Category Archives: Show Notes

Episode 110: Toy Parade

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 110 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
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
Off the Needles
  • Yarn: Various Scraps
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Video Tutorial for Cate’s Clasp Weft Join for Knitting available on my YouTube channel. Cate’s PDF can be found here.
    • Check out Cate’s other brilliant works at Infinite Twist
    • This join is meant for non-super wash yarn. It has held up well in super wash socks, maybe because they are knit tightly. You may want to swatch if using a more slippery yarn, especially at a looser gauge.
  • I also started  Frankensock #5IMG_9123
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Khaki Colorway
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams

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  • Yarn: KFI Luxury Collection (MCN)- Color 604, browns, light green and a teal
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75mm)
  • Pattern: OMG heel 52 stitchesIMG_9275
 
  • Pattern: Stanley the Giraffe by Little Muggles ($5 through Craftsy)
  • Yarn: Vanna’s Choice
  • Hook: F 3.75mm

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  • Pattern: my own notes
  • Yarn: Cascade 220 super wash
  • Hook: C 2.75 mmIMG_9288
  • Pattern: my own notes
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted- magenta
  • Hook: D 3.25 mm

On 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 Williams

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Brainstorming 

  • Idea from TwinSet Jan re: options for Color Collusion shawl.
  • I need to start Christmas stockings for this year.
  • Eme wants partners for her bunnies sheep and elephant. She recommended I start with baby bunnies in fun colors! Can do.

From the Armchair

Check out this cool documentary:

Knitting in Passing

  • My niece Emelyn (almost 13 years old) wants to finish the cowl she cast on last year after the RI Fiber Fest.image
  • Riley wanted to knit on socks at a fundraiser we were at last week, so she, Megg and I all knit together for a few minutes.
    on Instagram: http://ift.tt/2okxPfJ

KAL News

First Quarter 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.
  • Additional prize for March— Fibernymph Dye Works resist-dyed sock blank – either with sparkle or without – custom dyed in the winners choice of colors.

Events

Life in Focus

March Happiness Project- Automation
  • I’ve made some progress
    • Set up my credit card to auto pay each month.
    • Set up my phone and Dan’s phone to auto upload our photos to Dropbox.
    • I am still looking for better photo management solution to replace iPhoto. Have any tips for me?
    • I’ve backed up my photos to Google Photos
    • I am working on a new habit of deleting photos off my phone each night before bed.
    • I purchased an eye-fi SD card from Amazon. This will send my camera photos onto my phone so I can edit, upload, share with others, put right into Project life app on my phone. I love it! It was easy to set and it is easy to use.

Contests, News and Notes

The Fuller Craft Museum is calling for submissions to come with a written description of the story behind the hats, which are often made as an act of meditation. Contributors are also asked to first send a photograph of their pussy hat to the Fuller Craft Museum before submitting, to make sure there is no overlap in design with other hats already received by the museum.
Patterns I’m excited about

Life in Focus

March Happiness Project- Automation
  • Struggling a little more with this one but I have made some progress.
  • Only have 1 credit card. Set it to auto pay each month.
  • Set up my phone and Dan’s phone to auto upload our photos to Dropbox. I store all of our photos and its easier and takes less time this way than having to take Dan’s phone and plug it into my computer.
  • Still looking for better photo management solution. If others have tips. Have all Macs. iPhoto. Slow. crashes. Not ideal. I have lightroom from disc, not creative cloud. may move to one of those options but need to decide. In the meantime, at least our photos are safe and backed up.
  • Also backing up ALL my photos phone and computer to Google Photo which I mentioned in this segment last month.
  • Trying out new habit of deleting photos off my phone each night before bed. Strategy of pairing- write in journal and delete bad photos before bed
  • Bought an Eye fi card from Amazon. Puts camera photos onto my phone so i can edit, upload, share with others, put right into Project life app on my phone. Really easy to use. Connect to the wifi network when it comes up. open app on my phone and photos download into the app. Download onto my phone’s photo app only if I choose, which is nice! Easy to use. Glad I have it. Still may not always use it, but I enjoy having that option.

On A Happy Note 

  • Spring shopping. Not totally happy about the shopping process but happy to have a few things that fit well.
  • Trying new recipes (I don’t enjoy the process, but the result make me happy)
    • New to me things: cooking lentils and trying chipotle sauce (to replicate bowl from B Good).
  • Scrapbooking, documenting important memories, ordering photos from Persnickety Prints
  • Hanging out with our friends daughters- Carina and EllaIMG_9183
  • Dinner and movie for my friend Megg’s birthday!
  • Family fun at a local fundraiser.20170325-IMG_7571 20170325-IMG_7605 20170325-IMG_7533
  • Emelyn asking to go on a birthday date with Dan (and him saying yes, but they need to go out for a fancy dinner!)20170325-IMG_7529

Quote of the Week

“Two things define you. Your patience when you have nothing, and your attitude when you have everything.”
-Unknown
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Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 109: Festival Season is Just Ahead

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 109 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

  • Pattern: Anna (Frozen) Inspired Softie by Kristen’s Kords (kit)
  • Hook: E (3.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Caron One Pound + Red Heart With loveIMG_8833IMG_9092

 

 

On the Needles

IMG_8857

  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50 in the Imprim Khaki Colorway
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams

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  • Pattern: Journey by Alina Schneider
  • Yarn: Yarn Geek Fibers Whiz Bang (merino/bamboo worsted weight)
  • Needles:  US 6 (4.0 mm)

Journey Sweater

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  • Pattern: Stanley the Giraffe by Little Muggles ($5 through Craftsy)
  • Yarn: Vanna’s Choice
  • Hook: F 3.75mm 

Knitting in Passing 

I’ve recently taught knitting skills to 4 co-workers! I love sharing this hobby with new people!

KAL News

First Quarter 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.
  • Additional prize for March— Fibernymph Dye Works resist-dyed sock blank – either with sparkle or without – custom dyed in the winners choice of colors.
  • Congrats to our February winner- KnitterDeb1030

Events

Life in Focus

March Happiness Project- Automation
  • I’ve made some progress
    • Set up my credit card to auto pay each month.
    • Set up my phone and Dan’s phone to auto upload our photos to Dropbox.
    • I am still looking for better photo management solution to replace iPhoto. Have any tips for me?
    • I’ve backed up my photos to Google Photos
    • I am working on a new habit of deleting photos off my phone each night before bed.
    • I purchased an eye-fi SD card from Amazon. This will send my camera photos onto my phone so I can edit, upload, share with others, put right into Project life app on my phone. Haven’t had a chance to play with it yet.

On a Happy Note

  • Daytona 500 party- we had a great time visiting with friends + presenting the trophy Dan IMG_9093made to the last year’s winner of their Fantasy League.
  • Visited Boston Public Market Open House
  • Knit Night at Gather Here in Cambridge+ meeting my friend’s new baby
  • Wine Tasting/Fundraiser Party at a friend’s house + wearing a vintage shirt I purchased years ago but hadn’t yet worn.IMG_9094
  • I got new glasses!!IMG_9095
  • I took my niece Millie to Legoland for her 5th birthday. There is some bonus audio of Millie and me at the end of the episode.170306_project-life-3F7A10

Quote of the Week

“To be mature you have to realize what you value most. It is extraordinary to discover that comparatively few people reach this level of maturity. They seem never to have paused to consider what has value for them. They spend great effort and sometimes make great sacrifices for values that, fundamentally, meet no real needs of their own. Perhaps they have imbibed the values of their particular profession or job, of their community or their neighbors, of their parents or family. Not to arrive at a clear understanding of one’s own values is a tragic waste. You have missed the whole point of what life is for.”
 
— Eleanor Roosevelt, You Learn by Living
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Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 108: And The Winners Are…

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 108 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

  • Yarn: Fish Belly Fiber Works, Tributary Base in the Bougainvillea colorway (fingering weight held doubled)
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Pattern: KitKat Hat by Andre Sue KnitsIMG_8739
  • Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50- Imprim Ciel Colorway
  • US 1 (2.25mm) needles
  • Pattern: OMG HeelIMG_8563
Mary, Millie & Morgan (skirt + cardigan)

On the Needles

  • Pattern: Gradient Angles by Janice Hamby
  • Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix: Colors= Spooky Purple, African Violet, Mona Lisa, Tickled, Sakura, Anthurium
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)IMG_8656

From the Armchair 

 
A thought about 2016 FOs: One pair of my shortie socks with softer yarn didn’t stay up. In the future I am going to stick with Regia or harder wearing wools in future and knit at a denser gauge.
Making My Life Easier– I back up my photos from my phone and my computer to Google Photos. It acts as a back-up but also makes it easier for me to add photos to my Ravelry Project Pages. because there is an option upload from Google Photos.
Book Review: Heart on My Sleeve. Knit with Care conceived and coordinated by Emily Wessel and Alexa Ludeman of Tin Can Knits.
  • Designs by Shannon Cook, Romi Hill, Bristol Ivy, Tanis Lavallée, Joji Locatelli, Alexa Ludeman, Jane Richmond, Ysolda Teague, and Emily Wessel
  • Visit their website for more details.
  • For details about their KAL check out this Ravelry thread.

Knitting in Passing

  • I shared a story about connecting with another Weight Watchers Member on knitting. I helped her with her first sock.
  • If you’re a new sock knitter you may want to check out the Tin Can Knits Rye Sock Pattern. Great resource for a knit sock knitter because it explains the construction.

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!
  • First Quarter 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.
  • In March we also have a prize from Fibernymph Dye Works. The winner can choose a resist-dyed sock blank – either with sparkle or without – in their choice of colors.
Pigskin Party
Our 3rd annual make-along hosted in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group that runs during the NFL football season September 8- February 6th (Monday after Superbowl- you can knit and post photos on that last day) The more projects you finish, the more touchdowns and field goals you’ll score and the more points you earn. You can also increase your score by using products from our awesome sponsors or meeting other challenges and by recruiting new team members. The more points you have, the more entries you get for the prize drawings. We also have lots of prizes reserved for participation  on Ravelry and Instagram to keep it fun and light if you’re not a hardcore player.  You can participate in as much or as little as you like. In short- it’s 5 months of fun, chatter, some good healthy banter and of course PRIZES!
Pigskin Party ’16
 
Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors!
Key Details Mentioned in this Episode:
  • January & February Huddle & Instagram Winners
  • 10 Grand Prize Winners
  • Sponsor Love Thread Winners
  • 10 Grand Prize Winners

Events

  • Join me for my GoodReader class – March 25 from 4-6p at the Stitch House in Dorchester, MA ($30) 

Life in Focus

February: Memory keeping
The Plan:
  • Determine a sustainable plan for documenting memories through scrapbooking (paper and/or digital) in a creative, sharable way that doesn’t overwhelm me.
  • Find, print and hang more photos in our home.
 
Why?
  • I scrapbooked 2005-2009 of my life and then again for part of 2013. I am so grateful to have documented the stories of that time in my life, especially as my nieces and nephews were born. I want to fill in the gaps and document those stories before I lose them. Kids were still so little then. So many cute photos, memories, milestones. funny things they said.
  • I have boxes of photos & memorabilia my mother thoughtful saved for me. I want to organize it and purge what I don’t want and find a system for making this into something worth saving and sharing.
  • I want to remember and celebrate my life. I want to share stories with my family and pass along wisdom where I can.
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What I’ve done so far:
  • Identified an approach- Stacy JulianLibrary of Memories approach combined with Project Life divided page protectors
  • Sorted through childhood memorabilia based on these categories
  • Assessed finished scrapbooks.
  • Sort through emails and journals. Momento app all to pull social media.
  • Reorganize 2014 photos already printed into LOM approach. Started scrapbooking them!
    • Heard tip to put photos in divided  Pocket Pages first. get that finished. Did that while binge watching with dan and my friend laura. felt productive but didn’t take as much brain space as actually scrapbooking. Easier to batch and liked that I could do it from the couch.
  • Working on Project Life App for 2017 and 2016 photos. Appreciate that the app allows me to scrapbook on my phone anywhere.
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Resources
Apps:
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Podcasts:
Websites + Blogs
March- my focus will be about automation. If you have any tips for me, please come share in the Ravelry group.

On a Happy Note

  • World of Difference Shawl– has been a huge hit! Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive response.
  • Visiting with friends. Binge watching, Season 3 of the Affair. The Crown. Black Mirror.
  • I had a good appointment with my Physical Therapist.
  • Weight Watchers is going well. I met a new personal goal!
  • I spent time this weekend my niece and nephew.

Quote of the Week

 
Having the best things is no substitute for having the best life. When you can let go of the desire to acquire, you know you are really on your way.
Oprah Winfrey.
 
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Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: