I was negligent about the Castoffs blog for February and there were so many great projects knitted! Here is a short overview of our meetings during the shortest month of the year.

February 1, 2016

We met at Camas Cottage, which is quickly becoming the place we prefer judging by the number of times we’ve been there recently. They love having us because someone from our meeting wanders out to the store to buy yarn or accessories nearly every week.

Leslie started the month finishing the Monster Pants she began in January. Inside out, we saw all the yarn-ends from the changes of color on the outside.

Knitters weave, too! Weave in all the yarn-ends, that is.

Mary found a darling fox scarf pattern to go with Aurora’s foxy top she made last year. It’s pretty darn cute.

Using her yarn ‘bra’ that she got as a gift at our Christmas party.

Carol finished some fingerless mittens that had been giving her fits. Yay, Carol!

Love the button accent!

Marylane re-started her Log Cabin blanket using ONLY the colors she liked. Snip-snip!

A successful re-beginning.

Michele is knitting a bottom up sweater vest with the yummiest yarn – soft and feather light. I love this yarn–and pattern.

We couldn’t keep our hands off that yarn.

Linda’s scarf is almost finished. She’ll just have to join the ends to form a cowl.

Beautifully beaded.

February 8, 2016

We met at Leslie’s house on a snowy day. We all hoped that this would be some of the last snow we’d see, but it IS only the beginning of February. We’ll have to wait and long for spring.

You can see the snow outside the window behind Leslie, Deb and Michele.

Marylane’s Log Cabin blanket is coming along. Doesn’t she look happy that it’s finally going the way she wants?

Love the colors, Marylane!

Some of us brought yarn from our stashes for a yarn swap, and sent the skeins that weren’t chosen with Marylane to a thrift store. My stash is a lot lighter, thank goodness. My mother’s cedar chest was bursting at the seams with all the yarn I’d accumulated.

A lot of this was yarn that I brought. I’m serious about getting rid of a lot of ‘stuff’ this year.

Marylane brought yarn and clothes to give away.

Mary finished the fox scarf for her granddaughter. A fairly quick project. Looks great, Mary.

Cute fox for Aurora.

Michele’s vest is growing. I love this pattern and yarn! Oh, did I say that last week? Yep.

Not too long now!

The Monster Pants are almost finished! I particularly the pattern for his googly eyes.

Almost makes me wish I had a little guy to knit for. Almost…

Francy is knitting a big boy pullover for her grandson. He’ll look adorable in this.

The stripes on either arm will be different.

February 15, 2016

At Linda’s house, we saw the puzzle she got at our Christmas party. Who doesn’t love kittens and yarn?

Almost finished.

Linda finished her beaded cowl and it is beautiful! I’ve never tried beading anything. Am I brave enough? I think I’d need magnifiers to string them.

Linda also had a little snowman to show us. He sat in his dish, but as the afternoon wore on, he wore down.

Cold!

I’m melting!

Uh-oh. Pancake snowman.

It was that kind of day. I didn’t take any more photos – just yakked and knitted.

February 22, 2016

The next week at my house, it was exciting to see some finished projects.

Michele modeled her completed vest. I tried it on and loved it, but I’d need a larger size for comfort.

Gorgeous with the rolled front panels.

The Monster Pants that Leslie made were finished.

Love those eyes!

My asymmetrical scarf was finished and I loved the way it turned out.

A fun and easy pattern.

Carol started another pair of fingerless mittens.

These are like the others – a pretty button accent.

Deb is knitting a colorwork hat. She’ll carry the yarn on the back side. I didn’t get a good photo of the beginning of the hat, but I did get a photo of the pattern.

Very ambitious!

Julie is knitting hat and mittens for the Loud at the Library fundraiser  in March. I like the colors. Hmm, maybe I’ll throw in a raffle ticket when I go.

Hat.

Mittens.

February 29, 2016

I forgot to bring my camera to this meeting, so I attempted using my phone. Didn’t go well and I’m not sure why, but I did get a few that were salvageable.

I chose a new pattern and yarn for a scarf to knit. I toddled out and bought the yarn outside our knitting room. Meeting at Camas Cottage is convenient.

Piewhacket! Hope it doesn’t have a curse.

Mary finished her cowl and I really like it! She said it’s not a pattern to knit at a Castoffs meeting where there is a lot of chatter, but she managed to find a quiet place to concentrate.

I like it!

That was it for February, Castoffs. We’re already through the middle of March, so I’ll try to keep up better now that Spring has arrived. Maybe I’ll be more ambitious. Haha.

Keep those needles blazing and I’ll see you soon.

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.

If the knitter ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.

Francy is almost finished with the sweater for Owen. It’s so cute. Looks very little boy-ish. Only the sleeves remain to be knitted.

Love the gray stripes.

Deb is on the final sleeve of Glen’s sweater. I think she’ll be glad when it’s done.

Yay! Almost there!

Leslie is knitting a pair of Monster pants – Francy knit a couple of pairs last summer, too. These must be for Jet, Leslie’s grandson.

Grrr, Monster pants.

Here we are, sittin’ and knittin’.

Francy, Leslie and Marsha.

That’s it for January, Castoffs. Get out there and enjoy the snow, but keep those needles blazing while you’re indoors. See you next month!

We had a cold December – nothing unusual about that in Montana – and we started receiving regular snow falls that built up and up. Ah, a white Christmas!

Knitting at Linda’s House – December 7, 2015

Linda was trying to get it together to decorate for Christmas. I’m lucky if my husband gets the tree up by the week of Christmas. And he only has to walk to the garage (our tree lives there in a box all year). Anyway, we oohed and aahed over the swag she had gathered. Lovely.

I spy pine cones and lots of other stuff.

Carol finished both of her squishy blankets and they are beautiful! She sounded delighted to begin a new project. We get it, Carol. Most of the time, I’m ready to start a new project in the middle of my old one. Hmm. Maybe that’s why I have so many UFP’s (UnFinished Projects) lurking around the house.

Yay! We’re so happy for you, Carol.

One thing I DID finish was my triangles scarf. This is the second one I’ve made using this pattern and I have to say – I love it! The sock yarn I used was soft and pretty and I can’t wait to wear it.

Easy short-row scarf.

I have a mystery project to confess. I took this photo, but because there were three sets of hands in the picture, I can’t remember whose scarf this is! Sorry. It’s beautiful – beaded and with YO’s. Let me know, Castoffs, who is knitting this lovely project. Thanks.

So, who knitted this?

Michele finished her skirt! It turned out great and it fits her so well, she wore it to work today. I remember all the angst while she was knitting and all the questions about the size. Well, I’m glad it fits and is so beautiful.

Great skirt, Michele!

Linda was knitting mittens and a matching hat for her grandson, Michael. She is so happy to have that little guy to knit for. The colors in this set are vibrant and will look great on him.

Bright mittens!

Little hat with one mitten in the corner.

Mary sent me a photo of the boot toppers that she finished for Larissa. I forgot to put it in the blog last month, so here they are. They look great, Mary!

Mary’s boot toppers.

Here’s a close-up of boot topper.

That was it for our meeting at Linda’s house. Next time, we’ll meet at Camas Creek Cottage for Michele’s turn at “hosting”.

Knitting at Camas Creek Cottage – December 14, 2015

To accommodate travel distances for our working members, we decided to meet, occasionally, at Camas Creek Cottage – since it’s centrally located. The meeting room is cozy and comfortable. The staff is welcoming. And there is a store full of yarn and knitting accessories at our fingertips. What’s not to like?

Here we are, sittin’ and knittin’.

Plenty of room for Castoffs!

Another look.

Since she happened to be in a yarn store, Deb took advantage and popped out to buy some accessories. I have a feeling this will happen a lot.

Markers, place keepers! Whatever you need, here it is!

Deb is close to finishing the sweater she’s knitting for her husband. Not sure what Linda was working on, but the yarn is beautiful.

Oops, I caught Linda in mid- speech.

Leslie has been a busy Santa, knitting a drop-stitch scarf and a cabled hat for Christmas gifts. The drop-stitch pattern is intriguing. Maybe I’ll investigate it further…

Love those cables.

Marylane brought her blanket project that resembles a log cabin pattern. I like that she doesn’t have to sew anything – just pick up stitches along the edges to join and increase the size. Pretty yarn, too.

Great colors, Marylane!

We enjoyed our meeting at the yarn Cottage and we’ll be back right after the first of the year. Thanks, Camas!

Christmas Party at Marylane’s House – December 21, 2015

We had a snowy afternoon for our party, but we warmed it up with our friendship, gift exchange and lots of wine. The food was fabulous!!! We had a lot to choose from and we enjoyed it all.

Yum.

Carol came in good spirits and in her Santa hat. Cute.

Ho, ho, ho!

Marylane’s Christmas tree was beautiful and our gifts for the exchange filled the bottom.

Merry Christmas, Castoffs!

After we ate and talked and drank and ate some more, we got to the Gift Exchange! Yay! Our favorite part of the party. Linda had a very interesting time — she opened three or four gifts because most of them were stolen from her. I think she had fun opening and she ended up with a gift that she really liked. The stealing is always the favorite part of this show.

First gift – stolen!

Um, wine. Stolen!

I think she got to keep this knitting themed jigsaw puzzle.

Julie opened a couple of gifts, too. The first one was yarn bras (!) and Burt’s Bees lotion. Both useful but stolen. The second was some beautiful yarn and a pattern that she got to keep.

Julie’s first gift. Stolen!

A keeper.

We all had a lot of fun opening and trying to keep our gifts. Here is a sampling.

Carol opened ornaments.

Marylane opened a prayer flag.

Earrings for Leslie.

Notecards for Michele.

That’s Deb behind the tea-towel.

I’m afraid I didn’t get a photo of everyone and their gift, but we all had fun and laughed a lot with the stealing shenanigans. At the end of the party, Marylane’s husband, Richard took some photos to commemorate our time together.

Castoffs, December 2015

Here we all are. Merry Christmas, Castoffs! I’ll see you all in 2016!

The Castoffs had a good November with meetings at the homes of Michele, Marsha, Deb, Marylane and Leslie. I hadn’t realized there were five Mondays in November until I started writing this blog post. We went from sunshine to below-zero temperatures to 40 degrees – typical Montana weather. We’ve watched our first snowfall of the season as it froze, iced over and melted. Who knows what we have in store for December?

Likewise, our Castoffs have started and finished a multitude of projects. Let’s look at some of them.

Knitting at Michele’s House – November 2

We were a small group at Michele’s house – Linda and Michele and me! Sometimes it’s pleasant to have such a small group, although large ones are a lot of fun, too. Michele had started a skirt for herself (if it fits, she prefaced). The construction is interesting – she knits with two colors, so the interiors of the ribs show complementary hues. The skirt is shaped with darts that make a pleasing pattern on the length of the skirt.

Michele’s skirt.

Linda finished a triangular shawl. She ran out of yarn at the outer edge, so she found some yarn that looked good with the other colors and knit a picot edge. I loved the way it looked.

I wish I’d gotten a closeup of the picot edging. Beautiful!

I also took a photo of an older project of Michele’s – a sweater that I’ve always loved.

Love this asymmetrical front.

Knitting at Marsha’s house – November 9

We were a small group again – many of us were either out of town or otherwise engaged. I remember that some of us knitted, but it must not have been our primary activity. Of course, talking was what we did the most of – as usual. I did take ONE photo just to prove we actually met. Like I said above, sometimes small groups have the best conversations.

Deb’s the only one who’s knitting. Julie and Linda discuss it.

Knitting at Deb’s House – November 16

We went back to Deb’s beautiful new home. I love the drive out there almost as much as I love the house.  I got a good photo of Deb in front of her fireplace with Glen’s sweater in her lap. Now that hiking season’s over, she is knitting more. Winter inspires us all.

Happy knitter.

Carol was back from her travels and finishing her Squishy Blanket. It looks fabulous. She told us about the problems she’s had with dropping stitches when holding two strands of yarn at the same time. Good old You-tube showed her how to correct this and Carol was very excited to finish the blanket stress-free. Yippee for You-tube!

She was tying in yarn ends and deciding on the edging.

Marylane wore her sweater that she finished and it is stunnnning. Yes, I know there are a lot of ‘n’s’, but I needed them to tell you just how beautiful the sweater is. Best of all, she really likes to wear it! That’s the best compliment of all for a finished project.

She was wavering between several different decorative buttons.

I am almost finished with my short-row scarf. It’s a series of triangles that lay in a semi-circle on the shoulders. This is the second time I’ve used the pattern. I love it.

Hey! I have that book!

Izzy the Yorkie was delighted to see us, but when our focus turned away from dogs and onto knitting, she lost interest in us and sought her down blankie. She loves her new house.

Izzy in the warmth of her blanket.

Knitting at Julie’s House – November 23

Thanksgiving week, we met at Julie’s house and it was VERY cold. Linda came in with her knitting in one of her market bags that she knit. These are great bags – and stretchy, too!

Love the color, too.

Michele had a few problems with her skirt and had ripped it out. I think there was a glitch in the way it fit her. RIP!  We’ve all been there, right? When I started to take a photo, she said not to bother because it would look the same as it had the last time I photographed it. I did anyway – that’s just the way I am.

Michele was cold, as noted by her gloves, coat on her lap and layers of clothing.

Julie is knitting a hat for her daughter using an ear-flap pattern but without the flaps — does that make any sense? I guess you had to be there.

Blue hat, blue jeans, blue vest.

Linda is using sock yarn to knit a hat for her grandson. Cute, cute, cute. Both the hat and the baby. Here’s a picture. Ears!

Darling pattern.

Knitting at Leslie’s House – November 30

It was the last day of the month and Christmas was in the air – at least at Leslie’s house. Every year, she has a non-traditional Christmas tree and this year was no different. I think she’ll stick with this minimalist tree – because she gave all her ornaments to her daughter. Her trees are so imaginative that we always look forward to them.

You can see through it!

Leslie showed us a half-linen stitch eternity scarf similar to one that I’ve made. I love this stitch and I really like this steel gray color.

Circular cowl.

Leslie was knitting a cabled hat for her daughter. This color will look great on Sienna.

Hat!

Marylane gets the prize for most interesting, and versatile, pattern. Depending on the weight of yarn, the pattern looks different. Here is the hat with a sport weight:

Small yarn, small pattern.

And this is how it looked with bulkier yarn:

Larger yarn, larger pattern. And, BTW, great vest!

Carol finished her Squishy Blanket! It looks great! She is so glad it’s over – now she can knit something else. As much in love as we all become with a project, there’s always a sense of relief that it’s finished. The desire to begin something else usually sets in long before the working project is near completion. At least, that’s been my experience. Perhaps I should live more in the moment? Hmmm.

Yay! Done.

Michele was plugging away on her skirt – I think it’s nearly finished. What I really liked, though, are the slippers she brings along to knitting. She slips out of her outdoor boots or shoes and slips on these felted slippers. I think it’s cozy of her to bring along a piece of her knitting that she uses all the time.

Such slippers!

I’ll end this post with some candids of our other Castoffs at Leslie’s house. I can hardly believe Christmas is almost upon us. December, here we come!

Julie and Carol in deep discussion.

Deb and Francy.

A final look at Leslie’s tree.

Bye-bye to November. I can’t wait to see what the Castoffs have on their needles for the Christmas seasons. Keep those needles blazing and I’ll see you next time at Linda’s house.

I combined two meetings because, for some reason, I didn’t take very many photos! Don’t know why except at Michele’s house, there were only three of us–Michele, Linda and me. It must’ve been a busy Monday.

At Marylane’s house, we talked a lot and caught up on our travels and goings-on. I had just got back from a vacation to Oregon and had a lot to say. Deb and Julie were there, both working on on-going projects. Deb was knitting Glenn’s sweater that she had put down for the summer(too much hiking to do), and Julie was working on a pillow top.

Busy beez.

For some reason, I got a closeup of Deb. Just because she’s so stinkin’ cute, I guess.

The sweater is getting larger!

Francy was there with a stash of leftover yarn to knit a hat. I think these are leftovers from the monster pants she knitted this summer.

I like the colors.

Linda is working on a tote bag that she’ll felt. This is the bottom of the bag. I thought at first that it was a slipper. Nope.

Well, it does look like a slipper…

Marylane is knitting a throw using a log cabin-ish pattern. The squares are added by picking up the edges that are perpendicular to the one you just finished. I like it.

I like the way the squares look.

At Michele’s house the next week, Linda brought a triangular scarf that she finished. She had run out of yarn at the final edge, and put it away for a while. Then she had a brainstorm and used some leftover yarn from another project that matched the scarf. Instead of merely binding off, she made an edging of picots that gave the scarf more texture. Looks great!

I made a scarf similar to this in a solid color.

Michele is making a skirt. I love the colors of this yarn and I especially like the way the darts(decreases) make a pretty pattern.

Michele always wonders if the skirt will fit her. Of course it will!

That was it, Castoffs. Fall has fallen and the first snow, too! For next week, Carol and I switched because she had to go out of town, so see you at my house!

Keep those needles blazing and stay warm!

We’ve had temperatures in the high 90’s for a couple of weeks, so Linda graciously offered to host us in her air-conditioned home. We eagerly agreed. Thanks, Linda!

It felt wonderful to be out of the heat and in her comfortable house. All of us were knitting the same projects, except for Joan. Joan was knitting a HAT! Still all knitting – no purling allowed – but it was a lot of fun to see something on her needles besides a scarf. She finished it at the meeting so we got to see the end result. A beautiful hat, Joan!

Almost finished! Marylane looks on.

Love your hat, Joan!

Francy is nearly finished with her Monster pants. She grumbled that she’s been working on them for six weeks – with one or two weeks agonizing over the duplicate stitching – but she’s finally almost there.

One eye to go!

We were happy to see Michele. She’s spending most of her summer in Helena, so it was a treat to have her at our meeting. In Helena, she’s knitting a sweater for her sister, but here, she’s knitting a simpler pattern – the asymetrical scarf that she started a few weeks ago. We’ll see you in August, Michele!

Great to see you, Michele.

Linda continues to knit her short-row scarf. I have this pattern, I just don’t have the time. Someday, though. Someday!

Love the look of this scarf.

Marylane paused from knitting a sweater vest (round 2 of this pattern – the first result met an unfortunate end) to slip Joan’s work onto double-pointed needles. I love this chunky yarn.

What a nice sister.

And me? I’m still knitting my top-down green sweater. I haven’t made much progress during this heat. Not the weather to hold a lapfull of wool.

That’s all, Castoffs! We’ll try the park next week – it’s supposed to only be in the 80’s! It’ll seem like a reprieve from the heat, won’t it? Keep those needles blazing and I’ll see you under a tree next week.

When I got to the park today, I saw my circle of Castoffs and a huge flock – or several flocks – of geese and ducks converging on the hapless knitters. The birds stood their ground when I walked through them. Very Hitchcockian.

The Birds.

We enlarged the circle to accommodate more knitters and gradually the fowl dispersed – I guess they were looking for food, not yarn. I could still see them over Michele’s shoulder, lurking.

Michele, her scarf and the ducks.

Michele is staying in Helena this summer, so we won’t be seeing her as often at knitting. I suppose since her husband is working there, we’ll allow that. Hey! Road trip! We’ve never gone that far on a road trip, but there’s always a first time, right?

Mary has returned to her knitted slippers. She had a few questions for Julie, who has knit several pairs of this pattern. These aren’t felted.

She never likes her photos on the posts, but I like this one.

I can’t remember if this is slipper #1 or slipper #2. I’ll clarify next time.

The sisters, Marylane and Joan, were busily winding yarn into balls. Marylane’s was bright green and Joan’s was blue. The green will be the next color in Marylane’s Christmas stocking that she’ll felt for her daughter’s boyfriend. I love the bright colors.  Joan is working on a scarf. Is this one for your grandkids in Colorado, Joan? It does get cold there.

Knittin’ sisters.

Deb dropped by to entertain us. I don’t think she’s doing a whole lot of knitting this summer. After all, she’s building a new house (not personally, but overseeing the building) and hiking a lot. Not much room for knitting, and as she said, “It’s too hot to hold wool on your lap in the summer.” Gotcha, Deb.

Deb is all about gestures.

Francy is amused.

I took a lot or pictures of the only Castoff who wasn’t knitting, didn’t I?

It looked like Francy is knitting a hat from the same yarn as the monster pants. I still haven’t seen the finished product on those pants!

Francy.

Julie complains about my photos of her, so I took one from the neck up, as per instructions.

Are you happy?

We had a lovely day in the park and hopefully we’ll have another one next time. Fingers crossed that we don’t get rain – although we desperately need rain. But just not on knitting day. Until then, Castoffs, keep those needles blazing and enjoy the beautiful weather.

QUACK!

Finally! We can meet at Woodland Park again. We had a wonderful sunny day, although dark clouds hovered in the west. Every Castoff except Deb was there. Mary was back from her long granny-nanny stint in Colorado and Joan was back with us from her winter in Arizona.

It was great to see all our knitters and it was fun to catch up with them. Most of us were knitting the same projects, but they were new to some. When I first walked across the grass, I could hardly believe how many Castoffs I saw. A circle of wonderful women.

Ah! Summer in the park.

Linda’s short row scarf is beautiful. She is pleased with how easy it is to knit – once you get the pattern straight in your head. I’m definitely putting this scarf on my list.

I love the look of this lightweight scarf.

Joan has returned to her summertime scarf. No matter how much we try to convince her that there are other stitches than the knit stitch, she rejects our attempts. I guess it makes sense – she really doesn’t need knitted garments in hot Arizona.

KNIT ONLY!!

Marylane is working on her second Christmas stocking to be felted; Carol is working on her wavy squishy blanket and Leslie is knitting a scarf. Leslie’s grandson, Jett, was born a few weeks ago. Congratulations to all! The pictures of Sienna’s family were so precious.

Marylane, Carol and Leslie.

Here’s a close-up of Leslie’s scarf.

Love these colors.

Julie and Mary were catching up. Julie’s son, Nate, just turned 25! Happy Birthday, Nate! Mary brought some knitting, but I never saw her take it out. Too busy talking to us.

Love your new ‘do, Mary!

Francy, Michele and Joan were yakking and knitting. Couldn’t hear it all, but I know Michele is anxious for school to be out next week.

Good friends, good talk.

I hope our good weather continues to allow us to gather in the park next week. The forecast calls for hot weather by Monday. Yay! See you next time, so keep those needles blazing and say hello to summer.

We met at Michele’s house where sunshine poured through the gleaming window of her living room. We were all illuminated, especially Leslie and her colorwork slipper. Yes, she and Michele are still hard at work on these beautiful, but difficult and time-consuming slippers. Once they’re finished and on their feet — if the knitters aren’t sick of them — they’ll be a tribute to the skill of Leslie and Michele.

Sunlight and colorwork.

Love the colors.

Michele tried on one slipper to show us how it will look.

The inside layer is longer than the outside layer.

The position of the needles marks where she stopped on the outside layer of stitches.

Once both layers are knit, one will slip inside the other and the slipper will be two layers thick. It’s an interesting construction. I’m not sure I’d have the patience to knit these – Michele and Leslie still have the second slipper to go!

I’m coming along with my much simpler garter and stockinette sweater. I’ve finished the garter stitch yoke and am working on the stockinette body – almost to the sleeve separation.

Zipping right along!

Julie is knitting her assymetrical scarf that I really like. I have some variegated fingering weight yarn what might look good in this pattern. Ah, the possibilities!

Julie’s pattern and project.

Michele showed us a pattern for a reversible vest that she’s planning for her sister, Carol. Its difficulty reminds me of the colorwork slippers. Yikes. She’s going for the challenge. I found the yarn to be absolutely beautiful – with lovely halo. Can’t wait to see the vest as she’s knitting because I couldn’t visualize how it goes together. Michele says that she knits both sides at the same time.

Interesting pattern, gorgeous yarn.

Linda figured out the short-row scarf that she started last week. The pattern was confusing to her at first, but now she’s got used to its wrap and turn stitches. Very pretty!

This will be a lovely lightweight scarf.

That’s all for today, Castoffs. Enjoy the weather and I’ll see you next time at Carol’s house. Don’t forget to keep those needles blazing!