Scarf in Bloom and a Walk on The Beach

I'm so glad that I am not alone in the business of saving shoe boxes and other equally important things,  I loved reading your comments they put a huge smile on my face. :) 

Remember my challenge at the beginning of the month? It involved using up at least 100 grams of your least favourite yarn. 

This was the yarn that I pulled out from under the bed and I have turned it...... 

Into this scarf

 It's an easy project to do when you want a bit of mindless crochet... when watching TV or even when you have company, do you crochet when you have company?
(some people think it's rude)

I used two strands of yarn together and a 6 mm hook, made a chain to the width I wanted and then I worked one row in trebles (dc,US) and one row in dc (sc,US) and I just kept going until the yarn was used up, it measures just over 5 foot and it took 165 grams of yarn. 

I was quite pleasantly surprised when I worked with this yarn because it was bumpy and bobbly I thought that it would be difficult to crochet with but it wasn't too bad at all and the completed scarf is nice and soft and has a lovely texture.

Then just to cheer it up a bit, after all Spring is nearly here and flowers are starting to bloom, the scarf in bloom was born.

Just by adding those three little flowers at each end, it makes all the difference. 

Magic ring, (chain 2, 1tr into ring, ch2, ss into ring,) (ch2, 1tr into ring, ch2, ss into ring) until you have 5 petals or 6 if you like.
I always make these because they are easy and I never forget how to make them.  They are also great for beginner crocheters. I usually add a little French knot in the middle after I have sewn them on. 

So I'm feeling quite happy because I have met my challenge already in the first half of the month, I may do it again next month because I do have a lot of stash yarn that I don't really love.
Have you risen to the challenge yet?

A Walk On The Beach
I have been so lazy during the winter just sitting around playing on my laptop, crocheting and getting fatter and very unfit, because the weather has been so beautiful this week and because I had a day off from work, I had no excuse not to get out and walk and so I jumped into the car and went to the beach. 

I live on the North East coast of England and have my choice of beaches just a ten minute drive away.  The beach I chose to visit was Seaham Beach

I just love to walk by the sea, it's possible to walk 11 miles along the Durham coast Path but that's for another day.

It's a long walk down but it seems even longer on the way back up.

Although it is a sandy beach there is a great deal of shingle too I love these pebbles, I like to sit amongst them and play with them and let the smaller ones run through my fingers, they feel lovely, heated with the warm sunshine.

Still too cold for a paddle.

 I know it looks pretty deserted but there were quite a few people enjoying the sunshine and lots of dog owners having fun with their pets but you know what I saw the most?... grandparents with their grand children, obviously mum and dad are at work so the grandparents are looking after the little ones and having a lot of fun into the bargain.

 I walked for just over an hour and when I climbed up those steps to get back to the top I was puffing and panting and my heart was pounding I am definitely out of condition and I suppose I am still recovering from the flu.  

I really enjoyed my walk it blew the cobwebs away and everyone I encountered was smiling and friendly so happy to see the sunshine, it quite lifted my spirits, so I think more of the same is in order and when I can run up those steps and not collapse in a heap then I know I'm on the right track. 


Enjoy the rest of your week and make the most of the sunshine.