CarmelKnits, etc.

Siofra Baby Bonnet by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee Yarn: sox that rock in sweet pea Socks are the So Much Yarn Basic Baby Sock knit on size two needles... Sorry for the poor photos...my model is full of beans (literally) and wasn't being cooperative... These are for Bump so we'll see how he likes them when the package arrives in Minnesota in the next week..... I really will knit for Beer though.

if you can stand the cuteness of a wee tiny baby wearing wee tiny tweedy slippers....  You fell over didn't you? p.s. These are made of a bit of cashmere I had laying about...I've probably already ruined him for plain old merino...

A wee pair of socks for a wee tiny baby...

Purperium Sweater Happy Feet DK Turtle Buttons Turned out amazing...I've just been waiting for the perfect buttons... and the perfect baby to put in the sweater... which brings us to the second Finished Object  photo courtesy of Mom & Dad  Little Boy 8.1lbs William Robert Joined our family 11/26/2011 For months now you've heard me referring to Bump...I would like to introduce you to him. Blog meet Bump, Bump meet the World. I think he's perfect He's simply wonderful and I couldn't be happier for my brother and sister-in-law (who is doing great by the way) Welcome to the family Little Dude! We can't wait to see you and cuddle with you!

Me: hey, can you help me get ready and run the vacuum around? D: No problem! I'll get right on it... *me looking around the corner because the vacuum sounds louder than normal* Me: omg Only a man would shop-vac the house...

Every year we celebrate Thanksgiving with either D's mom or my family. Well that leaves a whole lot of people that we don't get to see on that day that are equally important to us. So when we moved into our home here we started a Day after Thanksgiving Thanksgiving dinner part II party...A time when we gather all our friends and family that we didn't get to see on Thanksgiving in our home to celebrate all over again. It's a wonderful evening filled with everyone we love and enjoy. There is more food than any of us know what to do with, and the house is filled with laughter. It's one of my favortie parties of the year... Happy Day after Thanksgiving C.

I am thankful for this moment today...knitting with my mom while G and D watched football. I hope your day was filled with moments like these with the ones you love.

Every time I watch a movie that is based on the Northwest all I see thru the whole movie is buckets and buckets of rain falling and I think to myself...'whatever, it's not like that here'. Most of the time I'm right in that proclimation, except this week apparently. Storm blew in Monday night, and I mean BLEW in and it hasn't stopped raining buckets and buckets since. I was hanging out on the floating house yesterday afternoon with Mom and G trying to figure out a way to just spend the night instead of getting on the road and suffering another white knuckle drive...however, I didn't pack a change of clothes with me so home I went. The upside today is that the wind has stopped. Still pouring buckets and I have nothing but errands to run today. I'm complaining a lot. I'll stop that immediately. The good stuff today? 1. I get to run my errands with my mom and we're going to lunch at a new diner I've been wanting to try... 2. I don't have t...

I'm knitting like crazy now but seem to be accomplishing nothing...I have a stack of stuff that needs just a little bit more done and it will be a finished object... a second sleeve a button band buttons sewn on eyes to knit up (owl) finish a yoke knit a second slipper weave in tails (i really really need to be in the mood to do this otherwise it drives me bonkers) Along with hauling a 17lb turkey down I5 this Thursday I'm packing up my knitting basket so I can maybe work on this stuff while the turkey finishes cooking and I can hang out with Mom, D, and G on Lake Union. It's pretty stormy here today so I'm thinking about mom down on the lake in the floating house she is staying in....there is a part of me that secrety hopes it got rocking pretty good but I doubt it. I think they anchor in pretty well. I'll post pictures of everything soon. I hope that is, if I have stuff finished to photograph.... Happy Tuesday! c

To be mindful of things you post on the internet....(I do my best not to be hurtful or inapropriate always) but there are moment that always come back to tease you.... A friend reposted a picture I put up probably 4 or 5 months ago now and I had totally forgot I had even posted it let alone what I had written underneath it. I crack myself up... Mostly because what I posted about this is true. I will not knit this pattern for this one reason... My fear is this: If I knit this for someone I have a feeling deep down that I will be watching Modern Family one night eating a bowl of cheerios and Dan Rather will cut in with Breaking News of a person wearing a Knit Ram Hat raiding the local taco bell, with live footage and I will be busted as an accessory.......

I've come to the conclusion that if you don't do something with Joy in your Heart then it really isn't going to be worth it in the end. I'm not talking about the big things either. Everything you tackle in your life should bring you happiness, even if it's laundry, because lets be honest people, the best feeling in the world is climbing into bed between fresh laundered sheets pulled taut on a bed. best feeling ever Joy in your Heart it's the best way to keep moving forward. The more you do. The more Joy you have.  Before Sedation and stitches. He seems happy with himself.  Most of you know that we had to take Mr. Brown to the emergency vet Tuesday night. No worries, he is doing fine. He cut the back of his leg open just above his foot. He hit something in the back yard with it. It was dark and we still haven't found the culprit although we have our suspitions... He had to be sedated mildy which the nurse said he seemed to enjoy (I wonder where...

I'm currently knitting a toy for Bump. A Big Stuffed Snowy Owl...with a minor tweak...this owl belongs more in the Tropics because he is a brilliant green. Galapagos Green to be exact! The yarn is Sprout 100% Organic Cotton so it'll be nice and soft to cuddle with, not to mention the diamond pattern created with knits and purls giving a nice texture for little hands to explore...I've completed the body section and am beginning the rounds for the head. I love it. I'm probably going to make one for myself. The Pattern is by Purl SoHo and is free on their website. You can print it but all in all it's 29 pages long because they give you very very good instrucions with photos...but then again you are hauling around a mini book to knit the pattern.... I'll post more details and links when it's finished. for now, here is your sneak peak.... I have to get cracken on this and a few more items I have for him because word came down yesterday that he could arriv...

I've finally crashed. I get super excited for this retreat every year...(see the post from Friday Morning) I knit late into the nights Get up before anyone on vacation rightfully should (p.s. I'm not the only one who does this on the retreats) Knit in my room till 5:30 a.m. Wander into the main living room because the coffee has been put out by then, and talk with the other knitters who wake before the sun like moi. Suck down more coffee than I probably should and settle in for a day of knitting broken up by wandering thru town looking for lunch, and then again for dinner. So here are some photos I took with my phone around Langley and my knitting...  Leaving Mukilteo on the Ferry....this is the Mukilteo Lighthouse   Pretty pile of leaves on the sidewalk   the fall colors were in full glory around town...   I walked past this little deck alley when I was strolling thru town. I was completely alone on the street at this moment. I walked past, ...

Well that was the plan. It was solid... Except The Lodge keeps their dining area incredibly dark. Instead, as I await the Seahawks fans to arrive.... I will sip my beer, sample some calamari and try to people watch regretting my lack of lighting and the partial knit owl stuffed in my handbag... We are to be a party of seven Right now it's just me My stilettos My Guinness And a project I can't work on.... Guess I'll watch the game and cheer when the other bar patrons do Happy Sunday Night Xoxo Carmel

Plus Rule #2

Knit Prozac....

From the Saratoga Inn So Much Yarn knitting retreat...day 2

And the first finished project... This is a knit baby tee for Bump. The yarn is dream in color classy in cocoa kiss. The lighting is horrible, I'll try for something better later today. I'd love to credit the designer and her website...I think her blog is Sam Lamb...which leads us to Rule #1 1. Don't leave the white binder with all your knitting patterns at home on your dining room table.

omg omg omg! I woke up feeling like it was Christmas and Thanksgiving all rolled into one, minus all the cooking, cleaning and general hulabaloo that goes along with those holidays. It's the So Much Yarn retreat today on Whidbey Island! I've been awake since 4:30 a.m., thank you Mr. Brown and Gabby. It's possible that I've over packed my yarn, notions, and knit items versus clothes, we'll find out when I get there. I have packed an assortment of delicious snacks for all of to have tonight as well as for me to munch on while knitting. That reminds me, I need to pack that bottle of vodka in the cooler for Happy Hour at the Inn tonight. Like I said, it's possible that I have packed an unreasonable amount of yarn for a 2.5 day knitting retreat but two things ring true;      1. I've never been reasonable      2. I might get bored, frustrated, annoyed, or quite possibly finish what I was working on not have a back up. It's happened in the airpor...

'Who' hat by Sara Amoroso Pattern is free via Ravelry Yarn is Tweedy Cashmere by Filatura di Crossa Such a fun pattern to knit! I'm off to Whidbey Island for a knitting retreat tomorrow and while I'm there I will scout for the perfect vintage buttons to put on her hat... This is for my mom to wear while she is here for Thanksgiving and in turn will probably give to our friend Don...

To: Mom From: Me 'who' loves ya? This will be waiting when you arrive! Can't wait to see you. p.s. If its to big we can give it to Don after you've broken it in...

Baby Feeties by Anne Sahakian It's a free pattern on Ravelry you can find it here   Uses a minimal amount of worsted weight yarn. size five needles takes about 1.5 hours perfect I love these. I love carrying them around in my pocket when I am done knitting and showing them to people. They visibly melt when they see them. I have some suggested rules for wear, since I don't know that they will stay on very well, my recommendation is that they are worn in the home and lounging around on Sunday mornings instead of out for the Sunday morning jog to the dog park. but they are adorable and I imagine there will be more made before the babies arrive. Here are some final details: the Tweedy Cashmere by Filatura di Crossa are for Bump. the pink merino by Malabrigo are for Miss A. I hope they enjoy them as much as I think their parents will. It's possible that I looked for a long time yesterday to find a baby to try them on for me... but I was afraid that I would have to leave ...

In my mind I see Bump, his dad, and bug brother dog Rupert getting up, heading downstairs, making some coffee/bottle/dish of water, lounging on the couch reading the morning paper in their slippers...these tweedy cashmere feeties will be for Bump while he cruises the editorial section and sips his warmed bottle while leaning on Rupert... In the meantime I'm scouring the waiting area for a baby to try this one on for sizing and my own personal delight!

Wee tiny baby shoe!

Smocked Slouch V Designer: Jill Zilenski Yarn: Tweedy Cashmere by Filatura di Crossa (let me double check because I could just be making that up...) Look at that I was right....(just checked Ravelry) Needle: Size 7 Time it took: probably about 1 day of knitting off and on. Modification: I shortened the number of rounds between increases from 6 to 3. I find that regular slouch is pretty slouchy and have never made the super slouchy version but for smaller heads, decreasing the rows between increase rows makes it perfect. Plus it still fits my big nugget nicely! Like is said in my post Saturday this is for a friend who I went to Elementary school with (go St. Louise!!) I attended one semester of high school with her before we moved to Minneapolis and then lost touch, which happens...Thanks to FB and social networking we reconnected and thus she sent me a special request to knit a hat. Ta-DA! Her bus duty hat is complete and ready to make its way to Portland. Now, back to my ...

> > For a special request. > A friend from way back in elementary school who I connected with again via Facebook is a teacher in Oregon. She sent me a message the other day that she was on bus duty for the year and her post was right by the Columbia Gorge brrrrr! > So quick like a bunny I'm whipping out another smocked slouch for her in Tweedy Cashmere.... > > Don't worry mom I am making one for you but a different pattern by Baby Cocktails! >

my knitting just took a janky turn....mostly my fault. I wish I could blame it on not being able to read but that's not what happened. WE CAN blame it on my being able to read and then make up a completely different and 'interesting' way of doing something. It's not the pattern It's me. I'm going to fake it till I make it right.... but for now, it's all janky up in here (i really enjoy saying that word) Maybe it'll be less janky by tonight, hopefully by tomorrow morning. I did say a much more fun word than Janky when I was working on it but it's not a nice word for blog consumption but it rhymes with 'duck' followed by it. 'nuff said I'm going to get my janky arse back to what I should be doing....

It's what I call my Buffalo Chicken Recipe. Dale loves it. Loves it so much that he asked for it twice this week. It's crazy easy and it's good for you. The trick? Remove the skin from the chicken Don't deep fry it So here it goes, I'll share with you my Bang Bang Chicken Carmel's Bang Bang Buffalo Chicken 1 whole roasted chicken from the deli. Pull all the meat you can off of it and set aside 1 cup of white rice 2 cups of water 1 tbls olive oil 1 tbls butter 1 cup - 1 bottle of Moores Buffalo Wing Sauce (this varies depending on how saucy you want your chicken) 4-5 shakes of a hot sauce of your liking, I use Tapatio 3-4 ribs of celery. I cut one in to sticks because that's how D likes them and then I dice the rest for me. 1 tlbs favorite non-fat bleu cheese or ranch dressing In a sauce pan heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and toss in your cup of white rice. I like to precook this a bit till some of the grains turn opaque, then add your two ...

immie tee by Carrie Bostick Hoge Yarn: merino big by lanna grossa I think Miss A is going to look adorable in it!

Little A's Frost Flower Tee is coming along. I finished the first 24 rows of the lace chart which is very easy to understand...That being said, when I'm knitting across the lace panel I read the instructions outloud to myself just so I don't lose track of which spot I am in...The dogs don't mind it, they probably think that I am reading them a story... "and next, K2tog, YO, P2, K3, Backflip, SSK K4, K K K" Best story line ever. Basically I need to do one more repeat before separating for the arms...sounds ominous doesn't it? Maybe I should read ahead make sure I'm smart enough to pull this off... Speaking of the dogs (you guys knew I had dogs right?LOL) Back when we first adopted Gabby she would always get up with me and Quintus would stay in their bed nice and warm. He would eventually come down for breakfast and then mosy on back upstairs and go to sleep. Well, this was fine until I had to get them to go outside again before leaving for work...Ga...

I mentioned it before but I have a new nephew and niece arriving soon, just in time for the holidays no less. As a knitter I've been pretty slack in getting things knit up for them and so with a little under a month and a half to go November will be all about baby knitting...a hat or two might slip in there for adults but for now I'm focused on the baby knits. I finished my last smocked slouch yesterday evening and cast on for the first baby project. A wee little pullover for my niece. It's the Immie Tee by Carrie Bostick Hoge her website is here   The model is Carrie's daughter Immie and quite possibly is what makes this little sweater so adorable. The lace panel is the Frost Flower and Carrie has written it out very clearly. I'm not using a fingering weight but a dk pale pink cashmere on size 6 needles. I think it's going to be perfect. Below is the finished Smocked Slouch by Jill Zilenski. This time I used Dream in Color Classy and it's super slouchy! I...