I promised.

Knitting content.  Crazy, huh?  We certainly have some catching up to do.  So here goes.

1. Toast.  I changed it up from my gazillion pairs of Toasties and skipped the thumb hole.  I wanted something super, super easy to knit on during movies or when I couldn't work on secret knitting.




The awesome mug is a gift from Erica! Love!

These were started back in January after the Plucky Knitter Event, and they were finished right before Sock Camp.  Goodness gracious!  Forever!  But then I did have a lot of secret knitting in February and March.  And I must say something about Sarah's cashmere yarns.  Heavenly! I love love love her cashmere and must cast on another project soon!

2.  Speaking of secret knitting, did you all see the new shipment from the Rockin' Sock Club?!  Not only does it feature an awesome pattern by our favorite Neuroknitter, but it also featured my new pattern, Merry Socksters! 

I snapped a few quick photos before I sent the sample off to the Depraved Dyer!







The brightly colored yarn was named Electric Koolaid Acid Test, and it definitely needed an easy-to-knit pattern that could stand out against the bright colors.  The sample was knit in the large size, but when I was designing the pattern, I just had to first knit it up in the medium size because that is usually where I get to see that pretty striping that I just love with STR!  Here's another look but in the Cattywampus colorway.




And of course, I need to knit myself a pair now!  I thought I'd make a bit more progress at both sock camp and Disneyland, but um....I didn't! 


Overlooking New Orleans Square.


Going for a ride on the teacups.

I can't believe I forgot to pull the sock out during our princess breakfast!  Oh well!  Merry Socksters is exclusive to the Rockin' Sock Club this year, but will be available to the general public in March 2012!  I was thrilled to be a designer again for this club that I have loved being a part of for the past 5 years!

3.  I would love to see Merry Socksters knit up in our new sock camp colorway, Mad Hatter.



But, alas, I'm on to my next design, so that won't be happening soon.

4.  I love this designing things, but I'm trying to figure out how I can do that, and knit all of the other fabulous patterns out there.  Like this.  Or the mystery sock that Knittinggolfer has designed for the Solid Socks Group on ravelry.  Or the Smocked Slouch Hat kit that I ordered from the Plucky Knitter.  Better yet, maybe I'd have time to jump into the first KAL in our Irishgirlieknits Group on Ravelry for Sweet Home (I'm hoping too! Oh, and Sweet Home is on sale until the end of April for $4.)!  I might join in the Sunshine Yarnies Lace KAL as well!  A few in the group are planning to knit Cotty socks (hint hint: coupon code: sunshine for 20% off Cotty through April 17) and I have the perfect skein to knit...


Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sport, colorway Patronus

Oh, so many patterns, so little time..

So what do you all have on your needles? What are you wishing for more time to cast on? Do tell....

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Walk Now

Every spring for the past few years, I've participated in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks Event with my colleagues at PALS (Pacific Autism Learning Services), to help raise awareness and money for children with autism.  Autism affects 1 in 110 children, a number that has dramatically increased since I began working with children with autism 20 years ago. Each child with autism that I work with is a unique individual and these socks attempt to capture that.  The pattern features four different design options for the top of the foot, allowing you to create your own individualized socks.

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Primo MCN, colorway Headboard





My first time knitting with Primo and my only thought was why did I let this sit in my stash for so long.  Lovely!



Jocelyn test knit one of the design options and I just loved seeing it, especially in her gorgeous hand-dyed yarn, Dubai Knits Chameleon in colorway Sea Breeze.  She posted lots of additional pictures here.  Thank you Jocelyn and Gaylen both for your awesome and superfast test knitting skills! I can't imagine what I'd do without both of you!

I do love that part of the design is carried throughout the heel as well.



The photo shoot was pretty fun too.  On the way home from visiting my great-aunt Mimi in Reno, we stopped in Tahoe for some snowtubing!  Too much fun!

Last May I had wanted to design a sock pattern to help raise money for the Walk Now event, but time got away from me.  This year, when the Sock Knitters Anonymous group challenge for January was knitting socks for a cause, I was inspired.  70% of the proceeds of the sale of this pattern will be donated to Autism Speaks until May 31, 2011, when the Bay Area Walk Now for Autism Speaks event is.  As of 4/4/11, we've raised $300!  Thank you! Let's keep going!

Pattern: Walk Now

Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock.  Two sizes are provided and the pattern includes different design options for the top of the foot.  Both written and charted instructions are provided.

Suggested Yarns: ~360-380 yards of fingering sock yarn, such as The Plucky Knitter Primo MCN, BMFA Socks that Rock lightweight, Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sock, The Sanguine Gryphon Skinny Bugga, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock

Needles: US 1 (2.25mm)

Gauge: 36 sts = 4" over st st

Sizes: adult women's medium (large)

Finished Measurements: 6 3/4" foot circumference, stretches up to 9"

(7 3/4" foot circumference, stretches up to 10")

6" approx. leg length

Thank you all again for your continued support of my designs!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits