Thursdays Are For Knit Group And Survivor

Great crowds gathered at knit group today. 14 is a large number for our small group, our small town.

Pat was out today. Her foot troubles have kept her house bound for some time now so it was great to see her back at knit group. The bad foot hasn't kept her from knitting. Here's our Pat.

with another toy for the women's shelter.

Nicki, too, has been MIA for some time. Her boss just doesn't seem to grasp the concept of - Thursdays Are For Knit Group. Nicki showed off her Cowichan. For you non-Canadian readers, Cowichan sweaters were knit and made famous by the Cowichan native peoples of Vancouver Island. They were mostly natural colours, as is Nicki's.

Vera (Nicki's Mom on Vancouver Island) this picture is for you. Look at that smile.

Nicki also showed us her lovely lace scarf.

Made from very fine cotton which arrived in Nicki's hands in an 'un-liked' shade of green. Look what some Kool Aid can do to green cotton.

Bonnie's Grandaughter called and asked if Bonnie would knit something for her. She added "Each time I wear what you knit, Grandma, I'll think of you." Of course Grandma couldn't resist. She's a bit worried about the size, though.

Joanne is working on a red scarf for her daughter.

Current styling dictates that scarves be worn doubled as Joanne shows here. Joanne calculates her knitting is half done.

Wilma is making this darling sweater for her Grandaughter

and spent knit group making those non-three-dimensional toques that decorate the sweater front. How cute is that?

And survivor. How about that Russell? You have to give him credit - he's smart. Some players look for the entire game and still can't find the hidden immunity idol. Russell has now found two!

Interweave Knits

The Interweave Knits Winter Preview arrived in my email box today. All plans for my next few knit projects are out the window. As soon as I catch my breath from gasping at the beauty of almost everything in this issue, I will re-group. In the meantime, take a look at some of these designs.

I like this

Nora's Sweater, Pamela Powers, Interweave Knits Winter 2009

and this

Alpaca Pleats Jacket, Connie Chang Chinchio, Interweave Knits Winter 2009

and this

Braided Riding Jacket, Coralie Meslin, Interweave Knits Winter 2009

and this

Icelandic Star, Sarah Hoadley, Interweave Knits Winter 2009

and on and on. This issue is a far cry from the fall issue, where there was almost nothing I liked.

The story by editor Eunny Jang where she describes her first winter in a cold weather climate is icing on the knitting cake. She says
"This is my first real winter in Colorado. We've already had two major snowfalls, and the night temperatures are dropping quickly. I've put my beloved flats aside for lined, waterproof boots; I've put de-icing washer fluid in my car; I've bought an electric kettle, the better to make boiling-hot tea in a hurry."

She says theses things as if they are unusual occurrences. Oh, the innocence of those that dwell in warm climates. Do you suppose that kettle will last until spring?

The Giggle Gift

I am calling my latest knit project 'The Giggle Gift'.

Katie, my niece, celebrates her 19th birthday, this Friday. A big day because in Ontario, 19 means 'legal'. Katie is in her second year at UofT studying to become an Actuary. Does she take after her Aunt Brenda, you ask? Not at all, but thanks for thinking it possible.

In my family, we stop the birthday gift-giving once the kids go off to university. So my little 'giggle gift' is not legal, but I couldn't resist.

Made with Vienna left over from Mondo Cable Cardi, I made Katie a pair of mitts.

39 stitches in a 2 x 1 rib, they look like ordinary mitts. But look at the thumbs.

There are buttonholes in the thumbs.

All the better to text with, while keeping your hands warm.

They are so cute they make me giggle.

Fred thinks I'm on to something. He says that once this blog hits the airwaves, the world will be full of knitters knitting mittens with buttonholes in the thumbs. That is such a grand vision that it too made me giggle. And, I am sure Katie - the queen of giggles - will giggle when she figures out what I have sent her. No better name then, for these mitts, than 'The Giggle Gift'.

Happy Birthday, Katie.