We all came over for the first time to THE HOUSE – Carol’s other house, that is – and had a lovely time. Deb and I nosed our way through all the rooms, even noticing the cat door into the garage that Carol’s sweetie put in for Little Kitty. Awwww…what a guy. Little Kitty seemed right at home, so we made ourselves at home too.
"Soft kitty, warm kitty..."
Marylane made herself comfy on the giant leather couch. I hadn’t realized just how big it was until I noticed her little feet sticking straight out – little girl feet.
What do you mean? Her feet don't touch the floor?
Well, this was an invitation for a photo op, of course. I sat down and scooted to the back of the couch and so did Julie. We couldn’t resist acting like a bunch of kindergärtners, so we immortalized the moment.
Can you read us a story?
Leslie dropped a surprise on us, literally, when she threw a group of knitted objects on the carpet…BABY STUFF! Sienna is pregnant and Leslie will be a proud new grandma in July.
A new baby to knit for! Yay!
Leslie joins Mary and Carol, two other Castoffs who are becoming grandmas this summer. It’s gonna be a babylicious summer. I anticipate seeing more baby patterns than I thought possible for the next four or five months. Speaking of babies, our friend Lisa is a new grandma too! Little Greta Grace was born a couple of weeks ago and Michele brought a darling little hat that she knitted for her. So adorable.
A hat for Greta!
Michele says that Erica is getting better and stronger every day and we are all so happy to hear that. We’re her knitting moms and want her to get well soon. Sending you love, Erica! Michele brought a great hat that she knitted for the Loud at the Library fundraiser in March. It is a Wendy Fregario pattern and is wonderful. Can you see the dancing people?
Great pattern by Wendy Fregario!
Linda brought her ball winder for Carol to make a skein of yarn from the purchase that she made at Christmas. It’s a slick little machine and as soon as Carol got the rhythm right, the yarn was wound! It was pretty funny to watch – I took a video, but this daggum blog site won’t let me put it on unless I pay for an upgrade – which I’m too cheap to do. Maybe if I get more video in future, I’ll think about it. Hmmm. Anyway, Carol and Linda were quite a sideshow in the kitchen winding yarn.
Before the action started.
Starting to form a ball.
Carol doing her winding dance.
It was cool to see the yarn go from an amorphous mass to a contained, small skein of manageable yarn. Now, we have to wait to see what it becomes next.
Leslie also brought some beaded fingerless mittens to go into the basket for the library. This is a pattern that many Castoffs have made – could I be next?
So pretty on our wonderful hand model, Leslie.
Marylane is still trying to turn the heel of her big bulky socks. I’m not sure that any of us were a help. She was excited about her book club’s trip to Las Vegas later in the evening. LAS VEGAS, BABY! Francy is part of that group too. We hope they don’t get the fever and end up on CSI: Las Vegas. Whatever shenanigans they get up to, I know it’ll stay in Vegas. Right, you two?
Say HI to Elton John from the Castoffs!
ML won't need these in Vegas!
While Marylane was knitting her sock, Little Kitty found an opportunity to cuddle up and take advantage of the warmth and of Marylane’s kind heart. We all got a kick out of the kitty kneading the yarn – after we found out that she is declawed.
Sweet Little Kitty.
I was almost finished with my cowl – at this posting, I am finished and I love it – that is an acrylic and wool yarn that I think is very Noro-ish in its coloration. It’s soft, too.
Cowl - almost complete.
Julie started knitting some awesome leg warmers for Terra. They lace up the front and I can see them on her – singing on stage in Seattle with her mom-knitted kickass legwarmers. You sing it, Terra!
Trust me - they'll be kickass!
Deb joined us – she was late and must’ve gotten lost along the way. Since she lives on the same street, we had a feeling that work kept her. Last week I posted that her yarn for her new cabled vest was mauve – boy, did I catch some flack for that faux pas. Deb informs me that it is lilac – or lavender – and I do apologize. Whatever it’s called, it’s a very pretty shade of mauve. Just kidding. Deb’s pretty jazzed to be doing cables for the first time. I think she likes it!
Oh, all right - Lilac.
Linda’s baby hat is all knitted! Yay! All she has to do is make bobbles for the pokey-outie corners on the top of the hat and attach them. I’m liking that yarn more and more. Wonder what it would look like as a linen stitch scarf?
Ta-da! Finished...except for the bobbles on top.
It was so much fun lolling about at Carol’s house. We have snow gently falling now but the temperatures are supposed to be mild this week. Next time we meet at Marylane’s house and find out all about the trip that she and Francy made to Las Vegas. Should be fun. Until then, Castoffs, keep those needles blazing and have a great week.
See ya next time, Castoffs!
