Category Archives: Show Notes

Episode 131: Hattie Happy

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 131 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

  • Pattern: Newborn Vertebrae by Kelly van Niekerk
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Dark Side Colorway (rainbow with charcoal gray stripes)
  • Needles: US 2 + US 3D676D3F5-0176-4EDB-9427-77D1460C18F3E51852C9-75E9-496B-8F6D-5ED251AFAA23

On the Needles

  • Yarn: Leftovers of black, white, gray, orange, yellow, tan
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan WilliamsIMG_6096BCDA26FB-1C83-4DFB-90BC-B6D77FE2A0A9
Christmas Stockings
  • 2 more under way: 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)IMG_2745
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Bleu color way
  • Pattern: OMG Heel (most likely)
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)4F96B97D-2DB4-42C7-8EAA-44D944146AAA
  • Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) & US 8 (5 mm)
  • Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Wool Worsted Twist in the Slate Heather Colorway
  • Swatched with 8, 9 and 10s. 8 worked well. Definitely a twisted yarn. Doesn’t plump up all that much. Not SW yarn. So far I’m enjoying it but I’m not head over heels in love with the yarn. But I bought 9 skeins for total of $27 after Christmas during Craftsy sale can’t beat that for 100% wool handmade sweater.
  • Cast on Friday 2/9- Ravellenics project
  • Looked through Project Pages linked to the pattern. Impressed by the split hem on this project.
  • Cast on for the back with US 7s. Put stitch markers 5 stitches in on each side. RS: (k1, s1wyif, k1, s1wyif, k1) WS- (s1, k1, s1, k1, s1). Garter stitch for the bottom hem. Then kept up with the edging and switched to US 8 needles and stockinette stitch.
  • Knit the back longer than the front then joined them together to work in the round.DFE59C03-3863-425F-94DB-FC366A42E7A744F60B68-29E9-434D-919B-2B507CDA2843

Brainstorming

Pig Miniature Amigurumi by Miss Dolkpots (free crochet pattern)- looks like piggy bank pig
Non-Euclidian sock pattern by Sarah Jordan- $5 Ravelry download

From the Armchair

Tune in to hear the details of my review of the Rittenhouse Bag from Fairmount Bag Co. This bag is not available in retail yet but if you want to support this company and are company funding Kickstarters you can check out their Kickstarter campaign which runs through March 2nd.0D464922-DF52-4D7B-97F9-E03AE012478E 5ECA623C-A579-4FE5-AC03-81331E24C35A 980654D9-9D76-4501-AAED-B93B1180E9AF

KAL News

12 Months to Christmas KAL– winners announced!
Pigskin Party KAL
Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors!
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 Post: 80 skeins declared. Can’t wait to see how many finish!
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2018 on Social Media
Slay the Stash 2018: Sponsor List

Events

Contest, News & Notes

I joined Emily on her Tightly Spun Podcast this month. Check out my episode here!6150ED04-917E-4AC9-87A6-D674F3858331

Tune in for details about two shawls for which that I’m looking for test knitters.FD5AF5F1-9E54-42BD-A126-39E7CD920D44img_7216

Would you like to know when I’m looking for sponsors for upcoming KALs? Sign up for my newsletter and check the box saying you might be interested in sponsoring.

Life in Focus

I am still going strong making weekly goals that align with my 18 in 2018 and also other important things I need to do for that week. Not 100% success rate but I am doing things that I know for sure I’d put off if I wasn’t setting the goal for it.

  • Project Life 2017 album 2 done, ordered from Picaboo. It arrived and I love it!

Ask Me Anything

This episode I answered this question: I have a kinda behind the scene question : how long does it take you to produce the podcast? From preparation to recording to KAL maintenance. Because it seems to me you must spend quite a lot of time, and yet you work and are a very productive knitter/crocheter and have other crafts projects and a busy family life. Are you a speedy knitter?

On a Happy Note

Quote of the Week

“Stay afraid, but do it anyway. What’s important is the action. You don’t have to wait to be confident. Just do it and eventually the confidence will follow.”
– Carrie Fisher
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 130: Sprinkling with Love

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 130 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Colorful Eclectic

Off the Needles

  • Pattern: none
  • Yarn: Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton in Seabreeze & Hot Orange
  • Hook: E (3.5 mm)4867E35D-056F-44D5-AE4F-2BE847062026
  • Pattern: None
  • Yarn: Cotton dish cloth yarn
  • Hook: D27DDA3B8-A376-41A6-9882-4312293FECEE
  • I purchased supplies from Amazon- Wooden Beads by Darice – 25 mm and 20 mm & an 8 piece wooden animal teether set
  • 25mm were good size to crochet around. 6 single crochet then increase on first round. knit straight, then decrease down to 6 on last round.9A337F8F-8401-41CB-8337-8B4E7B381BCC
  • Yarn: Online SuperSock
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) and US 4 (3.5 mm)
  • Pattern: Used the numbers from Barley Light by Tin Can Knits but omitted Garter Section1558A435-0DA6-401E-B911-A696D4BAE7AE
  • Pattern: Newborn Hat and Sock Set by Shelley Mackie
  • Yarn: Online SuperSock
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Written for DPNs so I made notes about how to change for 2 needles571314E7-B207-465E-B4C1-F415BE45A550

On the Needles

  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Bleu color way
  • Pattern: OMG Heel (most likely)
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Past first heel. Patons Kroy charcoal gray in stash. Looks great. Forgot that I cast on 60 instead of my normal 56 so my heel had 2 extra stitches didn’t realize until end. Will try them on but think it will be fine.C4E59A98-727C-431E-8BF0-638A71194FE5
  • Pattern: Newborn Vertebrae by Kelly van Niekerk
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Dark Side Colorway (rainbow with charcoal gray stripes)
  • Needles: US 2 + US 3D134E1D4-8105-4092-BE95-631CA559780D

Brainstorming

Tin Can Knits has two relatively new DK color work sweater patterns that I’m really intrigued by:

From the Armchair

Season 1 Dark (Netflix Original)- I recommend changing the settings to Closed Captioning instead of dubbing.

Crafty Adventures

I repaired the sleeve on my friend’s sweater and added pom poms to my suitcases.E2134DBC-B8AA-4771-AD92-04C2AF4A421F4BBC2218-C3EB-4F1F-8E73-C97F1542092A

Knitting in Passing

Started rehearsals for Cabaret and found that some of my friends may be interested in learning to knit (or to knit again).

KAL News

Pigskin Party KAL
  • 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 this 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 #DCSPigskinParty17 on Instagram so we check out what you’re doing and you can be eligible for participation prizes.
Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors!
  • Superbowl weekend is this weekend!! Don’t forget you have until Monday February 5th to finish knitting, get your photos and update your End Zone Dance Post. I will close it first thing on Tuesday morning. If the thread is unlocked you can enter.
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 Post
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2018 on Social Media
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.
 
Ravellenics- knit along with the Winter Olympics on a project of your choosing (runs from February 9-25)

Contest, News & Notes

  • I am looking for test knitters for my Jean Marie shawl pattern (due by the end of February). PM me on Ravelry (BostonJen) if you’re interested.

Life in Focus

Project 2018 is well underway. Set 18 goals for the year. Each week I set action items to get me closer to those goals. In this episode I reviewed some recent progress. How is 2018 going for you? Let’s chat about it in the Ravelry Group!
 

On a Happy Note

  • Cabaret Rehearsals started! I’m psyched to be dancing with my high school dance friends, to get my brain working in new ways, for brushing up on my tap skills and for fun costumes!6576513F-F153-42B8-92C4-EB9CE0196A4B 6DA449D4-22E6-415E-AB5D-52FA7EF39198 0967B67E-DB62-4F6A-A418-47F950AC5953
  • Ice Skating with friends outside at Gillette Stadium (where the Patriots play)EB12DCDE-D330-441F-A994-CB7526F4395F
  • Baby shower for Megg- 9 years since last baby. Could use some new things. Watched Pats win AFC championship while she opened gifts.20180121-IMG_3340-320180121-IMG_3295-3 20180121-IMG_3293-3
  • Will and Aila sleepover!9CFDD558-42F7-4DF5-9A60-1FFB77462E5C
  • Premier Protein– heard about at WW. I’ve only tried Chocolate so far but I like it.

Quote of the Week

Breath is the bridge that connects life to consciousness, the bridge that units your body to your thoughts. Whenever your mind becomes scattered, use your breath as the means to take hold of your mind again.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 129: Vogue Knitting Live Recap

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 129 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • From the Armchair
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Knit Style Yarns, Knitted Wit, Inner Yarn Zen

Off the Needles

  • Yarn:  Dyenamics Yarn Supersock Fingering in Zombie Colorway – gray base with darker gray (some blue tones) blips of red and green
  • Needles: US 1.5
  • Pattern: OMG Heel0F32B6DB-13D2-4A37-BC3B-AF0DC25C83A2
  • Yarn: Paton’s Kroy in the Blue Raspberry colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG HeelECF57D88-1075-43DD-9E89-949B8AA4F181
  • Pattern: Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter
  • Yarn: Cloudborne DK, Fiberstory DK + Gale’s Art Super Star DK
  • Needles: US 4 & 6
  • Check out my project page on Ravelry (linked above) for full project details and notes
    • Main Color: Shaela Heather for Main color- light taupy beige.
    • CC1: Fiberstory Core DK- Sweetly- Variegated- base looks like the Shaela heather but with pinks, plums and a bit of mustard in it
    • CC2: Fiberstory Core DK- Sabrina (plum)
    • CC3: Gale’s Art Super Star DK in a mustard color (lost ball band)
    • CC4 (added) Charcoal Heather- Cloudborne DK8DAE9F1F-152C-4201-A8F8-CABA4CCA2289145545F7-989A-43B1-B0B7-105BBD4B70B6688AE9FB-F818-44F1-9863-DD28E28F8E5E

On the Needles

  • Pattern: None
  • Yarn: Cotton dish cloth yarn
  • Hook: D
  • Cast on 8 with magic loop. Work in the round. Making a long tube and stuffing with poly fil as you go. Sew together at end. Made this one in a tan. Going to make a smaller, brighter color work to loop through it.2E09350B-3302-46FC-98A7-7CA52AFC5F6A
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Bleu color way
  • Pattern: OMG Heel (most likely)
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)855E616B-7B4C-46C4-8409-395A09020AFE
  • Yarn: Scraps (started with scraps of Paton’s Blue Raspberry Colorway)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG heelDA226E2B-8CDB-483F-AC62-F2F24D46B08B
  • Yarn: Olann Yarn the Pewter colorway  (purple/grays, tans, pewter- copper?)
  • Pattern: Vanilla is the New Black
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
    DF16A4A0-E393-407E-B1E7-3A9F83D1C2B5
  • More details to come but I’m looking forward to getting back to knitting on this.39E3F817-10C3-4214-9420-EBF0DB26ED1A

From the Armchair

2017 year in review:
  • 27 toys
  • 24 pairs of socks
  • 3 single socks (frankensocks)
  • 14 hats
  • 9 ornaments
  • 6 stockings
  • 4 shawls
  • 3 outfits for dolls I’ve made previously
  • 2 tops/sweaters
  • 7 Other (iphone case, wash cloth, legwarmers and garland)
  • Total: 99
2017 Percentages
  • 51 crochet, 48 knitting- Almost 50/50!
  • 19 for me / 80 gifts
Tip: To find your details, go to your Ravelry Projects then click on Advanced. From there you can search like you search for patterns. I sorted by “Finished” and “Finished in 2017.”

In my Travels

Vogue Knitting Live: NYC – Review
Friday: I took a great class on charts with Emily and Alexa of Tin Can Knits. I spent time with my friend Lauren of the Teaknits Podcast and took Pilates at my friend Laura’s new studio- PilatiBod3C21C618-AEC9-4CE3-93D3-19D4543880FCF6AD49E0-7884-448E-88FC-468F7A751ADF 0AD1CC93-82E3-4E65-AFF3-0213527533FA 4E40797C-423F-4E02-81FD-2F6FB7B3D2D3
Saturday: I got to meet Katie (one half of the Imagined Landscapes Podcast) in person for the first time. I bought a skein of yarn and cast on before my 2p Lace class with Brooke Nico which was really valuable!D62A5C3C-26DC-485C-B4E0-1305DF0766A6DF16A4A0-E393-407E-B1E7-3A9F83D1C2B5
Sunday: I eased into the day having breakfast with Mary (of the Kino Knits Podcast) and met up with my friend Mara. At 9am I had Shawl Shapes with Veera Valimaki
 03244C9D-33B8-4B7E-8695-ADF38068D3E56C58F0BA-DFCE-4153-AB60-1D1C220B6349

KAL News

Pigskin Party KAL
  • 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 this 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 #DCSPigskinParty17 on Instagram so we check out what you’re doing and you can be eligible for participation prizes.
Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors!
  • December “Off Sides” Interception Winner Announced
  • December Participation Prizes Announced
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.
  • January Post
  • 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.

Life in Focus

2018 Goals- 18 of them (well, not quite, at least not yet) inspired by Gretchen Rubin- Happier Podcast
  1. Finish 2017 Project Life pages and order album
  2. Finish exporting photos out of iPhoto
  3. Create Collage Wall for Hall
  4. Publish a shawl pattern
  5. Paint and decorate guest room
  6. Publish GoodReader PDF
  7. Go on a Camping/Kayaking trip somewhere new
  8. Establish a better filing system at home
  9. Make 3 months worth of pages on my physical scrapbook
  10. Play with video and editing
  11. Finish- A week in the Life 2017 Album
  12. Build more muscle
  13. Try three new exercise classes
  14. Sleep better
  15. Get back in the habit of journaling
  16. Perform a Weekly Review (GTD) each week
Word of the Year: Flex
  • Flex my muscles, stretch my muscles, be flexible in life, flex my design muscles. build them and flex
  • Note: I first heard about picking a word of the year from Ali Edwards
I am setting weekly goals and tracking in Evernote.

On a Happy Note

  • Laura visit for New Years
  • I joined another 4 week session of hiit (high intensity interval training)
  • Beautiful snow!0804006B-CEDA-4612-AF71-29AA0EB48D8E 38CB6C84-B57F-4EC4-82DD-28F1A834EE65
  • Really enjoying the success I’m seeing with my weekly planning. I know I”m only a few weeks in but it feels sustainable.

Quote of the Week

“If you make it a habit not to blame others, you will feel the growth of the ability to love in your soul, and you will see the growth of goodness in your life.”
— Leo Tolstoy, A Calendar of Wisdom
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: