Episode 80: Merry and Bright

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 80 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

Off the Needles
On the Needles
Brainstorming
From the Armchair
Crafty Adventures
Knitting in Passing
Events
Contest, News & Notes
On a Happy Note
Pigskin Party KAL

Off the Needles

Easy Coasters (times 2)

C hook
Worsted/dk scraps

Riley’s Christmas Doll

Pattern (Crochet): by Nicky Blade called NickyBlade Doll Pattern- free Ravelry download
C hook (2.75mm)
Cascade 220 superwash, cream for skin, gray, blue and a purple.
Girl with brown hair- shirt, pants and shoes. simple but really cute. looks like riley’s style

The Force Awakens Hat

Pattern: The Force Awakens Hat by Hannah L (free)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash Sport & Schachenmayr Extra Fine Merino DK (very light DK) seems lighter than the Sport
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm)

Storm Trooper (#2)

Pattern by Lucy Collins from Star Wars Crochet Hook
Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
Hook: C

On the Needles

Christmas 2015 Socks

Yarn: Marigold Jen- Merry & Bright (purchased at MD Sheep & Wool)
Needles: US 1.5
Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams

Brainstorming

I am working on a hat to match my Tan House Brook shawl design.

From the Armchair

Update on 2015 goals

Knit from my well curated stash
- Started 2015 with 96 skeins in stash. Ended the year with 55! (not including WIPs)
Challenge myself more
- Took workshop with Susan B Anderson at Vogue Knitting Live 2015
- Finally did some real colorwork (Baa-ble hat and Force Awakens Hat)
- I learned a lot of crochet techniques through my adventures in Star Wars toy making
Publish at least 2 if not more patterns in 2015.
- Success: I published Trickle Shawl & View from the Charles Shawl
Knit for me (meaning knit at least 10 more things for me and keep the ratio from 2014). In 2015 I knit 18 items for me!

2015 Recap

I listed the number and types of items I made this year. You can find the details on this tab of my Projects Page. I referenced Michelle of Actually Knitting Podcast. In her recent episodes she’s done a serials of Knitting Talk Backs about how to make the most of our Ravelry.

2016 goals

More to come on this next episode but I do want to join my local knitting group’s “12 months to Christmas KAL” where we make 1 Christmas gift every month of the year to be more ready come Christmas 2016.

On this episode I reviewed Fix-a-Stitch. Check out the videos on the Fix-a-Stitch YouTube Channel to see how this clever tool works.

Want a chance to win a set? Come over to the DCS Ravelry Group and enter by answering the prompt on the Fix-a-Stitch Contest Thread.

Crafty Adventures

Coloring Book and pencils from my brothers kids for Christmas. They gave me these colored pencils which makes the experience more enjoyable!

Knitting in Passing

This week we have some audio from my good friend Devon who is traveling around the world. She met a very unique knitter in Morocco and would like you to meet him! Definitely check out this post!

This massive ball of yarn is not the only interesting knit bit she found in Morocco.

Weaving and wool plays a strong rule in traditional Moroccan culture. What she has discovered is far from traditional, but wonderful none the less.

I hope you enjoyed this little visit from Devon!

Events

Wayland Winter Farmers’ Market at Russells Garden Center– yarn vendors at the January 23 and March 5th from 10a-2p
Vogue Knitting Live– January 15-17, New York City
Stitches West– February 18-21 in Santa Clara, CA

Contest, News & Notes

Enter for your chance to win a beautiful skein of yarn from Riot of Color by following the prompt on this thread in the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group.

On a Happy Note

I worked the door and throughly enjoyed the kids’ Christmas dance recital.
Dan helped with ALL THE WRAPPING! Love him!
Going to see Mary Poppins with the fam
Christmas Eve & Christmas Day with family
Highlights of my gifts:
- Handsewn cosmetic case from my best friend Kris using a Tutorial on Pinterest using a placement.
- A new coloring book with these pencils (love these pencils much more than the ones I had been using)
- Plaid scarf from my Mom
- Sock Knitter Profile kit from Mom! (I also announced the Sock Knitter Profile Bag Contest Winner!)
- Camera strap with a scarf-like piece! floral print.
Stars Hollow print!!!