Whether you’re a knitting enthusiast or a beginner, local or overseas, anyone can get involved and create a knitted King Alf.
The Playmakers team will hide your knitted King Alfs around the city for visitors to find and take home – who knows where knitted King Alf could end up…?
This project, run by Playmakers – part of the arts and education charity Play to the Crowd, was originally due to culminate at Hat Fair 2020 but, as this year’s festival has been cancelled, the knitted King Alfs will take over the city at an alternative event later this year.
Follow the pattern on the Playmakers website here. Visit Winchester’s Arts and Culture Officer – Carol has even filmed a ‘how to’ guide for those of you that are keen to watch and make your own.
Getting ready…
First Carol collected all the materials she was going to need to start making her knitted King Alf. As an experienced knitter Carol had these balls of wool already at home but with this pattern a lot of colour combinations will work.
Day one: And she’s off. Carol has cast on the first stitches and worked a couple of rows – for a beginner this can be a bit tricky and the tension might be tight but keep going – Alf, your trousers are on the way.
Day two: Alf is no longer legless! Now Carol is ready to change colour and start creating his tunic.
Day three: With Alf’s tunic complete Carol is beginning to create his head. Watch Carol create knitted King Alf’s head.
Day four: King Alf – it’s time to get stitched up. Watch knitted King Alf’s get stitched up.
Day five: It’s time to finish stitching knitted King Alf together. Watch Carol finish putting knitted King Alf together here.
Day six: With Alf all stuffed up it’s time to give him some arms. Watch knitted King Alf gain some arms.
Day seven: King Alf has grown some hair overnight and it’s time to add the finishing touches. Watch Carol add the finishing touches here.
And knitted King Alf is complete! Here are Carol’s knitted and crocheted King Alfs – start yours today and create a King Alf of your own!
On Friday 3 July, what would have been the first day of Hat Fair 2020, Play to the Crowd has launched a Survival Fundraising Appeal – they need to raise £225,000 by the end of September. If you love what they do, you can donate on their crowdfunder page.
