Happy Birthday IGK!

SPECIAL GUEST BLOG POST

Welcome to the start of something new - a guest blogger from time to time. I thought it would be fun to kick off this series today, giving Irish Girlie an extra special birthday treat - a day off of  blogging! And hopefully lots of extra knitting time! I chatted with Irish Girlie's knitting friend Erica and she was super excited to start the fun! 
Enjoy, 
Tricia

I  pondered about what I could talk about today. I had all kinds of ideas about IGK's favorite things. Then it hit me! I could take an afternoon celebrating her with my lil man and document our adventure. He loves Auntie Irishgirlie



and loves birthday celebrations!

I buckled him into his car seat and whispered in his ear, "we're going out for cupcakes". He was beside himself. All the way to Royal Oak he chanted "cupcakes, cupcakes"! We walked inside Taste Love Cupcakes and it was like they knew a 2 1/2 year old with a pancake obsession would be stopping by.

Flavor of the day - Chocolate Chip Pancake. He had no idea his two favorite things could be morphed together. We ordered Chocolate Salted Caramel for Auntie.

Padraig slid over her chocolate cupcake to the empty seat next to him.



I told him Auntie wouldn't be coming, but we could talk about her and sing to her. He immediately chanted "Let's Go Irish"! Isn't that a hoot!? It wasn't Happy Birthday, but I knew it would melt Irishgirlie's heart. We dove into our cupcakes and happily chanted "Let's Go Irish" between every bite!

Happy Birthday IGK! I hope today is filled with baked goods and laughs and Irish-themed music. Even if it's a cheer you would hear at a Notre Dame football game. Mwah from us!



To keep the birthday fun going, let's leave LOTS of comments on this post so when Irishgirlie's home tonight knitting and relaxing she'll have lots of fun birthday wishes to read! Cheers to virtual presents!

Just a reminder... Irish Girlie Knits patterns are 20% off in honor of birthday month!



You can browse her catalog of patterns here. I suggest Keegan if you want a quick, cute knit. My mom knit Padraig another one last week!

The design has such a generous fit due to its construction. The largest size on the pattern still fits a toddler!

Another reminder...don't forget to enter Tricia's contest here. You have until February 12 for a chance to win!

Happy Birthday IGK and Happy Knitting on your new Anzula design!
Erica (kzooerica on ravelry)

Deadlines

I love them and hate them all at the same time. You?

I'm definitely one who can work well under pressure most of the time, and I think that may be why I find myself waiting until the last minute to start certain deadline projects. I think I'm also a glass half-full kind of gal because technically someone could observe my behavior and say I'm good at procrastinating. Ha! I'm going with working well under pressure.


Saturday morning status, BMFA STR, colorway Peek-a-boo Peony

So this week's deadline...was it a super secret project? Nope. New design? Nope. It was a baby shower for a dear co-worker. There's a group of us at work who've worked together for over 10 years and I just couldn't not knit something for the baby.



Here it is this morning, still drying a bit before the shower at lunch.  Down to the wire, that's me. I've been enjoying the stitch pattern on my new infinity scarf design, so I thought I'd try it with a variegated yarn in the baby sweater.







I love the texture here, but for the baby sweater, I'm not sure it was what I had in mind. I'm going to think on it a bit. That's the fun part with knitting this....perfect for a gift and a chance to play around with a potential new design.



The mommy-to-be loved the sweater and especially loved the washing instructions on the Knitterella gift tag.  The best thing she said though was that baby Penelope would now have two IGK handknits to wear, since I knit her older daughter this.  She then said, "Don't worry. Her sister will get hers back when she is older, and now Penelope will have her own when she is older."  She's already thinking baby heirlooms. Now you can see why I knit for her, right?

Even with a last minute deadline :)

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S.  As with any deadline knitting, there was some marathon tv watching that helped get this project done. This baby knit brought to you by catching up on Law and Order SVU, a new series on the Sundance channel called Top of the Lake, and Wallander (on amazon prime). A bit macabre for baby knits, but hey, whatever works.

Something easy

What a crazy busy week this past week has been.  I realized today that I had not knit since last Sunday evening when I bound off my new shawl design. Despite all the good suggestions for easy knitting while studying, I felt like I didn't have the time to wind yarn or energy to decide what to do.  Plus, I wasn't exactly at the easy studying part yet (e.g., lots of note cards to write).  And if I wasn't studying, I was proofing and working on final patterns to be released for TNNA.  I'm so excited to share three new designs with you guys in the next week or two!!!

But today I remedied that. I cast on something easy.



Another Lilianna.  A new sample for TNNA and Stitches West and then most likely a baby gift.  I just love Anzula's Cricket Yarn.  It is the perfectly decadent thing to knit with when I'm a bit stressed studying.  I have a skein of it in a lovely brown too...boy version coming up soon I think.  I worked on this a bit today at lunch with the girls, planning out the rest of our TNNA trip!  And then at Lil' Snow's first basketball game :)

My reward for studying tonight was to swatch with this.  Bare Naked Wools Breakfast Blend fingering.



I can't wait!! I have a sock design in mind, but want to play with the yarn a bit to learn more about it!  If you're interested in purchasing this new yarn from knitspot, Erica blogs about details here (complete with an adorable baby Padraig picture too!).  The new yarn should be in the shop soon!

Time for swatching....

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

And then there were...

Two!



Pattern writing has commenced.  Now we just need a name.  Any suggestions?

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Good stuff, bad stuff.

You take the good stuff with the bad stuff, right?  It has been like that the past few days.  Mostly good, but a little bad, or perhaps, just sad.

Good stuff.  I needed to find my vintage buttons to use for the baby sweater.



Bad stuff.  These buttons just make me miss Cotty so much.  They were her buttons.  She loved to sew and was so proud of my knitting.  She would examine each stitch and detail...not in the looking for the mistakes way, but in the look how much time and thought went into this way.  And of course, then I was really missing Mimi, because she would have told me how much Cotty would have loved the sweater.  She would have liked it too, but she also would have shared a fun story about Cotty.

Good stuff.  In finding the buttons, I found yarn needles that are so vintage they only cost 25 cents :)




Sad stuff.  Last month when my mom was in Reno going through some of my aunts' things, she asked if there was anything else I could think of that I would want.  She'd already brought me home a few special things, so I didn't think so.  And then I said, "Don't forget the button box."  Dear mom said, "Already packed for you."

Good stuff.  Cute, quick, wee baby things!!  In decadent Plucky Knitter Primo Sport yarn, colorway Bashful. Love. love. love.  Need two weeks BEFORE the baby shower?!!  Unheard of.



Bad stuff.  My doctor wants me on crutches still.  And 2 crutches, none of the 1 crutch stuff that I've been doing for the past 2 weeks.  No more TinyTim as Debbi would say :)   I know it could be worse and I have been gradually feeling better each day, but I really, really thought I'd be done with the crutches by now.  Shit, I thought I'd be done with them 3 weeks ago.  Ugh.

Good stuff.  My doctor is pleased with the progress so far and says this is where I should be 6 weeks out from knee surgery.  So I'm going with that.  And then I went to the pool and walked for 30 minutes.  Only thing I am allowed to do.  I'm going to be so excited this summer when I can swim laps and laps! No more taking that for granted!!

More good stuff.  I cast on for a second wee baby sweater.  Need a sample and a baby gift.  And probably another baby gift, but I already have another idea for the next wee thing.

Bye bye monday.  The rest of this week, I'm focusing on the good stuff!  You guys have any good stuff to share??!!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

I Can't Explain It

But I'll try.

First, I bought some yarn at Stitches West.



This is not that yarn.  For a number of reasons, one of them which is I told myself I couldn't buy anymore blue or pink yarns.  This yarn is perfectly pink, so it must not be from Stitches.  Wait.  I did actually end up buying pink AND blue yarns, but it is still not from Stitches.

Second, this yarn did not arrive by itself.  Nope, it arrived with A LOT of other lovely Plucky Knitter yarn that I had pre-ordered back in January...I think just days after my knee surgery.  Hence, the pain meds-induced yarn splurge.  I don't remember ordering all that, but damn, I'm so glad I did.  It is just gorgeous!!  However, receiving it right after a weekend haul at Stitches...um...can anyone say yarn diet?  Commencing now.

Third, I don't have a new design on the needles and had planned to wind some yarn from Stitches intended for a new design.  I did actually do that last night.  But I couldn't keep thinking about my bag of pretty Plucky Knitter yarns that had arrived and so I wound that lovely skein of pink happiness.

And that is where I don't know what happened next.  Sure, I have a few baby showers coming up, but I wasn't expecting what happened next.



An amazingly quick new baby sweater design, featuring the motif from my Maryanne socks, suddenly appeared.  I think I cast on around 10pm last night.  And I'd finish it tonight if I could but I must go shopping with my sister.  I blame the new sport yarn that is just perfect.  Well, and the wee cuteness.

I mean the baby shower is still a few weeks away.  This just seems weird.  Efficient.  Timely.  Again, weird.

But I'm hooked!

Happy Saturday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Dear Baby Francis

You guys have been so patient.  A year ago I blogged about these adorable baby socks. Well, good news!  Today I have not only the socks, but the cutest matching hat to go with them!  Introducing.....

