Category Archives: Show Notes

Episode 113: Make a Splash

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 113 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • On the Needles
  •  Brainstorming
  •  From the Armchair
  • In my Travels
  •  KAL News
  •  Events
  •  Contest, News & Notes
  •  Life in Focus
  •  On a Happy Note
  •  Quote of the Week
Thank you to this Episode’s Sponsors: Knitty Kitty BagsAtelier de Soyun, Sunsoaked Yarns

 On the Needles 

  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mmm)
  •  Yarn:  Ellen Cooper. Jenny base- 50/50 bamboo/cotton. Colorway is called Driftwood which is perfect for it- tans, grays, blips of peachy/pink. Variegated but almost tonal. Just enough variation for me.
  • Pattern: Donner by Elizabeth DohertyIMG_1090
  • Hook: F
  • Yarn: Swift Yarns- Swift Bliss Sock- MCN- 2 ply in Dream Weaver Colorway- light green
  • Pattern: Amma Granny Square Top by Maria Valles
  • Modification- using a solid granny square pattern found hereIMG_1179

Granny Square Scrap Blanket #2

  • Pattern: Waveless Colorful Granny by CherylDeeCrochet (free)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: leftover angering weight scrapsIMG_1124
  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Red, Everglade Heather and White
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Patons Kroy Stripes in Mexicali Stripes and Singin the blues stripes
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)IMG_0661IMG_1142
I ripped out my Caesious Curl by Hunter Hammersen. Loved the stitch pattern but the shawl was too small w/ just 1 skein of fingering.

Brainstorming 

I’m excited to make all the spring/summer tops. I bought yarn for the Construction Zone at Maryland Sheep and Wool.
I’m also excited to look through all my WIPs to strategize for Stash Dash!

From the Armchair  

 In My Travels IMG_1164

  • I talked about my trip to visit friends and attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
  • Friday night we went to the Knot House in Frederick.
    • Met Carol from Swift Yarns: love her color sense, she does lighter colors and speckles impeccably
    • Caught up with Karin from The Periwinkle Sheep (love her grays! I need to buy a sweater quantity from her soon)IMG_1133Finally got to meet Kristen of Media Peruana Designs
  • Saturday highlights: shopping, podcaster meet up!!
  • It was great to see Mary (Kino Knits) IMG_1167
  • Lovely to meet Kay (Bede Sisters Podcast and Blueberry Chick Yarn)

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KAL News

  • Declare a WIP from 2016 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.

Contests News and Notes 

Come over to the group to this thread to enter to win a copy of the Merrain MKAL pattern from Mary of Kino Knits. Tune in to hear about a coupon code available for this pattern until 6/15/17.

Life in Focus

May Happiness Project: Try new tastes
  •  Spaghetti Squash: pierced it 10-15 times. Baked at 350 for about an hour. Easy!
  •  Siggi peach yogurt
  •  Protein shakes
  • Blue Diamond almonds with Wasabi and Soy Sauce
  • Trying to get in more protein after learning recently that you should eat 8 grams of protein for every 20 pounds you weigh

On a Happy Note 

  •  I went to the Museum of Fine Arts with my best friend to see a painting by Frida Kahlo
  • Going to my nieces’ dance recital! They did GREAT!
  • Managing a successful software upgrade at work.
  • Finally getting a day off and treating myself to a massage + keratin treatment
  • Applying strategies I know work well for me when life is crazy. Eating well. Sleeping well. Knitting for stress. Exercise. Seeing friends. Making time for date night.
  • Dan hung up the swings my parents bought us for Christmas! They’re from Cobble Mountain Hammock Company

Quote of the Week

“I can’t just sit here and think, ‘I just wish my body was different. Everything could be different, would be different.’ When you accept that, you can accept the strength your body parts are actually giving you.”  JESSAMYN STANLEY
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 112: Connecticut Sheep + Wool

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 112 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contests, News and Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off The Needles

  • Pattern: Brooklyn the Ballerina by Yarn Society on Etsy (not list on Ravelry) $4.99
  • Hook: C
  • Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash (white), Knit Picks Brava (blue), Malibrigo (red)

IMG_0915

On the Needles

  • Patons Kroy Stripes in Mexicali Stripes and Singin the blues stripes
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)IMG_0661
  • Yarn: Cascade Heritage Prints Color 26 Holidays
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
IMG_9837
  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Red, Everglade Heather and White
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
IMG_2429
  • Pattern: Waveless Colorful Granny by CherylDeeCrochet (free)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: leftover angering weight scraps
  • Using 3 rounds of one color of fingering.
IMG_9919

Brainstorming

  • Swatching for Donner by Elizabeth Doherty.
  • Yarn= Ellyn Cooper’s Yarn Sonnets- Jenny base which is a 50/50 bamboo cotton fingering in the driftwood colorwayIMG_1043
  • Getting Gradient Angles back on track.IMG_1059
    • I encourage you to check out the amazing kits at Infinite Twist. be sure to put Down Cellar Studio in the referral box at check out to get some free goodies. For a free copy of the Quintia Shawl pattern through May 31st with code: highfive
  • It’s the the of year to wash the winter knits before storing them for the winter. That will help to keep any critters away.

Crafty Adventures

Some products I mentioned.

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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!
  • Declare a WIP from 2016 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.
  • April Prize: Fibernymph Dye Works– A set of mini skeins from my Antigua colorway collection…this includes six mini skeins, three on Bounce (80 yards each) and three on Bedazzled (87 yards each)
Splash Pad Party KAL

Artwork - Tattoo Splash - BLUESnack Shack Sponsors (as of 4/28)

Pro Shop Sponsors (as of 4/28)
Designs of Arcadia will be selling Splash Pad Party Logo Totes– get Pro Shop points for using that as your project bag. Also makes a great beach/pool tote! I love mine.

Events

Tune in to hear my best trips for Maryland Sheep & Wool Planning. Also check out:

Stash Dash KAL – hosted by the Knit Girllls Podcast. Starts May 26th.

Contest News and Notes

Please check out my latest shawl design Emelyn Mae Shawl  regular price $6.00. On sale for 50% off until May 15th.

IMG_7023-2

Life in Focus

Happiness Project 2017- April Explore my Surroundings
  • Exploring Charles Street after work. $10 sock blockers at store that’s moving.IMG_2443 IMG_2451
  • Dan and I went to a local restaurant for their $2 tapas Thursday night events three weeks in a row. Adding date night into routine definitely making me happier.IMG_0304

On A Happy Note

  • Easter with the family
  • Retirement Planning
  • Kris’ birthday dinner
  • Bowling for A’s 8th birthday.
  • CT Sheep and Wool Festival with Emelyn (our 4th fiber festival together). Tune in for audio at end of the episode.IMG_0990IMG_1058

Quote of the Week

“To be really happy and really safe, one ought to have at least two or three hobbies, and they must all be real.”
– Winston Churchill, “Hobbies”
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 111: Feel the Pulse

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 111 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
 Check out the chat thread for this episode in the Ravelry Group!

Off The Needles

  • Yarn: Mint Rain Twist Sock- Self Striping in the After the Storm Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan WilliamsIMG_9798
  • Pattern: Shy Little Unicorn by  Ana Paula Rimoli (library book)
  • Yarn: KnitPicks Brava Worsted
  • Hook: C
  • Her name: PoopsiedooIMG_9609IMG_9794

On the Needles

 
  • OMG Heel Sock Pattern
  • US 1.5 Needles
  • Yarn: Knitterly Things Vesper Sock Spring Sonata Colorway
IMG_9873
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Beyond the Wall Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan WilliamsIMG_9922
  • Yarn: Cascade Heritage Prints Color 26 Holidays
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan WilliamsIMG_9837
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Gris colorway
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Tune in to hear my review of trying on 9 inch circular needles.IMG_9879
  • Pattern: none
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici colorway: 27304 Lemonade (greens, yellows, blues: self striping)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) & US 2. (2.75 mm)IMG_9901
  • Pattern: Weaveless Colorful Granny by CherylDeeCrochet (free)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: leftover fingering weight scraps
IMG_9919
  • Pattern: Riley Rose by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Hikoo by Skacel Simpliworsted in Aqua Mint, Deep Turquoise, Gypsy Red and White
  • Needles: US 10 1/2 (6.5 mm)IMG_9920

Brainstorming

  • Crochet Christmas stockings
  • More socks (stocked up on Patons Kroy on sale from Craftsy.com)

Crafty Adventures

I share some thought on getting back into scrapbooking after a long hiatus.

Knitting in Passing

My friend Megg and I generated a lot of conversation knitting at the Camp Pulse event last weekend. I think I may have a few more converts to teach.

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!
Tune in to hear if you won a First Quarter Prize
  • Declare a WIP from 2016 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.
In April, we also have an additional prize from Fibernymph Dye Works
  • A set of mini skeins from my Antigua colorway collection…this includes six mini skeins, three on Bounce (80 yards each) and three on Bedazzled (87 yards each)
Splash Pad Party KAL

 Events

Coming to CT Sheep & Wool or Stitches United? Participate in our Riley Rose Shawl Contest.

  • Wear your Riley Rose, take a photo and post to get one entry
  • Take a photo of someone else wearing a Riley Rose shawl and get 2 entries
  • See someone wearing one, make a friend and take a photo together and get 3 entries.
  • All photos must be posted on Instagram with #rileyroseshawl and tag me @BostonJen1  to be eligible to win
Stash Dash KAL – hosted by the Knit Girllls Podcast. Starts May 26th.
  • What is it: choose a creative project you will commit to for 100 days. Most people choose something very specific. I am just going to focus on doing something creative every day. So far, knitting, crochet, project life scrapbooking and hand lettering/drawing.IMG_9910
 

Life in Focus

Happiness Project 2017
April- Explore Your Surroundings

On A Happy Note

  • Riley was in a Panto performance of Aladdin
  • Taking Garret to Legoland for his 7th Birthday
  • Emelyn’s surprise 13th Birthday Party.
  • I thoroughly enjoyed the new Beauty & the Beast movie
  • Eme performed in Guys & Dolls!
  • Camp Pulse weekend!IMG_9804 IMG_9776 IMG_9739IMG_9682
Quote of the Week
I’m not interested in blind optimism, but I’m very interested in optimism that is hard-won, that takes on darkness and then says, ‘This is not enough.’ Colum McCann
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: