And I thought there would be tons of knitting time.

Yeah. I was wrong about that. So this knee surgery thing kicked my butt.  My doctor said that my knee was really, really bad, which makes him optimistic that it will eventually feel better.  But for now, yeah, that's why my knee hurts like hell.

I feel like I turned a corner today though by not needing THREE naps?!!  Just one.  The pain meds are making me so tired, but I still need them.  I'm moving around on the crutches a bit easier and I'm able to do my leg lifts...another big yay!!!

So what have I been up to other than sleeping?





And keeping the doggies company?

There has been some secret knitting.

My ice machine is my new best friend (it is a cool ice thing for my knee...it cost a bit of yarn money though...but so worth it!).

I've caught up on TV....both good and bad (the bad because I was too tired to change the channel...does that happen to you too?!).

Started my next online graduate class.  Fun fun.

I'm slowly working my way through The Night Circus.  Enjoying it, just finding it hard to stay awake when I start to read :)

Released my newly reformatted Burst pattern and it is on sale from now until the end of the month! 







A very special thank you to Celia for knitting these sample socks up in The Plucky Knitter Primo fingering!  I think the solid color shows off how pretty the pattern is.  Thank you Celia!  Thanks to my awesome graphic designer, Knitterella, for doing another fantastic pattern layout.  She makes this so much easier for me!!

I'm also having a special sale to celebrate the end of the Mystery Sock Knitalong!  From now until the end of Jan. 31, 2012, receive 20% off any of my individually-sold patterns available in my Ravelry Pattern Store when you enter the coupon:  ilovesocks

I still haven't been able to tell you all about TNNA.  I'll be back soon with a TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association) update.  I still can't believe that a little over a week ago I was hanging with these fun ladies!


me, Zonda, and Stacey (blog friends for over five years!!)

And now 15 minutes until Downton Abbey.  A perfect way to wrap up the weekend!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Fun Stuff

I've had a list of fun stuff running through my head that I've wanted to share in the past few weeks. Finally, a few free moments to share them. Time to blog. Another reason why I love long four-day weekends!

So, here's some fun stuff.

1. Have you checked out the new Twist Collective? My very good friend Thayer, aka ilikecake, has a new sweater design in it! Blair is just gorgeous!



Why, yes, that is my gorgeous model friend too! Seriously talented girl she is! Check out more pictures of Blair on her blog.

2. I finally finished something.



Pont Neuf cowl using my leftovers from the sample knit in Kollage Yarns Solace. I've actually finished one other project (wee baby Uncle Frank socks!!), but haven't had a chance to take pictures yet. My knitting mojo was a bit on hold the past week or two as a major reorganization/cleaning has taken place at my home.

3. The major home cleaning led to closet cleaning, which led to discovering way too many WIPS, but they are now all tucked in here.



Well, except for the Blanket that Rocks project. But everything else is in here! Can you guess how many WIPS are in there? Let's have a little contest. Guess how many are in there and first one correct (or random winner if no one guesses correctly) will win a pattern from my Ravelry store.

4. I've loved seeing my designs knit up and recently I've seen a few that I wanted to share. Check out Nartian's Pont Neufs! And Dawn finished a beautiful Le Petit Pont! Both are perfect holiday knits (and look, Kollage Yarns thinks so too!).

5. Knitpicks featured one of my designs, Burst, in their November catalog!





I love this pattern and LOVE how they reknit the socks and did the photoshoot!! So fun!! And I want that cute couch/chair.

6. Cute picture of Puddles. Always fun to share.



7. I bought The Shetland Trader's new book. Lots of gorgeous lovely projects! Inspiration!!

8. Fiber? What is that doing here on my blog? Ummmmm.....I think I have some explaining to do. A little something happened over on twitter. Must run to holiday brunch, but I promise to tell you soon.



9. For teasing you with fiber pictures, I better make it up to you by telling you all of my individually sold patterns through Ravelry are on sale (you can also purchase by clicking on the pattern links over on my sidebar, just not all the patterns have the discount but Cotty, Sweet Baby Kate, Uncle Frank and more are on sale)!! 25% off until Monday, Nov. 29 (discount automatic at checkout).

Hope all of you who celebrated Thanksgiving had a wonderful one! I did! Lots of celebrating still going on this weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

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

Burst

Spring is here and the flowers are blooming (well, today it is raining, but before that!)! This sock is blooming as well! Both the color and pattern just BURST!

Burst: to break open, apart, or into pieces usually from impact or pressure from within; to give way from an excess of emotion; to emerge or spring suddenly

Pattern: Burst

Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Tonal, colorway Queen Anne

Needles: US 1.0 (2.25mm) or size to obtain gauge, DPNs or circulars

Gauge: 36 sts = 4 " over stockinette stitch

Size: adult women's average/medium, although size can be easily modified by adding or subtracting an equal number of purl stitches to the pattern in the purl background

Measurements: 7 1/2" foot circumference, 5" approximate leg length

You may go directly to the Knit Picks site to purchase Burst here. The pattern is only $1.99, the price of all of the Independent Design Program Patterns.

You may also purchase it through my ravelry pattern page here .

Happy Spring!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Bursting!

So much I've been wanting to tell you all and show you! Secret knitting isn't always fun! But, one of the secrets is out (yippee!!!). And to tease you a bit more, I had a photo shoot today with my mom (everyone give a shout out to IrishMom!)!

Burst, new design coming soon! Featuring the new Knit Picks Stroll Tonal yarn!

ETA: Burst just released here!

And I may have found the perfect sock model.

Thanks Mom!

Happy Knitting!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits