Dear Baby Francis

You guys have been so patient.  A year ago I blogged about these adorable baby socks. Well, good news!  Today I have not only the socks, but the cutest matching hat to go with them!  Introducing.....

Dear Baby Francis

Okay.  Before we go further.  Isn't Baby Dex beyond CUTE!!!!  Seriously such a good baby and those eyes.  I could just eat him up!  All I want to do is start knitting more baby things so that he and his twin brother (I know!! Double the cute!!!) can keep modeling! 

Miss Babs Yummy Sport, colorway Roasted Pumpkin for the 6-9 month size

The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Fingering, colorways Flannel Shimmy and Pure Calm

I’ve been hooked on making wee baby socks inspired by their matching adult socks for quite some time.  Here the cable pattern from the Uncle Frank socks makes for a perfect unisex baby gift!

This set includes a baby hat and socks.  The socks are a perfect way to use up leftover sock yarns.  Adding a trim of contrasting color gives this set that something extra!

The pattern will be on sale from now until Oct. 3 for $4, returning to $6 on Tuesday, Oct. 4!        

The details.....

Dear Baby Francis Socks

Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock.  Charts are provided on the last page.  Size can be modified by using lighter fingering weight yarns and smaller needles, or sport weight yarn and larger needles.                                                                 

Suggested Yarns: ~ 75 yards of fingering weight yarn such as The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon fingering, Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock mediumweight, Kolláge Yarns Sock-a-licious, Knitted Wit Superwash Merino Fingering, Anzula Squishy

~3 yards of fingering weight yarn for contrasting trim, if desired

Materials:

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

Cable Needle

Stitch markers

Tapestry needle

Gauge: 28 sts and 44 rows = 4” over st st          

Size: 3-6 months                                        

Finished measurements:  2 ¼” foot circumference, 1 ½” approximate leg length 

Dear Baby Francis Hat

Suggested Yarns: ~ 80 yards of fingering weight yarn as suggested above, or 70 yards of sport weight yarn such as Miss Babs Yummy Superwash Sport, Madelinetosh Pashmina, Sunshine Yarns Sport, The Plucky Knitter Primo Sport         

~5-7 yards of fingering weight yarn for contrasting trim, if desired

Materials:

Size US 6 (4.00 mm) either DPNs or Circular 16” with DPNs needed for decreases or size to obtain gauge for both fingering and sport weight yarns

Cable needle

Stitch markers

Tapesty needle                                                                                                 

Gauge: 22-24 sts and 36 rows = 4” over st st for fingering weight yarn;        
21-22 sts and 32 rows = 4” over st st for sport weight yarn;

Size: 3-6 months for fingering weight yarn; 6-9 months for sport weight yarn                                    

Finished measurements:  5” unstretched (6 ½” streteched) width, 6 ¼” length for fingering weight yarn

5 ¼” unstretched (7” stretched) width, 7” length for sport weight yarn

Thank you again to my amazing graphic designer, Jill Zielinski, for her assistance with the pattern layout!  I know I've said it before, but I could not do this job without Jill! Thank you!

A very, very special thank you to baby Dex, my good friend Nicole, and Dex's mommies, Annie and Jeannine for making this pattern come to life!  I can't thank you enough!


This is Dex's modeling debut, so let's show him some love you guys!


Happy, happy baby knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{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.

These gorgeous flowers were delivered last weekend and still look fabulous! I took this picture yesterday :)  Thank you to some very dear friends for making me smile all week.  Even right now, after a 3 1/2 hour root canal, I'm smilling (well, that could be the pain meds...)!

Happy Friday everyone!  New pattern coming this weekend!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Got Hats?

There really has been knitting going on around here, despite all of the life events of the past few weeks.



The challenge of course is translating that knitting to pattern writing, test knitting, editing, etc., when life throws a curve at you.  Fortunately, you guys are awesome and hang in there with me! Keeping my fingers crossed that Dear Baby Francis will make its debut in the next week or two (I can't wait to show you the pictures!!), with the Uncle Frank hat not too far behind.  Surprisingly, despite that big pile of hats, I'm not sick of knitting it yet!  And I've inadvertently created a pile of gift knits, since only two of those need to be trunk show samples! 

I didn't even try to write up anything last week.  And as much as I was enjoying my new sock design, I wanted something a bit more mindless, comforting.  I needed to just knit.  And then the design jumped out at me and it was on the needles.

 

A cozy, slightly-oversized, cowl, inspired by my Winnie socks, in luxurious, 100% Aran cashmere from The Plucky Knitter.  Talk about chicken soup for the soul.  I've been saving this yarn for something special and the cowl flew off the needles.  The matching fingerless gloves are almost done too.  This is going to be such a fun holiday gift knit.  My sister commented that too bad it wasn't in her colors.  My mom, smart lady, said, I'll take it.  To both I say no way!  But, it was such a quick knit, I'm thinking my mom may finally get her gray fingerless gloves this year!

The only thing I need now is a name.  I would love to call it Mimi, but there are a gazillion patterns named Mimi.  I also thought Comfort Food, because that was what it was for me.  But, the colorway is called Golightly, and part of me wants to focus on the cozy, happy, cheerful ness that that name says to me.  I'm tempted to call it Golightly.  There are just a few patterns with a similar name, but not quite Golightly.  I will say, I can't wait to wear this when it is snowy up in Tahoe with a cup of hot cocoa.  Or enjoying a big scoop of ice cream :)

Then I thought you guys may have some thoughts.  Anyone? 

I'll be back later this week with a few other fun knitting related updates!  What do you guys have on your needles this week?  Oh, and any new tv shows you've been knitting away too?  I really enjoyed Prime Suspect and Revenge last week!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{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.

Happy Friday!!  

This weekend is all about relaxing and knitting!  Well, and football.  And even pattern writing!! And my sister is dragging taking us to a bridal faire (eek! my first.  oh. boy.).  Teasing of course, sis.  Well, I think I'm teasing.  I have had my DVD of Bridesmaids sitting unopened all week, just waiting for the weekend to watch it (awesome, funny, fabulous movie!!)!

What are you guys up to this weekend?  How's your week been?  I'm slowly catching up on work, which means I may have some actual knitting content to show you this weekend!

Happy Weekend!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. Goodness, isn't Little Guy just too cute?!  His little flip flops, his I'm so happy to be around all the airplanes smile, his Star Wars shirt that he is so proud of! So wish he lived closer....can't wait to see him in a few weeks! Auntie IGK loves you Bubby!

A Good Day.

It has actually been two good days, with the farmer's market, soccer game, and a Notre Dame football victory starting off the weekend on a good note.  Oh, and just about the cutest baby photo shoot yesterday at the park!  Routine sure does help sometimes.

But today was a really good day.  One I had been looking forward to...  a whole day with Lil' Guy!  That munchkin sure does make me smile :)

I'm afraid I might have used up our favorite rainy day adventure by going to the local Airplane Museum, but he was so excited to go, and it was just enough adventure for the week our family has had.

A few highlights...





Grandma joined us and I'm so glad she did!  Because while she and lil' guy went outside and saw 28 airplanes, in just about 20 minutes or so....



....I got to spend 20 minutes knitting on my new sock design.  I cast this on last Friday evening and it hasn't made much progress.  Those 20 minutes of happy knitting just felt right again :)




The Plucky Knitter Primo fingering, colorway Sticky Toffee



After the airplane museum and a NAP, Lil Guy had fun showing Pa his new airplane.



The doggies were worn out after the fun day too! Although I'm not as sleepy as they are, I do think an early night is called for!

Happy Knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

{this moment}

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single (or this week, maybe two) 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.

Last Saturday Lil' Snowboarder had her first soccer game ever, a very happy moment in a very sad week.  I know Mimi would have enjoyed seeing those cute pink uniforms, and more importantly, the happy smile on Lil' Snowboarder's face.  

Thank you all so very much for your kind thoughts and prayers.  Today we will have a small family service for Mimi, and then a weekend of family fun...just as she would have wanted.  Lil' Guy will be here for the weekend, just the thing I need to ensure a happy weekend :)

I love you guys. Thank you for being here this past week.  I felt the hugs.

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

I love you Mimi.

Such a sad post to write. 



Mimi, my great-aunt, who with her two sisters, Cotty and Dotty (my grandma), raised my mom and her brother, and has been like another Grandmother to me, had a massive stroke Friday evening.  My mom, brother, sister, and I were able to come up to Reno to be with her and say goodbye.  I was with her all day today and shortly after the priest came to give her her last rites, and the 49ers and Giants both won (she was a big fan!), Mimi passed away peacefully while I was by her side.



I know she is in a better place and with her sisters and brother.  I miss her already.  Thank you all for the kind thoughts and prayers this weekend.  I so appreciate you guys being there for me and my family.

My heart is broken.

I love you Mimi.
xoxo Carrie

Dancette

Guess what is available for download via Ravelry?  Dancette!

I know many of you have been asking when the pattern only would be available, either because you couldn't make it to Sock Summit or because your stash was already bursting with sock yarn you couldn't justify indulging in the awesome kits from The Plucky Knitter!  So here it is!

Dancette 

Shown in The Plucky Knitter Primo MCN 75/20/5, colorways Roasted Pumpkin and Milk Maid, one skein of each; Modeled by Thayer Preece, Photo credit: Tricia Soto

I'm pretty crazy about the lovely yarns by Sarah Dimond, The Plucky Knitter.  Sarah is mad about all things chevron.  Together, I think we are both head over heels for this shawl, Dancette.  In architecture, dancette is an ornamental molding that features a zigzag pattern.  Here, the zigzag edging gives this shawl that extra something!

As much as I love this version, I really, really love this version by the Knotty Mommy.  This is one of those knits where you can really play with color!  I can't wait to see more of these knit up.

If you are a LYS interested in carrying this pattern in your store, Dancette, along with many of my other patterns, is now available for wholesale through Deep South Fibers.

Happy Almost Friday!!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits