CarmelKnits, etc.

There is always a lot that you can do when you visit a place that is chock-a-block full of sunshine and warm weather, especially when you are coming from someplace cold, rainy, grey, and where the misery of winter has gone on one month too long. I love the desert. There are probably a lot of reasons why I love it but here are the top few... 1. My mom lives there half of the year...Mom could live in Antarctica and I would love it, so it's possible that I'm biased on this point. 2. It's not lush and green...don't get me wrong, Washington is beautiful and it is the EVERgreen state...but one can look at green for so long and it needs a breal, well this one can. I find the desert and it's bare earth, knarly looking cactus plants and desert flowers delightful. The fact that they live in such a harsh environment is inspiring for you to just keep going. 3. I love cactus. All kinds of cactus, even the Choya that sent mom to the Urgent care last year a few...

Remember that big ball of wool that was on your bakers rack? In your office in Scottsdale... and on the rack below was a couple balls of Noro in neutral colors... Don't they look nice together? I'll be shipping this out to you next week... since it's currently taking me 15 minutes to knit across a row. xoxo carmel p.s for those of you wanting to know more this is the pattern 'multnomah' by Kate Ray

Last week was wonderful... D and I traveled to Scottsdale, AZ to spend time with Mom and G as well as attend some Cactus League Spring Training Baseball. The weather was amazing (after Sunday and Monday's rain storms) High 80's the rest of the week, and sun sun sun and more sun... Waking up in the morning and being able to lounge on the patio with my coffee. Wearing shorts for a week... and finally... Finally I got to see a cactus bloom! We always come to early in the season for it and it bums me out, but not this time...Nope, this time I got to see it. And it was wonderful more pictures to come as well as a 'Favorite Things' post on what I love to do when I am there...

I love you! Thanks for a great week! I'll miss you!! Xoxo

I am loving slouchy beret's right now and we all know my love for any pattern by Alana Dakos...I'll stop talking about it so much just in case there is a restraining order in the works...  Well this is another one of her patterns. It's called Molly. The beauty of this pattern is that it goes from baby all the way to adult. I love bang for my buck and a pattern that I can knit in multiple ranges always delivers.  This one went incredibly fast. I knit it up for my new niece Annika and can't wait to hear how she likes it! (she's shy of 3 months but I'm thinking her mom is going to love it)  It has a simple lacey brim and then a nice swirl detail created by decreases at the top.  Perfect for an unpredictable spring in the midwest.  Details Pattern: Molly by Alana Dakos of Never Not Knitting  Yarn: Blue Moon Fibers Arts Socks that Rock Medium weight from the 2009 Rockin' Sock Club in colorway 'Happy Go Lucky'  Needles: Size 1 and 3  Completely in love...

A couple cute finished object photos...Just waiting for the sun to return so I can take them outside by the fountain.  p.s.  mom told me I have to wear sandals in case I step on a scorpion...