Evening Walks

The days are long and hot, but we still find time to go out and have some nice evening walks. The landowner cut the meadow so Rango and I can now take walks there. I sit and let Rango chase as many field mice as he possibly can before the sun begins to dip down and the real critters begin to adventure out. I am trying my best to keep him out of the tall grass along the river. I don't want him encountering another porcupine like he did a few weeks ago. He had around 50 quills in his muzzle and paws. I just could not bear for him to go through that much pain again. So I keep him close and make sure he doesn't stick his big nose in where he doesn't belong.

Completed Project - Couch Throw!!

I am happy to report that I finished the afghan I began in March of this year!! Yes, I finished a project in the same year of beginning it for a change, especially an afghan.

I used the pattern Henry's Blanket by Little Monkey's Crochet aka Yarn & Chai. I added an extra section compared to the pattern. The center accent color, I ended up adding an extra section to make the blanket a throw. The colors are very fall inspired and this throw will be perfect for that time of year.

I can also add that this is a very non-thinking pattern. Once you have the stitches memorized you really do not need to go back and forth to the pattern. I love patterns that are very memorable. I could walk away from this project and go back to it easily without needing to refer back to the pattern. Another big plus in my book. The only portion of the pattern that I really needed to read back over was the last portion of ribbing. This part I had to read over because you are chaining 9 stitches and crocheting back to the last row and slip stitching back into the row to connect the ribbing portion. Other than that, it is a very easy pattern to follow and I am tempted to make a pillow to go with the throw.

Completed Project - Walnut Shawl

I have had this project in the works since 2015. And it isn't that it is a difficult pattern, it is just that life sometimes gets in the way. I was at first going to go with the solid Hazel Walnut color way. I ended up having this great blue color way in the same yarn and just had to add it to this pattern.

The beginnings of this project back in 2015

Adding the pop of blue really began bringing this shawl to life. Then my cat got a hold of my project and messed it up a bit. I cleaned up the unraveling and snags that the cat so proudly worked into my project and then put it away for awhile because I was really mad at this point.

This poor project sat under my bed for a year before I came across it again. I had just enough blue left to add a few more rows.

I finished up the blue and decided to add about 10 more solid rows of the hazel walnut color way before I started cleaning up the edges. I added a couple of single crochet rows to the border. I really wish I had some of the blue left to add a row of stitches as well, but I think it turned out great.

Now on to the next WIP!! I have been working on the last section of my afghan.  Hope to have that one completed this week!!

Summer Time Bliss

Summer is definitely upon us now here in the Wasatch Mountains. We have a plethora of wildflowers blooming everywhere with lots of butterflies fluttering here and there. I finally was able to catch a picture of a Monarch butterfly this weekend. It isn't the best pic since I only had my phone to capture it. But it was nice to finally capture one. Plus the mountain thistle is beginning to bloom. This little guy found a cool spot next to the creek to have a midday snack.

Upon our walk we decided to cross through the meadow and man is that grass tall!! I believe the land owner will bail it soon. I can say that the walk through the meadow had my allergies killing me afterwards, but it was worth it with Rango romping through the tall grass. There were some points when I could not see him at all until he bounced up chasing after I am sure were some field mice.

My roses are blooming so vibrantly right now. I'm sure in another week they will all be gone, but I am enjoying them while they last for now. Top left is of my miniature snap dragon plant.

I was able to relax this weekend and work on a crochet project. I found this old project under my bed. Really?! So I pulled out my Walnut Shawl that I have been working on for years now. Yes, I have been working on this shawl for a couple of years now. I guess it doesn't help that I had misplaced it for so long.

I am done adding the blue since I am completely out of this color way. I have looked all through my stash and cannot believe I do not have another skein. But I do not and now it is time to finish up a few more rows of the walnut color way and begin a simple border. I do have a pretty good bit to weave in as well. I do love the way the blue just pops in this shawl. I hope to have completed project done by end of week and post a full collage of it for you.