• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• From the Armchair
• Crafty Adventures
• Knitting in Passing
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note

Special thanks to Mom for joining me this week!

Off the Needles

• Yarn: Regia Design line by Arne & Carlos— self patterning, greys, blues, yellow/green Colorway 02460
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG by Megan Williams

On the Needles 

• Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in Light at the End of the Tunnel Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG by Megan Williams

Dragonfly Fibers Shawl

• Yarn: Dragonfly Fibers
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm)
• Pattern: a new design I’m working on. Shape: Half Hexagonal with elongated edges. Simple body with an edging that I’m still perfecting.

Spring Shawl 2016

• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm)
• Yarn: Ashton Studio Arts (2 colors, light peach to bright salmon), Fiberstory Fave Sock in Sterling Colorway, Patons Kroy 4 ply in Gentry Gray (charcoal)
• Pattern: New Shawl Design I inadvertently started after initially thinking I’d keep it simple… I messed up the shape and some of the stitch patterns and yet its all coming together nicely!

From the Armchair 

This week I talked about some new/new to me podcasts I’ve been enjoying

• Misery Loves Company with Alicia Love (you can see Alicia in this Toyota Commercial or find her on Facebook)- this is a non-knitting audio podcast. Alicia and Lady D are very funny!
• Dye Another Day (on YouTube) hosted by Christina (dyer behind The Cozy Knitter on Etsy) & Amanda (the dyer behind the Yarn Enabler on Etsy).
• Knitorious Podcast (on YouTube) Kellie and Kari are the hosts and I think they’re really amusing.
  • Mom jumped in here to note that you all may not have my wacky sense of humor (do you like the new Cookie Monster commercial? I think its hysterical!) but usually people enjoy my recommendations…
• Jenn Sheelen podcast (on YouTube) Jenn’s website and blog

 Crafty Adventures

• Ordered blank puzzles from Amazon. 12 puzzles (63 pieces each) for $13.99 and painted 2 of them. I put stars on the back of one and hearts on the back of the other so the kids knew which puzzle was which. It would have worked better if I printed a photo of what the finished puzzle would look like. Also, it works best if you paint with very thin layers of acrylic paint. I put 2-3 puzzle pieces in the yellow eggs and the kids hunted for these along with the standard money/candy eggs

Some of the kids working on the puzzle after the egg hunt!

• I decorated a frame/memory holder for Emelyn’s birthday gift. Mom chimed in with old stories of my using post-it notes in my room to vent about my teenage angst. You’re welcome!

Knitting in Passing

• I wanted to chat back about some of the awesome comments and chatter from last episode when I was talking about Frankensocks and how to join yarn. Come check out the chatter in the Episode 86 Chatter Thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group.
  • SeeEmZee suggested Russian Join: video tutorial
  • Knitonepugtoo posted a link to Back to Back Join Tutorial from Tech Knitting blog which I haven’t had a chance to try out yet but I want to.
  • iHeartCraft mentioned the magic knot which I do like but I’ve heard it can come undone with superwash and that a friend’s sock has unraveled… so be a little cautious with that.
  • I’m using the Clasp Weft join which I’ve created a video to show you. Check it out here.
• Had a request from HollysHens on IG to compare/review Fish Lips Kiss Heel versus OMG heel but I haven’t done FLK. I will try to do that soon so I can share more about it. 

Events

12 Months to Christmas KAL

• 12 Months to Christmas FO Thread
• 12 Months to Christmas Chat Thread 
• In May, we’ll pull for some more winners.
• Skein of fingering from Western Sky Knits. Magnolia Sock in the Colorway Dark Night 
• Pattern from Kino Knits: Maribou
  • Victorian Yuletide Ornament pattern by Jenn Sheelen

 

• Take advantage of small periods of time and warm weather to work on small projects poolside, outside or wherever. Earn entries for finished projects between 50-200g (Round up/down using your judgement). No need to specifically weigh skeins if you don’t have access or don’t want to. If you use the majority of a 50g, 100g, 200g skein count it.
• WIPs started before June 1st are eligible as long as they are finished before July 31st

• I have only a few Pro Shop level spots left and need to have all sponsors finalized by April 18th in order to have everything ready for the recording of the first episode in May. I like to give my sponsors a lot of air time and make sure our participants know how to find you, and that’s why there will be a cut off for sponsors

• For every 50 grams you get 1 entry into the Summer Celebration Thread (for FOs)- 1 entry for 50g, 2 entries for 100g, 3 for 150g, 4 for 200g which is the max.
• 1 extra entry if you use a Snack Shack product– so for example if yarn company X is a snack shack sponsor and you use their product (even if you owned it before the KAL) you get 1 extra extra
• 2 extra entries if you use Pro Shop product
• 1 extra entry if you use one of the Exclusive items offered for sale to KAL participants.
• You’ll put all of the details about your FO in the first post (say its post #10 in the Summer Celebration Thread) then from there if you’re eligible for 6 extra entries you’ll just post 6 more times and say “post 2” “post 3” etc.

• Post on Instagram with the hashtag (to be determined)– will also get you chances to win
• Chatter threads in Down Cellar Studio Ravelry group
  • Those who purchase 1 or more sponsor products will be eligible for the Country Club. Everyone else is eligible to join the Community Pool. Open Swim Thread for all.
  • Depending on how many participants we have, we’ll have teams/clubs you can participate in (examples– Community Pool, Swim Team etc ) and will have challenges during the KAL where teams will face off to earn more entries to win.

Contest News and Notes 

• To celebrate 4 years of podcasting and the fact that I have 4 designs available on Ravelry, I am going to giveaway 4 of each of my designs in the next 4 episodes. This time, you can be entered to win a copy of my Tan House Brook Shawl pattern (for you or I can gift it to a friend) by entering in the contest thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group.
• I pulled a winner of the Masterpiece Knits ebook/yarn contest. Tune in to see if you won!
• KnitCircus Yarn has kindly offered to giveaway of their Gradient Stripes Sock Sets. Since I’m loving mine so much they thought you might like to try it too! Come over to this thread the Ravelry Group, answer prompt and be entered to win.

Ask Me Anything

• TalesofYarn asked: “How about yarny recommendations for Boston visitors? I’m going to be in Boston on business in mid July, and am hoping to get a chance to do at least a bit of sight seeing while I’m there.”
• I talked about three local places I often go. Tune in for details
  • Boston- Stitch House Dorchester
  • Needham- Black Sheep Knitting Co
  • Norwell- Yarn’s End

On a Happy Note 

• We had a love Easter, including the annual Easter egg hunt & our new 6-pack swap (for the grown ups…. though we need to enlist some kids to help find them)
• I have been loving the frozen black bean and corn enchiladas from Trader Joe’s. They are only $2.29, very filling and don’t taste like processed food. I love that they have very minimal packaging too!
• I got some flat wooden spools/bobbins on sale at Michaels (brand: Recollections | item: Thread Holder) for $1.29 for a package of 10. I think these are great for mini skeins of up to 6-7 grams. Here’s a similar product on Etsy.
• Dan and I had Emelyn sleepover while her parents did a room renovation to surprise her! Then we saw she & Aila in Sleeping Beauty and had a birthday party for Emelyn and Kris!

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Knitting in Passing
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note

Off the Needles

Frankensock #1

• Yarn: leftovers + Regia All Times Color 4-Ply in Stable Colorway (gray) for heels, cuffs & toes
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Sock by Megan Williams
• The join and weaving in the ends always put me off of trying these before and then I remember that Cate from Infinite Twist had a join in her Bifrost scarf called the Clasp Weft Join adapted from weaving that might work.
  • BiFrost Info : $3.00 for the pattern alone or $55 for the kit.
• This is a total experiment and I will keep you posted on how it holds up.

KnitCircus Gradient Stripes Socks

• Yarn: KnitCircus Yarn Greatest of Ease base in the Come What May Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Sock by Megan Williams
• Notes: OMG heel works great for self striping but wasn’t best choice for this. I’d recommend an afterthought heel instea.

Small Sitting Fox

• Pattern: Small Sitting Fox by Kristi Tullus $4 Euro ($4.60 US right now)
• Hook: C (2.75mm)
• Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash, orange, black and white
• Eyes & Nose from 6060 on Etsy
• I kept him in my project bag from Little Skein in the Big Wool

On the Needles

Frankensock #2

Dan’s 1st Patterned Socks

• Yarn: Regia Design line by Arne & Carlos
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG by Megan Williams

Dunks Socks

• Yarn: KFI Luxury Collection Color 602 Pinks, Orange and Gray self striping.  150g/437 yard skein 70% extra fine merino, 25% polyamide, 5% cashmere
• Needles: US 2.0 (2.75mm)
• Pattern: OMG by Megan Williams
• Notes:  Cast on 52 stitches. So far it fits. Will likely decrease to 48 closer to heel and work the x-small version of the OMG heel for a 48 stitch sock.

 Sock Yarn Blanket

Brainstorming

• Legacy Knitz  Stuffy KAL starting 4/1/16
• I’d like to make some beachy type stuffies for my niece Emelyn. Some ideas:
  • Octopus by Susan B Anderson
  • Crabby Patsy– crochet pattern by Lily/ Sugar’n Cream
  • Sailor Whale — whale with white hat and a red/white life preserver ring around his middle!
• I’d like to cast on a shawl when I get more mojo back
• I think Frankensock #3- will be gray with neutrals and earthy tones.

From the Armchair

I’ve been loving YouTube Podcasts lately–here are some of my new go tos:

• Legacy Knitz. Ravelry Group here.
• Grocery Girls Podcast.  Ravelry Group here.
• Periscoping Sisters. Ravelry Group here.
• Inside Number 23.  Ravelry Group here.
• Soxcetera. Ravelry Group here.

 Knitting in Passing

• Follow up to last episode’s citric acid discussion.
  • Note from Becky- Knit Actually Podcast– who let us know that vinegar is better than citric acid for Stellina and manicures (it will dull them both)
  • Note from Greg of the Unraveling Podcast who couldn’t find citric acid with the canning supplies at the grocery store but found them in herbal supplements section.
  • Knitmore Girls Episode 369 discussed Citric Acid soaking too! Check it out.

Events

• 12 Months to Christmas FO Thread
• 12 Months to Christmas Chat Thread 
• Announced 2 prize winners this episode! Tune in to see if you won.
• In May, we’ll pull for some more winners.
  • Skein of fingering from Western Sky Knits. Magnolia Sock in the Colorway Dark Night 
  • Pattern from Kino Knits: Maribou
    • Mary mentioned on Episode 10 of Kino Knits Podcast that she randomly gifted it to people on Ravelry who had a birthday day it was released! What a clever idea!

Contest, News & Notes

• I am so excited to have such an amazing community that has grown around the Down Cellar Studio in the past 4 years. Thank you all!
• I purchased 5 skeins of self-striping yarn from Mint Rain
• My nieces and nephew had a bowling birthday party. Here’s a pick of Mom and I in our boots (just pretending to bowl)
• I went to Legoland Boston with my nephew Garret for his 6th birthday adventure
• I had a lot of fun at my cousins’ St Patrick’s Day Party!
• After Episode 85 I sent out a Newsletter. Was that helpful? Should I do it again? Want to sign up– click here.
• Thank you for the recent iTunes reviews! Want to leave a review of your own? Click here and then click Open in iTunes to leave a review.

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Knitting in Passing
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note

Off the Needles

• Pattern: Sachet of Love by Maria Bittner (free)
• Yarn: scraps of worsted weight
• Hook: H (5.0 mm)

• Pattern: Small Crocheted Rhino by Kristi Tullus 3.50 Euro/ $4 US
• Calls for DK Weight yarn and a B hook (2.25 mm)
• Yarn: Cascade 220 SW
• Hook: C (2.75 mm)

• Pattern: Small Long Legged Bunny by Kristi Tullus- Free Pattern
• Calls for DK Weight yarn and a B hook (2.25 mm)
• Yarn: Cascade 220 SW
• Hook: C (2.75 mm)

On the Needles

• Yarn: KnitCircus Yarn Greatest of Ease 80/20 Merino Nylon (400 yards) Colorway: Come What May. 

• Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock Lightweight in the Light at the End of the Tunnel Colorway
• Cast on: Leap Day- Feb 29th

• Yarn: Regia Design line by Arne & Carlos

Brainstorming

• I’d like to make more of crochet projects in patterns by-  Kristi Tullus. 5 free patterns– bunny is one of them, if you want to it out
• I’m thinking of starting another scrap project. Sue of the Legacy Knitz Podcast on YouTube (not Deb, as I said on the show. Sorry for the mistake!) made a mitered square log cabin blanket. She started with 4×4 mitered squares in similar color palette then added a cream colored log cabin border

From the Armchair

• Bloodline on Netflix
• Modern Romance by  Aziz Ansari

• Henry’s Hat by Joanna and Eric Johnson, published by Slate Falls Press.  Aila (my 6 year old niece) and I reviewed this together and thoroughly enjoyed it.
  • Signed copies available in Etsy Shop. Also available on Amazon
• Wool & Wire Jewelry available at NeverNotKnitting
  • Necklace $32.00
  • Earrings– $28 (I have B & D as shown on website)
  • Purse Clip $28
  • I can’t recommend this highly enough. I wear my pieces nearly every day of the week. They’re gorgeous, well made and classy!

Knitting in Passing

• I helped my friend Megg work on her sock leg and turn her first heel while my nephew Oisin worked on his knitted scarf project. 
• Posted on Instagram about doing the citric acid treatment on my newly finished socks.   For instructions check out this post by Jasmin of the Knitmore Girls Podcast. The link I mentioned as a source for purchasing Citric Acid is here.

Events

• 12 Months to Christmas FO Thread
• 12 Months to Christmas Chat Thread 
• Next episode I will pull winners for these 2 prizes:
  • Jodi of Sunsoaked Yarns on Etsy- offering a skein of worsted weight yarn in colorway of winner’s choice.
  • Holland Handmade Project bag
• In May, we’ll pull for some more winners.
  • Skein of fingering weight yarn from Western Sky Knits.
  • Pattern from Kino Knits: Maribou

Contests, News and Notes 

• Tune in to see if you won the skein of Tink Yarn
• This episode we have a contest sponsored by Sarah Schira for her Pomball Hat Collection, a 5 hat eBook collection. Check out the Pomball Hat Contest Thread in DCS Podcast Rav Group and enter to win a copy of the eBook containing all 5 hats!

• I took my niece Millie to the zoo for her 4th birthday
• I got my order of Tony’s Coffee– Cafe Carmelita.
• Took my niece Aila to her dance classes last weekend.
• Bought some yarn at Webs after my friend Suzanne posted on Facebook. KFI Luxury- Indulgence Cashmere $12.99 a skein (normally about $25). 75% merino, 25% polyamide, 5% cashmere. Not superwash…  and I didn’t realize when I purchased it that it’s not fingering even though that’s how its categorized on website. At 150g/437 yards it’s more like a heavy sport.  Will still work great for socks and will be great gifts knits.