Granlibakken

Mondays after a long weekend are always tough.  So let's make it a bit better with a new pattern release!

I love this new design for a number of reasons, but mostly because it was knit on vacation back in October while I was tucked inside a warm cabin and fire place while it snowed and snowed and snowed outside.



We stayed at Granlibakken in Lake Tahoe, and so this pattern was name.

Introducing Granlibakken  





Designed with the lovely Studio June Yarns Springy Sport, this crescent shaped shawl will knit up quickly.  This yarn is so sproingy and soft I thought it had a bit of cashmere in it, although it is just a lovely merino wool.



I do love the picot edge on this design too!  I think it gives this shawl a little something extra.  I also think this would be a fun design to do in two colorways, don't you?





And how perfect to travel with a gorgeous model (SnBLeslie), a photographer (cheekyattitude), and a stylist (cupcakefaerie)!  I am so blessed to have the best knitting friends ever!!  Of course, that doesn't stop me from saying, "Hey Mr. Fireman, can she take a picture with you?!"



I do need to thank the rest of my village who helped this pattern come to be.  Celia was a fabulous test knitter, despite the stress of knitting while the Giants were in the World Series!  Jill, the indie dyer behind Studio June Yarn, and I have been collaborating about this project for a few months.  Thank you for the yarn support Jill!  And special thanks to Jill, my awesome graphic designer, for another wonderful pattern layout.  From rushed deadlines to photoediting photos to helping with my Ravelry Ads, I could not do this job without Jill! Thank you!!

Granlibakken is a Norwegian name meaning a hill sheltered by trees. It is also the lovely Lake Tahoe winter resort where this shawl was knit and designed during the first snowfall of the year. This crescent-shaped shawl provides that extra warmth for those chilly evenings.

Finished measurements:  64” wide and 15” long at center point, after blocking

Suggested Yarns: ~540 yards heavy sport weight yarn such as Studio June Yarn Springy Sport

Materials:

·         Size US 6 (4.0 mm) or size to obtain gauge, knitting needles

·         Tapestry needle

·         Blocking pins and/or blocking wire

Gauge:  24 sts and 32 rows= 4” over st st before blocking

Notes: Instructions are written for a top-down shawl.  Both charted and written instructions are provided for the lace pattern. 

And since today is the last day of my Thanksgiving Sale, now is the perfect time to buy this pattern.  Granlibakken, as well as all the other Irish Girlie Knits Designs individual patterns and collections, are 25% off, no coupon necessary! 

Plus, take advantage of Studio June's Cyber Monday sale and purchase the yarn for the pattern.  Receive 25% off when you enter code GIVETHANKS at checkout- through Midnight EST on Monday.



Happy Monday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

uNDefeated.

sign courtesy of future domer, Lil' Snowboarder

Go Irish!!! 12-O. Bring on the National Championship and the Heisman!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits
Class of '96

More Knitting

I love long weekends, especially when I don't really need to go anywhere.  It makes cleaning not so bad when you have a  few days off.  It allows time for blogging and knitting and adding projects to Ravelry!  Like this Naylor Street hat.  I finished it this summer and I'm just now getting around to adding it to ravelry.  My sis was kind enough to model it for me at Thanksgiving dinner.







 Yarn: Madelinetosh Vintage, colorway Fragrant

I've been working on my Cotty mitts this weekend while enjoying tea out of my new Jennie the Potter mug.  One done in STR mediumweight and the other in progress in Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted.



I resisted the Black Friday sales yesterday.  I was tempted by some of the yarn store ones, but who am I kidding.  I still have lots of yarn!  And upon cleaning, found a few more skeins that I haven't put away yet.





I can't wait to try the new Plucky Knitter Bulky yarn.



I fell in love with Studio June's Springy Sport when designing Granlibakken.  I think either of these would make lovely Naylor St. hats, but I'm thinking of using them together.  We'll see.  FYI, Studio June extended her Black Friday sale through Cyber Monday.  Receive 25% off when you enter code GIVETHANKS at checkout.  You'll need 2 skeins of Spring Sport for the design...order now and you can be ready to cast on when the pattern is released next Wednesday!

Another finished project was my Go Giants World Series Cowl!  When we were at SOAR, I knew I wanted to knit an orange cowl during the World Series and fell in love with Floating, a 70% Superfine Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% cashmere fingering weight yarn, from A Verb for Keeping Warm.  It is a little bit of heaven and the Thai Iced Tea colorway was just perfect!   I doubled it and make a Comfort Food cowl.





Don't forget my Irish Girlie Knits Designs After-Thanksgiving Holiday sale is still going through Monday, Nov. 26!  Receive 25% off any of my patterns or collections...no coupon necessary!



Please feel free to add any other holiday sales that your favorite etsy or yarn dyers are having in the comments :)  And if you are looking for gifts for the knitters in your life, definitely check out Kate from Hello Knitty's gift guide for knitters.  It covers just about everything!

The rest of my weekend is going to include some baking, knitting, catching up on my grad school class (ugh!), working out, and most importantly, watching the Fightin' Irish beat USC!!!  Go Irish!!  Really hoping to keep that #1 ranking!!!  We haven't been number one since I was a sophomore at Notre Dame!

What are you guys up to?  Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

GO IRISH!!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Stuffed.

Lots of delicious food in my tummy tonight. And so many leftovers for the next few days!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving here and I hope you all had a special day too.










Yes, that is my sister making the turkey cupcakes kiss.  No, she isn't 12. Just acts it :)

So, are any of you doing any Black Friday/Small Business Saturday/Cyber Monday shopping?  I'll be honest, I've been known to do some shopping on this holiday weekend, but I'm just not sure I'm up to battling the crowds tomorrow.  Or the fact that I would have to get out of my pajamas :)  I may do some online shopping, so if there is anything that's a must, let me know!



I am offering a Thanksgiving holiday sale on all of my Irish Girlie Knits Designs through November 26.  Receive 25% off any pattern OR collection, no coupon necessary.  I'm also including my new design in this sale....

Naylor Street   



I love that this hat features multiple sizes AND two different design options: one with yarn overs and one without.  Unisex.  Perfect for the entire family.





Remember this hat?  Lovely Plucky Knitter cashmere.  Finally finished.  I think this may be my sister's lucky cashmere hat for all of her future Giants games.  Afterall, they did sweep the world series this year.  :)



Goodness isn't baby Padraig the cutest peanut ever?  So peaceful! 



I knit him a few of these for his baby shower way back when.  Who would have thought it would take me so long to publish the pattern that he could model it?! 



I know Padraig....I took forever!

Naylor Street

Named after the street my grandma lived on in San Francisco, this hat is the perfect thing to wear on those foggy mornings. And with multiple sizes, it will be perfect for the entire family!

Notes: Instructions are written for a multiple-sized hat. Two different options are provided, one with an eyelet/yarn over, and the other without.  Charts are provided on the last page.

                                                                                                              

Suggested Yarns: ~60 (75, 105, 135, 170, 200) yards of worsted weight yarn such as The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted, Madelinetosh Vintage, Spud and Chloe Sweater

Materials:

Size US 6 (4.00 mm) either DPNs or Circular 16” with DPNs needed for decreases or size to obtain gauge

Stitch markers

Tapesty needle                                                                                                 

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows = 4” over st st      

Size: 0-6 months (6-12 months, 12-24 months, child/adult small, adult medium, adult large)

Finished measurements: ~ 5 (5 1/2, 6 1/4, 6 3/4, 7 1/2, 8)” width

Another special thanks to Jill, my fabulous graphic designer and friend, who makes my job so much easier with her help with pattern layouts.  Thank you Jill!  And Tricia for her wonderful photos of Leslie! I am blessed with talented friends!

Now for those of you who already own The Woods Family Collection, this pattern has been added to it as a bonus pattern and it should already be in your Ravelry Library :)

If you'd like to purchase the pattern, it is on sale for $5.00 from now until Dec.1. If you buy it before the end of my Thanksgiving sale, it will actually be $3.75 or if you purchase it as part of the collection, $13.50 (that's 5 patterns, regularly $6.00 each = $30).

I have to say I'm thankful for a few days off to continue catching up on the IGK stuff....blogging two days in a row, it seems decadent!  Love you guys.

Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Community

On the eve of Thanksgiving, I wanted to say I am just so grateful for this wonderful knitting community that we have.  I'm thankful for my friends, both old and new that I've met through knitting.  I'm thankful for this incredible and creative opportunity I have for designing that is because of so many of you.  From cheering on my designs, to test knitting them, to purchasing one of my patterns, or just clicking a heart on it on Ravelry, I am so grateful.

Speaking of community, I haven't had a chance to share the local designers' night that Nine Rubies hosted a few weeks ago.  Nine Rubies is one of my local yarn stores and I was so glad that they invited me back again this year.  The other local designers included Hillary Smith Callis and Romi Hill.

 




 Photos courtesy of Tricia at CheekyAttitude



It was so nice to meet and chat with knitters who enjoy my designs.



Look, a Winter Wonder! Isn't it lovely on her!



My mom stopped by since the store is not too far from home.  Thanks mom!



And thank you Saloni and Sudha and your amazing staff for hosting such a lovely event!  Oh, and just to enable any of you locals a bit...they are having an awesome Black Friday sale (e.g., earlier you get there, more % off you get....I may just get up early and go, we'll see!!) and special sales for Small Business Saturday!  In addition to yarn, you may want to check these travel mugs out....love mine!



I'm also grateful for the lovely indie dyers that I've been fortunate enough to work with.  Some of those hush-hush knits I can finally share with you guys.  I love Woolgirl's kits and I always jump at the chance to design for one of them.  I recently designed for her Classic Writers Knitting Club and was paired with one of my fave indie dyers, The Plucky Knitter!  You all know I love love love Sarah's yarns.





Seriously love all the goodies Jen puts in her kits!  Here is my Sleepy Hollow design.







This one will be released to the general public in the spring.

I do have a design for another club that will be released next week..... Granlibakken!  I'll tell you lots more next week, but here are a few teaser pictures...





Members of Studio June's Shawl Club are receiving the pattern and yarn, Springy Sport, this week, but you can purchase the pattern next week.  Actually, you can take advantage of Studio June's Black Friday sale that is on now through the end of Nov. 23 and receive 25% off when you enter code GIVETHANKS at checkout- through Midnight EST on Friday.  You'll need 2 skeins of Spring Sport for the design...order now and you can be ready to cast on when the pattern is released next Wednesday!

And tomorrow, I'm thankful that I will finally have a new pattern to release.  The last few months have been tough on my designing schedule, but it is nice to know I'm going to have quite a number of patterns to release over the next few months :)  Remember this hat?





You've waited long enough....tomorrow it'll be released (check back here for details)!  And with a sale too!  I've started my after-Thanksgiving sale early....receive 25% off all of my Irish Girlie Knits Designs (excludes ones designed for BMFA or Kollage) from now until November 26.  All of my individual patterns AND collections are 25% off!  Just a small way for me to say THANK YOU to all of  you!!



Now time for bed.  Tomorrow there is cooking and eating and knitting to be done! Wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits