MONKEY BUSINESS.....

Hey, it's done! My Monkey Bread scarf is finally finished. I made the infinity version, grafting the stitches together, but was unhappy with the finished result. The pattern asked for fifteen repeats, but in order to use up as much of the yarn as possible, I managed eighteen repeats and felt very pleased with myself. However, once finished I wasn't happy with the lay of the piece. I think the exrtra length made it too long, so it would not fit snuggly around the neck, without a rather long second loop of scarf that looked pretty ridiculous (in my opinion). So I spent a whole evening unpicking and the casting off both ends. However, I have to say that this is just the scrummiest, softest, lightest and warmest yarn you could ever wish to have coiled around your neck. The feeling of all consuming warmth is almost immediate!! It's truly gorgeous and I can't wait to use it again. So, my scarf of choice all week has been 'Monkey Bread'; inside and out!

I've spent a long time scouring the internet and pattern books to come up with a pretty, but not too fussy, little bolero for Sophie to wear over her flower girl dress at THE wedding in April. Nothing was quite to my liking, so I've resorted to a pattern that I've used before, from Rowan's 'Milk Cotton Baby Collection' book. I showed you the yarn and pattern last week. So far I've knit up the back and begun the left front. The pattern is simple, but needs a little adjusting as I am using Debbie Bliss cashsoft, a 100% merino wool instead of Rowan milk cotton and the tension is a little different. Rather than altering the needle size, I am adjusting the number of rows and pattern shaping instead.

I love the soft, pretty colour. Hopefully, it will blend in with the wedding colours of blues, lilacs and purples, the colours of English spring flowers. Here's the one made previously for Sophie's little cousin, Alice. It's a pretty pattern

The little button is knitted as well, which just seems to add that little extra special finishing touch.

I am desperate to begin the 'Almost Ovals' scarf, with the beautiful Christmas gift yarn from my pal Josiekitten, but I know I really must finish the bolero first. I also plan to make a stole or shawl for the evening of the wedding, for myself. Whether that will happen or not is as yet undecided, as time seems to be flying by.

Have a good week and thank you so much for stopping by. It's always lovely to hear from you all.