The Knitting Fiend

Some of you will recall that back in September, I was assigned a mission: to infiltrate and observe the “Diabolical Knitters”; I have taken up this assignment with relish.

Thursday night, I once again observed them. I can report they continue to stick to their motto:

“We knit what we want, finish our projects and wear them!”

For my part, I continue to throw myself into my assigned task to observe and report.

To that end, I joined the group, and took a seat at the knitting table. As I sat, I noticed a hat and two flower pins artfully displayed on the table. My eyes narrowed as I assessed their wearability; the flower pins did appear attractive. Likely, they would spruce up a dull winter jacket or coat.

Suddenly, Laurel suggested, “Cathy, try the hat on!”

So Cathy R. tried on her own hat.

Unfortunately, my camera was in my purse, so I missed the opportunity to take a photo to let you see that her hat fits her. Lucky for me, the other Cathy asked if she could try the hat on. I grabbed my camera, trained my camera lens on her and snapped this photo as the onlookers “ohh and ahhed” about how cute she looked.

As the evening progressed, the Barnes and Noble began to fill up.

I mean really fill up. Enormous numbers of people filled the aisles.

Although the group always expects and welcomes curious on lookers, some of us wondered why there were so many.

Dee revealed the reason: Mike Ditka was in the building signing copies of his new book!

In fact, several Diabolical Knitters had purchased copies and received numbered slips permitting them to stand in line and get autographs. As they knitted, they listened for their numbers to be announced, then stood in line.

Dee of “Licensed to Knit” was particularly delighted that Mike Ditka not only signed her book, but added a cartoon illustration of a Christmas tree. (Believe it or not, his doodle is mega cute.) Cathy was pleased when he shook her hand.

Since it’s my job to report, I will say this: Mike Ditka seems like a pretty nice guy. But that’s probably because none of us tried to poke him with double pointed needles.

Anyway, nice or not, I didn’t buy his book. After all, it’s about football, not knitting. Still, evidently, these other Diabolical Knitters have developed the bizarre notion their husbands, brothers or male friends might want these autographed books as gifts.

What are they thinking? Don’t they know anyone would rather receive a sock?

The more clear headed of us remained at the table and continued to knit.