Enjoying Limbo

• limbo    noun an uncertain period of awaiting a decision or resolution; an intermediate state       

That's where I've been these past two weeks. You see, as life happens sometimes, plans may be changing. Or not. Due partly to some unforeseen family health issues and partly to me and him wanting to be closer to our families here, I'm not yet in Alaska. I might not be moving to Alaska. But I might still be. I've been in limbo these past two weeks since I quit my job. I'll know this weekend, but until then I've been enjoying the freedom that comes with this in-between state.

My friends and sister said I could be in limbo here at home or with SnBLeslie's free hotel room in NYC, so I should just go to NYC.  So last week I did.



I'll do another post about my trip, but this picture pretty much sums up how I feel these past few weeks. So damn happy!!! I don't know if it is because I know there are good things in store no matter if I'm here in CA or AK, or if it is because I'm feeling so much better, or if it is because I've taken a leap of faith and quit my job that was really stressful, but happy I am. Last year I went to NYC and couldn't imagine walking even a little of the Brooklyn Bridge. My feet were so swollen from one of my pain medications and I was in so much pain walking most of the trip. This trip I walked the entire Brooklyn Bridge and walked at least 2 miles everyday!! I felt great!



I felt so good walking that I've kept it up this week with mom. We've gone walking twice this week. See, in limbo I have time for exercising :)



And time for knitting. This new design is off the needles.



This design was released!!  More about that one in another post too, but figured I should at least tell you about Peek-a-boo Penelope.    



And I'm working on a sample of another design that will be released tomorrow. Limbo has been kinda nice (shh! don't tell anyone! I would like to know if I need to pack or not?!).



I loved reading about your summer traditions. You know one of my traditions is enjoying the farmers markets. I finally had time to do that this weekend. Oh! The smell of fresh basil! Just divine!



Delicious on this pizza too. This isn't just any pizza by the way. Nope, in limbo I've been trying new healthy recipes, determined to help me and my challengers in my challenge group enjoy eating healthy! This is a cauliflower pizza crust and it was delicious (I followed that recipe almost exactly, except that I microwaved the cauliflower instead of boiling it)! And yes, I even roasted some veggies and put them on the pizza too. I know, I know. I don't recognize me either!!

I'm going to enjoy this uncertain state for another few days but I'll keep you posted. Either way, I know I'm in for an adventure. Thank you for being along for the ride. I love you guys.

Happy knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happenings.

A lovely 3-day weekend, but things here seem to be moving quite fast lately. End of the school year, lots of exciting plans coming up, busy busy. Trying to find balance and be in the moment as much as possible. Just thought I'd share a few of my right nows....

Currently....

{hanging out with}



{writing the pattern for the wee sweater}



{reading}


You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life

{destashing}

Just go look :) You know you want to. I can't take pictures fast enough....probably 40-50 more  skeins to be added (eeep!).

{watching}

{drinking}

6 weeks in, and 4 weeks of a lot less pain, I can't go a day without (new recipe I tried the other day...vanilla ShakeO and coffee!). My healthiest meal of the day. I've signed up to be a coach and we have a challenge group (think KAL, but more like Fitness-along) starting in June. Let me know if you'd like to join or are interested in more info about shakeology! 

{knitting} 

I'd love to hear what's been happening with you.

Love you guys!

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Nashville

I know you haven't heard much from me lately, but I've been knitting, knitting, knitting getting ready for STITCHES South! And I'm super proud to release a new crescent shawl in The Plucky Knitter's new yarn, Snug Fingering.

Introducing, NASHVILLE     







Nashville is the Grand Ole Opry. The Blue Bird Cafe. Honkytonks. Fried chicken. Barbeque. Fabulous antiques and flea markets. The city of Nashville represents that down-home, country feel just perfectly. I tried to capture that southern comfort in this design. Blue jeans, your favorite boots, and the perfect lace shawl to add a pop of color for a girls' night on the town.



Nashville is on sale for $5.00 through the end of April, plus see below for a special Stitches South coupon code for an additional discount on this pattern and other IGK patterns!


Suggested Yarns: for 2-color version: ~ 600 yards (Color MC) and 160 yards (Color CC); or for 5-color gradient version: 160 yards (Color A), 70 yards (Color B) 120 yards (Color C), 175 yards (Color D), 235 yards (Color E) of fingering weight yarns such as The Plucky Knitter Snug Fingering or The Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering  

Finished measurements:  ~72” wide and 19” long at center point, after blocking



Erica looks just fabulous modeling these photos! Thanks Erica and her dad (lucky me that he's a professional photographer too!) for taking care of the photoshoot on our tight deadline. I know a lot of you were following Erica's sneaky tweets and IG posts about her sample/test knitting for this! When Sarah, The Plucky Knitter, and I talked about me designing something since I was going to Stitches South, I was a bit jealous knowing Erica was going to be able to knit the sample in Snug Fingering! Lucky girl!! It is divine!

Be sure to stop by The Plucky Knitter Booth 421, 423, 425, 520, 522, 524 

I'm beyond excited to be heading to Nashville this week for STITCHES South. I'll be floating around the show with dear friends and I hope to bump into lots of IGK and Plucky friends from here, Instagram, Twitter, and my ravelry group. You guys are just the best and you know I love meeting you in person.

I'm hoping to be wearing the gradient version of this shawl in five colors (Silver Lining, Early Light, Inspiration Point, Cryin' Icicles, Big Sky) of Primo Fingering. It's just divine! I've been taking it everywhere trying to catch a spare moment to knit on it.


From softball games....


To my favorite IGK office...


To knit night tonight....

And if I don't bump into you at STITCHES, or you can't make it to Nashville, make sure to be checking the ravelry group for updates. We have a thread dedicated to the event. Pop into the thread because I want to see what all of you are up to, sites to see in Nashville, best places to eat, and of course what colors you'll choose for your crescent shawl! It works perfectly for our current Color KAL too!

You should also check out Plucky's special Road Trippin' with Plucky- A Contest thread on ravelry for all of the Plucky fun to celebrate their debut at Stitches South!

Of course, we have to celebrate and have a Stitches sale, right?! All Irish Girlie Knits patterns $6.00 or less (including Nashville) are 20% off when you use the coupon code: STITCHES  through April 27.

Back to knitting for me!!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

You guys know I love this day!! I've been listening to my Irish music all week... you ready for some toe-tapping this morning?!

I can't wait for my sister to send me pictures of Magpie this morning. I babysat her a week or two ago and it was clear auntie dressed her!

Looking for that pot of gold?  Goodness I'm so smitten with this cutie pie!

And let's not forget it's also time for our annual Irish Girlie Knits BOGO free pattern sale!

Here are the details everyone...
March 17-18

BOGO Free! with the coupon code: LUCKY

Buy one pattern, get one free (lesser priced pattern will be free; Merrily and Sleepy Hollow Collections included, but other ebook collections excluded)!

Only includes patterns published by Irish Girlie Knits Designs in my Ravelry shop here (e.g., does not include patterns published by Kollage Yarns, BMFA).

Discount can be used more than once, but patterns must be bought in multiples of 2 (e.g., 2, 4, 6…). Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Feel free to share this info with your friends or any appropriate groups on Ravelry. The more the merrier!



I'll be wearing my Ring of Kerry today!



And I can't wait to come home and taste Pa's corned beef and cabbage! How about you? Isn't everyone just a little bit Irish today?



Happy St. Paddy's Day!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Ring of Kerry

Thank you so much for all the Irish Girlie love during my birthday month-long celebration. I can't wait to see the projects pop up on ravelry! And here we are entering another exciting month! Happy March everyone!

I released a new pattern just in time for STITCHES West in two colors of Anzula Cole and it was a big hit at the show.

Introducing, Ring of Kerry. 



How can you not love a quick, gratifying knit in Aran weight on size 8 needles!?



This past week Erica has had a ton of fun knitting the 3-color version in Plucky Knitter Primo Aran. I just love the three color version!! She chatted it up on Instagram and in our ravelry group and earlier today she took Ring of Kerry on a big day out with her family. They got to escape the frigid Michigan weather



inside a conservatory surrounded by pretty plants.




Shown in Plucky Knitter Primo Aran colorways Rachel, Corduroy, Wintry Mix

Those Plucky colors are definitely Erica!





A trip to Ireland isn't complete without taking in the spectacular beauty of the Ring of Kerry on the west coast of Ireland. The 179-km route includes scenic views of beaches, the lakes of Killarney, mystical castles, the town of Kenmare and their lace-making industry, and so much more. This infinity scarf captures a bit of that mystical, magical landscape and includes a bit of everything too... lace, color, and more!  

Ring of Kerry is $4.75 for the month of March, along with Rathmore



and Knocknagree.



Why? Because we are having a super fun, super special Ireland Destinations KAL on ravelry! Pick any one of these patterns and knit-a-long with us! We'll have weekly contests and at the end of the month there will be fabulous prizes for some lucky winners. Join the KAL here. We'll be sharing the prizes there in the next week or so...they are awesome!!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Note to Self

There are only 346 days until Christmas, so start that holiday knitting. Yes, I'm telling myself this now. Why you ask?

Because I finally finished the Tween's Christmas gift last night, that's why. 

Fortunately, I had at least one Sorin Fingerless Glove to give her on Christmas day, but then a lot of life happened and got in the way and very little knitting has happened. 

But she gave them a complete thumbs up today and hasn't even mentioned that they were quite late. 

And Magpie isn't old enough to realize that I didn't knit her the stuffed animal I wanted to knit her. I'm adding that to this year's list. I have 346 days.

And Pa's socks. Well, his birthday is in February. I think this is what happens most years. I think he knows this too.

And the ornaments I want to knit. And the little korknisse I want to knit. And that one special friend I'll want to knit for and then will need to cross off the list when I realize there is just no-way-in-heck I'll make the deadline....I'd like to make the deadline this year. 

Thus, this post. Ties in nicely with Cheekyattitude's last post about knitting a little bit everyday. More on my plans for that next time.

Happy New Year!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Holiday Magic

I may not have any presents wrapped yet, but I made cookies today. The most delicious crispy, chewy  gingersnap cookies from In Jennie's Kitchen. I've had a thing for gingerbread all holiday season so I'm glad I finally had a chance to make these.

They were delicious. Next on the list I want to make these and gingerbread coffeecake once my copy of simple scratch cooking arrives this week. 

More freezer jam. We'll see how this one tastes tomorrow. 

Baking and catching up on sleep has been how I've spent my first few days of holiday vacation so far. The next few days will be spent enjoying the holiday magic with family. I've loved seeing how our sweet little Magpie is experiencing the holidays this year.

She already knows the tree is just for looking :)

And loves reading with her big cousin.

That smile melts my heart every time.

We also have an extra family member visiting this week. Bailey and Puddy don't seem to mind sharing the couch with my mom's sweet dog, Maddie.

Baking, sleeping, relaxing, family, and .......knitting (and writing about knitting, as in those patterns). That's my plan this vacation. Speaking of which....

Sorin Fingerless Gloves    

Pattern photos by Tricia Soto, aka Cheekyattitude

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Primo Sport, colorway Decorum Dictates

These fingerless gloves are so versatile. The pattern is written for either sport or worsted weight yarns, and the worsted version is a quick gift knit too! The cables pop in a variety of yarns and will look good on everyone in the family. 

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Scholar, colorway Strawberry Wine (worsted weight version)

Suggested Yarns:  ~155 yards for sport weight version such as The Plucky Knitter Primo Sport, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK, Anzula Cricket, Knitted Wit Victory DK

~185 yards for worsted weight version such as The Plucky Knitter Scholar or Primo Worsted, Anzula For Better or Worsted, Big Bad Wool Weepaca

Sorin Fingerless Gloves are on sale for $5.00 through Dec. 28 BUT use coupon code: HAPPYHOLIDAYS to receive an additional 20% off this pattern and any other Irish Girlie Knits Design pattern $6.00 or less (through January 4, 11:59pm EST) 

I certainly haven't gotten very far on the tween's Sorin Fingerless Glove. One is almost done at least. I'm looking forward to getting some knitting done tomorrow.

Oh, Cheekyattitude and I have a present for one lucky reader that doesn't need wrapping. Contest time!!

Time lovely skein of Plucky Knitter Primo Sport would be lovely for a pair of Sorin Fingerless Gloves, but it could be anything you want it to be! Just leave a comment on this post with what you have planned for the week ahead....will you be baking, relaxing, knitting, entertaining family? Anything special? Have you wrapped all of your presents? Are all of your holiday gifts knit? Will you be casting on something special for you soon? Be sure to leave a way to reach you if you win (e.g., ravelry ID or email).

Oh, and our relatively new family tradition the past few years...tomorrow night we are seeing the Nutcracker. I can't wait.

Happy Holidays!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits