The Castoffs met at Linda’s house on a rainy day.  There went our lesson in Nordic walking!  Linda did, however, give us a quick lesson inside and showed us her cool poles with the little boot cushion on the business end of the sticks.

They aren't this shiny in real life. See! Shaped like a little hiking boot!

Vibram soles. Cool.

This walking style is definitely for exercise.  It moves your whole body.  I compared it to how I use my poles when I hike and I don’t put as much upper arm movement into it.  I’m afraid I’d throw myself off the trail. Could be dangerous on Dawson-Pitamaken.

Linda in action. This is about as attentive as the Castoffs get.

Speaking about throwing yourself off a trail – Marylane showed us her wounds of walking.  I’d like to make up a good story about how she was valiantly trying to save a puppy from a cliff when she tumbled off, but actually, she stumbled over a hump in the sidewalk in front of her financial advisor’s office.  Sorry, ML.  Looks very dramatic, though.

OUCH! And it wasn't even a bicycling injury!

Marylane is using a lot of her leftover yarn from various projects to knit a cool vest.  I can’t wait to see how all the yarn comes together.  I got a photo of the pattern and all the yarn.  I have stuff in my stash that would work for this!

Pattern for vest.

Lots of different yarns coming together as one.

Linda served us some wonderful snacks – two artichokes with dip, strawberries, pretzel thins with dip and beverages of our choice.  Most of us chose wine, of course.

Before the beautiful strawberries came to the table.

Somehow I had lived 60 years without eating fresh artichokes, so I was encouraged to try some.  It wasn’t the easiest treat to eat…

Scrape, scrape, scrape...

It was good though.  Thanks to Leslie for taking such a flattering photo.  I think this is what you call paybacks.

I have nearly finished the afghan for my sister-in-law’s grandson.  It’s RED, but that’s what Jonathan likes, so that’s what he’ll get.  I only have the rest of the skein to go before I send it on to Oregon.

Just right for a five-year-old boy.

The rest of us were knitting works-in-progress and doing well on all of them.  Leslie was doing some garter stitch riffs on her granddaughter’s kickbag.

Leslie always adds something unique to every pattern.

Deb is making progress on her lilac sleeveless vest.

This is going to be finished in a flash, Deb.

Michele’s sleeveless tank is very pretty – she already has finished one side and is working on the other.  Fast knitter! Or perhaps just more dedicated than some of us.

Front? or back? Either way - beautiful.

Carol’s bath towel hoodie is so soft.  I love the way this yarn feels and so will her new grand baby.

Carol's hoodie.

Mary’s other sock is getting longer.  I think she could actually finish a pair!  She insists that it doesn’t matter if they fit or not – she’s only going to frame them and look at them triumphantly.  A finished pair of socks!  Woohoo!

To be framed as a pair of a kind.

I didn’t get a photo of Julie knitting, but I did get one of her in action.  She was giving Mary an earful – not sure about what…but maybe I don’t want to know…

"*&@#$*$!"

Linda started a lacy scarf using a pattern that is remarkably like the one I’m knitting for the red afghan.  It’s funny how different yarns can make the same pattern unique.  I love this fern pattern and have used variations of it for everything from scarves to shawls to afghans.

Very versatile pattern.

As I sit here writing the blog, I see that the rain is falling.  The yard and flowers are drinking it up but I’d like to go ride my bike.  Oh, well, maybe tomorrow.  Instead I think I’ll knit.  Keep those needles blazing, Castoffs, and I’ll see you here at my house next time.  Happy April showers!

We met at Marylane’s house on a sunny, spring (finally) day.  When I got there everyone was gathered in the kitchen enjoying the treats that Mary had brought – an amazing poppyseed cake, a veggie platter and sweet/salty crunchies.  Wow.  Thanks, Mary.  You know what we like!  I was so busy eating that I forgot to take a photo of the table.

