A smaller-than-usual group of Castoffs met at Linda’s house.  Some of us were in Arizona – Marylane, Mary, Joan – some of us had other commitments – Deb and Carol – but those of us who were there had a lot of fun and shared a lot of knitting.  Linda had some AMAZING cheese spread that she made herself.  Yes, she made cheese just for us.  I looked to see if there was a goat tied up at the back door, but nope.  She has a friend who is into cheese-making and Linda is joining her.  I must say that the result was delicious.  Thanks for sharing the cheese, Linda.

Before (in the jar) and after (Yum).

Linda also served us root chips and dip.  That sounds stranger than it is.  The chips were made from things other than traditional potatoes like squash and beets.  Tasted very good and gave the table a burst of color.   She had also baked brownie/cookies, and served us lovely wine.   Ah, we certainly know how to knit.

Enjoying the fruits and roots of Linda's labor.

Michele showed up wearing the bulky vest that she was so uncertain about at our last meeting.  It is beautiful and perfect for Michele.  We’re so glad you decided to keep  it for yourself, Michele.  She left off the hood and, with the intricate pattern, it is just stunning.

Great front-crossover vest!

Michele is knitting her daughter Erica a skirt.  Yup, a skirt.  It is so pretty and will be adorable on Erica.  She started at the bottom with a lace pattern and will continue up to the waist in a solid pattern.  Another teacher at the middle school knitted one and Michele fell in love with the idea.  I guess Erica fell in love with it too.

The bottom of Erica's skirt.

While Michele was knitting, something happened to her strand of yarn that required a quick fix.  We all learned about a ‘spit split’ solution to join together two strands of yarn without tying them or knitting then together.  What you do is moisten (sounds a little better than spitting on them) the ends and squish them together, then rub vigorously between your hands.  You’re actually felting them together, thus the reason for spit.  Julie suggested just dunking the ends in your glass of wine, but that only works if you aren’t knitting white baby booties.  I suppose white wine is an option, however.  Good thinking, Jules!

Successful spit split (say that three times fast - I dare you).

As you can see, there is only a slight bulge in the strand of yarn, which can be confidently knit as you would a normal piece of yarn.  This only works, remember, if your yarn is wool.  Synthetic yarns can be spit on repeatedly without a good result.  Unless you just feel like it.

The Castoffs are putting together a basket for the “Loud in the Library” fundraiser at the end of March.  Francy bought a great basket and we are slowly filling it with knitted items and knitting-related materials.  Here is what it looks like so far.  Of course, the items will be inside the basket when it is finished.  Just thought I’d show you what we have.

Thank you for staging the photo, Leslie!

As you can see, we have several baby items as well as adult items.  This is a great idea and it was quite successful last year. Bring your items to Francy.  She’s taking over the organizing from Marylane.

We brought our Works in Progress except for Julie who needed to just sit and enjoy the company.  We are always available for great entertainment value and we strive to achieve excellence in frivolity.  Francy brought out her skinny scarf that she started before Christmas. It has a cool slanted pattern and multi-colored yarn.

Skinny skarf.

Linda brought out her shawl that she started…oh, a couple of years ago…but it’s still pretty.  It must be one of those easier patterns that you can do in the midst of chaos.  I have a couple of those, too.

Gee, I wonder what she's thinking about? Cheese dip for supper?

I brought my cable-full vest that I’m knitting from Cascade 200 yarn.  I find the cables soothing and easy.  Just as long as I turn the little counter to keep track of my rows.  Not always easy to remember at a Castoffs meeting.

Looks gray, but it's really a sage green heather.

Leslie is awaiting to hear what gender her new grandchild (due in July) is.  She has been knitting up a storm, but will add gender-appropriate colors to the garments when she knows it.  We put them all together and made a picture of a baby without the baby.  Very cute.

Attack of the invisible baby!

Next week we’ll be at Michele’s house.  It could be the last time we see Erica for a while because she is getting well enough to think about going back home to Utah.  Until then, Castoffs, have a wonderful week and keep those needles blazing!

The Castoffs met at Marylane’s house on a cloudy, snow-threatening day.  Not much came of the snow threats, however, just like all of the rest of this weird, dry winter.  Where’s the snow?  We sat and drank a little wine and Carol wondered where the treats were.  So did I, Carol.  When Michele got there, Erica was with her!  Yay!  Erica had baked a delicious chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and little candy sprinkles on top.  Oh, Erica.  I know you said it was a thank-you for us, but we thank you and are so happy that you are recovering so well from your surgery.  It makes us smile to see you.

Doesn't she look great?

I rushed (well, not exactly RUSHED) into the kitchen to get a photo of the cake before we had devoured it all.  Alas.  Too late.

Very yummy...very gone, gone, gone.

Linda brought a baby hat that she is donating to the ‘Loud at the Library’ fundraiser.  It is so cute.  I think one of the other grammas or impending grammas should make one too.  I especially loved the dotted ribbon around the brim.  So cute, Linda!

For the stylish baby.

Linda needed to borrow Francy’s pom-pom maker to finish off her other baby hat, but didn’t know how to use it.  Oh, dear.  Never fear!  Francy the fearless was on task and showed Linda how to make little fuzzy balls.  I have the sequence here, from winding to cutting and trimming to visual comment on the razzing some of us (ahem, me) gave her about the ball-making AND her trip to Vegas.

The Pom-pom form.

The cutting.

Voila! Zee Pom-Pom!

I’m not sure what I said to Francy about the Elton John concert that she and Marylane saw – perhaps it was an age comment?  Anyway, I learned something about the gesture that she gave me.  Very interesting what you can learn at a Castoffs meeting…

When you don't care enough to give the very best...finger.

Gotta love that face.  Speaking of Francy, she brought a darling hat – I think it’s for the ‘Loud at the Library’ fundraiser basket – that has little piggy-tail doohickies on top.  Very cute.

Front view.

Piggy-tail doohickies view.

The piggy-tails were i-cords that you bring the yarn back through to make it stiff and curly.  I like it.

We were joined by two of our friends who drop by occasionally – Lisa and Robin.  It’s always such fun to see them both.  Lisa is a new grandmother who brought pictures of little Greta Grace.  Such a beautiful baby.  Come by anytime, women!

Robin hadn't heard about Grandma Leslie's good news!

Lisa and Carol caught up from their former lives.

Leslie had knit a bootie for Sienna’s baby and was working on the other.  It’s going to be such fun to see the mind of Leslie interpret baby clothes.  She always has a unique perspective on color and pattern.  She thought this little bootie looked too big, but some of us gave her suggestions about how to alter it.  Never let it be said that the Castoffs are shy about their suggestions.

One little bootie.

Carol was proud to show us the fingerless mitten that she FINALLY finished.  Carol had an issue with the beaded mitts and unraveled them many times before switching to a different yarn.  Whew!  Much better.  And they are beautiful, Carol.

Finally! Success!

As a matter of fact, Carol was so giddy with success that she gave us an impromptu modeling show using various pieces of knitted goods from several of us.  A large (not handknit) red cowl that she demonstrated, my cowl that I just finished, her mittens, and a hat from someplace.  I was laughing so hard I could barely focus.  Oh, Carol, you have missed your calling…

WORK IT, GIRL!

Michele brought her hooded vest.  She isn’t too sure about how BIG it is, but it certainly is fun.  She thinks it will look great on Erica as an outdoor sweater over slim pants or leggings.  I agree.  Marylane modeled it for us.  I can’t wait to see it finished.  Maybe next week?

One thing to say - it'll be very warm!

Marylane wasn’t working on her crossover shawl, for obvious reasons – it’s too intricate a pattern to risk knitting at a Castoffs meeting.  With all the shenanigans that go on, who can concentrate?  It’s going to be stunning.  It was draped over a chair and our non-knitting friend, Robin, asked if Marylane knitted it on the chair, or took it off to knit.  We all got a good laugh at Robin’s expense.  Sorry Robin – it doesn’t take much to set us off.

Marylane's crossover shawl with pattern.

