The Castoffs met at Marylane’s house on a cloudy, snow-threatening day. Not much came of the snow threats, however, just like all of the rest of this weird, dry winter. Where’s the snow? We sat and drank a little wine and Carol wondered where the treats were. So did I, Carol. When Michele got there, Erica was with her! Yay! Erica had baked a delicious chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting and little candy sprinkles on top. Oh, Erica. I know you said it was a thank-you for us, but we thank you and are so happy that you are recovering so well from your surgery. It makes us smile to see you.
Doesn't she look great?
I rushed (well, not exactly RUSHED) into the kitchen to get a photo of the cake before we had devoured it all. Alas. Too late.
Very yummy...very gone, gone, gone.
Linda brought a baby hat that she is donating to the ‘Loud at the Library’ fundraiser. It is so cute. I think one of the other grammas or impending grammas should make one too. I especially loved the dotted ribbon around the brim. So cute, Linda!
For the stylish baby.
Linda needed to borrow Francy’s pom-pom maker to finish off her other baby hat, but didn’t know how to use it. Oh, dear. Never fear! Francy the fearless was on task and showed Linda how to make little fuzzy balls. I have the sequence here, from winding to cutting and trimming to visual comment on the razzing some of us (ahem, me) gave her about the ball-making AND her trip to Vegas.
The Pom-pom form.
The cutting.
Voila! Zee Pom-Pom!
I’m not sure what I said to Francy about the Elton John concert that she and Marylane saw – perhaps it was an age comment? Anyway, I learned something about the gesture that she gave me. Very interesting what you can learn at a Castoffs meeting…
When you don't care enough to give the very best...finger.
Gotta love that face. Speaking of Francy, she brought a darling hat – I think it’s for the ‘Loud at the Library’ fundraiser basket – that has little piggy-tail doohickies on top. Very cute.
Front view.
Piggy-tail doohickies view.
The piggy-tails were i-cords that you bring the yarn back through to make it stiff and curly. I like it.
We were joined by two of our friends who drop by occasionally – Lisa and Robin. It’s always such fun to see them both. Lisa is a new grandmother who brought pictures of little Greta Grace. Such a beautiful baby. Come by anytime, women!
Robin hadn't heard about Grandma Leslie's good news!
Lisa and Carol caught up from their former lives.
Leslie had knit a bootie for Sienna’s baby and was working on the other. It’s going to be such fun to see the mind of Leslie interpret baby clothes. She always has a unique perspective on color and pattern. She thought this little bootie looked too big, but some of us gave her suggestions about how to alter it. Never let it be said that the Castoffs are shy about their suggestions.
One little bootie.
Carol was proud to show us the fingerless mitten that she FINALLY finished. Carol had an issue with the beaded mitts and unraveled them many times before switching to a different yarn. Whew! Much better. And they are beautiful, Carol.
Finally! Success!
As a matter of fact, Carol was so giddy with success that she gave us an impromptu modeling show using various pieces of knitted goods from several of us. A large (not handknit) red cowl that she demonstrated, my cowl that I just finished, her mittens, and a hat from someplace. I was laughing so hard I could barely focus. Oh, Carol, you have missed your calling…
WORK IT, GIRL!
Michele brought her hooded vest. She isn’t too sure about how BIG it is, but it certainly is fun. She thinks it will look great on Erica as an outdoor sweater over slim pants or leggings. I agree. Marylane modeled it for us. I can’t wait to see it finished. Maybe next week?
One thing to say - it'll be very warm!
Marylane wasn’t working on her crossover shawl, for obvious reasons – it’s too intricate a pattern to risk knitting at a Castoffs meeting. With all the shenanigans that go on, who can concentrate? It’s going to be stunning. It was draped over a chair and our non-knitting friend, Robin, asked if Marylane knitted it on the chair, or took it off to knit. We all got a good laugh at Robin’s expense. Sorry Robin – it doesn’t take much to set us off.
Marylane's crossover shawl with pattern.
Marylane is using the same yarn that I used with my Madeline Tosh cowl that I just finished. It’s a blend of acrylic and wool – beautiful colors and easy to work with.
I can wear it like this or double if as a neckwarmer.
Deb is color-coordinated with her knitting project again this week. She DOES like shades of purple. I know for a fact that she even has a purple backpack! Anyway, the sweater is coming along nicely and Deb is liking to make those cables. I’m with you, Deb. I like making them too!
Pretty color, Deb!
I think Julie was working on Terra’s kickass legwarmers, but when I took this photo, the only thing she was working on was her glass of wine. Hmmm. I’m sure she was just taking a little break.
Ha ha, knitting?
The tulips were a gift from Marylane’s husband. He really missed her while she was in Vegas. Sounds like she and Francy had a great trip. They loved Elton John and Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles tribute. Didn’t like the Blue Man Group so much.
Next week we meet at Linda’s house. The end of winter is here and we’ll say goodbye for a while to Marylane and Francy who are going on trips to warmer places. But for the rest of us, we’ll meet and talk and knit. Keep those needles blazing, Castoffs and have a wonderful week. I’ll leave you with a few candids of Castoffs in their natural habitat.
Hey Deb! Wake up and knit!
Talkin' and knittin'
Leslie listening attentively.
