Now, I am no crochet-er. I struggle with each and every stitch.
I think it comes down to this, when I learnt to knit, my mother taught me. I was taught. Mum took the time and effort, it was a bonding exercise and fun, I was little, with a thirst for knowledge…
In the crochet department, I was self-taught. And an adult. And we all know the old saying about the difficulties of reconciliation when it comes to an old dog and new tricks…
I made this about six years ago. I saw this scarf pattern in a friend’s knitting magazine (can’t remember any details, sorry) and instantly decided I had to have one. Armed with a book from the library with the different crochet stitches illustrated in all their scary hand-contortionist detail, some lovely mohair wool (I know I know, mohair, huh?) and a copy of the intermediate level pattern, I set out on my first crochet project with determination but no idea of what I was doing. Pretty stupid, yes? It’s one of my failings, to just throw myself into a possibly difficult new project with not a clue of technique and no pre-conception of failure. I say “failing”, but I guess it is a trait that has got me this far, so shouldn’t rail on myself…
I did not enjoy making this scarf, mohair is a tricky enough yarn to play with, without trying to manipulate intricate stitches in it with a crochet hook. I solemnly vowed it would be my last crochet project, but I do still love the look of this thing and I admit it, it would be impossible to achieve this lacy, oldfashioned look, which has an air vaguely reminiscent of “granny” squares about it, while still managing to look coolly distinct from the usual run-of-the-mill scarves around.
A hard earned success.
Details:
Scarf; crocheted by me, mohair yarn
Top; Metalicus
Jeans; made by me, Burda 7863, khaki stretch gabardine
on feet; cropped out, but I’m wearing my daggy old slippers and put on my biker boots to go out later!
