I'm Ready!!!!!

1. New project cast on. Check



2. Yummy treats made. Check

3. Disco's itinerary (one day more Disco!!). Check

4. Money. Check

I think I'm ready for Stitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love thy name is February

February Twilight

I stood beside a hill

Smooth with new-laid snow,

A single star looked out

From the cold evening glow.

There was no other creature

That saw what I could see--

I stood and watched the evening star

As long as it watched me.

Sara Teasdale, poet

"An engaged woman is always more agreeable than a disengaged. She is satisfied with herself. Her cares are over, and she feels that she may exert all her powers of pleasing without suspicion. All is safe with a lady engaged; no harm can be done."

Jane Austen, author

February Rocks! (ravelry link)

Pattern: February Lady Sweater, XL size

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rocks Heavyweight colorway Ravenscroft, 4 skeins The color, the drape, oh my goodness.....

Other Materials: needles US 7, buttons from As Cute As A Button

Notes: Followed the pattern pretty much as written. Love love love. I mean, February is the month of love! Its my birth month. And sister's birth month. And dad's. And Valentine's Day. We love February. And now I have a February sweater.

And I think it Rocks!!!

Special thank you to Snowboarder who stepped in as photographer today!

Thank you all for cheering me on along the way too! And congrats to Knitting Knirvana on winning the contest! Send me your address and I'll get you some STR when I get back from Portland! And go check out her cutie patootie!!

Happy February! Oops, I mean Happy July!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Zip a dee doo dah, zip a dee ay

My, Oh My! What a wonderful day!

First, thank you all for your helpful comments about the buttons. Well, helpful in the sense that um, you all didn't do as I hoped, meaning, all pick the same buttons so I could just go with that option! hehehehe All your helpful comments actually just made it harder for me to decide!! So it came down to Snowboarder. He saw the swirls and made a 'not good' funny face, so I went with Celtic buttons #2. I'll go with the comments that said I couldn't go wrong with any of them!

Second, I kind of got a kick out of the comments this past week. For a few minutes last week I thought those cupcakes were going to get more comments then my socks! Not that they weren't worthy or anything, but I didn't even make them! And ask for an opinion, and you guys have a lot to say!! Again, thank you!!

So now I'll show you all some love! You must be sick of these February photos by now, but hang tight for the big photo shoot (hopefully tomorrow or else not until I get back from Portland!!). Until then, leave a comment in this post and I'll pick a random winner! And to make it interesting, in your comment, recommend either a book you love, a pattern you love, or a blog you love (or all three!)! See we're all about the love!! Oh, and of course, the prize, will be something I love that rocks!! Unless you don't knit socks, I'll go stash diving!!

Happy Happy!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

So close...

I finished the body of the February Lady Sweater last night! Let's just say Snowboarder summed it up today when I tried it on, "Oh wow!" I can't wait to finish this! I think I stalled for a bit when I got to the part to decide on the length and was worried I would mess up. But I think I found a good length (pre-blocking of course).

All that's left are the sleeves. I'm not sure this will be done before I leave for my trip to Portland on Friday, but just in case, I want you guys to chime in on the buttons. I can't decide. Now I see why people have a button stash. This being only my second sweater for me, and first one needing buttons. I lucked out at As Cute As A Button, an online store.

So tell me what you think?

Celtic buttons #1

The ones I thought I would like best, but I'm not sure

Swirls

A more feminine look maybe? I like these too.

Celtic buttons #2

When they arrived I thought they were too dark, but taking the photos I actually liked them a lot with the color of the sweater.

Who knows?!?!?!?!

Back to knitting! Oh, and if you were on the fence about using STR heavyweight for this sweater, go check out Sam's swatch!

Happy Monday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Yummy Distractions

No I'm not referring to the yummy cupcakes. I'm talking about Miss Babs Yummy Sport yarn from Woolgirl! Wow oh wow! I forgot how much I loved this yarn! I cast these on late Thursday night and just wanted to start the pattern. Well, I couldn't put them down! I can't believe how fast these knit up! Woolgirl is doing a Miss Babs contest for Summer of Socks, so if you have some in your stash, this would be the perfect time to knit them up!

Summer of Socks pair #2

Pattern: Rainy Day Socks

Yarn: Miss Babs Yummy Sport, color Coventry Green

Needles: US 3

Started: July 3

Finished: July 5

Comments: I knit 10 pattern repeats for the cuff instead of 12. I wasn't sure if I would have enough yarn leftover, but I had plenty (0.8 ounces).

This package arrived this week too! I splurged and got the new Namaste Newport bag in the Peacock color (love this color!!). In true Woolgirl style, lots of goodies! That box is filled with 20 Eucalan samples!

Oh, and because I'm in love with this Yummy yarn (and it bumped me up to the free shipping), I added this to the order. Colorway New York!

No more distractions (I hope!). Back to February Rocks!

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy 1st Day of Summer!

Do you know what that means?

76 more days until Notre Dame's opening game against San Diego St.

please excuse gratuitous Lil' Guy football photo, its one of my faves!

Summer of Socks '08 officially begins!

I cast on a pair of Spring Forward socks! Its been 41 days since I last cast on a new sock....I was getting antsy! I'm using STR lightweight in Mist.

No worries. I have not abandoned my Lady. She's Rockin'!

What did the first day of summer mean for you?

Happy Summer

xoxo IrishgirlieKnits

WIP Wednesday: The February Edition

I've been faithful to her all week and this is the only project that has my attention right now! I love it! Its moving right along now that I'm just working on the body! The Socks that Rock heavyweight in Ravenscroft is absolutely perfect for this too. I don't think I'll finish it by next week, but you never know. I'd love to finish this before I start knitting all those socks again!

Of course, Saturday kicks off Summer of Socks!

I can't decide which socks I'll knit first, although I'm leaning towards the new Spring Forward pattern. I also want to cast on one of my Woolgirl Sock Club socks! Speaking of, here is the new shipment!

Jen's packages are absolutely perfect!! And I love this yarn, despite it not being my typical colors, it screams summer to me! I'm thinking Rowan will love these socks!!

Happy Almost Friday?!?!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

So Far So Good

My February Lady Sweater is moving right along! I'm using Socks that Rock heavyweight in the Ravenscroft colorway (which I love love love!!).

Can you see my two pretty buttonholes (well, the bottom one is right by the needle)? I love when trying new techniques work!

Oh, and Disco just updated her etsy shop with some cute onesies similar to the one I posted here. Too cute!!

Happy Friday!

xoxo IrishgirlieKnits