Socks, Socks, and More Socks!!

Call me crazy but I signed up for this last week. That's right, 52 pairs of socks in a year! Its not like I don't have the stash for it.



WIPs count. I have a few of those. And baby socks count and I know way too many little ones being born this year. I'm also way behind on Christmas knitting, and everyone in my family loves socks.

I think my biggest challenge will be not getting distracted by other gorgeous items to knit. We'll see how I do.

I prepped by winding yarn today!



And by buying a new book yesterday at Purlescence, Think Outside the Sox. Such inspiration in these socks!!



I also gathered all my sock WIPs. I had forgotten about this one. Burst in The Plucky Knitter Superwash Merino Wool, colorway Father Goose.

Plus there is also Summer of Socks, so bring on the socks!!

But I know you all are really here to find out who won the Sock-a-licous contest! First, our fabulous winners who rewrote Fergalicous for us! You guys did an awesome job :) Loved them all!

Karen
Mya
JelliDonut
Crzyknittengran
KnittySue

I'll be sending a copy of Blackberry Brambles to your email shortly. Let me know if you don't receive it.

And our lucky winner of this gorgeous skein of Sock-a-licous and the Blackberry Brambles pattern is....



Kathleen (aka Katbetty on ravelry)!!! Congratulations!!! I can't wait to see what you knit with this. And a big thank you to Kollage Yarns for the extra skein to giveaway!!

Happy Sock Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Top 5...

....reasons why I am absolutely exhausted.

1. Really, really long week at work.

2. Still not completely over this allergy/sinus infection...tail end, but I think that isn't helping the energy thing.

3. Babysat my nephew, Lil' Guy, last night and this morning and although I bribed him to "sleep-in" a bit longer (it worked), 8am was still way too early to be up on a Saturday when I went to sleep at 1:30am. What was I thinking?! I know all of my mom friends are reading this laughing at me right now :)

4. We had a blast at the farmer's market this morning, but lots of walking. Still worth it.


Note all the stawberry juice stains on his shirt. What was auntie thinking??



5. There has not been enough knitting around here. It is a Catch-22. Too tired to knit, but not knitting also makes me a bit cranky and tired...



I did get to start a few swatches of my skein of Sock-a-licious. This is the lovely Mango colorway! See, the past week was cold (in the high 50s/low 60s) and rainy around here. I needed to will summer into coming! This colorway seemed like the perfect way to do it!!



I think it worked! It was a gorgeous sunny day today! It seems like the first time in awhile that it was almost "hot" out! All this photoshoot needed today was a yummy Margarita!

Oh, and don't forget. If you haven't entered, you've got until 10am Sunday morning (tomorrow) to leave a comment here to win a gorgeous skein of Sock-a-licious!

So, enough about the reasons why I'm exhausted. Here are the reasons why things are looking up...

1. I'm already in my pjs and have my knitting right next to me.

2. I have absolutely no commitments for the next two days. None. Nada. (okay, well, I have some reports to work on for work, but I'll be in denial about that for at least the next day and a half!).

3. I am going to knit, knit, knit.

4. I may even get a trip to Purlescence in tomorrow to relax and knit with friends. And they are having a sock yarn sale. That never hurts :)

5. I'll even get a workout or two in before this holiday weekend is over!!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Friday!

After such a busy, hectic work week (and the fact that it is going to be absolutely crazy busy at work for the next two weeks until school is out and things slow down a bit), boy, I'm glad it is Friday! And a 3-day weekend too!! Yippee!!!

I'm looking forward to lots of knitting this weekend! When work gets busy, the knitting takes a back seat :( For example, I thought I would finish this pair of socks two weeks ago on my trip to New Orleans. Instead, I just finished them late Wednesday night (thank goodness Lil' Snowboarder's gymnastics class forced me to be in one place for an hour with the only thing to do but knit!).

These were my "original" Slip Jig socks!



I knit the first one back in February when I was designing the socks and then they just sort of sat in their pretty project bag for awhile.



I am so absolutely pleased with how well this pattern works with the variegated colors of Socks that Rocks! I can't wait until it is released to the general public next March!



And I love love love this colorway...Dutch Canyon!

Believe it or not, with finishing this project, I don't really have any active WIPs. Plenty of UFOs. Here's what I'm thinking of knitting in the next week or soon.

1. I know I'll be starting a new design with Sock-a-licious soon (hurry, if you haven't entered, contest for free yarn runs til Sunday morning!).

2. I'd like to finish the second sock of my Courage sock. The pattern will be released to the general public in June! Yay!

3. Father's Day is coming up. You know what that means. Socks for IrishDad. It is either knit him a new pair or mend the heels of 3 or 4 pairs he needs mending (ugh. dad. stop wearing the socks absolutely everywhere including outside...but I love you...so I'll try to mend at least one pair.). I'm figuring Uncle Frank will knit up quickly.

4. Baby stuff. Lots of it. So many close friends and family are having babies! At least those will knit up quickly, right?

5. I really want to finish my Tickled Pink Blanket that Rocks.

Oh, so many knits, so little time!!

What are you guys knitting? What are you up to this weekend? Hope whatever it is, you have some knitting time worked in!

Happy Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Awwwww....

I apologize in advance for all the yarn enabling going on around here. But this was too special to not blog about.

Last weekend, Snowboarder had a business trip in New York City and he brought me back a little something special.



He knew I was happy as soon as I saw the package!! Totally surprised too! Yes, Snowboarder has always been good in the yarn-gifting department (the first present he ever, ever gave me was yarn...I knew then that he'd be a keeper!), but this was absolutely perfect!



Gorgeous sock yarn from Purl Soho (an absolutely charming yarn store!)!!! With cashmere no less! He said he told the ladies in the store that I loved to knit socks and that my favorite yarn was Socks that Rock...again, love that man.

The yarn is Anzula Squishy (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon, and very, very squishy!) in the colorways Boysenberry and Candied Apple. I've never tried this yarn, but can't wait! Thanks Snowboarder :)



So yes, the yarn overfloweth this week. And if you haven't entered the contest for free yarn, here's the post. Definitely read some of the fabulous song comments too! Love you guys!! Knew you could be bribed with free patterns :)

Sock-a-licious!

Meet one of my new favorite sock yarns. And I promise, it is not just the name that makes me love this yarn.



Although, with a name like Sock-a-licious, it's hard not to love. Now, sing it to this. Hehehe.



For me, it is all about the colors! Those semi-solid colors, the varying shades and depth of color that keep you interested while knitting, look gorgeous knit up, and are perfect for just about any pattern.



I'll admit. This colorway, Chateau, is probably my favorite!



But the color isn't the only reason why I love it! You know I love color, but I'm also a yarn snob. I'll admit it. My stash doesn't really lie. You all know this about me. And this yarn, with 70% Fine Superwash Merino Wool, 10% Silk, and 20% Nylon, well, it feels snobby! It feels so squishy and soft just like some of my favorite sock yarns.

Color, yarn content, name I love, perfect, right? But there's more. Wait for it.



It is going to retail for just under $20 a skein, with each skein having 350 yards!! Told you I love it!

I say going to, because it has just been released by Kollage Yarns and should be hitting the stores soon (ETA: Paradise Fibers is taking pre-orders, yarn arrives next week, oh, and it is retailing there for $18.75)! One of my good friends from Sock Camp, Erica, sent me 3 skeins of Sock-a-licious!! Seriously!! Sometimes its nice to have friends who work for yarn companies!!



Best part, one of the skeins is for you!! Time for a little contest, don't you think!! I saved this gorgeous one, colorway Heather, for you guys (sorry I can't part with the Chateau!). Wouldn't it make a perfect pair of Blackberry Brambles? You don't have to knit it in Blackberry Brambles, but I will be including the pattern with the yarn!



So how can you win this yarn and the pattern? Just leave me a comment of what pattern or item you'd love to knit this with!

I'll admit, this yarn is so nice, I know I'm going to knit some type of cowl or scarflette with it too...want that pretty silk by my face!

Bonus contest.... if you rewrite the lyrics to Fergalicious (doesn't have to be the whole song) with Sock-a-licious (hehehe...because someone should, right??), you'll be entered twice! and the first five song writers will automatically win a copy of Blackberry Brambles!

Contest will run through Sunday morning at 10am.

And yes, I said she sent me 3 skeins. I couldn't wait, one skein is already wound, swatch started and everything!!

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

How was your Saturday?

Ours was great! It started with a trip to the Farmer's Market......









I always feel good when I have time to get to the farmer's market. I think I like knowing I'll be eating healthy all week with such fresh, yummy food!



And lil' snowboarder just loves the farmer's market!


Now tonight, I have some swatching to do. The swatch in the pictures didn't work, so now on to the next one. The yummy yarn is Shalimar Yarns Zoe sock, in Concord Grape.



And if swatch number 2 doesn't work, then I've got a slip jig to finish!

How was your day?

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Puddy Love

Puddles. Oh, she is one funny doggie. We love her so!


She loves the wind!


And catching leaves!!

Oh Puddy Wuddy (as we like to call her!)! You know you're cute!

Happy Wednesday (that just doesn't sound right? Is it Friday yet?)!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happiness is...

.... being home.



.... a new pair of socks.



.... Bailey Boo.



.... special treats. (I may have skipped the po'boys and beignets, but the bread pudding was so worth it!)



.... discovering a new, natural sock model. That seems to even enjoy it?!



.... knowing you are loved.




Pattern: Dotty Socks

Yarn: BMFA STR mediumweight, colorway Rabia (mill end)

Needles: US 1.5

Notes: Used the x-small size to make these child size socks because my gauge was a bit bigger due to the mediumweight yarn. Also, instead of doing the pattern repeat 2x, did it just once in between each section. They fit her perfectly with a bit of room to grow!

It is good to be home.

Night night.
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Friday Thoughts

Happy Friday!! I'm blogging from my hotel room in New Orleans, which may sound ooh-la-la fun, but really I'm tired! Here for work again, and probably one of my busier trips with back-to-back clients the entire time...minimal time for fun. I've been making blogposts in my head...so here's a quick one.

1. In my quest for healthier eating, I'm pretty proud of myself here so far! No pictures of king cakes or pralines here. Airplane snacks that used to be cookies, crackers, etc. involved cheese sticks and almonds! Instead of my usual po'boys and sweet tea, I've had grilled shrimp salads. Delish!!! And suprisingly, the sweet tea...well, I had a little bit, but it was almost too sweet! Yay me! Now tomorrow's lunch is catered by John Besh's restaurant, so I will be enjoying it! Baby steps.

2. Thank you for all your nice comments on my Dotty socks! So far I've raised almost $60 in pattern sales for the upcoming Autism walk! Thank you! Thank you!!

3. Did you see Disco's Dotty sock? Or Jocelyn's? Gaylen is working on hers too! My fabulous test knitters!! Thank you so much!

4. Lil' Snowboarder has been begging for a pair of socks. When she's at my house, she always asks to pick out a pair of socks from my sock drawer to wear. Of course I let her, but they are obviously too big. So I let her pick out a skein a week or two ago and I promised once I was done with my mom's socks, and then Dotty socks, next were hers. Told her they'd be done when I came home from NOLA.




This is sock number 2. I'm knitting the X-Small size of the Dotty sock and using STR mediumweight in a mill end of Rabia that I got at camp.

5. The sock is knitting up so fast in the little girl size that I'm kicking myself for not knitting them for her sooner.

6. Yesterday would have been my Great Aunt Cotty's 93rd birthday. Happy Birthday Cotty!! I know I've shown some of these pictures before, but I just love them. Her and Bailey and pizza. Probably at least 6 or 7 different weekends in Reno included this sight at dinner and it always made us all smile!









7. To celebrate, I put my Cotty pattern on sale for the week!





8. I only brought 3 projects here to NOLA. Think that's enough? Hoping to finish Lil' Snowboarder's socks tonight, then finish these socks.

Now it is time to head out for a work dinner. Something casual. I'm hoping for an early night so I can knit knit knit.

Happy Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Dotty

My grandmother. Grandma. Everything a grandmother should mean to a child. Simple, loving things.... homemade, decorated birthday cakes, lots of hugs, little cheeseburgers, summer vacations. Funny the things we remember. My grandma. Dorothy. Known to all her friends as Dotty.

When I saw that this colorway was named Dotty, I knew immediately it would become my grandma socks.

I paired it with a dot pattern that gradually, subtlely, lengthens down the sock. Simple, but elegant. My grandma.

Special thanks to my Mom, who modelled these socks, named after her mother, on Mother's Day. My sister even got in on the photoshoot. The one above she took. (Be sure to say its your favorite, maybe she'll take more pictures..hehehe!) I still can't believe it has been five years since my Grandma passed away. I know she's up there looking down on me!

Pattern: Dotty

Notes: The instructions are writter for a cuff-down sock. Charts are also provided.

Yarn: 350-380 yards of fingering weight sock yarn; shown in The Plucky Knitter MCN, colorway Dotty; other appropriate yarn substitutes include BMFA Socks that Rock lightweight; Squoosh Merino Cashmere: Sock

Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge, either DPNs or ciruclar needles

Gauge: 32 sts = 4" in stockinette stitch

Sizes: adult women's X-Small (Small, Medium, Large)

Finished Measurements: 5.5" (6.5", 7.5", 8.5") foot circumference; 6 1/4" approximate leg length

Available for purchase here!

This pattern was designed using the new knitting pattern design software, Intwined Pattern Studio. Marisol told me all about it at sock camp, and I have to say, I love it!! The chart making especially!! And who can beat the price...just $44! If you've been on the fence, go get it! It is definitely worth it!

As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com

For this pattern I'm doing something special. As some of you may know, I have worked with children with autism for the past 20 years. For seven years, my organization has participated in the Walk Now events that raise money for children with autism. This year the Walk Now for Autism Speaks walk is June 5. From now until then, I will be donating 50% of the sales of this pattern to the Walk Now for Autism Speaks Event. I'll be participating in this event again and my fundraising page is here. I'm hoping this will be a small way for me to support many of the families and children that I work with!

Happy Knitting!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits