YPF: The Honeycrisp Edition

Wow...January has been kicking my butt at work! Luckily, I have my favorite apples to keep me on track! I've been trying to grab these intead of chocolate for my afternoon snack!

So how could I resist this gorgeous colorway! Its named Honeycrisp. Seriously yummy.

Squoosh Merino Cashmere Sock. It had me at cashmere.

80% merino, 10% nylon, 10% cashmere. 100% love!

Yum yum yum!

Here's to a fabulous weekend!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

A Me Day

I took a me day today. It involved...

1) Sleeping in.

2) Taking a long walk with the doggies.

They were tired afterwards.

3) Trying a recipe from my new cookbook.

Apples for Jam: A Colorful Cookbook

It was the Chicken Casserole recipe and it was delicious. Leftovers for tomorrow too!

And served with whole wheat pasta, its even healthy!

4) Casting on a new sock. I'm blaming her for this. hehehe

5) Feeling ready to face the world again tomorrow!

Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Got Soup?

Its been one of those weeks. Actually, just a couple of days, but it feels like a week. I'll be glad when this work week is done. One more day.

The only project I've touched since late Tuesday night was this.



I knit just two rows Tuesday night. Three or four last night. A few more tonight.



And when I read this post last night, I understood why. As Sam said, garter stitch is chicken noodle soup. Well, garter stitch + socks that rock heavyweight = chicken noodle soup for me. Maybe its chicken with stars...hehehe



Picking up my Tickled Pink Blanket that Rocks! after quite a few months just felt good. Tomorrow has got to be better!

Happy almost Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

The Power of a Knitalong

It motivates me to finish!

If you haven't joined us in the Socks that Rawk! Leyburn KAL...c'mon!!

As much as I'm ready to cast on another one, right this second, I'm going to try to finish up my Trickle socks first.

Pattern: Leyburn Socks
Yarn: Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Potomac
Needles: US 2, 2.75mm
Mods: Knit cuff-down, co 60 stitches

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Why look...a new sweater! Again!

This cutie patootie just got a new sweater! Irishgirlie-made...circa 2003!
I knit it for my best friend's niece. She wore it, and her younger sister wore it, and her mom thought I might like it back for future babies! So thoughtful (I never expected it back)!

Can you tell I was crazy?! Seriously. The fringe was how I learned to crochet. I clearly remember going to a Wednesday knitting night help session to learn how to add the fringe. The birthday party was Saturday morning. Fun fun. Would probably never knit this again!

But Miss H seems to love it!! And has plenty of room to grow!

I think she may love it mostly because Auntie Rowan gave it to her! Aren't they cute!!

I just added the details to my ravelry page here!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Finish or Frog It Friday!

Happy Friday! Boy its been a long week if I haven't posted since last weekend! I'm really looking forward to a nice, long weekend!

I've been in a major organizing mode since the new year! I've been destashing yarn, organizing yarn, making lists of to knit/to finish. Notice I didn't say buying yarn...hehehe... I tried, I really did, but I didn't score in last week's Plucky Knitter update. I figured it was a sign. So, when I came across the Finish or Frog It KAL on Trillian's blog, well, looked like a good idea to me!

The details are here, but simply, its taking the time on Fridays to evaluate your WIP/UFO situation. I know I won't necessarily do this every Friday, but hopefully at least once or twice a month.

Today, we are celebrating Frogging Friday!!!

Oh, my dear circular shrug, you were so close to being finished two Christmas' ago. Yes, that is December 2006 I believe. 80% finished no less. But something, deep down, told me this just wasn't going to be a "me" accessory/shrug. I tried to ignore that voice and kept you sleeping. Thinking someday I'll sit down and finish you and look super cute! Super wrong. And off to the frog pond you go! And the unused skeins...off to destash land you go! I have to admit.... it feels GOOD!!! Woo-hoo!! Not quite like finishing a project, but heck, I now have one less UFO sitting around!!

Anyone else have some frogging to do?!?!

Happy Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Jingle bells, jingle bells...

Oh wait. Its January. Oh well, they'll be ready for next Christmas!

Socks that Rock lightweight, colorway Jingle Bell Rocks

Cast on on Christmas Eve, then put aside to finish up the gift knitting. My first finished pair of the new year!!! Monkeys + STR = LOVE! Right, Neuroknitter?

Happy Monday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Sunday Fun!

Tapmouse and Nartian and I met up at Purlescence today for their annual yarn swap! Wow. There was a lot of yarn. And acrylic. My goal was just to get rid of some.



Nathania tempted many of us by showing us all the new Dream in Color Classy colors. They are soooooo vibrant and gorgeous! And many were calling my name, but I resisted. Today at least.



I made a bit of progress on my STR Leyburns for the Socks that Rawk! KAL! Tapmouse and Nartian were already done with one sock each!! This pattern really is quite gorgeous paired with the STR!



I'm ready to turn the heel on the first sock!!

It was a great day catching up with my girls at my favorite yarn store!

Hope your day was happy to!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

2009 is Mine :)

I mean to say that it will be all about me. But that sounds a bit, I don't know, self-centered.

I look forward to New Year's. There is something about a new year, a fresh start. I'm not sure if I've always been this way, but at least the past few years I know I've looked forward to a new beginning. 2007 was a year that was very hard for me and really left me caring for the others in my life, more than taking care of myself. 2008 started similarly. It wasn't until I made the decision to take an unplanned, unscheduled vacation for me in April that I started putting myself first. I really want to continue the momentum I felt toward the end of last year and make 2009 the year that I took care of myself.

My goal for the new year is simple. I am going to put myself first and take care of myself....physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Simple, yet not so easy.

Big goal, little steps.

I'm going to exercise 5 or 6 days a week. Or at least make a conscious effort to do so. 30 minutes a day they say.

I'm going to eat healthy. Keep going to weight watchers (and not just when I've lost weight).

I'm going to make time to cook more and try new recipes.

I'm going to read more. If I'm on the treadmill more, that should increase my reading time. Believe it or not, I joined the 52 books in 52 weeks group over on Ravelry. NOT because I'll be able to read 52 books, but to be part of a group that enjoys reading and recommends good books, etc. will keep me motivated. I'd be happy with 12. We'll see how I do.

I'm going to be better about sticking to my budget. Cooking at home more will help. Being more conscious of the "extra" things I buy...thinking do I really need this?

I'm going to knit more from my stash. Note that I didn't say I was going on a yarn diet. Don't quite think that'll work for me. You know, that diet thing. Maybe I'll have Fall In Love with Your Stash Fridays...FILYSF...or not. I'm hoping that this will be my hardest goal to achieve (if I lose 40 pounds this year but keep buying yarn, well, not too bad). But, hey, I haven't bought yarn in a week. Good start.

I'm going to keep challenging myself with my knitting. I've even already started this one. Both Snowboarder and Lil' Guy have new hats, designed by me. Soon to be seen by you.

I'm going to sock camp. And sock summit.

I'm going to take care of me.


So, as I was wrapping this post up, looking for a linky-link, I was distracted by Amanda's blog post. Go read it. She and a few others are using one tiny little word to focus on for 2009. Health. Now. Purpose. Maybe I was onto something with the title of this post.

My word for 2009......

Mine : that which belongs to me

Looking forward to 2009!! Thanks for coming along for the ride!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Back to work...

...but first let me remember one of the reasons why I work. So I can go on vacation. It was quick, but just what we needed after the busy holidays!

Do you think my phone works here?

Look I'm wearing my cowl! And boy was I glad. So cold. Now I get the whole cowl thing. Must knit more.

My attempt to be a bit more like Neuroknitter. I'll keep trying :)

There was lots of knitting. I'll get to that later.

Happy almost Monday.
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Gorgeous. Beautiful. Wish you were here.

Snowboarder and I are up at Lake Tahoe for the weekend. Our annual holiday trip. We drove up yesterday in the snow, and awoke this morning to this!



On the drive up I finished my first knit of 2009. A pair of Toasty. Finally, after six pairs for gifts, a pair for me. In 100% cashmere. My new yarn love, The Plucky Knitter Aran Cashmere in the colorway Moat, and it took just one skein (with just a few modifications....see here).



And they are mighty Toasty!



Wishing everyone a nice and cozy weekend!

Stay Toasty!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Let's Talk Socks!

I knit 22 pairs of socks in 2008.

Wow.

Still doesn't justify my sock stash (but its such a pretty stash!).

If I had to pick a favorite pair of 2008, well it would be my Lucky socks from the Rockin' Sock Club. Mainly for sentimental reasons! They were quite lucky for me in so many ways!




I left three WIPs socks on the needles...one of them, my Jingle Bell Monkeys! They'll be done soon though!





And those WIPs socks didn't stop me from casting on a new sock, early in the new year!



They are Leyburn socks, in STR mediumweight, colorway Potomac. Love! We're having a little KAL over at the Socks that Rawk! group on ravelry....wanna join us?? You know you do!

I've been thinking of goals for the new year, and one of them is definitely going to be trying to use my stash as much as I can! Fortunately, my dad and sister stocked up for me for Christmas!




Gorgeous yarns my sister picked out for me over at Woolgirl! (beware, Woolgirl's having an awesome New Year's Sale, click at your own risk)

Here's to many more socks in 2009!

Happy New Year!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits