And I thought there would be tons of knitting time.

Yeah. I was wrong about that. So this knee surgery thing kicked my butt.  My doctor said that my knee was really, really bad, which makes him optimistic that it will eventually feel better.  But for now, yeah, that's why my knee hurts like hell.

I feel like I turned a corner today though by not needing THREE naps?!!  Just one.  The pain meds are making me so tired, but I still need them.  I'm moving around on the crutches a bit easier and I'm able to do my leg lifts...another big yay!!!

So what have I been up to other than sleeping?





And keeping the doggies company?

There has been some secret knitting.

My ice machine is my new best friend (it is a cool ice thing for my knee...it cost a bit of yarn money though...but so worth it!).

I've caught up on TV....both good and bad (the bad because I was too tired to change the channel...does that happen to you too?!).

Started my next online graduate class.  Fun fun.

I'm slowly working my way through The Night Circus.  Enjoying it, just finding it hard to stay awake when I start to read :)

Released my newly reformatted Burst pattern and it is on sale from now until the end of the month! 







A very special thank you to Celia for knitting these sample socks up in The Plucky Knitter Primo fingering!  I think the solid color shows off how pretty the pattern is.  Thank you Celia!  Thanks to my awesome graphic designer, Knitterella, for doing another fantastic pattern layout.  She makes this so much easier for me!!

I'm also having a special sale to celebrate the end of the Mystery Sock Knitalong!  From now until the end of Jan. 31, 2012, receive 20% off any of my individually-sold patterns available in my Ravelry Pattern Store when you enter the coupon:  ilovesocks

I still haven't been able to tell you all about TNNA.  I'll be back soon with a TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) update.  I still can't believe that a little over a week ago I was hanging with these fun ladies!


me, Zonda, and Stacey (blog friends for over five years!!)

And now 15 minutes until Downton Abbey.  A perfect way to wrap up the weekend!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

One word.

Cashmere.



I've spend the past four days at TNNA, the knitting industry's trade show in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was amazing, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, exhausting... I could go on and on.

But I'm a bit exhausted from the fun and traveling.  I promise to tell you all about it, but for now, just one word.

Cashmere.

Wait.  Let's make that five words.

Ten dollars per skein cashmere.

This special end of show deal, courtesy of Lotus Yarns, happened right as I was leaving the convention, rushing to the airport.  Probably for the best or I would have just bought more :)  It was the perfect treat to end such a wonderful weekend!

I hope to be back tomorrow with lots more pictures and details, but if I don't, please send me good healing thoughts for my knee surgery on Wednesday.  I promise to be back soon either way!

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.

This is how they spent the entire 4th quarter of last week's amazing 49er victory over the Saints!  Even during the Alex Smith-Vernon Davis Catch!  

Go Niners!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. I'm off to TNNA this weekend! SO excited! My patterns will be available in the Deep South Fibers Booth and all of my Kollage Yarns patterns will be available in their booth.

Happenings

The past week or two have been a whirlwind. A busy transition back to work left the blog unattended, but also lots of friend and family time the past few weeks.  So let's just jump right in and catch up, shall we?

A lot has been happening....

1.  My bestest friend in the whole wide world was home last week and it was so nice to spend time with her and her adorable 14-month old son, Cutiepatootie.  He's getting so big! And beyond cute!  So I quickly knit him up a new hat in Madelinetosh Chunky. 



2.  Visiting with her and another friend reminded me how blessed I am to have close friends who have known me practically my entire life (since I was 6!).  It was a good few days spending time with them.

3.  While visiting her on the East Bay, I was able to visit for the first time a new yarn store, A Yarn Less Raveled.  What a fabulous store!






This is Mindy, the shop owner.  She was absolutely delightful and so nice and so enthusiastic about the new yarns, classes, and customers.  It was so nice to see a new store so busy on a Sunday morning.


Look, a Summer Wind!  Mindy said the pattern has been selling like hotcakes!  Yay!!



They carry an amazing amount of gorgeous yarns!  Madelinetosh, Scrumptious, Shibui Knits....




I picked up a few goodies that I couldn't resist.


Yes, this 49er fan bought these colors.  You see, I promised a cute hat to my adorable baby model, and it was long overdue. 


Technically I knit two of these.  One for him and one for his twin brother.  Their mommies are big Packers fans!

4.  3 baby hats in a week.  I have to admit, it was nice to do some gift knitting for very appreciative people.  Even though it puts me behind schedule a bit when it comes to design knitting, it is worth every minute to see happy moms and adorable kids wearing something I made for them.  Plus, those suckers are quick to knit.  Instant gratification!

5.  Did you watch that 49er game?!?!  Go Niners! What an awesome win!  I'll be watching the game this coming Sunday somewhere in Phoenix as I'll be there for TNNA. I'm so excited to be able to see knitting friends, especially Zonda, and have a bit of a vacation.  My patterns will be available at the Deep South Fibers Booth!

6.  When I get back from TNNA next week, I'll be having arthroscopic surgery on my knee.  I've had two knee surgeries before, way back when when I was in grammar school and high school and playing sports nonstop.  My knee has been hurting A LOT the past six months, and despite physical therapy, it has continued to be bothersome.  Well, according to the MRI, that's because there isn't much cartilage left in there.  OUCH.  I'm actually looking forward to surgery because then I know I'll be on the road to recovery!  

7.  Blackberry Brambles has been reformatted and is now available!  The new format also features an additional size.





8.  Socks socks socks.  That's what December was all about for me.  The Sock Knitters Anonymous Mystery Sock KAL has been an awesome!  There are 544 projects right now of my design! It's not to late to come join us :) 

I also finished up a design that was released at the beginning of the month for Woolgirl's Wizard of Oz Sock Club.  The theme was the Witch's Guard and the design...Pointy Sticks.  Remember that picot I was in love with...







Note to self...take better pictures before you mail off your designs...ugh...

9.  2012 will not be all about socks.  I promise.  I have a new design on the needles for The Plucky Knitter that I just LOVE!  Well, knitting with Sarah's yarns doesn't hurt either :)   And it is not too late to sign up for Twisted's Shawlette Club that I'm designing for!  I can't wait! The line-up of designers and indie dyers is pretty awesome.  I'm so excited to be designing with Little Red Bicycle's Yarns! Her booth was one that I loved at Sock Summit!!!

 

10. Downton Abbey.  I heart it so.  If you haven't seen it, go, stop reading this.  Happiness awaits!  Oh, and for more fabulous things of 2012, check out this awesome post by Cheekyattitude.  Thank you Tricia!!

So that's what has been happening around here.  Now, what have you guys been up to?  What's on your needles?  on your Kindle? on your mind?  Do tell :)

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits