• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• From the Armchair
• Crafty Adventures (with Riley & Aila)
• Knitting in Passing
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week
• Stay tuned at the end for bonus sleepover audio!

Off the Needles

• Pattern: Whirligig Shrug by Stephanie Japel ($8 knitting pattern. Sizes 3 months to child size 12)
• Yarn: Worsted weight super wash wool in purple
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)

• I repaired the Essentials Mini-Purse I knit for Aila in August 2010 when she was about 20 months old. Hole in bottom. She still uses all the time and asked me to fix it.
• I mended the doll I made for Aila in 2015 (pattern: Mary, Millie & Morganby Susan B. Anderson). Tacked down her hair. Pulled her eyes to the surface so they can be better seen. De-pilled both items.

On the Needles

• Pattern: Secret Paths by Johanna Lindahl (free crochet pattern)
• Hook: US I (5.5 mm)
• Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, 50% wool, 50% alpaca

• Pattern: Secret Paths by Johanna Lindahl (free crochet pattern)
• Hook: US H (5.0 mm)
• Yarn: Madeline Tosh Twist Light in the Opaline colorway (bought 2 skeins at Imagine Knit in SF)

• Pattern: Non-Euclidian Heel by Sarah Jordan
• Yarn: Mystery yarn reds and greens
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Paton’s Kroy in the Tourmaline Stripes Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

From the Armchair

Crafty Adventures

• Tune in to hear Riley & Aila talk about the crafty fun we had during their birthday sleepovers. Riley turned 11 and Aila 10.
  
• We made crayon lip gloss based on this tutorial.
• Crayon canvas art was fun!
• Crayon pendants came out cool too.
• Printed a vacation photo on 5×7 piece of wood at Walgreens 

Knitting in Passing

• I shared stories of knitting at Chicago, the musical, knitting on the plane to San Francisco and at a brewery in San Francisco

In My Travels

• Henry Cowell State park to see Redwoods.
• Bargetto Winery
• LYS- Swift Stitch in Santa Cruz
• Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Co
• Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour
• Bi-Rite & Mission Delores Park
• LYS- ImagineKnit 
• Hot Cookie Bakery
• LYS- Firebird Yarns
• Magnolia Brewing Co.
• Saw Diego Rivera’s mural- The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City. This mural is open to the public everyday from 9am to 5pm at the San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, CA, USA
• Pompei’s Grotto: Best fish and chips we’ve ever had!
• Ferry Building Marketplace
• Fun with Jasmin!!!

KAL News

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 159 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
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Max’s Very Little Giraffe

• Pattern: A Very Little Giraffe by Annaboo’s House- free crochet pattern available on website not for download
• Hook: B (2.25 mm)
• Yarn: leftover super wash worsted yarn in yellow, brown and cream.

Sunset Stripes Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
• Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Sunset Stripes colorway

Grace & Frankie Shawl

• Pattern: Grace & Frankie by me, Jennifer Lassonde
• Yarn: 2 skeins of Suburban Stitcher Merino DK: 100% Superwash Fine Merino Wool in the Predictability Colorway. 115 grams = 250 yards
• Yarn used in sample = 220 grams | 478 yards (473.5 meters)
• Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)

Kris 40th Birthday Shawl

• Pattern: Grace & Frankie by me, Jennifer Lassonde
• Yarn: A Hundred Ravens Vanir DK (100% merino). 2 skeins in the Morello colorway
• Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)

On the Needles

Rock You Like a Hurricane Socks

• Yarn: Freckled Whimsy yarn in the Rock You Like a Hurricane colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern- OMG Heel by Megan Williams

Dragon Belly Shawl 

• Pattern: Dragon Belly Shawl by Johanna Lindahl Free crochet pattern
• Yarn: Teal Torch Knits TTK Splendid sock. 100% SW Merino. Stone Ground colorway. 2 skeins
• Hook: F (3.75 mm).

Barcelona/ Porto Socks #1 

• Yarn: Hjerte Garn. magic Colours Stompegarn jacquard Magic Color: 7749
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern- OMG Heel by Megan Williams

Holly Press Fibers Boxy

• Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) and US 8 (5.0 mm)
• Yarn: Holly Press Fibers – Sheepish (fingering weight) base in colorways:  Flower Petal, Rambler in the Wilderness & Seeking You.
• Assylum Fibers + 2 mystery skeins from stash. Holding fingering held double.

Brainstorming

Whirligig Shrug: baby/child shrug knitting pattern by Stefanie Japel. I knit one back in 2011 for my cousin Bella

In My Travels

I gave an overview of my 10 day trip to Barcelona, Spain and Portugal

Packing in a carry-on for 10 Days

• 3 pairs pants- black and grey leggings & 1 pair jeans
• 8 shirts
• vest with hood
• denim jacket
• 1 handknit shawl & 1 cotton scarf
• sneakers, shortie boots and slide sneakers.
• Socks, underwear
• 1 pair of sleep shorts too cold to wear- slept in leggings

I had plenty of clothing. Washed clothes at my friend’s house on Friday before we went to Porto. Could have done w/ fewer shirts but it was nice to have variety. Wish I had wool socks for bed.

Lessons Learned

• Didn’t need my shortie boots. Sneakers and casual sneakers would have been sufficient.
• Denim jacket and vest were good to mix and match & good layering options.
• Loved having my prescription sunglasses!
• I could bring less jewelry if I plan to buy some.
• I never understood the point of packing cubes-  but my mom sent some over and I’m sold. They really do compress things more than I thought possible and kept my small suitcase organized.

Overall Travel Highlights & Safety Tips

• Booked 3 apartments in the 2 cities through AirBnB all worked out great!
  • Booked 2 excursions in Spain through them – 3 hour Bike Tour & Paella Making Experience
  • Separate beds/rooms meant that I didn’t get Laura’s cold.

• Clean out your wallet before you leave. Take photos of what’s in your wallet in case it’s stolen. My wallet stolen before we got to our first apartment. Because it was fast and easy to call and cancel, the thieves didn’t get in any charges on my cards.
  • I had new cards & a license by the time I returned home
• Carry wallet and passport on your person during airport and train travel.
• Always zip your purse.
• Keep passport separate from wallet.
• Was happy I packed Airborne & my water bottle. It was easy to fill and carry (saved me money too).
• Downloading google map of city in advance was a huge win. You can find your blue dot on map even without WiFi.
• WiFi in lots of places. Cafes, restaurants etc. makes traveling without cell service possible.
• Carry-on suitcase was plenty to manage through cobblestone streets and many flights of stairs in metro stations. I might have thought of bringing a larger suitcase if it were “free” but that would have been a bad idea.
• Brought external battery back up for phone. Used at least most days. My phone was in airplane mode except for 2 small needs for cellular. But I used it to take lots of photos. Internet and apps on WiFi as needed. Bought European 220 plug that supports 2 usb cords which worked for all of the electronics I needed to charge. Worked well but I didn’t like that it lights up green when plugged in. Not good if want to charge phone by bed.

Barcelona 

• The bike tour and paella making class were huge highlights
• We visited All You Knit Is Love Yarn shop. I bought a skein of Murmur yarn & 2 50gram skeins of Hjertegarn.
• Sagrada Família. Passion facade done this time! First time went in. Breathtaking!
• Visited Montserrat. Audio of boys choir at end.

Porto 

• Love the street art in Porto.
• Loved that Porto is so walkable. Can’t get too lost.
• Loved small winding streets with bright colors and laundry hanging.
• First AirBnB gave us really great recommendations. Ora Viva= favorite restaurant.
• You can easily hop on a river cruise. They sell tickets right down by the river.
• Cable cars/ gondola brings you to top of bridge. Fun ride!
• Fun with Laura taking photos
• Graham’s port wine tour.

Knitting

• No trouble with metal or bamboo circulars in any airline.
• The shawl project & one pair of socks was plenty for a busy trip of sightseeing, knowing I’d buy some more yarn there.
• The boys loved the giraffes I crocheted for them.
• Marta’s oldest made me a sign that said “Welcome Home” in English and had a drawing of a girl in a giraffe costume like the stuffy I made Aila for Christmas that he saw in my Instagram feed.
• If you’re traveling, consider bringing  an FO you want great photos of.

KAL News

Slay the Stash 2019

• Each month you can declare a skein of yarn to knit/crochet/weave to its very end. Let’s use up those older special skeins (purchased before 2019) – and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way!
• Check out the April Post
• Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media

Slay the Stash Sponsor List- 2019

Official Rules for 2019 

• January- Fish Belly Fiber Works
• February- KnitCircus Yarns
• March- Holly Press Fibers
• April- Fibernymph Dye Works
• May – Another Crafty Girl 
• June- Flying Finn Yarns
• July- Sponsored by WindsweptMonique– yarn TBD
• August- Knit Style Yarns
• September- Artistic Lilly 
• October – Infinite Twist 
• November- 716 Knit 
• December –  Hypnotic Yarn

Splash Pad will open June 1st!

Interesting in Sponsoring the Down Cellar Studio Podcast in 2019? Details for the Splash Pad Party & Pigskin Party can be found here.

There are two types of Splash Pad Sponsorship Opportunities- find more details here

• Pro Shop Sponsors are given the opportunity to sell Splash Pad Party exclusive items in the month of May (or until July 15th). This is the paid option ($50). There are a max of 18 spots.
• Snack Shack Sponsors will donate prizes but will not be sell Splash Pad Party Exclusive products . This is free option and there are unlimited spots.

18 total Pro Shop Sponsor spots. 7 already taken! Don’t delay!

Anyone getting Splash Pad ready or wanting to share your sponsor products be sure to use  #splashpadparty19 on Instagram!

Thank you to Jodi who started a pre-pool party chat thread in the group! If you’re missing your Pigskin Party buddies, check it out.

Events

• CT Sheep & Wool: April 27 9-4 rain or shine
• Gore Place Sheep Sheering Festival: April 27 from 10a-5p in Waltham MA- $20 general admission ages 13 and up, free for children 12 and under and Gore Place Members. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets available at the gates on the day or online.
• NH Sheep and Wool: May 11 & 12 in Deerfield NH Saturday 9am – 5pm & Sunday 9am – 4pm Admission is:  Reg price is $7.  Seniors 65 and older $5 youth 12 and under are free.
• Wool Days at Old Sturbridge Village: May 25-27 9:30a-5p One Day Pass $28 for adults, $26 senior, $14 kids
• MA Sheep and Wool: May 26 & 27 in Cummington, MA Fair Admission:Parking – $10 per car,  $15 for a two day pass

Online Events

• Knit Girllls annual Stash Dash KAL will run from May 24-August 24, 2019

Contest, News & Notes

Grace & Frankie Shawl release 

The Grace & Frankie Shawl is an elongated triangular shawl that is worked from the top down. Garter Stitch edges offset by the lace in the center. i-cord edging gives the edge a very polished look and bonus, there’s not a single purl stitch in the shawl.

The design of the shawl is inspired by the relationship I have with my best friend, Kris. She often compares us to Grace & Frankie (from the Netflix original series)- best friends who love and need each other but on the surface have nothing in common. You’ll see that play out in the shawl where the openness of the lace is offset by the solid fabric of the garter stitch—completely different types of stitches and fabric that complement each other well.

Click here for all of the details.

The Grace & Frankie Shawl is available for $6 on Ravelry. If you signed up for my newsletter you already got an early bird special discount.

Next up Riley Rose Hat. Interested in test knitting? PM me on Ravelry!

Life in Focus

• 2019 Goals: publish 10 patterns | build muscle!
• Health, wellness & muscle building.  I talk about how much value Im getting out of the PnP tribe that I’m still a member of.  I’m learning to be patient in building muscle while also listening to my body and going slower than I want to because of my fibromyalgia.
• Planning: doing weekly plans in Evernote is keeping me organized and helping me prioritize. With that I’m 1 pattern ahead of where I wanted to be at this time of the year.

On a Happy Note

• 7th Podcast anniversary!
  • Enjoying the show and want to support me? Leave review Apple podcast. Buy a pattern. Sign up for newsletter. Join a kal. Become or continue to participate as a Down Cellar Studio community member. Maybe invite a friend.
• We thoroughly enjoyed Riley, Garret & Millie’s birthday dinner followed by laser tag! So fun. Who knew?!
• I had a blast celebrating my best friend’s 40th birthday with a birthday dinner of tacos followed by swing dancing.
• Dan and I will be going to San Francisco soon!
• BostonJensMom finally has an official Instagram account. Go follow her!

Quote of the Week

I want to live so densely, lush, and slow in the next few years, that a year becomes ten years, and my past becomes only a page in the book of my life.”

— Nayyirah Waheed

——

Contact Information:

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Twitter: Instagram: BostonJen1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio!

Hope you’ve enjoyed Episode 158. Not a regular episode- but instead a chat with your favorite co-host, Mom (no regular segments this time). Stay tuned to the very end for a quick word from Dad (wise guy thought we were done).

• Mom and Dad took a 2 week vacation to Florida (Orlando, Clearwater & Fort Meyers).
• We highly recommend the Palm Pavilion  at Clearwater Beach.
• Mom & Dad went to a Red Sox game at the Jet Blue Park in Fort Meyers at the Mini Fenway. Meanwhile back at home Yawkey Way at Fenway has been renamed.
• RuMeID– QR code tag for luggage
• Do you have any tips for how to ensure you have access to your travel documents and photo IDs if your wallet is lost or stolen in travel? Share with us in the Ravelry group!
• Jen is currently in Europe visiting her friend Marta in Barcelona and checking Porto, Portugal for the first time with her friend Laura.
• Last time we were in Spain, Mom & I attached bachelorette party. Mom had lots of fun at the zipline/ropes course! 
• We answered listener questions about whether Mom does any fiber crafts. Yes- she sews! Here are some of her recent projects.
• For large family gatherings, we recommend frozen stuffed shells with sauce. Harvey’s Ham is also a big hit!
• Do you know how to use Instagram stories on an Android? Mom could use some help!