Spring could be here. We have flowers coming up, trees budding out and the high schoolers are wearing their shorts, no matter what the temperature is. That’s a sure sign of spring, blue knees and all.

The Castoffs met at Leslie’s house and did more talking than knitting. We heard about Linda’s latest trip to Chicago to visit her brother. I think she pulled out her knitting, but I can’t swear to it.

I finished something! No, not my neverending poncho. I finished a half-linen-stitch cowl. Hey, it’s a finished product, right? I like the stitch and color.

Cowl to wear next winter or give away.

Michele’s sister, Carol, joined us. She and Michele have had a great visit and Carol’s had perfect weather while she’s been in Montana. She brought a knitting project that she started about 12 years ago! We all have one of these. It’s a to-be-felted bag. Not sure how much she knitted because we were pelting her with questions. We talked a lot about the Amish – Carol lives close to Amish country.

 Michele’s sister, Carol.

Michele has been planning, planning, planning about her next projects. She and Carol must’ve done a lot of shopping because she showed us two patterns with yarn – one for herself and one for Carol.

Cardigan for Carol?

I believe the cardigan above is for Carol. Love the yarn!

This looks like a Michele sweater.

This definitely looks like a Michele sweater. I like the detail on the front and sleeves.

Francy is still working on the Monster pants. She was fretting about doing the duplicate stitches on the bottom, but we advised (ahem, we shouted at her) to finish the other leg before she started worrying about the finishing stitches. I didn’t take another photo and I’ll wait until she’s actually finished. So there!

Francy decided to play with Lucy instead of knit.

The sun streamed into the room and we laughed and had fun. Spring beckons – can knitting in the park be far behind?

Until then, keep those needles blazing, Castoffs. We meet at Linda’s house next time. See you then!

The Castoffs met at Deb’s condo that she’ll be living in until her new house is ready in the fall. We saw houseplans of the new place and it looks fabulous – BIG –  but really great. We all like the condo – it’s very roomy, great hardwood floors and a master closet that you could get lost in!

It was fun to meet in a new place. Several of us decided that we could easily live in this condo development. No mowing, no fuss and a putting green!

I didn’t do a blog from our last meeting, but I wanted to show you the metallic silver cowl that Linda finished. It turned out so pretty – and she only had to rip it out three or four times before she got it right! Just kidding, Linda. It was worth the aggravation, right?

Just before the final castoff.

Now she’s starting a little lamb for her grandson, Michael. It’s adorable. Here is the pattern photo.

Cute lambie!!

Leslie and Michelle are knitting the same slipper pattern – and boy, is it intricate! I’m not sure I’d do it, but it is a wonderful pattern. I took a photo of all the paper associated with the pattern – charts, explanations – wow.

That’s a lot of instruction.

Here is a shot of Leslie’s heel and foot.

Ya put your right foot in, and shake it all about.

Here’s Michele’s slipper – different colors, but the same idea. They’re reversible. You knit and then fold over to make a double thickness.

Yellows.

Francy is still working on the Monster pants. BIG mouth on the butt! Here they are next to Deb’s beautiful coleus that she got for her birthday.

Small pants or big coleus?

Julie is knitting a baby kimono for a friend. This is knit side-to-side, I believe. Is that right, Jules? Whichever way it’s knit, I like it a lot.

I want one of these for myself – larger, of course.

I took a couple of candid shots of happy knitters. We always have a lot of fun – and sometimes we even learn something. Go figure.

Deb and Julie.

Leslie and Michele.

It was so bright on the other side of the room, that I didn’t get a photo of Francy, Carol or Linda. But trust me – they were there.

Next time, we meet at Julie’s house. Spring is blowing in with gusto, Castoffs, so keep those needles blazing and your feet on the ground.