{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

These gorgeous flowers were delivered last weekend and still look fabulous! I took this picture yesterday :)  Thank you to some very dear friends for making me smile all week.  Even right now, after a 3 1/2 hour root canal, I'm smilling (well, that could be the pain meds...)!

Happy Friday everyone!  New pattern coming this weekend!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Got Hats?

There really has been knitting going on around here, despite all of the life events of the past few weeks.



The challenge of course is translating that knitting to pattern writing, test knitting, editing, etc., when life throws a curve at you.  Fortunately, you guys are awesome and hang in there with me! Keeping my fingers crossed that Dear Baby Francis will make its debut in the next week or two (I can't wait to show you the pictures!!), with the Uncle Frank hat not too far behind.  Surprisingly, despite that big pile of hats, I'm not sick of knitting it yet!  And I've inadvertently created a pile of gift knits, since only two of those need to be trunk show samples! 

I didn't even try to write up anything last week.  And as much as I was enjoying my new sock design, I wanted something a bit more mindless, comforting.  I needed to just knit.  And then the design jumped out at me and it was on the needles.

 

A cozy, slightly-oversized, cowl, inspired by my Winnie socks, in luxurious, 100% Aran cashmere from The Plucky Knitter.  Talk about chicken soup for the soul.  I've been saving this yarn for something special and the cowl flew off the needles.  The matching fingerless gloves are almost done too.  This is going to be such a fun holiday gift knit.  My sister commented that too bad it wasn't in her colors.  My mom, smart lady, said, I'll take it.  To both I say no way!  But, it was such a quick knit, I'm thinking my mom may finally get her gray fingerless gloves this year!

The only thing I need now is a name.  I would love to call it Mimi, but there are a gazillion patterns named Mimi.  I also thought Comfort Food, because that was what it was for me.  But, the colorway is called Golightly, and part of me wants to focus on the cozy, happy, cheerful ness that that name says to me.  I'm tempted to call it Golightly.  There are just a few patterns with a similar name, but not quite Golightly.  I will say, I can't wait to wear this when it is snowy up in Tahoe with a cup of hot cocoa.  Or enjoying a big scoop of ice cream :)

Then I thought you guys may have some thoughts.  Anyone? 

I'll be back later this week with a few other fun knitting related updates!  What do you guys have on your needles this week?  Oh, and any new tv shows you've been knitting away too?  I really enjoyed Prime Suspect and Revenge last week!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Happy Friday!!  

This weekend is all about relaxing and knitting!  Well, and football.  And even pattern writing!! And my sister is dragging taking us to a bridal faire (eek! my first.  oh. boy.).  Teasing of course, sis.  Well, I think I'm teasing.  I have had my DVD of Bridesmaids sitting unopened all week, just waiting for the weekend to watch it (awesome, funny, fabulous movie!!)!

What are you guys up to this weekend?  How's your week been?  I'm slowly catching up on work, which means I may have some actual knitting content to show you this weekend!

Happy Weekend!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Goodness, isn't Little Guy just too cute?!  His little flip flops, his I'm so happy to be around all the airplanes smile, his Star Wars shirt that he is so proud of! So wish he lived closer....can't wait to see him in a few weeks! Auntie IGK loves you Bubby!

A Good Day.

It has actually been two good days, with the farmer's market, soccer game, and a Notre Dame football victory starting off the weekend on a good note.  Oh, and just about the cutest baby photo shoot yesterday at the park!  Routine sure does help sometimes.

But today was a really good day.  One I had been looking forward to...  a whole day with Lil' Guy!  That munchkin sure does make me smile :)

I'm afraid I might have used up our favorite rainy day adventure by going to the local Airplane Museum, but he was so excited to go, and it was just enough adventure for the week our family has had.

A few highlights...





Grandma joined us and I'm so glad she did!  Because while she and lil' guy went outside and saw 28 airplanes, in just about 20 minutes or so....



....I got to spend 20 minutes knitting on my new sock design.  I cast this on last Friday evening and it hasn't made much progress.  Those 20 minutes of happy knitting just felt right again :)




The Plucky Knitter Primo fingering, colorway Sticky Toffee



After the airplane museum and a NAP, Lil Guy had fun showing Pa his new airplane.



The doggies were worn out after the fun day too! Although I'm not as sleepy as they are, I do think an early night is called for!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single (or this week, maybe two) photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Last Saturday Lil' Snowboarder had her first soccer game ever, a very happy moment in a very sad week.  I know Mimi would have enjoyed seeing those cute pink uniforms, and more importantly, the happy smile on Lil' Snowboarder's face.  

Thank you all so very much for your kind thoughts and prayers.  Today we will have a small family service for Mimi, and then a weekend of family fun...just as she would have wanted.  Lil' Guy will be here for the weekend, just the thing I need to ensure a happy weekend :)

I love you guys. Thank you for being here this past week.  I felt the hugs.

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

I love you Mimi.

Such a sad post to write. 



Mimi, my great-aunt, who with her two sisters, Cotty and Dotty (my grandma), raised my mom and her brother, and has been like another Grandmother to me, had a massive stroke Friday evening.  My mom, brother, sister, and I were able to come up to Reno to be with her and say goodbye.  I was with her all day today and shortly after the priest came to give her her last rites, and the 49ers and Giants both won (she was a big fan!), Mimi passed away peacefully while I was by her side.



I know she is in a better place and with her sisters and brother.  I miss her already.  Thank you all for the kind thoughts and prayers this weekend.  I so appreciate you guys being there for me and my family.

My heart is broken.

I love you Mimi.
xoxo Carrie

Dancette

Guess what is available for download via Ravelry?  Dancette!

I know many of you have been asking when the pattern only would be available, either because you couldn't make it to Sock Summit or because your stash was already bursting with sock yarn you couldn't justify indulging in the awesome kits from The Plucky Knitter!  So here it is!

Dancette 

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Primo MCN 75/20/5, colorways Roasted Pumpkin and Milk Maid, one skein of each; Modeled by Thayer Preece, Photo credit: Tricia Soto

I'm pretty crazy about the lovely yarns by Sarah Dimond, The Plucky Knitter.  Sarah is mad about all things chevron.  Together, I think we are both head over heels for this shawl, Dancette.  In architecture, dancette is an ornamental molding that features a zigzag pattern.  Here, the zigzag edging gives this shawl that extra something!

As much as I love this version, I really, really love this version by the Knotty Mommy.  This is one of those knits where you can really play with color!  I can't wait to see more of these knit up.

If you are a LYS interested in carrying this pattern in your store, Dancette, along with many of my other patterns, is now available for wholesale through Deep South Fibers.

Happy Almost Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

The List of Stuff I've Been Meaning to Tell You

I've been writing this post to you guys for at least the past few days.  Well, writing may be a stretch.  Composing in my head may be a better way to put it.  A running list of oh, I have to remember to blog that too.  And before the list gets any longer, here you go!

1. Contest winners!!!  The big winner of an IrishgirlieKnits Tote bag and yarn and goodies is Sue!  I've emailed you for your address info.  And since so many of you shared what you were looking forward to, and I so enjoyed hearing about it, I thought I'd pick a few more winners to pick a free pattern from my Ravelry Pattern Store.  Any pattern, including my newly released Dancette and Capitola patterns! Those winners are:

• Liette
• Katbetty on Rav
• DianeV on Rav 

Just PM me on Ravelry with the pattern you would like and I'll send it over!  Congrats!

2. I did some frogging this past weekend!



A few projects that were just lingering for way too long! It felt good to free up some yarn!! And needles. And project bags :)  Come on guys, you know you probably have something that has been on the needles for way too long.  Frog something.  Go do it now before you lose your nerve!!

3. I finished reading The Help and absolutely loved it!  I can't wait to see the movie.

4. I promptly downloaded Rachel Herron's new book, A Life in Stitches.  I can't wait to see the movie (well, hey, you never know, right!)!  I love it already and I'm only a few stories in.

5. I cast on for a new sock.  One of my favorite knitting things in the world, that I can't imagine ever tiring of, is starting a new sock!



Look at that pretty pretty One-Hit-Wonder skein of The Plucky Knitter's.  Of course, there hasn't really been much knitting progress beyond casting that on.  See #6.

6. In the last week, I've had 4 doctors appointments, and another tomorrow!  Tomorrow is a follow-up on the knee problems from last month, but the other four have been about some forehead pain that is seriously cramping my style! I'm over the bump on the side of my face.  Ugh.  This is the second time this has happened, so that is making my doctors and me a bit nervous, but the recommended treatment right now is to ice it?! Ok, enough whining about a pain that feels like a neverending headache.  Thank you all for the well wishes and good thoughts over on Twitter today.  I do appreciate it!

7. I had the pain even before the let's-not-talk-about-it Notre Dame loss last weekend.  What a buzz kill to the start of college football season!  But, Go Irish Beat Michigan!!!  Saturday night game is going to be awesome!

8.  I discovered a new type of apple last weekend at the farmer's market.  Pink Pearl.  LOVE! I'll be getting more this weekend :)



Did I tell you I just love fall!!!???!!!

9.  Speaking of fall, our IGK Fall KAL is here!  Come join us as we knit either the Honey Badger Socks or Love Letters sock.  As always, the selected pattern will be on sale for a limited time for the KAL, so Love Letters will be 20% off between now and Sunday, Sept. 11 when you use the coupon code: bringonfall    




10. Those glorious stitches I cast on at Knit Nite last night. Frogged. haha. Oh, knit nite fun!

Okay, must to bed!  Hope you guys are having a great week!! 
Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Knit Nite

After a few weeks of absences, I made it to knit nite tonight. Can't you tell? Two hours later and this is all the knitting. But my cup runneth over with all the laughter, love and support of my knitting friends! So worth it!

Back tomorrow with a contest winner, the new IGK KAL, and more! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Happy knitting!
xoxo irishgirlieknits

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Happy Friday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Capitola

Seems fitting that as summer winds down, I'm able to release my Capitola sock pattern for you.  They are such a quick knit, you could start them now and have them ready to wear in a week or two when fall is here!  A little bit of summer for your feet.

These socks were originally knit for a kit for Sunshine Yarns.  Of course, I think it was Dani's plan to just ensure my love for her yarns, because I think since knitting these I've enhanced my stash with a few more skeins of Dani's gorgeous yarns!

Capitola 





Shown in Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sport, colorway Desert Cactus

I LOVED knitting with Dani's yarns.  The Luxury Sport was, well, luxury.  And talk about a quick knit!  Her colors are just gorgeous!

This pattern reminds me a lot of all the things I love about my Cotty Socks. Its written for both sportweight and fingering weight yarns, looks great in both semi-solids and variegated yarns, and features an easy to memorize pattern.





Shown in Sunshine Yarns Classic Sock, colorway Caramel Swirl




Once again, Jill did an awesome job with the pattern layout.



Summer knitting at the coast. Feet up on the balcony, listening to the ocean waves crashing against the cliffs below. Sun shining down. Just imagine yourself in Capitola, the charming beach village in Santa Cruz County, CA where these socks were knit. The easy to memorize pattern on these socks, paired with the gorgeous Sunshine yarns, make them the perfect summer project!

More info is listed here.  I think I may need to get a start on holiday knitting and cast on another pair of these!  Perfect chance to take advantage of the IGK back-to-school sale too! From now until Sept. 5, all of my individual patterns sold through my Ravelry store, including Capitola, are 25% off when you enter the couupon code: backtoschool .



Happy happy weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits