Every once in awhile there will be a pattern that SHOULD be easy but ends up giving me fits.  Most of the time, I soldier through it and banish it to the trash.   This time, I am close to throwing the project....just throwing it.    This is a pattern (I won't reveal which one...just say that it is slippers) that I now dislike so much that I will finish it and give the end product to Savers.  I am choosing another for the gift I am giving.

There are other patterns that I like so much that I will do a second time.  On of these is the Family Affair throw from one of the Yarn Girls books.   The Yarn Girls write good patterns.  They are not overly "fixity" and will not be terribly dated.

The first time that I knit this, I did it in two strands...one a really pretty mohair and the other a very nice wool.  That was for me, I I know I will launder it as it needs to be laundered.    Willow Yarns has arrived on the scene.  Their Burrow Bulky is a great, and easily laundered, yarn for doing throws.  This blue was perfect for the recipient.....and I liked doing it through the entire project...even a second time.    That is good.

Family Affair Throw done in Willow Burrow Bulky

Knitting Groups are a Great Place

I belong to two "formal" knitting groups. 

One of the knitting groups, Ample Knitters, came together off a listserv.   That group meets once a month and people come and go.  Everyone there is interesting and the conversation is always lively.

Economics Department Knitters has been going on since 1997 or so.  The members shift a bit.   The conversation is always good.   We come together once a week to work on our projects, share what we know, look at magazines, patterns, feel good yarn..and laugh.