Comfort & Joy

Happy Happy Blogiversary!

I can't believe that 9 years has passed. I met Irish Girlie through our local Knit Nite (I've met the best people that way) and have enjoyed being part of her posse as she discovered and shared her wonderful design skills. The picture above is from our 2009 trip to Port Ludlow and my first Sock Camp so so long ago. So much knitting, food, and fun.

It didn't take long for IGK Designs to start going gangbusters and I got to take pictures of the gorgeous designs usually with the stunning Thayer to model.

 

Miss you so much Thayer!
The shoot for the Comfort Food  mitts and cowl set was a blast and just looking at the pictures makes me want to head to a cafe for some comforting hot chocolate.

I love how a soft chunky yarn makes them feel like a warm hug. Especially if you do them in a luxurious Plucky Knitter yarn like the ones above.

The pattern of cables is so easy to memorize that I chose it to accompany me to Italy last year.

So many good memories come back whenever I slip these on.

Comfort Food mitts knit in Neighborhood Fiber Co. Studio Chunky

This pattern has become my go-to holiday knit. And paired with the cowl or separately, they are sure to be treasured by anyone who receives them. The pattern is 50% off from now until Dec. 13, 11:59pm PST.

Be sure to check out what other IGK designs are popular gifts for the holidays over in the Irish Girlie Ravelry Group December KAL So much loveliness to choose from.


Pattern: Comfort Food  

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A Note from Irishgirlie~~ CONTEST TIME & MORE SALE PATTERNS

Since it is the weekend, let's celebrate with a contest and a few other patterns on sale. First, Tricia mentions that Comfort Food is one of her go-to holiday gifts. What are your go-to holiday gifts this year? They can be knitting related or not...leave you suggestion in the comments and you'll be entered to win an IGK pattern of your choice and a few Knitterella gift tags and cards that I'll put in the mail to you next week!

Gift knits for the babies in your life....Sweet Baby Kate and Dear Baby Francis are both 50% off this weekend, until Dec. 13, 11:59pm PST with Comfort Food.





And one of my favorite go-to knits from last year, Sorin and Sorin Fingerless Gloves, also on sale this weekend!

Have a great weekend!! More blogiversary fun next week!

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits & Tricia aka CheekyAttitude

Giftalong

Happy December!! Are you guys all working on your holiday knitting? Or are you opting for a little less stress this year...hahaha! I'm busy working on a design deadline but I'm still hoping to get a few holiday gifts in. We'll see.

I can't believe this will be my 9th year of blogging! Happy blogiversary month! We've got a few fun things planned in the next few weeks for you. To kick it off, I thought we'd have a guest post! Erica is going to talk a little about some of her favorite designs she's seen over in the Indie Design Gift-A-Long. I'm so excited to be one of the Designers participating this year! And be sure to read to the end....we're starting blogiversary month off with some fun!!
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Tick tock, tick tock...19 days left until Christmas. Can you believe it? I can't! I bet you want to knit a couple things and get them under the tree or in a stocking. Me too. I went searching through the Indie Design Gift-A-Long designs and thought I'd share my discoveries.

Mikkey by Lee Meredith



A chunky cowl using slip stitches, one of my favorite techniques for working with color that is deceptively simple with a super cool result. Imagine how striking it would be in black and white!

Snowy Woods Cowl by Michele Bernstein



I love the reverse stockinette design, leaving the tree branches highly visible. Fun, quick knit in Aran weight.

Faro by Jen Lucas



Slip stitches. Stripes. Aran weight. What a fun and fast knit!

Owl in the Thicket by Sara Burch



Cables and lace, with beads or buttons to accentuate the owl's eyes. Too cute!

Bluet by Bonnie Sennott



Cables and lace? How could you go wrong?

X-Intercept by Star Athena



Knits and purls that spiral! Simple technique, yet a striking striped effect.

There are 335 designers participating in the Indie Giftalong, with several KALs to participate in with oodles of prizes. It's not too late to join in the fun (details here) and get some gift knitting started and finished by December 31. Speaking of KALs, our Q4 KAL has started and the theme is Gift Knitting! Join in the fun here and also double dip by entering your WIPs and FOs into both ravelry group contests. I have SO MANY Irish Girlie favorites, as you may have guessed, but I thought I'd highlight a few of my go-tos for gift knitting.

Seamus by Irishgirlieknits



I can't even remember how many of these I knit. So quick and so fun because the cables are easy, plus you have a ton of vacation rows in between. I recently knit one for Padraig in a tweed and he is obsessed with how squishy it is!

Alpine Lake by Irishgirlieknits



This textured cowl is a dream to knit and works up in a flash in bulky. The loop is easily doubled for a warmer cowl and I love that the striking stitch pattern is unisex. I loved the version I knit in a bulky single



and I'm going to stash dive to whip up another for a quick teacher gift.

Rathmore by Irishgirlieknits



I love this for a gift knit! Stripes and lace make this a unique and impressive knit, that definitely delights the recipient. I knit this as a gift for a friend, and I must admit that I was a little sad when the knitting was done. It was such a dream to work up!

So tell me, tell me! What's your favorite IGK pattern to gift? And, hey, why not come on over and join us in the Irish Girlie Ravelry Group December KAL which is all about gift knitting to tie in with the Indie Design GAL! See you there. - Erica

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We usually celebrate blogiversary month with some fabulous specials and this time is no different. For the next two weeks, I'll be picking a few favorite patterns, with a little help from Erica and Tricia aka Cheeky Attitude, and marking them down for 50% off for 2-days only! So you'll need to check back here frequently so you don't miss out!

Erica's post reminded me of an old favorite, Alpine Lake. It really does knit up quickly in Bulky. The pattern is easy to memorize too! Don't have any bulky yarn? Double up some worsted and you are good to go...go up a needle size maybe if you aren't getting gauge.

So, from now until Dec. 8, 11:59pm PST, Alpine Lake is 50%, just $3.00! No coupon necessary!


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

Alyeska

Need an instant gratification project? I got one for you!

Grab 220 yards of your favorite bulky weight yarn and cast on my new design.

Alyeska

Last minute weekend plans for a trip to the snow? With an easy-to-memorize pattern and bulky yarn, this cowl will knit up in no time. It’s hard not to wish you were already wearing this cowl and enjoying the view atop snowy Mt. Alyeska, Alaska.

Pattern Notes: Instructions are written for a cowl that is worked in the round from the bottom up. A chart is provided on the last page.

Suggested Yarns: 220 yards of bulky weight yarn such as The Plucky Knitter Snug, Quince & Co. Puffin, Spud & Chloe Outer, Knitted Wit Cotton Candy, Malabrigo Yarn Chunky, Blue Sky Alpacas Bulky    

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Snug, colorway Holloway

On sale for $4.50 until March 31 (because, really, after that, who wants snow?!). And if you buy it today, don't forget to use the BOGO free pattern coupon code: LUCKY (more details here).

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Knitting Every Single Day Yields Surprising Results

I'm not even through the first 15 days of my Knit365 project and I've noticed something unexpected.

I expected to be more productive and have more knitted objects to show.

I expected to go through my stash more often and be reminded of all the lovely yarn I already own.

But one thing that I've noticed doesn't really have to do with knitting exactly.
 
I've rediscovered my love for seeing things through the camera lens.

The simple act of taking a picture of my knitting each day, even using my phone camera, has opened my eyes to looking at shapes and colors and textures. Back in 2006 I completed a photo-a-day project and I love having that year documented that way and that's when I began trying to learn more about photography. Over the years, I've put that to the side and am now bringing it out of the shadows.


Looking through the lens and seeing the landscape of this knitted fabric and trying to capture its hills and valleys was a challenge as well as a meditative exercise.


And at the end I'll have some lovely knits to wear! I'm at the border of the Pont Neuf cowl and am very excited to have it be my first finished knit of 2015.

Happy Knitting!
Tricia

Good Things.

1. 49ers are going to the Super Bowl! 

2. Being a SF Giants fan, Notre Dame alum, and a 49er faithful this year!!  World Series Champs, making it to the BCS, and now the Super Bowl, I can't complain :)  I think though Mimi is up there pulling some strings this year!

3. Blocking.  It is magic. I purposely chose this stitch pattern because I wanted more lace, more openness.  This was enhanced even more after blocking....I'm in love with this one.



4. Test knitters. Seriously, without them, I don't know what I would do.  Thank you ladies.  You know who you are.

5. New, or more like reformatted, and slightly new, designs.







I added a slouchy hat version to the Blackberry Brambles Hat and Cowl Set.  This new set is knit out of Fyberspates Scrumptious Aran, and it is just that.  So lovely!

Special thank you to Leslie for sharing her awesome smile, and to Tricia for capturing it so well!



And Jill for the pattern layout.  I've been keeping Jill busy all week with TNNA prep....more on that later! Thanks Jill.

Blackberry Brambles is on sale for $4.50 through February 4, 2013!   

6. Gorgeous new yarn that supports a good cause.  I've been meaning to try Fleur de Fiber Yarns, dyed by a wonderful sock camper friend, Angela, and her fundraiser for a family affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy was a good reason to try.  She's continuing the fundraiser through the end of January, check out her etsy shop.



Plus, she included tea with the yarn.  Talk about perfect :)  The lovely skein on the right is a laceweight seacell rayon and silk blend that I am just dying to cast on.  Colorway Clover, of course.

7.  A new KAL in the IGK Ravelry Group.  Come cast on a Naylor Street hat or Cotty Fingerless gloves!  Both patterns are on sale through February 4th too.  Disco has already finished hers!

8. Reading blogposts by some of my favorite blogging friends who are getting back into the swing of blogging.  I love it! Keep it up Disco, Tapmouse, Cockeyed, Cupcakefaerie, SnBLeslie, and Knittinggolfer.  Anyone else back on the blogging train that I missed, let me know!

9. Time off work for studying for my boards test next week.  So much studying to do, but at least I'm not working, right?!

10. Empty knitting needles. Not exactly a good thing, but I really don't want any projects to distract me from studying right now.  So I'm thinking to maybe cast on something mindless to keep my fingers busy for the next 6 days while I study...suggestions?  Toasty Mitts? Melody Scarf (but that cast on may require too much concentration)? I'm thinking maybe plain vanilla socks for dad? Help...

11. Downton Abbey. Yes.

What good things are happening with you guys?  I want to hear...a girl has to take a few study breaks, right?

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

More Knitting

I love long weekends, especially when I don't really need to go anywhere.  It makes cleaning not so bad when you have a  few days off.  It allows time for blogging and knitting and adding projects to Ravelry!  Like this Naylor Street hat.  I finished it this summer and I'm just now getting around to adding it to ravelry.  My sis was kind enough to model it for me at Thanksgiving dinner.







 Yarn: Madelinetosh Vintage, colorway Fragrant

I've been working on my Cotty mitts this weekend while enjoying tea out of my new Jennie the Potter mug.  One done in STR mediumweight and the other in progress in Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted.



I resisted the Black Friday sales yesterday.  I was tempted by some of the yarn store ones, but who am I kidding.  I still have lots of yarn!  And upon cleaning, found a few more skeins that I haven't put away yet.





I can't wait to try the new Plucky Knitter Bulky yarn.



I fell in love with Studio June's Springy Sport when designing Granlibakken.  I think either of these would make lovely Naylor St. hats, but I'm thinking of using them together.  We'll see.  FYI, Studio June extended her Black Friday sale through Cyber Monday.  Receive 25% off when you enter code GIVETHANKS at checkout.  You'll need 2 skeins of Spring Sport for the design...order now and you can be ready to cast on when the pattern is released next Wednesday!

Another finished project was my Go Giants World Series Cowl!  When we were at SOAR, I knew I wanted to knit an orange cowl during the World Series and fell in love with Floating, a 70% Superfine Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% cashmere fingering weight yarn, from A Verb for Keeping Warm.  It is a little bit of heaven and the Thai Iced Tea colorway was just perfect!   I doubled it and make a Comfort Food cowl.





Don't forget my Irish Girlie Knits Designs After-Thanksgiving Holiday sale is still going through Monday, Nov. 26!  Receive 25% off any of my patterns or collections...no coupon necessary!



Please feel free to add any other holiday sales that your favorite etsy or yarn dyers are having in the comments :)  And if you are looking for gifts for the knitters in your life, definitely check out Kate from Hello Knitty's gift guide for knitters.  It covers just about everything!

The rest of my weekend is going to include some baking, knitting, catching up on my grad school class (ugh!), working out, and most importantly, watching the Fightin' Irish beat USC!!!  Go Irish!!  Really hoping to keep that #1 ranking!!!  We haven't been number one since I was a sophomore at Notre Dame!

What are you guys up to?  Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

GO IRISH!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits