Thank you for tuning in to Episode 154 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
• Yarn: Yoshi & Lucy, Isabel Base in the Commissioner colorway

• Pattern: Confection Baby Shrug by Tonya Wagner (free knit pattern)
• Needles: US 8 (5 mm) for the body and US 7 (4.5 mm) for the ribbing)
• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Surfs Up Colorway (stripes in all blues and purples)

I was initially brainstorming this toy:

Marlene the Bunny Girl– crochet pattern by Joanna Klenmeyer available on Etsy

But after talking with Millie it seems she’d rather an Elsa or Olaf doll instead.

Race in the knitting community has been a huge topic of conversation on social media lately. In this segment I shared some thoughts about how I’m trying to expand my horizons to be a better informed, more sensitive person. I hope you know that you are ALL welcome here in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Community.

An interesting conversation to listen to is on Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations Podcast. In December they did a 2 part episode with Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade.  Check it out here: Part 1 & Part 2

Check out this article about the popularity of podcasts- including knitting podcasts!

I shared some details from my recent trip to New York City. Some links to things I mentioned:

• Each month you can declare a skein of yarn to knit/crochet/weave to its very end. Let’s use up those older special skeins (purchased before 2019) – and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way!
• Check out the January Post
• Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media

• Wondering what this crazy KAL is? Check out this page which gives you the best overview with all necessary links. There’s also a helpful “Start Here” Thread in the Ravelry Group
• Check out the Rules but if you still have questions, come over to the Questions thread and ask. We’re happy to help.
• Put your Name on the Roster then claim your spot in the End Zone Dance Thread where you’ll track your points. Continue to update your post with all of the points you earn during the KAL
• For every 100 points, you’ll earn an entry into the drawing for the Grand Prizes
• Check out our amazing Sponsors;if you use their products, you’ll earn more points per FO
• Some of our Pro Shop Level Sponsors will be creating exclusive items for Pigskin Party participants. They may come out at different times and will likely be limited in quantities, so keep your eyes on this Exclusive Items thread in the group for all the latest news
• Scope out the prizes! Some will be given out during the KAL; some will be part of the Grand Prizes.
• Don’t forget to use #DCSPigskinParty18 on Instagram so we check out what you’re doing and you can be eligible for participation prizes.

• The Seasonal Color Palette Natural Dye Workshop with Sasha Duerr at the Boston Public Market- February 9th4 hours class $175
• 2nd Annual Boston Farm and Fiber Festival:February 10that Boston Public Market 10a-5p
• 17th Annual New England Textile Arts Network’s Spa Knit and Spin, February 23-25thin Freeport, ME Free Admission
• Farm Fiber Days at the Wayland Winter Farmers’ Market Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland, MA (March 3)
• Knit North Yarn Crawl, North Shore, MA March 14-17

• The Box o Balls Mini Skein Swap is going around after some postal delays. If you want to participate (even if you already signed up) come back to the thread to re-confirm.
• Thank you for all of your support for my first pattern release of the year- the Go with the Flo shawl! The Cast On Party was so much fun! check out #gowiththefloshawl on Instagram to see some fun versions that have been cast on.
• Thanks to everyone who responded to the call for Test knitters for my upcoming Tan House Brook hat! Testing is going well. If you’re interested in test knitting for me in the future, feel free to PM me and I’ll keep you posted.

• I went to see Mary Poppins Returns in theaters. It was delightful.
• We had my nieces and nephews for a sleepover. My 10 year old niece Riley cast on and began knitting on cowl and became quickly obsessed!The kids are getting good at making their own pancakes! Riley made this eye + eyelashes one!

Garret brought his two-part socks and wore them all weekend!

Riley knit up a storm!

Silly kids! Most of us were ready to cheer on the Patriots. Apparently G is now an Eagles fan?! Sorry dude!

• I was fortunate to have a Google hangout with Mary (kinoknits) and Sarah (imaginedlandscapes) about design advice.
• Free week at gym! I ended up joining with a 10 class per month option!
• I bought tickets for Gretchen Rubin’s book tour for her new Outer Order Inner Calm book.
• January purge feels good!!

Thinking and doing, doing and thinking–these are the sum of all wisdom. Both must move ever onward in life, to and fro, like breathing in and breathing out. Whoever makes it a rule to test action by thought, thought by action, cannot falter, and if he does, will soon find his way back to the right road.

—Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

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Thank you for tuning in!

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Twitter: Instagram:BostonJen1
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