Some of you will remember our 2017 project to to help support bereaved families at a London children’s hospice, by making special blankets for the bed in their Butterfly Suite (post bereavement room) to to dress the bed with. The photo here shows the four we made that year.

At an intensely bleak and dark time there is still something very positive and personal that together we can do for the child and their family.

Our blankets have been loved and used many times over the years, and in one case a bereaved family have taken their home, which is perfect. But it is now time to remake, and we hope you will help us. The hospice like to have these blankets in hand for time to come so that they can be ready.

Our blankets are always handmade with love and compassion and so are perfect. We can help care for the whole family at this time by covering the child in bed so they look comfortable and cosy whilst sending love and a hug to their bereaved parents. Loved and looked after.

We need your help to achieve this for them, we always say love in every stitch and it will be true again this time, thank you so much if you feel you can help. Our aim is to make four single bed sized blankets again, two suitable for younger children and two for older. The hospice have asked for soft colours and with a butterfly theme

If you’d like to donate funds to help us achieve this, please message us, or if you need resources to take part then do let us know. We don’t want anyone unable to take part due to cost.

Crafting info

We will be using Stylecraft Special DK as blankets will need to be very practical, SIX inch squares made using 4mm hook or needles. Knit or crochet equally welcome.

The colours…

Duck egg, grape, sage, storm, parchment, pale rose, raspberry, cloud blue, sherbert.

NB – Just these please, no blocking of squares and please knot off sturdily when changing colours or finishing, leave a good end and use a needle to sew in the peskies.

Simple squares are very welcome, but if looking for an idea for theme, these are their suggestions…

• Butterflies/Hearts
• Teddies, cars, toys, cats etc
• Stars, leaves, feathers etc

Last posting please to be Saturday 27th January.

Thank you doesn’t seem enough, but the most enormous thank you. xxx

The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon at Brighton takes place on Saturday 27th January 2024 between 11.00am and 3.30pm, at the beautiful Regency Brighton Harbour Hotel, which is right on Brighton’s world-famous and iconic promenade and is within easy walking distance of both piers, just a stone’s throw away from the glorious pebbled beach. There is no obligation to walk along the pier, but you might want to, bring big jumpers if so! And if anyone wants to swim, you are bonkers but we’d look after your stuff!!!!

Our Venue is fully accessible. There are accessible bathroom facilities.

TICKETS COST £20 EACH

On Sale from 7pm on Sunday 8th October. CLICK THIS LINK TO TAKE YOU TO EVENTBRITE!

It is an increase on our 2023 price, and we have held out doing this as long as possible, but all venues are having to increase their prices, which impacts us. Apologies for this. The price includes event swag and we hope that you think the Hugathon is still good value.

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, he is keen for the rides at the end of the pier! We’ve included some testimonials from folk who have been to one before, which might be useful if this is your first time.

There is a bar onsite, so it is totally up to you what you do about catering for the day. We are unable to make provision, so you might want to bring a flask, drinks, packed lunch etc. But as an example a cappuccino from the bar costs £4.40, a pot of tea is £3.50. Obviously there are coffee shops around too which is always an option. At the end we are planning on Brighton vespers, a gin and vodka based cocktail! But we promise not to start too early, Maybe!

During the Hugathon we will attempt to get as many 6 inch squares made. In Brighton we are focussing on our Chernobyl 2024 project. 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. The link for the project is below.

Chernobyl 2024. Reach for the stars!

We will also be running a rather fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) 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!  And finally we will play a couple of games of our infamous Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this! Well, you might want to but you can’t! Haha!

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.

How to get there…

The venue address…

Brighton Harbour Hotel, 60-64 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 1NA.

It is approx a 15 minute walk from the train station, very easy, it is almost a straight line down! Obviously there are car parks, click here for the council website for where to find these

And should ANYONE wish to know, it is about a 40 min drive from Gatwick. JUST SAYIN.

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

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

The Great Woolly Hugs’ Hugathon in Portsmouth Harbour takes place on Saturday 7th October 2023 between 11.00am and 3.30pm, at St George’s Church Of England Portsea (Harbour Church, Gunwharf location) Its a stunning location, the building itself is over 250 years old!

Our Venue is fully accessible. Access to the venue is via a gentle and wheelchair-friendly ramp from the street pavement. There are accessible bathroom facilities.

TICKETS COST £18 EACH

This includes event swag!

Tickets are on sale on Eventbrite from September 1st at 7pm. Click here for the link.

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 Portsmouth we are focussing on our Christmas Cwtch 2023 project. 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.

During our event, but in a different room, Alexsis from Seeded will be running her Seeded Destash event until 2pm. We are not planning to hold destash this time, but do bring your pennies in case you’d like a wander round her event too!

We have use of the kitchen area, and will provide the wherewithal for making tea and coffee for a donation. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and drinks, we won’t judge if that is alcohol.

We will also be running a rather fabulous Lucky Dip (£1 a go) and our legendary Gin Raffle (£1 a ticket) 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!  And finally we will play a couple of games of our infamous Yarn Bingo game, you will not want to miss this! Well, you might want to but you can’t! Haha!

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.

Christmas Cwtch 2023 project link….

The Christmas Cwtch palette (all SSDK yarn)

• Claret
• Cream
• Grass green
• Green
• Kelly green
• Lipstick

The venue is very close to Portsmouth Harbour train station and links to the Isle of Wight, come on you Islanders!

Thank you folks! G&G