Marylane is using the same yarn that I used with my Madeline Tosh cowl that I just finished.  It’s a blend of acrylic and wool – beautiful colors and easy to work with.

I can wear it like this or double if as a neckwarmer.

Deb is color-coordinated with her knitting project again this week.  She DOES like shades of purple.  I know for a fact that she even has a purple backpack!  Anyway, the sweater is coming along nicely and Deb is liking to make those cables.  I’m with you, Deb.  I like making them too!

Pretty color, Deb!

I think Julie was working on Terra’s kickass legwarmers, but when I took this photo, the only thing she was working on was her glass of wine.  Hmmm.  I’m sure she was just taking a little break.

Ha ha, knitting?

The tulips were a gift from Marylane’s husband.  He really missed her while she was in Vegas.  Sounds like she and Francy had a great trip.  They loved Elton John and Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles tribute.  Didn’t like the Blue Man Group so much.

Next week we meet at Linda’s house.  The end of winter is here and we’ll say goodbye for a while to Marylane and Francy who are going on trips to warmer places.  But for the rest of us, we’ll meet and talk and knit.  Keep those needles blazing, Castoffs and have a wonderful week.  I’ll leave you with a few candids of Castoffs in their natural habitat.

Hey Deb! Wake up and knit!

Talkin' and knittin'

Leslie listening attentively.

We all came over for the first time to THE HOUSE – Carol’s other house, that is – and had a lovely time.  Deb and I nosed our way through all the rooms, even noticing the cat door into the garage that Carol’s sweetie put in for Little Kitty.  Awwww…what a guy.  Little Kitty seemed right at home, so we made ourselves at home too.

"Soft kitty, warm kitty..."

Marylane made herself comfy on the giant leather couch.  I hadn’t realized just how big it was until I noticed her little feet sticking straight out – little girl feet.

What do you mean? Her feet don't touch the floor?

Well, this was an invitation for a photo op, of course.  I sat down and scooted to the back of the couch and so did Julie.  We couldn’t resist acting like a bunch of kindergärtners, so we immortalized the moment.

Can you read us a story?

Leslie dropped a surprise on us, literally, when she threw a group of knitted objects on the carpet…BABY STUFF!  Sienna is pregnant and Leslie will be a proud new grandma in July.

A new baby to knit for! Yay!

Leslie joins Mary and Carol, two other Castoffs who are becoming grandmas this summer.  It’s gonna be a babylicious summer.  I anticipate seeing more baby patterns than I thought possible for the next four or five months.  Speaking of babies, our friend Lisa is a new grandma too!  Little Greta Grace was born a couple of weeks ago and Michele brought a darling little hat that she knitted for her.  So adorable.

A hat for Greta!

Michele says that Erica is getting better and stronger every day and we are all so happy to hear that.  We’re her knitting moms and want her to get well soon.  Sending you love, Erica!  Michele brought a great hat that she knitted for the Loud at the Library fundraiser in March.  It is a Wendy Fregario pattern and is wonderful.  Can you see the dancing people?

Great pattern by Wendy Fregario!

Linda brought her ball winder for Carol to make a skein of yarn from the purchase that she made at Christmas.  It’s a slick little machine and as soon as Carol got the rhythm right, the yarn was wound!  It was pretty funny to watch – I took a video, but this daggum blog site won’t let me put it on unless I pay for an upgrade – which I’m too cheap to do.  Maybe if I get more video in future, I’ll think about it.  Hmmm.  Anyway, Carol and Linda were quite a sideshow in the kitchen winding yarn.

Before the action started.

Starting to form a ball.

Carol doing her winding dance.

It was cool to see the yarn go from an amorphous mass to a contained, small skein of manageable yarn.  Now, we have to wait to see what it becomes next.

Leslie also brought some beaded fingerless mittens to go into the basket for the library.  This is a pattern that many Castoffs have made – could I be next?

So pretty on our wonderful hand model, Leslie.

Marylane is still trying to turn the heel of her big bulky socks.  I’m not sure that any of us were a help.  She was excited about her book club’s trip to Las Vegas later in the evening.  LAS VEGAS, BABY!  Francy is part of that group too.  We hope they don’t get the fever and end up on CSI: Las Vegas.  Whatever shenanigans they get up to, I know it’ll stay in Vegas.  Right, you two?

Say HI to Elton John from the Castoffs!

ML won't need these in Vegas!

While Marylane was knitting her sock, Little Kitty found an opportunity to cuddle up and take advantage of the warmth and of Marylane’s kind heart.  We all got a kick out of the kitty kneading the yarn – after we found out that she is declawed.

Sweet Little Kitty.

I was almost finished with my cowl – at this posting, I am finished and I love it – that is an acrylic and wool yarn that I think is very Noro-ish in its coloration.  It’s soft, too.

Cowl - almost complete.

Julie started knitting some awesome leg warmers for Terra.  They lace up the front and I can see them on her – singing on stage in Seattle with her mom-knitted kickass legwarmers.  You sing it, Terra!

Trust me - they'll be kickass!

Deb joined us – she was late and must’ve gotten lost along the way.  Since she lives on the same street, we had a feeling that work kept her.  Last week I posted that her yarn for her new cabled vest was mauve – boy, did I catch some flack for that faux pas.  Deb informs me that it is lilac – or lavender – and I do apologize.  Whatever it’s called, it’s a very pretty shade of mauve.  Just kidding.  Deb’s pretty jazzed to be doing cables for the first time.  I think she likes it!

Oh, all right - Lilac.

Linda’s baby hat is all knitted!  Yay!  All she has to do is make bobbles for the pokey-outie corners on the top of the hat and attach them.  I’m liking that yarn more and more.  Wonder what it would look like as a linen stitch scarf?

Ta-da! Finished...except for the bobbles on top.

It was so much fun lolling about at Carol’s house.  We have snow gently falling now but the temperatures are supposed to be mild this week.  Next time we meet at Marylane’s house and find out all about the trip that she and Francy made to Las Vegas.  Should be fun.  Until then, Castoffs, keep those needles blazing and have a great week.

See ya next time, Castoffs!

The Castoffs met at Julie’s house and were surprised to see Michele there!!  Yay!  It was great to see her and to hear firsthand about Erica’s surgery.  Erica had gone home earlier that day and we were so happy for her, Michele and Joel.

It's our Michele! Talking to Julie and Leslie.

Marylane had gone to the hospital the night before to visit Erica and took some photos of some of the gifts that the Castoffs had bought her.  She looks great in these photos!

Erica with the top/nightie.

Green hoodie that we all liked.

Slippers pointed the wrong way! Cute.

Great journal that I covet...and notecards.

Erica, we send all our love and hope that you feel better very soon.  You are truly on the mend now!  We had a little something left over, so Julie knitted a quick i-cord to wrap around it.  Shh.  Don’t tell Michele.

A girl has to have a little spending money, right?

As to the meeting…it was Jello shots and pearls.  If that sounds like a goofy theme – well, you’re right.  The Jello shots idea came from some of the little boneheads at the Middle School who thought it would be a good idea to bring them to school.  Drunk eighth graders would never be noticed.  Right?  Wrong.  When several of us Castoffs mentioned that we had never had Jello shots, someone had the brilliant idea to serve them, so Julie cooked up some Jello shots/cubes for us.

Jello and vodka squares on the left...guacamole and chips on the right. Choose your poison.

That first Jello shot was pure hell.  Tasted funny and it was too runny to handle very well.  Here was Julie’s reaction:

Uhhh, SMOOTH!

Leslie caught me in a BEFORE, DURING and AFTER sequence.  Draw your own conclusion.

Before...sweet anticipation.

Down the hatch!

Uhh, not so great.

Oddly enough, the second Jello shot wasn’t as bad.  The third was even MORE not-so-bad.  We all didn’t try them, especially after everyone got a load of our faces after the first one, but it was an experiment in the name of scientific investigation.  Linda had just about the same reaction, but I believe she had another just to be sure.

Hey, that's not so bad...eventually.

Speaking of Linda, she is still making magic with her baby hat and the emerging pattern is fascinating.  Julie’s husband Brian thought it was pretty cool.  And that was before he tried the Jello shots.

Fascinating pattern. Cat not included.

Apres Jello shot.

Brian came in at the end of the meeting and took some shots of the whole gang.  It’s always fun to have the occasional male presence.  As long as they don’t get used to it.

Carol pulled out her mittens that she was knitting with the little circular needle.  STOP THE PRESSES!  SHE LOST THE NEEDLE.  It is tiny, so panic ensued and we all rushed to help.

OMG! Where is it? It cost $16!

Leslie helped by taking a butt shot. I leaned over slightly.

And then Carol had an AHA moment.  “Did I take it out of the knitting before I left my  house?”  Well, Yes She Did as it turned out.  But the excitement was superb while it lasted.

Oh, yeah. It might be at the house.

That’s okay, Carol.  Anytime Julie wants her furniture rearranged, she’ll call on you.

Never let it be said that the Castoffs are derelict in their current medical technological knowledge.  We got on the subject of blood pressure (maybe after a few Jello shots, some guacamole with chips and black olives and a glass of wine) and we all talked about the new directive of using a blood pressure cuff on BOTH arms.  Before we could say systolic, Julie had whipped out her BP cuff and strapped it on her arm.  In spite of appearances in the following photo, she was still alive.

DISCLAIMER ALERT: DON’T ALLOW SMALL CHILDREN OR RELATIVES OF JULIE SEE THIS PHOTO.

Whaddya mean - 50 over 10?

I assisted her with the other arm and we determined that Julie needed another Jello shot.

Other Castoffs really did come to knit – hard as it is to believe.  Francy is coming right along on her top-down sweater.  She made a couple of changes in the pattern – That’s our Francy! – she made a Johnny collar instead of a stand-up collar and knitted 7 buttonholes instead of 3.  But other than that, she followed the pattern to the letter.

Francy loves to personalize her patterns.

Leslie brought her chic beret that she finished.  Oh dear.  It’s kind of…big.  We all loved the way it LOOKED but not the way it FIT.

Where are you, Leslie? Oh, under the giant hat.

She looked a little bit like a refuge from the Depression era – except for the stunning pearls.  Francy thought she should take a tuck and add a big button.  Not a bad idea and it would look darling on Francy that way.

"And put a button right here!"

Marylane suggested that Leslie felt it to shrink that sucker up a bit.  We Castoffs run into this kind of conundrum all the time.  Wonder what Leslie will do?  Stay tuned.

Speaking of stunning pearls, I bet you’re all wondering why we were wearing pearls.  No?  Well, not very observant, are you?  As you know, our Joan is a knitter who lives in Arizona in the winter.  A knitter but not a purler.  Purler – get it – PEARLER.   So this homage is for Joan, smugly warm in the south while we’re all up here in our igloos, chewing on walrus blubber.  If you look very closely, you’ll notice, JOAN, that we sent you a digital message as we held up our pearls – especially from Marylane.  We do love you, Joan.  And miss you a lot.

This PEARL's for you, Joan!

Deb has started a new project – a summer top in a beautiful mauve color – and was SO quiet throughout all the nonsense going on around her that when we finally settled down to have another Jello shot, I had to snap this photo.

Hmm, then you cast on...how many?

The yarn matched her jacket.  Deb, that’s a lot of concentrating going on. Have a Jello shot.

I finished my Harris Tweed green shawl.  I have to block it now, but I kind of like the bumps that the pattern created.  Maybe if I block it just a little…another conundrum.

Even when you finish, you're not finished...

Julie was knitting a pair of mittens, but put them down because she ‘screwed up’.  Well, Jules, that’s what an uneven Blood Pressure reading and three Jello shots will do to a girl.  Love the mitts anyway!

Beautiful colors. Keep at it, Jules!

Next time, we meet at Carol’s other house – THE house – if you know what I mean.  The one Deb can walk to.  It’ll be a new adventure for the Castoffs and we’re all looking forward to it.  Until then, stay warm and keep those needles blazing.  And lay off the Jello shots, y’all.