This week I talk about a bunch of recently finished objects and my trip to Vogue Knitting Live in New York City!

Show notes will be up soon at www.downcellarstudio.com

Thanks for tuning in!

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 60!

This week's segments included:

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Crafty Adventures
• From the Armchair
• Events
• Contests, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note

Off the Needles

Shawl for Mom

• New design in the works
• Needles: US 7 needles
• Yarn: Berrocco Ultra Alpaca Light in black

Emelyn's Christmas Hat

• Pattern Goblin Hat by Elizabeth Murphy (free pattern)
• US 5 (smaller than called for)
• Yarn: Miss Babs Kawaeh DK

Monster for Oisin

• No pattern (cast on 24 stitches)
• Needles: US 8

On the Needles

Legwarmers
Pattern: None
Needles: US 2

Measure in Love

• Pattern: Measure in Love by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Mad Tosh DK in Embers color way- burnt orange
• Needles: US 5

Nutcracker Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel socks by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Nutcracker Candy Colorway from Must Stash Yarn in the Perfect Sock Base
• Needles: US 1.5

Crafty Adventures

I did some sewing (alone and with my best friend). I love these project bags. I vary up the sizes, but they are all based on this tutorial.

I did some sewing with my niece and nephew during our recent sleepover. Emelyn is 10. She made 3 pillows! Two for her, and one for Oisin's new alien stuffed monster, Dave.

Oisin learned to sew buttons in school but hasn't done it in awhile. I gave him the swatch from my Rocky Coast Cardigan and bunch of old buttons. He had a blast!

Every year I make custom photo calendars from Picaboo. The quality is great and I appreciate how customizable they are.

From the Armchair

2014 accomplishments:

• I finished 51 projects (20 more than last year) including publishing 2 designs. 10 things for me, the rest were gifts.
• Click here to check out my 2014 Projects Tab in Ravelry.

2015 goals:

• Knit from my well curated stash. I've updated my stash on Ravelry. Currently I have 65 yarns stashed/ 91 skeins total.
• Publish at least 2 if not more patterns in 2015.
• Take more classes, especially at fiber events I'm already planning to go to.
• Keep me in mind when knitting (make sure my gift knitting ratio doesn't go up too much)

Fiber Related Plans for 2015

• January- Vogue Knitting Live. January 16-18 in NYC.
• February- I'm going to North Carolina for a scrapbooking weekend!
• May: Maryland Sheep & Wool: May 2 & 3
• May: NH Sheep and Wool: May 9 & 10 (I'll be taking Emelyn & Aila on Saturday)
• August: Stitches Midwest in Shaumburg IL August 6-9
• October:  NY SHeep and Wool- 3rd full weekend in Oct 16-18th 2015

Events

Pigskin Party KALTune in to Episode 52 if you haven’t already

• Knit-a-long that runs along the NFL football season. For any projects you complete between Sept 4 and Feb 2nd you'll earn points which are used to give you entries in for fantastic prizes. Opportunities to get more points along the way by using products from our awesome sponsors and for posting on instagram, getting others to participate in the KAL and things like that.
• Never too late to sign up. Go to downcellarstudio.com/pigskinparty for all of the details. This is the last full month.
• There are also monthly prizes for participating by using hashtag #DCSPigskinParty on Instagram and for chatting in the Monthly Huddle Tread in the DCS Ravelry Group! Come play along. We're having so much fun!
• WIP Interception- Winner Announced!!
• New sponsor: Jan Smiley Bag- Check out this martini themed bag! What a great prize!
• Just arrived in the mail- a beautiful new bag from Prairie bag works- beautiful cardinals and other birds on the outside. would be great for a 2-3 skein project. drawstring. inside has 2 pockets and a jump ring

December Participation Prizes were announced

Contests, News & Notes

Taste of Nomad Kit:

• One lucky winner will get a 3 month subscription to the Taste of Nomad Taster Package. Kits will arrive each month and include one original pattern and the yarn to make it, along with a recipe card from the garden behind the shop and a fun surprise.

• How to enter: Come on over to this thread, check out their patterns and tell us what you like best to be entered to win a 3 month subscription. Contest ends January 5th. You must be a member of the Ravelry Group to be entered to win.

News- VAT increase European Union have gone into effect. I want to make sure you can still buy my patterns. If you live in the EU and want one of my designs, please PM me on Ravelry, I'll send you my Paypal info. If you make a donation to podcast I'll give you the patterns you'd like. I'm still hoping for better solution in the coming weeks/months.

