Summer of Socks!

Over in our Irish Girlie Knits Group on Ravelry, we are having an unofficial IGK Summer of Socks knitalong.  And believe it or not, I finally have a finished pair of socks!!  My BFF is going to be so happy to be getting her birthday socks....even if it is a few weeks late!

My Cotty socks, in The Plucky Knitter 80/20 Superwash Merino Nylon sock yarn.





It seems like forever since I have finished a pair of socks, but actually, I did finish a new sock design back in June for Knitted Wit's and Sincere Sheep's Among Friends Yarn Club.  And I can now release it for sale!

Here is Candy Necklace  

When you have fun, sassy variegated yarns, you need a design that allows those colors to shine.  This pattern does just that.  Plus, the easy-to-memorize lace that travels the length of the sock almost reminds me a bit of those fun Candy Necklaces that we wore with our friends as children.  I know Knitted Wit’s sweet, candy-colored yarn sure does too!

Pattern: Candy Necklace

Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock. Charts are provided on the last page.

Suggested Yarns: 340-400 yards of light fingering weight yarn such as Knitted Wit Superwash BFL, Sincere Sheep Keen

Materials:

Size US 1.0 (2.25mm) or size to obtain gauge, either DPNs or circular needles

Stitch markers

Tapesty needle

Gauge: 38 stitches and 54 rows = 4” over st st

Size: adult women’s Small (Medium, Large)

Finished measurements: 6 ¾ (7 ¾, 8 ¾)" foot circumference;  6” leg length

Since the summer is a perfect time to knit socks, I'm offering a special introductory price of $4.00 on the pattern until July 16, 2012!  No coupon needed! 
 

At TNNA last month, my other new sock design, Alpine Lake Socks, was released by Kollage Yarns. 





I designed these back in December when I designed the Alpine Lake Cowl- I loved the pattern so much I knit the cowl too!



The stitch pattern is perfect for solid or variegated yarns, and is also a great unisex pattern!  I actually knit dad a pair out of STR heavyweight (using the small size of the pattern with the heavier yarn) back in December as well.  I'll have to get a picture of those soon!

Size: Adult Small (Medium, Large)

Finished measurements: 6 ¼ (7 ½, 8 ¾)" foot circumference; 5 ¾ (5 ¾, 5 ¼)” approximate leg length

Materials:

·         1 (1, 2) skein(s) Kolláge Yarns Sock-a-licious, 70% merino, 20% nylon, 10% silk, 354 yds/100 g skein; Shown in color Sangria

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

·         Stitch Markers

·         Tapestry needle

Gauge: 32 sts and 40 rows= 4” over st st

Pattern Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock. Charts are provided on the last page.  Written for Small size with instructions for (Medium, Large) sizes given in parentheses if different.

The lovely photos were taken by my awesome photographer, Tricia Soto (aka Cheekyattitude), and cupcakefaerie makes a great model too!

Both the Alpine Lake Socks and the Alpine Lake Cowl are available now either online or through your LYS that carries Kollage Yarns!

Now that my sock needles are free, I need to figure out what I want to cast on next.  I even have new sock yarn tempting me.


Studio June Yarn Eight Bells, colorway Crocus   



The colorway is just perfect!  I love it, but to be honest, I can't decide if it wants to be socks or a shawlette of some sort.  I've been thinking of Blackberry Brambles Shawl for quite some time...hmmmmm

While most of the country has been having record heat waves, we've had a nice warm summer so far.  The beach was 75 degrees last week!  Although it is supposed to get into the 90s in the next few days...eek!  I do know that the doggies love their morning sun spot.



Happy Summer!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

TNNA Recap

A few weeks ago I went to TNNA, The National NeedleArts Association, Tradeshow in Phoenix, Arizona.  I had such an awesome, inspiring time seeing friends, meeting new people, and let's not forget all the yarn!  Here's a quick rundown of my trip.

First, Sample It!  On Friday evening, yarn store owners are able to purchase at wholesale prices special items from some of the vendors.  I helped Erica at the Kollage Yarns Booth, where they were selling kits featuring their Riveting Yarn and the My Kind of Saturday and Bonnie Jean Scarf patterns.




I was good and didn't succumb to the call of the pretty yarn. BUT, knowing my knee surgery was coming up, I used that as a reason to get the new Namaste Boardwalk Backpack!  And it sure has come in handy while walking around on crutches the past two weeks (side note: looks like it is going to be another 1-2 weeks at least on these crutches, so I'm really! glad I bought the bag).



I bought the eggplant one.  Sherri at The Loopy Ewe has a bunch still in stock!

The rest of the weekend I was in the Deep South Fibers Booth, as they distribute my IGK patterns to retailers!!  I'll admit, I was a bit nervous, with this being my first TNNA where I was really hoping to get my designs out there to shop owners.  But Donna and Linda from Deep South Fibers were so incredibly welcoming!



Here are my designs on display, right between two amazing designers, Tot Toppers and Ysolda.  Deep South represents a wide range of talented designers and the booth looked fantastic.  CocoKnits had all of her new sweaters and also these cute little nests and necklaces.



The necklaces would make such great gifts too. I'm definitely picking up this pattern from Julie's booth at Stitches West.

Here is Grace Akhrem's designs.  Grace is another designer with Deep South and she is a riot!



So sweet, but sassy!  She convinced lots of us to strike a mustache pose.  Check everyone out here.





Anne from Crafty Diversions has such lovely work. She is beyond nice and such a talented designer.  It was so nice to finally catch up a bit with her and soak up all of her design experience!  Thanks Anne!


Ysolda was also in the Deep South booth signing copies of her new book, Whimsical Little Knits 3.  Another winner!


I met Michelle of Fickle Knitter Design at last year's TNNA and it was so nice to see her again.  She continues to inspire me with her amazing shawl designs!!  Check-out her recap of TNNA here.  I'm excited to be teaming up with her for a project with Knitted Wit and Sincere Sheep....more to come soon, but here's the info.


Let's not forget the yarn!!  I fell in love with Zen Yarn Garden's new colors!



And this Dreamy skein of Anzula Yarns has already been swatched and I'm ready to cast on my new design!

One last surprise.  I also did my first interview as a designer!  FiberStory TV did an amazing job interviewing a number of vendors, designers, yarnies, etc., at TNNA.  I'm featured here, in the Part 2 update (watch for me at the 16:00 minute mark).  Crazy nervous fun! 

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

New Year, New Designs

Happy New Year!

I'm still marinating on my new year's goals/ideas/resolutions, but I do know I want to continue expanding my designing.  And so far the year has been going great in that department!

Thank you all for your enthusiasm for the Mystery Sock pattern!  366 projects already!!  And lots of lively discussion on the SKA mystery sock thread here and in our growing Irish Girlie Knits' Group on Ravelry (hey, have you joined?!).



I also have a new design that was just released by Kollage Yarns, Alpine Lake.



I absolutely love this design.  It is an oversized cowl in their new yarn Lofty.  The yarn is a dream to knit with and you only need two skeins to knit up either the oversized cowl version or the infinity version.  The pattern is available for download over on Patternfish.  Plus the pattern is reversible, so it doesn't matter if you fold the cowl over a bit :)



But really, you'll love this because it knits up in no time!  On size 10 needles!




Fortunately I have two skeins left over to knit one for me :)

One other exciting designing news... I updated my retailers list on Irishgirlieknits.com and I'm so excited that my IGK patterns are available in over 50 local yarn stores!!  

So what is on your needles in the new year?  I did finish Dad's socks, but I need to take pictures of them.  They may just be a sock version of Alpine Lake....you'll have to wait and see!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

5 years!

Kind of crazy that I've been blogging now for 5 years!  Who could have thought that it would have led to an amazing group of friends and a budding designing career!  I know I couldn't have.

So for the next week or so, we're going to do 5 fun things.  I haven't thought of all of them yet, but I'm pretty sure you guys will enjoy them.

First up, the newly reformatted Freestyle Snowboarder Hat. 



My first pattern that I offered for sale is now shiny and pretty, and definitely written a bit clearer!  Just in time for winter!



It was perfect timing that Jill was able to reformat this.  Thank you Jill!  Speaking of Jill, aka Knitterella, did you guys see that the Yarn Harlot gave a huge shout out today about Jill's knitting gift tags?  They were featured as one of the gifts for knitters.

Okay.  Back to the pattern.  I love the striped version of this. Look how little Lil' guy looks!



I still love how the decreases work too.



When I was reformatting the pattern, I knit another one for Lil' Guy in Kollage Yarns Fantastic (seriously, that yarn is fantastic!).







I think I may knit a few of these for gifts. Well, that is once I start my holiday knitting.  It is only Dec. 1, right? I love the striped version and have quite a few leftovers around here that will work!

Back to the blogiversary fun....


From now until the end of Friday, Dec. 2 (11:59pm PST), The Freestyle Snowboarder Hat will be offered for $3.00!  One day to score a deal on an easy holiday gift knit.   


I'll probably offer another pattern or two for a special, one-day 50% off price....any you'd like to see featured, let me know.  Plus, we'll do some contests!

A blogiversary week of fun!  Thank you guys! I wouldn't be here without you.

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

 

 Kollage Yarns Sock-a-licious

Happy Friday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Let's Catch Up!

Wow! Although summer has been a bit more relaxed, it sure has been busy! I've fallen a bit behind in blogging so tonight I'll try to catch up!

Let's first start with a countdown! 19 more sleeps until Sock Summit!!!  Woohoo!!  Can't wait! I'm flying in a few days early, so 16 sleeps for me!

Who else is going to Sock Summit?  I can't wait to see both new and old friends!

I've also been wanting to release a free pattern for awhile now and I finally released it yesterday! Another thing to check-off the must-do before Sock Summit list.  Meet my new sock pattern, Honey Badger.



I think you guys will like this one.  My fabulous, speedy test knitters Disco, Manda, and Gaylen, said it flew off their needles!  Thank you again ladies for all your help this week!



The slipped stitches will work great with variegated yarns too.  But if it doesn't, well, honey badgers don't care, right?!  These socks have been brewing in my head since sock camp! 



Sock camp brings out all sorts of silliness, and learning too, but really, this sock knitting community is pretty fabulous and fun.  At camp this year, the Honey Badger seemed to become our impromptu mascot.  When it came time to name this pattern, I just couldn’t resist naming it after the Honey Badger, the most fearless animal in all of the animal kingdom.  Be fearless with your sock knitting!  Honey Badgers don’t care! 



Honey Badger

Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock. Charts are provided on the last page.

Suggested Yarns: 350-380 yards of fingering weight yarn such as BMFA Socks that Rock lightweight, The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon fingering, Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sock, Sunshine Yarns Classic Sock, Knitted Wit Superwash Merino Fingering, Kitchen Sink Dyeworks Luxe Merino Fine

Materials: Size US 1 (2.25mm) or size to obtain gauge, either DPNs or circular needles, Stitch markers, Tapesty needle

Gauge: 32 stitches and 48 rows = 4” over st st

Size: adult women’s X-Small (Small, Medium, Large)

Finished measurements: 6 ½ (7 ¼, 8, 8 ¾)" foot circumference; 6” approximate leg length

Another special thanks to Thayer and Tricia for doing a fabulous job with the modeling and photography! I don't know where I would be without them.  Plus, I gave them the challenge of figuring out how to model just one sock :)

This is my favorite photo from the day!



And would you believe we saw this guy on the drive up to our photo shoot!  I sooooo wanted to make Thayer jump out and model the sock next to him, but um....we think he was dead.



Even though this was a free pattern, I still wanted to have it feature my new pattern format.  I really, really need to thank Jill, aka Knitterella, for being such an awesome resource for me as my graphic designer.  I highly recommend her if you are looking for graphic design work!



Not only did she do the pattern layout, but she was also a sponsor of this pattern!  Please go show her some love and thank her! I really do appreciate being able to offer this pattern for free and with such a professional look.  Thank you Jill!



I've been keeping Jill busy with pattern reformatting too!  I have two more of my previously published designs in my new layout.



From now until July 15, Dotty and Sweet Baby Kate will be specially-priced at $4.50 and then they will be $6.00, as my other patterns.

See, lots of fun stuff!  One would wonder if I am finding any time to knit.  Well, truth be told, once I had another secret project off the needles, I spent most of the week working on the extra stuff, such as pattern writing.  But last night I did finally cast on another Summer Wind.  I've loved seeing all of the Summer Winds knit up in our KAL, so I was inspired!  Plus, I need some almost mindless knitting.


Anzula Squishy (and omg....love love how squishy it is!)

Hey, I didn't say I'd made a lot of progress, just that I'd cast on!

I also hope to cast on for the Kollage Yarns' IrishgirlieKnits KAL this week too.   I plan to use this gorgeous skein of Sock-a-licous.......



.... to make Keegan, a super quick and easy baby hat and cables pattern that I designed for their Fall line. 


I just love these wee baby socks!


And I could eat her up she is so stinkin' cute!

Okay, and if you have made it through this long catch-up post, I'll treat you to some highlights from my weekend!


Homemade pizza!



And re-reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows! I can't wait to see the movie!  Oh, and yes, that gorgeous skein of Ginny from Sunshine Yarns showed up in the mail today!

Any of you excited to see Harry Potter this week?  What do you need to catch me up on? Hope you are having a fantastic weekend!

Now off to bed I go....

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits