Category Archives: Show Notes

Episode 264: Rhinebeck Sweaters

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 264  of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Fibernymph Dye Works, Twin Mountain Handcrafts,AdoreKnit & Suburban Stitcher

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Benjamin’s Christmas Stocking

Strathcona Sweater

  • Pattern: Strathacona Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrison ($6.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on the Good Night, Day website)
  • Yarn: 3 yarns 1) handspun, 2) Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool in the Birch Tweed Colorway 3) Aisling Yarns BFL in the Hurry Sundown Colorway
  • Needles: US 13 (9.0 mm) (neck), US 19 (15 mm) (body)
  • I’m knitting Size S/M (pattern offers sizing from 38″- 53″ bust)
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Liz’s Socks

  • Yarn: Area 51 Fibres Sturdy Alien Base ( n the  (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon) in the National Periodic Table Day Colorway (self striping with rainbow and gray)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress- 6 inches on the first leg & a couple rows of the heel. I purposely

Drawn Together Cowl

  • Pattern: Drawn Together by Shana Cohen ($7 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Payhip)
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) and a 3.75 mm (F) crochet hook for the provisional cast on
  • Yarn: neon coral DK yarn (lost ball band; believe its from Spun Right Round)
  • Provisional cast on using this Purl Soho video.

Space Daddy Socks

  • Yarn: Fan Girl Fibers Fingering in the Space Daddy Colorway (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page

Mom’s 2023 Rhinebeck Sweater

  • Pattern: Carbeth Cardigan by Kate Davies (~$8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & this website)
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) for the ribbing and US 9 (5.5 mm) for the body
  • Yarn: Sweitzer Fiber Mill mystery yarn purchased at Maryland Sheep & Wool 2023
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

  • During the Cape & South Shore Yarn Haul, Liz found a sweater pattern she likes- The Order of the Jedi Pullover by Meghan Regan. Available on in Star Wars Knitting the Galaxy: The Official Star Wars Knitting Pattern Book.
  • Garter Stitch Cardigans
    • Cruiser by Kristen Finlay ~$7 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry
    • Kallias by Isabell Kraemer is another contender.
      • Worsted weight cardigan, no button bands, positive ease. ~$7 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry.
    • Carbeth Cardigan by Kate Davies (~$8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & this website)
  • I talked a bit about travel knitting/crochet for my upcoming trip to Vegas/NY
  • Sue from Legacy Fiber Artz is crocheting a super bulky blanket and I’m totally inspired!

From the Armchair

Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.

KAL News

Events

  • Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
  • NY Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck – October 21 & 22, 2023
    • Join Me for a Rhinebeck Meet Up- Saturday 2p. There are permanent booths with food next to Building A. Across from that is a beer tent. To the left of the beer tent there’s a covered pavilion area. Look for Mom, Liz, Riley & I there.
    • Come over to the Ravelry Thread about Pigskin Partiers going to Rhinebeck. Thanks ElsaandEm for starting it. It’s her first year attending. Hoping we get to meet!
  • Indie Untangled: Friday October 20 from 10a-4p in Saugerties. Tickets for 1, 2:30p and 4p still available.  
  • Cakepalooza: Friday October 20 from 10a-5p in Saugerties. Tickets for the 2p & 4p entries are still available
  • Wool & Folk: Friday October 20 from 12-7p in Stoneridge, NY
  • Fiber Festival of New England: November 4 & 5 in West Springfield, MA
  • Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Life in Focus

  • #1- Read 23 books (35 as of August- 43 as of early october)
  • #7- Give blood at least 3 times (March, May, August, October done)
  • #9- Knit/crochet at least one project with handspun- Strathcona sweater
  • #17- Purge at least 23 items from the house. Ideally 46. After a smaller clean out earlier in the year, I took a full car load to Savers in October- lots of clothes.
  • #23 Create a new music playlist. Riley’s. Plus CMA fest artists. Summer playlist, Old Dominion

On a Happy Note

  • My friend Megg and I took a longer than usual walk through our local State Park! After almost 8 miles, I came home and pressure washed the house & deck. For the deck, I used a surface cleaner from Ryobi that Dan purchased. You can find the same one on Amazon for $51. Parts of the deck were so badly stained from years of drought when we couldn’t wash it. Areas where the wood pile is were especially bad. Exhausting but very satisfying day.
  • My cousin Chris & his wife Kim threw a wonderful party for their son Benjamin’s Baptism.
  • I spent a week night at brother and sister-in-law’s while they attended a work function. Ran the kids around to their activities, then Millie and I knit for a bit before she and Garret went to bed. Riley & I knit and watch Gilmore Girls before we went to bed. Truly delightful.
  • My financial advisor reached out to me after hearing that my work Open Enrollment is coming up and there was an option for a high deductible health plan that allows for a Health Savings Account, which he had encouraged me to do before (but it wasn’t an option). Great customer service! Find a good financial advisor. It is so worth it.
  • Dan and I spent one evening at our nephew Will’s soccer game in our home town. They got clobbered but it was fun to see him play. I also knit a bit and listened to my audiobook during part of the second half.
  • Mom, Riley, Millie & I got mani pedis at a local place!
  • Our annual Woodchopping Weekend Party went off without a hitch. Perfect weather. Great food. Dan took the kids on hayrides using a trailer pulled by the backhoe. Kids played disc golf and later flashlight tag, then retreated inside to make TikTok videos while the adults and littles made s’mores outside by the fire and chatted.
  • Mom & I put blue streaks in our hair after our friend Erika, who cuts/colors our hair, encouraged Mom to do this before her Vegas trip last year. Mom said if she was still here to go this year, she’d do it. Here we are! It looks great.
  • Finished up work on our FearLESS Living Fund Website. The bulk of the work and formatting, design was done by my Mom’s friend Emma who was really generous to do this for us! So far we’ve raised  almost $14,000 help the Blind community of Nevada. We are giving away awards for 2 special people to assist with their housing and cell phone costs for the upcoming year! Can’t wait to raise more money. You can donate here.
  • Watching Love is Blind and chatting about it with my friend Laura.

Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.

Quote of the Week

“Don’t fear failure. Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.”

-Bruce Lee

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 247: Socks & Scraps

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 247 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Some Years Later
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles 

Cascade Heritage Socks 

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry ) 
  • Yarn: Cascade Heritage Prints in Colorway 111 Aqua
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) 
  • Contrast heel- mini skein in a beautiful solid teal. I did a little colorwork on the foot that I’ll share more later.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket 

  • Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 4 rounds per hexagon
  • 51+ hexagons done now. All ends woven in!

Chevron Scrap Blanket

  • Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon (free crochet pattern) available on Ravelry & the Maria’s Blue Crayon Website.
    • This pattern presumes you already know the c2c crochet technique. 
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White & Tranquil (light green), Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Pink and Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly Big! in colorway Soft Lilac
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page (I crocheted one of these in summer 2020- click here for that Ravelry Project Page)
  • For help learning the Corner to Corner Crochet method you could check out this free Ravelry Download from Lauri Bolland or this video tutorial from Lion Brand on YouTube.
  • 1st Strip is finished progress. 11 squares wide. Each section is 11 squares tall. Green, white, pink, white, purple, white. 
  • Some of this is spirit yarn from my friend Kim’s SIL’s stash that I received after she passed away (purple). I’m not sure where the pink yarn came from, but it might have been my Nana’s stash. It feels great to put it to good use. 

Musselburgh Hat 

  • Pattern: Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague ($7.77 US/ 6 GBP knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on Ysolda’s website)
  • Yarn: fingering weight yarn from stash in a denim blue (can’t find the ballband)
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75) circular- 32 in (magic loop for beginning & end of project & US 2 (also called US 2.5) 3.0 mm 16-inch circular for the body of the hat
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Size: Adult Medium
  • I found that I liked working this hat in the round. Purchased Addi Rocket Lace Turbo 16 inch needles in US 2 (but it turns out its technically a US 2.5 or a 3.0 mm needle- not a 2.75 mm needle like I use for the cast on). The difference isn’t all that noticeable but it was a little frustrating.  
  • Progress check- I have finished the increases and have knit about 4 inches.
  • Plan: Switch colors half way through. I have a lighter blue skein from On the Round that I purchased at Wicked Good Yarns in Rockland, MA that I want to use to make it a reversible hat. 

Solstice Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry ) 
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Solstice colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) 
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress- turned heel on first sock. Cast on the second sock.

Brainstorming

My Grandmother called to ask me to knit her another Jean Marie Shawl (named for her). You can find this knitting pattern for $6 on Ravelry & LoveCrafts.Here’s the story:

  • My grandmother called me in mid-January 2023 saying she needed to place an order. I thought she wanted something from Amazon. 
  • She told me very time she wears her Jean Marie Shawl to dinner at her residence she gets tons of compliments. All of her friends love it. Its the right size and it just stays in place perfectly.
  • I published this pattern in 2018 to suit the request that she have a slightly bigger shawl that would stay in place. Half hexagon shape is perfect for this. It is knit in 3 sections, originally done in sport/dk natural yarns from Ross Farm in browns/tans. For this one, she wants white/black to wear with different outfits.

From the Armchair

Books

Movies

Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.

Some Years Later

Wearing lately:

  • Felicity Hat  by Wanett Clyde: Aran weight slouchy hat knit in Duck Duck Wool. Ravelry Project Page. Free pattern available only on Ravelry.
  • Sagamore Flyover Slouch Hat: chunky weight hat. Ravelry Project Page. Yarn: Sugarbush Dawson in Colorway- Wild Willow, a great mustard color. 50/50 llama/wool blend

Knitting in Passing

  • Sunday night hang. Taught megg single and hdc. Knit a little with Hattie while Dan untangled Hattie’s yarn again. Untangled same ball in Ireland. She’d been using it to create a laser course. 

KAL News

Pigskin Party’22: The Official Hashtag is #DCSPigskinParty22

  • Pigskin Landing Page on the Down Cellar Studio Website.
  • Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
  • Link to the Official Rules
  • Player Registration- Google Form
  • Check out our amazing Sponsors! Click here for the Google doc with their websites and Instagram profiles. 
    • Check out the list of available Coupons from our amazing sponsors- Ravelry Link. Google Doc.
    • Check out the Pigskin Exclusive Items in this Ravelry Thread
  • Important Updates in this Episode
    • January Self Care Interception: hosted by Fitness by Mara. Get your Bingo Card PDF Here or the JPG here. Find all of the details in this Google Doc or in this Ravelry Thread.
    • Spread the Warmth Challenge; runs through the end of the Pigskin Party. Get details in this Google doc or this Ravelry Thread.
    • Pigskin Ends on Monday February 13, 2023. Get those projects entered. Don’t wait until the last day to get everything entered on the Google Form! 

Events

Fiberuary Challenge on Instagram hosted by CreativeCeci

Contest, News & Notes

  • My college roommate and friend Jen opened an Etsy Shop called JLSCreative Shop. Check it out 
  • Mom & I recorded an update video that went up on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel in the Just Breathe Playlist. You can find that video here. Right now, scans show things are going well and the combination of chemo and gene therapy is keeping the cancer at bay.

Life in Focus

23 for 2023 List

  1. Read 23 books
  2. Try at least one pair of fake eyelashes 
  3. Print and hang at least 1 of our new family photos 
  4. Kayak in one new place 
  5. Hike in one new place 
  6. See 4 plays/musicals
  7. Give blood at least 3 times
  8. Knit myself a pair of mittens 
  9. Knit/crochet at least one project with handspun
  10. Watch 3 movies in one day – done!
  11. See a movie in the theater 
  12. Go to a museum 
  13. Finish 1 punch needle project 
  14. Ski at least 1 day (ideally 2-4) 
  15. Try at least 1 new gym/in person fitness option 
  16. Make at least 1 new financial investment 
  17. Purge at least 23 items from the house. Ideally 46. 
  18. Publish 1 knitting pattern
  19. Send 5 cards to friends/family just because
  20. Go Camping
  21. Participate in the Fiberuary Challenge on Instagram
  22. Take a class (in person or virtual)
  23. Create a new music playlist

Word of the Year- Flow

Definitions:

  • to proceed smoothly and readily to issue or move in a stream
  • To exist in abundance
  • the continuous movement of a liquid in one direction
  • to hang loose and billowing
  • To move or proceed with a given movement or momentum
  • To pass or move by
  • a supply of something that continues without stopping
  • a way of talking or thinking in an easy natural way, without any pauses or difficulties
  • a  smooth uninterrupted movement or progress
  • Smoothness or fluidity in one’s movement
  • A strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound
  • I want to be able to go with the Flow no matter what this year brings.
  • I want to remember my dear Aunt Florence and remind myself what she would do. She was smart, caring, generous and strong. Her presence will be a good guide when things get tough.
  • I want to find projects, especially creatively that I can keep up the flow with… that I can get into a flow state with. To zen/bliss out and enjoy.
  • I want to keep my body strong and stretched so that I can move fluidly through the year without things getting in the way of my body’s flow. 

On a Happy Note

  • Playing the sock game during our visit to the Rowan’s. UK/European game. Fun for all ages.
  • Surprise package from Nicole with mini skeins.
  • Snow! Not a lot for as late into the season as we are, but I enjoy it.
  • Visit from family friends who came down from NH. We played games at my parents’ house!
  • January Zoom with my Patrons! I had a blast catching up with you.
  • 3 movies in 1 day- checked off my 23 for 23 list. Homemade popcorn. Lots of knitting and crochet time. Fixed dropped sts in Megg’s socks.
  • Drag show and dinner with Megg and Kris.

Quote of the Week

Everything and everyone at their own pace. Flow with not against yourself.-Akiroq Brost

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 177: Taking on 2020

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 177 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Ask Me Anything
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Holly Press Fibers

Off the Needles

Velvet Bear for Ella 

  • Pattern: Velvet Valentine Crochet Bear by Sarah Zimmerman
  • Yarn: Bernat Velvet in the Burgundy Mulled Rose & Violet colorways
  • Hook: H

Velvet Bear for Carina

  • Pattern: Velvet Valentine Crochet Bear by Sarah Zimmerman
  • Yarn: Bernat Velvet in the Burgundy Mulled Rose & Violet colorways
  • Hook: H

The Parker Baby Booties

  • Pattern: The Parker Baby Booties by Ashleigh Kiser (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly Crofter DK Baby Fair Isle Effect
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)

Cadet Colors Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy FX in the Cadet Colors Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Millie and Riley knit on these socks for Uncle Dan which is special.

Hattie’s Hedgehog 

  • Pattern: Hedley the Hedgehog by by Moji-Moji Design
  • Hook: B
  • Yarn- Mystery yarn from stash (maybe wool/alpaca from Long Island Livestock co)

Ross Farm Blanket Square 

  • Irongate Square by Jessica Ryan (free crochet pattern).
  • Yarn: Ross Farm Henrietta Shetland Wool 3ply sport 250 yards for 100g
  • Hook: I 5.5 mm
  • Bought this skein because we had a lawn ornament bunny growing up w/ same name. Sentimental May even be my first purchase from Ross Farm. 

On the Needles

Mom’s Frozen Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Fibernymph Dye Works
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

Creepy Grafiti Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Asylum Fibers Twisted sock yarn in the Creepy Graffiti Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

Front Loop Newborn Hat

  • Pattern: Front Loop Newborn Hat by Cream of the Crop Crochet (free)
  • Yarn: leftover fingering weight in a light blue
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)

I’m also knitting on a new design- the details of which I can’t share yet.

Brainstorming

  • I’d like to make a sweater with DK weight mustard yarn I bought during yarn haul in Sept. My plan is to swatch to get a gauge I like and then use the advanced Search on Ravelry to find a sweater that’s knit at that gauge.
  • Hat for my brother for his birthday.
  • Monkey for Millie’s 8th birthday- leaning towards the Chinese New Year Monkey by Stephanie Jessica Lau.  
  • I need to repair a pair of Mom’s socks & Jeff’s Ice Time hat.  

From the Armchair

  • I shared my review of the Yarnable Subscription Box. 
  • Knitwise09 asked what I thought of Paintbox yarn. So far I’m really liking my socks with this yarn. Keep in mind, socks are usually knit at a tighter gauge which can help prevent pilling.

KAL News

I announced the winner for the last of the Slay the Stash KAL months. Tune in to see if you won!

New for 2020: 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. Cast on the first day of the quest and whatever is finished by the last day will count.

We are looking for Prizes for this KAL. If you’re interested- please let me know! I’m also offering a discount on ads if you sponsor this KAL, Splash Pad or Pigskin. Emails went out to those on my newsletter this week. Sign up for my email newsletter to be informed about sponsor options.

Pigskin Party ’19! 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.

Everything you need to know is linked in the Start Here Thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group including the Rules, Questions Thread, End Zone Dance Thread where you post your FOs, Coupon Code Thread, List of Prizes, Exclusive Items from our Sponsors!

Pro Shop Sponsors 

Snack Shack Sponsors

Tune in to hear if you’re a December Participation Winner.

Our January Interception posted & is kindly sponsored by designer Windswept Designs (Monique Leonard)!

 

  • To be eligible to win:
  • Complete a project of at least 100 yards that does not contain any sheep’s wool.
  • Project must have been cast on on/after 1/1/20 and completed by 1/31/20
  • Post your FO in this thread with a description and/or photo that shows how you’re meeting the challenge.

Events

Ask Me Anything

  • Knitwise09- Would you please share more details on the Christmas Open House? Is food offered? Gifts? 
  • Adoreknitsteph: your plans for 2020, knitting wise, travel, events, health plan. Design process. And why crochet over knitting. 
  • Tune in to hear my answers.

Life in Focus

Tune in to hear how I do my 2019 personal year in review.

Design/Podcast/Knit 

  • Most Proud of- exceeding my goal of 10 patterns for the year. Yarn bombing project. Really cool fun project and event. $337 National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts for 103 hat sales. World of Difference Campaign in February – Sold 49 copies & donated $100 to The World of Difference Institute. I designed 2 crochet patterns. GoodReader Tutorial FINALLY published. Hosted 3 successful KALs- Slay the Stash, Splash Pad and Pigskin Parties. Participation better than ever. Growing Ravelry Group. So much engagement.
  • New skills or knowledge. Learned crochet cables and how to make crocheted hats. Made my first top down triangular crochet shawl. Learned how to use newer version of Garageband on my laptop. First experience yarn bombing. Had to figure out how to make it big but still light and workable. My friend Beverly taught me some basic embroidery. 
  • New habits I incorporated: Keeping better track of designs. Kept things organized in Evernote with Folders for notes about: Active Designs, Design Ideas and Stitches, Next Designs I want to work on etc. Then I also created checklists or workflows for what I always need to do when I open up a design to test, steps for publishing, steps for promoting a pattern so I can check things off as I go (or choose not to do things but if I don’t do it, its not because I forget). 
  • New experiences– being part of collaboration with Christy Houghton. December of Designers. So honored to be asked to be a part of that! 
  • Wish I did more of: garment knitting for me. I’m loving my handknit sweaters this winter. I’d be happy to have another in the rotation. 
  • Wish I spent less on this year: I can’t think of any regrets in how I spent my time. You could argue I spent too much money on yarn but I usually end up loving my stash and making beautiful things.  
  • Lessons Learned. I really enjoy designing even when it is a lot of work and a lot of math which typically I don’t enjoy. When I began my year with 10 pattern goal I wasn’t sure I’d love it but I knew designing consistently would force me into good habits and give me that chance to see how I felt. 
  • Events & Milestones.  Participated in the 1st Annual Cape & South Shore Yarn Haul and hosted a cast on party at Yarns End. Went to Rhinebeck. Needles Up and Indie Untangled. In November- I attended Lady Dye’s 2020 Tour kick off at Gather Here! I got a spinning wheel!!
  • Results: More email subscribers. More Instagram followers. Sold 1916 patterns in 2019 doesn’t include free pattern- Ball Band Cozy. 

Knitting- 2019

  • FOs- 139
  • Gifts: 106
  • Socks- 24
  • Shawls-11
  • Toys- 18
  • Hat- 18
  • Sweaters- 3

2020 Goals 

  • 3 times a week (average) exercise of 20 min or more (focus on strength training)= 156 workouts
  • 7 published patterns on Ravelry
  • 10% more sales of designs compared to 2019
  • Equals 20- for 2020 

20 in 2020 (Gretchen Rubin)– these are more of a bucket-list type list of things I think will enrich my life.

  1. Use up 5 gift cards 
  2. Visit 2 new cities 
  3. Kayak at Jacob’s pond 
  4. Kayak at one other new place 
  5. Get car detailed
  6. Take 4 classes/lectures (ideas: spinning, knitting, embroidery, sewing, painting)
  7. Learn to spin
  8. Pay off my car 
  9. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts Boston at least once
  10. Submit a pattern to at least 1 publication 
  11. Go camping
  12. Do 1 in-store class or event at a local yarn shop
  13. Do Plastic Free July Challenge again 
  14. Finish 2018 photo album & print
  15. Purge at least 40 things from the house
  16. Maintain my weight range
  17. Take a yoga class
  18. Go to at least 4 musicals/plays
  19. Go to the library at least twice
  20. At least 12 massages 

My word of the Year for 2020: FLOURISH. This year is a year of building on the progress and successes from 2019. I will design more. I will lift more. I will be stronger. I will truly flourish. 

Flourish: Verb: (of a person, animal, or other living organism) grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment. Noun: an instance of suddenly performing or developing in an impressively successful way.

Questions from Listeners:

  • ZTphotos asked about new designs for 2020.
  • TaraT580: New stuff you want to try your hand at designing- new stitches/combinations etc?
  •  Phoenixknitter3 & Anna.lenzmeier- Your knitting goals for the year!
  • TUNE IN to hear the answers.

Do you have goals for 2020? How will you measure? Do you have a Word for the year? Let’s chat! Come on over to the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group!

On a Happy Note

  • Binging the Australian tv show Wentworth on Netflix. 
  • My friend Laura visited over New Year’s. I brought her to the shore in my town for the first time in countless visits! We hiked together at my local state park.
  • My favorite Zumba teacher is back teaching twice a month so made a point to get there the first Saturday of the year.
  • I just had my annual physical and my doctor was very happy. All blood work even better than last year.
  • I saw the new Star Wars movie with Dan 
  • I visited my best friend who was home sick. caught up with her and brought lunch and then got to hang out with my niece Aila for the afternoon. We worked on her science project and had a monster drawing challenge.
  • It was 66 degrees on Sunday! We opened up the house. Cleaned & organized together.

Quote of the Week

Doing great work is not about never making mistakes or failing. It’s about making sure those mistakes have the minimum impact on those you serve, and that your failures inspire and inform new strategies in the future.”

– Cy Wakeman

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