Category Archives: Uncategorized

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

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

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

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

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

  1. Use up 5 gift cards (exceeded!)
  2. Get car detailed- Dan is going to make us appointments soon for Spring
  3. Take 4 classes/lectures (ideas: spinning, knitting, embroidery, sewing, painting)
    • Melange of Slipped Stitches with Faina Golberstein at Vogue Knitting Live NYC January 
  4. Do 1 in-store class or event at a local yarn shop— scheduled event for May 30th!
  5. 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).
  6. Go to at least 4 musicals/plays
    • Jagged Little Pill on Broadway- January
    • Beauty and the Beast (Massasoit)- March
  7. 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.

Quote of the Week

“Most misunderstandings in the world could be avoided if people would simply take the time to ask ‘What else could this mean?’” -Shannon L. Alder

Contact Information:

Episode 179: Mom, Goals & Prizes

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 179 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Knitting in Passing
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Infinite Twist, KnitCompanion, Knitters Brewing Company

Off the Needles

Mom’s Frozen Socks

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

103 Hat

  • Pattern: 103 Hat by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Suburban Stitcher DK
  • Needles: US 5 & 7

Rabbit in a Carrot Sleeping Bag

  • Pattern: Rabbit in a Carrot Sleeping Bag by Laura Sutcliffe (2 GBP crochet pattern) $2.70 US 
  • Hook: 2.75 mm (C)
  • Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash & Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted (used fingering weight yarn for the baby rabbit)

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)

Growler Cozy

  • Pattern: Improvised. Hope to publish a pattern for this after I perfect it.
  • Hooks: K & L
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up held double

On the Needles

Pinwheel Socks

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

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)

Knitting in Passing

Dan washed his favorite hat in the washing machine (by accident) for the second time and it was finally too small to continue wearing. Pattern: Rafa’s Hat by Joji Locatelli. He gifted it to our niece so she can enjoy it!

Crafty Adventures

Off the Wall in Abington, MA. I attended a wooden sign painting party with girlfriends and had a blast! Highly recommend

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. Cast on the first day of the quest and whatever is finished by the last day will count.
Quarter 1- Sponsors

  • Anne Beady Designs
  • KnitCompanion
  • Fibernymph Dye Works
  • Knitters Brewing Company
  • 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

Pigskin Party Wrap up

Tune in to hear if you won a participation prize, the January Interception and/or one of the 10 Amazing GRAND Prizes.

Life in Focus

Mom & chatted about goals for 2020, working in new habits and routines in our lives and doing the things we’re tempted to put off.

If you’d like to join Diane’s Massachusetts eBay & eCommerce Online Sellers Meet Up Group on Facebook- click here.

Ask Me (Us) Anything

Tune in to hear how Jen gets over loss of knitting mojo, how BostonJensMom met Boston Jen’s Dad, and a few other fun questions.

Boston Jen’s Dad & Mom (and baby Boston Jen)

On a Happy Note

  • Mom’s Birthday Lunch
  • Hattie’s 2nd Birthday Dinner
  • Silly things the kids say
  • Hiking with Dan
  • Movies we’ve seen recently

Quote of the Week

Edith Wharton on being a positive force:
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 178: Cast On Craziness

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 178 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • In my Travels
  • 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 sponsor: 2 Guys Yarn Company

Off the Needles

Creepy Graffiti Socks

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

On the Needles

Mom’s Frozen Socks

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

103 Hat

  • Pattern: 103 Hat by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Suburban Stitcher DK
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) & 7 (4.0mm)

Pinwheel Socks

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

My Cryptonite Shawl

  • Pattern: My Cryptonite by Melanie Berg ($6.31 US)
  • Yarn: Barnyard Knits Merino Nylon Fingering in the Pickly Pear Colorway (gray with multicolors).  Fuse Fiber Studio Merino Sock in the Mercury Glass (gray) and Radical Acceptance Colorway (pinky)
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)

Happiest Blanket Ever

  • Happiest Blanket Ever by Tamara Kelly (free crochet pattern)
  • Hook: K: 6.5 mm
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (white) for MC, leftover acrylic stash yarn for CCs.

In My Travels

KAL News

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.

  • Quarter 1 Sponsors: Anne Beady Designs, KnitCompanion, Fibernymph Dye Works & Knitters Brewing Company

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

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.

Get Ready for SuperBowl WeekendCheck out this thread in the group.

Events

Life in Focus

Plastic Free July Updates:

Tru Earth Eco-Strips Laundry Detergent
Refills for my favorite Uniball Retractable fine point pens
Lush Toothy Tabs

Ask Me Anything

Tune in to hear a question on how I use Evernote to organize my life. Are you interested in hearing more about my organizing, habit tracking, goal settings etc? I think Patreon might be a good option for that. Comes over to the Episode 178 Chat thread in our Ravelry Group to talk more if you’re interested in that idea.

On a Happy Note

  • 90 min massage
  • Dan and I visited a new to us brewery- Stellwagen.
  • Planning a kitchen renovation and we are able to buy a large cabinet that matches our existing cabinets (but painted) to give us more storage.
  • Dan and I went on our first hike together at home.
  • I went to speak at the MA eBay and Resellers Meet-up group that my mom organizes.
  • I got a new iPhone 11 Pro Max. The camera is epic.

Quote of the Week

“The purpose of fear is to raise your awareness not to stop your progress.”― Steve Maraboli

Thank you for tuning in!


Contact Information: