We were all together at Marylane’s house except Julie, Carol and Francy, but we had two guests to make up the numbers – Kerrie and Lisa.  Kerrie is a crocheter, but we won’t hold that against her.  As a matter of fact, I was very glad she was there to help me (actually, she did it for me) crochet a chain to knit into as a provisional cast-on for some socks that I was attempting.

Thank you Kerrie! Crochet isn't my strong suit.

As it turned out, I had nothing but trouble with my “Traveler’s Socks Using the ‘Magic Loop’ Method.  I had to ask Michele to help me because she had used this pattern, and she had also had to rip her socks out three times before she ‘got’ it.  Welllll, I ripped it out twice at Marylane’s and once more at home, at which point I threw my needles across the room (petulant knitter) and started on a sweater.  So there!

One thing that did make me feel more competent was my finished bulky sweater vest that I brought to ‘show and tell.’

Bulky yarn, big needles - fast vest!

Leslie took a photo of a closeup of the cables on the back:

Big cables were fun to knit

I was quite pleased with the way it turned out and actually look forward to colder weather to wear it.  It’s made of wool and is very warm.  My  Zen coat is finished also and I brought it to model.  See how tired I looked?  See how hard I’ve been working?  Nah, I always look that way in a photograph.

This is a very comfy, warm sweater

Enough about me, me, me.  Our other guest, Lisa, brought the most delicious pesto/cream cheese/roasted red pepper and sun-dried tomato dip that I ever ate.  I must admit that I made a pig of myself.  Oink.  It was a pretty dish too, but I’m afraid that we gobbled it up so fast that I forgot to get a photo.  Thanks, Lisa!

Lisa lent culinary support while Mary worked on her felted mitten

Michele was trying to decide on a sweater pattern using some beautiful yarn from her stash.  Michele and I are trying very hard this year to refrain from buying new yarn, while instead using the yarn that we’ve both squirreled away over the years.  Her stash looks a lot better than mine does!

Michele browsing for a pattern for her gorgeous yarn

And yes, it feels as good as it looks!

Michele and Marylane finished their hats.  Camas Creek Yarn was sponsoring a ‘knit for needy’ campaign.  Here are the pretty finished projects.

Mama and baby hats

Deb and Mary were still working on their scarf and mitten projects, respectively.  We are all looking forward to seeing them completed.

Marylane’s husband Dick came in, so we immediately pressed him into service.  Husbands who wander into the Castoffs meeting are at the mercy of the knitters and will be victimized (all in fun, of course).

Very impressive, Dick!

Leslie was knitting a VERY intricate leaf pattern for a scarf for her daughter, Sienna.  I will hopefully get a photo of it next week when we meet at her house.  She is a brave woman to bring a difficult pattern into our little den of chaos.  It’s usually a recipe for disaster followed by ripping out rows of knitting once home in the quiet.  But, you know, we are a pretty brave bunch.  Yay US!

Have a great week and keep on knittin’!

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