Is it me....

...or is it cold* in here?

I'm trying to look nonchalant but...Yee-ha!!!!  I finished my scarf!  I know that it was a super easy pattern but I am more than a little bit pleased with myself.  Thank you to my fab bloddie Emily for publishing the pattern, it was perfectly clear and simple to follow (although I did accidentally adapt it a tad by making my stripes too big).

Can you tell how chuffed I am?  Look at that cheesy grin - ha!  I couldn't bring myself to do an actual 'Ta-dah' in the title because I felt I had already slightly overdone the build up to the Big Reveal!   But this is a hooooge thing for me - I couldn't crochet a few months ago and now I've been able to make something that is (I think) pretty, soft and wearable!

I know that my stitches aren't super-even all the way through and where I join in a new colour the stitches are a little loose but if you could see what I was producing four months ago, this is a proper leap for me!

I even managed a little scalloped edging!  (There may or may not be one stitch too many on the other end resulting in a slightly uneven finish.  Whatevs - counting is not one of my strong points...)

Here it is, all folded up and in its imperfect glory.  

I absolutely loved making it.  I loved the feel of the yarn and adore the colour combination.  It was so relaxing crocheting in rows and watching the scarf grow quickly.  I know I shouldn't admit to this but I LOVED sewing in the ends.  I found it so peaceful and felt really old-fashioned sitting sewing next to hubby in my little armchair!  The simple things...  It's the first time I have sewn in any ends before and I've heard that so many people hate it - I was dreading it.  The only issue it has now highlighted is that in my inexperience I think I've left the ends on my granny squares too short.  I don't know how I'm going to sew them in, the ends on some of the squares are only an inch or so long.  Grrrr.   Any suggestions or do I have to scrap the squares?

So yes I do have a couple of other projects on the go - my granny blanket and my bunting both need finishing.  But I want to start something else and I'm going to try a little baby blanket.  It's one from a Nicki Trench book and I've bought exactly the yarn that the book recommends in exactly the same colours.  I fancied taking the safe option.  I'll show you the yarn and the pattern when I kick it off.

Oooh, and I'm going to blog about this bag ^^ another day too.  I'm so pleased with it - it was a sale bargain and deserves its own post. 

I'm going to hop in the bath now, I've used my special Penhaligon's Bluebell bath oil and I can smell it wafting down the landing, it's gorgeous.  I'm also reading a Peter James novel which has me absolutely hooked.  It's been a while since I read a proper paperback (I usually read a Kindle) and it's a novelty to be able to take it in the bath.

Sorry for all the exclamation marks.  One of my pet hates is overusing exclamation marks but y'know, I'm excited.  

So there!!!!!!

Nicki 

x

*I know it was my silly way of casually showcasing my scarf, but I actually really am cold - we took the dog for a walk this evening and I was trussed up in Ugg boots, a hoodie and a little coat too.  Ridiculous for the end of July.