theknottyknitters

Day 14-The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-13T23:03:00.000-07:00

You know that friend that you can always rely on to tell you the truth, the one who's opinion you really value? Then you know someone like:

She's LOVES to knit..... and her favorite color is yellow....this shawl she made (and her cute daughter is modeling) is on her list of top FAVORITE projects!!

She has a child with Autism and her FAVORITE way to make a difference is creating Autism Awareness. She's such an amazing mother and is passionate about educating those about Autism. One of the way she does that is through

What's her secret super power that helps her through her day?..........Diet Coke! She firmly believes:

We've had so much fun talking about some of our friends for the countdown! We will treat you with some more spotlights through this week!

But don't be sad it's over..... get excited....... we have Mystery Project Maddness starting FRIDAY!!

What's that?

We chose one of the most TO DIE FOR projects..... and each day tune in to our website and we will release 12 rows of the pattern... We will release the supplies tomorrow!

Day 13-The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-12T22:13:00.002-07:00

Two of the things I couldn't live without are:

and her sugar cookies

ALL of our Knotty Knitters LOVE (and you will too) these AMAZING cookies!

Every time my mom makes these they ......disappear....literally you can't stop yourself from eating these soft succulent cookies. It's like a party in your mouth...:)

First Get your butter, sugar, eggs, and sour cream

cream the butter and sugar then add the vanilla and sour cream, then beat the eggs in one at a time

In the mean time sift your dry ingredients then add them to the creamed mixture

Then gently take 1/3 of the dough onto a lightly floured surface

And roll to 1/4"-1/2" thick

Then place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Bake at 350' between 7-10 minutes. Bake only just until the dough loses its shine (in our oven it was 9 minutes) then place on a wire rack to cool completely

While they cool get your butter, powdered sugar, and whipped cream cheese

mix until crumbly (similar to pie crust)

Then slowly add the milk until it reaches your desired consistency, then add food coloring and mix with a mixer until it's lumpless

Then enjoy sharing the LOVE....:)

So by popular demand...da da.da daaaaaaaaaaa here's the:

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World Famous Sugar Cookie Recipe:

adapted from a recipe by Jamie Gardner

1 1/2cup-Butter

1 1/2cup-Sugar

1 1/2 tsp Vanilla

1cup-Sour Cream

3-Eggs

5-cups Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Soda

1 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Salt

Cream the softened butter and sugar then add the vanilla and sour cream until mixed. Add eggs one at a time. Then add the sifted dry ingredients. Mix well and roll out on a floured surface to 1/4"-1/2" thick. Cut into desired shape and place on parchment paper and bake at 350' for 7-10 minutes(in our oven it was 9 minutes) or just until the dough loses its shine, but not browned at all. Let cool completely on a wire rack and then frost and be ready to fall in LOVE!

Laura's Cream Cheese Frosting:

3 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar

1/2 Cup Butter Softened

8oz whipped cream cheese

2 drops food coloring

1/8-1/4 cup Milk

mix all ingredients but milk in a mixer, add milk until it reaches your desired consistency.

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Day 12-The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

You know that friend that you've been friends with FOREVER!? The one you couldn't imagine your life without? Then you know someone like:

Her and my mom have been partners in crime since before I was born. From painting to antique hunting, embroidering to gardening, knitting to cooking-there's nothing these amazing woman can't do together!

Her yard in the summer time is ~~amazing~~ no PHENOMENAL!! And her house is this cozy little cottage complete with an old fashioned cook stove.

I had my wedding reception in her yard and it was completely....perfect!

(I took these pictures from my wedding album with my phone-sorry but you get a small idea at how freakin' awesome her gardening skills are)

When she's not taking care of her lucky family or hanging out with my mom-she's enjoys knitting. Her favorite things to make are blankets and shawls. And her favorite fibers to knit with are........(can you guess?).....ALPACA(hello I'm telling you the fiber of the Gods)..and silk!

She's our resident sweet lover! She'll be the first to tell you 'I've never met a cookie I didn't like.'

You know when Colleen makes something you are going to be IN LOVE! (And soon I will post some of her recipes because they are .....AMAZING!)

So putting it in a nut shell.......She's one of the best darn gals on the block!

Day 11-Valentine Countdown

2012-02-10T23:58:00.000-07:00

You know that friend that is a computer whiz? The one you marvel at how she can she can organize and navigate her way through technology like it's a good book? Then you know someone like:

She's one of those people that when you get to know you figure you MUST be related! So I'm excited to tell you about my adopted sister! With her mad computer skills she's made a recipe archive like a foodies jack pot... and let me tell you....she can cook!

Between her homemade cards and her recipes anything she brings to knitting we all drool over. And when you ask for the recipe your wish is magically granted when the recipe magically appears within hours to your inbox.:) One of her and EVERYONE at knitting's FAVORITE recipes is her:

Cowboy Caviar

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1 can black beans -- 15 oz, rinsed

1 can black-eyed peas -- 15 oz, rinsed

1 can whole kernel corn -- drained

2 large tomatoes -- diced

1/2 red onion -- diced

2 jalapeno peppers -- diced

1/2 green bell pepper -- diced

The Succulent Dressing:

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

4 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Combine all ingredients in bowl. Cover and chill. Serve with tortilla chips and be ready to fall in LOVE!!!!!

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Day 10-The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

You know that friend that as soon as you see her you just smile?! Then you know someone like

She has knitted for years, and taken classes and collected friends from all around the world! She's one of the FUNNEST and the SWEETEST gals on the Block!

She not only loves to knit, but she's also an AMAZING teacher! (The picture above was taken at a knitting retreat where I was lucky to learn from her )

Her wisdom and sincerity make her one of those friends that you know you will treasure forever!

Some of her favorite things to knit are socks and lace, so if it's a lace sock...she's in HEAVEN! This is a picture of the Kumara Bed Socks, a class she taught that I was lucky enough to take!

They're knit on a size 7 needle with short row heels...needless to say there are one of my favorite patterns!

One of the motto's she lives by is

'Life is too short to knit on bad yarn!'

(Amen to that!!!)

That being said, she loves to knit with alpaca and cashmere and to make it her perfect project all you would need to do is add her favorite rosewood needles!

Day 9- The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-08T23:39:00.000-07:00

You know that AMAZING kind of friend that just figures stuff out? The one when you need help or have a problem you KNOW they will have a good answer? Then you know someone like:

Don't you just LOVE the cowl she's wearing? It's one of her own designs! It's free at the shop when you buy two skeins of the yarn from Heaven.

Maggie not only has a fiber addiction, she has 10 kids, and saves their hair and spins it into yarn!

Okay (before you think she's a freak) you should know her kids are English Angora Rabbits

Aren't they so freakin' cute?!

She shows them at ARBA shows and uses their wool to spin and hand-dye succulent yarn.

She has color schemes of blue, black, tort and REW going on right now. They are great cuddle bunnies! When she needs something soft and squishy to give and get loves to and from then she simply goes and grabs one of her furry children....:)

She also LOVES spicy food! One of her favorite snacks is:

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Spicy Pretzels

3 1-lb bags pretzels

2 packages of ranch dressing mix

1 1/2 cup butter popcorn oil

1/2 tsp dill weed

1/2 tbs cayenne pepper

1 tbs black pepper

1 1/2 tbs Habanero seasoning (found at Spoons N Spice in Sandy)

Mix together in a LARGE aluminum pan (like turkey size). Stir. Cook at 200º for 1 hours, stirring every 15 minutes.

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and a main dish that she ABSOLUTELY LOVES is:

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The Company Casserole

1 package 8 oz noodles

1 lb ground ground beef or Italian sausage from Colosimo's

3 cans 8 oz tomato sauce

1 cup cottage cheese

1 package 8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup sour cream

1/3 green onions chopped

1 tablespoon green pepper, chopped

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Boil noodles in salted water for 10 minutes. Drain. Brown ground round beef in heavy skillet. Stir in tomato sauce and remove from heat. Combine cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, green onions and green pepper. Spread half the noodles in buttered 2 quart casserole. Cover with cheese mixtures; top with remaining noodles. Pour melted butter over noodles. Put beef mixture on top. Bake at 350º for 25 minutes and get ready to fall in LOVE with her favorite main dish!

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We will post pictures of this recipe soon because it sounds AMAZING to try!!

Day 8 - The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-08T00:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes in your life you get lucky enough to have one of those friends that you know would do anything for you. The one if you are down will pick you up, the one whose compassion and thoughtfulness inspire you to be a better friend. If you are lucky enough to have a friend like that then you know someone like:

(Notice the bunny ears compliments of Scooter)

When she wants to indulge in something she LOVES- then she hops into a hot bath with her favorite Bath and Body Works Bubble Bath.

And when she's picking up her knitting her needles of choice are DEFINITELY her Knit Picks Options!

Day 7- The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

You know that friend that always goes out of her way to help others? Then you know someone like:

She's is an AMAZING card maker! Anytime you get a handmade work of art card from Carla you feel like you need to stick it in your hope chest, or display it in a shadow box! She is also a great knitter. She loves to knit lace.

One of the things she LOVES is a family favorite recipe. She likes it because it can be used with so many different meats and still taste awesome. It's also great because you cook it in the crock pot - (one of the best inventions ever) Her number one reason she likes it though, is Rob, her son likes it! He's a picky eater, so when she finds something he likes, it's always a plus.

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Carla's Peachy Barbecue Sauce

1 13 oz (approx) jar of mild salsa

1 13 oz (approx) jar of peach preserves

1/4 cup soy sauce

Pour in crock pot, mix together, and cook on low with your favorite meat until done.

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Day 6- The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

You know that friend you wish you could be?....(beautiful, funny, size 4) Well then you know someone like:

When she's not riding her husband's train......;) (he's a train conductor) She loves to garden, go camping, and play with her kids. He ideal day includes a nap, Dr Pepper, and a bag of candy. She's an AMAZING crocheter and recently fell in LOVE with knitting. Her favorite thing to knit right now is

This Newborn Baby Blanket. And you will LOVE that's it's a FREE download! Just click here

Day 5-The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-05T00:36:00.000-07:00

You know that friend that's like THE perfect mom? The one whose lucky kids get to walk in from school smelling homemade chocolate chip cookies, and fresh baked bread? Then you know someone like:

And that's just what she does. She loves to play with her family, knit, and BAKE! Her specialty is breads.
She loves to make homemade bread weekly. And she's got a full proof recipe that she LOVES! Today is your LUCKY DAY, she is going to share her recipe!

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Heidi's Freakin' Awesome White Bread

4 c. warm water
2 Tbsp. yeast
1/3 c. sugar
½ c. oil
2 Tbsp. salt
11 c. four

In a mixer with dough hook combine water, yeast, sugar, oil and 3 cups flour. Mix well.
Add salt and 4 cups of flour. Mix well; add one cup of flour at a time until soft dough
is formed. Knead for 10 minutes. This is the most important step. Put in greased bowl,
cover with towel and let rise until doubled in size. Punch down and let rise again. Punch
down and shape into 4 loaves. Place in greased pans and let rise until dough is above the
pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Brush with melted butter.

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Not only does she LOVE to make bread, but she can't go a week in her house without baking her Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies! And that's the other thing on her list to share. Her-Can't Live Without Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. (I made them today and my ENTIRE family fell in LOVE)

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You Can't Live Without These Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups minus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1 2/3 cups bread flour
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 sticks butter
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups of chocolate chips (I use half milk-chocolate and semi sweet)

Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl, set aside.
Cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at
a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry
ingredients and mix until just combined. Add chocolate chips and stir lightly in.
Scoop out cookie dough with cookie scoop and if desired, sprinkle each cookie lightly
with sea salt. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until light brown, and still soft.

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Now you have two new AMAZING recipes to try. Let us know what you think when you try them!

Day 4-The Valentine Countdow

2012-02-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

You know that person as soon as you meet her you know you're gonna like her? Then you've met someone like our:

When she's not working, or spending time with the LOVE of her life, she enjoys knitting! She admits she's a Dr. Pepper addict, and if she could eat chocolate three meals a day she would!

One of her favorite things is actually knitting a few rows and it TURNS out RIGHT!! We know we all LOVE that!!

February 3rd- Day 3 The Valentine Countdown

2012-02-03T00:04:00.000-07:00

You know that friend once you hear they are going to show up you know your nights going to be a party? Then you've met someone like:

We introduced you to The Scooter a little bit before. But let's just say at knitting this week her and my mom sat on the couch laughing so hard I thought I was back on a junior high bus ride!

When she's not reading knitting magazines, or fondling her balls.....(yarn balls...:), She's collecting knitting tools. She is THE TOOL collector! She LOVES knitting tools! I asked her which tool is her favorite and she replied "Oh ALL of them, even if I will never use them I still gotta have them!"

But if she had to choose (even though it would be like choosing which child you loved more) she said she would have to choose ALL of her Addi Turbo's!

February 2nd-Day 2 Valentine Countdown

2012-02-01T22:43:00.000-07:00

As we have been sitting here looking at our list of countdown days, we are so beyond lucky to have so many AMAZING women around us!

You know that superwomen you admire? The one who you can't even fathom their day to day accomplishments? You know- the one who can work, have a clean house, and still have time to sew a dance costume?
Then you know a SUPERWOMAN like

Other than Diet Coke, her knitting must-have is ALPACA yarn!! Since she's allergic to wool, her discovery of this hypo-allergenic fiber from heaven has been love at first touch! We sell this at The Shop it's 100% Baby Alpaca-chunky weight 110 yards for only $14.99.

Since Alpaca has brought this her so much happiness, naturally one of her FAVORITE things are her.....Gold Alpaca Stitch Markers from Goosepond

and last (but not least) the other thing she couldn't live without.....Her Rosewood Cable Needles

They're also for sale at the shop!

February 1st The Countdown Begins!

2012-02-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

As promised each day we are introducing you to one of our friends and the things they CAN'T live without!

You know your friend that makes you smile anytime you see them?

She not only is a great friend, but my butt really loves her!

(she saves me a bike at cycling class each week!)

She's my workout IDOL! In the summer I asked her one day " What have you been up to?" She replied "Oh, just went on a bike ride with my husband." I told her how awesome I thought it was and then asked "Where did you go on a bike ride to?" "To Saltaire." (HOLY FREAKIN' MOLY THAT'S 40 MILES ROUNDTRIP ) Needless to say she's my workout ROCK STAR!

Not only does she cycle like a superstar, she's a great knitter! When I asked her tonight at knitting what was somethings she loved "Other than Cabernet?!" Was her response as we all laughed!

Hands down her item she could't live without is her Lantern Moon Interchangeable Needle Set.

We sell these SUCCULENT needles at The Shop And if you want your own set call us there for your Knotty Knitter special pricing!:)

Gunner's Mitten Pattern Hot Off The Press!!

2012-01-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

Here it is as promised!!
Want to knit something FAST!? Have little people in your life? Then be ready to have your wishes granted. These dk weight fingerless gloves are the perfect gift for those little people in your life.

There’s a clever thumb and NO picking up stitches for the thumb hole.

Seriously everyone will go CRAZY when they see these finished little mitts!

I knit mine on a US 3-9” circular, but dpn’s would also work.

Want to download this pattern PDF now? Click on the link below!

Get ready to FALL in LOVE in FEBRUARY!!

2012-01-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's Tuesday and you know what day that is? It's Kamille's sit and knit! That means we will laugh until our stomach hurts, eat good food (tonight it's Cafe Rio), and knit into the late night hours.
It's so AMAZING to see how one common denominator....knitting, brings so many different people together!

It's also the last day of January....and we are here to get you excited about

Each day starting February 1st-February 14th we will introduce you to one our fellow Knotty Knitters and their ONE thing that they can't live without! It could be something knitted, an AMAZING recipe....who knows!

Get ready each day to be introduced to some of our best friends and see what things they couldn't live without!

The obsession started "Thumbs up!" Fingerless Gloves

2012-01-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

Could you imagine the worse week of your life ending with a trip to HAWAII? Well neither could I until it happened to me.

On Monday December 12th 2011 "THE DAY" when we found out my husband's bone cancer was back, were put into a whirlwind of tests. And on December 14th they scheduled a small surgery to biopsy the cancer to see what stage it had moved to.

I can't recall the last time I sobbed, but driving him home from that surgery it all started to hit me. 'What would I do if I lost my best friend, how could I go on without him? If he survived (and lost his leg like they were stating was the route they would have to take) how drastically would our lives change?'

I could envision his dreams of coaching our boys baseball teams, him giving our kids piggy back rides, the way he laughed-I could lose him....and then what? So as I gripped the steering wheel I cried, like I can't remember crying ever before, all to my embarrassment, while he listened. I felt guilty for letting him hear me cry like that.

So that night, when we got home, my father in law called and said "Pack your bags, you and Clint have an 8:30am flight to Hawaii for the weekend to escape reality." We were going to be leaving Thursday morning, have the weekend, and be able to fly through the night on Sunday to be back just in time for his 10:30am doctors appointment Monday morning!

How do you thank someone for a gift so....AMAZING, so.....PERFECT!? Now, instead of the family funeral procession for the weekend, we would be getting away where nobody knew our problems....where we could think about something else other than our recent dish of reality!!! There are no words for the gratitude we have for that gift.

For the plane ride I (OF COURSE) brought knitting. On the flight over I turned to Clint and asked him what I could make him that he could use. He thought for a second and replied "Fingerless Gloves?" So I had a mission:

to design THE perfect pair of fingerless gloves for my Cancer Warrior!

As he tried on his perfect pair he looked at me and said "You know what you should do? Make a pair for Dr. Randall and we could give it to him on Monday as a Christmas present!" Perfect! I now had another pair to make.

Hawaii was............. AMAZING!!

the warm air

The FOOD. (Bubba Gumps you will now be apart of our top 10 BEST entree's EVER!)

Getting laid! Oh yeah...:)

not to mention eating at least one snow cone everyday (obviously calories were not worried about either), Hawaii style with ice cream on the bottom and Kauai cream on the top! (NOBODY makes better snow cones than Hawaii-period)

and having a DOUBLE scoop of Lappert's Ice Cream! {side note}I am an ice cream connoisseur, and this ice cream has been in my dreams for years! I had put my lips to this succulent stuff when I came with my family to Hawaii over 15 years ago!(I know if you look closely my size is triple his and I'll admit....I'm a FREAK!)

But most importantly walking hand in hand with my man while.....

our problems melted into the sand.

On Monday morning (with sand still between our toes) we were back in the doctors office, back to reality.
Clint and I had just enough time to wrap our hand knit fingerless gloves with a note:

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To Dr Randall,

Merry Christmas. Here's a gift for your hands-because your hands are a gift to us.

Love,

The Bauer's

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After I finished Clint's and the doctors pair my "knitting mission" couldn't just end. I needed it to still be there for me, telling me with every stitch everything would be ok. Fingerless gloves were now my thing.

While we were at appointments, those fingerless gloves gave me a purpose, something I could calculate on paper, then knit, and it would turn out EXACTLY as I planned. In a weird way they were comforting me-something I could control.(unlike this cancer that we had no control over)

So naturally I needed to design these with different sizes and weights....right?! Of course!

I designed with sportweight yarn on the Baby/Toddler and Child size. Then on the women's I designed a dk and worsted weight version......(don't think I left chunky weight, and fingering weight out...it's NEXT on my list!) So get ready to enjoy my recent madness.

The {da da da DAAAA} "Thumbs up!" fingerless gloves ( I figured a thumbs up would be appropriate since the 10 hour surgery turned out successful so far...:)

a Baby/Toddler size

a Child Size

a Woman's size
and of course the size that started it all.....

the Men's size

(This one was Clint's favorite pose)

The pattern will be available for sale in the shop next week, or as a pdf download from this website! Don't worry you will be the first to know when it's hot off the press!

Knitting Friendships one stitch at a time-Introduction of The Scooter

2012-01-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

We feel like the LUCKIEST people in the world to be able to teach people to do something we LOVE!

While teaching knitting to so many in our community at the shop we have developed friendships that we will cherish FOREVER. One of our BFF's is one of the FUNNIEST ladies (next to my mother of course) that we have ever met.

She, who's chosen alias is The Scooter, will be like Wilson on Tool Time (you know the neighbor who's face you never got to see) Because she HATES her photo taken.

Here's a rare snap shot of her holding up a knitted dinosaur that resembles an anatomical part....hmmmm which one? We won't say. All I will say is that we were laughing our heads off at knitting when the head was attached to the body of this Dino!

She is our resident go to beanie woman. If you want an AMAZING knitted hat, or need a great hat tip, then you see The Scooter!

We feel it only fitting on her introduction post to debut one of our most popular beanie patterns she designed! So here's an amazing Cabled Slouch Hat and Matching Fingerless Gloves. It's a great, fun, stylish pattern that is knit in a DK weight yarn. It was in our Top 10 Most Popular Patterns to knit for the holiday season. People LOVED knitting this, but even more, people LOVED receiving this!

Want to download the pdf now? Click the button below. Or if you want to come into the shop we can teach you how to knit this fabulous pattern!

"Bad to The Bone" Beanie Pattern

2012-01-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Warning: Knitting is not just for Grandmas!

Have you wanted always wanted to try using two yarns in one project? Do you already know how to two color knit and want something hip and fun to make? Then get ready to impress those on your list that love to be outdoors with this "Bad to the Bone" beanie pattern!

We've had people come from the Utah Ski Slopes that have gotten countless requests -"Where did you buy your hat!?" Don't you just love to say....."I made it!"

Want to download this pattern as a PDF now? Click the link below!

The Perfect Poncho

2012-01-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

When I got home from sit and and knit this week of course........ we laughed our butts off :), ate some Noodles and Company, and knit! We were chatting about how fun it is to be able to be able to knit and create things where the projects and the people become apart of your lives.

One of my first designs has still ranked as one of my favorite! The Perfect Poncho. It's a great, easy, fun, and fast shawl. If you are looking for something great to knit and wear for yourself or give as an heirloom....then get ready to breeze through this fun design. It has a clever three needle bind off option to make this shawl a poncho…your choice!

Want to download this pdf? Click the link below...and rev your needles!

Yeehaw Cowboy Cowl

2012-01-25T10:18:00.000-07:00

We just got in some new Pam Powers patterns at the shop! Get ready to think " How can I re-arrange my schedule to make this cowl??" You can call the shop 801-282-0477 if you aren't close and we can ship you a pattern and the succulent Worsted Merino Superwash, or Worsted Baby Alpaca to make it!

Isn't this to die for!

Happy Knitting and remember there's only two stitches...knit and purl...you can do it!

Succulent Cranberrry Chicken

2012-01-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Any time I go to the grocery store and the fresh cranberries are in season I get excited to make a dish that my mom use to make that I LOVE!

My mom years ago worked with a lady who gave her this recipe. Since then she changed it a bit and we use it ALL the time when fresh cranberries are out! It's the PERFECT way to use fresh cranberries or unthaw and use some you've frozen.

Get your lips ready for the lusheous-ness

First pound out your chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper and the juice from the zested orange; then partially bake for 25 minutes

Add the oil to your pan and sautee the onions until translucent

add the ketchup, brown sugar, and orange peel. Stir until sugar dissolves and add cranberries.

Pour the cranberry mixture over the half baked chicken and bake an additional 20 minutes

Then serve with your favorite sides! Seriously it's awesome!

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Laura's Luscious Cranberry Chicken

adapted from a recipe by Marge Kaihau

6 boneless chicken breast

3/4 c chopped onion

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

1 1/4 cup ketchup

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 tsp orange zest(save the juice for the chicken mixture)

2 cups fresh whole cranberries

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

grease a 9x13 pan

Pound out and salt and pepper the chicken breasts drizzle with the zested orange juice. Partially bake for 25 minutes.

Sautee onions and oil until tender, add the ketchup, brown sugar, orange zest. stir until sugar dissolves. Then add the cranberries. Spoon over partially baked chicken and bake for 20 more minutes. Serve over rice or with potatoes. :)

knockin' out cancer with fingerless gloves on

2012-01-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Knitting saves lives...literally(I heard of a lady who fell while holding her knitting needles and while treating the puncture wound they found and removed breast cancer)

I have been fortunate enough to own a yarn store and teach people my passion: KNITTING. While teaching I have witnessed the magic of knitting! It brings peoples' lives peace, comfort, and friendship when there could have been sorrow, heartache, and loneliness. Knitting can heal the soul one stitch at a time and I've witnessed that so many times in peoples lives. Recently I was reminded of the comfort knitting can bring to your life.

My Dream Boat Love Machine Husband-Clint

The worst day of our lives

December 12th 2011: After my husband of 10 years had his routine x-ray, and subsequent CT scan, him and I were awaiting THE results at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.( It's not a good sign if you are waiting for a really long time in a room you normally never go in, and the doctor asks his assistant for the entire box of tissues.)

Needless to say our lives stopped when they delivered the news...Chondra Sarcoma stage 2 {aka. sucky bone cancer} He had this same cancer over 11 years ago and the statistics of it coming back after this long....wait there is no statistics it NEVER happens. But we found out it was back worse than before.

There should be a rule: if a person has had cancer before they should NOT get it AGAIN! But alas the universe has different plans.

Instead of like the Godfather "takin' it to the mattresses" you know us knitters "take it to the needles" so I started venting my heartache, stress, and frustration by compulsively designing fingerless gloves. Not just one size- a baby, toddler, woman AND man design. So now you can get excited about ...the newest Knotty Knitter Design: Thumb's up Fingerless Gloves! Pictures of the fingerless gloves and the pattern will be available soon!

On December 28th 2011 they operated for 10 hours and removed over 20 lbs of bone cancer tumors. Yes, he pretty much delivered a cancer toddler that I named Boone. [Clint said to me when I was pregnant with our second son that we should name him Boone{barf} and I told him he could divorce me and marry someone else if he wanted to name one of his sons that!...So with him birthing this cancer toddler it just seemed fitting to name him Boone!]

I of course was curious to see what this baby looked like. So for those of you who are curious too I will include pictures of this nasty bad boy!

Warning to the queasy: Nasty pictures of Boone the cancer toddler below

There is an actual ruler below with the cancer measuring over 15"

The doctors got all the cancer they could see{fingers crossed}. But we will be visiting the Cancer Hospital indefinitely.

I can't believe how blessed I am to have my best friend still alive

Chunky IS in

2012-01-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Have you been trying to squeeze your bottom into your jeans and thought to yourself 'If only chunky was in!' This could be just the post for you!

Okay, we aren't going to make your butt smaller(even though knitting has been proven to replace over eating)we are going to show you that CHUNKY style is IN!

Not only is chunky in...it's fast to finish your project.

Wouldn't you love to sit down, pick up your needles, and finish a project before you had to stop and pee? Then be ready to love some of the new things we've recently fell in love with.

We just received our new Vogue Knitting magazine at the shop

So come in and pick yours up. You will soon see our designing and addiction to chunky knitting is IN!

Fun, fast, and chunky.....

You would never want to put your clothes back on if this was your blanket!

This chunky cowl has been a fun one as well! It's a free pattern with yarn purchase...and yes it is just like the ones they sell at The Gap!

Knitting is NOT just for grandma's so grab your needles and KNIT

One of our favorite things

2012-01-04T13:37:00.000-07:00

We've recently fell in LOVE with our new Lantern Moon Weekender bag

It's perfect for multiple projects, road trips, and plane rides to name a few things!

The needle punch detailing on front panel is exquisite! It also has a divided interior padded pocket for laptop protection, two large zippered pockets (one inside and one on outside back), and inside organizer panel. and dual zip closure. With it being 14"h x 21"w it will soon become one of your go to bags for many knitting projects and adventures!

We recieved four in stock and sold them in days....So if you want one call the shop 801-282-0477 and we will special order you one for $25 off! Normally $184.99 ONLY $159.99.

All Ruffled Up! Freakin' cute scarf

2011-12-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

So at the shop we have recently fell in LOVE with our new Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash Kettle-dyed yarn. The colors are amazing and it has 436 yards for only $39.99 per hank!

But the knitters ultimate question??? What to make out of it? Well let us answer that question....da da da daaaaaaa:

How AMAZING is this? (we know, we know) You now HAVE to make it! You're life won't be right unless this gets casted on your needles ASAP!
We have the pattern and yarn available for purchase at the shop! All you need to do is:
-Call us 801-282-0477 and reserve your pattern
-let us know what color yarn you can't live without!
-give us your info and we can ship it to you, or hold it until you come in and pick it up.

You'll need:
-1 pattern
-1 skein Plymouth Worsted Merino Kettle-dyed(or it would be succulent in our new Baby Alpaca Worsted-that would be 4 skeins)
-US 9 knitting needles

Seriously-how cute is this?

3-ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-12-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

Do you need something fun to make and are short on time? Do you look at an ingredient list to a recipe and wish it was shorter?....Then be prepared to have your wish come true! It's the infamous 3 ingredient Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies! If you haven't seen this recipe it will be one you LOVE!

Let's get started:

All you need is:
1- box spice cake mix(we tested with Duncan Hines)
1- 15oz can pumkin
1-11oz bag semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together

Then, using your small cookie scoop, put on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake at 375' for 8-10 minutes(while you knit a couple rows) and cool on a wire rack! Then ENJOY!

Did Somebody say "Waffles?" recipe and World's BEST syrup!!

2011-12-12T20:11:00.000-07:00

We posted our new Knotty Knitter Design-The Waffle Beanie. The pattern is now available at the shop! The waffle beanie got us to think about my Grandpa Fish's homemade pancakes and waffles. They have to be some of the most delicious pancakes and waffles on the planet!

So grab your size 13 needles, your yarn, and be ready to make these waffles for your "knitting snack". Your family will allow you PLENTY of ample knitting time if you make them "knitting snacks" like these!!

Here's a list of what you'll need to make these pancakes(or waffles)whichever you're hankering for)and the world's BEST syrup!

Grandpa Fish's Pancakes
2-cups Hungry Jack Pancake mix
1-cup milk
2-tsp vanilla
2-eggs
1/4-cup toasted wheat germ
1/4-cup canola oil

mix all the wet ingredients together and then mix with the mix and wheat germ. Grease pan or waffle iron and ENJOY!

*if too thick add more milk or if too thin add more mix.
makes approx 12 pancakes or 6 belgian waffles.

Now it's syrup time! Once you let this syrup hit your lips you will NEVER be the same again!!! Seriously a party in your mouth will start and you will want to invite all you know to join.

Grab your ingredients:
3 cubes of butter(you know it's got to be good)
2 cups sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

mix all your ingredients in a saucepan on medium high heat until very hot but not boiling. Serve over the top of your favorite breakfast or on the top of ice cream...and smile!:)

Waffle Knit Beanie

2011-12-06T12:08:00.001-07:00

If you haven't noticed a common thread in our latest designs...let us fill you in....FUN, FAST, AND FREAKIN' CUTE!!

I started and finished this beanie while watching a movie this weekend. It's made out of the yarn that falls from heaven(ok not really but it feels that way!) Plymouth's Baby Alpaca Grande. It's knit with two skeins and the pattern will be available ASAP! So what do you think of the new Waffle Knit Beanie design!?

Chunky and Lovin' it FREE pattern!

2011-12-01T00:12:00.000-07:00

As we promised here's our newest Knotty Knitter Design....now you can be happy to be chunky!!:)

Knit a shawl "Shawl we?"

2011-11-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

One of our cute customers Pat came in with this TO DIE FOR shawl knit in our fabulous yarn favorite Plymouth Worsted Merino Superwash. We of course (like white on rice) grabbed the pattern and have knitted it up! This has been one of the most popular holiday knits at the shop!

We have the pattern FREE at the shop! All you need to do is decide which color of yarn you want to buy for it! If you are from out of town you can call us 801-282-0477 and we will ship as usual!

Happy Holiday Knitting!

The Knotty Knitters

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

2011-11-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

I had ripened bananas sitting on the counter and an assignment to bring cookies for sit and knit that night. So there hatched the idea for Banana Oatmeal Cookies! But I was torn...I was going to miss my mom's struesel topping that always ROCKS her banana bread. So that's where the fantastic struesel topped Banana oatmeal Cookie was born. I tested it out at sit and knit and they got the Knotty Knitter approval! So as requested here's what I did:)

Pre-heat your oven to 400' and sift together(yes I said sift I know it's a pain, but it really makes your baked goods light and fluffy!) flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon then set aside.

Then cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Then add your egg, vanilla, banana, and oatmeal. After they are mixed together, slowly add the sifted dry ingredients. Then if you prefer add the optional chocolate chips.(ok I know who would not opt to put chocolate chips in?)

Then scoop them onto a cookie sheet.
Now here's where the magic touch comes in....the struesel topping!

Get your oats, flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon

mix them until crumbly and then take a tablespoon amount and press lightly onto the top of each scooped cookie

Bake for 15 minutes(while you knit a couple rows) or until edges are lightly browned.

If you are looking for a great treat to bring to sit and knit and you have a bunch of ripened bananas then look no further!

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 c flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
3/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 c shortening
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 c mashed bananas (I used 4 medium bananas)
1 3/4 c oats
*1/2 c chocolate chips

Laura's AMAZING struesel topping:
1 c oats
3/4 c flour
3/4 c butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon

*chocolate chips optional

Chunky and LOVIN' it!

2011-11-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't you love to sit down, knit, and finish something SO STINKIN CUTE in only a couple of hours? Then be ready to have your dreams come true!! This is our newest Knotty Knitter Design...."Chunky and LOVIN' it!" Beanie.

Not only is it knit up quickly, but it's made out of the softest stuff on earth....Baby Alpaca! The pattern will be available next week, but we thought we would give you guys a sneak peak at the newest design. We will let you know as soon as the patterns available.

Happy Knitting and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Monster Cookies or Bars

2011-11-20T15:48:00.001-07:00

What do you get when you mix peanut butter, oatmeal, and chocolate chips?...HEAVEN! These monster cookies have been one of our favorite recipes and we would love to share them with you, because after all...knitters gotta eat right?!

Pre-heat your oven to 350

Beat your butter and sugars in your mixer until light and fluffy. Usually I let mix on medium to high for 3-4 minutes.

Then add your peanut butter, eggs(one at a time), and vanilla beating well. In a seperate bowl sift your flour, soda, and salt. Add the sifted mixture and the oats into your mixer. Then stir in your chocolate chips.(this dough will be stiff)

Using a small cookie scoop put your dough on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, lightly pressing each cookie with your fingertips. Bake for 10 minutes, cool slightly on cookie sheets and then move to wire rack.

Don't have time to do batches of cookies?

Then here's what I love about this recipe...if you are in a hurry or in the mood for a bar instead of a cookie,scoop HALF of your dough in a greased 9x13 pan

and bake for 16-18 minutes or until slightly browned. Let cool slightly and then cut into bars.

So if you are asked to bring a treat to a sit and knit, or want to wow the family with an amazing new cookie, then don't miss trying out this recipe!

Here's the recipe:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar, plus 2 tablespoons
2 cups peanut butter
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4-1/2 cups regular uncooked oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Bake 350...enjoy!

Laura-isms

2011-11-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

Do you need to brighten your day? Well being with my mom brightens peoples days because she is one of THE FUNNIEST ladies EVER!

For those of you who know my mom-Laura the phrase "Laura-isms" makes perfect sense! So for those of you who don't prepare yourself for laughter because here we will post her weekly pearls of wisdom. So when you need a laugh click on our {Laura-ism} link!

-Let the laughs start rolling....

~~~~~~~~

My mom and I recently attended a conference down town where we parked underground. As we were exiting the elevator late one night she turned to me and seriously said "You need to walk like you have a gun in your pocket." I started laughing and said "That's how you walk?" She replied while walking with a swagger and a limp "yep like this!" So if there were any gangsters ready to bust out some violence on some knitters in the underground parking lot of The Grand America my mom saved our lives!

~~~~~~~~

When my mom gets surprised or shocked-and then retells the story it often starts like this:

"You will never guess what happened? I'bout farted...{then proceeds with the dramatic story}"

At knitting last week she opened with this line when telling a story and Kristen sat in the chair looking confused and said "Did anyone smell it?!"
We all explained that this is just a Laura-ism and continued laughing! (of course she didn't fart, and my mom says for the record-She DOESN'T fart!)

~~~~~~~~~
One of her classic Laura-isms emerged after I asked her where a product was produced? "Japina" was her serious response. Which is it Japan or China....it's Japina!

~~~~~~~~~

As my dad and mom were driving me somewhere last week someone was stopping in a yield only lane. As my mom's the driver and sits there by the second getting more and more irritated she spouts off "Man that stupid driver is a few bricks short of a dozen!"
My dad and myself (knowing my moms Laura-isms) start laughing!!!

Well Hello!

2011-11-14T13:07:00.000-07:00

Ok so we are SOOOO excited to be involved in another venture in our lives....blogging!

So this is me-Kamille Bauer, and my mom-Laura Vance. I'm her youngest daughter and we've been best friends FOREVER!! I'm a mother to three children, my daughter Neiska's who's 8, and sons Gunner who's 5 and Wyatt who's 10 months. We also own two retail stores, one is a yarn store and the other is a women's purse and clothing boutique.

The one I own is Kamille's, where friends wind up http://kamilles.com/ it's a specialty yarn store where we teach knitting and crocheting classes!! I'm so lucky to be able to employ my mom as the manager..... So I'm her boss and she's MY boss!:)

We thought we would start just like any day and pass along one of the FUNNEST things we've been knitting lately...Christmas Ornaments! All I have to say is 41 rows and....you're done!:) I know the love affair just began, but seriously be ready to fall in love with this book and it's to die for fun designs!

Here's the book! It's so fun! All the patterns are the same format- the only difference is the design you choose. So it's easy, fast, and fun...Hello what more could we want...right!?

Doesn't that look like the perfect thing to be doing now that the weather is getting frosty?! Hello hot chocolate, The Holiday DVD, and knitting christmas ornaments.

Okay so you want to make these? Here's your plan:

step 1) call us at Kamille's 801-282-0477 and we will send you your supplies ie. book, yarn, ect
step 2) Start knitting your top favorite design first-One thing that we've really fallen in love with is that you could knit up a couple of these ornaments before this Christmas and put them in a bowl as a decoration, or hang them on a door nob, or put them on the outside of gifts....How cute would that be?! And the best part is they are adorable, fun, and fast to knit!

Then throughout the next year you can work on knitting them and have enough to do your tree for next year. 41 rows have never been so satisfying!

So until we post again soon....Happy Knitting and Eating

p.s next time we will be posting one of our favorite recipes...hint:lets just say being a monster never tasted so good!