Blessed.

It has been a week of emotions for so many this week. I have tried so hard to continue to focus on positivity and all that I've been blessed with. Why? Because, honestly, that's the only way I've gotten through the past few months.



I'll be honest. It has been a year around here. You've noticed the blog has been quiet. In part because I've been busy. But also because I've been trying to figure things out. You know me...if I don't have anything happy or nice to say, I tend not to say it. Ha. My knitting has suffered a bit from that too.



Case in point: This hat has been on the needles since August. It is the only knitting I've worked on. What?!?! I think I've been on the decrease section for forever. It'll be remedied today. Promise.

The last few months though, I have finally started to find myself again, despite the lack of knitting. I truly feel like it started last February when I found a home at a new church and the message of my amazing pastor was to profess that we are blessed. I'm blessed.

You're blessed. We are all blessed. Especially those of us in this amazing knitting community....I have friends from all walks of life, political viewpoints, religions, parts of the country and world because of knitting. And for that I'm truly blessed. It helps me believe that our country will be ok.

I miss my knitters though. I've needed to take some time to take care of me, and sometimes to do that, you have to put other things on hold. I've been writing though. Trying to find my voice again. And journaling has reminded me how much I miss blogging.



I started eating right again. Drinking my shakeology. Started Weight Watchers. Got back to swimming. Told myself my head didn't hurt NO MATTER HOW IT FELT! Put some pretty lipstick on again. Baby steps.



This picture is probably the best I've felt, both inside and out in a long time! And those of you who follow my on Instagram, THANK YOU, for cheering me on along the way. The journey is part of the blessing and is teaching me a lot about myself.

Technically, I did finish some knitting. This gorgeous Cannon Beach scarf has needed to be blocked forever. I finally did that last weekend and I love it (so much so that I marked the pattern on sale for $4.50 through Nov. 15!).








The gorgeous gradient yarn is Pebble Sock Gradient Yarn from Black Trillium Fibres. I have a few sets to design with, and trust me, after blocking this, my creative juices are flowing again! I can't wait to get back to designing!!

Gradients are everywhere....even when I was getting a mani/pedi last week...another part of my self-care routine.



Are you still knitting with gradients? I've got a few in my destash if you need some! Trust me, I still have plenty. I may not have been knitting, but you know, yarn shopping....it happens.

My heart has been happy too, I'll admit. Amazing once you focus on taking care of yourself what can happen.





So yes, even though this week has been heartbreaking and challenging and filled with emotions for many of us, I choose to focus on my blessings. Last weekend, I had downloaded some new songs. Two of them have been playing over and over for me this week. First, this one. They sang it at church this morning too.

The next one was from Hamilton. Now, you all know I LOVE my broadway shows. But I'm not a fan of spoilers! So I haven't really downloaded the Hamilton soundtrack or read the screenplay like almost the rest of the world. Tempted and still might, but I haven't. But I did download the few songs from the Mixtape version (I know, I know...could be considered sacrilege?). Particularly because I loved Kelly Clarkson's version of It's Quiet Uptown.

As I listened to it Wednesday, the song took on new meaning. The lyrics are so powerful.

Forgiveness. Can you imagine?





Wishing us all a peace-filled week ahead.

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. Plucktovember Sale through Tuesday, Nov. 15!! 

How Long is Too Long?

I'm pretty good at making things for people when they ask me to. As long as they don't have a scary deadline (I've mentioned that I'm slow, haven't I?) or are way beyond my skills. No sweaters. I've never knit a sweater. Not for anyone. They scare me. I have images of mismatched sleeves and droopy necklines dancing in my head.

Anyway, a hat was requested and the request was specific enough for me to be able to choose the pattern and yarn. But there were requirements. It had to be black and it had to be manly - nothing fancy he said.

I knew of just the pattern - Naylor Street, and I had some lovely Plucky that would be perfect. I set to cast on.




Everyone seems to have a favorite cast-on. My go to cast-on is the long tail method that my grandmother taught me when I was learning to knit. The only problem is that I can't seem to set aside the right amount of tail. I heard that you can wrap the yarn around the needle 10 times and then use that as a the 10 stitch measurement to cast on. I did this with this hat, and it seemed way too long. But I kept going, I was following a rule. I was about half way done and I should have stopped, but I didn't. When I got to the right number of stitches on the needles I had about 3 FEET of tail left! How did that happen? I must have miss counted. So I started over. The second time showed promise. But again, way too long a tail - about 2 feet. I have no idea where I was going wrong. The tail was over my thumb while casting on so I was using the "correct" yarn.

The third time, I decided to be "smart" and measured the space between first and last stitches of the horrible cast on knowing that had to be the right measurement. And theoretically it should have worked. So this was the long way of excusing myself for this extra long tail.



No way was I going to start again so I just kept going and despite the crazy start the hat itself turned out lovely. But it still leaves me wondering about cast-ons options. 

I polled the knit night group:

• Person A would just knit it into the beginning, holding the tail and working yarn together.
• Person B would just leave it as I did.
• Person C would have cast on again.
• Person D doesn't like long tail and only uses the cable cast on.

What say you smart knitters out there - What would you do?

Don't forget about the sale!

New Pattern!!

A quick drive-by post this morning to let you know about my new hat pattern that I just released! Miles to Go is the perfect, sloucly one-skein hat, and if you The Plucky Knitter Bello Worsted, cast on now (ok, other yarns will work great here, but the one knit with Bello is amazing!!!). Oh and be sure to use the coupon code too for a practicallly 1/2 price deal!





More info on the ravelry pattern page here. The pattern is one 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). I'll be back later this week with more info and pictures, AND I finally finished a hat project I've been working on forever....just need some pictures now!


Happy Tuesday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Then There Were Hats

Those two shawls that I whipped up in less than a month wiped me out a bit. Between that and prepping for TNNA, I hadn't knit in over a week when I hopped on the plane to Michigan. I was so confident that I'd crank out that baby hat before the end of the flight that I stopped and closed my eyes. I forgot how busy knitting events can be and I didn't finish that hat until almost a week later on my flight home. Then I cast on another hat because I just wasn't ready for something that required more creativity.



Here you go. All my knitting progress for the past few weeks. Naylor Streets. A wee one and a big one.

I'll be honest, after that last designing frenzy, I was worried that I hadn't thought about what new design was next. But by Sunday of TNNA, I was inspired and ready to cast on....just no time!



These three skeins of Anzula Cloud called to me right away. Aren't they lovely! As soon as I started swatching, I fell in love with the yarn all over again.  I don't think I appreciated how soft it was last year when I furiously knit my shawl to wear to my sister's wedding. I can't believe my sister's wedding was exactly one year ago! Time flies!! Happy Anniversary sis!



I'm liking these colors together. What do you think?



Here's wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July here in the US! I'm not quite sure mine will be that exciting as I've been getting over a cold (seriously, when it is 90 something degrees out...doesn't seem fair?!?!) and I must be better by Friday when I leave for a long weekend in Yosemite to meet up with Disco!!! Oh, reminder that Wish I Might and Falling Slowly are still on sale through July 8!

Happy happy!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. Craftsy is having a sale (up to 50% off) on 5 great knitting classes from now through July 5th, including Anne Hanson's Button Bands and Buttonholes Class (which I love!), and Shawlscapes with Stephen West , another one I enjoyed. And I just signed up for Laura Nelkin's second class, Lace from the Inside Out Class because I loved the first one!

Stuffed.

Lots of delicious food in my tummy tonight. And so many leftovers for the next few days!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here and I hope you all had a special day too.










Yes, that is my sister making the turkey cupcakes kiss.  No, she isn't 12. Just acts it :)

So, are any of you doing any Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday shopping?  I'll be honest, I've been known to do some shopping on this holiday weekend, but I'm just not sure I'm up to battling the crowds tomorrow.  Or the fact that I would have to get out of my pajamas :)  I may do some online shopping, so if there is anything that's a must, let me know!



I am offering a Thanksgiving holiday sale on all of my Irish Girlie Knits Designs through November 26.  Receive 25% off any pattern OR collection, no coupon necessary.  I'm also including my new design in this sale....

Naylor Street   



I love that this hat features multiple sizes AND two different design options: one with yarn overs and one without.  Unisex.  Perfect for the entire family.





Remember this hat?  Lovely Plucky Knitter cashmere.  Finally finished.  I think this may be my sister's lucky cashmere hat for all of her future Giants games.  Afterall, they did sweep the world series this year.  :)



Goodness isn't baby Padraig the cutest peanut ever?  So peaceful! 



I knit him a few of these for his baby shower way back when.  Who would have thought it would take me so long to publish the pattern that he could model it?! 



I know Padraig....I took forever!

Naylor Street

Named after the street my grandma lived on in San Francisco, this hat is the perfect thing to wear on those foggy mornings. And with multiple sizes, it will be perfect for the entire family!

Notes: Instructions are written for a multiple-sized hat. Two different options are provided, one with an eyelet/yarn over, and the other without.  Charts are provided on the last page.

                                                                                                              

Suggested Yarns: ~60 (75, 105, 135, 170, 200) yards of worsted weight yarn such as The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted, Madelinetosh Vintage, Spud and Chloe Sweater

Materials:

Size US 6 (4.00 mm) either DPNs or Circular 16” with DPNs needed for decreases or size to obtain gauge

Stitch markers

Tapesty needle                                                                                                 

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows = 4” over st st      

Size: 0-6 months (6-12 months, 12-24 months, child/adult small, adult medium, adult large)

Finished measurements: ~ 5 (5 1/2, 6 1/4, 6 3/4, 7 1/2, 8)” width

Another special thanks to Jill, my fabulous graphic designer and friend, who makes my job so much easier with her help with pattern layouts.  Thank you Jill!  And Tricia for her wonderful photos of Leslie! I am blessed with talented friends!

Now for those of you who already own The Woods Family Collection, this pattern has been added to it as a bonus pattern and it should already be in your Ravelry Library :)

If you'd like to purchase the pattern, it is on sale for $5.00 from now until Dec.1. If you buy it before the end of my Thanksgiving sale, it will actually be $3.75 or if you purchase it as part of the collection, $13.50 (that's 5 patterns, regularly $6.00 each = $30).

I have to say I'm thankful for a few days off to continue catching up on the IGK stuff....blogging two days in a row, it seems decadent!  Love you guys.

Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Go! Go! Go!

First question, are you guys getting any work done with the Olympics on??  It was soooo hard to go to work today.  Why can't I stay home, watch the Olympics and knit?



Next question, can you knit during some of those close races??  I'll admit, it was hard to knit during the end of men's gymnastics tonight and some of the swimming events!  But my shawl is moving along nicely and I'm loving the colors (thank you guys!!)!  I'll most likely put this on hold once I get to the lace section as I really need to finish my Sunshine Yarns design and I'm so close to finishing that.

My first Ravellenic Games project is done!



Now that I've knit this hat six times (easy peasy knit!), I really need to write up the pattern.  I wanted to do a "guy" version though, without the yarn overs.  Here it is in The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted, colorway Oz.

Reminder that Tuesday is the last day for my Olympic sale!  All IGK individual designs are 30% off when you enter the coupon code: goforgold  in the ravelry shopping cart.

Tomorrow night I'll be cheering on Michael Phelps as he goes for the gold! And go Team USA in the Women's Gymnastics!  We are even moving knit nite to a local bar/restaurant to knit while watching the games (well, and drinking margaritas!)!

Happy Olympics!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Let the Games Begin!

An exciting few days so far with the Opening Ceremonies and the first day of the Olympics!

 

I got in a pre-Olympics swim Friday with my new swim cap and goggles :)  Then headed to my sister's for a little Opening Ceremonies party!



I think Danny Boyle did an awesome job on the ceremonies!  Loved James Bond and the Queen, the children's literature part, David Beckham, the flame, everything!  I can't wait to go back to London....I have to say the city has looked amazing the last few days!



My mom even brought her knitting to the party!  I actually didn't make as much progress between chit-chatting and watching, but when I was home for the flame, this is where I was.



I was mulling over your advice about the color for my shawl, so I started on another quick Dotty hat (I know, I know, must write up the pattern! But I wanted to try a guy version without the yarn over this time).



This is where I was last night after archery, swimming, basketball, beach volleyball, and more!  And then after gymnastics and more swimming, I finished it last night!  Pictures to come soon!  I cast on last night with the gray and blue for the shawl (thanks guys!)!

So are you you enjoying the Olympics so far?  How's your Ravellenic Games knitting going? Favorite moments so far?  It was nice to see Ryan Lochte win gold, but I hope Michael can pull through for the rest of the games!

Just a reminder that my pattern sale continues until Tuesday, July 31.  Receive 30% off any Irish Girlie Knits Designs individual pattern when you use the coupon code: goforgold in your ravelry shopping cart.

Happy Olympics!!
xoxo Irishgirliekntis

Coming Up for Air

Finally....a free weekend to breathe!  I finally feel like summer is here now that most of my students are out of school and we switch to our summer schedules.  Still work, but definitely not as stressful!

And it really felt like summer when I signed up for two Craftsy online classes this weekend, this one and this one.  I've already started Miriam's shawl class and I highly recommend it!  And I can't wait to have time this summer to try making jam!!  While you're at Craftsy, be sure to check out my pattern store too.

Last weekend, my mom, sister and I flew down to LA for a quick weekend for a family wedding.  Since my mom hasn't been to California Adventure at Disneyland, we spent Saturday there. 



 

It was perfect and I don't think my knee would have been able to survive Disneyland...I barely survived all the walking we did!  The best part was being able to meet-up with Holly aka knitterotica and hang out with her a bit!  Spontaneous plans made through twitter rock!



There was some time for knitting, of course...



The hat I'm working on in this picture was just about done, give or take 10 rows of decreases, when we landed home on Monday.  Of course, given the crazy work week, it is still not finished.  Hope to finish it tonight while I'm watching The Killing and Mad Men finales! 



Fortunately I was able to sit through World of Color!  It was awesome!

Then Sunday we went to the wedding...a few highlight pictures...







And Monday we had time for a quick trip to Seal Beach to have lunch with my sister's friend from college whom I love, but not just because she is a knitter!

Check out Kim's gorgeous blanket in progress she's knitting for her little guy.  So sweet!



Somehow we forgot to take pictures with Kim and her adorable boys, but she'll be at my sister's wedding in just a few week! 



We also squeezed in time before the wedding and at the beach for a quick photo shoot for my new shawl design that I'll be releasing in the next few weeks!  I can't wait to show you those pictures...my sister did a great job modeling!

This weekend has been all about catching up and relaxing.....I even downloaded a new book to read, Gone Girl.  Just a chapter or two in, but I'll keep you posted.

How was your guy's weekend?  Fun? Relaxing?  Does it feel like summer to you?

Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits