A Month of Mondays – January, 2016

A new year! A new outlook on life! A new venue for the Castoffs!

We decided to hold some of our meetings this winter at the cozy, inviting room that Camas Yarn Cottage uses for classes. We asked if Mondays were taken, and when we learned that it was free, we asked to meet there. It’s more convenient for some of our members to stop by on the way home from work. I like it because I can go directly down the street to the Kalispell Brewery for Trivia night. Win, win.

The only drawback is that I find it difficult to keep the meetings straight. I used to know who was hosting by the house we met in, but now I have to check the date on my camera (or sometimes the progress made by our Castoffs’ projects).

The first Monday — January 4, 2016

Carol and I happened to walk in together wearing our newly knitted accessories. I had finished my pink(ish) cowl that matched my puffy pink coat, and Carol was sporting new mittens and a hat to match. We were very stylish.

Guess the knitters? Oh, it’s Carol and me!

We were industrious over Christmas break.

We took our places and started to knit! Francy got a yarn bra (yes, that’s what I said – a yarn bra) at our Christmas party. It’s a stretchy tube that corrals a ball of yarn so it doesn’t run away. I can’t tell you how many yarn balls I’ve chased in my lifetime. Well. Problem solved.

Her yarn is encased in a ‘yarn bra’.

Not sure what Marylane is holding aloft, but it seems important.

Linda is still working on her beaded cowl. I love the openwork and the sparkles.

Beautiful beadwork.

Although Deb is finishing up Glen’s top down sweater, we could tell that she was anticipating her next project. One good thing about meeting at Camas is that we can look at the possibilities of future work. Deb looked through some pattern books. Got any ideas, Deb?

A world of possibilities!

Mary was back with us – briefly – she’s off to Las Vegas soon to babysit. She picked out a new pattern and yarn to make a hooded cowl for her daughter. I have this pattern but I’ve never knit it. When I see Mary’s cowl, I might be inspired to try it.

An openwork design cowl.

Leslie has started a hat for a co-worker’s baby. She used her phone to keep up with her pattern. Good idea. I liked the colorwork.

Baby hat.

January 11, 2016

Another week, more projects to see and more catching up with the Castoffs. The hat that Leslie had started was finished! She also knit another baby hat. Very industrious, Leslie. Much more than I was.

Cute pom-pom, too.

Here’s the other hat and the beginning of a sweater.

Michele was working on a baby sweater – not sure if it was for the same baby. If so, lucky baby! The color for this one was vibrant.

Adorable pattern of stockinette and garter stitch.

Francy started a sweater for her grandson, Owen. It’s going to have a contrasting stripe or two. I love seeing the process unfold before our eyes every week.

A circle of sweater.

I didn’t knit very much this week, but I brought my asymmetrical scarf. I really love this yarn and the pattern couldn’t be easier.

Peeking out of my tote.

Our friend Kerrie dropped by. She’s writing an article about bookmarks, and as it happens, Marylane collects bookmarks. Kerrie was delighted to borrow them and to talk with us for a while. Come back anytime, Kerrie!

Next time bring your crochet! And let us know when the article is published.

January 18, 2016

Mary is in Las Vegas, so she sent me a photo of a new pattern she’s working on. It’s a scarf for her granddaughter, Aurora. So cute. She put down the cowl because it’s not easy knitting something intricate while watching an active toddler.

Little fox scarf for Aurora.

Carol finished one of her fingerless mitts. The pattern swirls the yarn around the cuff. The other mitt swirls the other way.

Very pretty, Carol.

Here’s a photo of the finished baby sweaters that Leslie and Michele were working on last week. Gorgeous! What a lucky kid.

I love the button details.

Marylane finished her hat with ear covers. I liked this pattern a lot, but I’m not a big fan of wearing hats. Maybe I could find someone who is and knit one for them.

Love this hat on you, Marylane!

We had a visitor this week – Paulette! Good to see you again on this MLK day. Paulette was knitting a shawlette.

Come back anytime, Paulette!

My shawlette is skinnier than Paulette’s, but it’ll grow. I’m not moving very fast, but it’s a good easy pattern to knit in the evening when I’m watching TV.

I’ll be able to wear it with a lot of things.

Michele was knitting a double-knit vest for her sister. It looks fairly intricate, but she says it’s not so hard. I’ll be interested to see it when it’s a little bigger.

Michele’s vest.

Busy Castoffs – Linda and Michele.

January 25, 2016

It was a week for finishing up — and for ripping out. Michele wasn’t pleased with the vest she was knitting for her sister, so she found another pattern that she liked better. It’s called Shale (and it’s on Ravelry). Softly curving in the front and knit in a fuzzy yarn. I love it. I looked on Ravelry and discovered that I had already put it in my Favorites list.

Knit in one piece from the bottom up.

Carol and Linda had their heads together. Carol said she had ripped out and re-knit one of her fingerless mitts several times. “It just doesn’t look like the other one!” We get it, Carol. Left and right are not knit the same. I think she was finally convinced that she was doing it right.

Knitting is frequently frustrating.

Marylane ripped out her Log Cabin blanket, too. She didn’t like the colors as they came off the ball of yarn, so she’s snipping and joining to get the colors that she likes on her pieces. Makes sense to me. She’s much happier with the blanket, now.