Summer Rolls On

Looking for something portable, light and easy to do in the heat I picked up the Rico Fashion Modern Tweed vest pattern R1906 in Mustard to finish. The pattern is one that finishes about the model’s belly button so, knowing I like about a 16 inch side seam, I added a fair bit to the length. I also know from past sleeveless knits I don’t like the non existent arm hole, ones where the sides are actually straight and gives a boxy drop shoulder. Being big boobed I don’t need the extra width that shape tends to give. I marked the armhole and then did a pretty standard casting off to give a proper armscye shaping. The original also had an extra fold down part to the collar which I didn’t like.

I’m really pleased with it, despite all my alterations, and it’s not in my usual colour-way but the mustard will go lovely with denim blue of jeans.

I laid out the Stylecraft Under the Sea crochet-a-long. I knew I was 4 blocks short as I wasn’t sure I enjoyed doing the ones which are supposed to be x8, the anemone ones next to the corner blocks already. As the yarn quantities are a bit tight I will now be going back and making the other 4 as per the pattern.

We were very happy to have the crop taken off the field behind the house last week. After seeing many fires on the news and a couple fairly close to home we were a little worried with how dry everything is. Of course there are always casualties with farming and those that benefit. We’ve only had Red Kites down here for about 8 years but now they are quite common. They do a fabulous job of cleaning up as they are more opportunistic scavengers than hunters. They’ve often been a part of our dog walks lately during harvest but this week they found something at the end of the garden and I could watch them for ages. Poor photo as it’s a still from a video I took through the bedroom window.

It was quite a relief when the farmer went around the edge of the field a couple of times so there is now a bit of a firebreak effect.

Hugo & Hudson have been very generous in helping the GSP Rescue by donating items for our fundraisers. I have been spending time adding the rescue tape to the necks, just to make them a little more particular (H&H labels and embroidery all still attached of course!). Gwyn had her first modelling experience even though this coat is an XL and swamped her a little!

We are so looking forward for the weather to break, hopefully after this weekend. I hope you are all managing ok. Keep cool and keep safe!