Category Archives: Show Notes

Episode 134: Go with the Flo

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 134 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Aunt Florence shawl. Got to half way point during 3/13 noreaster.
  • Needles: US 6
  • Yarn: Invictus Yarn Beyond XL in the Colorway Believe 150g skein- 600 yards
  • Pattern: to be publishedE1E6E23C-9482-429C-A56C-65140061851C 2018-03-27 18.52.00-1

On the Needles

  • Pattern: Mezzo Cardigan by Alexis Winslow $7
  • Needles: US 10 (6.0 mm)
  • Yarn: details in project page linked above2018-03-28 08.08.37

Pewter Socks

 

Pattern: Non-Eucilidian by Sarah Jordan

 

Yarn: Olann Hand Dyed in Ireland Sock Lite in the Pewter Colorway

 

Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)311D191B-ABC0-4991-9411-B258689661B5

Rainbow Stripe Paintbox Socks

  • Yarn: Paintbox Sock yarn in the Rainbow stripe colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) and US 1 (2 mm)
  • Pattern: planning to do the Non-Euclidian heel by Sarah Jordan

Witch’s Brew Socks

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici (Self Striping) in the Witch’s Brew Colorway with Knit Picks Stroll Fingering in the Ash Colorway for contrast
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: TBD

From the Armchair

Crafty Adventures

  • Collage wall in the hallway- using Command Strips2018-03-25 11.27.19-1

KAL News

 

Slay the Stash 2018
  • 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 that are soooo pretty we don’t want to touch them. In 2018, we are turning those sacred skeins into beautiful projects you can enjoy– and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way! Full details and rules can be found here.
  • April Post can be found here.
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2018 on Social Media
Slay the Stash 2018: Sponsor List

Events

2018 Box O’ Balls Round Robin Mini Swap: sign up anytime during 2018.  Shipping cost of $13.50 (within US; have option to send Internationally) The contents will include: at least 20 mini yarn balls (each ball will be minimum of 5g/ 20 yards) to choose from, a handwritten note or card and a small gift. Find all of the details in this thread in the Ravelry Group.
Festival Schedule
  • Choose an action
  • Do it every day
  • Post about it on Social Media #the100dayproject
  • My project this year- answering 100 journaling prompts with my best friends. We’ll share our answers each day with a photo text to each other.

Contest, News & Notes

Splash Pad Party- Sponsor Spots available

On a Happy Note

  • Celebrating my nieces and nephew’s birthday at the Children’s museum20180318-IMG_3688-3
  • St. Patrick’s day party at my cousin’s house. Millie took my phone and took a bunch of cute photos of people! Saved me from doing it. Who won’t smile for an adorable 6 year old?B3C7E155-897F-448F-9BD0-9E78A0ADD448 A2107B27-E977-4B70-BC59-AFD473767C32
  • 4th Nor’easter for the month was a bust. Got a dusting of snow! Finally
  • Cutie photos from my friend Mara of her son Jamie playing and giggling with the teddy i made him
  • Decided I am going to WITL project this year- bought kit from Ali Edwards- can’t wait for it to come in
  • Rehearsals for show- going well and I’ve made some great new friends!
  • Garret’s birthday sleepover was a blast, especially the Trampoline park.8FF598EF-6460-4E0E-8DEF-3FB74C20E29C A3B0F02B-0F4C-475D-9D45-D8D60973EDB7 8AD4A7A9-023E-4D28-9D95-78D39DDE6F6B
  • Dan’s been on a health kick- having fun making food with him and sharing tips that have worked for me.
  • I started using skin care products from The Ordinary- excited to see how it goes!

Quote of the Week

  • To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least recognized need of the human soul. =Simone Weil

 

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 133: Socks, Shawls and Storms

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 133 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • On the Needles
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to Macolrich, knittergirlkatie, ms.knitslot, knitternicole for the new reviews in Apple Podcasts.

Thank you to everyone for your support and community as I celebrate my 6th Podiversary!

On the Needles

  • Pattern: Non-Eucilidian by Sarah Jordan
  • Yarn: Olann Hand Dyed in Ireland Sock Lite in the Pewter Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Heel notes:
    • Cuff down only. The heel turn takes what feels like a long time. You’re adding stitches but still working in the round. It takes many rounds to increase out for the heel but the turn itself felt quick. Much less purling than any other heel flap I’ve done. No picking up stitches. I think it will be easy to memorize which is important to me.E8CB8884-3AF5-4D7B-B83A-A651B9AF1969 311D191B-ABC0-4991-9411-B258689661B5
  • Yarn: Paintbox Sock yarn in the Rainbow stripe colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) and US 1 (2 mm)
  • Pattern: planning to do the Non-Euclidian heel by Sarah Jordan

003D5A6A-0F0C-438E-915E-2FF4D20E8864

Christmas Stockings
  • 3 to do in 2018. One for my cousin Kara who is expecting a baby girl in August! 2 that my mom’s cousin in VA asked for for grandkids. 1 girl (Noelle), 1 boy (Noah)
  • Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stockings from Family Circle Magazine 1977
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Red, Everglade Heather and White
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Progress to date: 2 red pieces done. 1 green done.A761C10B-9611-4A65-BB5F-23374D5081BD
  • Yarn: leftovers and mini skeins (fingering weight yarn)
  • Hook: C yarn
  • Plan: 3 large granny squares, bordered with cream or gray (TBD), 4-5 rows
  • Inspiration: BetsyMakes Project
BAEDC855-9944-4E7D-ACF7-7324E8B2BCB9
  • Pattern: Log Cabin Mitts by Karen Templer (free)
  • Needles: US 6
  • Yarn: scraps of worstedDA19FDF3-F0D4-4D19-ADC9-823CF276F12F
Go with the Flo Shawl
  • Yarn: Invictus Yarn
  • Needles: US 6
  • Pattern: to be published soonE1E6E23C-9482-429C-A56C-65140061851C

Crafty Adventures

2EC6E796-56C3-419B-AAC0-EFC3F72B18C6Got a little work done on my Week in the Life album from 2017. I am planning to participate in this project again this year. Check out Ali Edwards website for more details.

KAL News

Slay the Stash 2018
  • 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 that are soooo pretty we don’t want to touch them. In 2018, we are turning those sacred skeins into beautiful projects you can enjoy– and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way! Full details and rules can be found here.
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2018 on Social Media
  • March Thread
  • Tune in to see if you’re the February Winner!
Slay the Stash 2018: Sponsor List

Events

 
2018 Box O’ Balls Round Robin Mini Swap: sign up anytime during 2018.  Shipping cost of $13.50 (within US; have option to send Internationally) The contents will include: at least 20 mini yarn balls (each ball will be minimum of 5g/ 20 yards) to choose from, a handwritten note or card and a small gift. Find all of the details in this thread in the Ravelry Group.
Festival Schedule

Contest, News & Notes

Life in Focus

I’ve been very regimented all year- documenting goals for each week and checking off boxes. This month has thrown me for a loop with storms and sickness. But that’s life, right? I’ve eased up and adjusted. It was a good reminder that we need to be able to pivot. Go with the flow… It will all be ok.

Ask Me Anything

Question from Michelle- chellescraps on Ravelry:
I am interested in what type of ball winder and swift you have or would recommend. I am getting to the point that I could really use one. I know that I would rather spend more money on something that would last, but I do not need the gold version.
Answer: 
  • I have a Stanwood swift that I bought on Amazon. I love it and it’s held up well. At $52 it’s not cheap but its not crazy expensive either. I like that i folds down and doesn’t take up a lot of space.
  • I have the Nancy’s Knit Knacks Ball Winder. I have this one. At $299 it’s a huge investment. I’m not 100% sure I’d have purchased it for myself. My mom kindly gifted it to me for Christmas. I’ve had it for a few years now and it’s amazing. I’ve used others at friend’s houses and nothing comes close to the experience I’ve had with this.
  • If you want a more in depth comparison of these items I’d check out Episode 300 of the Knitmore Girls podcast.

On a Happy Note

  • We’ve had three Nor’easters here in Boston already this March! For us that’s meant at least 4 days without power, 2 of those had us trapped at home when a tree took down the power line in the driveway. Dan and I made the best of it, chatting, listening to podcasts and crafting. During the second storm, I got struck down with my first virus of the season and it was a doozie!

AD59E1C8-FFB7-440F-9756-2049CC677E41Tree that took out the power during Nor’easter #1

9A21B3EA-29F2-492B-B434-2C40B336BD07

I got sick during Nor’easter #2

B07C0CD3-59A5-4706-B7DA-92EFC8DBCA1E

Tree that took out the power and blocked the driveway during Nor’easter #3

32EB8F3C-9094-4121-B0ED-4855CC47B99F51F64606-8E22-4117-ADD7-15F2BCAE5E4769636871-99B9-43C6-8F6F-47309F6F3CF7

  • I was able to my niece Riley’s 1st dance competition. She did great!10DD7D89-F992-4F9E-93CB-A2DC4442DE8D
  • Planning my nephew’s Garret’s birthday celebration. He wants to go to one of the trampoline park type places and then for me to bring my big camera to his dirt bike race.
  • I had my costume fitting for Cabaret. Most of my costumes aren’t family-friendly but here’s one I can share.E80EEA82-BF9B-43FB-B42E-129D8F97C0F5

Quote of the Week

Don’t expect much from a drowning man. He’s not going to offer you a candy bar or ask how your day was. He’s too busy not drowning. Generosity takes effort. It requires the space to take your mind off your own problems long enough to see someone else’s. It requires the confidence to share when a big part of you wants to hoard. And it requires the emotional labor of empathy. Generosity begins by trusting ourselves enough to know that we’re not actually drowning.
-Seth Godin
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 132: Ravellenic Glory

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 132 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

  • Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli
  • Needles: US 6 (4 mm) & US 8 (5 mm)
  • Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Wool Worsted Twist in the Slate Heather Colorway (used less than 6 skeins of the 9 I purchased)
  • Cast on Friday 2/9- Cast off Sunday 2/25 before Olympic Closing Ceremonies!
  • Thoughts & Tips
    • Add a stitch marker each day so you can see your progress.
    • About the yarn- I alternated skeins up to the split for the sleeves but stopped at that point and you can’t tell.
    • I love the Boxy Sweater (fingering or worsted) for an easy mindless project that still nets you a sweater when you’re done.

18C071B2-73FA-464C-85A5-E36CD5463203

115D250B-E887-4B93-93BF-7A5392B51A58

Split Hem Detail

Split Hem Detail

  • Hook C
  • Yarn: Vanna’s Choice
  • Pattern:  Pig Miniature Amigurumi by Miss Dolkapots (free)
 32F015D3-095A-4C85-920C-21A6552F8308

On the Needles

  • Yarn: Leftovers of black, white, gray, orange, yellow, tan
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams8D269850-7DE2-4F32-97D4-D98ACADC1B65
Christmas Stockings
  • 3 on the list for 2018. One for my cousin Kara who is expecting a baby girl in August! 2 that my mom’s cousin in VA asked for for grandkids. 1 girl (Noelle), 1 boy (Noah)
  • Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stockings from Family Circle Magazine 1977
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Red, Everglade Heather and White
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Two pieces in progress! (need 6 front/back pieces to make 6 stockings)111BAED2-7818-4CBE-9827-3F57EB384058
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Bleu color way
  • Pattern: OMG Heel (most likely)
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)2018-02-26 19.42.04-1
  • Pattern: Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter
  • Needles: US 4 & 6
  • Yarn: Cloudborne DK, Fiberstory DK + Gale’s Art Super Star DK
  • About the pattern: top down. Colorwork. Mostly charted. Very easy to follow. increase every X number of rows. Split for sleeves, knit the body and then pick up sleeves. Ribbed sleeves.
  • Washed and laid flat to dry. Didn’t pin.
  • My gauge is also a little tighter than called for and I never measured my row gauge. My B measurement  (from schematic) is 21.5 inches which is 3 inches shorter than is called for, so my potential issue with the length makes sense.
  • I did the 5 inches before the ribbing on the bottom but I think it could be a bit longer
  • Ripped back at knitting on Wed 2/14 with Anne’s help figured out plan for short rows145545F7-989A-43B1-B0B7-105BBD4B70B6
Brainstorming
  • Loving the Log Cabin Trend right now!
From the Armchair
New (to me) Podcasts I’m enjoying:

Knitting in Passing

  • I’m teaching one of my Cabaret cast members to knit at her request!

KAL News

Slay the Stash 2018
  • 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 that are soooo pretty we don’t want to touch them. In 2018, we are turning those sacred skeins into beautiful projects you can enjoy– and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way! Full details and rules can be found here.
  • February Thread (post your FOs)
  • March Thread (declare your skein before 3/1)
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2018 on Social Media

Slay the Stash 2018: Sponsor List

Pigskin Party KALArtwork - Pigskin Party Final2
I announced Pigskin Winners in Episode 131.

Events

2018 Box O’ Balls Round Robin Mini Swap: sign up anytime during 2018.  Shipping cost of $13.50 (within US; have option to send Internationally) The contents will include: at least 20 mini yarn balls (each ball will be minimum of 5g/ 20 yards) to choose from, a handwritten note or card and a small gift. Find all of the details in this thread in the Ravelry Group.
Upcoming Festival Schedule (note: I will not be attending all of these- but wanted to keep a list available for those who live/visit this area)

Life in Focus

I talked about progress on my 18 in 2018 list. So far so good!

Finish 2017 Project Life pages and order album – done album looks great. Millie was looking at it this weekend. Some highlights. Learning how to plow and getting a photo collage wall (nearly) ready– Dan then decided to patch and re-paint the hall but we’re making progress!

On a Happy Note

  • Got to see Will and Aila meet their new cousin Hattie for the first time! Nice to be able to stop in to Megg’s before rehearsal- since she lives nearby there!62AD3E37-0570-4BD5-8462-A805277182B7 17B5061B-75F9-4863-AE1B-CED587DF9ED569B50D7A-A118-48FB-B49E-0C0607C6DEF3
  • Finding pockets of quiet time on the weekend, especially over the long weekend just to snuggle up at home with Dan.
  • Having friends over for a Daytona 500 party!
  • Cabaret is going well!85AB4AB6-6C5C-4808-BB91-AFDA8C103ABE
  • Millie turned 6!4F151F72-0A3F-420B-897F-08062DD04F7E 9B0B0F9E-995F-4022-80FD-A8A1568AB1C0 B16A348B-37F8-4758-A4B5-B69F6517906C 84CB3840-BC61-4502-BB81-4918D6A9CAA3 E96159BC-E0C4-43D6-AFE3-DD7D463A07A3 F230F8EC-1875-40AD-9E74-3A6FE87F8031 FFEF0C0C-2343-4286-A400-FB8FBFA39030
Quote of the Week
“I have not been inordinately materialistic, but I am attached to my house, to my inherited belongings, and to the things that I have chosen for myself. All these objects add complexity to my emotional ties to the people with whom I have shared, and share, my life, and to my aspirations for myself.”

— Ann Truitt, Turn: The Journal of an Artist

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Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: