Here’s something you don’t get to say every day: I love melanoma!

But you’d say it too if you met her. Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Melanie and some other really swell gals at the Knitmiths meeting in Brookline.

Here’s something weird. One of the blogs I’ve really enjoyed since I started reading blogs is Alison’s Blue Blog. I knew she belonged to a group called the Knitsmiths, I’ve occasionally read the blog for the group, and I’ve thought it looked like a fun bunch. When Melanie invited me to join her at Sunday’s Knitsmiths meeting, I thought “Hey, Knitsmiths. Just like on the Blue Blog. Funny that they have the same name.” I sat there for the entire night never once realizing that these were one in the same. I only figured it out today. I should not be allowed to operate heavy machinery.

Anyhoo, I’m so glad I went! When is the last time you met someone for the first time and they said “Oh! I have a present for you.”? I’m delighted to report that my answer is “Yesterday!” Melanie and I met through the comments sections of our blogs and have emailed each other a number of times over the last month or so, but I hadn’t met her until last night. When I got there, we chit-chatted for a bit and she made her declaration, leaned over to reach into her bag and came out with these:

I mean, come on. How sweet is that? It seems her mother-in-law has a bunch of vintage patterns and she brought me some. I was just so touched, you have no idea. And I’ll have you know that her mother-in-law has fantastic taste because there isn’t a beer can hat in the bunch! Every pattern is a classic and there’s not one you could really poke fun at. Amazing! So no poking, but I will, however, share some of my favorites.

This saucy redhead may have given me a new idea for mt Geisha.

Or maybe this little number would do.

Check out this cool split cable! I don’t think I’ve seen one like this and I love it.

Va Va Voom

Here’s a truly handsome sweater. Very Dad-worthy. And even the horse is wearing a pretty scarf.

And last but not least, some purty ponchos. I’m still not convinced to make one, but these could be good shawls . . .

I also have to send a big shout-out to Johanna, who helped demystify the cast-on for the Hallowig. I got stuck at the bangs and thought I’d just end up settling for a Ben Franklin type of thing instead. Big relief. She showed me two types – the backwards loop cast-on that the pattern recommends and the cable cast-on, which she thought would look better. Thank you so much, Johanna! I’ll definitely be getting back to Brookline for more meetings. It was just so nice to hang out with a bunch of people with the same preoccupation. And there was such a great mix of people. Along with Melanie and Johanna, I chatted with two other gals whose names I totally forgot, one was a college freshman and the other was a lawyer. I love that people from different walks can come together like that, needles in hand. I’m also going to do my darndest to get to Melanie’s group in Kingston. She came a long way to hang with us in Brookline! Presents AND a long drive. See, I bet you’re taking quite a liking to melanoma now too, aren’t you?