Category Archives: Show Notes

Episode 165: GoodReader Tutorial is Here!

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
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 164: Frogs, Cloths & Socks

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 164 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Holly Press Fibers, Sunsoaked Yarns, Knit Style Yarns

Off the Needles

Bronwyn Shawl (in purple)
  • Pattern: Bronwyn Shawl by Toni Lipsey (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Berroco Ultra Wool in Iris, Heather and Pepper
  • Hook: J (6 mm)
  • 855 meters1061CEA6-2AF0-41B5-8C60-38D4502BCDE6 C379FD19-C2C6-4A63-8E2D-EF37FE75AB47 B1528CE5-BEDF-4DD3-BF7D-F157F1224F99
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Paintbox Socks Colorway Stripes-Autumn
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • 288 meters for Stash dashPaintbox Autumn Stripes
  • Yarn: Holly Press Fiber Works SHEEPish in the Christmas Pops Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern- Non-Euclidian Heel by Sarah Jordan
  • 313 metersChristmas Pops Holly Press fIbers
6/24- 1 month into Stash Dash- 6405 meters. Goal 15k

On the Needles

 
  • 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

 Brainstorming

From the Armchair

Crafty Adventures

  • Distressing jeans with Laura5AD74D0B-0801-4687-918B-F1BA082518AF
  • Showed Riley her skirt with crochet trim. She likes it! I need to finish trim on all pockets.Crochet Trim on a denim skirt
  • Riley, Ellie and Millie made outfits for Barbies out of balloons (like they did last summer).

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
  • Official Rules for 2019 
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media
Slay the Stash Sponsor List- 2019

 Splash Pad Party

Don’t forget about our Starting Block Challenge – a way to encourage and support new designers. This KAL’s new designer is Anne Beady and her Coral Tides shawl pattern.

Pro Shop Sponsors

Snack Shack Sponsors

Events

Contest, News & Notes 

  • Ravelry group news: Thank you to  CrochetByChineka for starting a thread for Get Outside & Craft photos!
  •  My upcoming GoodReader Tutorial PDF is nearly ready. Testers are finishing it up. Sign up for my newsletter to get a heads up and the best intro deal.  GoodReader Requirements:
    • iPad with minimum of iOS 11
    • Purchase & download the GoodReader App from the App Store (Note: this is specifically covering a workflow using GoodReader v5, and not the earlier versions) $5.99 (at time of publishing)
    • Ravelry account (or other place where PDF knitting/crochet patterns can be purchased, stored, downloaded). Understanding of how to find and download a free or paid pattern from Ravelry.
    • Basic knowledge of how to navigate App store and iPad

Life in Focus

  • Build Muscle: I still need to take measurements.
  • Thank you Kristina anotherhornfrog for telling me about Massage Envy App for iPhone
  • Design: knitting a colorwork hat with a My Favorite Murder theme to it.

On a Happy Note

Quote of the Week

Asking for help with shame says: You have the power over me.

Asking with condescension says: I have the power over you.

But asking for help with gratitude says: We have the power to help each other.

–Amanda Palmer

——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 163: Making a Splash

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 163 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:
  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Pearl & Plum, Fibernymph Dye Works & Prairie Bag Works

Off the Needles

  • Pattern: Secret Paths by Johanna Lindahl (free crochet pattern)
  • Hook: US I (5.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Malabrigo Ríos in the Teal Feather Colorway (2 skeins)
  • 380 MetersSecret Paths of ChristmasSecret Paths of Christmas
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Paton’s Kroy in the Tourmaline Stripes Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • 297 MetersTourmaline Stripes- Dan's Alcatraz Socks
  • Pattern: to be released along with GoodReader Tutorial
  • Yarn: Lily Sugar & Cream in the Greige colorway
  • Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)
  • 28 Meters1DDFBFAB-12FF-4F50-AF3E-C32AF5DA9072

50756198-0B06-4131-AB49-B390B574D1A2

  • Pattern: Autumnal Mitts by Jo Bangles (free knitting pattern)
  • Yarn: Bijou Spun (75/25 Yak/Merino) DK weight yarn in Color 50-034 (teal/blue
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Started in October 2014. Made the second in 4 train rides & about 30 minutes on a Sunday morningAutumnal Mitts in Bijou Spun
Stash Dash total so far: 4915 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 WilliamsBarcelona Porto Socks
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)2A94C708-4D41-4160-AC89-F6AC145199B3
Bronwyn Shawl (in purple)
  • Pattern: Bronwyn Shawl by Toni Lipsey (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Berroco Ultra Wool in Iris, Heather and Pepper
  • Hook: J (6 mm)Bronwyn Shawl purples
  • Pattern: TBD
  • Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners in the Fairy Lights colorway
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)West Yorkshire Spinners Fairy Lights
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Spooky color way
  • Needles: US 1 (2.5 mm)4D14A72A-6BDA-4AA9-B373-DB39248FBFCA
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Paintbox Socks Colorway Stripes-Autumn
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Photos include some of the adventures in knitting during a 3.5 hour commute after a train de-railed. I only got a few minutes of knitting here and there, but I was grateful.9596F0FC-1E9D-4EE2-968A-FC6384095855 695AD075-335D-4AA0-936D-2317E1A5FCED 5DA22CC2-4F45-4659-8111-3E2EAB1C6256

Brainstorming

Still haven’t decided on a summer crochet sweater- so instead I’m just trolling Instagram and Ravelry for other ideas.

From the Armchair

Podcasts I’m enjoying
Tune in to hear my review of  WipFit by Cate Carter-Evans. $10 PDF Workbook available on the Infinite Twist website.

Crafty Adventures

  • I am crocheting an edging on trim on skirt for Riley with leftover turquoise fingering weight yarn. Began also adding edging to pockets.
  • Purchased a Fiskars Skip Rotary Blade that works with my rotary cutter. Perforates fabric every 1/4 inch.Crochet Trim on a denim skirt

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 June Post
  • Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media
  • Official Rules for 2019 
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

Ice Time Hat featured on Style Craft blog on 5/30/19Ice Time Hat
Riley Rose Hat is a 5-colored slouchy hat based on the stitch patterns in my Riley Rose shawl. It is an easy to knit hat project where the stitch patterns and colors change just often enough to keep you from getting bored! Pairs beautifully with the Riley Rose Shawl Cowl.
 Riley Rose Hat
Get your copy today!

Life in Focus

  • Building muscle- I am still working hard and learning to better find the fine line between pushing myself hard enough without going too far and causing a real pain flare.
  • Design- the Riley Rose Hat is my 6th pattern of year (Goal=10).

On a Happy Note

  • Met knitting friends at Article 15 Brewing. Saw friend and designer Jenn SheelenA444DA2C-64F9-4AAA-B50B-BDB28DF98302Spooky socks
  • Enjoyed my nieces’ Riley and Millie’s dance recital.E9DB64D6-CB95-4BB8-880F-8D0CE7883EDF
  • Kayaking Sunday Whitman’s pond in Weymouth MA2ECB3E33-73C3-4C6B-9589-050F85CD399D

Quote of the Week

“Happiness is essentially a state of going somewhere wholeheartedly, one-directionally, without regret or reservation.”

— W.H. Sheldon
——
Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: