Author Archives: downcellarstudio@gmail.com

Episode 202: Books, Birthdays & Prizes Galore!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 202 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mom’s Rhinebeck Birthday Headband

  • Yarn: Mom bought a sweater quantity at Rhinebeck 2019 from Battenkill Fiber Mill in NY. Had more than 1 full skein of the 9 she purchased leftover.
  • Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Pattern: None
  • Ravelry Project Page

Vampire Vibes Socks (Ravelry Link)

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Vampires Vibes colorway. Holly Press Fibers Sheepish Sock (heels)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Jeff’s Ice Time Hat

  • Pattern: Ice Time Hat by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash (charcoal) & Leading Men Fiber Arts Dramaturg in the Sandcastle Colorway (tan).
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)

Crochet Heart Garlands

  • Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs (free crochet pattern)
  • Hooks: Various sizes
  • My Ravelry Project Page– blue version
  • Yarn: Acrylic Worsted Weight yarn from stash (for hearts), wool fingering weight scraps (for garland).

3 more Garlands in red, white and silver

  • Project Pages, One, Two and Three
  • Fun with sparkle yarn
    • White: Lion Brand Wool Ease- 301- White Multi
    • Big Twist from Joann’s (Holiday- Red & Twinkle- Gray/Silver)

Hattie’s Little Unicorn

  • Pattern: Little Unicorn by Valto Ekaterina ($3.60 Etsy)
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: White- worsted acrylic from stash. Colors from Knit Picks Brava Minis
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pattern calls for attaching limbs as you go. Felt more fiddly than it was worth so I skipped that and sewed them on after.
  • Pattern calls for tying in yarn for hair. I used crochet chains instead.

3-Ply Shetland

  • 100% undyed Shetland
  • 100 grams,
  • Finished yarn: 98g. 256 yards- sport weight 3 ply.
  • Ravelry Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Ursa

Super Bulky Chevron Blanket

Wound Up Fiber Arts 3 Ply Spin

  • Fiber: Wound Up Fiber Arts Corriedale, 100 grams. Colorway 1: Prim (finished 1/12). Colorway 2: Fall Vibes (finished 2/2). Colorway 3: Honey Piet
  • Ravelry Project Page

Laura’s Cameo Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy FX Yarn in the Cameo Colors Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page Link

Dan’s New Year’s Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Goosey Fibers Squish DK
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Whale Song Socks

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Whale Song Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page Link

From the Armchair

I’ve recently read & enjoyed:

I Found You by Lisa Jewell. Amazon Affiliate Link

The Anatomist’s Wife by Anna Lee Huber- Amazon Affiliate Link

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian- Amazon Affiliate Link

Started watching HBO Max show. Very different but still really enjoyable.

My 12 year old niece, Riley is reading Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer, so I got the audiobook from the library.  Amazon Affiliate Link.

Crafty Adventures

I’ve been enjoying drawing and cooling and pasting things into a little notebook. It’s along the ideas of a Commonplace book (click here for a blog post about this type of notebook).

2nd Crafty Chat Video with Riley. Check it out the video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel. Check out the Pinterest challenge at the end of the video.

Valentine Baskets- Delighted in putting together Valentine’s surprise baskets for my family. Included in them were the handmade garlands, books, mugs, candy, edible treats. baskets and some other goodies bought second hand. Plus some paper punch hearts they can staple together to make a garland- or use in another crafty project.

I made two batches of Banana Ice Cream for Mom & Jeff, my brother. This is the recipe I use.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’20

The Pigskin Party has officially wrapped up. Check out the End Zone Dance– come celebrate each other’s finished projects.

Tune in to hear the January/February Participation Winners, the January Stash Hat Interception Winner and the 14 Grand Prize Winners!

Events

  • Vogue Knitting is continuing their virtual classes. The next round is March 18-21. Check their website for more details about upcoming events.

Life in Focus


Word of the Year: Delight

  • I bought some stickers that say “DELIGHT” and I added a delight quote to the canvas I painted for the Pinterest Challenge.

I checked in on my 3 primary goals for 2021:

  • 3 strength/circuit/barre/yoga workouts per week (tracked in Fitbit app)– I’m easily meeting and exceeding this now that I’ve been doing 30 Day Breath Series on the Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel.
  • 8 designs published
    • 1 down 7 to go (1 through tech editing, and 2 other samples knit)
  • Make & assess goals every month in 2021
    • Did my January assessment! Didn’t take long because I have been doing weekly assessments too.

Tune in to hear some 21 for 2021 List Updates

On a Happy Note

  • On Hattie’s Birthday, I stopped by to give her her gift. She was delighted with her unicorn. Check out my Instagram feed for the video. 
  • Mom’s Birthday- Zoom Call. 
    • We made a Birthday Video for Mom using Vidday. It allows you to send out a link and folks can upload their videos. You can arrange them, pick music etc. Then they process it all for you. $24 for 10-20 minute video. Worth it for the ease of use.
  • SNOW. So much snow.
  • I was able to see my Aunt Florence during her chemo treatment. I showed her video on how to make pompoms using cardboard circles & helped her purchase Knit Picks Bulky yarn for her to make some new hats.
  • Getting my 2nd Covid Vaccine.

Quote of the Week

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. -Khalil Gibran


Music -“Soft Orange Glow” by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 201: Abington Mitts

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 201 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • 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, Hook or Bobbins

Gnome for Kris

  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in several shades of pinks and gray
  • Ravelry Project Page Link
  • Pattern: none, I created this as I went. Let me know if you like it and I may write up the pattern.

Crochet Lion Amigurumi

  • Pattern: Crochet Lion Amigurumi by Melanie Willis available on Ravelry & Etsy
  • Hook: C: 2.75 mm
  • Yarn:  Knit Picks Brava Sport (lost ball band- yellow), Vanna’s Choice (tweedy oatmeal).
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I finished the lion (left photo) and wasn’t completely happy so I moved the right eye and added more mane yarn to frame the face a little more closely (right photo).
  • Ravelry user deafelis posted to say “ Jen, it sounds like you need a latch hook (Michaels link) for the lion mane! You basically described latch hook rug making, and that special hook makes things so much easier.” Thanks for the tip!

Christmas with the Gilmores Socks

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Spent most of the past 2 weeks knitting up the sample for a new shawl design and a secret project for Mom’s birthday which I am not sharing details on just yet…

Ursa

  • Ravelry Project Page.
  • Pattern: Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak
  • Needle: US 11 (8.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Mauch Chunky in the Juju Fruit Colorway (yarn provided to me free of charge for my review)
  • Size 3 (42 inch bust)  
  • Thanks to Ravelry user mjgnatt– MJ- who said “I believe the yarn for your Ursa pull over is Mauch Chunky. I live in Northeastern PA and there is a town called Jim Thorpe in Carbon County. The town used to be called Mauch Chunk which means Bear Place in the native Munsee-Lenape Native American language. The pronunciation of Mauch is “mock”. Just thought you might want to know how appropriate your yarn is for your Ursa pullover as Ursa Major is a constellation also known as the Great Bear.”

Super Bulky Chevron Blanket

Wound Up Fiber Arts 3 Ply Spin

  • Fiber: Wound Up Fiber Arts Corriedale, 100 grams. Colorway 1: Prim (finished 1/12). Colorway 2: Fall Vibes
  • Ravelry Project Page

Laura’s Cameo Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy FX Yarn in the Cameo Colors Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page Link

Dan’s New Year’s Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Goosey Fibers Squish DK
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

From the Armchair

Crafty Adventures

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’20

Check out all of the details you need to know either in the Start Here Thread  on Ravelry or on my website. 
Important Links:

  • Check out the January Interception: Stash Hat Scrimmage Hosted by Knitters Brewing Company. Check out the Ravelry Thread or this page on my website.
  • Pigskin Movie night hosted by VTKimmyKim:  Enola Holmes on February 6th at 8pm EST. Check out the Pop-up Events tab for details as it gets closer.
  • Thank you to Mara Smith for hosting a Pigskin Party Stretching session on January 24th! So great to see your smiling faces. I felt so great afterwards- and spent the rest of that day chasing a 3 year old, so it was good to be limber! Check out Mara’s Instagram Account for her PrecisionATPerformance business or her website. She offers Zoom stretching classes that you may enjoy Flexibility: Wednesdays at 6:30pm Stretches for Stitchers: Fridays at 6:30pm. She is running a sale on February classes but you have to sign up by 1/31. So get over there now if you’re interested.

Events

Contest, News & Notes

  • I’m excited to share the release of my Abington Mitt pattern.
  • The Abington Mitts were designed to match my Abington Hat. They use similar repeats of twisted stitches and cables as the focal point for the top of the hand.The mitts are worked from the wrist up and are customizable.  
  • 3 Sizes: Small (Medium, Large): Finished palm circumference: 6 (7, 8) in / 15.25 (17.75, 20.25) cm
    • Intended to fit with a little bit of negative ease. Select the size that is closest to your hand circumference as measured just below the knuckles and above the thumb gusset. If you are between sizes, I’d recommend going down to a smaller size.
  • Yarn: DK weight:  Yarn used in samples: 66 (70, 80) grams. 162 (172, 196) yards / 148 (157, 179) meters* If you plan to make your mitts longer in the wrist and or/hand, you will need more yarn.
  • Needles: US 4 / 3.5 mm & US 6 / 4.0 mm, 32 in / 80 cm circulars for magic loop, or your preferred needles for knitting in the round.
  • This pattern has been tech edited & test knit.Instructions are both written and charted.
  • Find the Abington Mitts Pattern for $5 on Ravelry & coming soon to LoveCrafts.
  • Newsletter subscribers, check your email for the best possible deal. The pattern will have an intro code for everyone else making the pattern just $4.

Life in Focus

Ask Me Anything


Knitgirlwagner asked. What’s the best way to teach yourself to spin? 

Mfcknits- do you have a favorite sock heel method? 

On a Happy Note

  • Splashing in the mud puddles on a recent hike with Hattie.
    • Hattie talking about coming home with me. Wanting to sleep over “when she’s little” after I insisted she can sleep over when she gets “a little bigger.”
  • Weekly check ins with Mom about our goals.
  • Crafty time with Eme and Hattie.
  • The joyous, safe Inauguration of our 46th President and first female, Asian American/African American VP. Missed watching it live, but used phone unboxing batteries at work. Had to keep myself from crying because had a feeling if I did, someone would inevitably walk in at that moment. 
    • Amanda Gorman, 1st ever youth poet laureate, shared a poem. Read the transcript. Really recommend you watch it. 
  • Bridgerton on Netflix with Dan.
  • Snow! 

Quote of the Week

“You can do so much in ten minutes’ time. Ten minutes, once gone, are gone for good. Divide your life into 10-minute units and sacrifice as few of them as possible in meaningless activity.”

– Ingvar Kamprad

Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 200: Lions & Socks & Sweaters Oh My!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 200 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Crochet Lion Amigurumi

  • Pattern: Crochet Lion Amigurumi by Melanie Willis available on Ravelry & Etsy
  • Hook: C: 2.75 mm
  • Yarn:  Knit Picks Brava Sport (lost ball band- yellow), Vanna’s Choice (tweedy oatmeal).
  • Ravelry Project Page

Christmas with the Gilmores Socks

Vampire Vibes Socks (Ravelry Link)

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Vampires Vibes colorway. Holly Press Fibers Sheepish Sock (heels)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

Dan’s New Year’s Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Goosey Fibers Squish DK
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Cast on 52 sts. Thank you past Jen for that note in the project bag. 

Scrappy Sparkly Halloween Socks- Ravelry Project Page Link

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Some scraps. Some Knitty & Color minis 

Ursa

  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pattern: Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak
  • Needle: US 11 (8.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Mauch Chunky in the Juju Fruit Colorway 

Super Bulky Chevron Blanket

Wound Up Fiber Arts 3 Ply Spin

  • Fiber: Wound Up Fiber Arts Corriedale, 100 grams. Colorway 1: Prim (finished 1/12). Colorway 2: Fall Vibes 
  • Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

  • Hayven Sweater by Kate Oates. Ravelry Pattern Page. Also Available on Kate’s website.
  • I’d like to make a garland (or two) for new white wall in my craft room.
  • Craving to knit/design a new hat! Slouchy style to wear with curls. I wear my Thumper Hat constantly. 

Crafty Adventures

I’m still working on my studio set up after painting a wall and re-arranging furniture. I hung up some handmade prints on an unused part of the chalkboard wall.

Knitting in Passing

I recently did a crafty chat on Zoom with Riley. Check out the video on my YouTube Channel. 

KAL News

Quarterly Quests for 2020 are Complete!

Quarter 4: October 1- December 31, 2020: Slay The Stash. Thank you Quarter 4 Sponsors: APLCrafts, AdoreKnit, Jennifer Lassonde Designs- Ravelry Link/LoveCrafts Link. Tune to hear if you’re a winner.


Pigskin Party ’20

Check out all of the details you need to know either in the Start Here Thread  on Ravelry or on my website. 
Important Links:

December Interception Winner Announced! Along with December Participation Winners!

Check out the January Interception: Stash Hat Scrimmage Hosted by Knitters Brewing Company. Check out the Ravelry Thread or this page on my website.

Contest, News & Notes

Abington Mitts will be ready for test knitting soon! Get in touch if you’re interested.

Life in Focus

Check out this YouTube Video on my channel for a review of how I review the past year and plan for the next. Worksheets and printables are available in case you want to do this too!

Tune in for an overview on my 2020 review and Goals for 2021.

2021 Word of the Year: Delight
Primary Goals:

  • 3 strength/circuit/barre/yoga workouts per week (tracked in Fitbit app)
  • 8 designs published
  • Make & assess goals every month in 2021

21 for 2021 List

  1. Go to the MFA
  2. Take at least 1 trip with Dan (weekend or longer) outside MA
  3. Complete 10 pages/stories for my December Daily Album
  4. Complete Book 2 for 2018 Photo Book
  5. Finish Covid 19 scrapbook
  6. Go Skiing
  7. Knit a garment out of handspun
  8. Kayak at 1 new place
  9. Spent at least 1 weekend with Laura (in NY or MA)
  10. Hit 1,000 YouTube Followers
  11. Participate in the Fiberuary Challenge on Instagram
  12. Read/listen to 10 books
  13. Take at least 12 baths
  14. End the year with $5k more in savings($33k) 
  15. Take a trip with Mom
  16. Take at least 1 knitting/crochet/spinning class
  17. Go Apple Picking
  18. Do something spontaneous and delightful

Carry over from 2020

  1. Submit a pattern to at least 1 publication 
  2. Go camping 
  3. Do 1 in-store class or event at a local yarn shop (scheduled- didn’t happen)

Ask Me Anything

  • Tune in to hear my answers to questions asked on Instagram.
  • Boehmela asked about my knitting/crocheting plans for 2021. Some preliminary thoughts:
    • Knit with handspun
    • Spin more (not sure what that means)
    • brioche project
    • garland for my room. 
    • finish my mystery gnome
    • do another advent swap 
    • colorwork sweater for me.
    • sweater with my Rhinebeck 2019 yarn. 
  • elisa.knits: Why don’t you knit blankets?
    • Bottom line: They take too long, get heavy and hurt my hands/arms.
  • mfcKnits- Quarantine Workout Routines
    • I aim to do live workouts online through my gym: Monday 6:15a ab class. Wednesday 6:15a Circuit, Thursday 12:15 upper body, Friday 6:15a tabata. In an ideal week I do all 4 but when that’s not possible, sometimes I watch one I wanted to attend live on replay or watch something on YouTube:
    • In the morning or on the weekends I enjoy hiking alone or with friends.
    • My thoughts: start small and make it really achieveable. When possible, find something you enjoy or if you don’t enjoy it, pair your workout with music/podcast you like.
  • Rplatt- asked about my Evernote usage. I am planning to create a YouTube video for this.
  • ecbThorman wanted to know my fav winter recipe. Truth I’m not really a recipe personal. Lately my go-to comfort food has been adding veggies to Trader Joes Poblano Corn Chowder. 

On a Happy Note

  • January 6th, started with beautiful snowy walk, looking at the pink sky. Listening to updates about the Georgia Democrats winning two Senate seats. The day devolved into riots and violence but I’m glad I had that slow, beautiful start to my day.
  • Zoom chat with Melissa. Tip: Get together with a friend on Zoom where you don’t have to sit and just talk. Multi-tasking can make a Zoom call even more low-key and fun.
  • Seeing goats on my neighborhood walk!
  • Dan organized some of the unfinished side of our cellar adding a light and extended cork flooring there.
  • Trees cut down. It’s a relief to know they won’t fall on the house. Every time I take a walk and re-enter, it smells like a Christmas tree lot. Making me insanely happy. 
  • Hiking with Megg, Oisin and Hattie!

Quote of the Week

Author and speaker Jim Rohn on the best response to the disappointments of life: 
“Let’s face it … people and events are going to continue to both hurt and disappoint you. Among the people will be those you most love, as well as those you least know. Seldom is it their intent to purposely hurt you, but rather, a variety of situations mostly beyond your control will cause them to act, speak, or think in ways which can have an adverse effect upon you, your present feelings and emotions, and the way your life upholds. It has been this way through six thousand years of recorded history, and your hurt or grief is not the first time a human has been deeply hurt by the inappropriate actions of another. 
The only way to avoid being touched by life––the good as well as the bad––is to withdraw from society, and even then you will disappoint yourself, and your imagining about what is going on out there will haunt you and hurt you. Knowing this, there is but one solution that will support you when people and events hurt you, and that is to learn to work harder on your personal growth than anything else. Since you cannot control the weather, or the traffic, or the one you love, or your neighbors, or your boss, then you must learn to control you … the one whose response to the difficulties of life really counts.”

Thanks for tuning in!
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