On a Happy Note

• We had a wonderful Christmas.
• Aila loved the huge giraffe we bought her. Will loved him Rhino!
• My best friend, Kris, made me a chevron burlap pillow with my podcast logo on a pocket on the front! AMAZING!
• Millie loved her Anna hoodie! The kids all had a great day!
• I went to see the The imitation Game at the movies. I think this is a must see.
• Dan and I are doing a biggest loser style weight loss challenge with our friends. It's been a really fun and super motivating competition so far!
• I've enjoyed quality time with Dan over the vacation. We've started watching the League on Netflix. Totally irreverent raunchy humor, but if you're interested in that this is a funny show.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 59. This time I've got 9 FOs to share and lots of holiday merriment! Check out www.downcellarstudio.com for full show notes.

Thank you for tuning into Episode 58! I'm so thankful for all of my amazing listeners. Please check out www.downcellarstudio.com for show notes and links to project details, contests and KALs!

Happy knitting!

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 57. Today's segments included:

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Events
• Contests, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

• Elephant for Riley
  • Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash (from stash)
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75mm)
  • Pattern: Savannah Chaps $3.99 US
  • Modifications: in the round. Judy's Magic Cast on for arms worked way to the top, stuffed, bound off sewed on.
• Conjunction Cowl
  • Pattern by Susie White- Prairie Girl Susie from Prairie Girls Knit & Spin Podcast
  • Yarn: Miss Babs Kawaeh DK
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) 40 inch. Nova Cubics Platina (first time using these needles)
  • Modifications: only cast on 112 sts- fewer than called for. Decreased to 96. Didn't make it as high as called for, because its for my 10 year old niece.

On the Needles

• Dark Side of the Moon Socks
  • Yarn: Self Striping from Stacie of Must Stash Yarn-- grays with dark gray rainbow stripes! Love colors
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel socks by Megan Williams
  • Knit on these at the Patriots Game after I figured out how to smuggle them past security (I know, I'm a rebel)
• My 1st Christmas Socks
  • Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock Lightweight- Mill End
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel socks by Megan Williams
• Autumnal Mitts
  • Pattern by Jo Bangles- free
  • Needles: US 6
  • Simple fingerless mitt pattern that only calls for 110-130 yard of DK. I've made before and love my pair. Simple cable and eyelet pattern that repeats. Goes quickly.
  • Yarn: Bijou Basin Ranch- Himalayan Trail (75% Yak down 25% merino) in the 49 Dinna fash colorway-- sent to me for review-- next episode
• Fingerless mitts (for my niece to go with the Conjunction Cowl)
  • No pattern
• Yarn: Miss Babs Kawaeh DK (Ginko= green & Perfectly Wreckless= variegated + pink - Floyd)
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) 40 inch. Nova Cubics Platina

Brainstorming

From the Armchair

Tune in to hear my review of the Stashbot App by Hannah Fettig. You can also check out the website about StashBot & a blog post about it. For questions or to chat, visit Hannah's Ravelry Forum.  I really like this and think its a great addition to your knitter's toolkit! Check it out!

I also reviewed project bags from The Etsy Shop Bags by Awesome Grannie. I have the Large bag and notions pouch in the Giraffe in the Garden fabric! The bag is plenty large for 3-5 skeins of yarn and your project. I love that this is a bigger than usual notions pouch (I used mine for elephant poly-fill). Her prices are great for the quality workmanship put into these bags! Definitely check it out!

Events

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 56!

 

This week's segments included:

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• Events
• In My Travels
• Contests, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note

 

September Socks

In My Travels: RhinebeckLeft on Friday for NY with three of my friends, Ryan, Nicole and Beverly. Stopped at a cute little restaurant in Danbury CT- Market Place. I enjoyed a yummy local IPA- Blue Point Brewing Company.

Went to dinner at Coppola's on 9 in Poughkseepie. Kind of a weird environment but the food was delicious. I am picky about tomato sauce and it was good!

Saturday:

Dinner at Market St. Restaurant. Great Burnt Venetian Martini.

Check out the Kickstarter then come over to the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group and tell us which color way is your favorite. The winner will be drawn after 10/31. The prize is a one-of-a-kind skein of Twist Fiber Studio Arden Bulky in the “Faded Indigo” colorway. It’s a bulky weight Merino yarn, 140 yards - 100 grams.

News:

• Maria Yarley designer behind eleganteconomyknits.com. Has a new pattern called the Graceful Pullover- Ravelry here. Donating post paypal & printing fees to a friend Bekah, a fellow knitter who recently lost her husband and needs financial support for she and her 4 children.
• Wendy, sillyfru, host of the Sassy Pants Knitter Podcast has been diagnosed with hairy cell  leukemia. Here's a link to her podcast group on Ravelry where you can find more information about how you can help support Wendy! Sending happy, healthy wishes your way, Wendy!!!

Coloring Book Yarn Socks

• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
• Yarn: Coloring Book Yarns- Colorway: September. Base- 80% merino/ 20% nylon
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Finished first sock.
• Really like OMG heel! Excited to have these finished.
• Cast on second and will be one of my take along projects for Rhinebeck

Dark Side of the Moon Socks

• I have Cascade 220 super wash from my stash all kitted up to make the elephant that's part of the Savannah Chaps pattern I talked about last time.

From the Armchair

• Tune in to hear my review of Knitters Pride Nova Platina 
  • I tried the US size 7 fixed circulars with the 40 inch cord
  • I really enjoyed these details- listen in to hear the details.
• Minerva Turkey, Shannon Gleason has a new video podcast you should check out! You can find it on her website, through her Ravelry Group  on iTunes 

Events

I've released my second design, the Aila Grace Shawl. Check it out on Ravelry.

This shawl was inspired by niece, Aila (pronounced “a-la”), a fiery red-head who packs a lot of personality into a very small package while always letting her class and beauty shine through.

The result is an easy, top down, elongated, triangular shawl that will add a punch of personality into your wardrobe while still looking classic. A great project for that single skein of fingering weight yarn you just had to buy but aren’t quite sure what to do with.

I hope you'll check it out!

Rhinebeck- NY Sheep and Wool: is this coming weekend, October 18 & 19, at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds

• Come say hello at the Podcaster Meet up Saturday 1p. Location: on the hill to the left just inside the Main Entrance
• For Fiber Event Tips- Check out this post from earlier this year,

Fall Shawl Style

• Show us your shawls and post to Instagram using wearing #fallshawl style
• This week I chose a random winner who will receive a pattern of her choice from Lisa Mutch's self published patterns. She has beautiful shawls. Be sure to check her out.

Pigskin Party KAL

• Tune in to Episode 52 if you haven’t already to hear all of the details about this KAL

Goodreader Class for Knitters

• I'm teaching at The Stitch House in Dorchester, MA on Sunday November 10 from 10a-12p. If you're local I'd love to teach you how to use this amazing iPad app to keep track of all of your knitting patterns.

Contests

 Twist Fiber Studio Kickstarter

• Check out the Kickstarter then come over to the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group and tell us which color way is your favorite. The winner will be drawn after 10/31. The prize is a one-of-a-kind skein of Twist Fiber Studio Arden Bulky in the “Faded Indigo” colorway.

Tune in to see if you're the winner of the Kung Fu Knits by Elizabeth Green Musselman provided to us by the Cooperative Press.

Infinite Twist Contest

• Infinite Twist has created a custom Down Cellar Studio Gradient (see below)
• This yarn works with two Infinite Twist patterns: the Log Cabin II (smaller version of the Log Cabin Shawl) which is due out in November or the Gradient Carousel shawl
• To be entered to win: go to Thread in the DCS Ravelry to check out the photo of the yarn and answer the prompt about what kind of bases you like (weight + fiber content) and what color in the Infinite Twist Helix color card you like best.

As a reminder, I'm an affiliate of Infinite Twist. If you choose to buy something from her excellent selection, please note that you were referred by Down Cellar Studio on the website- you'll receive a little bonus gift and I receive a small percentage of the sale.

On a Happy Note

• Making applesauce
• Fall foliage
• Starting to feel a bit better after this nasty cold

Quote of the Week

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house."

Nathaniel Hawthorne

 Thanks for listening!

• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Yarn: Crazy Zauberball
• Pattern: none
• Cast on first night of football for Pigskin party KAL

Coloring Book Yarn Socks

• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
• Yarn: Coloring Book Yarns- Colorway: September. Base- 80% merino/ 20% nylon
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams

Original OMG Heel (knit backwards: no, not on purpose)

Second OMG Heel (done correctly this time around)

Brainstorming

Wondering if your friends and family are knit worthy? Check out this blog post before you knit for someone who may not appreciate it.

From the Armchair

NH Knits is a new audio podcast hosted by Claire. She's lovely! Check out her show and Ravelry Group. 

Judy Marples & Nora Gaughan will be teaching classes in cables and lace at a Knitting Retreat in Bermuda- May 2-3 2015! For more information click here.

Fall Shawl Style

• Show us your shawls and post to Instagram using wearing #fallshawl style

Pigskin Party KAL

• Tune in to Episode 52 if you haven’t already

• All of the KAL Sponsors that have signed on so far are listed in the Prize Thread. Check out some new updates!

• I pulled the first two monthly prizes. One for Instagram participation & one for Ravelry chatter.
• Thank you to our sponsors:
  • Lauren McMordie- pattern designs
  • Java Jennie: Kitchen Counter Crafter- project bags

Contest: Check out the Kickstarter then come over to the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group and tell us which color way is your favorite. The winner will be drawn after 10/31. The prize is a one-of-a-kind skein of Twist Fiber Studio Arden Bulky in the “Faded Indigo” colorway. It’s a bulky weight Merino yarn, 140 yards - 100 grams.

Contest: Kung Fu Knits by Elizabeth Green Musselman provided to us by the publisher- Cooperative Press. Check out last episode's review on Episode 53. Then come enter to win an eBook copy! 

On a Happy Note

• Apple picking! My favorite day of the year! Check out my post with lots of great photos. 
• Gilmore Girls is on Netflix now! I couldn't be happier!

Thanks for tuning in! Have a good week!

Thanks for listening to Episode 53

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Events
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Dan’s Leftover Socks

• Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
• Yarn: Leftovers of Cascade 220
• Pattern: customizing an after-thought heel sock in worsted weight yarn.

On the Needles

Purple Sparkle Legwarmers

• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Yarn: Hopewood Crafts
• Pattern: none, improvised. Notes in Ravelry.

Cool Clavicle Cover

• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) (calls for US 8)
• Yarn: Another Crafty Girl Strong Sock in the Ponkie Brewster Colorway
• Pattern: Cool Clavical Cover by Megan Williams
• Addictive and fun knit. Interesting take on a traditional garter tab cast on! I recommend you check this out.

Zauberball Socks

• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Yarn: Crazy Zauberball
• Pattern: none
• Cast on first night of football for Pigskin party KAL

Coloring Book Yarn Socks

• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
• Yarn: Coloring Book Yarns- Colorway: September. Base- 80% merino/ 20% nylon
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams

Brainstorming

• Howard Hoodie
• Holiday knitting (more on that in the next episode)

From the Armchair

Announced the winner of the Knitters’ Gallery of Mitered Squares eBook. Thanks again to Cooperative Press for sponsoring this contest!

This week's book review: Kung Fu Knits by Elizabeth Green Musselman

• Elizabeth is also the host of Dark Matter Knits video podcast which I adore. Books is published by Cooperative Press. I’d like to thank them for sending this to me for review.
• This is both a comic book style story and a pattern book with 6 awesome patterns.
• I've included a snippet from my nieces Riley & Millie and my nephew Garret who thoroughly enjoyed this book! It gets a little wild and crazy at the end, but I suppose that's what happens when you ask 2, 4 & 6 year olds to be your co-hosts! Enjoy!
• The PDF is $9.95 and the Print/PDF combo is $15.95.

Contest: If you'd like to be entered to win an eBook copy of Kung Fu Knits, come over to the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group and enter to win!

Events

Fall Shawl Style

• Show us your shawls and post to Instagram using wearing #fallshawl style
• We had 95 posts at the time of recording!  I randomly chose a winner: instagram user FibertrekTV! Congratulations!
• Special thank you to Helen Stewart of Curious Handmade, a designer of beautiful shawls. Helen is this episode's sponsor of #fallshawlstyle

Pigskin Party KAL

• Click here for the full details
• Or tune in to Episode 52 if you haven’t already
• All of the KAL Sponsors that have signed on so far are listed in the Prize Thread

Rhinebeck- NY Sheep and Wool: October 18 & 19 at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds

On a Happy Note

• David Allen’s Getting Things Done Seminar (the GTD book is a great way to start)
• Project Life app for iPhone by Becky Higgins
• I love that it's the time of year to wear shawls, hats and socks! Hooray for knitwear!

Quote of the Week

David Allen “I am rather like a mosquito in a nudist camp; I know what I want to do, but I don’t know where to begin.”

Thanks for tuning in this week! Segments included:

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Events
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Baby Monster

• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix in the Badlands Colorway
• Pattern: Leila, Lydia and Lucas (the Momma and Baby Monsters) by Rebecca Danger (I made the baby size) from The Big Book of Knitted Monsters

Mitered Squares (2)

• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm)
• Yarn Infinite Twist Helix in a variety of colors
• Patterns used: Color Square 5 & Color Square 6 from A Knitter's Gallery of Mitered Squares: 45 Unique Designs in Color, Texture & Lace by Jill Bigelow Suttel and Jane Bigelow

I talk more about the yarn and the mitered squares pattern in From the Armchair.

On the Needles

Crazy Vanilla Socks with an After-thought Heel

• Needles: US 1.5
• Yarn: Schoppel-Wolle Crazy Zauberball in Colorway Fliederduft
• Progress: first sock done except for the heel. Second sock- just started the toe decreases

Started a hat with dk weight yarn from Fiberstory that I bought at Stitches.  Not frogged yet, but likely will be.

Dan's Leftovers Socks

• Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
• Yarn: Leftovers of Cascade 220
• Pattern: customizing an after-thought heel sock for Dan's size in worsted weight yarn. Details in project page on Ravelry.

Cool Clavicle Cover

• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) (calls for US 8)
• Yarn: Another Crafty Girl Strong Sock in the Ponkie Brewster Colorway
• Pattern: Cool Clavical Cover by Megan Williams
• Addictive and fun knit. Interesting take on a traditional garter tab cast on! I recommend you check this out.

Brainstorming

Upstairs Downstairs: A Cowl in Three Sizes by Paula Emons-Fuessle $5 US pattern

• Sport Weight Cowl. Diagonal lace pattern with garter stitch border and center section
• Small size calls for 250 yards of Sport Weight Yarn. Have some special yarn in mind!

Designs: I'm working on a number of different designs right now- I have so much inspiration.  I also have a new shawl design being test knit, so I expect it to be ready shortly!

From the Armchair

Infinite Twist Yarn (Affiliate link: If you enter code "Down Cellar Studio" at check out you'll receive a cool prize pack with samples of her beautiful yarn. At no additional cost to you, I will also receive a small commission to help support the podcast)

• I encourage you to go to the Infinite Twist website and check out this video to learn more about what they do. According to their site, Infinite Twist is a "Shanghai-based yarn company run by Cate Carter-Evans. We produce socially responsible hand-spun yarns made by rural and migrant women, as well as hand-dyed mill-spun yarns."
• They offer kits, yarn & spinning wheels.
• Sign up for their newsletter to get a free pattern every month!
• Check out Cate on Instagram as InfiniteTwist

We have some really fun stuff coming up with Infinite Twist next month so stay tuned.

A Knitter's Gallery of Mitered Squares: 45 Unique Designs in Color, Texture & Lace by Jill Bigelow Suttel and Jane Bigelow 

Pricing: $18.95 Ravelry Download or click here to order a print version (with free eBook version) for $26.95

• This book provides very clear instructions about how to make mitered squares, connection them etc.
• All patterns are charted, the layout is clean and the photos are beautiful.
• There is a great variety in the 45 patterns included! There are also 4 projects included in the book.
• I really enjoyed this book and I think this is a great resource to have!

Contest: Check out the book's Ravelry page. Tell me in the contest thread in our Ravelry Group what your two favorite squares are.

Events

#fallshawlstyle

• Show me your fall shawl style! How do you wear your shawls? How do you accessorize? How can you use a shawl to really jazz up an otherwise plain outfit? I want to see!
• If you're interested in hearing more about fashion and knitting tune in to the couple most recent episodes of the Knitting Pretty Podcast! Em does a great job talking about styling knitwear.
• Come chat about it in our Ravelry Group
• To be entered to randomly win a prize- post on Instagram with the hashtag #fallshawlstyle.
  • I'll randomly pick winners from the Instagram posts.
• If your photo is especially good, I'll be in contact about featuring it on the blog!

#DCSPigSkinParty

• For details see the official page for this contest here.
• I'd like to say a very special thank you to my good friend Lisa for the concept and her support. You'll see her as a moderator in the Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group.

On a Happy Note

• Great end to vacation (the start of which I discussed on Episode 51)
• Finished Couch to 5 K program (still not quite running 5k in 30 minutes but I'm making progress)!
• Awesome Labor Day Weekend! Knitting. My first facial. Back to School Shopping with my niece and my Mom (ran into my grandmother). Went to yoga with Mom. Went with her to purchase her new MacBook Pro!
• Two Tangled Skeins Video Podcast is running a KAL for Cool Clavicle Cover and Tan House Brook Shawl. Go check them out!

Quote of the Week

The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity.

Lewis Grizzard

Thanks for tuning in! Happy Knitting and I'll talk to you soon!