Category Archives: Show Notes

Episode 167: Rainbows, Friends & KALs

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 167 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

  • Pattern: Holden Cable Crochet Hat by Lakeside Loops ($5 crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Sugarbush Yarns Dawson (Bulky weight; 50% llama, 50% merino) in the Wandering Vine Colorway (red)
  • Hook: K 6.5mm
  • 157 metersHolden hat
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) and G (4.25 mm)
  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Meters: 5691882E57-D635-4072-A0E5-35E9766DC1F8
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) and G (4.25 mm)
  • Pattern: Ball Band by Jennifer Lassonde
  • 208 meters70F3EE84-89E5-4A38-BF9E-93FAE61E0D1D
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Deja Blue colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Meters: 262Deja Blue Felici
Stash Dash KAL: 11,528 meters to date

On the Needles

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Coffee Break Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)F0E8C92A-3CB2-4158-B905-EA7E0A8505C3
  • Yarn: Sugarbush Bold in the Dover Sand colorway. blue
  • Hook: H 5.0 mm
  • Pattern: Gina’s Messy Bun HatD08AC8F9-BC23-4F53-AD00-3549F739D5FD
  • Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) and US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Holly Press Fibers – Sheepish (fingering weight) base in colorways:  Flower Petal, Rambler in the Wilderness & Seeking You + 3 mystery skeins from stash. Using fingering held double.EE6FDE78-7219-49F7-A9CD-2DDDF04DEEC2
  • Yarn: Berocco Summer Silk in the colorway 4006 Boardwalk
  • Hook: K (6.5 mm)
  • Pattern: Sandbar Cardi by Toni Lipsey (crochet pattern $7)
  • This will likely be a #RhineBIPOCsweater for meF9424F5E-598A-4712-8E5E-B1513A6344C1

Crafty Adventures

I learned some basic Embroidery from my friend Beverly. On the way home, I ordered this tracing light box for use in future projects.Camping Kayak Embroidery

Knitting in Passing

I shared a story about meeting a man in Baltimore who told us a story about how he learned to crochet during recovery from surgery.

In My Travels

Tune in for stories about my recent trip to visit with friends in Baltimore0499CCFD-1BCE-42ED-9590-99BDE91A1ED9

  • I got out walking – cool park trails on Sunday morning331F199C-CA49-4239-8FDB-F2975FC6EAA2
  • We enjoyed Paper Moon for breakfast. We visited a cute plant store B.Willow and I purchased a Tinted Lip balm (with no plastic container) from Priya Means Love.346E0E21-88F7-428E-89E1-502B3424840D

KAL News

Slay the Stash 2019
  • 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 (purchased before 2019) – and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way!
  • Check out the August Post
  • Tune in to see if you’re the July winner!
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media
Slay the Stash Sponsor List- 2019
Artwork - Tattoo Splash - BLUE
The Splash Pad is closed for the season! Tune in to see if you won a prize.
Artwork - Pigskin Party Final2
Pigskin Party: the 6th Annual Pigskin Party kicks off on September 5, 2019 and runs through February 3, 2020
Not familiar? It’s a ridiculously fun make-a-long that runs all through the NFL football season. We typically have a couple hundred participants each year. For each FO you finish, you earn touchdown & field goal points. You also earn points for using sponsor products & fulfilling other challenges. For every 100 points earned, you get an entry into our Grand Prize drawing. We also have lots of prizes reserved for participation on Ravelry and Instagram to keep it fun and light.
Pro Shop Sponsors (so far)
  4. Designs of Acadia (Pigskin Logo Bag)
Snack Shack Sponsors (so far)

Events

Online Events
  • Knit Girllls annual Stash Dash KAL will run from May 24-August 24, 2019 Watch the friendly competition with Jasmin and me on Instagram: #teambostonjen #beatcuteknitter
  • The Blanket Project– the Art Division and other groups throughout the country have begun knitting and quilting blankets for children at the border. Social Media:  Feel free to share your pictures/videos with us using the hashtags #theblanketprojectla #artdivisionla Instagram: @artdivisionla    Facebook: @artdivision.org  Twitter: @ArtDivisionLA
    • Knitted, Quilted, Crocheted and Fleece tie/knot Blankets are welcome.
Local Events

Ask Me Anything

This episode I answered two questions from Instagram.
  1. MegsDuffy- How do you stay motivated when you have so much going on???
  2. ProudfootK- Plans for fall sweater knitting? Tips on curating your stash/or curbing stash acquisitions?

On a Happy Note

  • Old friends: my friend Laura visited the first weekend in August. I spent last weekend with friends I’ve know for more than 12 years- originally met through scrapbooking.63368EEC-9DE5-496E-8B60-B48C38D6C9F7960AA38D-A20A-414D-A2B5-74D6560707AB
  • Cooler mornings & long walks outside.4EC3FF27-0B2A-4E12-9CC6-99B2D9528B00

Quote of the Week

There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” — William Shakespeare, Hamlet

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Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 166: Ball Band with a Twist!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 166 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Ball Band with a Twist –24 oz (pint + a half size) and16oz(pint size)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up in Lime (base), Sunflower (bottom), and Aqua (body)
  • Hook: G (4.25 mm) & F (3.75 mm)
  • 24 oz- 51 meters
  • 16 oz- 35 meters
  • Pattern available now! $2 on Ravelry. 2 sizes. 3 colors though that’s easy to edit. Photo tutorial showing you how to find the third loop. Ball Band with a Twist
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up in Lime (base), Sunflower (bottom), and Aqua (body)
  • Hook: G (4.25 mm) & F (3.75 mm)
  • 24 oz- 51 meters Rainbow Ball Band with a Twist
  • Pattern: The Fisherman’s Wife (class at Staci’s Stitches)
  • Hook: 12 mm
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in the Fig Colorway
  • First foray into Crochet Cables!
  • 129 meters 2019-07-12 18.13.08
  • Yarn: Sugarbush Bold in the Dover Sand colorway. Cream
  • Hook: H 5.0 mm
  • Pattern: Gina’s Messy Bun Hat
  • 128 metersGina's Messy Bun Hat
  • Slouchy hat Pattern design idea that I can’t share yet.
  • 144 meters
Bronwyn Shawl (in blues)
  • Pattern: Bronwyn Shawl by Toni Lipsey (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn:  Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Superwash
  • Hook: J (6 mm)
  • Knit Picks Wool of the Andes- Color A- Dove Heather, Color B Light blue (need to find ball band), and Color C- Solstice Heather (Navy)
  • 778 metersBronwyn Shawl
  • Yarn: Hjerte Garn. magic Colours Stompegarn jacquard Magic Color: 7749
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern- OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • 2 pairs of shortie socks- 359 meters2019-07-23 20.15.33-2
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Spooky color way
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • 270 metersSpooky Socks
1,946 meters since last episode. 9,319 meters to date! 15k here I come!

On the Needles

  • Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) and US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Holly Press Fibers – Sheepish (fingering weight) base in colorways:  Flower Petal, Rambler in the Wilderness & Seeking You. Assylum Fibers + 2 mystery skeins from stash. Holding fingering held double. 094B1B7A-A837-4150-844D-22AF787D024C
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Deja Blue color way
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)67CE71AD-98C9-4675-BFCD-58E86311A206
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the 8-bit color way
  • Needles: US 1 (2.0 mm)
  • Colors_ light and dark grey with a dirty lime green. 2019-07-20 20.22.27-1
  • 3rd version of lace slouchy hat design. Smaller size. So addictive!4BBB3D93-8A8E-4709-A5C8-B1DB660DB336
  • Yarn: Goosey Fibers – Goosey Hefty (Worsted Weight) in the Carolina Colorway
2019-07-24 13.32.21

Brainstorming

  • Garret asked for a rainbow ninja – I was confused at first because he has a whole rainbow. he wants 1 ninja with all the colors.IMG_9468
  • Riley wants hats and booties for her doll Brooklyn. Light pinks and white each in fingering. Thicker winter hat with Pom Pom
  • Oisin asked for alien with a baseball hat & a ball: Alan the Alien and his Flying Saucer. $5 crochet pattern by Moji-Moji Design. Alan can sit inside his saucer- the top comes off so you hide him in here. Not sure if I’ll make the saucer or not but I may!
  • When asked what she wanted, Millie said dramatically “I need to THINK about it!!”
  • I now also want to make all the crochet hats!
  • I’m eyeing the Sandbar Cardiby Toni Lipsey. $7.50 crochet pattern for me.
  • Would also love to make the Easy Crop Top by Grace forthefrills (free crochet pattern)

Crafty Adventures

Stay tuned to the end of the episode for this segment. My 11 year old niece Riley and I recorded two bits of audio last weekend about our crafty adventures during her sleepover.2019-07-20 11.21.142019-07-20 13.13.52 HDR2019-07-20 16.06.37 2019-07-20 14.29.43-2 2019-07-20 16.06.50
2019-07-21 11.23.32
2019-07-21 11.20.05
2019-07-21 11.23.46

KAL News

Slay the Stash 2019
  • 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 (purchased before 2019) – and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way!
  • Check out the August Post
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media
Slay the Stash Sponsor List- 2019

Splash Pad PartyArtwork - Tattoo Splash - BLUE

Pro Shop Sponsors
Snack Shack Sponsors
  • Get those projects finished up! Post in Summer Celebration thread! I’ll close it on Thursday morning August 1st. If the thread is open You may post. Winners will be announced on the next episode. Thanks again to all of our sponsors this year!!

 

Artwork - Pigskin Party Final2

6th Annual Pigskin Party kicks off —-  September 5, 2019- February 3, 2020

Not familiar? It’s a ridiculously fun make-a-long that runs all through the NFL football season. We typically have a couple hundred participants each year. For each FO you finish, you earn touchdown & field goal points. You also earn points for using sponsor products & fulfilling other challenges. For every 100 points earned, you get an entry into our Grand Prize drawing. We also have lots of prizes reserved for participation on Ravelry and Instagram to keep it fun and light.
  • All of the details you need can be found in Pigskin ’19 Start Here Thread 
  • Want to sponsor? Details for the Sponsor options can be found here.
  •  This year we’re going to try out a Team option. Check out the Try Out thread in early August for details and to sign up.Please note:  joining a team is not required to play.

Events

Online Event: Knit Girllls annual Stash Dash KAL will run from May 24-August 24, 2019

Contest, News & Notes

  • Thanks for all the love for the GoodReader Tutorial! Come join our chat in the Ravelry Group if you found cool uses or have questions.
  • Ball Band with a Twist pattern available on Ravelry!
  • LadyDyeYarns is partnering up with my friends and yours- The Knitmore Girls on a project called, #myRhineBIPOCSweater. Check out this post on Instagram for details – posted below as well to help spread the word!They say, “We want to make sure this year and beyond that BIPOC designers and dyers are represented at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival. So we wanted to do a KAL/CAL for the #myRhineBIPOCSweater.”The way this will work is:
    •  Choose a piece from this list This list has been curated by @blacksquirrelberkeley (based on @jeanettesloan’s list)
    • Use/Purchase yarn from a BIPOC dyer (check out Lady Dye’s previous post of BIPOC dyers)
    • Use the #RhineBIPOCSweater, and a dyer from the BIPOC Dyer list to spread the love.
    • Dyers: Jasmin and I did come up with colors theme for this KAL/CAL: purple, green, blue, golden yellow, and black. We are encouraging all those participating to use any/all of these colors for your sweater. We are asking #bipocdyers to use these colors to create your inspired colorways for this KAL/CAL. We have a link that we are using that can choose your color palette shade from the colors we listed above.
    • We really hope you all can join us in the KAL/CAL. We can’t wait to look on instagram and see the progress everyone is making and we will see you all at Rhinebeck with your sweaters on! This is what it’s all about. Taking action, working together, creating an inclusive community, and recognizing diversity in designers and dyers.
    • Here’s the google link For BIPOC DYERS TO SUBMIT THEIR INFO SO WE CAN LIST YOUR COMPANY.

Life in Focus

  • Tune in to hear my updates on my Plastic Free July challenge.
  • This did include 2 deliveries from Misfits Market. If you think you might like it, check out this link to get 30% off your first order.
  • Update on Shampoo Bar I bought at Whole Foods- used it 3-4 times now. Still not 100% sold. Under layer of my hair looks stringy/greasy. You can’t really see that from the top thankfully. Will use a little more but it may not be a good fit for me.
  • Come chat in the #PlasticFreeJuly Thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group! Will definitely extend beyond this month!

Ask Me Anything

Deferred this episode’s questions to Episode 167 for time.

On a Happy Note

  • Pool Party for my nephew Will’s 12th birthday.41BBC7EA-03A3-4BBC-8188-3DFC8308C5B6
  • Finding new walking trails off the beaten path at my local State Park.D6D02A71-04DF-4D54-88DF-3FCD5DFBC5B0
  • Camp- long walk. crazy hills. Pickle ball. Kayaking. Playing dominos.ACD23E89-AF15-44B0-AB1B-A3EA44E93FF5 C2D5B8B9-7FFA-47EE-9458-8964DB9A16F8 1DB79CB2-1A8B-4DCE-8211-F07423BC9CEB
  • Wearing dresses!CADE5D1E-924C-4DFD-BC3D-C15B060FFD1E
  • Check out this Superhero Muffin recipe. I got a cakeholder type thing at Savers to hold our muffins. Dan likes them so I think these may be part of our weekly food prep for awhile.

Quote of the Week

Don’t take criticism from someone you would never go to for advice.
–Heather Antos
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Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 165: GoodReader Tutorial is Here!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 165 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
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Kitchen Counter Crafter

Off the Needles

Jar Cozies
  1. Coral & Navy– pint sized. 46 meters
  2. July 4th– pint sized- 46 meters
  3. Mustard & Gray– pint sized. 38 meters
  4. Ball Band Cozy– 24oz size- 56 meters
  5. Black & Gray- 32 oz- 62 meters
  6. Gray & White– pint sized- 32 meters
  • Enjoying Lion Brand Re-Up Yarn
  • Fits well into my plastic free july personal challenge.
  • I use mine with a metal straw and a recycled plastic cover from Cuppow
  • Pattern: none
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up
  • Hook: G (4.25 mm)
    • Magic ring 6
    • Increase up through inc, sc7
    • Last round in a contrast color for ones I’m using at the gym. Single color for washing dishes at work.
  • Made 6 so far. 60 grams of yarn- 88 meters
Crochet washcloths
2 new designs in the works. 3 samples knit
Meters for Stash Dash as of this episode: 7,373 Meters.

On the Needles

  • Yarn: Hjerte Garn. magic Colours Stompegarn jacquard Magic Color: 7749
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern- OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Finished 3 out of 4 shortiesBarcelona Porto Socks
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Spooky color way
  • Needles: US 1 (2.5 mm)Spooky socks Knit Picks Felici
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Spooky color way
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)Deja Blue Knit Picks Felici
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the 8-bit color way
  • Needles: US 1 (2.0 mm)Knit Picks Felici 8-Bit
  • Pattern: Weaveless Colorful Granny by CherylDeeCrochet
  • Hook: K 6.5 mm
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted Value packsSolid Granny Square
  • Pattern: The Fisherman’s Wife
  • Hook: 12 mm
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in the Fig ColorwayFisherman's Wife
Project from class
Intermediate Crochet – Intro to Cables, Thursdays July 11 – August 8, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Staci’s Stitches in Scituate. MA $80

Brainstorming

  • I talked to the nieces and nephews about crochet toy requests (to get ready for Christmas). Aila asked for an orange crayon with a cute face. Oisín wants an alien with a baseball and a hat. Will wants Rocky Balboa!

From the Armchair

Chernobyl  on HBO & Sky UK
Prompted me to want to learn more about the subject. Some links you might find interesting:

KAL News

Slay the Stash 2019
  • 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 (purchased before 2019) – and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way!
  • Check out the July Post
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media
  • Pull June winner- post #16 laDiDa2u- Knit picks felici.
Slay the Stash Sponsor List- 2019

Splash Pad Party

Pro Shop Sponsors
Snack Shack Sponsors

Events

Online Event: Knit Girllls annual Stash Dash KAL will run from May 24-August 24, 2019
  • Watch the friendly competition with Jasmin and me on Instagram: #teambostonjen #beatcuteknitter

Contest, News & Notes

  • Tune in to hear if you won a copy of the Moduloncho by Shana Cohen- check her out on Instagram as Shanalines_designs
  • Private Notes feature on Ravelry! new. Not sure when. So handy. For design stuff. notes about the pattern that are too specific and don’t want to violate someone else’s copyright.
  • Check my first ever Crochet pattern available free on Ravelry. It’s called the Ball Band CozyBall Band Cozy
  • The GoodReader Tutorial Washcloth– is also now available on Ravelry for $10 US. Check out the Ravelry page for full details. If you have any question about whether the GoodReader app will work for your iPad, don’t hesitate to reach out to me on Ravelry (BostonJen).GoodReader Tutorial
  • Come chat in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group Thread for GoodReader App users

 Life in Focus

I talked about my personal Plastic Free July Challenge. Tune in for all of the details. Here are a couple links you might find helpful.
  • Using my 24oz wide mouth Ball Jar with my Cuppow Lid701C5508-12B9-4F10-AB70-649265CAD676
  • Ordered Crush & Brush Toothpaste tabs. Was really skeptical but I like them.BF8123D9-9598-459C-AC88-A31073016FD9
  • Whole Foods who says their policy is that you have to use the plastic containers they provide.
    • Yes, I know many of you can bring their own containers so not every store follows this policy.
    • I heard on a recent podcast that some people get those Whole Foods provided plastic containers once, fill in bulk section, bring items home, put into glass containers, wash out the plastic and re-use them next time (& Whole Foods cashier can’t tell!) A little sneaky and not so above board? Perhaps. But also if someone uses a plastic bag and sneezes on it before filling- not sure we’re any worse off…
Resources

On a Happy Note

  • Oisin’s birthday!5283EDB6-D495-4864-9E93-17CE13077C65
  • Attending our friend’s wedding, a beautiful rainbow and rocking my David Bridal dress I got at Savers for less than $10!5F403A5C-5C0B-498E-A9AD-6AC12FB99D2EE9582E23-07AD-4D5D-BD45-0D21976E4A8B2F295A9E-8469-4E45-8149-7603A74AD60F
  • Knitting with Riley and MillieE305C8BF-832F-454C-A18C-E331F14C9BA625DDBA12-07B3-4ADD-9981-6A072DABDB6F
  • The water balloon toss my Dad organized for our big pool party!C2EE9963-54C9-414F-B0D9-3AD58074D442
  • 4th of July fun and kayaking with friends.907EF061-98C6-4CDD-BE6A-02E976216870 A4A6C8C0-92E7-41F3-BE48-24DE436098ACD65D8C83-D24C-428B-AB6C-0B9CEA3160E2
Quote of the Week
It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?
– Henry David Thoreau
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Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: