Fall in Love Fridays: The Stitches Edition!

Must to bed....but to tide you over... a few things I loved about the first day at Stitches!


Just gorgeous!!!


Rosie and her kin :)


Hi Ettamae and Tapmouse!


That's a pile of happy that Nathania has!


Rare Gems Heaven!!!!!!

Happy Stitches!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

I'm Ready!!!!!

1. New project cast on. Check



2. Yummy treats made. Check

3. Disco's itinerary (one day more Disco!!). Check

4. Money. Check

I think I'm ready for Stitches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coming Soon!

Snowboarder's New Hat..... just putting the finishing touches on the pattern before I post it!

Happy Sunday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Fall in Love Fridays: The Pigeonroof Edition!

Do you remember me blogging about this lovely yarn last year? I bought a few skeins from Woolgirl sight unseen and just loved them! And then tucked them away in my stash.... ignored... for a year!! Eek! With Stitches West coming up next week, and knowing that Pigeonroof Studio will be there, I thought I better at least try the yarn before I think about buying more!! Her colors are to die for!


PigeonRoofStudios Original Sock, colorway Plum Tortie

And then I fell in love all over again. I just had to cast on. Despite saying just a day or two ago that I wouldn't cast on more socks until I've finished my Trickle socks. Oh well. I could blame Neuroknitter a little bit...she did enable me to cast on for the Tesserae sock after I drooled over hers!



I guess you could say I'm using up my pattern stash too, since I've had this pattern for awhile and still hadn't cast on! I love it!! Such an easy to memorize pattern!

Happy Friday!! Less than a week til Stitches!!!!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Holiday Socks!

I finally finished my Holidazed Socks yesterday! Nice what a holiday can do!




Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Muddy Autumn Rainbow

I really enjoyed these socks!! And they fit like a glove!! Now I'm hoping to finish my Trickle socks before I'm tempted to cast on for another pair of socks!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

A Fitting End..

...to a perfect birthday week!



My Bleeding Hearts Gathered Scarf was finished on our drive home from our trip to the snow!





I eeked it out of one skein too! I'll admit, I was a bit nervous last night when it didn't look long enough, but I blocked what was knit so far and it grew about 15 inches over night!!



Pattern: Gathered Scarf
Yarn: Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Bleeding Hearts ONE SKEIN!!!
Needles: US 5 and US 8
Measurements: 5" x 65"
Cast on: February 11, 2009 (happy birthday me!)
Finished: February 15, 2009
Modifications: A few that I read about on lots of ravelry project pages. I went up needle sizes. I started with the garter stitch portion of the scarf first. I cast on a few extra stitches for more width (54 stitches total). Not sure I would do that again. I also alternated the decreases between ssk and k2tog as some suggested on ravelry (e.g., one full row of ssk, next decrease row k2tog).

I do know that I will definitely be knitting at least one more of these! In sock yarn! And in other yarns! I fell in love with this one and have a skein of Peru just calling its name!



I finished the last 10 inches of the scarf while Snowboarder drove us home today...it was snowing for a good 60 miles! And then rained all the way home....thanks Snowboarder!!

And tomorrow....I only have to knit!! Yay for 3-day weekends!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Heart Day!!

I cast on the gathered scarf on my birthday. A little indulgence considering I have a few WIPs already. And I haven't put it down since! It certainly grew a lot today as Snowboarder and I drove up to Tahoe/Reno (we're staying with my great-aunt for the weekend). The drive was a bit longer (um...maybe 3 hours longer!!!) because we were driving in a nice little snow storm! It sure was gorgeous though!


Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Bleeding Hearts

I'm hoping this won't stay a WIP very long. I absolutely love it!

Happy Valentine's Day!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Fall in Love Fridays: The Bleeding Hearts Edition!

I've been thinking about Fall in Love with Your Stash Fridays for awhile. Then I thought, well, it can also be Fall in Love...with a great book .... or a great recipe ... or song... or whatever I'm loving at that moment!! Mostly, its going to be yarn! But I'm giving myself some room on this one! And I'm really going to try to embrace my treasured stash!! The next few months I'm going to have some challenges (e.g., Stitches West, Sock Camp)!



What a perfect way to start! I had picked this out last week because it has been marinating in my stash for a good TWO years! Socks that Rock mediumweight Bleeding Hearts. A color that up until Wednesday (my birthday no less!) had not been available on the Blue Moon website for awhile.




I guess you could say maybe I was saving this colorway until I knew I could easily buy more of it. And then on my birthday Tina goes and updates with lots and lots of new and old colors! And typically, on my birthday, well I would have gone a bit crazy.



But I tried to be strong. I will be so very weak when I see it in person in two weeks at Stitches. I can just wait two weeks. So instead, I took pictures of the lovely skein I already had!



It is gorgeous!



And I fell in love with it all over again. Like it was brand new! And I wound it up and cast on a gathered scarf immediately!! And I love that even more! I'll save those pics for another day!

Tell me, what are you all in love with today?

Happy Valentine's Day!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Puddles...aka The Dog-Walking Scarf

Puddles? One would think the cable pattern reminded me of the ripples in a puddle. Or that this scarf would be perfect for a rainy day. But no. My dad asked for a “cabley” scarf for when he walks the doggies at night. And Puddles, as you know, is one of those doggies.

Puddles...aka The Dog-Walking Scarf by Irishgirlieknits ravel it!

Yarn: Rowan Plaid (109 yards), 3 skeins

Needles: Size 11

Gauge: ~3 ¼” stitches/inch

Length: 7 ¾” x 72" (after blocking)

KEY

k: knit

p: purl

C6F: slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit next 3 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.

C6B: slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at back of work, knit next 3 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit stitches from cable needle.

This pattern is a multiple of 6 stitches plus 2 stitches (1 stitch at each end). The pattern can easily be modified in width or used with thinner yarns (e.g., I can’t wait to make a worsted weight version with my new Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon Worsted yarn! I’ll add those modifications when I do!).

Instructions:

Cast on 32 stitches.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: k 1, (C6F, k6) 2 times, C6F, k 1.

Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: Knit.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: Knit.

Row 8: Purl.

Row 9: k 1, (k 6, C6B) 2 times, k 7.

Row 10: Purl.

Row 11: Knit.

Row 12: Purl.

Repeat rows 1-12 until desired length. Bind off.

credits: This pattern was modified from the "Sand Wind" stitch pattern that appears in Knight, E. (2007) The Harmony Guides: Cables & Arans 250 Stitches to Knit



As always, please let me know if you have any questions or find any errors in the pattern.

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Birthday Pa!

Let birthday week begin! Happy Birthday Pa!

We got socks.

And a new scarf!! Don't worry, I got it back from Snowboarder. I'll have more pictures of the scarf and pattern details tomorrow! Right now, I'm off to make Dad dinner!

Happy Birthday Pa!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

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