Scarborough Fair Crochet Scarf

My best friend lives far away so every year we open our Christmas presents over the phone a bit early. It's been our annual tradition for the last 12 years. We opened them last week so I can finally show you what I made her. I've been itching to show you!

I'd planned to make a crochet shawl using the Scarborough Fair Shawl pattern. The pattern recommended a laceweight yarn (2ply) so I chose Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace. Fine, pure wool made from 100% merino. It's as soft and dreamy as it sounds.

A few rows in I realised I'd never get the shawl finished before Christmas (panic!) so I ripped it back, chained half the amount of stitches in the foundation row and made a scarf instead. I still used the laceweight wool but doubled it up so it was quicker to work with. Not quite the lace effect I'd originally planned for but it still looked good and it would be warmer. Kim's lucky she got this scarf, I wanted to keep it for myself!

I crocheted the scarf long enough to wrap around twice…

…or wear loose with plenty of drape.

This was a really enjoyable pattern to crochet. Simple enough not to require every ounce of my attention but interesting enough to stop it becoming repetitive and boring. Best of all, it included both written and chart instructions. I find chart patterns so much easier to follow and it's surprising how many crochet patterns don't include one.

I'm adding this to my ever growing knitwear wishlist. If I start working on the shawl version in the new year, I may get it finished in time for next Autumn :)

Project notes

• Pattern: Scarborough Fair Shawl
• Wool: Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace
• Wool colour: Sea Green (025)
• Balls: 3
• Crochet hook: 4mm
• Project duration: 2 weeks