Episode 180

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 180 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

Off the Needles
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: Bee Kind Yarn, the Yarn Sellar, Knitters Brewing Company

Off the Needles

Gray Growler Cozy

Pattern: none
Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up (held double)
Hooks: K & L
Similar to my Ball Band with a Twist jar cozy pattern (available for $2 on Ravelry)

Millie’s Monkey

Pattern: Amigurumi Monkey by Anat Tzach ($5 crochet pattern)
Hook: D (3.25 mm)
Yarn: Sprightly Acrylic Worsted in Brown

Pinwheel Socks

Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Pinwheel Colorway
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

On the Needles

Soldotna Crop

Pattern: Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter $7 US Knit Pattern
Yarn: 2 skeins of Two Reds & A Blonde DK from Dachinger Wool in mustard (Farrah Fawcett) and a blue (Veronica Lake). 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Yarn- Prairie Spun DK. In Rain Cloud (light gray) and Owl Gray (Charcoal)
Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4.0 mm)
Size 3
I am using the GoodReader App to note which color I’m doing by putting a spot of color in the chart
- GoodReader App Tutorial Wash Cloth pattern available on Ravelry for $10

Paton’s Kroy Socks for Gram

Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
Yarn: Patons Kroy Green Stripe Ragg Colorway
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Notes: 64 sts, 2×2 ribbing continued down front of the sock

Christmas Stocking for Jenna

Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977
Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red
Hook: F (3.75mm)

Brainstorming

We have a new niece due this summer and 4 cousins having babies.
Little brother’s romper (knit)
Bubbles and Goldfish Teether (crochet)
Felipe vest (knit)
Recommendations from Instagram: Baby Vertebrae, Zagaround blanket, sandals from Mon Petit Violon (who has a lot of beautiful crochet baby items- I like her Pleated Dress), Baby Surprise Jacket, Hyphen Cardigan, Berry Baby Hat,

From the Armchair

Ozark on Netflix- Jason Bateman. Laura Linney. A financial adviser drags his family from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks, where he must launder money to appease a drug boss.
John Adams HBO miniseries. 7 episodes. Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. Dan describes it as West Wing 1776. LOVED it.

In My Travels

Knit/Crochet Night at Staci’s Stitches – Friday 2/28/20. I had so much fun! I share a story about helping a new knitter with her projects.

Mom & I went to Wayland Winter Farmer’s Market, Farm Fiber Days at Russell’s Garden Center on Sunday March 1. Tune in to hear about our trip.

I mentioned getting to show Ann Weaver (one half of the Plied Yarn team) my new design with their yarn!
Loved seeing Lisa Dachinger of Dachinger Wools and the yarn lines available.
Sample I loved: Brioche Popover by Kate Salomon. Fingering weight two color brioche short sleeved boxy sweater. Beautiful lines and details around the neck and shoulders! Here’s a link to the sample I saw from Wing & Prayer Farm.

KAL News

Quarterly Quests! Get all of the details here. January 1- March 31 –sQuelch the Queue Knit any projects you had in your queue (prior to January 1). Knit as many as you can. You will receive extra entries for any patterns that have been sitting in your queue for over 5 years. Fine print* NO WIPS are allowed for these quests.
Q1- Sponsors & Prizes

Anne Beady Designs: Friendship is Forever Hat & Cowl patterns
KnitCompanion: Stand It Up Tablet Stand
Fibernymph Dye Works: On Frozen Pond Colorway
Knitters Brewing Company: 2 skeins of sock yarn and a set of stitch markers.

Don’t forget to post on Instagram #QuarterlyQuests you can also add one for the Quarter:
#sQuelchtheQueue #FreetheFavorites #LessentheLibrary #SlaytheStash & you can always add #downcellarstudiopodcast

Q2 April 1-June 30 – Free the Favorites Knit any projects you have “hearted” over the year with the hopes of knitting them someday. That day will arrive. Knit as many as you can. You will receive extra entries for any pattern that was favorited over 5 years.

Events

3/14-3/17/20: Knit North Yarn Crawl (north of Boston).
Stitches United – March 26-29, 2020 in Hartford, CT
3/28/20: Woolapalooza in Lincoln, MA
4/4/20- 7th Annual Fiber Marketplace– York Beach, ME 10-3pm
- $5 entry fee will get you in the door and, a coupon for 15% off your entire
4/25/20 CT Wool & Fiber Festival 9a-4p. New Location- North Haven Fairgro
4/25/20 Sheep Shearing Festival at Gore Place 10a-5p in Waltham, MA
5/2-5/3 Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
5/9-10 NH Sheep & Wool Festival
5/20/20 Rhode Island Wool & Fiber Festival

The Splash Pad is our upcoming summer KAL. This year we are kicking it off with an in-person event Saturday May 30th at Staci’s Stitches in Scituate MA, 10a-5p Come by!

Contest, News & Notes

Pigskin winners announced last episode. Tune in to Episode 179 to see if you won and contact me before the end of March 2020.
I have a DK weight hat ready for testing soon. PM me on Ravelry if you want to be notified.
I have a My Favorite Murder Podcast Themed Hat coming out soon! Stay tuned– and if you haven’t already signed up for my email newsletter please do! You’ll be the first to know, and get the best intro discount.

Life in Focus

20 in 2020 Update

Use up 5 gift cards (exceeded!)
Get car detailed- Dan is going to make us appointments soon for Spring
Take 4 classes/lectures (ideas: spinning, knitting, embroidery, sewing, painting)
- Melange of Slipped Stitches with Faina Golberstein at Vogue Knitting Live NYC January
Do 1 in-store class or event at a local yarn shop— scheduled event for May 30th!
Purge at least 40 things from the house— started last weekend (forgot to count but I got a whole trash bag and a basket filled with stuff out. Probably hit 40 with that, but I’ll keep going).
Go to at least 4 musicals/plays
- Jagged Little Pill on Broadway- January
- Beauty and the Beast (Massasoit)- March
At least 12 massages
- (1) January 14
- (2) February 6- 90 min

3x week at the gym. 7 patterns. 10% more sales.
Exercise: Total for February: 18/29 Strength training: 12. Other: 6% of days exercised: 62% 4 weeks- 18 exercise = 4.5x per week. Purposely calmed it down a little in February. Body is tired and sore a lot. More baths. Massage machine esp on my quads. Trying to find balance while pushing.

On a Happy Note

On President’s Day I found a cool new (to me) walking trail.
Millie’s 8th birthday sleepover!
I scored a beautiful bench for $15 at Savers. Spruced up the bedroom with the sign that I made at the Off the Wall DIY studio and a new duvet cover.
Dining Room renovation/construction done. We have a new sliding glass door. Dan primed wall and ceilings while I was at Wayland Farm Fiber days! I learned how to paint walls. Our new cabinet arrives in a few weeks.
New favorite sandwich:toasted Ezekial bread (sesame), avocado, evoo, salt and pepper. Feta, arugula, shredded carrots. Would be great with other veggies and maybe a little bit of other seasoning too maybe even something spicy.