The Castoffs met at Leslie’s house and the noise was terrific.  At one time I heard bits and pieces of several different conversations: Mary talking about her recent trip to Italy; Julie sharing her easy pattern for mittens; Marylane trying to set up her brother with Carol; Leslie telling about her visit with her grandchildren.  Well, it was a wonderful time with good friends.  We were visited by Shannon, Carol’s daughter, and by Linda who had a bag full of great projects.  We love having new people come by to talk knittin’.  Or anything else, for that matter.

We have SO MUCH FUN!!

Marylane’s sister Joan (from Arizona, but living here for the summer) brought her mysterious hats and they are stunning!  And they have matching scarves.  She can no longer tell us that she isn’t a knitter.  Joan, you are a KNITTER.  She is quick to point out, however, that she is a ‘knitter’ not a ‘purler’ so maybe we’ll convince her to learn to purl while she’s here.

Marylane and Joan wearing Joan's hats and scarves. Not sure when she'll wear them in Arizona...

We were happy to hear about Mary’s trip to Italy where she visited her daughter, hiked the Cinque Terre and other delights, and made a trip to Budapest.   I, for one, was jealous.  Mary is anxious to finish her felted purse and we are looking forward to seeing it.

Ciao, Mary. Welcome home!

Marylane and Joan brought some polymer beads that a friend makes.  They added them to some felted bracelets and we all were very impressed.  They add the beads and then felt them in the washing machine.  I loved the combinations.  Perhaps someday I’ll try felting.  For some reason, it makes me nervous, but I’ll try to overcome the fear of shrinking (too much, maybe?) down a garment or accessory that I’ve spent hours and hours knitting.  Gulp.  These bracelets just might be the place to start.

Beautiful felted and beaded bracelets.

Speaking of felted accessories, Linda joined us and showed off her beautiful tote bag that she will felt soon.  It is big and bold and I want to see it when she’s finished.  She was also working on a pair of socks.  Another project that I haven’t tried yet!!  Marylane knitted a pair of socks that very nearly did her in, so I’m apprehensive of bringing them around where she can see them.  Am I beginning to sound like a wimpy knitter?  Uh…Yeah!  But there are so many projects, so little time.

Linda and her amazing technicolor tote! Leslie likes it!

Several of us are knitting ‘thick and thin’ scarves and we decided to bring them all to the next meeting (or the next) and have a real showing of the different looks that the same basic pattern makes when you use vastly different yarns.  This will be a lot of fun because we are all so different in our approaches to knitting.  It’s always so much fun to see what the minds of the Castoffs come up with…bwah-ha-ha!  Oh.  Here are some candid shots of our knitters in action.

Shannon and Joan listening to a discourse on the World According to Marylane.

Carol, Leslie and Linda just knittin' away.

Next week we will meet at Joan’s home away from home and catch the view from the base of Lone Pine mountain.  I can hardly wait.  Until then, careful of the pointy ends!

Apologies to Julie who didn’t get in on the photos.  I guess I was knitting.  But here is a picture of a pair of her mittens that she swears is the easiest pattern ever!  She gave me a copy so I’ll just try it.

Winter's a'coming sooner than we want.

It's only fair to share...