Carol’s house – July 7, 2011

We met at Carol’s house on a hot, muggy day that promised thunderstorms later that evening and, boy, did it deliver. We had a huge windstorm/thunderstorm that blew a lot of leaves and branches down around town. But earlier in the day, we had a quiet time at Carol’s.

The big news was that we were all together in one room – quite a rarity for us – and we were finally able to make the presentation to Marylane of our gift of a wrap that we have been working on in honor of her son, Walker. It was a touching and emotional time for everyone and we send all our love to Marylane in hopes that she will feel that love whenever she wraps up in her shawl.

Finally we get to give it to her!

Leslie found the perfect box to wrap it in and Marylane loves boxes so I’m sure she’ll use this one for something!

The perfect box to express our love.

Here is Marylane draping her new wrap around her shoulders.

We were all getting a little weepy by now.

It really turned out beautifully.

Each of us knit a square and Michele and Leslie worked on joining and knitting a border. It was blocked out perfectly.

Joan and Marylane holding it out for our enjoyment!

After the crying and hugging was over, we got on to knitting. Carol served us lovely snacks and lemonade – yum. Carol is researching her next project, so she was online looking for recommendations about the sweater that she wants to knit.

Linda and Carol - searching online.

Linda is still finishing up the baby sweater for her great-niece and Carol has a pattern that looks fabulous and kind of difficult. Can’t wait to see what she does.

Joan’s scarf is getting longer and longer. I guess she’ll stop when she runs out of yarn…unless she buys more. This scarf could stretch from here to Arizona!

LONG, LONG, LONG!

Leslie was working on the traveling mittens for Marylane’s husband, Dick. They will be made out of the leftover yarns from Marylane’s wrap. We’re passing them around so that everyone can knit a few rows before they’re felted.

Dick's mitten.

Leslie also shared her new pajama purchase with us. Seems like it’s been a LONG time since she bought new PJs and she found a wonderful fabric that wicks away the, ahem, moisture that we mature women experience on occasion with the onset of menopause. The fabric is modal and is made from beechwood. It’s similar to Michele’s yarn that she’s using to knit her daughter’s sweater.

The MOST wonderful fabric...ever!

Speaking of Michele, she is speeding along on the sweater for Erica. She’s about finished with the back and is starting another section.

This must be the front

Carol brought a little kitty home with her from Alaska. She took pity on the kitty that couldn’t go outside without the threat of freezing his ears off. Poor kitty – with no name – who is delighted to be in Montana. We really should help her come up with a name for the kitty, shouldn’t we? It’s a very sweet kitty. How about Lollipop?

Cat with no name

I started my blue vest and have stockinette stitch on the back. I can’t wait to get the back finished and move on to the lace and cables on the front.

Stockinette's a little boring.

Julie’s still working on a sweater for Brian (I think – sorry if I’m wrong, Jules, it wouldn’t be the first time) and Marylane is on the second felted slipper. It’s so much fun to just sit and knit with friends.

Looks like a sweater...

I bet she'll have these felted soon

Francy wins the prize for farsightedness. She’s working on CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS!!! For heaven’s sake, Francy, it’s JULY. Anyway, I get it. She wants to get her presents finished. Maybe I should’ve started in April.

Hey, Merry Christmas...in July.

I’m going to leave you with a progression of photos that show the evolution of Marylane’s wrap. By the way, we’ll be meeting at Marylane’s house this week. See you there! Keep those needles blazing!