Steward

There are some designs that mean a little bit more to me than others. The ones named after my family I'm especially fond of. And the pattern I'm releasing today is one of those types of designs.


Steward, shown in The Plucky Knitter Snug Worsted, colorway Icey Audrey

Knitting this hat healed my heart a bit. I just didn't realize it at the time. I knit this hat over and over and over last year. It was probably the only thing I knit for months. The name came to me one night at bible study when my Pastor spoke about stewardship and that we needed to be good stewards of the gifts God had given us. I could knit. And knit I did.



Six times to be exact. The only thing I could knit because I had lost my knitting motivation. You know its bad when you're not doing the things you love to do. This was just easy enough to knit a row here or there.



And I thought things were better. I was knitting again. Being diagnosed with cancer twice and the pain and fear that comes with that would not beat me. But I could not get the pattern written down. I was stuck. For months.



That's where the journey of this design really healed my heart a bit. Realizing I needed to let a lot go has cleared my mind of so much lately. In that act of letting go, surrendering if you will, I was able to write this pattern. Something that I struggled with (let's be clear guys, it's an easy 2-page pattern!) for months became so easy all of a sudden.



That is an entirely different type of gift. One I'm learning to be grateful for daily.



I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. The pattern is on sale for $5 through the end of January, but you can get an extra 20% off this pattern and any other IGK pattern ($6 or less) with the coupon code: GIFTS through Sunday, 1/22/17.

A Post from the Anchorage Airport

I so needed this weekend. A quick weekend trip to Anchorage, Alaska to visit my guy was just what my heart and soul needed.



When I made this big leap of faith back in July, he was a big influence in my decision, and no matter where things end up, I'm forever grateful for that. But being back in Alaska, everything just seemed so perfect. I loved the rainy weather. Oh how this California girl misses it. The dark morning and early evenings. Of course, he jokes that I wouldn't love it in December, and he's probably right. But right now, when my head is killing me and the light doesn't help it, you know, I kinda love the vampire lifestyle :)



Look at that magical misty fog!



He cooked dinner Friday night, while I took care of snacks during the Notre Dame-USC game. Go Irish!!





Our drive today out on the Seward Highway to Chugach National Forest to see the glaciers was just beautiful!


Portage Glacier


Spencer Glacier





The Glacier from the Whittier side of the ONE-LANE TUNNEL....for 2 1/2 miles... under the glacier...with 5 safe houses....yeah...that freaked me out and I wanted to say, "But what if..." and he just said, "Save your scenarios. I don't want to hear them, even when we are out of the tunnel." You know...like what if there was an earthquake? A car accident? A nuclear war...are these the bunkers the president goes to??? What are in those safe houses?? Bezzie....tell me about this tunnel thing??? Ok, I just did a little research, but I'm sure Bezzie has more info for us :)

And a new hat I designed Friday morning....





I don't regret not moving to Alaska, although long-distance hasn't been ideal....he's moving back to the bay area soon though. But we both know we'll always have a plan B because we both love it here. And I can wear ALL. THE. HAND. KNITS.



Sorin and Aleyska.



Glaciers, hand knits, and a happy heart.

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{new pattern} Kenmare Lace Fingerless Gloves

Remember when I said I was busy? It's a very happy kind of busy that results in even more finalized patterns.




Delicate, yet chic. The Kenmare Lace Fingerless Gloves are so versatile. One skein makes a pair and the easy all over lace pattern makes them a quick knit.

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Cashmere, colorway Iced Audrey

Shown above in the swoon-worthy Plucky Knitter Cashmere, these mitts are perfect for that one irresistible luxury skein splurge.

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Snug Worsted, colorway Peninsula

An even quicker knit, a worsted weight version is included in the pattern. Need a gift for a teacher or another special someone? They would be thrilled with a pair of these fingerless gloves as an expression of your heartfelt gratitude.

Shown in Miss Babs Kunlun, colorway Soul Food

I knew I had to get pictures of the all the test knits (thanks again Tracey for test knitting these!) to show you how simple lace shines in a variety of yarns and looks gorgeous in both variegated and solid colors.

The fabulous photos are by Tricia Soto, aka Cheekyattitude aka our Irish Girlie Knits assistant! The one above is probably one of my faves!

Instructions are written for fingerless gloves that are worked in the round. Pattern is written for either sport or worsted weight yarn, with two different lengths. A chart is provided.

Suggested Yarns: ~155 yards for sport weight version such as The Plucky Knitter Cashmere, Miss Babs Yummy 3-ply, Anzula Squishy, Knitted Wit Victory DK.

~185 yards for dk/ light worsted weight version such as The Plucky Knitter Snug Worsted, Miss Babs Kunlun, Anzula Croquet, Big Bad Wool Weepaca. 

Finished measurements: 3” wide, unstretched and 10 1/2“ long for sport weight version 3” wide, unstretched and 10“ long for worsted weight version.



Special Introductory Sale Price of $4.75 through June 10 (then $6.00). 

Even more good news to come very soon!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits