52 Weeks of Happy (5/52)

picture of Debbi and I from Christine at Too Much Yarn.  Check out her blog for awesome pictures of Stitches West (here, here and here).  She seemed to hit all the great booths!

• signs of spring 

• gorgeous, inspiring yarns that were in abundance at Stitches West this weekend

• catching up with good friends all weekend

• a perfect evening last night at the bar with Leslie, Celia, Debbi, Susan, Stephen, Kristine, Kristine's mom, and Adrienne.  

• I passed my boards! I am officially a Board Certified Behavior Analyst!  Yay!!

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

For Disco

Disco has come to visit for Stitches West a few times so I always miss her extra when she's not here.  I promised to take lots of pictures for her though, so tonight is a quick post of pictures before bed.



My favorite Blue Moon ladies :)  I really help out at the booth so that I can hang out with them!



They immediately showed me one of Tina's new yarns, Worthy.  My oh my.  Cashmere and silk.  A little bit of heaven in a skein.



A new sweater pattern from BMFA, Ariadne.  Everyone was buying Woobu for it tonight.



Check out Anna Zilboorg's sweater..BMFA LSS and heavyweight STR.  Just lovely!  



My first shopping stop was A Verb for Keeping Warm.  Once again their booth is just lovely.  I purchased the kit for Romi's mystery shawl.  I used birthday money for this one :)  A little indulgent treat for me.



Hi Romi!  I just love her designs and shawl pins!

Just a quick drive-by post for you guys.  Hopefully I can take some pictures in the morning of my goodies from tonight and get another post to you guys tomorrow night. 

Oh, and here's the info of where to get IGK stuff at Stitches.  And the Blue Moon booth has my Slip Jig pattern too!  I'll be there most of the time Friday and Saturday!

Happy Stitches!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Stitches West Preview!

Before I jump right in to the excitement of Stitches West, I want to say a big, big thank you to you guys for helping to wish my sister a happy birthday!! She'd love all the comments.  Thank you!  And I loved all the comments regarding my designing and knitting process and look forward to talking about that more with you guys.

But first, Stitches West.  I'm so looking forward to a weekend of hanging out with my knitting friends and of course, some shopping!! Last year's Stitches I was still on crutches from knee surgery, so it was a bit of a bummer.  This year I'll be walking around just fine, which may not be good for my wallet :)  I will be helping out in the Blue Moon Booth so please stop by and say hi if you are at Stitches this weekend!

For Irish Girlie Knits Designs, stop by Knitted Wit's Booth #945 to see lots of IGK samples and patterns!  Lorajean has fun colors and gorgeous yarns.  She's hosting a Fiar KAL in March, so be sure to pick out the yarn for that too.

You'll also see my new design, Warwick, in her booth.  I'll definitely be getting more Shine while I'm there since I fell in love with that yarn when I was knitting with it.



At Anzula's booth #840/939, you'll be able to see samples of Lilianna and Holbrook and pick out the perfect yarn to knit your own!  You'll also see my brand new design, Knocknagree, there as well!  I'm so excited to finally release this pattern.  It features two sizes and options for a two-color option.  I'll do a more detailed post about it next week.

Here are a few pictures...





Thank you to Disco for knitting up this sample with lightning speed!!



This is the smaller version I knit for myself for my sister's wedding.  I just love the yarn, Anzula's Cloud.  It blocks beautifully!

If you can't make it to Stitches West, Anzula's Cloud is available here or here or at your favorite LYS.  The pattern is on sale from now through the end of the month for $5.00 too!  
 

I'll try to blog over the weekend with lots of pictures for those of you who can't join us!! 

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Process

My design process that is.  I've been thinking a lot about how I want to continue expanding Irish Girlie Knits Designs in the next year.  One of those ways is to continue learning.  As many of you know, my first for-sale pattern was Cotty, a sock design that was born at sock camp. I think by that point I had knit 50 pairs of socks, none of them plain vanilla socks, either.  Once the design bug hit me, the sock designs just kept coming.  The sock provides a very comfortable canvas for me to design on.  For example, I knew as I was designing the Sleepy Hollow hat that this pattern would work well for a sock.





One sock finished in the lovely new Bare Naked Wools Breakfast Blend sock yarn from Knitspot. I just need to get this baby written up, get it to test knitters, and finish knitting the second sock.  I cast on that second sock immediately!



But just as comfortable as I am designing socks, it has been a steep learning curve for some other designs.  Infinity scarves, baby things, hats, those aren't so hard.  Before the sock obsession I knit a lot of those.  But shawls.  My first shawl that I ever knit was my Bellingrath Shawlette.  Silly me, lace with patterning on both sides!  But I did love that design.  And I think I enjoy designing shawls lately because there is the challenge of learning and trying something new. So one of my goals this year has been to knit other shawl patterns to.  Especially since last year I didn't really knit any project other than something I was designing or had designed.  Well, I did knit a pair of Toast (um....a tube!) and a wee pumpkin.  But that's it.  I blame those graduate school classes.

First up, Hazeline from the Fall in Full Color Club, by Anne Hanson (duh! if I want to learn more from other designers, why not go to the best, right?!).  I cast on this weekend in a vintage Plucky Knitter MCN sock yarn.



Ah!  Such a freeing feeling to knit someone else's pattern! To not have to worry about making notes all the time, or decisions about next steps.  So nice to just follow along and knit.  I'm not putting any deadlines on these projects and I'm using stash yarn that I love but probably won't design with.  And I'm hoping at the end of the year, I just may have a gift pile going for the holidays.

Which leads me to another process, and that is my process as a knitter.  I've gone from knit like crazy for everyone at the holidays to the last two holidays knitting very few things if any for anyone.  The only Christmas gift I knit last year was a pair of Toast for Lil' Snowboarder's teacher.  I rarely knit teacher gifts, but she is AMAZING!  She deserved cashmere.  And I really truly enjoyed knitting those for her and gifting them to her.  It made me remember why I loved knitting things for people who truly appreciate them.  Designing hasn't made it easy for me to frantically knit those gifts late into the night, but I am going to make a more conscious effort to knit for those I love this year.  I'm hoping that having someone else's pattern on the needles may help with that.  We'll see.

My knitting time last year was so limited that I was always working on something design related.  I didn't feel like I could afford the time to work on something else.  But I realized while knitting those Toasts at Christmas that I have some extra knitting time if it isn't something complicated.  I whipped those babies up in no time between car rides, waiting in line, and at the movies.  No, I can't knit on a new design on a car ride or at the movies unless I'm at a certain point, but I can knit on an easy sock.  The plain vanilla socks I've been avoiding (so boring to me!) may serve a good purpose now.  I'm giving it a try.  A very very very mindless knit will be on the needles at all times.  Again, something with no deadline, no rush to finish. First up is a sock for dad.  I grabbed the first STR heavyweight skein that was already wound.



I'm surprised how far along I am given how little I've knit on these.  Just this week I've knit on this sock, the shawl above, and knit one of my sleepy hollow socks. 

But here's the downside I discovered.  I'm really enjoying just knitting.  The easy sock. The shawl pattern that isn't mine.  It has been so refreshing. So much so that when Anne released the first pattern in her Bare Naked Knits Club (I joined the pattern only version which is still open) this weekend, I had to resist casting on the hat.  Seriously.  I quickly thought up three different yarns in my stash that I could use.  I contemplated if maybe I should see if there was still a spot open in the yarn version of the club because then I could definitely work on my goal of learning new things if the yarn just showed up too.And then I remembered my to-design list and those pretty new yarns from TNNA and resisted. For now. 

I think this is why I love our craft so much. There is still so much to learn from knitting and that continues to bring me so much joy.  It is why I know eventually I will start spinning too.

Does any of this resonate with you guys?  What is your process as a knitter or as a designer?  I'd love to hear. 

Oh, and before I go, can I ask you guys a favor?  It is my baby sister's birthday tomorrow and she isn't feeling well.  Can you help me wish her a very happy birthday in the comments?



Lots of organizing and cleaning happened this weekend and I finally put this picture in a frame.  It is one of my favorites from that day!   Happy birthday little sis!!!  I love you!!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

TNNA: The Stuff

It has been a nice relaxing, holiday 3-day weekend so far.  One of my goals this weekend has been to clean and organize a bit.  It is amazing how much piles up when you are on the go all the time.  Time to actually put away all the stuff I brought home from TNNA a few weeks ago.  Especially since Stitches West is coming up this week.....



Speaking of Stitches West, I'm excited to see more of Zen Yarn Garden there.  Roxanne's colors are to die for!!

It is so fun to see all of the new yarns and books and stuff that are coming to yarn stores this spring! I was able to bring home a few fun things.  One of my favorites is my new Namaste purse!



I'm a sucker for a new bag!  Jimmy Beans has a whole bunch of Namaste bags to choose from too. You'll see I also scored some new books that I'll be reviewing here on the blog too! 



These two lovelies are from Baah! A gorgeous infinity scarf in one of these colors will be on the needles soon!  My local yarn store, Nine Rubies, carries this lovely yarn and I'm so looking forward to finally getting to work with it.





These are just a few of the pretties from Sabrina at Anzula.  OMG! I just love her yarns and can't wait to show you the new design I have featuring her Cloud yarn.  It should be released in the next week!  Then Dreamy or Wash My Lace will be on the needles for something new.

With summer coming, I wanted a few lighter weight yarns to design more infinity scarves.  I've found that they are perfect for my chilly air conditioned office in the summer.  These lovelies will also be on the needles soon...


Berroco Captiva Metallic


Lang Yarns Moina

But before I cast on anything with all these new pretties, I have to finish up my new sock design in Bare Naked Wools Breakfast Blend.  Considering I haven't had a sock on the needles in awhile, this one is knitting up quickly.  I blame the lovely yarn :)



So what are you guys up to this weekend?  Anything on your needles you are trying to finish up?  I have two other new things on the needles that I'll show you tomorrow.

Happy Weekend!
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

52 Weeks of Happy (4/52)

Lots of happy this week, with it being birthday week and all.  But here are 4 simple ones...

•  Making Valentine cards with Lil' Snowboarder

•  Brussel sprout chips from a special night out....Delish!!

•  Checking things off the pattern writing list

• Puddy, and how she loves the camera sometimes

It has been great to read everyone else's happy moments too, whether in the comments or those who have started blogging their 52 weeks of happy (knitter friends here, here, and here).  If you are inspired, read more about it on little birdie. 

Wishing you all a very, very happy Valentine's Day!  I'm sending you guys big big hugs!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

TNNA: New Designs

I released quite a few new designs at TNNA, but two were brand spanking new and I haven't had a chance to do a proper blogpost on either.

Sleepy Hollow



This hat and fingerless gloves pattern was originally designed for Woolgirl's Classic Writers Knitting Club, for the Sleepy Hollow Kit.



I'm a bit partial to the slouchy hat to be honest.





These lovely photos were taken by Vivian Aubrey, a stunning photographer (and knitter!) out of Portland, OR.  She did an amazing job!! Thank you Vivian!





The yarn is The Plucky Knitter Primo fingering, in the colorway Ichabod.  It is heavenly!!  The color was just perfect for the kit, but I can't wait to see this set knit up in a bright, kicky spring color too, don't you think?

A haunted wood where deep in the night rides a headless horseman. A legendary superstition that permeates throughout the enchanted town of Sleepy Hollow. The dark and twisty pattern in this set of fingerless gloves and slouchy hat remind me of that wood, but you wouldn’t catch me walking about there in the middle of the night!

Pattern: Sleepy Hollow   on sale for $4.50 through Feb. 12, 2013!    

Notes: Instructions are written for a hat and fingerless gloves that are worked in the round.  The hat is sized for a slightly slouchy fit.  Charts are provided on the last page. 

Suggested Yarns: ~180 (195) yards of fingering weight yarn for fingerless gloves and ~ 200 yards of fingering weight yarn for hat such as The Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, Sunshine Yarns Classic Sock, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock lightweight

Materials:

Size US 1 ½ (2.5mm) or size to obtain gauge either DPNs or circular needles

Size US 2 ½ (3.0mm) or size to obtain gauge either DPNs or circular needles

Stitch markers

Tapestry needle

Waste yarn

Gauge: 32 sts and 48 rows = 4” over st st for fingerless gloves and hat on smaller needles

            ~28 sts and 44 rows = 4” over st st for hat on larger needles     

Size:

one size fits most adults for hat

adult women’s medium (large) for fingerless gloves

The second design I released at Sample It! at TNNA and it was a hot seller!  Just one skein of fingering weight sock yarn makes this a quick knit too!

Here is Warwick.....





This project came down to the wire for me!  With a looming deadline, I realized my fabulous photographer and friends may not be available for photos by the time I finished knitting this.  And just as I was figuring this out, I saw a tweet from Jill that she was doing a photoshoot for a client.  Well, I emailed Jill and yes, she is now coordinating photoshoots for some of her clients.  Lucky me!!!

So yes, that familiar face in these photos is Knitterella herself!



 

Alisa from Divine Images Photography captured the shawl and Jill just perfectly!  I couldn't be happier with the photos!





The yarn is Knitted Wit's lovely Shine!  It really does Shine and I can't wait to use it again.  If you'll be at Stitches West in a few weeks, be sure to stop by and pick up some Shine.

Warwick

On sale for $5 through Feb. 15, 2013. 

This shawl was inspired by the trees in the backyard of my childhood home on Warwick Street. A deceptively simple, yet elegant design that requires just one skein of fingering weight yarn.   This is the third of six patterns in The Sullivan Family Collection (6 patterns for $18) 

Note: Instructions are written for a top-down shawlette.  Both charted and written instructions are provided for the lace edging.

Suggested Yarns: ~375 yards of fingering weight yarn such as Knitted Wit Shine, The Plucky Knitter Plucky Feet, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Seduction, Anzula Squishy, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, Sincere Sheep Agleam

Materials:

·         Size US 7 (4.5mm) or size to obtain gauge, knitting needles

·         Stitch markers

·         Tapestry needle

·         Blocking pins

Gauge:  ~22-24 sts and 32 rows= 4” over st st before blocking

Finished measurements: 50” wide and 22” long at center points, after blocking

A very, very special thank you to Jill for all her help with coordinating the photoshoot, modeling, and as always, doing a fantastic job with the graphic designs and layout!  Thank you!! Be sure to contact Jill if you are interested in her services.

This weekend has been a bit about recovering from the busy past few weeks and a bit about celebrating!  My dad's birthday was yesterday (happy birthday Pa!) and mine is tomorrow.  And my sister's is next week!  Friday night my sister and I went to see Ed Sheeran in concert! LOVED HIM!!!!

Mom took us to brunch this morning and it was delish!!





Kate and I had the chicken and waffles! So yummy!



They even brought us birthday bread pudding! I was in heaven!!

I thought I'd do a little celebration for you guys too.  Here's a coupon for 20% off any individual pattern from Irish Girlie Knits Designs in my Ravelry Shop (excludes Sleepy Hollow Collection, but Warwick, Merrily Collection, Blackberry Brambles Hat and Cowl is included!).  Just enter:  birthday  from now through February 12, 2013!  Feel free to share the word!

Next post will be all about the fun new stuff I brought home from TNNA!!!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Anything fun?

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits