Go! Go! Go!

First question, are you guys getting any work done with the Olympics on??  It was soooo hard to go to work today.  Why can't I stay home, watch the Olympics and knit?



Next question, can you knit during some of those close races??  I'll admit, it was hard to knit during the end of men's gymnastics tonight and some of the swimming events!  But my shawl is moving along nicely and I'm loving the colors (thank you guys!!)!  I'll most likely put this on hold once I get to the lace section as I really need to finish my Sunshine Yarns design and I'm so close to finishing that.

My first Ravellenic Games project is done!



Now that I've knit this hat six times (easy peasy knit!), I really need to write up the pattern.  I wanted to do a "guy" version though, without the yarn overs.  Here it is in The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted, colorway Oz.

Reminder that Tuesday is the last day for my Olympic sale!  All IGK individual designs are 30% off when you enter the coupon code: goforgold  in the ravelry shopping cart.

Tomorrow night I'll be cheering on Michael Phelps as he goes for the gold! And go Team USA in the Women's Gymnastics!  We are even moving knit nite to a local bar/restaurant to knit while watching the games (well, and drinking margaritas!)!

Happy Olympics!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Let the Games Begin!

An exciting few days so far with the Opening Ceremonies and the first day of the Olympics!

 

I got in a pre-Olympics swim Friday with my new swim cap and goggles :)  Then headed to my sister's for a little Opening Ceremonies party!



I think Danny Boyle did an awesome job on the ceremonies!  Loved James Bond and the Queen, the children's literature part, David Beckham, the flame, everything!  I can't wait to go back to London....I have to say the city has looked amazing the last few days!



My mom even brought her knitting to the party!  I actually didn't make as much progress between chit-chatting and watching, but when I was home for the flame, this is where I was.



I was mulling over your advice about the color for my shawl, so I started on another quick Dotty hat (I know, I know, must write up the pattern! But I wanted to try a guy version without the yarn over this time).



This is where I was last night after archery, swimming, basketball, beach volleyball, and more!  And then after gymnastics and more swimming, I finished it last night!  Pictures to come soon!  I cast on last night with the gray and blue for the shawl (thanks guys!)!

So are you you enjoying the Olympics so far?  How's your Ravellenic Games knitting going? Favorite moments so far?  It was nice to see Ryan Lochte win gold, but I hope Michael can pull through for the rest of the games!

Just a reminder that my pattern sale continues until Tuesday, July 31.  Receive 30% off any Irish Girlie Knits Designs individual pattern when you use the coupon code: goforgold in your ravelry shopping cart.

Happy Olympics!!
xoxo Irishgirliekntis

Are you ready?

For the XXX Summer Olympics?!!  I can't wait!  My sister and I are already planning an opening ceremonies viewing party!

Of course, around here, the Olympics also mean the Knitting Olympics, or as they are called this year, the Ravellenic Games.

I know I'll be joining Team Plucky and Team Smackdown Smashdown!  I can't wait to participate, but I'll admit, I haven't trained properly.  I have a gazillion projects I think I might do and really have only committed to one, I think. 



I want to knit this shawl, but with two colors, to give another option when I publish the pattern.  I'm leaning towards the dark black with the blue, but have wavered between the cream and blue and the grey and blue too.  See, I'm so not prepared.





After that, I'm just not sure.  My list has varied between the following:

baby something
blackberry brambles shawl
Cotty fingerless mitts
baby snowboarder hat
another Dotty hat (another in progress new design)
completely new design  (sorta thinking not at this point)
socks, because you can never have enough, right Dad?

We'll see.  I still have another day and most of the "other" projects are a bit smaller.  What do you guys think?  Any opinions? Thoughts?  Oh, and I do have to finish the current design I'm doing for Sunshine Yarns, so that is going to cut into my time a bit too.

So have you guys all decided what you are knitting? Are you like me and haven't quite decided?  Just in case you are I'm offering a special sale this week!  In the spirit of the 30th Summer Olympics, I'm offering a 30% off individual Irish Girlie Knits Designs from now until July 31!  Just enter the coupon code:  goforgold  in your Ravelry shopping cart.

Happy almost Olympics!!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

My Kind of Evening

Good food.






Sangria. Knitting. Good friends.





And you can't quite tell from the first picture, but this is the view.




Happy Saturday!
Xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Good Things and Random Things

Good Thing.

My sister went on her honeymoon to Kauai, Hawaii and brought me back yarn!  Love her!  And honestly, the fact that her husband went with her to the yarn shop makes me love him a bit more too!



I just love it! So vibrant and of course, my colors :)  My little sis knows her yarns...a lovely merino, hand dyed on Kauai.  Just perfect.

Random Thing.

My sister and I have been roommates for almost 10 years I think and are both in the process of moving.  It has been all about packing for the last week or so.  I have discovered that in addition to the things I already know I have too much of (YARN), I also have too much of a bunch of other things.  Such as...

1. Flip Flops.  Seriously.  Way too many.

2. Notre Dame sweatshirts.  Yes, I'm an alumni and yes come fall football Saturdays I live in one, but I think we are counting 7 or 8.  I had no problem getting rid of the gazillion flip flops, but I haven't come to terms with possibly getting rid of my sweatshirts.

3. DVDs.  Fortunately my mom took a lot of the romantic comedies I decided I had too many of, so I could still borrow them.  I'll admit, I kept Twilight.

4. Make-up.  Particularly eye shadows.  Nothing wrong with make-up but who knew how much I had of it and considering I still barely wear it, it boggles my mind a bit.

5.  Purses.  Oy. I had already sent a few to the goodwill bin before I discovered another box of them in storage.  So if I hadn't even seen them in over two years, yeap, I knew it was time for them to go.  Totes, handbags, pink, blue.  Too many.  There are going to be some happy people at goodwill in the next few weeks.

Good Thing.

Tricia and I, and about 220 other knitters, went to A Verb for Keeping Warm on Sunday to hear the Yarn Harlot's talk, "This is Your Brain on Knitting."  Since I didn't go to sock camp this year, I had missed seeing Stephanie and it was so awesome to hear her speak.  



My favorite photo of the evening :)



Here's a great one of a knitter gifting Steph with a Canadian washcloth she knit for her.  So sweet.

Random Thing.

My to-do list is crazy long.  I keep checking things off and more things get added.  Does this happen to you?  I guess with it being summer I thought I'd have a bit more time.  Of course, the packing doesn't help with the time factor.

But I don't care what my to-do list looks like next week when the Olympics start.  I can't wait!!!!

Good Thing.

Disco sent me a new CD to listen to.  This one.  I heart it big time.  Plus, I kinda feel like Disco is in the car driving with me, signing a long :)

Random Thing.

I still haven't decided what I'm knitting for the not Ravelympics, but Ravellenic Games.  Must decide.  Pretty sure I'll be on Team Plucky and Team Stashdown Smackdown!  What are you guys knitting?

Good Thing.

I've been knitting away on my new shawl design for Sunshine Yarns and I'm still enjoying MI-5 on Netflix.  Even thought they.are.still.killing.off.the.characters.I.love. Seriously.  Not just season finales, but season openers, random episodes. I am afraid to get attached to anyone else.  Makes for great knitting marathon watching.

Random Thing.

I'm taking a mini-vacation this weekend and not bringing my computer with me.  I'll bring my ipad, but bye-bye computer.  This girlie needs a break :)

Good Thing.

This will be my view this weekend.



Just add sangria, girlfriends, and knitting. 

Hope you have a good weekend too! Anything fun planned?

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Something New

I love that moment when you have figured out your next project.  This week, something from Sunshine Yarns! 

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Summer of Socks!

Over in our Irish Girlie Knits Group on Ravelry, we are having an unofficial IGK Summer of Socks knitalong.  And believe it or not, I finally have a finished pair of socks!!  My BFF is going to be so happy to be getting her birthday socks....even if it is a few weeks late!

My Cotty socks, in The Plucky Knitter 80/20 Superwash Merino Nylon sock yarn.





It seems like forever since I have finished a pair of socks, but actually, I did finish a new sock design back in June for Knitted Wit's and Sincere Sheep's Among Friends Yarn Club.  And I can now release it for sale!

Here is Candy Necklace  

When you have fun, sassy variegated yarns, you need a design that allows those colors to shine.  This pattern does just that.  Plus, the easy-to-memorize lace that travels the length of the sock almost reminds me a bit of those fun Candy Necklaces that we wore with our friends as children.  I know Knitted Wit’s sweet, candy-colored yarn sure does too!

Pattern: Candy Necklace

Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock. Charts are provided on the last page.

Suggested Yarns: 340-400 yards of light fingering weight yarn such as Knitted Wit Superwash BFL, Sincere Sheep Keen

Materials:

Size US 1.0 (2.25mm) or size to obtain gauge, either DPNs or circular needles

Stitch markers

Tapesty needle

Gauge: 38 stitches and 54 rows = 4” over st st

Size: adult women’s Small (Medium, Large)

Finished measurements: 6 ¾ (7 ¾, 8 ¾)" foot circumference;  6” leg length

Since the summer is a perfect time to knit socks, I'm offering a special introductory price of $4.00 on the pattern until July 16, 2012!  No coupon needed! 
 

At TNNA last month, my other new sock design, Alpine Lake Socks, was released by Kollage Yarns. 





I designed these back in December when I designed the Alpine Lake Cowl- I loved the pattern so much I knit the cowl too!



The stitch pattern is perfect for solid or variegated yarns, and is also a great unisex pattern!  I actually knit dad a pair out of STR heavyweight (using the small size of the pattern with the heavier yarn) back in December as well.  I'll have to get a picture of those soon!

Size: Adult Small (Medium, Large)

Finished measurements: 6 ¼ (7 ½, 8 ¾)" foot circumference; 5 ¾ (5 ¾, 5 ¼)” approximate leg length

Materials:

·         1 (1, 2) skein(s) Kolláge Yarns Sock-a-licious, 70% merino, 20% nylon, 10% silk, 354 yds/100 g skein; Shown in color Sangria

·         Size US 2 (2.75 mm) or size to obtain gauge, either DPNs or circular needles

·         Stitch Markers

·         Tapestry needle

Gauge: 32 sts and 40 rows= 4” over st st

Pattern Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock. Charts are provided on the last page.  Written for Small size with instructions for (Medium, Large) sizes given in parentheses if different.

The lovely photos were taken by my awesome photographer, Tricia Soto (aka Cheekyattitude), and cupcakefaerie makes a great model too!

Both the Alpine Lake Socks and the Alpine Lake Cowl are available now either online or through your LYS that carries Kollage Yarns!

Now that my sock needles are free, I need to figure out what I want to cast on next.  I even have new sock yarn tempting me.


Studio June Yarn Eight Bells, colorway Crocus   



The colorway is just perfect!  I love it, but to be honest, I can't decide if it wants to be socks or a shawlette of some sort.  I've been thinking of Blackberry Brambles Shawl for quite some time...hmmmmm

While most of the country has been having record heat waves, we've had a nice warm summer so far.  The beach was 75 degrees last week!  Although it is supposed to get into the 90s in the next few days...eek!  I do know that the doggies love their morning sun spot.



Happy Summer!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Before and After

This week of vacation just flew by.  Though the wedding was the big day, there was plenty going on before and after that this week.

Last Saturday, my sister and I drove up to Santa Rosa to do her final dress fitting.  Technically, she drove, and I knit, knit, knit.  I had cast on my shawl Friday evening.  It grew as we went over the Golden Gate Bridge.



The yarn is the lovely Anzula Cloud, and it is heavenly, and available at WEBS (shouldn't have clicked on that link...such pretty colors!).  My first time using it and it won't be my last!  The shawl grew some more as I watched the Olympic Trials.  I can't wait for the Olympics! Just. Can't. Wait!!



I think this is where I stopped Sunday evening, after a marathon of watching the BBC show, Spooks, or on Netflix, it is called MI-5.



Wow! Love this show, although the way they kill off some of their main characters is heartbreaking!  I would not have finished this shawl if it weren't for Seasons 1-3!

Monday was mani-pedis!  My sister was happy and calm and if the wedding went anything like Monday and the rehearsal dinner, we knew it would be a good day.  And it was!



No need for a picture of all the furious knitting that happened Monday, in between rehearsal dinner and sleeping for a few hours.

Fast forward to 4th of July....after sleeping in..yay!!!  A bunch of us got together for a BBQ to send off Thayer as she is getting married and moving to Australia!!!!!!  So excited for her, but so so sad to see her go.




Yeap, I still have wedding hair in that picture :)


Alexis is jamming on her Honey Bunches!  Have you started yours yet?



Sangria, peach cobbler, and knitting.  My kind of BBQ!



This morning we said goodbye to the beach, headed to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and now I'm home in my own bed.  Awwww.....

How was your weekend?  Anything new on the needles?

Oh, and if you have a chance, Peppermint Mocha Mama is celebrating her 2nd Blogiversary and there is a contest with pattern prizes from me!  Stop by and read her lovely blog and enter to win :)

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Beach Blogging

A quick hi from the beach! I think I've found a few perfect spots for knitting...















Happy Weekend! xoxo Irishgirlieknits (p.s. Blogging from my ipad so excuse the wonky formatting!)

More Wedding Highlights

I wish my camera battery wasn't dying on the day of the wedding.  But then again, you guys may be looking at wedding pictures for days if it hadn't :)  Fortunately everyone else took pictures so I'm borrowing some of theirs to share too!

Today I wanted to share some of the family and friends pictures, so here goes....



















Their first dance :)



Father-daughter dance :)



One of my sister's best friends married them, Reverend Robbie...



Robbie, you did an amazing job! The ceremony was wonderful and so heartfelt!

He's also thinking about modeling...



I think I'll stick to one of these kids for that :)







Mercy girls!!  All of my sister's high school friends!


Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. My new baby sweater design, Lilianna, is on sale until the end of the weekend!