• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Crafty Adventures
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

• I used fingering, worsted and bulky weight yarn with varying hook sizes.
• Soaked finished stars quickly in water. Squeeze out excess water.  Used T pins to pin into blocking board (covered in saran wrap to protect it.
• Dabbed on Mod Podge Stiffy with a foam brush and wiped into front and back.

• Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable
• Hook: D 3.25 mm
• Pattern: Groot Amigurumi by Clare Heesh (free crochet)

• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash- Red
• Hook: C:
• Pattern: none

• Yarn: Cozy Knitter Bliss Base (80% SW Merino, 20% Nylon) You’ve been Elfed Colorway.
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

• Yarn: Plymouth Encore Tweed Colorway 0217- Black with tan flecks
• Needles: US 5 + US 7
• Pattern: Turn a Square Hat (free) by Jared Flood
• Cast on 92- thicker yarn
• 6 1/2 inches before decreases but I think that was too short. My gut told me 7 inches but the only notes in my Rav Project pages said 6.. now I know.

 

On 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 Heel

• Yarn: Socks that Rock Lightweight in the Sugar Plum Fairy Dust Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5
• Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel

• Yarn: leftover bits of sock yarn joined using Cate’s Clasp Weft Join
• Needles: US 1.5
• Pattern: OMG Heel

New Design for Handspun

• Pattern: Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter
• Yarn: Cloudborne DK, Fiberstory DK + Gale’s Art Super Star DK
• Needles: US 4 & 6

Brainstorming

• Fingering Yarn held double for socks. Christmas yarn leftovers with white or gray
• Siksak Hat
• Baby prop- if you have any favorites please let me know!

From the Armchair

• Done Disappeared (parody) Podcast
• Broadchurch available on Netflix (season 3 available now)
• 2017 Year in Review: I talked about how I went about it. Here’s a link to 50 Important Questions to Help you Reflect

Crafty Adventures

• My Christmas making was done so I focused on finishing and getting things unstuck.
• Finished sewing in the ribbon to cover the steeks on my cardigan
• Ripped out toe on a pair of socks that I made too short.
• I fixed granny square jacket my mom made decades ago so my niece can wear it…
• Did finish a few of those crochet stars because they were fun…
• And Kris got some sewing done while we chatted!

KAL News

• Click here to find about more about this KAL.
• Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread 
• Prizes:
  • Thundertwist hat from Greg Cohoon
  •  Victorian Yuletide Ornaments- 1-5 by Jenn Sheelen

• Declare a WIP from the 1st Quarter of 2017 or earlier within the first 5 days of the month, posting a photo of it in the thread. Finish the project by the end of the month, update your post with your FO photo and you’ll be eligible to win a Ravelry downloadable pattern of your choosing up to $8.

• 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
    • Find the coupons here.
  • 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.
• 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

• December Interception reminder: Sponsored by Fibernymph Dye Works

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
  • January: KnitCircus
  • February: Kathryn Frank Fiber Arts
  • March: Blue Skin Yarns
  • April: BlueberryChick Yarn
  • May: Legacy Fiber Artz
  • June: Knitters Brewing Co
  • July: Fish Belly Fiber Works
  • August: SixandSevenFiber
  • September: Fibernymph Dye Works
  • October: Marigold Jen
  • November: Dyenamixx Yarns
  • December: Sunsoaked Yarns

 Events

• 2018 Box O’ Balls Round Robin Mini Swap: click the link for full details about the mini skein swap
• I will be attending Vogue Knitting Live NYC: January 12-14, 2018

Life in Focus

• Gave my final thoughts on the December Project.
• Did a 2017 Happiness Project Review.
• I mentioned that I recently listened to an Episode of Slow Your Home where Cait Flanders was talking about her year long spending ban. Link above if you want to check that out.
• I am still planning my 2018 Goals–but if you want some recommended reading in the meantime….
  • Gretchen Rubin Strategies for establishing habits based on your tendency
  • David Allen: The Big Secret About Goal Setting
  • Mike Vardy: How to Review Your Year

• Citric Acid Discussion continued….
  • Yes, citric acid is safe to use in containers you eat from. Here’s an article from Livestrong
  • Color catchers- are another great idea. I use these sometimes too!
  • Citric acid works to set color in wool but does not work for cellulose fibers (cotton, e.g.).

On a Happy Note

• Funky Nutcracker- my oldest niece Emelyn was Nutcracker. and she did a great job! 
• We ended our Crafty Afternoon with a trip to Ann Taylor loft. Kris, Aila and I got a set of 3 bracelets with our initials for free! FUN!
• Enchanted Village: Aila and I squeeze in a visit and got to see Santa!
• Riley, Garret + Millie’s Christmas Sleepover
• I auditioned for a local production of the musical Caberet and got in. Eeek! This is me knitting to calm my nerves before auditions!
• Christmas!
• Star Wars!

Quote of the Week

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Twitter: Instagram & Periscope: BostonJen1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio!

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

• Patterns used: Albert the Mouse by Bubbles and Bongo and Elephant & Piggie by Kristel Koevenig
• Yarn: Sprightly Worsted (from Craftsy)
• Hook: C

• 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)
• For: Manny, Juliana and Margaux
• New snowman appliqué pattern

• Yarn: Paton’s Kroy Spring Leaf Stripes Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams

• Yarn: Mint Rain Hand Dyed Yarn in the Depths of Space Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5
• Pattern: OMG Heel

• Yarn: Sunsoaked Yarns Sock 80/20 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the Christmas Ribbon Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel by Sox Therapist

• Kylo Ren pattern by Lucy Collins’ Star Wars Even More Crochet
• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
• Hook: C
• For Will

• Admiral Ackbar pattern by Lucy Collins’ Star Wars Even More Crochet
• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
• Hook: C
• For Will

• Poe Dameron pattern by Lucy Collins’ Star Wars Even More Crochet
• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash
• Hook: C
• For Garret

• Pattern: BB8 pattern by Lucy Collins’ Star Wars Even More Crochet
• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash + unknown white acrylic
• Hook: C
• For: Garret

• Pattern: Lando Calrissian by Lucy Collins’ Star Wars Even More Crochet
• Yarn: Worsted/DK scraps
• Hook: C
• For Oisin

• Pattern: improvised
• Yarn: Worsted/DK scraps in turquoise and gray
• Hook: C

On the Needles

• Yarn: Switzer’s Fiber Mill (unknown base/length skeins)
• Needles: US 7 & US 9
• Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli

• Carina’s Hat + Ella’s Hat
• Pattern: Poppy Troll Hat by  Tawnya Myers (free crochet pattern)
• Hook: H
• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in 2 colors of pink:
• Carina: 5-10 year old child size Ella: 1-4 year old child size.

 

• Pattern: Turn a Square Hat by Jared Flood
• Yarn: Malibrigo Rios in the VAA Colorway
• Needles: US 5 for brim, US 7 for body
• Cast on 92 stitches (less than called for). I always do stockinette longer than called for. I think 7 inches.
• For my boss for Christmas. He mentioned in passing he needed a hat. Not in a beggy way… can’t believe I’ve never knit for him. Good on the go project.

• Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Amethyst Stripes Colorway
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Realized I had socks for all my usual suspects at Christmas except my BFF. Already had the first of these done from our trip to FL so I cast on the second. Past the heel. Knit on these at Nutcracker which is special and she’ll appreciate. Millie also knit on these at Thanksgiving which is fun.

Brainstorming

• To finish up Christmas knitting I need to finish the VAA hat and Patons Kroy socks
• Crochet Greedo
• Emelyn asked for a bunny instead of a sheep this year. This is the pattern I’m using from the 4 Seasons Easter Pattern by Lydia Tresselt.
• Riley asked for more clothes for her Chelsea doll I crocheted for her 2 years ago. I made her some clothes last year too.
• Won’t likely be done by 12/1 for Knitmore Girls’ Grinch along but I’ll be doing it in spirit this year.
• My Indie GAL purchases
  • Vanilla is the New Black Socks by Anneh Fletcher
  • Purchased Ninilchik Swoncho Pattern by Caitlin Hunter
  • Veronika Cardigan by Shannon Cook

In My Travels

• Meeting Ann and soaking up a bit of her incredible knowledge!
• Nicki, Beverly and I all wore our Lush Cardigans and Electric Slide socks. So fun! Made the day seem even more special!
  
• I learned how to steek a sweater!
• I got to spend time with 2 of my listeners in the class. MDQuilter (Beth) and Kaikaknits2 (Kaarina). Photo of Kaarina and me in our half finished sweaters here:
• Lunch: Mount Vernon Marketplace

• Breakfast at 9a at R House with Mary (Kino Knits Designs + Podcast) and Ashley and Tara from Misadventures in Knitting Podcast
• Seeing Nicki’s MEGAROW Shawl in person.
• Learning a no-sew zipper installation technique

KAL News

• Click here to find about more about this KAL.
• Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread 
• The 12 Months to Christmas KAL is a craft-a-long that helps you prepare for the busy winter holiday season. Complete gift projects each month (or just in the months that you choose) so you don’t have to scramble in December. Find some cool new gift ideas, cheer each other on, and we’ll provide some motivation in the form of the potential to win prizes!

• Thundertwist hat from Greg Cohoon
•  Victorian Yuletide Ornaments- 1-5 by Jenn Sheelen

• Declare a WIP from the 1st Quarter of 2017 or earlier within the first 5 days of the month, posting a photo of it in the thread. Finish the project by the end of the month, update your post with your FO photo and you’ll be eligible to win a Ravelry downloadable pattern of your choosing up to $8.

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.
• For every 100 points, you’ll earn an entry into the drawing for the Grand Prizes
  • Continue to update this with all of the points you earn during the KAL
  • 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.

• November Interception: Travel Knits for the Touchdown (get your entries in before 11/30): Sponsored by Kino Knits
• December Interception: Off Sides Interception Sponsored by Fibernymph Dye Works

Events

• The Down Cellar Studio Podcast will be kicking off a new year-long KAL for 2018.
• If you’re a yarn dyer interested in sponsoring- click here for details!

Life in Focus

• I’ve left positive reviews from podcasters I enjoy.
• I’m working on a photo/journaling book through Picaboo

Ask Me Anything

• Check out my Crochet Favorites on Ravelry

On a Happy Note

• Yarn in the mail from Anotherhornfrog!
• Reordered tea from Plum Deluxe!
• $1 cards at Trader Joe’s . Did you know?!
• Thanksgiving + my friend Laura visiting
• Aila made her debut in Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Tune in at the end of the show for audio of she and I talking about it a few weeks ago. (Aila is the black sheep in the center of the photo)
• Black Friday shopping with Mom and Laura. I’m nearly done shopping!

Quote of the Week

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Twitter: Instagram & Periscope: BostonJen1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio!