Balancing

I'll admit.  Balancing on these crutches has created some new obstacles, particularly in the amount of things I can carry.  I've been known to carry way too many bags at one time (e.g., workout bag, knitting bag, purse, groceries, all on one trip in from the car) and that just can't happen with these darn crutches.  I'm being good and limiting myself to my Namaste Backpack and maybe, just maybe one other bag such as my lunch bag or something.



Of course, that means that when I need both my camera and my current knitting project to catch a photo in the limited sunlight when I get home from work, I don't seem to have them both.  And going upstairs can be daunting at the end of the work day (who knew crutches would tire me out so much).  But today I planned ahead.  I sacrificed the lunch bag for the knitting bag and camera!  Don't worry, I still ate, just didn't bring the bag.  It is amazing what can fit in the Namaste Backpack :)



With just a bit of sunlight left when I got home, I took a quick picture of my current project. A new design featuring the lovely new Dreamy yarn by Anzula. It is soooooooo easy to knit with this yarn because it is beyond soft. Dreamy.  A blend of merino, cashmere, and silk.  I think I may need another skein of this next week at Stitches West!

You may also notice those shiny, pointy Signature Needles.  A birthday treat to myself!!  So this project is seriously flying between the yarn and the new needles. 

What do you guys have on your needles this week?  I'd love to hear!

Happy knitting!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you a day of love!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits, Bailey & Puddles

{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.

Early celebrating!
Xoxo Irishgirlieknits

Good Things

It is easy to get a bit down in the dumps when there are setbacks or when you are hoping things will be better soon and soon can't quite get here fast enough. This week started out that way. I had hoped I'd be walking without crutches after my doctor's appointment on Monday and the reality was no way. Probably another few weeks, but it really just depended on my knee. I was bummed. I'll be honest, I cried. Not right there in the doctor's office, but as soon as I got in the car.

Fortunately, God has a way of showing you the bright side or that open window right when you need to see it. Crutches for a few more weeks isn't the end of the world. And if it means I'll be back on track to being healthier then it is worth it. And more time for knitting. I started focusing on the good things. Monday I could not have imagined walking at all anytime soon without a lot of pain and hobbling. Today I was able to hobble a bit without pain. I'm definitely getting better and just need to give my knee more time to heal.

I know when I'm not having the best of weeks it is hard for me to blog. I like this space to be a bit bright and happy and filled with yarny goodness. And really, it is only knee surgery. It could be worse. I know that.

Feeling like I've turned the corner a bit on this bummer of a week, I thought I would share some good things.

1. Downton Abbey. I know I've gushed about it before, but Tuesday the Season 2 DVD that I had preordered months ago showed up in the mail! Considering the season hasn't ended airing here in the US means I have 4-5 hours of new wonderful episodes that I could watch back to back without having to wait until next Sunday. Worth the $17. Seriously worth it. I promised my sister I won't watch it over and over so that when she watches it this weekend with me I won't have everything memorized. Trust me, it was hard not to rewatch it last night or tonight.




2. Sisters. I'm so blessed to have my sister and sister-in-law in my life. I love them both. And my sister's wedding isn't too far away (July), so lots of planning is happening and I'm getting excited for her!

3. Plucky Knitter Yarn arrived at my house on Wednesday. That was a good mail day.

4. Sunny days. It is February and it usually rains. I was a bit worried about rain and crutches, but I've been fortunate to not have to go out on the few times it has rained while I've been on crutches.

5. Doggies. I love my two doggies beyond words. Lots of time in bed resting my leg has meant lots of extra doggie snuggles :) They really do sleep practically all day?!!?







6. Bates and Anna. Oh wait, still gushing about Dowton Abbey.

7. Casting on new projects. My notes, swatches, needles, yarn, everything is ready for casting on a new design for tomorrow.

8. I cooked tonight. Not a big deal, but I tried two new recipes tonight. I love to cook, but I've fallen out of the habit of cooking new recipes. I tried Smitten Kitchen's Buttermilk Chicken (delish!) and mustard roasted potatoes tonight (very delish!). And there are leftovers....even better!!!

9. Birthday week begins. Dad's birthday was today, mine is Saturday, my sister's is next week. Throw Valentine's day in there too. I pretty much heart everything about February. We finish off February with Stitches West. Seriously?!

10. Birthday cake! Red velvet birthday cake.







See, lots of good things to be grateful for. What good things do you guys have to share? You know I'd love to hear.

And one more good thing....Happy Friday!!
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

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

One word.

Cashmere.



I've spend the past four days at TNNA, the knitting industry's trade show in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was amazing, inspiring, motivating, encouraging, exhausting... I could go on and on.

But I'm a bit exhausted from the fun and traveling.  I promise to tell you all about it, but for now, just one word.

Cashmere.

Wait.  Let's make that five words.

Ten dollars per skein cashmere.

This special end of show deal, courtesy of Lotus Yarns, happened right as I was leaving the convention, rushing to the airport.  Probably for the best or I would have just bought more :)  It was the perfect treat to end such a wonderful weekend!

I hope to be back tomorrow with lots more pictures and details, but if I don't, please send me good healing thoughts for my knee surgery on Wednesday.  I promise to be back soon either way!

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.

This is how they spent the entire 4th quarter of last week's amazing 49er victory over the Saints!  Even during the Alex Smith-Vernon Davis Catch!  

Go Niners!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits

P.S. I'm off to TNNA this weekend! SO excited! My patterns will be available in the Deep South Fibers Booth and all of my Kollage Yarns patterns will be available in their booth.