I can see clearly now

It was such a pleasure to catch up with Elizabeth. She knit a Wonderful Wallaby for her new nephew and needed a refresher for the Kitchener Stitch (grafting live stitches on the hood).

The yarn is Cascade 220 Aran (Aran: 100% Merino, 150 yards).

 Elizabeth's scissor is a testament to how we don't let a good tool go, even after the dog has had at it.

 Lois worked steadily to finish the fourth block of her sampler strip.  It was hard not to be distracted by the conversation around her.  She stayed the course and was able to start her fifth block. 

Elizabeth gave me her two strips for the sampler gifts we are making for Mary and Linda (no surprises here).  Since she knits loosely, she was on a #0 for the wider pattern stitches and #2 for the narrower pattern stitches.  The good thing about this (once you get past the tiny needles) is that she enjoyed knitting it and now has her (knitting) groove back.

As such she brought out of hibernation the swatch she's been "working on" for Rosalia.  An incredibly gorgeous, intermediate jacket comprised of stranded knitting, embroidery, and cables.  Every time she leaves knitting, she has her homework to do for the swatch.  Life interferes and the swatch resurfaces at the next stitch and chat for a reminder of what the homework was. Once she's settled into her new/old house, I know she'll be able to dive into the sweater wholeheartedly.

Michelle stopped by briefly for show and tell.  She just started this quilt with Cascade Ecological Wool (Bulky: 100% Wool, 478 yards).  

She started this Paintbox Afghan with  nine colors of Cascade 220 Superwash (100% Superwash Merino, 220 yards). 

Both these afghans are supposed to be part of her Florida knitting.  Chances are she'll finish them before she leaves. 

Michelle is nearly to the armholes of her Davis sweater. This is the sweater we were going to knit together.  I kind of knit it without her. ;) We both used Elsbeth Lavold Hempathy (DK: 41% Cotton, 34% Hemp, 25% Rayon, 153 yards).  This sweater has been really great to wear on coolish summer days.

Mary was having a hard time getting her diagonal rib block to be truly diagonal.  I think it's because of the way the pattern stitch is broken up for the repeat.

I rewrote it for her and she was able to get it to work. Now she could clearly see the pattern emerge.

 Sometimes it helps to rewrite patterns in a way that makes sense for you.

Ahh, Mary.  This was just too funny.  Mary came across this book at home; she has no idea where it came from. As she flipped through it, she thought to herself, "There are a lot of hats in here."

Not surprising when we pointed out the title :), Hip Knit Hats. It's not a wonder why Lois couldn't concentrate! Did I mention I love knitting with these women?

Mary gave us an impromptu Irish history lesson (I filled in a bit from the internet).  If I get the details wrong, please let me know.

The orange color refers to the followers of William of Orange and the Protestants from Northern Ireland. The Protestants don't celebrate Saint Patrick's day.  They celebrate July 12 for the Battle of Boyne.

The green color refers to the Gaelic tradition and Catholics who celebrate Saint Patrick's Day.

Interestingly the white symbolizes peace between the two.

Again, if I am missing any details or misrepresented the information, let me know.  I thought this was all very interesting.

Another reason why I love knitting with a group of women, the random directions the conversation can go and what you can learn.