The Joy of Swatching

I think I can now say this. I have finally discovered the joy of swatching. Seriously.

It started back in April at Sock Camp. My class from Anne Hanson on sock designing was filled with fabulous information and inspiration, but what I appreciated most was this.



From the tiny cute project bag emerged some of her swatches.




And more of her swatches. I think it was at this point, when she had so many out, each filled with different information about gauge, pattern, texture, fabric, that I thought, "Shit. I have no idea what I'm doing with this designing thing. I might need to step it up a bit." I feared she would forever remember me as the person who never swatched (I've swatched, just you know, never like this). Hearing her discuss her design process and the role of swatching inspired me to start doing it A LOT more.

So when I received my two gorgeous skeins of Creamy last week from Kollage, well, I got to work.



Here's just 3 of my blocked swatches. There were 5 total! Of course, the fact that the Creamy yarn has a shine and drape that I just love, made it a bit easier to start each new swatch until I got it just about right. And not only did I figure out my design, but about three other design ideas worked themselves out in the process. The first three didn't work out, but the last two did.

Now I'm working on this.



Joy!!

After dinner tonight here, I'm hoping to knit a lot more on this!

Happy Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. Ravelry has a new promotions features and I'm trying it out with offering 20% off my Dotty, Courage, Sweet Home, and Uncle Frank patterns here! Sale will run through Sunday night!

Happy Things

Five to be exact.

1. Lil' Snowboarder and I have had lots of time for crafting! Check out the scarf she fingerknit in less than an hour.

And she is wearing the Dotty socks I knit for her. Be still my heart.

She also insisted on trying the needles! She's been insisting for awhile. I thought I'd just start her out on the good needles, Kollage's Square Needles!

2. My Kollage Solace yarn arrived for the Four Seasons Wrap KAL (come join us here..it hasn't started yet)! I'm using the Shadow colorway...such a pretty shade of gray! I can't wait to cast on! It has been awhile since anything resembling a sweater for me has been on the needles.

3. Glee arrived! Best extra features include karaoke (great reading practice for Lil' Snowboarder!) and a songs only summary of each episode which means I don't have to fast forward everything for her to watch (because not really a 7-year-old show I think, but she loves the "kids" and the music and dancing).

4. My Queen Alice sock pattern, originally designed for Woolgirl's Alice in Wonderland Sock Club, is now available to purchase. I'll do a proper post later this week, but wanted to give you a heads up if you've been waiting for this one.

5. I'm in New Orleans for another business trip. Shrimp Po' Boy. I only had half, I promise. Soooo good.

Happy Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Fresh Start

It is just about Friday, which means the weekend is almost here. I'm ready for a fresh start.


Kollage Yarns Creamy, colorway Purple Poem

And I'm taking Disco's advice...I'm starting a new book despite the fact that I haven't finished the one I'm reading), casting on something new (despite the fact that I have a gazillion projects on the needles), and rewatching Sunday's episode of Mad Men (because it was probably one of my favorite episodes yet and Jon Hamm is well, dreamy).

Happy almost Friday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

How can you not smile...

when this shows up in your email?

Hi Lil' Guy!!

Looks like he is having a great time in Yosemite!

Seriously cute kid, don't you think?!

I think my brother and SIL just found their Christmas card picture!

Um....note to self...go to Yosemite soon. Born and raised in California and I still haven't been there...seriously. Go. Soon.

And is it Friday yet?! Almost. Thanks everyone for the hugs. I'm hanging in there.

Happy almost, almost, Friday!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

One good thing.

Ever have one of those days (or maybe two of those days), where you just can't get a break? One thing after the next? Well, it has been that kind of day or two. You know, the kind where lil' Snowboarder asks her daddy about the water in my eyes. Ugh. But, at least I have my knitting.



A finished pair of socks. One good thing.



IrishDad's Father's Day socks are finally done. Uncle Frank socks in STR heavyweight were just what the doctor ordered! That and a little more college football with this great Boise St. vs. Virginia Tech game that is on.



At least I had the day off today and it is now a short work week ahead. So, two good things. Well, and you guys makes three :)

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Perfect Saturday

Doggies....

Knitting...

Cotty Sock in Fightin' Irish handspun from ilikecake

on Signature DPNs (a treat from Stitches Midwest)

And a Notre Dame Victory!

Perfect Saturday to me!

Happy Weekend!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Sweet Baby Kate sale continues through "Labor" Day (as Discoknits mentioned...perfect theme for a baby knit pattern sale!)

Sweet Baby Kate

Babies, babies, babies! When faced with at least 6 babies being born in the next few months, I knew I needed to knit something fast! That's when I was inspired to make a sweet, wee version of my Cotty socks, which were named after my great-aunt Katherine. The Cotty socks have been referred to as "potato chip socks" as in you can't knit just one pair. With an easy to memorize pattern that works with just about any yarn, I knew this would solve my baby knitting dilemna!

Shown in BMFA Socks that Rock lightweight, colorway Goody Goody


Also shown in Kollage Yarns Sock-a-licious, colorway Blue Mist

Shown in BMFA Socks that Rock mediumweight, colorway Peek-a-Boo Peony

This set includes a baby hat and socks. The socks are a perfect way for using up leftover sock yarns. Can you imagine a matching pair of Mommy Cotty socks too! Make these even daintier by adding a matching ribbon trim to the lace!

Thank goodness I'm not hosting a baby shower anytime soon! Wouldn't these make perfect decorations that could go home with the mommy-to-be?!

Pattern: Sweet Baby Kate

Yarn: ~65 yards of fingering weight yarn for the socks and ~80 yards of fingering weight yarn for the hat; for a slightly smaller size, and using smaller needles, approximately the same yardage may be used for lighter fingering yarn (e.g., BMFA Socks that Rock lightweight, Madelinetosh Tosh Sock, The Plucky Knitter MCN)

Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) for socks, US 6 (4.00 mm) for hat

Gauge: 32 sts=4" for socks; 24 sts=4" for hat

Finished Measurements: 2 1/4" foot circumference, 1 1/2" leg length for socks; 6" width, 6" length for hat

Size: 3-6 months

I'm offering the pattern at an introductory sale price of $4 for Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 3-6)!

Happy Baby Knitting!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

September?!

Seriously? How did September get here so quickly? August may have kicked my butt, but September is going to be a great month! I just know it! Fall is almost here....yay!!!

And just two more days til Notre Dame Football begins!! Can't wait!

I have lots of projects to share with you (can someone say cast-on-itis?!), but have not been home during daylight hours! And I'm finishing up the Sweet Baby Cate pattern, so I'm hoping to release that soon. Until then...let's talk yarn!

Yes, there were a few yarn purchases at Stitches Midwest. All for "designs" I tell myself. Stop laughing.



First up, this gorgeous skein of Luxe Merino Fine from Kitchen Sink Dyeworks. I fell in love with her pretty yarns at Sock Summit and this skein just screamed my name the whole weekend! When there was just one left on Saturday, I couldn't resist any longer! I admit my weakness for that hint of cashmere.


Speaking of cashmere, another pretty! This was my first time seeing Dragonfly Fibers in person, and soooooo pretty! This skein of Djinni, in Blue Spruce, had to come home with me!


Then there was Miss Babs. Why oh why can't I resist her yarns?! I love them! And she had quite a few new colors that I tried to resist! The red is a gorgeous, intense colorway, Vlads, in her Yummy sport yarn. The two Yummy socks below are A Day at Red Lettuce Farm and Field Mouse (love love love!!)!



And then there was this one lonely skein of Madelinetosh Pashmina from WEBS. Again, the cashmere. Weakness.

Now I must knit.

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits