Where You'll Find Me This Year - Shows, Fairs and Workshops

I've already had such a busy start to the year, trading at Unravel and the Spring Knitting and Stitching Show. Giving a speech and running a photography workshop at the Knitting and Crochet Guild convention. Not to mention designing for Mollie Makes, Stylecraft and Knit Today alongside unleashing my latest dinosaur collection. I had a little health blip in between but have recovered well and am excitedly looking ahead to the rest of the year!

And it's non stop, I finally took a big leap and found a studio space in central Brixton. From the 1st of August I'll be moving my huge yarn stash from the living room, and my private stash in the bedroom to it's new home. I'll also be able to proudly display my critters and have my knitting machine permanently set up. It also means I'll be able to run knitting nights and workshops, eek!

Before I open my doors I've got some work to do. But I've got lots of exciting news for the year ahead. Here are some key dates for your diary.

July 28th - The Make Escape 3rd Birthday - Hackney
It's my favourite London craft night! Come along for a night of free workshops at the Hackney Attic. Hosted by the wonderful Momtaz Begum-Hossain (@TheCraftCafe). It's the Make Escapes 3rd birthday and it's Hawaiian themed! I can't wait! 
http://themakeescape.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/coming-up-hawaiian-holiday-our-3rd.html

August 28th - 30th - Frank and Olive Retreat - York
More information to be released soon.

September 3rd - 5th - The WI Centennial Fair - Harrogate
I'm really excited to be apart of the WI Fair, you'll find me trading at Stand A139 alongside running a workshop on Thursday the 3rd. We'll be making mini fox head key rings hurrah! I'll also be releasing my latest collection of kits and scarfs at the show.
http://www.thewishow.com/ 

September the 5th - The Great London Yarn Crawl - London
I won't actually be around for this one, but I'll be there in spirit. The yarn crawl looks really fun, each group has a different route and I'm excited to say that my pieces can be found at both Fringe and Wild & Woolly. Look out for the new ranges there too!
http://www.greatlondonyarncrawl.com/

October 7th - 11th - The Knitting and Stitching Show - Alexandra Palace London
It's the big one! I launched my kits at the show last year so am excited to be back. You can find me in the same hall and in almost the same place. There'll be some familiar faces and some new ones too. I'll also be running a bear pillow workshop too. 
http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/london/

November 14th - Festiwool - Hitchin 

Last year I was invited to Festiwool and I'm glad to be back! It's only a short train journey from London so perfect for exhibiting. Again there'll be a fresh face of critters and some old friends too. I'd really recommend visiting this one as it has a fabulous atmosphere and friendly traders.

http://www.festiwool.com/

December 4th - 8th - The Clothes Show - NEC Birmingham

This is a show I'm really excited to be involved in. It won't be my usual set up as I've been given a really big space. Here I'll be teaching how to knit in the educational area as well as trading too. I've got some time to get planning how I want the stand looking as usually I'm only in a 2x2m space! There'll be lots of animals here as well as even more new designs. If you're new to knitting or want to learn just pop along for a free workshop! 

http://www.clothesshow.com/

I'd love to see you at any (or all) of these shows! And keep your eyes out for Brixton workshops too!

Sincerely,

Louise

xox

SUPER CHUNKY FOXY HAT PATTERN

Hello, its been a long time since my last post where I was lucky enough to be reviewing the Tiny Owl Knits book. I've been even luckier since then and have been working on my own book, Faux Taxidermy Knits, which will be released *fingers crossed* in October. 

I've been hard at work making lots of creatures for you to knit, including tigers, badgers and hedgehogs. I've also moved from North London to the wonderful Brixton, I'm looking forward to trying every restaurant and coffee shop in the market, and adventuring out to find my nearest yarn store and maybe a knit and natter!

I want to get back into the swing of blogging by offering a free foxy pattern! I've got some exciting new projects underway so keep watching this space. 

FOXY HAT PATTERN

This hat is a lovely quick knit project, perfect for the beginner knitter, or an expert with a spare night on their hands! Made in the perfect super chunky fox coloured yarn and knitted on 9mm needles its a project that'll make your winter a little more wild! 

To celebrate this pattern I'm having a clear out of my stash so I have a few balls and knitting needles on sale, so making this hat couldn't be easier, just click on the links or visit:

Sincerely Louise Etsy Shop

You will need:

YARN

Cygnet Seriously Chunky 
100% Acrylic | 48 meters / 52 yards per 100g
A Burnt Orange x 2 balls
B Cream x 1 ball  
9 mm Straight Needles 
Sewing up needle (I'll send one free with every etsy order) 

SIZE - Adult - one size fits all          TENSION - 8 sts and 11 rows to 10cm over St st on 9mm needles

ABBREVIATIONS: 

K - Knit
K2tog - Knit 2 stitches together 
K3tog - Knit 3 stitches together 
P - Purl
SKP - Slip 1, Knit 1, Pass slipped stitch over
St st - Stocking Stitch/Stockinette: Knit a row, Purl a row

If making this hat in another yarn please ensure you knit a tension 10 x 10 cm square in stocking stitch first. It has been tested in the Cygnet and is perfect, but sizing may vary if using another yarn without making the square. 

PATTERN:

The Hat
Using the long tail cast on method cast on 44 stitches in A, this will make up the first row.
Row 2 *P2, K2* all stitches
Row 3 - 18 Repeat row 2 
Row 19 - 30 Work in St st 
Row 31 *K2tog, K1* 14 times, to the last 2 stitches, K2 (30 sts)
Row 32 P
Row 33 *K2tog* all stitches (15 sts)
Row 34 P
Row 35 *K2tog* 7 times, K1 (8 sts)
Row 36 Cut the yarn and thread through the 8 stitches. Pull and weave in the end. Sew your hat up using a mattress stitch. 

The Ears - Back

Make 2
Using the long tail cast on method cast on 9 stitches in A, this will make up the first row.
Row 2 P
Row 3 K
Row 4 P
Row 5 K
Row 6 P
Row 7 K
Row 8 P
Row 9 SKP, K5, K2tog (7 sts)
Row 10 P
Row 11 SKP, K3, K2tog (5 sts)
Row 12 P
Row 13 SKP, K1, K2tog (3 sts)
Row 14 P 
Row 15 K3tog and bind off

The Ears - Front

Make 2
Using the long tail cast on method cast on 9 stitches in A, this will make up the first row.
Row 2 P
Row 3 K4a, K1b, K4a
Row 4 P3a, P3b, P3a
Row 5 K2a, K5b, K2a
Row 6 P2a, P5b, P2a
Row 7 K2a, K5b, K2a
Row 8 P2a, P5b, P2a
Row 9 SKP in a in a, K1a, K3b, K1a, K2tog in a (7 sts)
Row 10 P2a, P3b, P2a
Row 11 SKP in a, K1a, K1b, K1a, K2tog in a (5 sts)
Row 12 P2a, P1b, P2a
Row 13 SKP in a, K1a, K2tog in a (3 sts)
Row 14 P all stitches in a
Row 15 K3tog and bind off

SEWING UP:

Weave in all loose ends. Take a front and back ear piece and place together with the wrong side facing in. Pin and then sew up using a mattress stitch in a coloured yarn. Repeat this for the second ear.

Lay the hat down flat with the sewn up seam in the centre back. Place the ears 21cm from the cast on edge on either side of the hat, along the rounded decrease. Neatly sew into place using the a coloured yarn. Weave in the ends, roll up the brim and your hat is all ready to wear! 

© Copyright Louise Walker, 2016. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder. This pattern is not to be used for commercial purposes.