Kendra was visiting her mom (Marylane) and it was fun to catch up with her.  She had brought her golf clubs and got a HOLE IN ONE at the local golf course earlier in the week!  Congratulations Kendra!  Well done you!  Got your name in the paper and everything!  I can hardly hit the ball.  Maybe we should have a Castoffs golf tournament.  If so, Kendra’s coming and she’s on my team.

Oh, yeah, knitting.  We are knitting some great projects.  The grandmas among us are REALLY getting some wonderful things knitted.  Carol is knitting a hoodie/snuggly/ after bath thingy using some soft, thick synthetic yarn.  It felt amazing and gave Carol the award for Angel Grandma.

So far, only a halo...soon, a hoodie.

Mary sent me a photo of her completed sock monkey and it turned out so cute – in spite of our disparaging remarks about its resemblance to B-52s and penis covers.  Her daughter loves it – it’s already at its new home in Arizona awaiting the birth of Larissa’s baby in July.

Mary! It's a MONKEY!

In a springtime miracle, Mary brought her other sock to finish.  Yes, she is going to make a PAIR of socks.  Many of us stop at one sock (ahem, that would be me), but Mary unearthed the needles and yarn and is forging ahead to complete the pair.  She doesn’t think they will be a perfect match because she made a boo-boo on the first one that she can’t exactly replicate, but she’ll give it a try.  Good on ya, Mary!

Taking a break from baby stuff - it's a sock!

Leslie was knitting a very interesting baby item – a kickbag.  Sounds like something I used to do in the gym at the martial arts studio.  But no.  A kickbag is a loose, ah, bag that you stick the baby in – up to her little armpits – and let her kick, kick, kick.  Perhaps it’s a privacy issue.  Kick in private?  Or a game for the parents.  Hide the baby?  Whatever the rationale behind the kickbag theory, Leslie is using some pretty cool yarn and stitches.  The ribbed edge is a twisted rib pattern that I tried to get a closeup of, but it is difficult to see with the multi-colored yarn.

"And here's where the baby's head sticks out..."

Kickbag - a closeup.

Another springtime miracle happened while we were sitting there – Linda FINISHED HER SHAWL!  We egged her on a bit, but she bound it off and can move on to another project.  Not that we were tired of looking at it or anything…

Yay! Finished!

Linda was telling us that she had been to a class on Nordic walking – walking with poles to get a better workout.  Anyway, we were all pretty interested in this, so we are going to have a lesson next week at Linda’s house.  We’ll be knitting and walking.  Not simultaneously, of course, but it should be fun.  Bring your poles, Castoffs, and we’ll learn how to walk.

I brought the scarf that I’m knitting for my friend Michelle.  I’m surprised to see how quickly it’s coming.  The pattern is easy and although the ribbon yarn is not the easiest to work with, it’s not so bad.  Pretty, too!

Kendra is helping me display the ribbon scarf.

Ribbon scarf - closeup.

I think Michele was having issues with her sleeveless sweater.  I heard a lot of counting aloud and groans of displeasure.  She is knitting a lace pattern and I know that they can be difficult when a lot of commotion is going on around you while you’re trying to concentrate.

Uh-oh, that's not a happy face, Michele.

Deb has had an issue or two on her sleeveless sweater also.  The two of them, Deb and Michele, talked about the contortions they would have to go through while trying to hide the mistakes after the two sweaters are finished and on their bodies.  Deb did a silly walk that reminded me of John Cleese in ‘Monty Python’.  Sure hope they don’t have to walk THAT way.  If they do, I hope Leslie gets a photo.  It would be hysterical.

Oh, Deb! Walk THAT way!

Marylane is almost finished with her crossover shawl.  We love this one!  Good job, Marylane.

Beautiful shawl, Marylane.

Someone brought up the ‘Loud at the Library’ fundraiser, and we started talking about the chair that we are going to yarnbomb for the event next year.  As it happened, Marylane has the chair and the photo that we will use as a guideline for our artwork.  It’s going to be so cool!

The yarnbomb suggestion...

The object of our yarnbombing!

We’ll start working on the chair this summer when we can take it outside.  Very cool.  Then we’ll auction it off next spring.

Here’s a picture of three serious knitters.  I just thought I’d show you what we are usually like at knitting – haha.

Linda, Julie and Michele - doing what we come here to do.

Julie was also knitting a sock.  It must be ‘small, portable knitting projects’ season.  That’s two socks in the room.  She paused to stretch her back and reminded me of an otter.  Except for the needles sticking up out of her crotch.

Well, that's rather suggestive for an otter.

I’ll leave you with a photo of two of our very prim, proper and serious grandmas.  Don’t forget to bring your walking poles to Linda’s house next time.  We’ll all be walking around in a line in Linda’s neighborhood learning to Nordic walk.  And maybe raising Linda’s HOA fees – if the neighbors don’t appreciate our lesson.

Until then, Castoffs, keep those needles blazing and enjoy the beautiful weather.

Oh, Granny! What fun you're having!

The Castoffs met at Julie’s house on a sunny spring day.  Of course, this year you can’t trust any weather forecast.  One day might be bright and sunny but the next day could be cold and snowy.  Springtime in Montana is unique.  Julie’s cat rushed in and took its place on the sofa – where it refused to move until Julie physically picked it up, growling – the cat, not Julie.

Soft kitty, stubborn kitty.

Julie served us crunchies with wine, but when everyone got there, she brought out the big guns – fresh brownies with ice cream!  Oh, Jules, you’re spoiling us!  But we love it.  Thank you, Julie.  Carol burst in with news!  She has to have a root canal!  Well, I didn’t say it was good news, did I?  Anyway, she goes to a local dentist, Dr. Hammer.  Yes, I did say Dr. Hammer.  After we all picked our laughing selves off the floor we watched Carol point to her dead tooth and eat her ice cream in peace.

Dr. Hammer will take care of THAT tooth, Carol.

Leslie had returned from her daughter’s house where Leslie and Jim had decorated Mira’s room.  Mira is the granddaughter that will be born this summer.  (I hope I spelled it correctly, Leslie)  One of the walls in the baby’s room is a book shelf that displays the colorful books.  It is so clever that I have to show you.

So colorful!

Closeup of book wall.

Thanks for sharing these photos with us, Leslie.  Also in the works is a darling knitted dress for Mira that Leslie plans to embroider with flowers.  Here is a photo of the pattern and flowers.  Leslie was practicing with the flower.  Very cute.

We'll get a better view of the dress in days to come. Lucky little girl!

Mary was knitting for her granddaughter too.  She’s making a monkey.  Although it resembles the fuselage of a B-52 right now, we’ve been assured that it truly is a monkey.  She has knitted the body with legs, the ears and one arm.  She only has an arm and a tail to go!  Woohoo!  It’s Monkey time.

Funny-looking monkey, Mary.

I’m afraid we all made rude comments about the monkey – especially Mary.  Frankly, I can’t wait to see what it looks like when it’s finished.  Hopefully, less like a B-52 or a mutant penis.

Yeah, right. Monkey.

I neglected to publish a photo of the finished whale that Mary knitted for her son’s baby, so here it is.  It turned out really well – her son and daughter-in-law loved it.

Whale sighting!

Michele has come a long way on her orange sleeveless sweater that she’s knitting from the leftover yarn from Erica’s sweater.  The pattern is lacy and pretty.  She decided to do the yarnovers her way.  Go for it, Michele!

Bottom of the lacy sweater. All hands on deck.

Julie had a great trip to Seattle to visit her daughter Terra.  She took along socks – always a great portable project for riding in the car.  I read a knitting blog the other day where the author talked about having so much sock yarn in her stash that she was going to knit socks until it was used up.  I’m not sure I could knit that many socks.  My stash would produce a whole lotta socks!

Socks! Er, sock.

Linda brought out her – you know what – pink shawl.  I asked her when she would ever be finished with it and she said “When this yarn is gone, it’s finished.”  We’ll take you at your word, Linda.

Marylane has her eye on you - and her finger, too.

Deb was working on her lilac sweater, but the photos I took of her were SO BAD that I knew I’d lose a friend if I published them.  For those of you who know that I’m fairly lax about editing photos, they were really, really terrible.  I deleted them, Deb.   You’re welcome.

Here are a couple of shots of what the Castoffs do best – eat, knit and talk – not necessarily in that order.

Mary, Leslie and Michele.

Carol, Marylane and Linda(barely).

Julie, Deb and I were the invisible three for this meeting.  I did take a photo of my almost-finished cabled vest – and the kitty.  I just need to pick up stitches around the neck and sew up the side seams and I’ll be finished.

Kitty tolerating my vest on her sofa.

Next time we meet at Marylane’s house.  I think Marylane’s daughter Kendra will join us.  Yippee!   We always like to have daughters present.  Until then, Castoffs, keep those needles blazing and don’t put away your winter clothes yet!

A small group of Castoffs met at Deb’s house on a cloudy day.  We were greeted at the door by Deb’s Yorkie Izzy.  So good to see an excited little doggie again. Izzy believes in getting up close and in-your-face for a good sniff and lick.  I love Izzy.

Izzy - up close and personal.

While we were enjoying Fritos, Wheat Thins, dip and wine in the kitchen, Deb’s husband Glenn came in to say goodbye.  I don’t understand why all the husbands make themselves so scarce during our meetings…or maybe I do.  Anyway, Glenn was wearing the sweater that Deb knitted for him and it turned out fantastic.  And it fit!  Yay!  Looks great, both of you.

Deb and Glenn and the fabulous sweater.

After we left the snacks and wine in the kitchen and migrated out to the living room, we were really into our knitting.  I brought the afghan I’m working on for my sis-in-law Sue’s grandson Jonathan.  She said he likes red, so I’m knitting him a bright red afghan.  He’s five.

Yep, it's red.

Mary is knitting a (to be) stuffed monkey for her daughter’s baby-to-be.  It’s a cute pattern.  At first we wondered what those two, uh, things were that she knitted so far.  Soon, however, Mary had joined them and, voila, they became the monkey’s legs!

Monkey pattern and two sausage casings?

Monkey legs!

Linda was there STILL working on that prayer shawl.  Linda, please finish it, please.  It’s going to be so hot to knit that afghan this summer.  You’ll need something smaller and lighter when we are sitting outside on the deck sipping summer drinks and wearing shorts.  I implore you!  It’s very pretty, but…

The never-ending afghan.

I don’t know how I missed getting a photo of Marylane.  She had loaned Mary some acrylic yarn in the BIGGEST ZIPLOC BAG that I had ever seen.  As she lugged it out to her car, I worried for her back.  That’s a lot of acrylic yarn, most of which belonged to her mother.  Marylane was putting the edging around her crossover shawl – in a rather hit and miss style – so Michele and I explained the advantage of measuring the edge to pick up the correct number of stitches.  Science is a good thing, Marylane.

Michele had five hanks of yarn leftover from Erica’s beautiful orange sweater, so she found a lacy sleeveless sweater pattern to use it.  The pattern is in Australian – yes, that’s a foreign language – and was a bit confusing.  Michele decided to do the yarn-overs her way – with our encouragement.  The sweater is going to be pretty.  She showed us a photo of a model wearing it – but the model must have gotten her sizes mixed up because she was PACKED into that little sweater.  Michele assures us that she isn’t going for the sexpot look – it will be much looser on her.

Imagine Michele as the sexy model - only slightly less sexy and in orange.

Deb’s sleeveless vest is coming along nicely.  She just keeps knitting round and round and what will come out will be beautiful.  Still love that color, Deb.

Getting more and more like a real sweater.

Next time we’ll meet at Julie’s house and hope to see those absent travellers that we didn’t see today.  I know that Carol was having fun in Moab, Julie in Seattle, Francy in Minnesota, and Leslie in Missoula.  We missed them.

Until next time, enjoy the spring-like weather.  You have to run out and catch it while you can on some days.  Marylane and I have had some days biking in our winter gear, but it’s all good.  Keep those needles blazing, Castoffs, and have fun.

The Castoffs met at Carol’s house and we are so glad to see that spring is finally on its way in spite of the occasional rain shower.  This week was spring break, but only Deb is away having fun in the sun (Florida) and Francy is babysitting her darling Grace in Minnesota.  Some of the rest of us were either just getting back from a trip or leaving the next day.  It was fun to catch up and see what everyone has been up to – knitwise.

I finished sewing together my brother’s alligator and am trying to decide how to add eyes and ridges on his back.  Beads, perhaps?  Anyway, Little Kitty was intrigued at first, then it was just another alligator on the floor.

Seen one alligator, you've seen 'em all.

Carol kind of liked the alligator too, until it attacked her.  Bad alligator!

Peace, love and swamp to you, 'gator.

I think it’s kind of cuddly for an alligator.

Hmm, maybe I'll keep him. Naw. He'd miss his swampy view from my brother's Florida room.

Michele is knitting a skirt for a teacher at the middle school.  The pattern is the one that she knitted for her daughter, Erica.  Very cute.  She is almost at the waist.  It will look more like a skirt once she’s made the decreases at the waist and nipped it in.

Two-tone skirt.

Michele finished the orange sweater that she knitted for Erica.  Leslie took some photos of it with the help of an unnamed student at the Middle School.  The sweater is stunning and the detail is beautiful. Thanks for sharing these photos with us, Leslie and Michele.

Amazing detail!

There's Michele in the background. You're an artist!

One more closeup of Erica's sweater.

Marylane is working on the finishes to her crossover shawl.  She added an i-cord to the neckline and is almost done.  We love it!

Beautiful shawl, ML!

Mary has been a busy little grandma.  She is finishing the hood on the ducky towel for her grandson due shortly, and she is making little mitts for both grandchildren so they won’t scratch themselves.  Why do babies do that?  They all do it.  Tearing at their little faces as if they were saying “Where the hell am I?  What is this bulbous thing on my shoulders.  I’ll get rid of it!”  Babies.  Mysterious creatures, aren’t they?

Duck hooded towel. Without eyes...

Little mitts of all sizes, a baby hat and a whale (in pieces)! Busy Mary.

Our Julie has been pretty busy herself.  She finished the legwarmers for her daughter Terra.  They are very cool.  Julie modeled one – and yes, Jules, it fit just fine on your leg.

Legwarmer! To be worn over booted legs...or unbooted legs.

We looked around and Julie was on the floor.  Huh?  She’d been sitting all day and just wanted a change, I guess.  Anyway, it’s nice to know that the Castoffs can knit in any position.  Sitting, standing, lying down, upside down.  Yes, we are THAT dedicated – or addicted – to knitting.

Knit one, nap two.

Looks like fun, Jules. Maybe we should all lie down and knit.

The rest of us were seriously knitting today, Linda with her shawl, me with my afghan, Leslie with her…uh, Leslie?  Are you in between projects?  I didn’t see what you were working on or IF you were working on anything.  I’m sure she’ll have something fabulous next week when we meet at Deb’s house.  All the teachers will be back at work and we’ll be one week closer to spring!

Knitting, talking, not knitting - it's all fun for us.

Gator watching the other side of the room. Chomp, chomp.

Have a great week – stay dry, Castoffs.  I’m dreaming of bike rides, hikes and road trips for our future.  Until those dreams come true, keep those needles blazing and I’ll see you next time!

Little kitty and little gator.