8 Years.

8 years of blogging! You guys rock for still stopping by this space- whether from the start, a few years ago, or just recently. It might be every few months, just to look at the pictures, it might be through a blog feeder (is that what they are called) or quickly on a break at work so I understand if the comments aren't as frequent. The main thing is that we have created this awesome knitting community through blogs, knitting, ravelry, twitter, instagram, LYS, retreats. You've become my friends, many in real life, and many more virtually. So thank you!!

The past few years we've celebrated here by putting some of my most popular patterns on sale for 50% off. This is the only time I do this, so please spread the word and take advantage! And since Tricia, aka Cheekyattitude, is on board this year as part of the IGK team and will be helping out, we are making this EXTRA fun! There will be three separate groups of patterns on sale over the next week or two, but they'll be a surprise. Plus we have some other fun things planned. It is the holiday season after all!

First up..... IGK Favorites: Accessories! All the patterns shown below are 50% through Dec. 8, NO COUPON NEEDED.



One of the most popular IGK designs this past year has been Fiar. It saw a revival this past year with the lovely gradient yarns, especially those of Black Trillium Fibres.





I also released a new sock pattern this year, Contorta, in the lovely Bare Naked Wools Breakfast Blend fingering. It had been awhile since I had designed a sock pattern so it was nice to see so many of you respond so positively to it. Thank you!



The Sleepy Hollow Collection, San Mateo,  and Cotty Socks are also on sale.



And of course, my most popular pattern by far, Summer Wind. This one and Cotty really jumpstarted my design career. But this infinity scarf (and San Mateo too) continue to be "potato chip" knitting! You can't knit just one. It also featured my fabulous duo of Thayer as my model and Tricia behind the camera, with one of my favorite yarns Plucky Knitter Primo.

Any of these would make great holiday gifts if you started now too. By the way, how is your holiday knitting going? Don't forget about our IGK fall/holiday KAL over on Ravelry. My holiday knitting is slow going while I finish prepping the new pattern that Tricia showed you in the last post. But our holiday celebrating did start last weekend with our annual trip to the Dickens' Fair.





Magpie is awake for tea this year!



And she didn't quite know what to make of Father Christmas.

Next on the holiday list is to get our Christmas tree this weekend. I'd love to hear how your holiday plans/knitting/merry-making is coming. Are you in the holiday spirit or is this time of year a harder time for you? If you don't particularly celebrate the holidays how is your December going? Any special knitting?

I did a little Black Friday shopping for you guys from Knitterella. Leave a comment sharing something about your holiday plans, traditions, knitting, etc. and one of you will win the prize below. And if you mention in the same comment that you'll spread the news about the contest or sale (e.g., twitter, instagram, ravelry, Facebook, on your blog) you'll be entered twice. Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you (e.g., rav id).



Oh, and one more sale I have to tell you about because you know I LOVE all things Knitted Wit. Lorajean's birthday is Sunday and she is celebrating with a birthday sale. Everything in her shop is 34% off with the coupon code: birthday34  More details here I'm definitely getting some Sassy Santa!!


Have a  great weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

I Love Yarn Day

Who knew there was such a thing?! How perfect because since I'm visiting Erica and her family this weekend I was able to peek at her mom's Bare Naked Wools stash! I'm already a huge fan of Knitspot's yarn line, having knit with a  few of the yarns already.



I designed my Contorta socks out of Breakfast Blend fingering.



I knit a Polartorte hat out of Stone Soup DK. I think Stone Soup is probably my favorite yarn so far.



Here's Stone Soup fingering. I can't wait to try the fingering version of this yarn.



Erica's mom is knitting a Summer Wind out Stone Soup fingering and I just love how it is knitting up. It feels so lovely.



And here's Kent Worsted. This yarn looks amazing! Another I can't wait to try!

So what yarns do you love?!? Any new ones I should add to my must-try list?

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Since it is I Love Yarn Day, and so many love the Loopy Ewe for our yarns, check out a fun Designer Interview they did on me today (and it features a coupon code on my patterns). Happy Yarn Day!

Finally

I think I'm finally starting to feel like my self again. I hope I don't jinx that, but to be honest, I say that things are getting back to normal a bit while at the same time I had two days this week where I felt pretty crappy (e.g., headaches, pain). So why does it seem like things are getting back to how they were? A few reasons....

For one, last weekend my bestest-friend-in-the-whole-wide-world was home to celebrate her 40th birthday. When she was home at Christmas, I wasn't able to see her because I was so tired/sick to make the 45-minute drive on my own. This weekend I felt good and when Lil' Snowboarder asked if we could spend the night, a couple hours at a party turned into an all day and into the next party, and I felt great. Decadent to relax with family and friends that have known me since I was 6 years old.

Another reason....I finished knitting something! Normally, that's not something I'd get over-the-moon excited for, but lately, the knitting just hasn't been there.



Shhhh!! Don't tell Anne I haven't blocked the lovely hat yet. The Polartorte hat is actually a quick knit if you, um....knit it. I also went to knit night three weeks in a row, so I think that helped. It has probably been over a year?! that I've been to that many consecutive knit nights. That alone is so good for the soul.



I can't wait to block this hat this weekend and see how the yarn, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK, blooms. I loved knitting with this yarn and can't wait to use it again.

Speaking of finishing things, I also released a new pattern this week, Miles to Go (which would look fabulous in Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK). This hat was originally designed for Woolgirl's Robert Frost Kit for the Poets Club. I will sooooo miss Jen's lovely kits, but am so happy for her to take time for herself.





The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.



The last stanza of Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods on A Snowy Evening poem inspired this slouchy, warm hat. The featured cables and leaves panel reminds me of those snowy woods, dark and deep.




Shown above in Oink Pigments DK, a lovely, squishy yarn



I just love the photos Jill took.....a perfect hat to wear on a walk through the woods.



When I came home from Stitches West, I cast on this lovely skein of Plucky Knitter Bello Worsted shown above and was smitten. I just love love love that yarn! And it is perfect for the slouchy style of this hat.

Miles to Go     

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

Suggested Yarns: ~180 yards of Plucky Knitter Bello Worsted, Oink Pigments DK, Anzula Cricket, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK

Materials:
Size US 6 (4.0 mm) or size to obtain gauge either DPNs or circular needles
Size US 5 (3.75 mm) or one size smaller than used to obtain gauge, either DPNs or circular needles
Cable needle
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Gauge: ~22 sts and 34 rows = 4” over st st for hat on larger needles    

Size: one size fits most adults for hat
                                     
Sizing Modifications: The ribbing on the trim of the hat provides a lot of stretch and accommodates most head sizes.  However, if you would like to make the hat smaller or larger, it is recommended to make these modifications by working fewer (e.g., for smaller hat) or more (e.g., for larger hat) repeats of the ribbing section in multiples of 4 sts. Then incorporate or remove those stitches in the stockinette portion of the body of the hat. You can also modify the slouch of the hat by making the hat longer (e.g., for more slouch) or shorter (e.g., for less slouch).

Finished measurements:  8 1/4” unstretched (up to 10” streteched) width, 9 1/2” length  for hat



The pattern is on sale for $4.50 through the end of the month. BUT if you use the coupon code: summer   you'll receive an extra 30% off of that (so it'll be just $3.15).

And one more reason why I know I'm feeling better.....



I've been swatching (the colors above definitely are too wonky for the final pattern, but I was trying different things out, hence...black and white). I think tonight I may even cast on a new design......

So there you go. A lot of good, everyday things that help me now I'm going in the right direction. I just feel like summer is going to be great!

Any fun plans for your weekend? I hope so. Here's to a happy weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Feels like summer

Or at least it is starting to feel like it. I think I'm just about done with the craziness of end of the school year for my day job and I'm also feeling better each day!







Memorial Day included a 4-game softball weekend, but at least we were able to have a fabulous dinner at Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing on the coast. Highly recommend it!





My summer knitting so far has been a few WIPs since they've been the easiest to bring to weekends filled with softball games for Lil Snowboarder!







But with two weekends off from softball coming up, I'm hoping my weekends look more like this! Swimming, knitting, spontaneous backyard picnics, reading. Btw, I'm loving Rachael Herron's new book,  Pack Up the Moon It feels like the perfect vacation read because I can't put it down, but I've been warned that it may break my heart. I'll keep you posted.



I can't resist sharing this adorable picture of Magpie after she enjoyed a bunch of raspberries! Is she not the cutest?! Summer berries, farmers market, swimming, bring on summer!

I'm also kicking off summer with a sale!! Receive 30% off any of my IGK pattern and ebooks from my Ravelry Store when you use the coupon code: **happysummer**         Coupon good through Monday, June 16.

How has summer started off for you guys? Any fun knits? Books you'd recommend? Recipes to try? I've missed you guys....catch me up.

Happy Summer!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

April Favorites

April favorites, in no particular order.

{favorite recipes}


Tiny Strawberry Cream Scones

Pistachio Crusted Asparagus with Feta

and this one may become a May favorite once I try it.

{favorite books}


An excellent read.



Technically this is a March favorite. I absolutely loved this book, and the audiobook was fantastic! I couldn't stop listening to it. If you haven't read this one, put it on your list. And if you have read it, and enjoyed it, any others you'd recommend?

{favorite TV}


Game of Thrones!!! 

Bletchley Circle is back. And Orphan Black.

{favorite places}





The Inn at Port Ludlow, WA







High Tea at The Rotunda in San Francisco. A fun spring break afternoon last week with the family! It was just lovely.

{favorite yarns}



black trillium gradient sets

Addicting.



Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK. It is beyond lovely to knit with. I had to put the hat down to finish a few projects, but hoping to make some serious progress on it this weekend.


So there you go. A few of my favorites this past month. I can't wait to hear what have been some of your favorites this month. Please share!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Spring Awakening

It's not just one of my favorite musicals.



Which by the way is going to be made into a movie.

It's this time of year where it is so nice to sit knitting at a softball game at 7pm, but still be a bit chilly. April showers, spring flowers. A bit more daylight. A bit more energy.

And with the transition of the seasons, you also need those transitional knits....cowls, scarves, hats. I've got a few new ones to share with you!

Sluggy





Designed with the lovely Shalimar Yarns Homage DK, this hat was originally designed to celebrate ShaliMarch. But what the heck, we can still knit with Shalimar in April, right?



My favorite thing about this design is that it looks great on the whole family.



Lil' Snowboarder is modeling the same hat as her dad, but it has a slouchier fit on her. I think he wants another knit in the large size too now.





Awwww....little Magpie looks so sweet in her hat, don't you think? I know, I know. I'm a biased auntie.


 Her hat is knit with Big Bad Wool's Weepaca yarn. This yarn is Ah-mazing! I just love how soft it is.


Notes: Instructions are written for a multiple-sized, slouchy hat. If a slouchier hat is preferred, you can either work the body of hat until desired length or go up a needle size for the body of hat. Modifications will require more yardage. Charts are provided.

                                                                                                              

Suggested Yarns: ~95 (140, 170, 200) yards of dk/light worsted weight yarn such as Shalimar Yarns Homage DK, Big Bad Wool Weepaca, The Plucky Knitter Bello Worsted, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK

I can't wait to knit another one of these for me!

FYI, Sluggy is on sale through April 15, for $5.00 and then will retail for $6.00 

The other design available this week is Seamus.





A special thank you to Disco who knit this sample up quickly in the new Bare Naked Wools Confection. I'll admit, I was a bit jealous she was able to knit with this lovely yarn. But at least I get to wear this lovely infinity scarf. I just love this combination of cables and yarn.



I knit the smaller cowl version with one skein of A Verb for Keeping Warm Pioneer. Another lovely, gorgeous yarn.

This cabled infinity scarf or cowl is the perfect beginner project for learning cables, as there are only five rounds of cables. It is also perfect to show off that special skein you’ve wanted to cast on. Cables and worsted weight yarn makes this a quick knit!

Pattern Notes: Instructions are written for two sizes, a cowl and an infinity scarf, knit in the round. Written for cowl with instructions for infinity scarf given in parentheses if different. Charts are provided on the back page.

Suggested Yarns: 165 (370) yards of heavy worsted weight yarn such as Bare Naked Wools Confection, Anzula For Better or Worsted, A Verb for Keeping Warm Pioneer, Kolláge Yarns Fantastic, The Plucky Knitter Rustic, Brooklyn Tweed Shelter

 



Jill Zielinski, aka Knitterella, did an excellent job on the photo shoot (isn't her cousin Dani gorgeous?!!). Thanks Jill! I feel for her a bit with all that snow though.

Seamus is also on sale through April 15 for $5.00 (then retails for $6.00).

I also released Snow Plants this week, the shawl I designed for A Verb for Keeping Warm's Pro-Verbial Club. I'll be blogging more about this pattern, but did want to let you know it is available and on sale!





It is definitely springtime with all of these new designs. Three in one week! When it rains, it pours.

A few more quick announcements....

If you are in the LA area this weekend, then hopefully you already know about the LA Yarn Crawl, April 3-6.



Please be sure to stop by Knit Culture Studio to see some of my designs that are there for a trunk show. I love that they've picked some of their favorite designs from a number of designers to put together a pretty amazing trunk show. Plus, check out this gorgeous design that Hilary, the Yarniad, designed for them this weekend. Gorgeous!

The other announcement is that the Irish Girlie Knits Ravelry Group has picked our next KAL. Wish I Might and any other Stripey IGK patterns! Come join us for the fun (oh, and there is a coupon code there too!).

And with that, I think I better get to bed. Phew. I'd love to hear how your spring has been going? Any exciting plans for the weekend?

Happy Friday!!Happy Spring!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits