It's all go, Tuesday knitting group, Textiles and Tea, new hat, mystery stories

Tuesday was a great Knitting Group meeting, with a new member

This is an alpaca and cotton mix, so light you can hardly feel it, and warm.

Here's a change of pace -- the shirt from a deceased friend, cut up to create a teddy bear for his grandchild.

On the right, the new member who came to revive her long ago crocheting skills, which she did in no time, and we're hoping she'll continue with us 

This sweater will soon be done. It's a free pattern, now shared with another group member,

who's  now onto Toad, having completed Frog for her grandson some time ago.  He loves Frog and is eager to see Toad. 

The conversation ranged over weddings, Diwali, nonbinary relatives, civil rights, European expensive travel, cats, vets, and other things.

I just finished a good collection of mystery short stories by P D James. I didn't know she'd written any, only familiar with her novels 

Every story with a twist, and I recommend this one. It was published after her death, and I wonder if there may be more to come.

And the hat is almost complete. I just have to finish and attach the band and it's done. The international spy returned to model it.

Here's how it looks off. When the band is stitched --  I cut it on the bias to drape well -- and attached, the green binding won't show on top. It does show under the brim, quite nicely.  The construction worked out pretty well. 

While I was recycling I found this very nice airtight canister,  which I cleaned up and briefly thought about keeping 

then had second thoughts, put it up on Freecycle and got an instant request.

Tuesday's Textiles and Tea featured a fiber artist specializing in braided work, but interested in -- shoes! And yard goods from which she creates clothing. She's one of the most inventive guests they've had in a long time.

Even after her discussion, I'm mystified about how her braided sculptures, a few inches each way, are constructed. Her clothing is chef's kiss perfectly made and fitted. She says you can get sneaker kits, which provide the sole, and you go from there. She learned to handmake leather shoes long ago, but  prefers the leather and fiber combo you see here.

I think she's one of those people who can make anything! 

Happy day, everyone. If we can't make everything, we can enjoy seeing other people doing it. All good.