Finally finished the scarf (free pattern) - and fab giveaway win!

So, the lovely Val Laird (visit her here) finally sorted my whole photo/post thing out by telling me how to email my posts to myself, cutting out the photo problem.  I still do have a little problem as there’s a limit on the size of photos I can send (anyone know a non-technical way to make them smaller?) but it’s a lot quicker anyway!

So, first up, I need to say a massive thanks to Cathy for the fab bag I won in her giveaway. 

I’ve been joining in with Cathy’s Christmas Countdown and I was lucky enough to win this gorgeous bag last month. 

 

Look at that detail and the lovely little label!  I love it Cathy and it’s under my desk as we speak.  I'm just sorry that my photos don't do it justice, I fell in love with it as soon as I opened the parcel.  Come on ladies, join Cathy for the final month’s Countdown by posting about your November Christmas present makes, it’s that simple and you could win a prize.  All you have to do is email Cathy or comment on her blog directing her to your post.

I’ve finally finished that basket weave scarf!  Ta da…

And here’s a close up (albeit an orange close up – the scarf is russet!):

Do you want to know how to do the basket weave pattern?

It’s pretty simple, I did it in multiples of 4 stitches and 5 rows, though you could really make that any number (larger) that you wanted for bigger squares.  I had to count my stitches – it had to be a multiple of 8 + 4 so 12, 20, 28, 36, 44 all work and I chose 44 stitches. 

Rows 1-5 : knit 4, purl 4 to end of row

Rows 6 – 10: purl 4, knit 4 to end of row

Then just repeat this pattern to infinity!

I also made my dad a fabric covered notice board from a piece of black and white stripy fabric, a cork board and a couple of layers of wadding, plus hundreds of staples and a bit of PVA glue.  He’s a big Notts County fan.  Overseas readers never heard of Notts County?  Oh, hang on, I bet you British readers have never heard of them either!  They’re a football team.  Certainly not Premiership material, I don’t know what division they are in now as they keep changing the system but it used to be division 4, basically a bit up from the Sunday pub team matches!!  Anyway, they play in black and white stripes, hence the black and white theme of his presents.

That’s it for now but I should be back on Monday with lots and lots of Christmas gift finishes – if not then it’s looking more and more unlikely that my family will get any Christmas presents!!

P.S.  Look what I saw in the carpark of my local Asda:

The holidays are coming!