Knitting at Michele’s house – September 22, 2011

It was so good to be back with the Castoffs!  I shared my photos and showed everyone my new yarn that I bought on the Isle of Skye.

I wound these big boys myself!

 

“She who must remain anonymous” grabbed my balls and stuffed them in her shirt.  Oh, did that sound suggestive?  We all agreed that Les…uh, I mean the anonymous ball-stuffer was overcome with lust for yarn – foreign yarn.

Ooh, la la!

 

Michele had a pesky meeting that prevented her from getting home in time to set up the goodies, so Francy stepped in and helped out.  Thank you, Francy for serving us dip and crackers, chocolate and nuts…and wine.  It was great.

Yummy treats on Michele's deck.

 

Summer is waning, but Michele’s flowers on the deck were still beautiful.  We must all take advantage of the remaining good weather because we know it won’t last forever.

Ah, the end of summer!

 

Francy started a shawl using the same pattern as Leslie’s shawl, but with a typical Francy twist…she’s inserting contrasting lines and using two different types of yarn.  She wasn’t sure if she liked it, but Leslie convinced her to allow the yarn to do its thing and be what it will be.  Sounds like the yarn needs its own cosmos.  Nevertheless, Leslie has a way with good things unfolding, so we support her and the Zen of knitting.

Yup, the yellow comes from the greenie skein. Surprise!

 

Speaking of Leslie and her shawl, the second one is nearly finished and it looks just as beautiful as the first one.  Looks gorgeous!

Will there be a third?

 

Mary’s sock is coming right along.  She will have to make a slight adjustment to its mate because Julie got Mary confused…or Mary got Julie confused…well, somebody got confused and knitted the wrong way around the heel.  It looks okay, but Mary will have to remember what she did on the first one when she gets to the second one.  Clear???  Uh, maybe.

Does this mean you wear it backwards?

 

Carol just finished a pair of fingerless mittens for her sister and they are wonderful.  She used a sock yarn and the color is very pretty.  Good job, Carol.

Your sis will love these, Carol!

 

Julie is still working on her blue sweater and it looks great.  BTW, we’ll meet at Julie’s house next week.

O U Q T

 

Michele was experiencing burnout on the day, so she didn’t knit.  She did, however, have her magic schedule book with her to jot down where we meet next – Julie’s – and after that – Marsha’s.  Julie helped.

And then Julie's and then Marsha's and then...who knows?

 

We missed our absent knitters, Marylane and Joan who were working at the Friends of the Library Book Sale, Linda who is in Chicago visiting her daughter and Deb.  Uh, where was Deb?  Deb, where are you??  Hopefully, the lost will be found in time for next week at Julie’s house.  Until then, enjoy the last gasp of summer and keep those needles blazing!

I’d like to say to Joan, we miss you already and hope we can see you before you go to Arizona for the winter!  Joan, we haven’t had closure!  We aren’t ready to Cast you off yet!  We’d love to see you before you go, but if we don’t, you have your assignment.  PURL LESSONS!  Ta ta for now.

Knitting at Carol’s house – September 15, 2011

While Marylane and Marsha were winging their way home, stuffed in the middle seat (not together – we were seated in separate rows), the Castoffs met at Carol’s house.  Marylane and I were wishing that we were there with you all!  We had a wonderful trip and can’t wait to tell you all about it next week.  Yay!  Here’s a teaser:

Marylane with Edinburgh Castle in the back ground.

 

I guess Leslie thought we’d be back because she didn’t take her camera – it’s hard work being the blogger, isn’t it, Les?  In lieu of photos, she wrote a delightful little ditty about the meeting which is much more creative than anything I would have done:

 

We all gathered at Carols for a Fall-like day.

We are missing our “M’s,” Marylane & Marsha.
Of course we do have other “M’s”, Mary & Michele who were in attendance.
Linda was still on her trip.
Francy brought the finished mitts for Richard.
We will wait to FELT when we are at Marylane’s to get the perfect fit!
Julie, Joan and Carol were busy with their projects (sweater, scarf, fingerless mitts).
Francy is going to start a Different Lines shawl.
Michele and Deb were too pooped to knit and Mary with all her new free time announced she only knit two rows on her sock all week.
Wow…retirement must make for very full days.
AND yes….Leslie didn’t really forget the camera…she might have thought Marsha would be back.
Anyway…here are the beautiful mitts, again, it was a group effort.
We meet at Michele’s next week.
Casting off until next time…

Richard's gloves look fabulous!

Knitting at Leslie’s house – September 8, 2011

On this day in Scotland, Marylane and I were sunk in an Ambien stupor in Invergarry, Scotland.  I had not had much sleep and needed it badly to face another day of crazy Scottish drivers on the way to Stirling (GREAT castle!)

Stirling Castle on its escarpment.

 

Leslie remembered her camera – probably because the meeting was at her house – so she emailed me this report with, I must say, the most astoundingly clear photos I’ve seen.  I think I need a new camera.

A wonderful afternoon of:

refreshing treats …

 

Yum!

fabulous projects …

Carol concentrating.

 

Yeah, I'm having fun.

intense concentration …

She said WHAT?


and pride of accomplishment.

Startin' to look like a sock!


We are blessed with a true KNITTER ….

Look at that knitter's grin...

stupendous support ….

"And after that, I don't know what the f*** you do."


and the crazy “Sisters of the Dough” … can you say “starter.”

Let's see a little of that dough-re-mi, ladies.

Hello to Linda in Chicago visiting her daughter AND

MaryLane and Marsha, in a far away land ….
It will be wonderful to hear about all your adventures!

Next meeting at Carol’s!
Until then …

I never knew that Lucy was so talented!



Knitting at Deb’s house – September 1, 2011

While Marylane and I were wandering around Glasgow, Scotland trying to stay awake long enough to go to bed at a normal Scottish time, Leslie and the other Castoffs met at Deb’s house.  Alas, Leslie forgot her camera, but she emailed me this succinct account of the meeting:

 

We talked
We knit:
Old Lady Knitting dolls
We ate:



AND….Leslie FORGOT the camera 🙁
Thanks, Leslie!  I love the photos anyway, especially the self-portrait and the knitted dip.  Can’t wait to see what happens next week!