More Sunshine

Look what was waiting for me when I came home from work today!  My sister rocks!  A little more sunshine to get through a Monday.

And Gaylen blogged about her Maryanne Socks that she test knit.  She claims they are a fast knit. Although they feature an easy-to-memorize lace pattern, I think it is Gaylen that is the fast knitter.  She whipped up a pair of socks while I was cramming to finish knitting the second! Thanks again G!!

Another bit of sunshine....if you haven't seen it already, Sweet Home has a new pattern layout now too!  Perfect timing as we have a few weeks left of our Sweet Home KAL over in our IGK Ravelry Group.  It's not too late to join!  Plus, I'll be announcing our prizes soon (we have some awesome donors!)!

Special thanks once again to my fabulous graphic designer, Jill Zielinski, aka Knitterella.  She did another fabulous job with the layout.  If you are looking for a graphic designer, I highly recommend Jill!

As I continue to reformat some of my patterns (and design new ones!), I'm going to need a few more test knitters (e.g., a few new designs in the works for socks, scarves, shawlettes) and sample knitters (e.g., for existing patterns that we are reshooting the photos for such as Love Letters, Queen Alice).  If you'd like to be added to my list, please send me an email at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com  I've got a few specific projects that I'll need in the next month or two, so let me know what you might be interested in.  I'll also start a thread in the ravelry group in the next day or two, just wanted to give you guys a heads up!  Thank you all so much!

Now, if I can get to knit night tomorrow night, well, that will be even more sunshine!  Here's hoping!

Happy Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Priority Packing

Well, the yarn is wound.


top to bottom: Plucky Primo in Headboard, Sock-a-licious in Blush, Sanquine Gryphon Bugga, BMFA STR in KMBFLA

Yes, as always, I think I can knit 3 pairs of socks and a shawlette in 5 days.



And finish my second Bellingrath Shawlette! Thank you all SO much for the Bellingrath love! I'm so glad you all like it as much as I do :)



Oh, and yes, a pair of Bellingrath Socks for me. In Bugga, colorway Nightcrawler. Yummy.

I am so excited to be attending Stitches Midwest for the first time and to be part of Kollage's design team! Plus, yesterday the Yarn Harlot finished her gorgeous Cotty socks and it has been so fun to see the hearts for Cotty on Ravelry jump up! So, I thought a sale was in order!

Sweet Home will be on sale for $4 today through Monday 8/23!



I really do appreciate all of you and your support you've shown me as I'm growing as a knitter and designer! I heart you guys!

I hope to blog from Stitches and have a contest while I'm gone too! Come back for details! Oh, and if you are on twitter, I'm irishgirlieknit over there if you want to follow the fun!


Now I need to go pack some clothes :)

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Sweet Home

Sometimes all it takes is a simple name to inspire a design. Chateau, the colorway name of Kolláge Yarn's Sock-a-licious Yarn, made me think of lazy days on the porch of a beautiful southern home, with columns similar to those of Tara, sipping sweet tea.





A Southern home perhaps because the yarn arrived with a postmark from Alabama, home of Kolláge Yarns.



...Alabama...lace...columns...chateau...home...sweet home.

Pattern: Sweet Home

Yarn: Kollage Yarns, Sock-a-licious, colorway Chateau

Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)

Gauge: 32 sts. = 4" over st st

Size: adult women's medium and large

Finished measurements: 6¾" (7¾") unstretched (up to 8" (9") slightly stretched) foot circumference; 6¾" (5”) leg length

Notes: A cuff-down sock with written instructions that include charts specific to each size and are provided on the last page.

A very special thank you to my fabulous test knitters Jocelyn, Gaylen, and Madeleine! Tricia did a fabulous job on the impromptu photo shoot! And to Susie at Kollage for donating the yarn for them to knit with!

Happy Knitting! Its time for Sweet Tea!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Evidence of Knitting

There has been some knitting around here. Even though it seems like forever since I've blogged about some actual knitting content!

First, Erica and I had a great time in Sandi Rosner's Winning Socks Class last weekend at Purlescence (she blogged all about it here). And I challenged myself to not only knit a wee sock toe-up (I've done that a few times), but to also use DPNs! I've used DPNs for hats and such, but I'm a magic loop girl when it comes to socks. I think I may actually challenge myself to knit a pair of socks using DPNs this summer...it wasn't as bad as I thought (and I really liked using Kollage's square needles!), and it may actually be easier to lever knit with them. I'll keep you posted.



The next knitting, well, technically it isn't mine.



Erica started a Merrily Cowl while at sock camp using STR heavyweight in January One, and OMG!! I just love how drapey the cowl is in heavyweight (and we know I have plenty of that in my stash!!). I'm thinking of making one in Jabberwocky to get ready for fall!



I did finish my Sweet Home socks!! I heart them and Sock-a-licious together! The pattern is with my test knitters so I'm hoping it will be released in the next week or so!

Now off to see Despicable Me with Big and Lil Snowboarders!
Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Decisions decisions

Tough knitting decisions around here.

1. I really, really want to finish Sock #2 of my new Sock-a-licious design, Sweet Home.



2. But it is Father's Day this Sunday. Dad needs some socks. Well, he actually wants me to mend the socks with the holes, but that doesn't sound like fun. Just not sure I can whip up a pair of Uncle Frank socks by Sunday.



And I really want to keep working on these.



3. But then next week, I need to knit another pair of baby socks for my bestest friend in the whole wide world (we've been friends since we were 6!!). A baby boy, her first! So I was thinking of making wee Uncle Frank socks.

Of course, in true knitterly fashion, somewhere deep down I think I can knit all three. Who am I kidding?

Happy Decision Making!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Busy Busy!

Busy week at work. Busy weekend...walk-a-jog Friday night, Autism Walk Saturday, farmer's market, cooking food for the week, more work stuff on the weekend. Busy upcoming week. But then, work slows down and summer is here!

This was all the knitting that was done this week. Not too much, but I'm loving my new design!





Gorgeous Sock-a-licious in the colorway Chateau. Love it!

Hope your weekend was full of fun! Here's to a great week ahead!

Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits