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

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

Rainy Weekend Fun

Fun for me, but not so sure Bailey loves the rain.



Cancelled softball games allowed for a leisurely weekend, playdates (which means time for me to knit!), sitting by the fire and being home for the entire weekend for the first time in awhile.





I practiced poaching eggs. I think I'm getting the hang of it. The girls made scones which were perfect this morning with my cafe au lait.



I cast on a new sample of one of my infinity scarves this weekend. I've been wanting to knit with Black Trillium's lovely gradient sets for awhile and finally was able to. The knitting is going quickly because I can't wait to see how the next shade looks.



This is the Ice Gradient set that I'm using. And don't click that link unless you want to be tempted. There are a few other color ways I could buy in a second (like this one).



I'm making progress on my Polartorte hat. I absolutely love the yarn, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK. I'm saving this project for softball knitting because it is a perfect project for that.



I also was able to work a bit on my new hat design and it should be available in the next week or so. Baby Magpie's official modeling debut...she's a cutie!

It was a perfect rainy weekend, almost a bit decadent. I just wish tomorrow wasn't Monday. So what were you guys up to this weekend? Anything exciting? I hope so.

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Now. Soon. Someday.

What I'm knitting now....

I've cast on the coordinating cowl that will go with my hat for Shalimarch (this one). Another softball game tonight, so I was able to make a bit of progress. I'm knitting with Homage DK and I absolutely love this yarn!

 

Soon.....

Polartorte Photo used with permission, courtesy of Knitspot

As soon as I saw Anne's new pattern, Polartorte, I was soooo tempted to order the kit. But Stitches West had just happened. Then I saw HizKnits at Stephanie's Book reading and he mentioned the lovely hat. I still resisted. Then Cupcakefaerie posted pictures of her yarn that had arrived to knit the hat, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK. I commented on her Instagram picture that I was soooooo tempted to get the kit, and then Anne commented, "KAL!" or something like that and I set about ordering my yarn. Soon! It should be here soon!!! Nartian and Cheekyattitude are joining in too....anyone else?

Someday...

Brush Creek Cowlette photo used with permission, courtesy of Carina Spencer

I saw the Brush Creek Cowlette yesterday and loved it immediately! Especially the "cowlette" aspect of it since that is how I wear most of my shawls. And I already have some lovely gradient yarns that would work for this! I'm adding it my neverending list of someday knits (ones that I still think of finding the time for like, Herrington and Snawheid.).

So what is on your needles right now?  What are you itching to cast on soon? Dreaming of a someday knit? I'd love to hear!

Oh, and in case you want to cast on your Slip Jig socks before St. Patrick's Day, they are available now on ravelry, as well as Pont Neuf. More info about both to come soon!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits



Our Annual BOGO Free sale is going on now!! More info here.www.ravelry.com/discuss/irish-girlie-knits-designs/2876638/1-25...

Almost Ready

I'm almost ready for March since I've cast off my new design to celebrate ShaliMarch.





The tween loved the hat so much she even volunteered to model it and (gasp!) appear on the blog....haha! Hopefully the pattern will be ready in the next two weeks...I just need to finish writing it up, taking pictures and getting the baby hat version done. It's a quick knit, so I'm hoping some of you will still be able to cast on in the month of March if you are participating in ShaliMarch (for more details, check out this ravelry thread). Don't forget, I'm offering a discount code from now until March 7, for 20% off any IGK pattern from my ravelry store ($6.00 or less) with the coupon code: shalimarch2014  That way if any of you want to start planning your knits for Shalimarch you'll be good to go!

I'm offering a discount code from now until March 7, for 20% off any IGK pattern from my ravelry store ($6.00 or less) with the coupon code: shalimarch2014  That way if any of you want to start planning your knits for Shalimarch you'll be good to go! - See more at: http://wedonothaveaknittingproblem.blogspot.com/#sthash.3cRhZgkD.dpuf

I'm offering a discount code from now until March 7, for 20% off any IGK pattern from my ravelry store ($6.00 or less) with the coupon code: shalimarch2014  That way if any of you want to start planning your knits for Shalimarch you'll be good to go! - See more at: http://wedonothaveaknittingproblem.blogspot.com/#sthash.3cRhZgkD.dpuf

We are finally getting some rain around here. I couldn't stay home and knit that day, isn't that what you want to do on rainy days?! Anyways, I made the best of it by knitting a bit at the cafe that morning.



The yarn is Weepaca, a new yarn from Big Bad Wool. The yarn debuted at TNNA in January and was at Stitches West this past weekend. It is so soft and squooshy, perfect for baby.


I had a fabulous time this past weekend with Lil' Guy, but I'm sure looking forward to a relaxing and quiet weekend catching up on knitting and sleep! But boy, he sure is fun!





Are you guys looking forward to anything fun this weekend? Finishing up any knits? Or like some of us bay area knitters who went to Stitches West, casting on something new? I know, I know...I still owe you pictures of my Stitches West goodies :) Coming soon!

Happy Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

A Whirlwind

A wonderful whirlwind this past week has been. Last weekend my sister and I went with the girls up to our family friend's cabin. It was a perfect weekend! So fun to spend so much time with the little magpie!





Can you just smell the fresh air?! So lovely.



We took my sister and the magpie to the town of Murphy's, where lil' snowboarder and I have discovered the best cupcakes right next to a fabulous yarn, tea, and book store, Maisie Blue.





Baby's first yarn store visit!!





Yes, I took pictures of her all weekend! Sunday we drove up to Bear Valley to hang out in the snow! Lil' Snowboarder took her first ski lesson! Soooooo proud of her....she wanted to go back the next day, but we had to come home...she's ready to hit the slopes!





My Gobi Hat came in handy in the snow! By the way, for those of you who asked back in December, the pattern is now available outside of the Bare Naked Wools Club. This fabulous pattern is now available over at the knitspot site.

From the mountains and snow we fast forward a few days to Stitches West! Such a fun few days of yarn and knitting friends! I helped Anzula set up their booth this year....I love these ladies and the yarn is to. die. for. I've been spoiled knitting up so many of my designs with their yarns!



Note Wish I Might in the corner there.



And Holbrook and Blue Lake Springs.



Thank you Tracy for your fabulous quick knitting of a San Mateo sample in Cloud! It is gorgeous!  My new design (coming soon!!!) is in Cloud and it is sooooo amazing when it blocks!



It was pretty awesome to see the Yarnover Truck on the show floor and in person!



I think Cheeky Attitude is thinking about a northern california franchise! haha! I have to say it was pretty awesome to walk the show floor with my friends this weekend and not have to "work" at a booth. Of course, when we got to the Plucky Knitter booth, that wasn't so good for my wallet....haha!



It was pretty awesome to see Sarah's booth do so well this weekend. She's come a long way since our little trunk show at our friend's house a few years ago! I can't wait to show you the pretty yarns I bought!



There was knitting progress too! Here is my new Shalimar Yarns Hat design for the upcoming Shalimarch Celebration! I'm having a sale right now for those of you planning to knit one of my designs for it.....details are at the end of this post. And yes, that is a Hermione stitch marker! I couldn't resist the set from Stitches.

Saturday I drove up to Folsom to hang out with my nephew! I'm on auntie duty until Tuesday morning.....he had just come home from a memorial service when I took this picture...



All dressed up! And growing up! I can't believe he is almost 7!?!



He quickly changed into something more comfortable....gotta love these California winters...

Now I must to bed because I have an early wake up call to get this kid to school on time! What a fun week this has been. I hope you've had a lovely week too!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits