Paris Anyone?

I'm so excited to share my two new designs from Kollage Yarns! Introducing....

Le Petit Pont

When Erica from Kollage Yarns asked me to design a one-skein scarf project out of 200 yards of this gorgeous, silky, Creamy yarn, I'll admit, I was a bit nervous. Would that be enough yarn? It almost felt like my own version of Project Runway. Make it work!

The color and the lace reminded me of springtime in Paris, sipping on cafe au lait and enjoying a fresh macaroon. Le Petit Pont....the little bridge. This little bridge in Paris. I also knew that for me, I'd want the flexibility of a slightly larger scarf for those breezy walks along the River Seine (oh, how I wish the photo shoot budget allowed for this!).

400 yards of fingering weight Kollage Creamy yarn was the perfect amount for this larger version of Le Petit Pont. The pattern features both sizes.

My test knitter, Discoknits, did a fabulous job knitting up this version. I can't wait to cast on my own! Gaylen test knit TWO of the smaller versions and I'll share pictures of those once I get to Stitches East. Thank you, thank you Disco and Gaylen! You both are such wonderful knitters and were beyond super speedy!

Le Petit Pont features an easy to memorize 8-stitch, 8-row pattern. Every other row is a simple purl row without lace patterning. As I knit on my scarf, I fell in love with the ease of the pattern and the gorgeous results, and immediately thought of a warmer, cozier version for the winter. And, if it was a cowl or infinity scarf, then every other row would be knit, which equals an even easier design. Which is a definite win for me. I pitched this idea to Erica, and a few days later, gorgeous skeins of Kollage Yarns Solace arrived on my doorstep.

Pont Neuf

I'll admit it. I'm enamoured with the infinity scarf version of Pont Neuf. I'm already on my second one (for me to keep!)! A big thank you to Nartian who test knit this in less than three days! Seriously, where would I be without my knitting friends?! The pattern uses approximately 300-325 yards (you'll need 4 skeins of Solace, but will use less than 3 1/2 skeins) makes me think of lots of yarns I can stashbust with. Can anyone say Christmas gifts??

The cowl version uses approximately 125-150 yards (2 skeins) and knits up in a flash. You can probably get both versions out of 5 skeins. Again, holiday gifts!

For a few minutes during our photo shoot, as we sat outside Pamplemousse Patisserie et Cafe, on a misty Sunday morning when the Bay Area got its first rain, I almost felt like we were in Paris. My dear friends, Thayer, aka Ilikecake, my gorgeous model, and Tricia, my photographer who is willing to climb ledges and chairs to get just the right shot, were absolutely amazing again. If ever there is a book (hey, a girl can dream), you know who will be on the cover and who will be behind the camera. And I promise to pay them in actual money, not just macarons and quiche :) Big hugs ladies!! I so appreciate it!

Both patterns are available for immediate download at Patternfish (Le Petit Pont and Pont Neuf) and will be available this weekend at Stitches East in The Fine Needle booth #218, 220, 222. You'll find me either in their booth or the Kollage Yarns booth so be sure to stop by and say hi and to check out the new patterns in person! The patterns will also be available at your favorite LYS that carries Kollage Yarns.

With less than 2 months until Christmas, both Le Petit Pont and Pont Neuf will make quick, gorgeous gifts this holiday season! I know what I'll be knitting a few more of.

Quick reminder about the Sock-a-licious and Bellingrath Pattern giveaway going on. Enter here for a chance to win! And don't forget about my pattern sale. Receive 20% off any of my individually sold patterns by using the coupon code stitcheseast from now until Nov.1.

Happy Knitting! Au Revoir!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Contest Time!

Best way to beat away the Monday blahs, well, other than counting down the number of sleeps until Stitches East, would be a contest, right?!

I've been meaning to give away a skein of Sock-a-licious and my Bellingrath Pattern for awhile now!



Kollage also donated a set of square DPNs and a clear project bag too!

The contest is easy....just leave a comment :) And if you having any thoughts on the following, that would be great too (you guys always have the best info/recommendations!)...
*favorite new-to-you blog of any kind
*favorite app for an Android phone (I've had the Sprint HTC EVO for a few months now and feel like I still don't know much about all the "extras")
*the "it" knitting pattern for the holidays or what you want to knit now!
*any other favorite you want to share

I'll announce a winner at the end of the week. In the meantime, don't forget about my pattern sale. Receive 20% off any of my individually sold patterns by using the coupon code stitcheseast from now until Nov.1.

And check back soon for the new patterns being released! It is going to be a great week here, I can feel it!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Coming Soon!!

I'm so excited for this week to get here! Just 5 more sleeps until I leave for Stitches East! Not only do I get to see my dear friends Erica, Marcy, and Debbi, but hopefully I get to meet many online and new knitting friends too! Are any of you going?

I'll also have two new designs released this week for Stitches East! They should be available online Monday or Tuesday too!

Here's a sneak peek from our photo shoot last weekend...

What would I do without my gorgeous model, ilikecake, and fabulous photographer, cheekyattitude? We had a great Sunday morning last weekend at Pamplemousse, a lovely local bakery.

I'm also celebrating with a pattern sale too! From now until midnight, Nov.1, enter the coupon code stitcheseast when you buy any of my individually sold patterns from my pattern store and you'll receive 20% off! Feel free to spread the word!

Happy Weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

And the winner is...

I've picked a name for my new scarf pattern! Thank you again for all of the suggestions!



Introducing.... Le Petit Pont (little bridge in French). And when I googled it, this picture showed up, and I knew it was perfect. Notre-Dame. Eleven years ago when I was in Paris, I probably stood on this bridge. I have to thank Sandi Rosner for her fabulous name suggestion! Yes, that Sandi Rosner, the one who designed the Four Seasons Wrap that I happen to be knitting on right now. And I'm not sure I have yarn in my stash that Sandi would want, but I have a better idea of a prize for her!!



So I picked another random winner from the name contest too! Elizabeth D! Congratulations! Email me at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com and I'll get a prize out to you!


When I was knitting this scarf and thinking of springtime in Paris, I also knew I wanted to knit this pattern in a worsted yarn. I just loved the texture the lace fabric created. And then I suggested my idea to Erica for an infinity scarf and cowl pattern out of Solace and she loved it! So, really, I needed two names, since I thought these patterns coordinated nicely.

The next pattern will be Pont Neuf, another bridge in Paris. I suggested a photo shoot in Paris, but for some reason, that didn't make the budget :) Maybe next time.

Here is a sneek peak of the infinity scarf version of Pont Neuf in progress.



It is blocking now! Phew! As the photo shoot is tomorrow.....

Patterns coming soon!!

Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Socktoberfest!!

I can't believe that we are already in the second week of October and I haven't shared my excitement for Socktoberfest!

I'm hoping to cast on for the Through the Loops' Mystery Sock at some point this month, but I promised myself to finish up a pair or two first. I have at least seven different socks on the needles! Eek!!

I'm hoping to finish my Uncle Frank socks soon!




And I'm making progress on my Fightin' Irish socks too!



Halfway done....a turning point, just like my Irish, who are finally 3-3!



Um...and yes...Socktoberfest wouldn't be complete without some stash enhancement, right?



This gorgeous skein of STR lightweight in Copperline arrived last week. Can we say gorgeous?




And this pretty, well, it was a prize for winning last quarter's Stashdown! I just love this color of Have You Any Wool Simple Sock in Tart! Thanks Tracy for donating it!!



Even Puddy is excited for Socktoberfest!

I promise to be back in the next day or two to reveal the winning name of my new pattern!! Thank you thank you for all of your suggestions! A few of those names have inspired a different pattern or two! Oh, if only there was more knitting time!

Happy Socktoberfest!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

The Name Game

Remember this.

It became this.

And Disco is testing a larger version here.

It is my new design for Kollage Yarn's spring collection. The small version takes just one skein of Creamy yarn, the larger two skeins.

I'll admit, as much as I love knitting socks and designing socks, there is definitely an instant gratification to smaller projects like this. I can't wait to knit another one for me!

But, there is a problem. The pattern doesn't have a name yet. Usually one comes to me rather quickly or while I'm knitting the project, but this one. I'm stumped.

The colorway is Purple Poem. For some reason I immediately thought of springtime in Paris when I saw this color. Perhaps it was wishful thinking. The Creamy yarn is made from milk. Disco called it Creamy McDreamy and that name is definitely stuck in my head. And the scarf is so drapey, that that made Disco think of Drapery, as in Don Draper of Mad Men, which I'm watching right now. Love Mad Men.

But still no name.

That's where you all come in. I'm hoping you guys will have some fabulous suggestions for me! And to get those creative juices flowing, I'll be sure to send a lucky random winner some pretty yarn from my stash!

Thanks in advance!

Happy Naming!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Friday!

A few reasons why it is happy...

1. I took a much needed personal day today! A nice long 3-day weekend is exactly what I needed. I'm looking forward to knitting, sleeping, knitting, sleeping, and reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I'm on page 260 and loving it!).

2. It is October. That means Screw-You-September is over!! October is definitely going to be a better month, I can just feel it.

3. I can announce this!

I'll be part of the Kollage Yarns team at Stitches East!! I'm beyond excited! I've never been to Stitches East, plus I anticipate being able to see quite a few of my friends back there!

Speaking of Bellingrath, it has been exciting to see this knit up by other people! Here's a gorgeous one, another beautiful one, and one more fabulous one!

I haven't had too much time to work on my newest Bellingrath, but I do hope to finish it by Stitches East! This one is in Bugga!! (and guess who will also be at Stitches East? Yeap, Sanguine Gryphon)!

4. Happy Friday includes lunch and knitting with friends!

Hope you all have a happy Friday too!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits