bleak and devastating times.   Love in every stitch we say and it really is true. Loved and looked after is our aim.

Our Candy’s Hugs is possibly our biggest and busiest Ongoing project, and however much we wish it were not so, we are glad to help. The aim of the project is to bring warmth and comfort to wonderful women undergoing treatment for cancer. Crafters either make whole blankets or squares, and the resulting blankets are a riot of colour and cheer. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this and love to all of our recipients.
So many Kinship Hugs have gone over the past 12 months, always made and sent with love to families or individuals going through intensely sad or difficult times. These ones made in our Vintage palette this year. Beautiful inside and out. Thank you everyone xx


A Snug for Christmas 2020
was for Looked after children (in the foster care system) in the Yorkshire area So many beautiful blankets, we exceeded our target which was epic, thank you so so much. All going to wonderful looked after children – our aim is to give them something unique and permanent which they can take with them wherever they are. A Snug for Christmas 2021 will definitely go ahead, region to be confirmed, thank you so much.

 

 

Our Christmas Snug collection 2020!

 

 

 

 

Our Chernobyl Project 2020. It was no surprise but still devastating to learn that it would not be possible for the ‘Chernobyl’ children to visit the UK for respite holidays in 2020, that is all except for one group who visited Portsmouth and had planned all along to come in March. It was an absolute joy, even more so now looking back to meet them and give them their blankets. This photo now feels such a celebration, even more so!

The Fabulous Four! Chernobyl visitors in Portsmouth 2020.

 

 

 

 

Our target for 2020 had been 175 Chernob blankets, most of which are in secure storage waiting for it to be possible to get to the children. Sadly 2021 is up in the air at the moment, understandably, these children are already more vulnerable health wise. It just may not be possible to bring them over, or for Link organisers to even get over there. We have had to make the decision to put our Chernobyl 2021 project on ice. It is sad for sure but needs to be. We will use this year’s blankets first as soon as poss, and hopefully later in the year we will have a better idea. The project will be back, we are just not sure when. We had plans too to deliver Billie’s Blankets to the Children’s Cancer Hospital in Minsk this winter, but this too is on hold. It will happen.

 

Hugathons 2020!! We managed one out of three planned Hugathons, losing Gloucester and Portsmouth to Covid but we DID get to Leeds and had a fabulous day, meeting many more crafters, lots of fun and laughter. Thank you to everyone who came. We look forward to safer times and many more Hugathons! There is one in Edinburgh booked in for early March, it is sadly extremely unlikely to take place though 🙁

 

Tortie meets his fans at the Leeds Hugathon!

 

Having made the decision that our Refugee Project would focus on blankets and blanket squares we were so pleased to be able to help with far more in the rallying call from Choose Love in September, prompted by the fire that had been raging in the Moria refugee camp in Greece. Phase one saw an urgent request for soap, toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, deodorant and nappies and the response we got from you was incredible. Such an outpouring of love, thank you! Phase two saw us collecting refugee project blankets and hats, again in such a short turn around the response was truly astonishing. Thank you!

We were absolutely delighted when Choose Love contacted us to make some special blankets to be used in social media to promote their work and ultimately to be sold by auction to raise much needed funds.  The Square Squad came up trumps in RECORD BREAKING time and we can’t thank them enough. Blankets were made and delivered just before Christmas, and absolutely wonderful thing to be able to do.

 

 

 

 

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 a gorgeous giraffe and they asked for 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 were very much wanted! We loved doing this! Thank you so much to everyone!
One very happy giraffe recipient! All love to her and her family xxx

Again all hail the incredible Construction Crew, it hasn’t been such a busy year due to Covid, but we have still put calls out for help and folk literally fall over themselves, it is amazing! Thank you! Thanks too to the wonderful Square Squad who are utterly fabulous at quickly and beautifully making squares for special Little Hugs/Kinships etc. We put up our request and we are never surprised at the SPEED of the replies! Thank you everyone. If anyone would like more info about either group, just shout, we have separate Facebook groups so not to get lost on the main Page!

And two wonderful craft sales! Both held during lockdowns, we didn’t anticipate that, but both hugely successful, we are so grateful to all crafters and buyers alike. We are always stunned by the talent in our ranks, we know the woolly side but these sales get us to see another side! Amazing

This year, in our Christmas Sale, with your love and support  we were delighted to get behind the drug education charity the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation, and sent a third of all profits to them, using two thirds to support our own projects and keep them running, ambitious and inclusive. The Christmas Sale was the biggest by a very long way raising over £6000! Thank you again everyone xxx

 

Christmas Cwtches 2020. This fabulous photo ‘LOVE’ shows the wonderful collection of Christmas Cwtches sent recently to the Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle. All absolutely stunning, woolly and fabric, thank you so much everyone, we know these have been loved by families going through incredibly difficult times.. Must be even harder this year, an enormous thanks to all who contributed, our first one arrived in July! Awesome.

 

 

 

 

We’ve worked hard all year supporting bereaved Mumsnet families, it is an honour to do so, and we hope that through our love they will feel some comfort. Thank you so much to all crafters and donors alike, what you do is amazing.We say our Woolly Hugs are a tribute and a tangible sign of a life filled with love. We know the recipient families love them. The photo albums are all to be found here on our website under Mumsnet Blankets. In 2020 we crafted and sent to..

The Woolly Hug for Crazyladee
The Woolly Hugs for TQ’s beautiful daughters
The Woolly Hug for the family of the wonderful Whatwouldleslieknopedo (Chrissie)
The Woolly Hug for for FiveGoMadInDorset and her family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Woolly Hug for Willowkins
The Woolly Hug for shefliesonherownwings
The Woolly Hug for Twittlebee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the absolute highlights for this year has been the advent of our social Facebook page, born from adversity, we wanted to have a safe, happy, supportive and chatty space for our folk at the start of the first lockdown. We couldn’t be happier with how it has worked. It’s a fabulous place to be, all we hoped for and more! Thank you so much to our seven wonderful admins without whom it wouldn’t be!  It’s called the Woolly Pack, and if you’d like to join, please message us.

So we look forward to 2021 with hope and reassurance that the Woolly Hugs community are by our side.

Please keep safe and well in these difficult times.

Sending the most enormous love from us both, G&G xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make a Hat for Choose Love. CLOSED.

We urgently need warm cosy hats to go with our blankets to Choose Love in LARGER ADULT SIZES ONLY, and please in dark muted colours similar to those shown below. It is so important that hats are deep enough to cover ears easily and most of the forehead, as modelled by Flo!

There is a very tight turnaround, and although we had stopped making hats for our Refugee project, we are keen to support this if possible. The deadline is to HAVE ARRIVED BY NOV 1ST. No later please as you will literally miss the boat. Please message for an address, it is somewhere new to us this time.

Thank you so so much xxxx

 

The Summer of Woolly Love 2020

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 project is 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 project is 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…..

 

If you are looking for even more things to do, please also check out our Christmas Cwtch project and Christmas Craft Sale!

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spotty Posse. Giraffes are GO!

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 

  • alt                  alternate
  • beg                beginning
  • cont               continue
  • dec                decrease
  • foll                 following
  • garter st        garter stitch – knit every row
  • inc                 increase by knitting in front and back of stitch)
  • k                    knit
  • 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.
  • p                    purl
  • p2tog             purl two stitches together – if these stitches are the first in the row then work together through back of loops
  • rem                remaining
  • rep                 repeat
  • st(s)               stich(es) 
  • stocking -st     stocking -stitch -knit  on the right side , purl on the wrong side
  • tbl                   through back of loop(s)
  • tog                  together
  • ( )                     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 rows  1- 4 in stocking-st starting with a knit row 
  • All odd rows  5-35
  • 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 : (inc  in 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 
  • P 1 row 
  • Inc row : inc in each st to end 
  • Rep last 2 rows once (24 sts) 
  • P 1 row 
  • garter st 2 rows 
  • beg with k row, stocking -st 2 rows
  • Dec row : (K1 , k2tog ) to end (16 sts) 
  • Beg with a p row, stocking- st 5 rows
  • Change to saffron 
  • Dec row : (K2 tog ) to end (8 sts) 
  • P 1 row 
  • Inc row :K1, (m1,k1 ) to end (15 sts) 
  • P 1  row 
  • Inc row : K3 , ( m1, k3 ) to end ( 19 sts) 
  • beg with a p row , stocking- st 21 rows 
  • Dec row : K3 , (k2tog) twice, K5, (k2tog) twice. K3 (15 sts) 
  • P 1 row 
  • Dec row : K2 , (k2tog) twice, k3, (k2tog) twice, k2 (11 sts) 
  • P 1 row 
  • Cast off 

 

Head

  • Beg in centre back using the thumb method and saffron cast on 8 sts
  • First and next foll 3 alt rows: P 
  • Inc row : (inc)  to end (16 sts)
  • Inc row : (K1, inc) to end (24 sts) 
  • Inc row : (K2 , inc) to end (32 sts)
  • Inc row : (K3 , inc) to end (40 sts)
  • Beg with a p row , stocking- st 7 rows 
  • Shape head
  • Row 1  : K2 tog, knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl (38 sts)
  • Row 2  : P
  • Row 3  : K2tog, knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl (36 sts) 
  • Row 4  : P
  • Row 5  : K2tog, knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl (34 sts) 
  • Row 6  : P
  • Row 7  : K2tog , knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl (32 sts) 
  • Row 8  : P
  • Row 9  : K2tog , knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl 30 sts)
  • Row 10 : P
  • Row 11 : K2tog , knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl (28 sts) 
  • Row 12 : P2tog tbl, p to last 2 sts , p2tog (26 sts)
  • Row 13 : K2tog , knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl (24 sts)
  • Row 14 : P2tog tbl, p to last 2 sts , p2tog (22 sts)
  • Row 15 : K2tog , knit to last 2 sts , k2tog tbl (20 sts) 
  • Row 16 : P
  • Dec row : K3, (k2tog) twice, k6, (k2tog) twice, k3 (16 sts) 
  • Beg with a p row, stocking -st 5 rows
  • Dec row : K1, (k2tog, k1) to end (11 sts) 
  • P1 row
  • Cast off 

Ears (make 2 )

  • Using the thumb method and saffron cast on 8 sts
  • 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) trend ( 10 sts)
  • Beg with a p row , stocking- st 5 rows 
  • Dec row : (K2tog) to end (5 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 sts  of 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)

Knit all in brown 

Small heart 

  • Row 1: Kfb (2 sts)
  • Row 2: Kfb, K to end (3 sts)
  • Repeat row 2 until 10 sts on needle 
  • Rows 10 & 11: Knit 
  • Shape top of heart: 
  • Row 11: K2tog, K3, turn
  • Row 12: K2tog, K2
  • Row 13: K2tog, K1. Slip 1st stitch over 2nd, bind off. 
  • Rejoin yarn at centre. Continue, reversing shaping:
  • Row 1 –  K3, K2tog 
  • Row 2  – K2, K2tog 
  •  Row 3. – K1, K2tog.  Slip 1st stitch over 2nd, bind off. 

   

Large Heart 

  • Begin at the bottom of the heart and  cast on 2 sts
  • Row 1  Inc1, K1 (3sts)
  • Row 2  Purl
  • Row 3  K1, Inc1,K1 (4sts) 
  • 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 yarn  P1, 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!

 

Tortie is enjoying their company!