At Last--the Knitters Meet!

For the first time in nearly a year, our knitting group actually was able to get together (most of us, at least) in one spot, at one time. We met here; this seems to be somewhat central and I love to have them all. Lots of projects, lots of show and tell. This is a group primarily made up of quilters. Most of us came to knitting rather late, but we're making up for lost time.

My mother and aunt, who were devoted knitters, used to say to me, "You could knit." I would say, in my flip way, "Yeah, next lifetime." I couldn't see how to wedge any more hobbies onto my already over-full dance card. But then at one quilt retreat several years ago, I watched one Sue teaching the other Sue how to knit a sock, and I was transported back in the mists of time, remembering that I had once actually knit a pair of mittens. Those socks were very intriguing, and I could see the relationship of socks to mittens. It was only a few weeks and DD Caroline and I were taking baby steps with our knitting needles. (Caroline had travelled a bit of a parallel path: her friends, even her male friends, were knitting too.)

Unfortunately I didn't get the camera cranked up in time to catch some of the really good stuff today. Nancy wore a bias-knit sweater made from yarn she dyed herself. It was a heathery mix of white, rose, and blue tones, set off with the occasional red stripe. Lots of punch and zip, very nicely done. And she brought a beauteous small purple lace shawl made from a Hazel Carter pattern from Blackberry Ridge.

But the highlight of the afternoon had to be the slide bracelets made by Liz and Karen in a beading class in Racine. Made of vintage buttons and peyote-stitch charms, they were sensational. Wish I had the presence of mind to get pictures--sorry to tantalize without the necessary follow-through.

And Liz and Karen, bless their hearts, brought me a present. Little tiny nuns to add to my fledgling nun collection. What more could I ask? I'm feeling more spiritual and contemplative already.

While everyone was here, I couldn't concentrate enough to work on the Kimono Shawl, so I buzzed along on the interminable Trekking socks. NOW I'm going to work on the shawl.