CarmelKnits, etc.

Over on America's Knitting Ravelry page and Facebook page I'm doing my 24 Days of Knitting. 24 patterns that I have ruthlessly reasearched (not really) 24 Patterns that I truly love for their style, the designer, their quickness, their gift-ability and all around yarny goodness. 24 patterns that will hopefully inspire you to hunker down and crack out a slew of knitted gifts wowing all your friends, family, and random strangers with your clever ability and generous spirit. So now, let me catch you up: December 1: Bandana Cowl from Purl Soho a freebie on the Purl Bee Blog. It's quick, clever in it's short row shaping. There are many tutorials to walk you thru the whole thing and when it's done you have a smashing gift to give yourself, a friend, a loved one, or a random stranger! You can find the pattern here ! December 2: Two patterns today (don't get excited, this won't be the norm, it's a bonus) A. Hudson by Alicia Plummer is an aran we...

You might want to settle into a comfy chair for this, pour yourself a cup of holiday cheer, and maybe a note pad if you want some pattern ideas.. This is a biggie and it goes back a few weeks.  1. One Bourbon by one of my favorite designers Thea Coleman, aka Baby Cocktails.  Knit in Kenzie on size 7. I knit this for a friend of mine that I met this summer in our new adventure of wake surfing... I knit this in September and finished it in Hawaii. I delivered it to him in mid October...  2. Slipper Socks: Bulky wool, size 7 needles, and about 6 hours... my coworker hates the cold. HATES it and now at least her feet are warm and toasty! 3-4. 12th Man hats from Yorkshire Yarns. this was their freebie during the South Sound Yarn Crawl this past May. The one on the left is for D and the one on the right is for his friend Todd. You can purchase the pattern at their website for $6.00 now. 5. Tokyo Scarf. One skein of Tokyo yarn, size 10.5 needles, 22 stitch...

I'm looking at my calendar and it feels as if the end of the year is crashing down on top of me. Not only do we have Thanksgiving and Christmas to celebrate, there are like seven birthdays, one of which I'm already late on, sorry Marg! It's coming soon I promise... Plus our annual Christmas party, The Christmas Carol at ACT theater, multiple hockey games, Christmas cards to get ordered and in the mail... A flight across the country to spend Christmas with mom, not to mention Christmas gifts for family far away to get bought, wrapped and mailed. That's where amazon prime comes in... Phew! I started working on our Christmas cards today but was in such a foul mood doing it I almost dropped an F-Bomb in the Christmas greeting...  so that's been set aside for a better day. and while most people in my world would love that... The one who don't, well... I don't want to take those calls. I read this quote online the other day and while I don't know who...

my new knitting bag I love this weekend so much. I not only get some solid knitting time in, I get to catch up with old friends. Eat amazing meals at Prima Bistro , and this weekend I actually ventured off to Fern Ridge Alpaca Farm in Clinton, WA on Whidbey Island. The best part of this years retreat weekend?  My mom came with me this year.  She made the long trip from Florida to the cold rainy Pacific NW and we had a blast.  12th man hat for a friend. We headed up Friday morning, whipping up the freeway, boarding the ferry and Bam! instant relaxation.  Everyone starts arriving about 12:00 and trickles in throughout the afternoon. We wandered thru the town, bought some more yarn, and then settled in at the Saratoga Inn to knit until our reservation for dinner.  Neon Beast in progress Quick Blurb here about dinner.  We ate at Prima Bistro both nights, every time we/I go I eat there exclusively for dinner. I have eaten ther...

Life sneaks up on you, ya know? It comes out of nowhere and all of the sudden you have to drop a few balls and this blog was my easiest to drop. There are ups, there are downs, there is stress, and there is always laughter. That's life. That's my life right now. I knit a little I'm reading a lot (it's an escape mechanism for me that hails back to my childhood, I'm sure a therapist could give more insight on my current choice of assassin novels lol) I don't know what to say. I have too much to say. chaos. However We had a fantastic time in Maui with The Rentals, which is how I've started referring to my niece and her best friend. I loved every minute of our trip. Heads up mom, I got a new tattoo and if you want I'll show you in November. I'm probably going to text a picture to G so he'll probably show you before hand. You don't like them I understand that, but this one is awesome. So to catch you up with pictures, which is safer ...