Let’s talk needles. I have a few. And I have favorites (my Signature Needle Arts DPN’s aka Sigs), but I’m a firm believer in the right tool for the job. When I’m using yarn that is splitty, I don’t want crazy pointy needles. I’ve also been known to choose needles that color coordinate with the yarn. When I’m using a pattern that is most easily halved, I grab circs and rock some magic loop…..but when I’m not in a hurry and the pattern is relaxing, I reach for bamboo dpn’s. I might even switch to bamboo mid-sock for no reason that I can recall. There’s just something about the feel of them in my hands that makes knitting feel like a journey. There’s nowhere to be; yarn is gliding around and around on my wooden sticks until Voila! Socks!

Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Tonal
Needles: 2.25mm bamboo dpn’s (first sock on metal hiya hiya dpn’s)
Pattern: Slant (coming soon) by Hunter Hammersen

So, I started using the hashtag #casbahislikecrack, but the more I think about it, the more I hope the good people at Handmaiden are not offended because crack is bad for 1000 different reasons, but hopefully people get what I was trying to say. I digress.
Plucky Knitter yarn is all yummy. Plucky Feet doesn’t feel quite as nice in the hands as Primo Fingering, but I can tell it’s going to hold up and I can put up with just a tiny bit less softness for stitch definition this amazing.

and the color! My Word, the color! Every time I see these socks, my soul sings. The pattern was a fun knit and it’s fairly stretchy which I like in a sock. So, spend all your money on yarn and patterns because even though The Husband probably thinks a drug habit might be cheaper, knitting is legal and good for your brain, plus SOCKS!

Yarn: Plucky Knitter – Plucky Feet
Colorway: Vignette
Needles: 2.25mm Signature Needle Arts double-pointed needles (and later 2.25mm addi circulars because I don’t take Sigs. on planes.)
Pattern: Fucus asparagoides socks by Hunter Hammersen

Eating Brussels Sprouts makes me feel like a giant eating the heads off tiny cabbage patch kids. I kind of love it.

Ps. Don’t forget to check out Keep calm and Craft on!

The Travelers: My Mother in Law (A), her best friend (C), the best friend’s daughter (B), and me.

We arrived at the airport and had tea and delicious lemon muffins whilst waiting for the rest of our group. We met a couple of women on our tour. One expressed surprise that I’d be traveling with my mother in law without my husband. I commented, “Yes, it is surprising how well we get along. Meeting us is like finding a unicorn.” (Ok, let’s be honest, it’s nothing like finding a unicorn, but it’s kind of weird to need a response for “You REALLY get along with your mother in law?” when she’s sitting right there. Yes, I do. and I like her son too. He’s got excellent taste in women.)
Eventually, the whole group arrived and we headed to Bunratty Village…

The flowers in Ireland are unbelievable.

The moss in Ireland is enchanting.

If I were a troll, I’d live under this bridge.

See, I wasn’t kidding about the flowers. Unbelievable.

What the TARDIS looks like in Ireland

I am Groot.

Durty Nelly’s pub (This pub dates back to 1620, when legend has it, castle guards would grab a pint there.)



We had lunch. (The food was scrumptious, but I still don’t know what all of it was.)


And there was a shop filled with all things Irish. I was overwhelmed by all the cool Irish stuff and wondered how on Earth I was going to decide what to buy. I figured out I should only buy stuff I really love. like the Waterford bowl with shamrocks and celtic knots etched into it. It came with free shipping…for over 400 euros. ok. maybe not.