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

Off the Needles

• I used fingering, worsted and bulky weight yarn with varying hook sizes.
• Soaked finished stars quickly in water. Squeeze out excess water.  Used T pins to pin into blocking board (covered in saran wrap to protect it.
• Dabbed on Mod Podge Stiffy with a foam brush and wiped into front and back.

• Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable
• Hook: D 3.25 mm
• Pattern: Groot Amigurumi by Clare Heesh (free crochet)

• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash- Red
• Hook: C:
• Pattern: none

• Yarn: Cozy Knitter Bliss Base (80% SW Merino, 20% Nylon) You've been Elfed Colorway.
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

• Yarn: Plymouth Encore Tweed Colorway 0217- Black with tan flecks
• Needles: US 5 + US 7
• Pattern: Turn a Square Hat (free) by Jared Flood
• Cast on 92- thicker yarn
• 6 1/2 inches before decreases but I think that was too short. My gut told me 7 inches but the only notes in my Rav Project pages said 6.. now I know.

On the Needles

• Yarn:  Dyenamics Yarn Supersock Fingering in Zombie Colorway - gray base with darker gray (some blue tones) blips of red and green
• Needles: US 1.5
• Pattern: OMG Heel

• Yarn: Socks that Rock Lightweight in the Sugar Plum Fairy Dust Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5
• Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel

• Yarn: leftover bits of sock yarn joined using Cate's Clasp Weft Join
• Needles: US 1.5
• Pattern: OMG Heel

• Pattern: Ninilchik Swoncho by Caitlin Hunter
• Yarn: Cloudborne DK, Fiberstory DK + Gale's Art Super Star DK
• Needles: US 4 & 6

Brainstorming

• Fingering Yarn held double for socks. Christmas yarn leftovers with white or gray
• Siksak Hat
• Baby prop- if you have any favorites please let me know!

From the Armchair

• Done Disappeared (parody) Podcast
• Broadchurch available on Netflix (season 3 available now)
• 2017 Year in Review: I talked about how I went about it. Here's a link to 50 Important Questions to Help you Reflect

Crafty Adventures

• My Christmas making was done so I focused on finishing and getting things unstuck.
• Finished sewing in the ribbon to cover the steeks on my cardigan
• Ripped out toe on a pair of socks that I made too short.
• I fixed granny square jacket my mom made decades ago so my niece can wear it...
• Did finish a few of those crochet stars because they were fun...
• And Kris got some sewing done while we chatted!

KAL News

• Click here to find about more about this KAL.
• Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread 
• Prizes:
  • Thundertwist hat from Greg Cohoon
  •  Victorian Yuletide Ornaments- 1-5 by Jenn Sheelen

• Declare a WIP from the 1st Quarter of 2017 or earlier within the first 5 days of the month, posting a photo of it in the thread. Finish the project by the end of the month, update your post with your FO photo and you'll be eligible to win a Ravelry downloadable pattern of your choosing up to $8.

• Check out the Rules but if you still have questions, come over to the Questions thread and ask. We’re happy to help.
• Put your Name on the Roster then claim your spot in the End Zone Dance Thread where you'll track your points. Continue to update this with all of the points you earn during the KAL
• For every 100 points, you'll earn an entry into the drawing for the Grand Prizes
  • Check out our amazing Sponsors; if you use their products, you'll earn more points per FO
    • Find the coupons here.
  • Some of our Pro Shop Level Sponsors will be creating exclusive items for Pigskin Party participants. They may come out at different times and will likely be limited in quantities, so keep your eyes on this Exclusive Items thread in the group for all the latest news
• Scope out the prizes! Some will be given out during the KAL; some will be part of the Grand Prizes.
• Don’t forget to use #DCSPigskinParty17 on Instagram so we check out what you’re doing and you can be eligible for participation prizes.
• Wondering what this crazy KAL is? Check out this page which gives you the best overview with all necessary links. There's also a helpful "Start Here" Thread in the Ravelry Group

• December Interception reminder: Sponsored by Fibernymph Dye Works

Slay the Stash 2018

• 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 that are soooo pretty we don’t want to touch them. In 2018, we are turning those sacred skeins into beautiful projects you can enjoy-- and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way! Full details and rules can be found here.
• January Post
• Use and follow #slaythestash2018 on Social Media

 Events

• 2018 Box O' Balls Round Robin Mini Swap: click the link for full details about the mini skein swap
• I will be attending Vogue Knitting Live NYC: January 12-14, 2018

Life in Focus

• Gave my final thoughts on the December Project.
• Did a 2017 Happiness Project Review.
• I mentioned that I recently listened to an Episode of Slow Your Home where Cait Flanders was talking about her year long spending ban. Link above if you want to check that out.
• I am still planning my 2018 Goals--but if you want some recommended reading in the meantime....
  • Gretchen Rubin Strategies for establishing habits based on your tendency
  • David Allen: The Big Secret About Goal Setting
  • Mike Vardy: How to Review Your Year

• Citric Acid Discussion continued....
  • Yes, citric acid is safe to use in containers you eat from. Here's an article from Livestrong
  • Color catchers- are another great idea. I use these sometimes too!
  • Citric acid works to set color in wool but does not work for cellulose fibers (cotton, e.g.).

On a Happy Note

• Funky Nutcracker- my oldest niece Emelyn was Nutcracker. and she did a great job! 
• We ended our Crafty Afternoon with a trip to Ann Taylor loft. Kris, Aila and I got a set of 3 bracelets with our initials for free! FUN!
• Enchanted Village: Aila and I squeeze in a visit and got to see Santa!
• Riley, Garret + Millie's Christmas Sleepover
• I auditioned for a local production of the musical Caberet and got in. Eeek! This is me knitting to calm my nerves before auditions
• Christmas!
• Star Wars!

Quote of the Week

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Twitter: Instagram & Periscope: 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!

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

Off the Needles

• Pattern: Greedo by Lucy Collins in the Star Wars Even More Crochet (kit)
• Yarn: Vanna's choice Sage (face), cloudbourn DK (held double) for turquoise, Vanna's choice mustard
• Hook: C

• Pattern: 4 Seasons Easter by Lydia Tresselt 6.77 US (3 patterns- chick, bunny and sheep)
• Yarn: Sprightly Worsted
• Hook: C

• Pattern: Turn a Square Hat by Jared Flood
• Yarn: Malibrigo Rios in the VAA Colorway
• Needles: US 5 for brim, US 7 for body
• Cast on 92 stitches (less than called for). I always do stockinette longer than called call for- 6 inches instead of 5 before decreases.

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

• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Baker Street Colorway
• Needles: US 5 + US 7
• Pattern: Turn a Square Hat (free) by Jared Flood
• Cast on 96 sts with US 5
• 6 inches before starting decreases
• Finished hat- 56 grams | 42 grams remain

• Carina's Hat + Ella's Hat
• Pattern: Poppy Troll Hat by  Tawnya Myers (free crochet pattern)
• Hook: H
• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in 2 colors of pink:
• Carina: 5-10 year old child size Ella:1-4 year old child size.

 

• Gray and purple Poncho and matching Skirt
• Pink skirt and matching scarf
• Yarn: Fingering Weight Scraps
• Hook: C

On The Needles

• Yarn: Switzer's Fiber Mill (unknown base/length skeins)
• Needles: US 7 & US 9
• Pattern: Worsted Boxy by Joji Locatelli
• Will have to edit these needle sizes when I cast this back on. I had to rip out because my sweater was 68 inches instead of 64. Will cast back on soon!

• Yarn: Plymouth Encore Tweed Colorway 0217- Black with tan flecks
• Needles: US 5 + US 7
• Pattern: Turn a Square Hat (free) by Jared Flood
• Cast on 9 (thicker yarn)

• Yarn: Cozy Knitter Bliss Base (80% SW Merino, 20% Nylon) You've been Elfed Colorway.
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

• Free pattern from the Persia Lou Website 
• Yarn: scraps of fingering, worsted and bulky
• Hooks: Various sizes from C up to match yarn size.
• Used Mod Podge Stiffy to stiffen

Crafty Adventures

• Simple Stories Sn@p Album 6x8 from Joann $18.99 (got on sale/with a coupon)
• Came with pages in there, divided page protectors and dividers with tab
• What I'd do differently next time: create the title page and left space for them to write their names and the years. Written more prompts for them to fill in the blanks. They were mostly interested in decorating not writing but that's understandable :)

KAL News

• Click here to find about more about this KAL.
• Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread 
• Prizes!
  • Thundertwist hat from Greg Cohoon
  •  Victorian Yuletide Ornaments- 1-5 by Jenn Sheelen
  • Bundle Up Betty Doll and outfit patterns from AndreSue Knits

• Declare a WIP from the 1st Quarter of 2017 or earlier within the first 5 days of the month, posting a photo of it in the thread. Finish the project by the end of the month, update your post with your FO photo and you'll be eligible to win a Ravelry downloadable pattern of your choosing up to $8.

• Wondering what this crazy KAL is? Check out this page which gives you the best overview with all necessary links. There's also a helpful "Start Here" Thread in the Ravelry Group
• Check out the Rules but if you still have questions, come over to the Questions thread and ask. We’re happy to help.
• Put your Name on the Roster then claim your spot in the End Zone Dance Thread where you'll track your points.
• For every 100 points, you'll earn an entry into the drawing for the Grand Prizes
  • Continue to update this with all of the points you earn during the KAL
  • Check out our amazing Sponsors; if you use their products, you'll earn more points per F
  • Some of our Pro Shop Level Sponsors will be creating exclusive items for Pigskin Party participants. They may come out at different times and will likely be limited in quantities, so keep your eyes on this Exclusive Items thread in the group for all the latest news
• Scope out the prizes! Some will be given out during the KAL; some will be part of the Grand Prizes.
• Don’t forget to use #DCSPigskinParty17 on Instagram so we check out what you’re doing and you can be eligible for participation prizes.

Life in Focus

• Going really well. Concrete, simple, can adjust to a busy season and I had ideas at the ready. That seems the key to success.
• Tracking something I'm doing every. Here are some examples: Stretching, foam rolling, going for a walk, going to bed early, reading before bed to quiet my mind, tea, no stress knitting. I took a bath with epsom salt and candles.

Ask me Anything

• I use the Knitmore Girls Tutorial
• I think it's helpful especially when using multiple colors/skeins in your project and especially for handdyed yarns. I haven't had as much bleeding/absorption with commercial dyed yarns but be careful with reds, blues, purples and neons.

On a Happy Note

• We had a 4 kid holiday sleepover with Eme (13)/ Oisin (9), Will (10), and Aila (8). We celebrated Dan's birthday, decorated the tree and enjoyed pancakes!
• Emelyn's school concert. I had an extra sock my bag so gave it to Megg (Eme's mom) so she and knit together. It was lovely!
• A non-stressful holiday season. There are a couple more things I'd like to do and things I'd like to get, but shopping is mostly done. Waiting on a few things to come in by mail so I can wrap- which I'll enjoy doing. Turns out I'm a Grinchalong fail. Still making gifts because I can...and my heart keeps growing 3 sizes.

Quote of the Week

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Twitter: Instagram & Periscope: 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!