YPF: The Goal Update Edition

Its been about a month since I took the time to write out my goal for this year. I'm hoping to keep this goal in mind all year, so I thought a little check-in would be good. And, of course, a little yarn pron.

A recap..... feel free to skip down to the yarn now :)

My goal for the new year is simple. I am going to put myself first and take care of myself....physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Simple, yet not so easy.

Big goal, little steps.

I'm going to exercise 5 or 6 days a week. Or at least make a conscious effort to do so. 30 minutes a day they say. A consistent 4 days a week so far!! Yay!

I'm going to eat healthy. Keep going to weight watchers (and not just when I've lost weight). Not perfect, but a big difference. I've lost 8 pounds this past month!

I'm going to make time to cook more and try new recipes. You guys have seen some of that.

I'm going to read more. If I'm on the treadmill more, that should increase my reading time. Believe it or not, I joined the 52 books in 52 weeks group over on Ravelry. NOT because I'll be able to read 52 books, but to be part of a group that enjoys reading and recommends good books, etc. will keep me motivated. I'd be happy with 12. We'll see how I do. Not too bad here. I've read Eclipse (The Twilight Saga, Book 3) and Free-Range Knitter: The Yarn Harlot Writes Again. Both quick reads....well could have been quicker, but its about trying to make time for both of my loves (the knitting and the reading!).


I'm going to be better about sticking to my budget. Cooking at home more will help. Being more conscious of the "extra" things I buy...thinking do I really need this? Hmmm...other than yarn I've been quite good at this. Oh, the yarn. the yarn. Where is Disco when I need her!!!!

I'm going to knit more from my stash. Note that I didn't say I was going on a yarn diet. Don't quite think that'll work for me. You know, that diet thing. Maybe I'll have Fall In Love with Your Stash Fridays...FILYSF...or not. I'm hoping that this will be my hardest goal to achieve (if I lose 40 pounds this year but keep buying yarn, well, not too bad). But, hey, I haven't bought yarn in a week. Good start. Well...let's bring on the pictures now, I guess.


Yes, these pink lovelies showed up in my mailbox this week. Good news, they were all paid for with destash money!! Bad news, well... I can't seem to resist the cashmere. I'm hoping with Stitches West and Sock Camp coming I'll be able to stay a bit more focused.


Plucky Classics January Shipment 100% superwash fingering colorway Hey Cupcake!! absolutely perfect!


The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon fingering, colorway Ripe for Picking


Squoosh Merino Cashmere Sock, colorway Tulip
beware! There is one skein left!

I'm going to keep challenging myself with my knitting. I've even already started this one. Both Snowboarder and Lil' Guy have new hats, designed by me. Soon to be seen by you. Just need to write up the pattern. I've been waiting for Lil' Guy's pictures in the hat, but I should probably just get on this. Snowboarder wants you to see his hat :) You all know how Snowboarder is...hehehehe

I'm going to sock camp. And sock summit. Registered for camp!

I'm going to take care of me. So far, so good.

Thank you all for coming along for the ride!!! I so appreciate it!!!

How have you all been doing on your new year's goals?

Happy Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

YPF: The Honeycrisp Edition

Wow...January has been kicking my butt at work! Luckily, I have my favorite apples to keep me on track! I've been trying to grab these intead of chocolate for my afternoon snack!

So how could I resist this gorgeous colorway! Its named Honeycrisp. Seriously yummy.

Squoosh Merino Cashmere Sock. It had me at cashmere.

80% merino, 10% nylon, 10% cashmere. 100% love!

Yum yum yum!

Here's to a fabulous weekend!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

YPF: The Hooray for Fall Edition

Look what showed up in my mailbox this week! The Fall Charlie Brown kit from Woolgirl!

I heart fall! I heart Miss Babs Yummy fingering yarn (remember these socks?!)

And yet, when this fabulous package arrived, I looked at the Woolgirl box and wondered, "What is this? I didn't order more yarn?" You know its bad when yarn just shows up at your door and you forgot you bought it....uh-oh. Plus, I wanted to cast on right away, but then realized I have a few too many socks on the needles and I haven't even started Christmas knitting...uh-oh. It was the perfect reminder to keep up the yarn diet!! I'm aiming for two months at least! That would lead me right up to the Purlescence after-Thanksgiving sale! We'll see how I do!

Happy Friday!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

YPF: The Autism Research Edition

I can't quite believe that it has been a week since I last blogged! Not to worry, I haven't just been buying yarn (as these two posts would seem to suggest!). I've been knitting too, just not as much as I would like.

September is a busy busy month at work for me. I don't talk about it too much on the blog (I'm a firm believer of trying to keep work stuff off of this blog, except for the occasional meme questions), but it seems relevant to discuss it today. I run a clinic that provides early, intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism. What began as a way for me to fulfill my community service hours to receive my Confirmation back in high school by volunteering to work with a child with autism, has turned into my career. I've been working in this field now for 18 years. So when Woolgirl mentioned that she would soon be carrying a yarn where part of the profit went to Autism research, well of course, I knew I'd buy some (yarn and a good cause!)!

Mama Llama Perfect Sock, sportweight colorway Autism

My sister agreed that this colorway captures the puzzle pieces pins and bumper stickers that are part of raising Autism Awareness.

I love the coordinating blue yarn for the heels and toes.

And in true Woolgirl style, look at all the goodies from ordering my one skein! My sister has already confiscated the notepad (she loves!! Woolgirl extras!!).

I'll be back with another post on Saturday of the socks that I finally finished last night!

Happy Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

YPF: The Mama Blue Edition

The camera does not do this yarn and colorway justice. It is absolutely gorgeous and golden!
I like to blame Peaknits for this enabling. Back in July, it was post after post of gorgeous Mama Blue socks and yarn. I held out as long as I could (and by then of course, it was selling out so quickly!).

Mama Blue Troika Sock yarn, colorway Beekeeper

I couldn't resist casting on with this yarn right away, despite the many many socks on the needles. This is the Bramble colorway. Perfect for the Hedera pattern.

Happy Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

YPF: The Late Night Edition

Before we jump to the yarn pron, yippee! A desperately needed 3-day weekend! I had a tough week recovering from the ravelympics (e.g., cleaning things that hadn't been cleaned due to non-stop knitting, actually cooking food again) and now that the end of summer is drawing to an end my one project of organize/redecorate our craft/gym/extra room must be done this weekend! In complete contrast to last weekend, I've vowed to put down the needles for the weekend to organize that room (with the exception of hopefully making it to Purlescence for knitting on Sunday for a couple of hours).

Hopefully, I will find a pretty spot to display my new yarn in the newly organized craft room (oh, and btw, it used to be an all-purpose...ummm...storage/junk room...so craft room/gym would equal heaven!). Because this yarn is gorgeous......

Madelinetosh Tosh Worsted in Ginger

This color is already gone at Woolgirl, but there are lots of other pretties there!

This color just screams fall to me. Any one else ready for the leaves to start changing?

Well, I had to get something for Snowboarder. Winter is coming. This is Tosh Worsted in Graphite (won't it make a pretty Koolhaas?).

And you know that Woolgirl with her extra goodies! Look at these yummy new colors of Miss Babs! So so so so tempting!!

Is it fall yet?

Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

YPF: The Plucky Edition

This very plucky edition of yarn pron Friday is dedicated to one very plucky Turtlegirl! We rockin' sockers love you this week sweetie!

plucky adj. Having or showing courage and spirit in trying circumstances.

I've been resisting buying some of this yarn for a very very long time. I finely gave in. And bought one single pretty skein. I love it!

Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Superwash Merino Cashmere Nylon Blend 80/10/10; 250 yards
Colorway: Sensibility

Just lovely!

And after you are done browsing the Plucky Knitter's shop, go wish Cockeyed the Sockateer a fabulous happy birthday!

Happy Friday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

TGIF!

A good friend asked me today, "Where have you been? I miss you." All with affection, but I responded, "In my car." Its been that kind of week. I had an out of town consultation case that I commuted three days a week this week for and between that and some other work stuff, let's just say 13 hours of driving. Thank God for my ipod! Oh, and our condo is having some remodeling done, so as pretty as part of it looks, my room is a disaster as it has become the storage area and now we get to put our house back together and get ready for the next part.

But really, who cares. Because as of right now...I'm on vacation!!! Going here!

Oh, and I got some purty yarn in the mail for FREE! (well, a trade, but that doesn't count, right Disco, wink wink!).

PigeonRoofStudios, Sport, color Gunmetal

Quick, there is some listed in her Etsy shop. And Woolgirl is having a big sale this weekend, including more colors of PigeonRoofStudios. When Krista contacted me on ravelry about wanting to purchase one of my destash yarns I just couldn't resist asking about doing a trade since I absolutely love her yarns. She offered me a few different ones and I chose this one, sight unseen. And I love it!

Now, the problem with our under construction house is that there is a bit more yarn out and about then usual (I'm usually good about keeping in tucked away hidden). So when Snowboarder saw this on my desk he immediately wanted a Koolhaas in it. Ugh. How can I resist. He wears his hats constantly. But then he quickly saw some Raven Twisted yarn I had out for a project and he wanted that (he so could be a knitter....he's got a color thing!). Either way, I'm working on socks for me right now. He'll have to wait. Shh!

Hope to have a FO to show soon before I leave for vacation Monday!!

Miss you all too!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits