Every winter, over 25,000 older people die from cold related illnesses. The money raised from The Big Knit goes towards providing hot meals, blankets and advice to older people on how to keep their houses warm.

Last year they raised over £200,000 for Age Concern and this year they're looking to raise lots more. So they'd love our help. All you need to do is knit a little hat using the Innocent Hat Pattern. Why not design your own pattern and enter our competition. Bring your creation along to our Rowan 30th Anniversary Exhibition or If you can not come along to the exhibition please send your hat/hats along with your name and address to: Twist Fibre Craft Studio, 88 High Street , Newburgh KY14 6AQ to arrive on or before October 16th (we have been given an extension by Innocent but we must send the hats off to the on Monday 20th October!).

Parking on Newburgh High Street is a limited to 30 minutes. There is unlimited parking at the Perth end of Newburgh High Street beside the Bowling Green . The Steeple Arts Space is less than a 5 minute walk down the High Street.

serving Fair trade teas, coffees and delicious home baking.

Exhibiting collections of original paintings, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, jewellery, glass art, art cards and limited edition prints in a beautiful setting. www.sungallery.co.uk

1. Pop your feet up with a cup of tea.

2. Using double knitting yarn and some small needles (4mm), cast on 28 stitches.

3. Knit 2 rows. Then, starting with a knit row, work in stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row, knit 1 row etc) for 12 more rows.

4. For the next row, knit 2 together to the end (14 stitches). And for the row after that, purl 2 together to the end (7 stitches).

5. When you've finished, cut the yarn leaving about 25 cm. Thread the cut end of the yarn through a sewing needle, then run it through the loops and remove the knitting needle.

6. Tighten the yarn and sew the little hat together at the side. Once finished, turn it right-side out so that the seam you've just sewn runs up the inside.

7. Just to check you're on the right track we reckon when laid out flat, the hat dimensions should be about 5-7cm along the bottom and at least 3cm high.

8. Sew a little bobble onto the top of the hat.

The hat competition will be judged by hat maker Jeanette Sendler!