Fresh air, feeling fit, and a free pattern.

A quick vacation post, but I wanted to share a few things with you guys.

Fresh air does wonders for the soul.



Nice to start your days off like this.



What a difference a year makes too! I was able to wear my favorite bathing suit that I couldn't wear last year. Amazing what losing just 15 pounds does? Still a long ways to go, but it felt great to wear it, and great to walk up and down the hill to the lake and not have to stop every few feet because I was so tired. Yay for not being in so much pain!



I brought Shaun T and Cize on vacation with me too. Two workouts in already! Tomorrow may be a swimming day instead. I've already got one kid to workout with me...hoping to convince a few more.



I hope to cast on these pretties tomorrow. Plucky Knitter Primo Sport in Tomboy, Twill, and Melba (I tried editing the photo a bit so Melba shows up as the lovely orangey color it is...but not sure I did). Did you hear that I'm one of the designers for PluckTOBER? So excited!





I popped into my favorite knitting and everything store in Murphys today, Maisie Blue. They have lovely books, yarn, tea, stationary, soaps. Seriously, I don't buy any yarn usually (due to my stash!!), but I always support them by buying a summer book and plenty of other knick nacks. I did NOT succumb to the coloring books you guys are all into. I just can't have anymore hobbies. I'm trying to pretend this workout thing is a hobby (aren't you supposed to LOVE a hobby? I'm hoping someday it will be easier and I'll love it....for now...I do it and it IS getting easier). But they even had tiny pocket book versions, you know, for when you are at the doctor's office and just want to color. Love it!



I was actually a little nervous I wouldn't find something and then I turned the corner. How could I doubt my favorite shop? They never fail me! I love me some Orla Kiely!

My summer pick was this lovely choice. How could I resist the setting of Connemara, Ireland? I'll keep you posted if it was any good. I really wanted to get the books that inspired Granchester on PBS, but I don't read enough these days! But I added them to my wish list. Check on the Maisie Blue Blog for some other great book inspiration.

Lastly, do you follow my on instagram? I'm irishgirlieknits over there. Do I follow you? Sometimes I don't always put everyone's ravelry IDs/blog names/twitter/IG names together. So I figures a little Instagram contest would be fun. And since I'm in Blue Lakes Springs for vacation, why not do a free pattern giveaway contest of the Blue Lakes Spring Shawlette Pattern?



Here are the details from THE INSTAGRAM POST WHERE YOU NEED TO COMMENT:

Let’s have some fun!! Pattern Giveaway time! Since I’m on vacation in Blue Lake Springs this week I’ll giveaway 10 free patterns of this Shawlette of the same name for every 50 comments on this Instagram post until Wed 8/5. Feel free to spread the word or repost! To enter to win: 1) make sure you are following me 2) leave a comment or rav ID and 3) tag a friend or two who might like to win too.

Ok. Back to vacation for me. I hope you guys are having a fabulous week!! Love you!!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

I can't believe I'm actually knitting AND reading

I'm knitting and reading, but not at the same time. Still can't manage that unless it's an audio book. And then I'm knitting and listening. But lately I've been reading physical books and I'd forgotten how much faster I can finish a book if I read it rather than listen. I know I can speed up an audio book, but that seems wrong.

But I am still knitting every single day and I'm loving it.  The best part right now is that I made a great choice of yarns for my Ring of Kerry.

This is my first time knitting with cotton and it has taken me a while to get used to the kind of "splittyness" of it. It isn't horrible, I think I've just been spoiled by the super-yummy experience of knitting cashmere, and merino. I know the lightness of it will be perfect in the months ahead. And I'm super excited about the colors. Hard to believe that orange was once one of the colors I didn't care for much. I've been gravitating toward it recently.

I decided that like knits, a little instant gratification was in order on the reading front as well. When I spoke with Jen Lucas about her new book, we also talked about reading. She'd been on a Rainbow Rowell kick and I knew other people who have been singing her praises. I finally snagged a copy of "Eleanor & Park" from my library and have jumped on the fan bandwagon. The beauty and charm of this story is so wonderful.

I also managed to snag a copy of "Girl on the Train," and could not put it down. I read it in every single spare moment (not much knitting or anything got done during those days). What a thriller!

My book club read "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Christina Henriquez and we agreed that it would be a book we would be recommending to everyone we know. It was also chosen as a "Silicon Valley Reads" book about the immigrant experience.

I like to read essays before going to sleep and on my bedside table has been "Bad Feminist" by Roxane Gay. These are smart, witty, and thought provoking essays on American culture.

What have you been reading?

Knit On!
Tricia (@cheekyattitude)

In Good Company

A quick post as I get caught up in all of the holiday hubbub. Last night at knit night we talked about what we do while knitting at home. These days I am doing a Downton Abbey rewatch and find it perfect for the late nights.

I also enjoy podcasts and just got caught up with Kim Werker's new Podcast "Compulsory." She speaks with various creative types about our compulsion to make things. Quite a smart and fun listen.

I also like "This American Life" and "Pop Culture Happy Hour."

I'm also looking for a good audio book. One of our knit night regulars reads on her Kindle while knitting.  I can't seem to do that well. I end up either having to re-knit a row or re-read a paragraph.

What do you all enjoy while knitting? Any good audiobooks or podcasts you recommend?

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

July Favorites

I'm going to try something new. As I've been catching up on my blog reading the past few weeks, I've come across a few blogs that do monthly "favorites." Sounded fun to me, so here you go....

July favorites, in no particular order :)

{favorite books}

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I devoured this book over vacation, finding it hard to put down. But when I finished it, late at night, it did give me some "nightmares." Couldn't get the last few chapters out of my brain I guess.

Before I start Dark Places (another Gillian Flynn book) I needed something a bit lighter.



I picked up The Sweet Life in Paris when we stopped at Maisie Blue on the way home from vacation. I just love that shop.....yarn, cookbooks, books, stationary....and it is right next to a cupcake shop!  Anyways, the Sweet Life is just what I needed! I'm halfway through it and loving it!

{favorite knits}



This is a picture from Disco's blogpost about her Beekeeper's Quilt that she is making for a lucky winner! I love it because it represents so much of her hardwork for a great cause, in memory of her brother, and because each time she tweets about her runs and half-marathon training, she inspires me! She wasn't a runner when we met. I still remember her trying to do the Couch to 5k.....look at her now! So proud Disco!! Oh, and lots of my STR leftovers are in that blanket!  For every $5 donation, you're entered to win it!

{favorite places}


Yosemite





Aran Islands, Ireland. I was there over 10 years ago and loved it. I'm living vicariously this week through my brother, sister-in-law, and Lil Guy, who are there! (Disco, look away from that last picture! What the heck are they thinking letting Lil Guy that close to the edge?!?!)


Blue Lake Springs, Arnold, CA

{favorite pins}



From the lovely Allyson at The Sweatshop of Love. Now I know what to do with all my swatches! How lovely are these?!


And I know you guys have been waiting patiently to hear who won a copy of The Knitted Home. Looks like there are a lot of us who want to knit those fruit bowls!  Congratulations to Debbie4! I've messaged you on Ravelry :)

Do you guys have any favorites for the month of July? Favorite yarns? Patterns? Movies? Recipes? I'd love to hear :)

I can't believe it is going to be August already! But that means we are a bit closer to football season and fall!!!

Happy knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits