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

WIP Wednesday: The Distractions Edition

My neverending list of projects I want to knit just seems endless at times. In addition to wanting to tackle some of my UFOs, I'd also like to cast on....

My new Rockin' Sock Club sock.

Another pair of Leyburns.

A pink pair of socks for Valentine's Day. Just because.

Plucky Knitter Aran Cashmere, colorway Doris

A pink cashmere scarf for Valentine's. No one said this list was realistic.

A sweater with my new yarn.

The February Lady Sweater for the STR KAL.

That pretty gathered scarf that I've been seeing everywhere.

Something with my new Plucky Knitter Merino Worsted.


Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon Worsted, color Dormitory

These are just the things I want to cast on today.

But, I'm distracted by the gift-knitting. Or maybe I want to be distracted by the other projects. Anyways, February is birthday month around here. Dad's birthday, my birthday, Rowan's birthday. And as you all know by now, Dad and Rowan are big enablers with the yarn because they like their handknits.


I, Irishgirlieknits, do solemnly swear to finish Pa's scarf. It was his father's day gift. Last year. Ugh. His birthday is Monday.


And finish his new pair of Thujas. Dad loves his Thuja STR socks. Seriously. The holes speak for themselves (he really does love his other three pairs!).


I know I could finish off this second Holidazed sock, but need to finish Dad's first.


And, in full disclosure, I cast on this cowl a couple weeks ago. I wanted another cowl. I wanted an easy project (you know, to finish up in a day or two...hahaha... if only I wasn't distracted). I wanted to use the yarn Snowboarder gave me.

I really hope to finish one or two of these WIPs soon. I've got a list to get to! Oh, and Rowan's birthday gift (she has been quite specific... fingerless gloves, "cabley", gray, cashmere ... seriously).

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Tummies and Wallets Beware!

Don't say I didn't warn you! I have been thinking of you all this weekend.



Especially when I made these last night. I thought, I really should take pictures and put the recipe on the blog.



They are for our big family Super Bowl party today! I don't really have a choice about bringing these anymore...they are a crowd pleaser!



I also thought about posting this easy salsa recipe, but no time. But I did think of you all. This salsa is a sure fire way to make Rowan happy!



And then I thought of Bezzie this morning. I thought she would be proud that I used all the leftover ingredients from the mexican roll-ups and the salsa and made a frittata! Delish! I even used the leftover onion and put it with the hamburger I used for taco meat for taco salads and tacos for the week!



And this. Well, again. I warned you. This lovely lovely Madelinetosh Tosh Worsted arrived in my mailbox yesterday! A total surprise from a lovely friend!! Thank you!!! So hard to capture this gorgeous color, its a bit darker than this photo, but it is oh, so me! Oh, the color, Terrarium....swoon!! I'll admit to drooling over it when I saw it at Woolgirl. Lucky for you all, I think Woolgirl is updating the shop today with more Tosh Worsted colors!! And while you're there, don't look at the Madelinetosh sweater club. I did. Maybe in my next life when I am a sweater-knitting rockstar!



So excited that I actually wound a skein of it! With the hopes that I can swatch soon and decide on either this, this, or this....or something else?! I have 1800 yards of this gorgeousness!!!! Thoughts? Suggestions?

Hope you all have a great day!! Happy Knitting!
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

A Me Day

I took a me day today. It involved...

1) Sleeping in.

2) Taking a long walk with the doggies.

They were tired afterwards.

3) Trying a recipe from my new cookbook.

Apples for Jam: A Colorful Cookbook

It was the Chicken Casserole recipe and it was delicious. Leftovers for tomorrow too!

And served with whole wheat pasta, its even healthy!

4) Casting on a new sock. I'm blaming her for this. hehehe

5) Feeling ready to face the world again tomorrow!

Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Got Soup?

Its been one of those weeks. Actually, just a couple of days, but it feels like a week. I'll be glad when this work week is done. One more day.

The only project I've touched since late Tuesday night was this.



I knit just two rows Tuesday night. Three or four last night. A few more tonight.



And when I read this post last night, I understood why. As Sam said, garter stitch is chicken noodle soup. Well, garter stitch + socks that rock heavyweight = chicken noodle soup for me. Maybe its chicken with stars...hehehe



Picking up my Tickled Pink Blanket that Rocks! after quite a few months just felt good. Tomorrow has got to be better!

Happy almost Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

The Power of a Knitalong

It motivates me to finish!

If you haven't joined us in the Socks that Rawk! Leyburn KAL...c'mon!!

As much as I'm ready to cast on another one, right this second, I'm going to try to finish up my Trickle socks first.

Pattern: Leyburn Socks
Yarn: Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Potomac
Needles: US 2, 2.75mm
Mods: Knit cuff-down, co 60 stitches

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Why look...a new sweater! Again!

This cutie patootie just got a new sweater! Irishgirlie-made...circa 2003!
I knit it for my best friend's niece. She wore it, and her younger sister wore it, and her mom thought I might like it back for future babies! So thoughtful (I never expected it back)!

Can you tell I was crazy?! Seriously. The fringe was how I learned to crochet. I clearly remember going to a Wednesday knitting night help session to learn how to add the fringe. The birthday party was Saturday morning. Fun fun. Would probably never knit this again!

But Miss H seems to love it!! And has plenty of room to grow!

I think she may love it mostly because Auntie Rowan gave it to her! Aren't they cute!!

I just added the details to my ravelry page here!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits