A Blink

Summer seems to be flying by with the blink of an eye. I can't wait to show you pictures from my fabulous trip to New York City, as quick as it was, but that trip deserves its own post. In the meantime, a few happy things I've been wanting to share, including a new design and a SALE (scroll down if you want to get right to that!).

A week with views like this were wonderful.







It was Little Guy's first time at the cabin and I think he had a blast! I know Grandma, Lil' Snow, and I had a great time having him with us!











But with four kids, Auntie IGK needed some down time too.





Two grandmas, one auntie, four kids. It was a week filled with sun, swimming, ice cream, Harry Potter movies, limited wifi and cell phone coverage, reading, lazy mornings, knitting, board games, crafts (teaching the kids how to latch hook and the girls finally learned to knit!), and fun.






I released a new design this weekend, Lowney. A sock design for Plucktember, the month long celebration (September) celebrating all things Plucky Knitter! Be sure to check out the Plucky Knitter Group on Ravelry to read more about it, including this thread, where there is a special KAL for the Lowney Sock!









And to celebrate Plucktember, I'm offering 30% off all of my Irish Girlie Knits Designs (patterns priced $6.00 or less) through the end of August, when you enter the coupon code: PLUCKY2014   (you'll need to enter the coupon code on ravelry).

I hope you guys have been enjoying your summer too! I'd love to hear what you have been up to! Let's be sure to enjoy this last week or two!

Happy knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

A Whirlwind

It has been a busy, fun-filled few weeks, but I'll admit, a bit of a whirlwind. Knit nights, cooking club (fabulous idea, right?!), musical performances, softball games, friends and family from out of town, work, life....phew. How has your summer been?  Hopefully fun-filled as well! I can't complain about the busy as it has been filled with fun.





This dish has made me want to actually use the pressure cooker my dad bought but still hasn't used! So delicious!! Madeleine had all the ingredients ready, but I prepared the dish. Using the pressure cooker, I kept thinking no, no, this isn't worth it. Not much faster. But as soon as we all tasted the chicken, WOW! Everyone practically exclaimed they were getting a pressure cooker. The flavor was so good, you would have thought that it had been simmering away for hours.



And this. This is why we love Alexis. So good....especially with a bit of vanilla ice cream. In summary, cooking club was a hit and we plan to do it again!



Ok. One more foodie pic. My favorite summer salad. Me, the girl who really is not that fond of tomatoes, loves this salad. Heirloom tomatoes are magical.



I went with a group of friends to hear a local author discuss her new book. It was so interesting to hear more about her process and inspiration about the story. It was a quick, enjoyable summer read that I'd recommend. I'd also recommend this one. I think I've told you that already, but just in case you missed it.



I do love summer reading, especially by the pool! Not quite done with Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, but loving it!





Lil'Snowboarder had her first musical debut! Sooooo much fun and I'm just so proud of her! Lil' Guy loved it too!



There has been knitting too.



And the sock has a toe.



And sweet magpie keeps growing and smiling!



And now the fun begins! A whirlwind trip to NYC for a few days of ME time! So excited!

Happy summer!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time there was an irishgirlie who knit socks. Lots of socks. But then one day she lost her mojo. She didn't know where it went, but away it had gone.



So she tried to pick up a plain vanilla sock. Simple, maybe that would do the trick, you know, even though she had actually never knit a plain sock. At least not that she can remember. A sport weight sock too, so it would go faster? Well, she did finish one sock and then put the project away somewhere. Bored.

Other than one pair of baby socks, she hasn't knit a pair of socks in almost a year. Those socks were quite pretty and special and secret because they are going to be released in this book later this year!

And then something happened. She was asked to design a sock for Plucktember, a month (September) celebrating all things Plucky. It was like magic. Primo magic.

There was swatching. Definitely not with the colors she was going to use, but it didn't matter. She was going to knit socks.

There. Those colors sing, don't they?

She brought it everywhere.

Even to a fancy restaurant. She was smart enough to put the needles down to enjoy these profiteroles. Delish!

There was a twinge of sadness, or perhaps guilt, when she went to turn the heel and completely forgot how. It was a brief moment, two rows she had to unknit, but still. How could she have forgotten? No matter, in just a week she was almost to the toe.

It may have been a long sock-knitting-less winter, but summer was here and a sock knitter was back!! Just in time for another summer of socks.

To be continued.....

Happy Sock Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Today, July 8, is the last day to take advantage of the IGK KAL/Holiday sale! Receive 25% off any IGK pattern ($6.00 or less) when you use the coupon code: FIREWORKS

Happy 4th of July!

I hope you are having a great holiday weekend! Our view will look like this most of the weekend....



Lil' Snowboarder is in left field and one of her best softball friends is up to bat! Fun game this afternoon, despite the loss. But more games tomorrow and Sunday, which also means plenty of knitting time too! I'm trying to not think about the 93 degree weather predicted for tomorrow!



These crazy big bows were not a thing when I played softball, but boy are they a hit now! Who knew?



And we knew these would be a hit. Not just any Rice Krispies for the 4th.

We also started our IGK Ravelry Group KAL this week! It is sure to be a fun one with WIPS, Summer Wind and finding the next Summer Wind! To celebrate, I'm having a KAL/Holiday sale! From now through July 8, receive 25% off any IGK pattern ($6.00 or less) when you use the coupon code: FIREWORKS

Now it is time to head down to the hotel pool!

Happy 4th of July!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

June favorites

A few favorites last month that I wanted to share before we jump right into July!

{favorite new recipes}



Smitten Kitchen's Salted Brown Butter Crispy Treats  OMG. So good. These were all the rage around blogland a few years ago when she posted this recipe but I never tried them. They are seriously delicious!



Back in May I made these deviled eggs for mother's day. So so good. They use greek yogurt and lots of fresh herbs and they are delicious. A nice contrast with the cheesy biscuity delicious things on that bottom plate that my sister made.

{favorite new treats}







All of the treats from Miette, a lovely little bakery in San Francisco. I fell in love with the Gingersnaps and Graham Cracker Cookies, and of course, the macarons.





Blue Bottle Coffee, another favorite at the Ferry Building.

{favorite new knits}

photo courtesy of Knitspot

Wheaten Cap and Mitts by Anne Hanson. After knitting Polartorte, I think I'm ready for another Knitspot pattern and this one is calling my name! Perfect for gift knitting too.

photo courtesy of Knitterella

Wavelenght Hat and Mitts, by Jill Zielinski, another on my must knit soon list.

{favorite pins/decorating ideas}



I'll be honest. This isn't a pin. I haven't been on pinterest in awhile, but I'll pin this next time I get there. It's my photo from one of the restaurants in the city that has a great NOLA feel :)  I love how they decorated with the coffee tins.

{favorite music}



Disco turned me on to Ed Sheeran two summers ago and I'm so glad she did. She also said I had to go see him in concert, and again, so glad I did. This concert on youtube is just filled with win. So good!



His new album, x , has been playing nonstop here lately.

{favorite movies}

Go see Fault in Your Stars right now. And bring a lot of kleenex. It was wonderful, and the book was amazing.


Okay, I could go on with the favorites but you know, it is July!  So let's get this posted :)

I am hoping to do a post on Summer Reads though, so if you have any recommendations, I'll be sure to make a list of those on that post.

And of course, let me know of any of your favorites this month! Especially favorite knits!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Finally

I think I'm finally starting to feel like my self again. I hope I don't jinx that, but to be honest, I say that things are getting back to normal a bit while at the same time I had two days this week where I felt pretty crappy (e.g., headaches, pain). So why does it seem like things are getting back to how they were? A few reasons....

For one, last weekend my bestest-friend-in-the-whole-wide-world was home to celebrate her 40th birthday. When she was home at Christmas, I wasn't able to see her because I was so tired/sick to make the 45-minute drive on my own. This weekend I felt good and when Lil' Snowboarder asked if we could spend the night, a couple hours at a party turned into an all day and into the next party, and I felt great. Decadent to relax with family and friends that have known me since I was 6 years old.

Another reason....I finished knitting something! Normally, that's not something I'd get over-the-moon excited for, but lately, the knitting just hasn't been there.



Shhhh!! Don't tell Anne I haven't blocked the lovely hat yet. The Polartorte hat is actually a quick knit if you, um....knit it. I also went to knit night three weeks in a row, so I think that helped. It has probably been over a year?! that I've been to that many consecutive knit nights. That alone is so good for the soul.



I can't wait to block this hat this weekend and see how the yarn, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK, blooms. I loved knitting with this yarn and can't wait to use it again.

Speaking of finishing things, I also released a new pattern this week, Miles to Go (which would look fabulous in Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK). This hat was originally designed for Woolgirl's Robert Frost Kit for the Poets Club. I will sooooo miss Jen's lovely kits, but am so happy for her to take time for herself.





The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   
But I have promises to keep,   
And miles to go before I sleep,   
And miles to go before I sleep.



The last stanza of Robert Frost’s Stopping By Woods on A Snowy Evening poem inspired this slouchy, warm hat. The featured cables and leaves panel reminds me of those snowy woods, dark and deep.




Shown above in Oink Pigments DK, a lovely, squishy yarn



I just love the photos Jill took.....a perfect hat to wear on a walk through the woods.



When I came home from Stitches West, I cast on this lovely skein of Plucky Knitter Bello Worsted shown above and was smitten. I just love love love that yarn! And it is perfect for the slouchy style of this hat.

Miles to Go     

Notes: Instructions are written for a hat that is worked in the round.  The hat is sized for a slightly slouchy fit.  Charts are provided on the last page.

Suggested Yarns: ~180 yards of Plucky Knitter Bello Worsted, Oink Pigments DK, Anzula Cricket, Bare Naked Wools Stone Soup DK

Materials:
Size US 6 (4.0 mm) or size to obtain gauge either DPNs or circular needles
Size US 5 (3.75 mm) or one size smaller than used to obtain gauge, either DPNs or circular needles
Cable needle
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Gauge: ~22 sts and 34 rows = 4” over st st for hat on larger needles    

Size: one size fits most adults for hat
                                     
Sizing Modifications: The ribbing on the trim of the hat provides a lot of stretch and accommodates most head sizes.  However, if you would like to make the hat smaller or larger, it is recommended to make these modifications by working fewer (e.g., for smaller hat) or more (e.g., for larger hat) repeats of the ribbing section in multiples of 4 sts. Then incorporate or remove those stitches in the stockinette portion of the body of the hat. You can also modify the slouch of the hat by making the hat longer (e.g., for more slouch) or shorter (e.g., for less slouch).

Finished measurements:  8 1/4” unstretched (up to 10” streteched) width, 9 1/2” length  for hat



The pattern is on sale for $4.50 through the end of the month. BUT if you use the coupon code: summer   you'll receive an extra 30% off of that (so it'll be just $3.15).

And one more reason why I know I'm feeling better.....



I've been swatching (the colors above definitely are too wonky for the final pattern, but I was trying different things out, hence...black and white). I think tonight I may even cast on a new design......

So there you go. A lot of good, everyday things that help me now I'm going in the right direction. I just feel like summer is going to be great!

Any fun plans for your weekend? I hope so. Here's to a happy weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits