After a few days of rain, the sun tried to come out – weakly. We all knew that the grass at Woodland Park would be wet, and it was COLD – low 50’s. We decided to meet at my house where we could be warm and dry.

Leslie came over first with her finished shawl made from wool out of her stash. It is beautiful! Very creative and very Leslie. She was adding an I-cord border around the entire shawl. Wonderful job!

Work it, girl!

Carol is nearly finished with one sleeve of her cardigan – another magnificent sweater from a Castoffs knitter. She was a bit concerned that the underarm wasn’t tight enough, but we assured her that with a raglan sleeve, the fit was just right.

Perfect fit!

Julie showed us a ‘potato chip’ scarf that she is knitting with yarn and pattern that she bought in Key West last week. She found a little knit shop (surprising how we can find knit shops wherever we go) and bought a few things that would fit on the plane. Travel can be very limiting, so it’s a good thing that she bought a light and fluffy mohair yarn – I love the color and the airiness of the pattern.

A year-round scarf.

See-through pattern.

Michele couldn’t join us, but she sent me a photo of her finished, felted table centerpiece. It is large enough for a rug, so I’m not sure where it will end up. Wherever it is, it’s stunning. Another project using stash yarn. Wow.

And it grew, and it grew, and it grew!

Mary is in Denver visiting her newest granddaughter, Adela. She sent me a photo of sweet little Adela sleeping in the finished hoodie blanket that her grandma made her. Aaaw! Adorable!

What a cutie!

I have finally started a new project. Yay! It’s a wool vest – I got pattern and yarn from a great little yarn shop in Sand Point, Idaho. It’s a hip-length vest knit with a seed stitch pattern on the right side and purl stitches on the wrong side. Should be warm and versatile.

A peek at the pattern and the bottom of the vest.

Joan joined us! We had thought she was away with Marylane, but were glad that she dropped over with her knit scarf. Joan lives in Arizona – wool-free zone – so she comes up here in the summer and knits a scarf. When the scarf is finished, she goes home. Somebody should sneak into her house and rip out some of the scarf each week. Maybe she’d stay in Montana longer!

Looking good, Joan!

Anne came by – her class was cancelled, which was our gain. She looked through some of my knitting magazines and found a pattern for a cardigan with 3/4 length sleeves. I can’t wait to see how it progresses. The pattern was sooo Anne!

Anne and Leslie discussing important knitting stuff.

That was it for our meeting! Next week, we’re hoping to be in the park again. The forecast calls for 80 degree weather and mostly sunny! Can’t wait. Until then, keep those needles blazing, Castoffs, and turn on your fans.

We met for the first time of the summer in Woodland Park. Yay! The sun was shining, the geese were quacking (or their goosey equivalent) and the wind was blowing. Aah, summertime. We brought our chairs and our knitting and shared our projects with each other.

Carol knitted up a storm last week. She is ready to pick up and knit a sleeve. She tried on her sweater and loves the length of it. When she blocks, she won’t have to stretch it. Always a good thing. I’m feeling the pull of knitting a cardigan.

It’ll be ready for fall!

Linda is knitting a little girl sweater using a kimono pattern that she’s used before. It’s a tried and true winner.

Pretty pink kimono.

Leslie’s shawl is growing and her yarn stash is decreasing. This is a very creative, pretty garment. She’s making it up as she goes, using a drop stitch pattern here; a yo holey pattern there. Very nice, Leslie.

Gonna be big and hug-able.

Mary is finishing a couple of items for her new granddaughter, Adela. She just has to add the duck’s eyes to Adela’s hooded towel, and she made a companion dishcloth with a little ducky on it. She thought the duck looked a little like a loon, but the baby probably won’t notice.

Just needs some eyes.

Cute duck washcloth.

While we were sitting in the park, I finished my Swirl Hat – finally – and everyone wanted to try it on. It’s close-fitting but comfortable.

Don’t know if I’m going to keep it for myself or not.

Looked cute on Leslie.

Mary liked it.

I liked it on Linda, too.

Linda and I compared toes – it must be summertime if we’re getting pedicures. Mine are the darker one.

Summertime and the toeseys are free!

Michele was there, but I didn’t get a good closeup of the seed-stitch scarf that she’s working on.

Michele and Linda chillin’ by the lake.

Woodland Park will be our place to knit from now until the cold wind blows. If the weather is yucky rainy, come to my house instead. Until next week in the park, keep those needles blazing and keep your fingers crossed (but not at the same time) that the rain stays away, Castoffs.