• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• From the Armchair
• Knitting in Passing
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

• Yarn: Fish Belly Fiber Works, Tributary Base in the Bougainvillea colorway (fingering weight held doubled)
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm)
• Pattern: KitKat Hat by Andre Sue Knits

• Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50- Imprim Ciel Colorway
• US 1 (2.25mm) needles
• Pattern: OMG Heel

• Yarn: leftovers (DK weight)
• Needles: US 3
• Pattern: Mary, Millie & Morgan by Susan B Anderson
• Comfy Cardi & Fancy Skirt

On the Needles

• Pattern: Anna (Frozen) Inspired Softie by Kristen's Kords (kit)
• I favorited another Ravelry pattern that I may use as inspiration to jazz up the skirt.

• Pattern: Gradient Angles by Janice Hamby
• Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix: Colors= Spooky Purple, African Violet, Mona Lisa, Tickled, Sakura, Anthurium
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)

From the Armchair 

• Designs by Shannon Cook, Romi Hill, Bristol Ivy, Tanis Lavallée, Joji Locatelli, Alexa Ludeman, Jane Richmond, Ysolda Teague, and Emily Wessel
• Visit their website for more details.
• For details about their KAL check out this Ravelry thread.

Knitting in Passing

• I shared a story about connecting with another Weight Watchers Member on knitting. I helped her with her first sock.
• If you're a new sock knitter you may want to check out the Tin Can Knits Rye Sock Pattern. Great resource for a knit sock knitter because it explains the construction.

KAL News

• Click here to find about more about this KAL.
• Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread 
• The 12 Months to Christmas KAL is a craft-a-long that helps you prepare for the busy winter holiday season. Complete gift projects each month (or just in the months that you choose) so you don’t have to scramble in December. Find some cool new gift ideas, cheer each other on, and we’ll provide some motivation in the form of the potential to win prizes!
• First Quarter Prizes:
  • Project Bag of Winner's Choice from She is Sew Whimsical on Etsy (contact:  renee_schimel@charter.net)

• Declare a WIP from 2016 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.
• In March we also have a prize from Fibernymph Dye Works. The winner can choose a resist-dyed sock blank – either with sparkle or without – in their choice of colors.

• January & February Huddle & Instagram Winners
• 10 Grand Prize Winners
• Sponsor Love Thread Winners
• 10 Grand Prize Winners

Events

• Join me for my GoodReader class - March 25 from 4-6p at the Stitch House in Dorchester, MA ($30) 

Life in Focus

• Happiness Project 2017
  • January- Minimalism

On a Happy Note

• World of Difference Shawl- has been a huge hit! Thank you for the overwhelmingly positive response.
• Visiting with friends. Binge watching, Season 3 of the Affair. The Crown. Black Mirror.
• I had a good appointment with my Physical Therapist.
• Weight Watchers is going well. I met a new personal goal!
• I spent time this weekend my niece and nephew.

Quote of the Week

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles 

• Pattern: Sunwalker by Melanie Berg
• Yarn: Sun Valley Fibers MCS (Merino Cashmere Silk) Fingering in Kensington Colorway
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm)
• Modifications:
  • Made it smaller than originally called for. Notes from this Ravelry Project Page as my guide.
  • Did garter stitch for body instead of textured stitch. 

• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash in brown & red
• Hook: C (2.75mm)
• Pattern: none
• Eyes & Nose from: 6060 on Etsy

• Yarn: Berry Colorful Yarnings- self striping
• Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Sock by Megan Williams

Bruins Hat

• Yarn: Knitters Brewing Company Sockaholic Fingering weigh yarn in Bruins Tailgate Party Colorway
• Pattern: None- see project page for details.
• Needles: US 5 & 6

On the Needles 

• Yarn: KFI Luxury Collection (MCN)- Color 604
• Needles: US 2 (2.75mm)
• Pattern: OMG heel 52 stitches

• Pattern: Journey by Alina Schneider $7
• Yarn: Yarn Geek Fibers Whiz Bang (merino/bamboo worsted weight)
• Needles:  US 6 (4.0 mm)

• Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50- Imprim Ciel Colorway
• US 1 (2.0mm) needles
• Pattern: OMG Heel

Brainstorming 

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• From the Armchair
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

• Pattern: KitKat Hat by AndreSue Knits
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) and US 7 (4.5 mm)
• Tosh DK in Pop Rocks Colorway
• Tink Yarn
• Vanna’s Choice
• Cascade 220 Superwash
• Neighborhood Fiber Company

On the Needles 

• Pattern: Anna (Frozen) Inspired Softie by Kristen's Kords (kit)
• Hook: 3.5 mm
• Yarn: Red Heart & Caron
• Bought kit at Stitches West 2016 with Jasmin, who purchased the Elsa kit. I use Genius Scan Appon my phone (to save file for personal use anyways) download to iPad into GoodReader App.
• I favorited another Ravelry pattern that I may use as inspiration to jazz up the skirt.

• Pattern: Gradient Angles by Janice Hamby
• Yarn: Infinite Twist Helix: Colors= Spooky Purple, African Violet, Mona Lisa, Tickled, Sakura, Anthurium
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)

• Yarn: Bergere de France Goomy 50- Imprim Ciel Colorway
• US 1 (2.0mm) needles
• Pattern: OMG Heel

• Pattern: Sunwalker by Melanie Berg
• Yarn: Sun Valley Fibers MCS (Merino Cashmere Silk) Fingering in Kensington Colorway
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) 

• Pattern: Instructions from this tutorial
• Yarn: leftover sock yarn
• Hook: D 3.25 mm

• Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarah Anderson
• Yarn: Pussyhat leftover yarn- Tink Yarn, Cascade 220, other stash scraps
• Hook: H (5.0 mm)
• Idea from Andie of AndreSue Knits Video Podcast
• Works for Marce of Brown Berry Chronicles Video Podcast KAL  #MakeWIPsNotWaste

From the Armchair

• The Other F Word podcast: conversations about failure
• Minimalism; A Documentary About the Important Things  available on Netflix in the US.
  • Check out this review from Life Edited to learn more.
  • I've also been listening to the Minimalists Podcast
• The Bletchley Circle on Netflix
• What I Know For Sure: (audio book of short stories/essays written and ready by Oprah Winfrey
  • A favorite quote from the book"...when people say they're looking for happiness I ask 'what are you giving to the world?' It's like the wife who once appeared on my show wondering why her relationship with her husband had broken down. She kept saying "he used to make me so happy. He doesn't make me happy anymore' what she couldn't see was that she was the cause of her own effect. Happiness is never something you get from other people. The happiness you feel is in direct proportion to the love or happiness you're able to give. If you think something is missing in your life or you're not getting what you deserve- remember there is no yellow brick road. You lead life. It doesn't lead you." Oprah

 In My Travels

Vogue Knitting Live NYC

• Class with Bristol Ivy (highly recommend)
• Visiting with friends!

• Declare a WIP from 2016 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.
• Start planning your February project. Must post in thread by February 5

• Mini Skein Interception- sponsored by Fibernymph Dye Works- ended January 15th. Prizes Announced!
• Small & Self Indulgent Interception- Sponsored by Knit Knight Designs
  • Cast-on on/after January 1. Finish by January 31.
  • Create project 300 yards to less- that you plan to keep for yourself. Could be something to wear or something for your home. Anything that will be a bright spot in your life. Just tell us why it brings you joy to make/have etc.

Life in Focus

•  January Happiness Project Update (in progress): Minimalism
• Interesting Things to Read:
  • Things I don't need
  • Join the Clutter Free Revolution
    • "I think a handful of brilliant and recklessly deceitful entrepreneurs have convinced us that our individual value as human beings is more closely tied to the things we own. Here’s the really weird bit: We know. But we pretend that’s not what’s going on. Instead, we proudly show off our new stuff, and say things like, “You’ve got to get one of these!” Sure, it’s fun and that excitement is real. But in most cases, we haven’t really done our homework. We skip that step and go straight to believing if something’s for sale, it must be good. We’ve not learned about where our stuff comes from, what kind of harmful materials went into making those things, whether or not the people who made that stuff were treated fairly, and if there’s an environmentally responsible way to safely dispose of all that stuff when we’re done with it.  So, here we are; this peculiar species, frantically racing about – consumed with doing anything we can to make enough money to buy these curious things we’re convinced will make us happy. The truly astonishing thing is how fleeting our happiness has become. It’s almost like finding the thing has become the source of our joy – even more so than the thing itself. Before we know it, we’ve become preoccupied with finding the next thing, and the next thing."   Evan Zislis

“Failure is so important. We speak about success all the time. It is the ability to resist failure or use failure that often leads to greater success. I’ve met people who don’t want to try for fear of failing…It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case you fail by default.”   ~ J. K. Rowling

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 105  of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week's segments included:

• Off the Needles
• From the Armchair
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Riley's Mittens

• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White and Black
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
• Pattern: Little Waiting for Winter Mittens by Susan B Anderson

Penguin Amigurumi

• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White and Black
• Hook: C (2.75mm)
• Pattern: Penguin Amigurumi by  Mariska Vos-Bolman

Dan’s Extra Crazy Socks

• Yarn: KFI Luxury Collection (MCN)
• Needles: US 2 (2.75mm)
• Pattern: OMG heel

Christmas Tree Ornament

• Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Pattern: improvised.

PussyHat Project Hat #1

• Yarn: MadelineTosh Tosh DK in Pop Rocks Colorway
• Needles: US 6 & US 7 (4.0 & 4.5 mm)
• Pattern: KitKat Hat by AndreSue (free)
• Cast on 88. Ribbing, 3 needles bind off on the inside when done

Bruins Sockhead Hat

• Pattern: Socked Slouch Hat by Kelly McClure (free)
• Needles: US 2 (2.75mm)
• Yarn: Knitters Brewing Company Sockaholic Fingering weigh yarn in Bruins Tailgate Party Colorway

Unicorn

• Pattern: Shy Little Unicorn by  Ana Paula Rimoli (library book)
• Yarn: KnitPicks Brava Worsted
• Hook: C

Crochet Hexagon Washcloth

• H hook
• Pattern: Tutorial from Make & Do Crew

Crafty Adventures

• Project Life App
• In the Everyday Joy Themed Cards there is a card that says "knitting is my happy place"

From the Armchair

Designs: Created 5 new shawl designs, 2 of which have already been published: Riley Rose & My Own Backyard

Events: We've had so much fun with the Splash Pad KAL, the 3rd Annual Pigskin Party & 12 Months to Christmas KAL

Fiber Events

• Vogue Knitting Live- January
• Stitches West- February
• Rhode Island Fiber Fest, NH Sheep and Wool, MA Sheep and Wool- May
• Fiber Revival- August
• Southern Adirondack Fiber Festival- September
• Rhinebeck- October

KAL News

• Announced last of 2016 12 Months to Christmas KAL Prizes! 

12 Months to Christmas 2017

• Check out: Chat Thread & FO Thread 
• Finish 1 project during each/all of the 12 months of 2017 that you plan to gift for the 2017 holidays. Post 1 item (max) per month of the year. Prizes will be drawn randomly throughout the year from all posts in the FO thread.

New Year-long Craft along- WIP’ing 2017 in the Butt

Pigskin Party

Our 3rd annual make-along hosted in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group that runs during the NFL football season September 8- February 6th (Monday after Superbowl- you can knit and post photos on that last day) The more projects you finish, the more touchdowns and field goals you’ll score and the more points you earn. You can also increase your score by using products from our awesome sponsors or meeting other challenges and by recruiting new team members. The more points you have, the more entries you get for the prize drawings. We also have lots of prizes reserved for participation  on Ravelry and Instagram to keep it fun and light if you’re not a hardcore player.  You can participate in as much or as little as you like. In short- it’s 5 months of fun, chatter, some good healthy banter and of course PRIZES!

Pigskin Party ’16

• Wondering what this crazy KAL is? Check out this page which gives you the best overview with all necessary links.
• 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
  • Continue to update this with all of the points you earn during the KAL
  • Check out our amazing sponsorsCheck out our amazing sponsors.
  • 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!
• Don’t forget to use #DCSPigskinParty2016 on Instagram so we check out what you’re doing and you can be eligible for participation prizes.
• Want to make sure you know the latest news about the Interceptions, swaps and other fun challenges throughout the Pigskin Party? Stay tuned to the Sidelines Games thread in the Ravelry Group.

Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors!

• Berry Colorful Yarnings
• Bijou Basin Ranch
• Daizie Knits
• Fair Winds Farm
• Fiber Nymph Dye Works
• Knit Life Designs
• Knitcircus Yarns
• Knits4Comfort
• Knitters Brewing Company
• Knitty Kitty Bags
• Lilliput Yarn
• Media Peruana Designs
• One Geek To Craft Them All
• Pearl and Plum
• Plum Deluxe Tea
• Prairie Bag Works
• Sun Valley Fibers
• Sunsoaked Yarns
• The Yarn Sellar
• Yarn Geek Fibers

Key Details Mentioned in this Episode-

• December Huddle Winners & Instagram Winners Announced
• WIPs Interception Winners Announced
• Mini Skein Interception- sponsored by Fibernymph Dye Works-
  • Use one or more mini skeins to make a project from start to finish (adding to a cozy memories blanket won't start). Must be a new cast-on and cast off.
  • Runs December 1- January 15th
• Small & Self Indulgent Interception- Sponsored by Knit Knight Designs 
  • Cast-on on/after January 1. Finish by January 31.
  • Create project 300 yards to less- that you plan to keep for yourself. Could be something to wear or something for your home. Anything that will be a bright spot in your life. Just tell us why it brings you joy to make/have etc.

Events

• Vogue Knitting Live- NYC  January 13-15, 2017
• Women's March Boston January 21, 2017 11a-3p

Life in Focus

I talked about my plans for a Happiness Project for 2017. For more information, check out Gretchen Rubin's website.

On a Happy Note 

• Christmas & New Year's!
• SNOW! For a video click here.
• Going to the library!
• 30 min of Zumba w/ my favorite instructor. 

Quote of the Week

"What I know for sure is that pleasure is energy reciprocated.  What you put out, comes back. Your base level of pleasure is determined by how you view your whole life. "  --Oprah Winfrey from What I know for sure

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Contact Information:

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
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• Facebook
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