Dear Baby Francis

Okay.  Before we go further.  Isn't Baby Dex beyond CUTE!!!!  Seriously such a good baby and those eyes.  I could just eat him up!  All I want to do is start knitting more baby things so that he and his twin brother (I know!! Double the cute!!!) can keep modeling! 

Miss Babs Yummy Sport, colorway Roasted Pumpkin for the 6-9 month size

The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Fingering, colorways Flannel Shimmy and Pure Calm

I’ve been hooked on making wee baby socks inspired by their matching adult socks for quite some time.  Here the cable pattern from the Uncle Frank socks makes for a perfect unisex baby gift!

This set includes a baby hat and socks.  The socks are a perfect way to use up leftover sock yarns.  Adding a trim of contrasting color gives this set that something extra!

The pattern will be on sale from now until Oct. 3 for $4, returning to $6 on Tuesday, Oct. 4!        

The details.....

Dear Baby Francis Socks

Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock.  Charts are provided on the last page.  Size can be modified by using lighter fingering weight yarns and smaller needles, or sport weight yarn and larger needles.                                                                 

Suggested Yarns: ~ 75 yards of fingering weight yarn such as The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon fingering, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock mediumweight, Kolláge Yarns Sock-a-licious, Knitted Wit Superwash Merino Fingering, Anzula Squishy

~3 yards of fingering weight yarn for contrasting trim, if desired

Materials:

Size US 2 (2.75mm) or size to obtain gauge either DPNs or circular needles

Cable Needle

Stitch markers

Tapestry needle

Gauge: 28 sts and 44 rows = 4” over st st          

Size: 3-6 months                                        

Finished measurements:  2 ¼” foot circumference, 1 ½” approximate leg length 

Dear Baby Francis Hat

Suggested Yarns: ~ 80 yards of fingering weight yarn as suggested above, or 70 yards of sport weight yarn such as Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sport, Madelinetosh Pashmina, Sunshine Yarns Sport, The Plucky Knitter Primo Sport         

~5-7 yards of fingering weight yarn for contrasting trim, if desired

Materials:

Size US 6 (4.00 mm) either DPNs or Circular 16” with DPNs needed for decreases or size to obtain gauge for both fingering and sport weight yarns

Cable needle

Stitch markers

Tapesty needle                                                                                                 

Gauge: 22-24 sts and 36 rows = 4” over st st for fingering weight yarn;        
21-22 sts and 32 rows = 4” over st st for sport weight yarn;

Size: 3-6 months for fingering weight yarn; 6-9 months for sport weight yarn                                    

Finished measurements:  5” unstretched (6 ½” streteched) width, 6 ¼” length for fingering weight yarn

5 ¼” unstretched (7” stretched) width, 7” length for sport weight yarn

Thank you again to my amazing graphic designer, Jill Zielinski, for her assistance with the pattern layout!  I know I've said it before, but I could not do this job without Jill! Thank you!

A very, very special thank you to baby Dex, my good friend Nicole, and Dex's mommies, Annie and Jeannine for making this pattern come to life!  I can't thank you enough!


This is Dex's modeling debut, so let's show him some love you guys!


Happy, happy baby knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

29 hours

Deadline knitting. Secret deadline projects have been my focus for the past two weeks, but my best friend's baby shower is today! Had to whip up something quick.

So....

I cast on Thursday night around 8pm.

I was making pretty good progress on my lunch break at work Friday.

And then this happened.

I know what you're thinking Puddles, who took over my house?

Cupcakes. Its what aunties are for, right?


At least I didn't have to read the bedtime story.

Knitting resumed at about 10pm and the vest was done at 1:00am.

29 fun-filled hours.

Then we were back at it bright and early to the farmer's market. They were happy, but man, Auntie Irishgirlie is exhausted!

Now I need to take a shower and get pretty for the baby shower!

Happy Weekend!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Cuteness

I warned you there would be some baby knitting around these here parts with so many friends have babies lately.

Beware...cuteness ahead!



I knit this set for my BFF, Cockeyed, who is going to become a first-time grandma this fall! I finished these just in time last week to get them in the mail for her Grandma Shower...it was so hard to keep it a secret because, well, I can't help it, these wee little baby things are too cute!!



Can you believe I've knit over 75 pairs of socks, and not one pair has ever been baby socks? Booties, yes. But not wee little socks. Goodness I loved these- and yes, I'm sooo counting these toward my 52 pair plunge (hey, they say its okay, and you know there is no way I'll get to 52 pairs in a year, so I'm counting them!).



The pattern....I'm calling it Sweet Baby Cate, as the pattern was inspired by my Cotty design (named after my great-aunt Catherine). I think I'm even going to write it up. Maybe the cuteness is from the picots? Or the colorway? Socks that Rock, mediumweight, colorway Peek-a-boo-Peony.

Or maybe because they are just so wee.

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits