Crochet Squares Hat & Scarf (first ever crochet pattern)

I found an interesting pattern on Ravelry, my favourite site for knitty-crochety things.  This was the inspiration for following a crochet pattern. 

The finished hat and scarf.

The first thing I did was make a practice square out of some aran wool that I have; just to see if I could do it and I could!  Here is the first every square I made from a crochet pattern!

My first every crochet square.  I'm very proud :-)

The yarn the hat and scarf are made of were ordered for a Loom Knit project.  The supplier took bl**dy ages in sending it out (I will not be using them again!).  By the time it arrived, I found the crochet pattern and dicided to use the yarn for that instead.

I really enjoyed making the hat, but got really fed up by the time I got to the scarf because the yarn I used is an utter nightmare for crochet.  It split round my hook on every single stitch!  I was a bit fed up of the colour as well...  So I love the hat, but not sure about the scarf....  It was good practice though!

Scarf being blocked!  I pinned it out on some towels and steamed it.

Close-up of scarf draped over the sofa...  very lilac!

So here you go, another project towards my 52.  Seems like it's turning into 52 crochet project!  LOL :-)

"Starry Night" Crochet Scarf for Natalie's Birthday

It's my dear friend Natalie's birthday today.  I wanted to make her something but didn't know what.  I came across a lovely pattern in a book I have called Crochet so Fine.  (Details of the pattern and project can be found on my Ravelry project.)

If anyone can tell me why my photos keep coming out sideways, I'll be eternally grateful!

I liked the stars pattern as it's not too boho/girlie for Natalie.  She only ever wears black so I had a slight challenge finding a suitable yarn.  I ended up choosing a lovely soft 4-ply alpaca.  It's made the scarf really airy and light!  It took me ages to make all those stars!  Because the yarn is so soft, the scarf came out all scrunchy when it was finished, so it needed some proper wet blocking.

Natalie's scarf being blocked on a towel on the livingroom floor.

I wet blocked it, and then gave it a good steam after tucking in all the tails (two per star!) and arranging all the stitches neatly.
I am very pleased with the finished item!  It took me two days because I'm slow, but it was worth it.  I really hope Natalie loves this half as much as I loved making it!

The book from which this pattern comes: