{new pattern} Kenmare Lace Fingerless Gloves

Remember when I said I was busy? It's a very happy kind of busy that results in even more finalized patterns.




Delicate, yet chic. The Kenmare Lace Fingerless Gloves are so versatile. One skein makes a pair and the easy all over lace pattern makes them a quick knit.

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Cashmere, colorway Iced Audrey

Shown above in the swoon-worthy Plucky Knitter Cashmere, these mitts are perfect for that one irresistible luxury skein splurge.

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Snug Worsted, colorway Peninsula

An even quicker knit, a worsted weight version is included in the pattern. Need a gift for a teacher or another special someone? They would be thrilled with a pair of these fingerless gloves as an expression of your heartfelt gratitude.

Shown in Miss Babs Kunlun, colorway Soul Food

I knew I had to get pictures of the all the test knits (thanks again Tracey for test knitting these!) to show you how simple lace shines in a variety of yarns and looks gorgeous in both variegated and solid colors.

The fabulous photos are by Tricia Soto, aka Cheekyattitude aka our Irish Girlie Knits assistant! The one above is probably one of my faves!

Instructions are written for fingerless gloves that are worked in the round. Pattern is written for either sport or worsted weight yarn, with two different lengths. A chart is provided.

Suggested Yarns: ~155 yards for sport weight version such as The Plucky Knitter Cashmere, Miss Babs Yummy 3-ply, Anzula Squishy, Knitted Wit Victory DK.

~185 yards for dk/ light worsted weight version such as The Plucky Knitter Snug Worsted, Miss Babs Kunlun, Anzula Croquet, Big Bad Wool Weepaca. 

Finished measurements: 3” wide, unstretched and 10 1/2“ long for sport weight version 3” wide, unstretched and 10“ long for worsted weight version.



Special Introductory Sale Price of $4.75 through June 10 (then $6.00). 

Even more good news to come very soon!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happenings.

A lovely 3-day weekend, but things here seem to be moving quite fast lately. End of the school year, lots of exciting plans coming up, busy busy. Trying to find balance and be in the moment as much as possible. Just thought I'd share a few of my right nows....

Currently....

{hanging out with}



{writing the pattern for the wee sweater}



{reading}


You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

{destashing}

Just go look :) You know you want to. I can't take pictures fast enough....probably 40-50 more  skeins to be added (eeep!).

{watching}

{drinking}

6 weeks in, and 4 weeks of a lot less pain, I can't go a day without (new recipe I tried the other day...vanilla ShakeO and coffee!). My healthiest meal of the day. I've signed up to be a coach and we have a challenge group (think KAL, but more like Fitness-along) starting in June. Let me know if you'd like to join or are interested in more info about shakeology! 

{knitting} 

I'd love to hear what's been happening with you.

Love you guys!

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Cannon Beach

This design was born almost 4 years ago as part of a collection for Sock Summit. I'm so excited about its re-release as a single pattern.




Cannon Beach is now available on Ravelry and to celebrate, it is on sale for $4.00 until the end of May. Here it is in the lovely Anzula For Better or Worsted.




The warm days at the beach we long for can last into the evening with something soft and snug. For those chilly evening walks, this infinity scarf is the perfect summer accessory. Knit in either a fingering or worsted weight yarn, you can decide just how much warmth you want!




Inspired by the patterns in the the sand, the simple repeat grows into elegant waves. The pattern includes instructions for a 42” (48”) circumference and 8” (10 ½”) tall for fingering weight versions, after blocking and a 40” circumference and 9” tall for worsted weight version, after blocking. The fingering versions require ~ 345 (485) yards and the worsted weight version requires 400 yards.









I absolutely love the photos Jill Zielinski, aka Knitterella, did for this photoshoot. Her and my gorgeous model, Dani Cianek make a great team! Thanks ladies!



And of course, a very special thanks to my fabulous test knitter, Tracey!! Love you dear! Many of you know her as tbmccarthy on ravelry. Have you checked out her fabulous podcast, Moms with Yarn? I love these ladies! Here she talks about her experience knitting Cannon Beach!



I love it knit up in the gradient yarn! Here's a sample I was knitting in Black Trillium Fibre Studio Pebble Sock Gradient Yarns.

There's still plenty of time to join our "Playing with Color KAL!" in the IGK Designs group over on Ravelry. Join the fun! I can't wait to see your results. Remember, to celebrate its re-release, Cannon Beach is on sale for $4.00 until the end of May. 

Keep checking back, I've been getting patterns finalized and will have another available very very soon!

Oh, and speaking of patterns, thank you all for you well wishes on all the good things happening lately! I have some exciting news to share in the next week or so! But first, the winners of an IGK pattern of their choice from the good things contest are: Katie and Jane. Congrats ladies! If you message:  cheekyattitude    (Tricia) on ravelry, she'll get you a pattern of your choice (or email her at Tricia AT cheekyattitude DOT com)

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Oh the Places We Went and Food We Ate! Nashville Version

Warning! This post may cause a hankering for southern food. Especially biscuits.



When we heard that Stitches South would be in Nashville this year, it didn't take more than 60 seconds for us to decide that it would be a perfect trip for the Irish Girlie Knits Designs team. Looking back, I can't believe how much food and fun we packed in to such a short period of time. Most of that credit goes to the incredible organization of our knitterly travel companions @cupcake_faerie @2ducklips & @christinempk. Thanks so very much ladies!

First of all, we stayed at the convention center hotel and quickly found the Opryland Resort was appropriately named.




It was like a mini Disneyland!  There was a boat ride inside the hotel! Crazy!



And a waterfall!



First southern fried meal was from the iconic Loveless Cafe; complete with sides of fried green tomatoes and mac & cheese. And biscuits.



Biscuits and gravy...




Biscuits and jam... heavenly.

In the evening we headed to the Grand Ole Opry.



The young man above is Michael Ray who made his Opry debut that night and brought us all to tears with his heartfelt gratitude and raw emotion. The kid is going to be big.



He first sang "Green Green Grass of Home" as a tribute to his grandfather.  He followed it with his new single "Kiss You in the Morning."

The next morning we headed to Monell's for what we were told would be a true "Country Breakfast Experience."




A country breakfast is no joke...








This was just the first pass where I tried a bit of everything. The highlights were the sausage, fried chicken and the (surprise!) biscuits.

We walked off our full stomachs with a stroll around the Germantown neighborhood surrounding Monell's restaurant.

Then headed to Ann Patchett's store, Parnassus Books...







And took a little break at a darling coffeehouse:



Oh, remember we were there for Stitches South!

We also managed to meet up with some of the most lovely people in knitting:







Jody!! (GrannyKnits4U)



Donna had a booth for her store In The Making.



Ravelry IGK group member ChefCaroline!




And darling Sarah showed off Nashville in the Plucky Knitter booth!
(We did a lot of damage there - her yarns are beyond inspiring!)


Lest you think we were done with all the eating...

We got up super early on the day we flew out for one last biscuit frenzy.




It was sooo worth it.




 Not only can these people make the the Giselle of biscuits...




they take biscuits to the next level...



They fry biscuit dough into donuts, fill with lemon mascarpone cream and serve them with a blueberry sauce. Unbelievably delicious!


We were exhausted in the very best of ways!



Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits
&
Tricia (@CheekyAttitude)

P.S. There's lots of fun sharing going on in the IGK Ravelry Group KAL. "Playing with Color" is the theme. The Dancette pattern is on sale for the month of May. Perfect springtime knit in gorgeous color.

Good things. The quick version.

There have been so many good things I've wanted to share the past few weeks that the list keeps getting bigger and bigger and then this post becomes daunting and doesn't happen. So I'm going to just jump in and write as many as I can remember, and yes, it will include pictures of the Easter bunny (I know! I'm sorry it has been forever!), but it will also include pictures of yarn! Prepping for Nashville took a lot out of me, but was so worth it, so thanks for bearing with the quiet around here for a bit. It's nice to be back!

Good things.

1. Let's start with that Easter Bunny!

2. And someone turned 8! 8?!?!? You guys remember when he was this little, right?! Just crazy. 

3. I finished my Gradient version of the Nashville shawl just in time for Stitches South! I was so glad I was able to show it to Sarah in person.

4. I loved seeing Nashville in the Plucky Knitter booth at Stitches South. The Plucky Knitter is having a Stitches South After Party Instant Gratification Update this Friday if you want to grab some yarn to cast on!

5. Speaking of Plucky, check out the new Plucky Knitter Collection, Spring Forward. Love, love, love!

6. Fresh flowers my honey sent to me at work this week. I haven't mentioned him on here, but guys, he sure is a keeper :)

7. The baby sweater I started on the way home from Nashville is almost done.

8. Sunny days and spending time with Magpie!

9. Neuroknitter and Cotty socks are like a match made in heaven. Warms my heart. Love them Gail!

10. If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, you've seen that I've been drinking Shakeology and participating in a Challenge Group for fitness and healthy eating following the 21 Day Fix plan! I even took it with me on my trip to Nashville (love my mini travel blender my coach sent me! I just sent it to my friend who signed up for Shakeology too because I love it that much!)

I love it...the Challenge Group is a private group on Facebook and it is like a Knit-along but for health and fitness! It is exactly the accountability and cheerleading that has been missing for me the past few years and with all of my health problems, especially with the chronic headache pain issues resulting from radiation the past year, I wanted to try something different. It has been a month and all I can say is I'm so glad I made this choice!! I've lost 9 pounds (that includes all the biscuits and fried chicken in Nashville....Tricia will post those pictures later this week!) and I've had more energy, I'm feeling better, and I've had less sugar cravings. 

But more important than the 9 pounds, I have had multiple days in a row of not needing my "breakthrough pain" medications for chronic migraine/head pain related to my radiation treatments last year. I messaged my coach 4 days into my second week when I hadn't needed to use the meds for 4 days straight saying I didn't want to jinx it but WOW! I felt amazing. I knew it was the shakeology and probably my change in eating habits because nothing else had changed. For the past three weeks, I've only had 6 days of needing to use my pain meds during the day and that is UNHEARD of for me since October of 2013. Seriously, my sister and I couldn't recall a 2 days in a row of not needing the breakthrough pain meds (my cancer team and pain specialists at Stanford are amazing and I am still on a lot of other meds that are more preventative for the head pain, but the breakthrough pain was that bad). So for that reason alone, the last three weeks were wins for me!

You guys have been on this health journey with me the past few years, and I wanted to share how well I've been feeling! And thank you for those of you cheering me on and sharing your tips on IG and twitter. Here's my before picture on the left and my picture 19-days into my challenge in Nashville!

We started another challenge group this week, so if you'd like to join this one (or the next!) or, feel free to email me irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com if you're interested.

11. Our challenge group posts pictures of their healthy food (see, totally like a KAL....posting WIPs, etc.!), motivational posts, and "sweaty" pics after their workouts! These women are rockstars. Well, with all my pain issues the past year, just building up my endurance to going to work has been a goal. After the first challenge group and starting to feel better, I decided this week was to tackle fitness. 15 minutes last night...baby steps.... just for you guys...because I'm a dork and knew you'd love it! Here's me after my first workout in months!! 

Quick. What good things are going on in your lives? I want to hear!! And to keep the good juju going, leave a comment with your good thing and we'll pick a few free pattern winners from the comments.

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits