Gratitude List #3

In the knitting world, lots of people are buzzing this week about the upcoming TNNA trade show.  If you remember, I officially became a member in January and was able to go to the show in Long Beach earlier this year. 

As much as I wanted to go to the upcoming show in Columbus, I just knew I wouldn't be able to make it work this year.  And so instead of pouting that I can't be there, I thought today's post would be a perfect time to reflect on the many things I'm grateful for in my budding designing career since TNNA in January.

26. I have a new gorgeous logo that I'm still tickled with!  So much so that I've even put it on totebags (psst! totebags are back in stock btw)!

27. I've published 5 new designs, one of which will be released tomorrow through Sunshine Yarns.

28. I have 2 more designs for Kollage that will be released this week and at TNNA.  Hopefully Erica will take some pictures of the Kollage Yarns' booth for me :)  I can't wait to see the final pictures!  Here is a sneak peek at Keegan, the baby hat and booties set!


Seriously need to pinch those cheeks!!  Too cute. 

29. Both of these patterns, and ANOTHER one, will be featured in Kollage's upcoming Feed Your Creativity program.  That is 3 of the 10 projects featured!  I was hoping that maybe one of my patterns would be picked, but 3?!  So excited!!  And to be paired up with other fabulous patterns and designers, it is an honor. 



30.  I've opened two wholesale accounts with both Miss Babs and Sunshine Yarns and as I continue to reformat my patterns, I'm looking forward to opening more wholesale accounts. 

31.  I'm teaching at Sock Summit!!!  And my class sold out in less than an hour!!  I'm beyond honored to be among one of 60 fantastic teachers.  Seriously, so grateful for this opportunity!

32. I have another design that will be released on Wednesday!  (that makes 8 designs in 5 months....no wonder I'm tired!). 

33. I'm grateful for all that I have learned the past few months, and for recognizing that I have so much more to learn.

34.  I have been blessed with an amazing group of people who have been so supportive of this journey, from my test knitters, to other designers both new and experienced, and to indie dyers and yarn companies for their support!

35.  Most importantly, I am grateful for all of you for continuing to inspire me, support me, laugh with me, and tink with me!  Which reminds me, I have a pile of UFOs that need to be dealt with...I may need your help with that!

Well, I hope this doesn't sound just like a list of things I've done since TNNA.  I really am incredibly grateful for all of these things because I still just can't believe all of the awesome things that are happening!  Thank you!

See, it'll be ok that I won't be at TNNA this weekend. 

What are you grateful for this week?  I loved reading what you guys were grateful for last week.  I really think this positive attitude may be the way to go...

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Rainy Weekend, but Sunshine Ahead

Rain in California in June?!  It sure has been awhile for that, but yesterday it rained a ton!  Initially, it put a bit of a damper on my plans with Lil' Guy, but we quickly adjusted.

After a trip to the Lego store (and btw, he could have hung out there forever!), we played blocks with Auntie Rowan.



Then we were off to Sky High Sports, an indoor trampoline place that Snowboarder and Lil' Snowboarder love, but I haven't been there before. Well, this was right up Lil' Guy's alley.



I love these blurry pictures of him, because, well, he is too quick!



Here he is waiting in line for the foam pit. He was not intimidated by the big kids at all.



He even tried to jump off the side of the wall like the big kids.



There was some doggie walking too!



Pa was on duty with my brother's dog, Shadow.



That looks like a tough job, huh?

The sun came out in the evening for a fun time at Grandma's house! I forgot to take pictures because I was too busy recording the kids shaking their butts to a fierce game of freeze dance! Too cute!



And, he was up bright and early this morning and happy as can be!! Just love that kid to bits, even if I needed a very long nap this afternoon!

After all this rain around here the past week, I'm definitely in need of some sunshine...

That's where Dani of Sunshine Yarns comes in!

I've been teasing you with photos of my new Capitola Sock Pattern, and on Tuesday, June 7, the kit will be available exclusively through Sunshine Yarns!  More details about the kit are featured in her newsletter.





Shown in Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sport, colorway Desert Cactus

Before I go further, I have to say something.  I LOVED knitting with Dani's yarns.  The Luxury Sport was, well, luxury.  And talk about a quick knit!  I haven't knit with the Classic sock before either and well, it is going to be hard not to buy another skein or two of this in this week's update!  Her colors are just gorgeous!  You should see some of the colors she has planned for the kit too!

This pattern reminds me a lot of all the things I love about my Cotty Socks. Its written for both sportweight and fingering weight yarns, looks great in both semi-solids and variegated yarns, and features an easy to memorize pattern.





Shown in Sunshine Yarns Classic Sock, colorway Caramel Swirl




Once again, Jill did an awesome job with the pattern layout.  I was pretty chuffed when I saw the printed out version for Dani's kits!  The hard copy of the pattern is 11 x 17 and folded in half, which means no pages to lose!  Plus it looks quite professional if I can say so myself.  Thanks again Jill!



Summer knitting at the coast. Feet up on the balcony, listening to the ocean waves crashing against the cliffs below. Sun shining down. Just imagine yourself in Capitola, the charming beach village in Santa Cruz County, CA where these socks were knit. The easy to memorize pattern on these socks, paired with the gorgeous Sunshine yarns, make them the perfect summer project!

Now that should brighten up our week, right!

I'll have a few other fun things to share this week too!  Although I won't be going to TNNA next weekend, I have a few designs and news to share with you this week!  Go peek here...

One more week of busy, busy, busy work, and then it is summer!! Still working of course, but so much more relaxed!!  Anything fun you in the week ahead for you guys?  Share share so I can get through this crazy week ahead....

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Happy Friday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Gratitude List #2

I heart 3-day weekends.  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.  I have a lot to be grateful for this past week (I know, technically it is Monday, but the long weekend is making me think the week is just wrapping up).

Here is my Things I'm Grateful For List #2

11. 3-day weekends.

12. Freshly groomed doggies.





13. Fresh lettuce at the Farmer's Market, which translates to yummy salads all week long.



14. Hearing La Vie En Rose on a Saturday morning.



15. Reading what other people are grateful for...here, here,  and here.

16. Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam cheese.  I intended to take a picture, but um...

17.  Raspberry Buttermilk Cake.




18. That my mom is willing to walk around on rocks and sand for a sock photo shoot. Thanks mom.


Capitola Socks, coming soon from Sunshine Yarns

19. Celia's speedy test knitting skills to make this photo shoot possible.

20. New project bags that were not only on sale, but match my new project perfectly!



21. Snuggles with my best friend's 7-month old baby, who was home visiting this weekend.

22. Catching up with old friends.

23. Learning to lever knit. Thank you Steph! Most of last year I really, really tried to stick it out and switch over to lever knitting. I had taken Stephanie's Knitting for Speed and Efficiency class twice and wanted to put in a good effort try!  I still don't have it down perfectly, but I do think I knit more efficiently and I also don't despise the purl stitch anymore.  Which is how this on Saturday afternoon, turned into a finished scarf today.



24.  Tosh Merino Light. I bought this last month at Jimmy Beans Wool, and love it!!

25. Uber-talented friends.  I am so blessed.



What are you grateful for this week? Please share!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

Thank you for helping me raise $440 for the Walk Now for Autism Speaks Event! It was an awesome even this past weekend!

Happy Friday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Stuff

Um.  There has been some retail therapy going on in these here parts.  Don't worry.  Not yarn.  But knitting stuff that I still want to share with you :)

This past weekend I visited a new yarn store in Aptos, Yarns by the Sea.



It was a gorgeous, spacious store with a wide range of yarns.  So friendly too, I wish I would have had more time to just hang out and knit a bit.  And look what I saw!  A sample of My Kind of Saturday in Kollage Yarns Riveting :)  Pretty fun!



The store also had exactly what I was looking for....Knitters' Blocks for blocking!  I think this is a sign that there are more lacy shawlettes in my future :)



Then yesterday, something very special arrived in the mail.  Stormy is a good friend from Sock Camp and designs simply stunning darning eggs that are available in her etsy store, That Darn Egg Art.  Check out some of the gorgeous eggs she has designed. I was so excited that she did a custom darning egg for me.





As she says, darning eggs are not just for mending, they can also be a work of ART!  I have to agree!  I'm in love with it!



Isn't it perfect?!  Be sure to contact Stormy if you are interested in these stunning works of art!

I also have been doing a bit of pattern shopping...so excited to pre-order Kate Oates', of TotToppers, new book, Math for Hats. And then I also ordered Ysolda's new book, Little Red in the City. Cria is just about the cutest sweater ever.  Ok, and as soon as my paypal balance has a little bit more in it, I'm signing up for the pattern portion of Anne Hanson's Fall in Full Color Club.  How can I not??!

One more purchase.  This adorable project bag should be arriving soon.  I admit a problem when it comes to project bags.  Hello, my name is Irishgirlieknits....

Oh, and this pretty blue thing.  Well, just more stuff coming  your way hopefully in the next few weeks!



Bring on summer!

Any stuff catching your eye lately?  Not that there is any paypal money left (hehehe), but I can add it to the wishlist :)

Happy Shopping, I mean Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Distraction

distraction: a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else

This arrived in my mail last week.



It was an evil attempt by Erica to distract me.  Shiny, brand-spankin' new, never seen before, not even yet listed in Raverly new yarn (as soon as it is listed, I'll let you know, promise.)  Kollage Yarns has a gorgeous new yarn.... Lofty.

So very, very, very lofty. And lovely.



In my absolute favorite color.  I think that was the evil part.  She knows me too well!  How can one not cast on with this immediately?!



Doesn't Erica know I have designs I have to knit?  Patterns to finish writing?  Why, oh, why does she attempt to distract me?!  All I want to do is knit this stuff up.  It would make a gorgeous Winter Wonder.  Or Snowboarder Hat that Rocks.  Or. or. or...so many potentials!  100% Merino Wool, with a suggested gauge of 14 stitches = 4" on US 10.5 (6.5mm), you KNOW this would knit up so quickly.  A cabled hat is calling its name.  I know it.  Erica knows it.  Evil temptress. And in my favorite jewel-toned color, Seaport. 

But I resisted.  If only because I have a deadline looming. I'm not sure how much longer I can resist though.



I did finish the second Sunshine Yarns sock.

Any yarn or pattern distractions for you guys this past weekend?  If you need additional distractions, I love the Ravelry Roundup posts that have been happening on French Press Knits.  Although I don't want to be distracted more, I would love to hear what has been catching your eyes lately...do tell!

Happy Distraction-Free Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

Happy Friday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Jen, you know this one is for you, right?!