We Do Not Have A Knitting Problem

28 Days

2009-11-27T21:59:00.000-08:00

Barely 28 knitting days til Christmas! One more Christmas present done here.......

And for the record, this is the only Christmas present I have wrapped. The things I'll do for a photo shoot, heh?

Socks that Rock lightweight, colorway Jingle Bell Rock

Christmas Cotty Socks

I know I'm biased, but I love how quickly these knit up! And the purty stripes. So, to celebrate Thanksgiving and less then a month of holiday knitting, the Cotty pattern will be on sale for the rest of the weekend, until the end of Monday, November 30.

Pattern: Cotty

I have a small holiday knitting list this year...I think I have a hat, a toy, and another pair of socks and then I'm done! What do you have left to knit for the holidays?

Happy Holidays!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T00:45:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to a low-key, relaxing holiday with family, doggies, yummy food, and time to knit! Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happiness (1000)

2009-11-23T21:20:00.000-08:00

Six hours of dyeing with my favorite dyer.

It doesn't get much better than this.

The artist at work.

Ta-da! So cool. I'm happy just writing this post. Such a fabulous knitting weekend it was.

And look! I dyed that! You know me and blue. I pretty much love this!

The yarn is BMFA Geisha. Yum.

And this is 100% 2ply silk. Another yummy.

I wouldn't mind dyeing yarn more often if it was all set up for me and clean up was taken care of (Stephen and Debra are rockstars!!). And of course, Tina's yarn. Perfect. Well, I take that back. I could do without the fun fur. Yes. It was high-quality fun fur that Tina had us dye, but still fun fur nonetheless. I'm thinking of turning my fun fur into some type of pet. Or I may mail it back to Tina tied with a pretty bow. hehehe.

Happy Dyeing!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Which team are you on?

2009-11-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

The Seattle airport even had action figurines. You can tell which teams SnBLeslie and I are on! But, its not like we went to the midnight showing or took a day off on Friday to go see the movie (no judgement, I promise). I think there are 8 of us from our Stitch n Bitch going this morning to see it!!

Happy New Moon!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

More Knot Hysteria!

2009-11-19T23:02:00.000-08:00

I was home sick today. Too bad this wasn't my view. I think I would have felt a wee bit better.

Oh, hey, did I show you the fabulous goody bags we got at Knot Hysteria! Stitch markers, yarns, amazing stuff!! Thank you to all the vendors who donated!

I finally got a chance to wear my Blackberry Brambles hat in The Plucky Knitter MCN Worsted, colorway Lipstick.

My Jingle Bell Rock Cotty socks had some fun during show and tell.

These will be a Christmas gift, although I don't think I'll be doing too much holiday knitting this year.

I think this card from Tilly Flop says it all.

Yes. Those are straight needles. I am attempting to practice lever knitting as Steph showed us in class. I can be more efficient. I can be more efficient. I can be more efficient. I hate straight needles. I can be more efficient.

Early morning in Port Ludlow. Sigh.

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Knot Hysteria Knitting Retreat!

2009-11-15T13:30:00.000-08:00

It has been freezing but gorgeous here in Port Ludlow.

And these two women sure know how to get a group of knitters together and have some fun!

Note: Shopping for the FOUR of us on the first day. Just wait til you see all of our handdyes!! Six skeins of Tina's different fibers.....can't wait to show you!

Yesterday dyeing. Right this moment, back from lunch and Steph is just starting to teach us. Gotta go!

Happy happy Knitting!!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Where did it go??

2009-11-12T00:17:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Where did the last week go? Busy busy at work. Then a quick trip up to Reno to bring my great-aunt Mimi home from an extended stay here in the Bay Area. Then back to work. Now packing for my upcoming knitting weekend in Port Ludlow!!! One more day of work, and babysitting Lil' Guy while his parents go to the 49er game tomorrow night, then one more sleep and the fun begins! Phew! I need a vacation!!!

On the knitting front, well, its a bit all over the place. And daylight savings has thrown my project pictures (it is sooooo dark when I get home!).

I did turn this lovely Madelinetosh Worsted, colorway Copper Penny....

...into this. An Uncle Frank hat. Its actually done, but again, no pictures yet.

Oh, and the super cute project bag you ask? Piddleloop. I don't know how I've resisted buying more with her shop being recently updated! So many cute project bags still available!! Eek!

I don't think I've shown you this Uncle Frank sock either? It is already packed for my trip to Pt. Ludlow (along with, oh, maybe 3 or 4 other projects!). STR mediumweight, colorway Bella Coola

I'll be checking in soon. I promise.

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-04T21:40:00.000-08:00

The doggies were showing off their new bandanas from the groomer's tonight. Aren't they cute?

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Blackberry Brambles Collection

2009-11-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Remember I mentioned that I finished up a Blackberry Brambles Hat. Snowboarder helped me take a few pictures so that I could finish writing up the pattern.

Knit in The Plucky Knitter MCN Worsted, in the colorway Honey Wilkes.

Here's my favorite part of the hat!!!

Umm. Snowboarder?!! That is my hat. Mine. I secretly hate that he looks good in just about any hat, but love that he wants to model pretty much anything I knit :) And yes, he watched me knit four (!) hats this week (more pictures to come I promise), and none of them were his black Koolhaas. Soon. I promise.

Littlest Snowboarder wanted in on the photoshoot too!!

The pattern for both the hat and cowl set are written up and all ready to go!

Pattern: Blackberry Brambles Hat and Cowl Set

Yarn: approximately 115-125 yards of worsted weight yarn for the hat and 160-175 yards of worsted weight yarn for the cowl. Pattern shown in The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon Worsted, 1 skein Honey Wilkes for the hat; 1 skein Doris for the cowl

Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge, either DPNs or circular for both cowl and hat; hat also requires US 6 (4.0mm) or one size smaller needle used to obtain gauge

Gauge: ~18 sts = 4"

Size: women's average/medium

Finished Measurements: hat 8 1/2" width, 7 1/4" height; cowl 10" width, 8" height

And! The Blackberry Brambles Collection is also now available!

This collection includes both the Blackberry Brambles sock pattern and the Blackberry Brambles Hat and Cowl Set and is offered for a reduced price. (btw, if you purchased the Blackberry Brambles sock pattern prior to the end of October and are interested in the hat and cowl set, email or PM me on ravelry so we can work out the discount)

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T23:43:00.000-07:00

Lucky Aunties!! Since Halloween was on a Saturday this year, we headed up to Folsom to hang with Lil' Guy on Halloween! So much fun.

Where to start though....

My brother goes all out in decorating the house.

I discovered easy ways to torture Lil' Guy...hehehehe.

He didn't want to necessarily sit by the baby zombie, but he was able to show me where the baby zombie was.

And read the book to baby zombie.

And showed baby zombie the cement truck. hehehe. Cruel auntie, I know. But if you have a baby zombie on your lawn, well, your kid has got to be desensitized, right?!

There were yummy cupcakes.

And puppies. I know, Bailey looks concerned.

And the cutest fireman I know.

The fireman later almost became vampire food. Note the lipstick blood on his arm. Lil' Guy loved it!

And my brother and SIL took advantage of auntie babysitters and headed out to a party. Can you believe their costumes?!! Awesome!!

My SIL made them both! And lots of the items she got from the thrift shop! I'm having her make me a costume someday!!

And while Boondock Saint and Lil' Guy's Mom were out partying, and Lil' Guy slept, I figured out how to make this (more details to come!).

Happy Halloween!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

For the Girls

2009-10-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

I finished "the girl version" of my Uncle Frank socks.

Only one had been finished for the pattern photo shoot, remember?

My sister had no problem volunteering to model these, red is one of her favorite colors! I think she's a bit in denial about them being a bit too long for her.

Such a gorgeous red!

Pattern: Uncle Frank (women's size)
Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon fingering, colorway Tracy Lord Haven
Needles: US 2 (2.75mm)

Happy Friday!! Hope you all have a great Halloween weekend! We'll be in Folsom celebrating Halloween with Lil' Guy!!! Don't worry, they'll be lots of pictures!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

What are you up to Wednesday?

2009-10-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Well I've been up to lots of things lately, I just haven't had a chance to blog about them! Nothing too exciting, just busy. Where to start?

1. I knit up a Blackberry Brambles cowl.

In the yummy Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon Worsted, colorway Doris.

2. It matches these Toasty gloves that I don't think I ever posted about.

3. I also knit up a hat in the same pattern, but I haven't had a chance to take photos of it or write up the pattern notes. But it is in Plucky's Honey Wilkes color....a gorgeous gorgeous honey color!

4. I finished the girl version of my Uncle Frank socks (the red ones....only one was done for the photo shoot/pattern, but one of the sisters is going to get this for Christmas so I needed to finish them...yeah, I know they read the blog, but really, I think they just look at the pictures, so perhaps they won't even read this....hehehehe). Still haven't taken the photos yet.

5. I've also knit two other hats. Again, must take pictures. Why is it always so dark when I get home?!

6. I need to cast on something new but can't decide what. Suggestions??

7. I'm distracted tonight by this. And this. What to do? Knit? Cook? Bake? Knit? Read?

8. And Friday Night Lights is back (thanks DirectTV!). Amen to Coach Taylor and Tim Riggins.

9. Speaking of TV, did any of you watch The Biggest Loser last night and cry buckets of tears like me??!! I thank Disco for turning me on to this show last year...so inspiring!

10. Its almost-almost Friday!!

What are you up to this week?

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Uncle Frank

2009-10-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

My Great Uncle Frank loved the hip-hips (what my Great Aunt Mimi calls country songs).

He always brought home friends for dinner and said to his mother to just give them his (it was the Depression, but his mother always made sure to make enough go around).

My Great Aunt also tells me the Irish favor their boys, and favored he was, she says.

He died fighting during WWII. He received the Purple Heart Medal.

I never met my Great Uncle Frank, but from the stories and memories, he is an important part of my family.

(Thanks Boondock Saint for the modeling! But you still can't have dad's socks. Maybe for Christmas, maybe.)

These socks were knit in his honor.

Pattern: Uncle Frank

Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock. Sizes are provided for either a men’s sock with sport weight yarn or a women’s sock with fingering weight yarn. Written instructions are included and charts specific to each size are provided on the last pages. Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Yarn: 300-350 yards of sport weight yarn for men’s/sport size. Shown in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock heavyweight, 350 yds/skein; 1 skein colorway Manly yes, but I like it too! or 350-380 yards of fingering weight yarn for women’s/fingering size. Shown in The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon, 385 yds/skein; 1 skein colorway Tracy Lord Haven

Materials: Needles Size US 4 (3.5mm) or size to obtain gauge for men’s/sport size; or Size US 2 (2.75mm) or size to obtain gauge for women’s/ fingering size; cable needle, stitch markers

Gauge: 24 sts = 4” over st st for men’s/sport size or 28 sts = 4” over st st for women’s/fingering size

Size: men’s average/medium or women’s average/medium

Finished measurements: 7” foot circumference relaxed, up to 11” stretched; 6 ½ ” approximate leg length for men’s or 6” foot circumference relaxed, up to 9 ½” stretched; 6” approximate leg length for women’s

Pattern is on sale until the end of October for $4 (the October challenge in the Sock Knitter's Anonymous group over on Ravelry is to knit men's socks, so you've still got time to join us and cast on!). Pattern is available here.

As always, feel free to contact me with any questions at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com

Happy Knitting!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

The Photo Shoot!

2009-10-22T20:48:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!!! The Uncle Frank socks are done and I'm just putting the final touches on the pattern!

After Apple Hill last weekend, I tortured Boondock Saint and Lil' Guys' Mom (aka brother and SIL) with helping with the photo shoot! Don't worry, no one fell in!

More pictures soon!!
Happy almost Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Apple Hill

2009-10-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday my sister and I went up to Apple Hill in Placerville, CA with my brother, SIL, and Lil' Guy! We had a great time!

There were sheepies!

One seriously cute lil' guy!!

Pony rides!

Lil' Guy and his girlfriend :)

Apples! Lots of apples!

Hmmm...I seemed to have forgotten to take pictures of all the pies (apple berry pie, apple pumpkin pie, apple pie, etc!) that came home with us and are now tucked in our freezer for the holidays!!

Hope you are having a great week!
xoxo Irishgilrieknits

Look Dad

2009-10-11T21:31:00.000-07:00

A new sock for you!

A new design no less!

And what does IrishDad say? "Wouldn't it be easier if you just fixed the holes in my other socks?"

Seriously Dad. What fun would that be!

Thanks Boondock Saint (my brother!) for the sock modeling! Well done!

I'm loving how my new sock pattern is coming out! Over in the Sock Knitters Anonymous group, one of our monthly KAL themes is to knit socks for a man. I thought I'd design my Uncle Frank socks. Disco had suggested cables and it stuck. I'm using STR heavyweight, in Manly yes, but I like it!

More details coming soon!

Happy Socktober!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

A perfect evening...

2009-10-08T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well, pretty close at least.

Got my workout in for October Smackdown.

Enjoyed a yummy bowl of this.

I'm knitting a bit on my Socktoberfest Mystery Sock with the yummy Plucky Knitter MCN in Pumpkin Latte.

Its almost Friday and I've worked 11 days straight. One more day til the weekend!

Almost all the ingredients for a perfect evening.

What makes this really perfect though? This arrived today.

Ally McBeal: The Complete Series

My sister and I have been waiting YEARS!! for Ally McBeal to be available on DVD (heck, I would have been happy with it on VHS!). Ally McBeal is probably one of my favorite, if not most favorite, tv shows! Truth be told, there isn't a Christmas that hasn't gone by that my sister and I haven't watch all the Ally McBeal Christmas episodes from the season with Robert Downey Jr. that we have saved on VHS (a very, very fuzzy VHS tape). Its actually in my VHS player right now (its been there probably since the last time I had a bad day and needed a pick-me-up!).

Now its a perfect evening!

Happy Almost Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Saturday Night

2009-10-03T17:59:00.001-07:00

So what are you up to tonight?

Yes, I'm in New Orleans, and should be having beignets and partying on Bourbon St. But I'm exhausted from work and staying out in the suburbs and I need to work tomorrow and Monday. However, the family I work with just dropped this Daiquiri off at my hotel room, so I'm not complaining :)

And I'm loving my new Plucky cowl!

And Notre Dame beat Washington 37-30 in overtime, so I'm pretty happy!

What are you up to this weekend?

Happy Saturday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Best part about airplane flights...

2009-10-01T21:40:00.000-07:00

Finishing your knitting!

I'm in New Orleans again for business, and the two long flights out here were perfect for napping and knitting! I finished my Lacy Baktus scarf yesterday on the flight here. After a nice blocking, this scarf is so soft and drapey!! Love it!!

Madelinetosh Tosh Sock fingering, colorway Kale from Woolgir l

I worked a long day today, and have four more days of the same ahead of me (maybe some time on Sunday for a local music festival, we'll see!). At least there's sweet tea. And shrimp po-boys. And gumbo. And sweet tea.

Happy just about Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Friday!

2009-09-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

Fall is in the air....

I may not be at Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival this year, but I did plan ahead with a little BMFA purchase to get me through the weekend!

Gail's Autumn Joy is absolutely perfect. And I just can't wait to cast something on with the BFL.

STR The Witching Hour, Vine Maple, Gail's Autumn Joy

Happy Pumpkin Time!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. Sock pattern sale still going on! See details here.

Did I tell you....

2009-09-22T23:01:00.000-07:00

That I picked up Cat Bordhi's new book yesterday at Purlescence Yarns. I absolutely love it!

And I can finally show you the fabulous heel from my personal footprint socks that Cat taught us at sock camp! These socks are probably my best fitting socks yet and I can't wait to knit more socks with this method!

I'm even thinking of casting on my Sknitches Syncopation yarn in the colorway, Seriously? this week using one Cat's personal footprint patterns. The heel will keep the self-striping going just perfectly!

Oh, and did I tell you that I forgot how much I love knitting things other than socks with sock yarn? I'm not sure if I really forgot, but wow! I'm loving Madelinetosh Tosh sock knit up as a lacy baktus. I'm over halfway done!

And did I tell you we're having a sale on IrishgirlieKnits' sock patterns this week? I didn't? Now I have!

The Socks that Rock Group over on ravelry is wrapping up its Cotty knitalong and I have loved every minute of it!!! To see the gorgeous Cotty socks in STR for the past three months has been incredible!! I was telling my great-aunt Mimi (aka Winnie) today about all the different socks and she still can't believe it! Then I told her there were a few requests for an Uncle Frank and Grandma socks and, oh, the stories kept coming. I love when she gets in the story-telling mood!

The sale is a big thank you thank you to you all for your support with my knitting designs! All my sock patterns will be $4 from today until Sept. 30!

Cotty (oh, and by the way, the stitch number is just perfect to put into Cat Bordhi's Personal Footprints pattern...see Cheeky Attitude did it here!)

Blackberry Brambles

Winnie

Happy Sock Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Who needs toys?

2009-09-19T23:51:00.000-07:00

When you have a paintbrush?

Or yarn?

Or doggies?

Or friends?

Happy Weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

A Fresh Start!

2009-09-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

Look what I did last night.

Woohoo! I wound yarn for three new projects! Can you believe I haven't done that since before Sock Summit?! Things have been busy busy around here!

Hence, the crazy pile that is amassing on my desk.

I cast on for an easy project for the Sept-Oct Woolgirl Scarf/Shawlette Knitalong! We just started the KAL, so feel free to grab your favorite Woolgirl yarn and join us! (Or she is having a shop update/mini-sale this weekend if for some reason you are low on Woolgirl yarns!) I'm using Madelinetosh Sock in the Kale colorway (this has been in my stash for a long long time!) to make a Lacy Baktus.

This yarn still taunts me though (as is the book I still haven't read!). It is STR heavyweight in Spinel and I have had about an inch of a February Lady started in this since last February. Soon I say. Soon.

Now its time to knit. Well, until Lil' Guy and his dad show up. Then its time for running.

Happy Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Rockin' Winnies

2009-09-13T17:22:00.001-07:00

I don't know why I love these socks so much.

If its because the colorway, Socks that Rock lightweight in ST-1, reminds me of Sock Summit. Oh Sock Summit, how I miss thee.

Or if it is because I'm always tickled when my STR stripes nicely. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind pooling (or why else would I have tons of STR?!), but the matchy stripes, love.

It could be because I love the toes.

I may love these so much because the colors seem to evoke fall for me. And it even rained a bit today. Fall is here!

But really, I may love these socks mostly because they match my new Dansko shoes just perfectly!

Pattern: Winnie

Yarn: Socks that Rock lightweight, colorway ST-1

Needles: US 1.5

Happy Sock Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

We Need a Winner!

2009-09-12T23:32:00.000-07:00

Especially since my Fighting Irish couldn't pull out a win for us today. So sad. They lost in the final seconds to Michigan 38-34.

Even the doggies were sad.

So, instead, I have the winners from last week's contest! You all are looking forward to a lot this fall! Thank you for all the comments! Our winner of the big grand prize (quick, go look at it one more time here) is....drumroll.....

Jen from Knitting Like Crazy

Congrats Jen!!

And since there were so many entries, I thought I would have the random number generator pick a few more for me to email a copy of my new sock pattern, Winnie. Those winners are...

Rippedandfrogged

Carol

Irisheyes Lynn

Please email me at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com so that I can send you your prize!! Thanks so much!

Congratulations!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits