There's great exctitement in the Lynas house because copies have arrived of my very first picture book and just look - IT IS MAGNIFICENT!

It's out on July 1st 2021 and I would absolutely feel the love if you wanted to pre-order from Waterstones or any of the fantastic indie bookshops.

I have had so many requests for the Rainbow Hat of Awesomeness so here it is! I've made this hat five times and each time I have changed the pattern, please feel free to do the same. I am an author not a pattern designer so if you spot any glaring errors please get in touch and I will amend the pattern.
 
You will need:
Chunky wool:
100gm purple
50 gm of each colour, red, blue, green, yellow, orange. You can change the order to suite you.
One circular 6mm needle. You will need to change to double ended needles as the hat decreases towards the tip.
The stitches need to be fairly tight for the hat to retain its form.
1 metre of clear plastic boning strip for the edge of the brim.
 
Method
THE BRIM
Cast on 180 stitches using circular needles and purple wool. Place a marker at join. Take care not to twist the wool as you join.
K 3 rows
*K18 K2 tog* rep from * to * 9 times.
*K17 K2 tog* rep from * to * 9 times.
Continue decreasing each row until *K8 K2 tog* rep from * to * 9 times.

THE POINTY BIT
*K1 K2tog* rep from * to * 9 times.
K 1 row
*K2tog* rep from * to * 9 times.
K 1 row
K1 *K2 tog* rep from * to * 4 times.
K 1 row
K1 *K2 tog* rep from * to * 2 times
Thread wool through remaining stitches and tie off

STIFFENING THE BRIM
Create a hem around the edge of the brim and thread through the boning strip as support.

​Have fun wearing it!

Make one of your characters wear a uniform that's a doddle for parents to make. Of course this may not be possible. You may be writing about dragons or pugs or butterflies. In which case - ignore this tip. 

​Why was the school photo invented?
If I smile, my look says - tormented.
So I practised my glare
And perfected my stare
But now they just think I'm DEMENTED!

Please download the entry form (link below) and deliver it and your AWESOME CREATURE to The Book Corner, 24 Milton Street, Saltburn TS12 1DG before 13th April.

Jenna Warren, owner of The Book Corner, will announce the winner of the competition at the launch of Get Me Out of Witch School at 1pm 14th April
 
Thank you so much for joining in! Em Lynas

Download an entry form here or pop into The Book Corner to pick one up.

The winner will be announced at 1pm on the 14th April at the ac-chew-al launch!
Plus - More competitions on the day!
Be there!

 How To Make A Toadspit Witch (Maybe)

Take hair of daughter, twitch of nose
Sound of sigh and nail of toes

Stir the cauldron, drop them in
With drip of drool and glass of gin

Allow to cool and bottle up
Then offer her a glass or cup

Under breath, repeat a spell
And wait for scream or maybe yell

Watch as warts begin to grow
And hair grows long, as white as snow

Then daughter too shall join the clan
Of sisters who are feared by man.

©Em Lynas (maybe)​

by Em Lynas

​Number 1
Spend a long time (years) learning to write children's books and while you are doing that join the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Number 2
Continue to learn how to write books as you spend a long time (years) getting to know the members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Number 3
Continue to learn how to write books as you spend a long time (years) volunteering to help the members of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

Number 4
Continue to learn how to write books as you enter the competitions run by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Win an agent.

Number 5
Keep learning and writing as you wait and hope for a book deal. Get a book deal.

Then stand back as the amazing friends and supporters you have made over (many) years celebrate with you by wearing silly hats on facebook and twitter.

Then cry.

With thanks to all. Especially Candy Gourlay, George Kirk, Agent Amber Caraveo and the entire team at Nosy Crow. You Can't Make Me Go To Witch School would not be an actual book if it were not for you.