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

New Pattern!!

A quick drive-by post this morning to let you know about my new hat pattern that I just released! Miles to Go is the perfect, sloucly one-skein hat, and if you The Plucky Knitter Bello Worsted, cast on now (ok, other yarns will work great here, but the one knit with Bello is amazing!!!). Oh and be sure to use the coupon code too for a practicallly 1/2 price deal!





More info on the ravelry pattern page here. The pattern is one 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). I'll be back later this week with more info and pictures, AND I finally finished a hat project I've been working on forever....just need some pictures now!


Happy Tuesday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Discoveries

Happy Friday! It has been such a lovely summer week here. So nice to sit on the patio at knit night, needles clicking away amidst the laughs, until the sun went down. I love the long summer days (well, until it is too hot and I dream of chilly fall evenings). I discovered a few things, some crafty, some not, that I wanted to share.

1. The return of the mojo. The pattern designing mojo to be specific.



I think perhaps I just needed to bring myself to a cafe for it to happen?!

2. Craftmas in July. Mary Heather and the other fun ravelry ladies have a great idea about crafting for the holidays in July, when we aren't up to our ears in holiday knitting. I may either get a head start on some Christmas gifts, or finally start on this cute advent calendar (so inspired by Knitterella's version) or these fabulous ornament kits that I bought last year and didn't get a chance to put together.

3. Wavelength by Knitterella. Perhaps this could be one of the gifts I knit in July.

I bought the pattern as soon as it was available because I just have to get over my colorwork fear. Don't get me wrong. I know colorwork isn't hard. I've taken a class on it and did a little of it in a baby project or two when I first learned to knit, but I haven't done it in so long, I think I have to just jump in a cast on.

4. Irish Pub Rock Station on Pandora is made of win. And makes me think of Erica!

5. Sunshine Yarns. Ok, not something I've discovered as I've loved Dani's colorways for quite awhile. I can't even say it is the new gradients I've discovered. Really, I've been trying to limit my yarn purchases for some time, but in the past few weeks, there have been a few I couldn't resist.







Pure lovely, right? I think these pretties may explain why the design mojo is back.

6. Cranford, a charming BBC series on Amazon Prime that Cupcakefaerie recommended. A few episodes in and I love it!

Any new discoveries lately? I'd love to hear! Hope you all have a fantastic weekends!





Happy Weekend!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Good Things.

1. A relaxing afternoon by the pool yesterday, swimming, knitting and reading a good book. A very good book. A lovely, break your heart, get teary-eyed by the pool, very good book.

2. Celebrating father's day a bit early Friday night at the ball park. Despite the loss, we had a fabulous time!

And I even got a bit of knitting in too.

3. This cutie showing off her crawling skills!! Watch out!

4.  A summer sale! Thank you to everyone who has already taken advantage of the sale! Receive 30% off any of my IGK pattern and ebooks from my Ravelry Store when you use the coupon code: **happysummer**         Coupon good through Monday, June 16.

I'll be honest, I'm so tempted to cast on another Glacier Point! Feel free to join me.

5. A perfect Father's Day. From a lovely breakfast that Lil' Snowboarder put on, to time in the kitchen to bake Pa's current favorite scones (these strawberry white chocolate ones), and shrimp scampi for dinner. Delish! 

Thank you Pa for being the best dad ever! I love you so much!

I hope you all had a weekend filled with good things. I'd love to hear with what.

Happy Father's Day!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Feels like summer

Or at least it is starting to feel like it. I think I'm just about done with the craziness of end of the school year for my day job and I'm also feeling better each day!







Memorial Day included a 4-game softball weekend, but at least we were able to have a fabulous dinner at Phil's Fish Market in Moss Landing on the coast. Highly recommend it!





My summer knitting so far has been a few WIPs since they've been the easiest to bring to weekends filled with softball games for Lil Snowboarder!







But with two weekends off from softball coming up, I'm hoping my weekends look more like this! Swimming, knitting, spontaneous backyard picnics, reading. Btw, I'm loving Rachael Herron's new book,  Pack Up the Moon It feels like the perfect vacation read because I can't put it down, but I've been warned that it may break my heart. I'll keep you posted.



I can't resist sharing this adorable picture of Magpie after she enjoyed a bunch of raspberries! Is she not the cutest?! Summer berries, farmers market, swimming, bring on summer!

I'm also kicking off summer with a sale!! Receive 30% off any of my IGK pattern and ebooks from my Ravelry Store when you use the coupon code: **happysummer**         Coupon good through Monday, June 16.

How has summer started off for you guys? Any fun knits? Books you'd recommend? Recipes to try? I've missed you guys....catch me up.

Happy Summer!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits