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Episode 216: Vacation Knitting

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 216 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • 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: Imagined Landscapes, Anne Beady Designs & Good Noodle Yarn Company

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

4 Snap Hats

  • Pattern: Snap by Tin Can Knits ($6 pattern available on their website or on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 7 & US 10.5 (4.5 & 6.5 mm) needles
  • Yarn: fingering weight scraps
  • Used anywhere from 62-72g of yarn
  • #3 used 1 strand of DK and 2 strands of fingering. All others used 4 strands of fingering held together.
  • Ravelry Project Pages: Hat 1 (darker greens), Hat 2 (lighter greens), Hat 3 (cream with green/orange), Hat 4 (purples)

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Three Waters Farm Superfine Merino 

Pink Moon Sweater

  • Pattern: Pink Moon by This.Bird.Knits. $8 US Pattern available on Ravelry and on the This.Bird.Knits Site.
  • Needles: US 5 & 7 (3.75 & 4.5 mm)
  • Yarn: 
    • Sweitzer Fiber Mill unknown (gray)- Rhinebeck 2019
    • Lisa Daschinger Wools (mustard)- Farm Fiber Day’s Russell’s Market January 2020
    • mur yarn merino cashmere fingering (pink)- Barcelona 2019
    • Rowan Alpaca Classic (pink) Staci’s Stitches- LYS
    • Handspun BFL (maroon)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Whatits Galore Socks

Fall is My Favorite Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh sock in the Fall is my Favorite Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pigskin Bonus Point Breakdown:
    • Yarn: Woolens and Nosh is a Pro Shop Sponsor- 40 points
    • Pattern: OMG Heel- Pro Shop Sponsor- 40 points
    • Project Bag: Cookie & Bees– Snack Shack Sponsor- 20 points
    • Total: 100 points + yardage points

Love Letters Socks

  • Yarn: Fibernymph Dye Works Mountain Tweed BFL Fingering in the Love Letters Colorway
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pigskin Bonus Point Breakdown:
    • Yarn: Fibernymph Dye Works– Pro Shop Sponsor- 40 points
    • Bag: Anne Beady Designs– Pro Shop Sponsor- Pigskin ’21 Exclusive- 60 points
    • Yarn Cozy: Cookie & Bees– Snack Shack Sponsor- 20 points
    • Pattern: OMG Heel- Pro Shop Sponsor – 40 points
    • 160 points + yardage points

From the Armchair

Woodswoman by Anne LaBastille. Amazon Affiliate Link. Bookshop 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.

Crafty Adventures

Punch Needle

Knitting in Passing

Recent trip to the Berkshires, chatted with a lovely couple from CT around the fire outside the lodge. The husband talked about how he learned to crochet when he was young, much to his father’s dismay. His family lived on a campground in the summer and his mother, grandmother and aunts all crocheted so they taught him and he really enjoyed it. He said he also had a cross stitch kit he bought ages ago and he’s looking forward to diving into that during retirement and longing for that meditative space of the repetition of the thread and the needle!

In My Travels

Stay Tuned for Vacation Video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel. Mom and I recorded a chat about our week towards the end of our stay. Will pop in videos and photos we took turn the vacation! 

KAL News


Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

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.

Kick off was so much fun! Staying in one Zoom room each day was great. I saved the Saturday afternoon chat after a participant mentioned it. Click here to find all of the links shared Saturday. 

30 Day Tailgate Talk Challenge. Begins 9/10/21. Find all of the details in this Google Doc or in this Ravelry Thread. Not too late to start now. 

  • Starting Friday September 10th, answer one question a day in Your Team’s thread on Ravelry (not in the Huddle Thread unless you want to share in there as a bonus) and/or on Instagram using #DCSPigskinTailgate21.  If you share your answers to all 30 questions, enter the Points Tally Form and you’ll get 150 points for playing. Note- you cannot enter for these points until 10/8/21.

September Interception: hosted by Cori of Irockknits Designs. Check out her patterns on Ravelry. Check out the Interception details on Ravelry or in this Google Doc.

Events

Contest, News & Notes

  • Sagamore Flyover Hat coming soon! Sign up for my email newsletter to be the first to find out when it drops. Bulky weight, textured hat. Written for beanie and slouchy options. Baby sizes through adults. Some of my testers had so much fun they knit up 2 in less time than I had allotted for them to make 1!

Life in Focus

  • Getting back into routine after vacation feels great.

On a Happy Note

  • Vacation Yarn Shopping- Webs in Northampton, MA & Spin Off Yarn Shop in North Adams, MA. Mom went to Colorful Stitches in Lenox, MA
  • Seeing our niece Emelyn and meeting her roommate.  Ramen & vintage clothing store shopping! 
  • Antiquing – got 4 fiber crafty items. One is embroidery. The other is, I believe, Crewel Embroidery. I also got antique wooden spools and a set of vintage wooden sock blockers
  • Spa day with Mom. Have you heard of a Lash Lift & Tints? We tried it! 
  • Hiking at Mt. Greylock with Mom and Dad. Highest point in MA. 
  • Seeing the Natural Bridge in North Adams, MA. The only White Marble Dam in North America. 
  • Even though our hike was canceled we still got to see Peck’s Falls.
  • Kayaking with Dan and Claire 
  • 2 weeks off!!!

Quote of the Week

If you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life.
Frank Lloyd Wright

Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 215: 9 FOs & Even More Fun!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 215 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast.This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: AdoreKnit

Shout out to Ultimate Insider Patrons: Charlie, Candy, Theresa, Luanne and Beth!

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Chubby Elephant

  • Pattern: Chubby Elephant by Spin a Yarn Crochet (free option or $2.50 US)
  • Yarn: Bernat Velvet in Misty Gray & Bernat Crushed Velvet in Toasted Plums
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 168.5 meters

Solid Granny Square Blanket 2021 Edition

  • Yarn: fingering weight scraps
  • Hook: D (3.25mm)
  • Pattern: Solid Granny Square by Lullaby Melodia- Find this pattern on Ravelry or directly on the Lullaby Lodge website
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • I ripped out the color squares I could salvage from last summer’s blanket and made some new ones too.
  • Single crocheted the squares together and added border with Knit Picks Stroll in gray. 
  • 1816 meters

Imaginarium Socks

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Imaginarium Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: Non-Euclidian Heel by Sarah Jordan
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • 253.8 meters

Candy Color Socks

  • Yarn: Regia 4 ply in Colorway 01160
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Self striping/self patterning Christmas colors. CO 60 sts. 2×2 rib. down to 56 after heel.
  • 210 meters

Magic Stripes Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Magic Stripes colorway & Patons Kroy in the Coal colorway (black)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 267 meters

Scrappy Shawl (design prototype: will share more details in the months to come)- 710 meters of sock yarn scraps.

Wild Plum Merino Spin

  • Fiber Addict Designs: 100% Merino, Commercial Combed Roving, 4 oz. Wild Plum Colorway
  • Spinning on my Kromski Minstrel Spinning Wheel
  • My Ravelry Page
  • 3 ply 252 yards /230 meters. 100g. Not as thick as I had hoped I could do, but its more like a DK than a sport, so I was at least moderately successful. Plumped up beautifully in washing. 
  • 924.2 meters for Stash Dash

Granny Stripe Blanket

  • Pattern: Granny Stripe by Lucy of Attic 24. Click here for Ravelry Link or Click here for Website. Free crochet pattern. 
  • Hook L (8.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Almond, Macadamia, Pistachio, Dusty Blue and Blueberry.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Foundation row- 56 chains. 
  • Edging- first round done using granny cluster on long edges as described in pattern. hdc around in Macadamia & then a sc round in blue and a picot edge in brown.
  • 7.56 skeins- 710.2 meters

V Stitch Baby Blanket

  • Pattern: Baby Blanket by Annemarie Benthem (free pattern on LoveCrafts). 
  • Hooks: L (8.0 mm) to chain/set-up and J (6.0 mm) for body. 
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton in Almond, Macadamia, Pistachio, Dusty Blue and Blueberry.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Chained 79. 25 Vs. 
  • Edge= 2 rounds sc. 
  • 642.9 meters

Stash Dash Total as of 8/30/21: 15,392 meters.

Brainstorming

  • Pink Moon by This.Bird.Knits. Check out the pattern using this Ravelry Link or Website link. ($8 knitting pattern).
  • I pulled out Pigskin ’21 sponsor products. 2 WoolensandNosh self striping plus some from FIbernymph Dye Works, Mint Rain and agirlandherwool. And lots of bags too of course.
  • Pigskin ’21 Sponsor Patterns Bundle on Ravelry– 1005 patterns to choose from!

From the Armchair

In My Travels

  • Checked out a brewery up in NH- Hobb’s Brewing Tap Room on Rt 16 in Ossippi, NH
  • Played dice game: Quixx- Amazon Associate Link
  • We did taste tests of whoopie pies (vanilla versus chocolate filling) and Jax cheese puffs vs. Cheese Doodles cheese curls – helped me get a second bingo for the Craft, Cook, Read Repeat Podcast Summer Bingo event. 
  • We helped move some things out of Gayle’s Camp as she closes up to move. I was thrilled to take this beautiful embroidery piece that Gayle made home with me.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

Virtual Kick Off Schedule

Events

Contest, News & Notes

On a Happy Note

  • Running is going really well! 
  • I saw not one but 2 bucks in a nearby yard!
  • Dan and I did a big basement clean out and Savers donation run.
  • My friend Laura came for her first visit since Covid. Antiquing overload!
  • Getting texts from my SIL with cute photos of our niece Gabriella playing with the teddy I made for her birthday and the Baby Yoda I made her for Christmas.
  • Seeing all of the handmade stuffies my nephew took to Ireland when he moved!
  • August Zoom with Patrons! So much fun. 
  • Pool night at my parents with my brother’s kids and my mom’s friend Trish. Silliness with Snapchat filters.
  • Dan and I had a blast at Camp. A great kick off to my vacation.

Quote of the Week

“Make your heart like a lake with a calm, still surface and great depths of kindness.”- Lao Tzu

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Episode 214: Pigskin Party Prep!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 214  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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Gabriella’s Velvet Bear

Summer Vibes Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Summer Vibes Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Check out my June Yarnable Unboxing & July Yarnable Unboxing Videos on YouTube.
    • Yarnable will likely open again to new subscribers in August 2021. Considering subscribing? Please consider using my Affiliate Link. Get $5 off with coupon code BOSTONJEN.
  • I love the Bomb Pop progress keeper from Clay Canon that came with the kit.
  • 272 meters

Millie Margaret (Worsted Version)

  • Pattern: Millie Margaret Shawl by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Chelsea Colorway & Knit Picks Twill in the Sea Salt Heather Colorway
  • Needles: US 10 (6.0 mm)
  • Knit Picks Affiliate Link
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 489.8 meters

Stash Dash total to date:  9,647 meters. Check out my Stash Dash 2021 Spreadsheet . You can also check out: Jasmin’s Stash Dash 2021 Spreadsheet

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Solid Granny Square Blanket 2021 Edition

Imaginarium Socks

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Imaginarium Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: Non-Euclidian Heel by Sarah Jordan
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Magic Stripes Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Magic Stripes colorway & Patons Kroy in the Coal colorway (black)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: omg
  • Ravelry Project Page

Wild Plum Merino Spin

  • Fiber Addict Designs: 100% Merino, Commercial Combed Roving, 4 oz. Wild Plum Colorway
  • Spinning on my Kromski Minstrel Spinning Wheel
  • My Ravelry Page

Chubby Elephant

  • Pattern: Chubby Elephant by Spin a Yarn Crochet (free option or $2.50 US)
  • Yarn: Bernat Velvet in Misty Gray & Bernat Crushed Velvet in Toasted Plums
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

From the Armchair

  1. My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Finished 7/28 Amazon Affiliate Link.  Bookshop Affiliate Link.
  2. Super Host by Kate Russo. Amazon Affiliate Link.  Bookshop Affiliate Link
  3. The Salt Path by Raynor Winn finished 8/8. Amazon Affiliate Link.  Bookshop Affiliate Link
  4. The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn. Amazon Affiliate Link.  Bookshop 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.

Crafty Adventures

I dabbled in watercolor using a kit from Let’s Make Art, a gift from my bestie.

  • I worked on the Holiday Wreath using this kit. I have a Giraffe kit but haven’t started it just yet.

Knitting in Passing

  • I went to a yoga class with one of my favorite instructors, Heather, at Webbs Pro Fitness. After class she pulled me aside to tell me she’d taken up knitting to make some baby hats and had moved on to Christmas stockings! We had a lovely chat! 

KAL News

Splash Pad Winners Announced 

Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

  • Official Rules (Google Doc)
  • Register to Play! (Google Form)
  • Points Tally Form (Google Form)
  • Sponsor List (Google Doc)- keep checking back. 
  • Questions: Ask in the Ravelry Thread or email Jen (downcellarstudio @ gmail.com)
  • Prizes- see details in this Ravelry Thread
  • Coupon Codes: find details in this Ravelry Thread or on my website (coming soon)
  • Pro Shop Sponsor Exclusive Items: find details as they’re posted in this Ravelry Thread or on my website (coming soon)
  • Use the Points Tally form for official entry but celebrate with everyone in the End Zone Dance Ravelry Thread and using #DCSPigskinEndZoneDance
  • Check out your standings (and others’) on the Players Stats Sheet (Google Sheet- COMING SOON)
  • Fumble your entry on the Points Tally form? Use this Support Form (Google Form)
  • Pre-Game Chatter on Ravelry can be found in this Thread.

Important Updates this episode: Pigskin Prep

  • Come get Registered!
  • Please review the Rules, even if you play every year. We’ve tweaked a few things.
  • Check out the Sponsor list linked above.
  • We are doing Teams again this year. The overwhelming feedback from last year is that you really enjoyed the smaller community found within those teams, so we’re excited to bring those back. You will be assigned your team on September 1st (if you register before then), so we’d really like to get most folks signed up before then (if possible). So please spread the word.
  • Finish those WIPs. 
  • Considering joining the Down Cellar Studio Patreon! We’ll be doing monthly Zooms during the Pigskin and have one scheduled for later in August that you can join if you get in at the $5/mo level.  Plus you’ll have access to my private IG feed and so much more.
  • Save the Dates- Sept 10+11 for Kick off fun! 

Events

Contest, News & Notes

  • Check out my new patterns- the Millie Margaret Shawl- available for fingering weight and worsted weight yarn.
  • This pattern has been tech edited & test knit so you can knit on with confidence, but if you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to message me. Pattern also contains a link to a video tutorial that shows how to do the slipped stitch technique used in this pattern.
  • Patterns will be available for $7 each. Email subscribers get the best discount so check your inbox if you want to get both of these patterns.
  • Intro Deals:
    • Get both patterns for $6 on Ravelry through 8/22 using code “millie.”
    • Want just 1 pattern? Get 40% off with code “niece,” also good through 8/22.
  • Get your pattern now. Let me know if you need help picking yarn. get your swatch done, then maybe wait until 9/9 to cast on for Pigskin?!! I’m a Pro Shop Sponsor, so you’ll get lots of points!

Life in Focus

  • Visit to Cleenland in Cambridge, MA. Great selection of personal products and cleaning supplies. I brought my own jars with lids and the lovely shop keeper weighed everything when I arrived. This is what I got:
  • clay mask [SallyeAnder rose for drier skin, emerald vegan for drier skin, or golden for oilier skin $5.23/oz]
  • face lotion [Oneka unscented $3.98/oz]
  • tooth tabs [Unpaste with or without fluoride pack of 125 for $8.50]
  • Bamboo tooth brush
  • dishwasher detergent [Azure Standard $0.29/oz = $0.15/load]
  • dish soap [Puracy lemongrass or unscented $0.15/oz]
  • bar dish soap [Meliora unscented or lemon $9.49/bar]
  • recycled garbage bags [If You Care $4.99]
  • toilet paper (100% recycled paper $1.07/roll or bamboo $1.15/roll)- Who gives a crap brand.
  • Melora cleaning tabs- 3 in the pack

On a Happy Note

  • Gabriella’s 1st birthday. Pics of her hugging the teddy I made her
  • Will & Aila sleepover. Getting into hysterics as Dan, Dad, Mom and I all tried Will’s new VR game system. Deer all around! We all just watched in fascination!
  • My Knit Picks Felici order!!!!!
  • I took my nephew, Garret, to Gillette Stadium for the first Patriot’s Practice of the season.  Sleepover.
  • Meeting up with Petrina and Ryan at Gather Here in Cambridge, MA

Quote of the Week

Longevity researcher Dan Buettner on the health benefits of friendship:
“I argue that the most powerful thing you can do to add healthy years is to curate your immediate social network. In general, you want friends with whom you can have a meaningful conversation. You can call them on a bad day and they will care. Your group of friends are better than any drug or anti-aging supplement, and will do more for you than just about anything.”


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