I was worried that the weather would keep us inside instead of out on the deck, but the knitting gods smiled and we had beautiful sunshine in between light showers. We took our knitting bags, toasted baguette slices, homemade pesto (made by Marsha’s son Eli), ricotto spread, macaroons and two colors of wine onto the deck and started eating, knitting and sharing our projects.
Joan and Marylane knit while Julie pours
Francy brought her felted bowls that we loved. Francy is a very imaginative knitter and isn’t afraid to jump into a project, large or small, with both feet. She knitted two felted bowls; one on 10 1/2 circulars and chunky yarn (the blue bowl pictured below), and one on smaller needles and lighter-weight yarn. We all agreed that the chunky yarn worked up into a more solid bowl.
Felted bowl with chunky yarn
Felted bowl with lighter weight yarn and smaller needles
Francy was a crocheter before she joined the Castoffs. We forgave her. Her first project was Christmas stockings and she made several. Turning heels was a challenge, but once she caught on, she knitted like a ‘house afire.’ Her next project was a stunning jacket for her daughter – the photos of which will have to wait until later in the fall but she assures us that we WILL see the finished project enveloping her daughter. We cannot wait.
Marylane showed us her “sister bracelets” adorning the arms of her actual sister, Joan, and herself. These were felted and beaded and are adorable and clever and perhaps one day I will felt something myself, who knows? The photo below shows Marylane and Joan’s sister bracelets along with another felted bracelet knitted by a sister from another mother, Francy. As Marylane says, “We’re all sisters, aren’t we?” Amen, sista!
"Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters."
Here is an adorable little sweater that Julie knitted using a ‘top-down’ pattern from Knitting Pure & Simple. I am knitting a similar, short-sleeved, sweater and am loving how easy it is to work with. Julie made this sweater for a co-worker’s soon-to-be baby. Can I hear everyone saying, “Awwwh, cute.”?? Yup, I thought so.
Top-down baby sweater knitted by Julie. Lovely painted toenails on the right belong to Mary.
Leslie has knitted the most wonderful bear, but she won’t let us show it until the little guy has eyes – well, it’s only right, I suppose, but SURPRISE LESLIE! I snuck in a shot while you weren’t paying attention, so here is a preview of Bear. Next week we will all see him with the full face, and he will see us too.
Leslie with No-Eyed Bear and Carol working on a dishcloth.
Well, our meeting drew to a close, regrettably, but four of us are going on a great hike tomorrow in Glacier National Park (right up the road about 30 miles) and we are meeting next week at Julie’s house in the morning, so no wine. But maybe a mimosa? Or two? How about it Jules? Here’s wishing you happy knitting. Keep the tangles out of your yarn!
