Thank you for tuning in to Episode 203 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. For full show notes including photos visit my website: www.downcellarstudio.com/203 

This week’s segments included:

• Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Crafty Adventures
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• Life in Focus
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Thank you for the recent rates & reviews in Apple Podcasts. I’d love to get the number of ratings up to 300! Want to help? Check out the article for step-by-step instructions.

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Crochet Heart Garland

• Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs: Ravelry Link & Blogpost Link
• Yarn: Big Twist Twinkle (Grey), Lion Brand Wool Ease Solids in Dark Rose Heather & Blush Heather
• Ravelry Project Page

Heidi the Horse

• Pattern: Heidi the Horse by Jess Huff (free crochet pattern). Direct link to pattern website.
• Hook: C (2.75 mm)
• Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable in the Soft Taupe Colorway (body). Mystery brown acrylic worsted weight yarn for hooves, tail, mane. Mystery cream acrylic for nose & ears. 
• Ravelry Project Page

Ursa

• Ravelry Project Page
• Pattern: Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak ($8 knitting pattern)- pattern also available on PayHip
• Needle: US 11 (8.0 mm)
• Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Mauch Chunky in the Juju Fruit Colorway. Retails for $8.50 per ball. (Yarn provided free of charge for me to review)
• Finished sweater used 472 grams/ 519 meters, 567 yards.
• Tune in to hear my thoughts on how we see ourselves and decide what’s flattering or not. Remember a photo is just one angle of you. Everyone in real life sees you as a dynamic moving person, not just one static image. See examples of what I’d consider good/bad or flattering/unflattering photos below. Bottom line: I do love the sweater and have worn it several times already! Really enjoyed knitting with this Kraemer Yarn and can definitely see myself using it again for future projects.

Juju Fruit Headband

• Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Mauch Chunky in the Juju Fruit Colorway
• Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm)
• Pattern: new design. Release TBD.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Wound Up Fiber Arts 3 Ply Spin

• Fiber: Wound Up Fiber Arts Corriedale, 100 grams. Colorway 1: Prim (finished 1/12). Colorway 2: Fall Vibes finished 2/2. Colorway 3
• Ravelry Project Page
• No color management. Going to add other 2 braids. 3 ply.
• 15 min per day in Feb
• I have about 1/4 of the third braid, Honey Pie, left to go.

Fifties Stripes Socks

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

Brainstorming

• Garret asked for a dog that looks like their French Bulldog, Yadi, for his birthday. I purchased a pattern from BlackBird Pattern on Etsy.  $8.49 Contains patterns for both a Frenchie and a Pug.  Most realistic of all the patterns I could find on Ravelry and Etsy. 
• I bought a black dog nose and replenished some safety eyes from 6060 on Etsy.
• I bought removable wallpaper samples from Etsy. We liked this one, but Dan suggested I paint it instead and get the kids involved.

From the Armchair

• Books I’ve Finished (listened to each of these on the Hoopla app): 
  • A Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer, so I got it from the library.  Amazon Affiliate Link.
  • You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory is Mostly Fiction by David McRaney- Amazon Affiliate Link 
  • Commonwealth by Ann Patchett- Amazon Affiliate Link I love Ann’s writing but this wasn’t my absolute favorite of her books. I would recommend: The Dutch House, Run or Truth & Beauty

Crafty Adventures

• Riley taught me how to make Disney ears using a headband, cardboard shapes for the ears, polyfill, material, ribbons and a glue gun. No sewing required. We filmed a video that will be up on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel soon. 

KAL News

Pigskin Party wrapped up; winners announced in Episode 202. If you won a prize and haven’t already reached out already please get in touch before March 10th.

Events

• Virtual Vogue Knitting Live- March 18-21- Workshops posted
  • Check out friend of pod, Mara Smith is teaching a class on Saturday March 21 12:30p-1:30p. Lecture: Sit Right and Knit All Night: How Proper Ergonomics Can Increase Productivity
• Carolina FiberFest (virtual): March 11-14. . Workshops March 11-14, with vendors, free talks and demonstrations on the 12-14th.

Contest, News & Notes

• Let’s welcome Jen from the Commuter Knitter Podcast back to the Podcasting world! She uploaded a new episode for the first time after 4 years. Great episode, fun audio from her 4 year old twins at the end. Find Jen on Instagram as NDJen04
• Check out the AndersMill Knits Podcast on YouTube.  I joined Emily & Stephanie. Episode 57.1 & 57.2 
• Check out my Thrift Haul Video
• Weekend Crafty Vlog– February 14th & 15th : You’ll get weekend knitting, crochet and spinning. You’ll also see some yoga, snowy walks in the woods, hear an update on my experience with my 2nd Covid Vaccine, and join me (and the fam) for thrifting adventures. 
• My Studio Redesign is complete. Check out the transformation video on YouTube. 
• Thanks for getting me over 1,000 subscribers! I really appreciate your support. 

Life in Focus

Update: 21 for 2021 List- Completed:

• #4- Complete Book 2 for my 2018 Album
• #10- Hit 1,000 subscribers on YouTube
• #11- Participate in the February Challenge on Instagram
• #12- Read/listen to 10 books
• #19- Submit a pattern to at least 1 publication 

Ask Me Anything

Limestone knits asked on IG- How to choose sweater patterns that integrate well with your existing wardrobe

1. What colors do you wear? What colors do you like up near your face? Do you like stripes? Patterns?
2. What type of sweater do you usually wear? Pullovers? Cardigans? Baggy/fitted?  
3. When you wear sweaters what are you doing and what else are you wearing? Do you only ever wear sweaters out of the house, never at home? Do you want your sweater to pair with jeans? Leggings? 
4. Are you warm blooded or cold blooded? 

On a Happy Note

• Thrifting with Mom, Riley and Millie over the holiday weekend. So fun! 
• Walking in the snow with Hattie and Megg last Saturday.
• Visiting with Millie outside, safely and sitting fireside on her birthday. Getting to see Garret skate in the ice rink my brother made in the backyard. 
• My BFF came for a socially distant visit- bringing fresh, local mint chip ice cream and flowers. 
• New “bowl” in my food rotation: Black Bean Cowboy burger from Trader Joe’s, a little bit of quinoa, whatever roasted veggies are in the fridge, a little cheese and BBQ sauce. 

Quote of the Week

You make mistakes, mistakes don’t make you”― Maxwell Maltz

 

Thank you for tuning in!

Please note: book links are all Amazon Affiliate Links. If you make a purchase (or anything else) after clicking through that link, I’ll get a small percentage. It doesn’t cost you any extra. It’s a great way to support the podcast, so thanks in advance for considering purchasing through these links. 

Contact Information:

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Music -“Soft Orange Glow” by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 202 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. For full show notes including photos check out my website.

This week’s segments included:

• Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• From the Armchair
• Crafty Adventures
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mom’s Rhinebeck Birthday Headband

• Yarn: Mom bought a sweater quantity at Rhinebeck 2019 from Battenkill Fiber Mill in NY. Had more than 1 full skein of the 9 she purchased leftover.
• Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm)
• Pattern: None

Vampire Vibes Socks (Ravelry Link)

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Vampires Vibes colorway. Holly Press Fibers Sheepish Sock (heels)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page

Jeff’s Ice Time Hat

• Pattern: Ice Time Hat by Jennifer Lassonde
• Ravelry Project Page
• Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash (charcoal) & Leading Men Fiber Arts Dramaturg in the Sandcastle Colorway (tan).
• Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)

Crochet Heart Garlands

• Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs (free crochet pattern)
• Hooks: Various sizes
• My Ravelry Project Page– blue version
• Yarn: Acrylic Worsted Weight yarn from stash (for hearts), wool fingering weight scraps (for garland).

3 more Garlands in red, white and silver

• Project Pages, One, Two and Three
• Fun with sparkle yarn
  • White: Lion Brand Wool Ease- 301- White Multi
  • Big Twist from Joann’s (Holiday- Red & Twinkle- Gray/Silver)

Hattie’s Little Unicorn

• Pattern: Little Unicorn by Valto Ekaterina ($3.60 Etsy)
• Hook: C (2.75 mm)
• Yarn: White- worsted acrylic from stash. Colors from Knit Picks Brava Minis
• Ravelry Project Page
• Pattern calls for attaching limbs as you go. Felt more fiddly than it was worth so I skipped that and sewed them on after.
• Pattern calls for tying in yarn for hair. I used crochet chains instead.

3-Ply Shetland

• 100% undyed Shetland
• 100 grams,
• Finished yarn: 98g. 256 yards- sport weight 3 ply.
• Ravelry Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Ursa

• Ravelry Project Page. https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BostonJen/ursa
• Pattern: Ursa by Jacqueline Cieslak
• Needle: US 11 (8.0 mm)
• Yarn: Kraemer Yarns Mauch Chunky in the Juju Fruit Colorway 
• Finished the first sleeve!

Super Bulky Chevron Blanket

• Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon
• Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in various colors
• Hook: 12 mm
• Ravelry Project Page
• Direct Link to Pattern on Designer’s website

Wound Up Fiber Arts 3 Ply Spin

• Fiber: Wound Up Fiber Arts Corriedale, 100 grams. Colorway 1: Prim (finished 1/12). Colorway 2: Fall Vibes (finished 2/2). Colorway 3: Honey Piet
• Ravelry Project Page

Laura’s Cameo Socks

• Yarn: Patons Kroy FX Yarn in the Cameo Colors Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Ravelry Project Page Link

Dan’s New Year’s Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Goosey Fibers Squish DK
• Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page

Whale Song Socks

• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Whale Song Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Ravelry Project Page Link

From the Armchair

I’ve recently read & enjoyed:

I Found You by Lisa Jewell. Amazon Affiliate Link

The Anatomist’s Wife by Anna Lee Huber- Amazon Affiliate Link

The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian- Amazon Affiliate Link

Started watching HBO Max show. Very different but still really enjoyable.

My 12 year old niece, Riley is reading Tale of Magic by Chris Colfer, so I got the audiobook from the library.  Amazon Affiliate Link.

Crafty Adventures

I’ve been enjoying drawing and cooling and pasting things into a little notebook. It’s along the ideas of a Commonplace book (click here for a blog post about this type of notebook).

2nd Crafty Chat Video with Riley. Check it out the video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel. Check out the Pinterest challenge at the end of the video.

Valentine Baskets- Delighted in putting together Valentine’s surprise baskets for my family. Included in them were the handmade garlands, books, mugs, candy, edible treats. baskets and some other goodies bought second hand. Plus some paper punch hearts they can staple together to make a garland- or use in another crafty project.

I made two batches of Banana Ice Cream for Mom & Jeff, my brother. This is the recipe I use.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’20

The Pigskin Party has officially wrapped up. Check out the End Zone Dance– come celebrate each other’s finished projects.

Tune in to hear the January/February Participation Winners, the January Stash Hat Interception Winner and the 14 Grand Prize Winners!

Events

• Vogue Knitting is continuing their virtual classes. The next round is March 18-21. Check their website for more details about upcoming events.

Life in Focus

Word of the Year: Delight

• I bought some stickers that say “DELIGHT” and I added a delight quote to the canvas I painted for the Pinterest Challenge.

I checked in on my 3 primary goals for 2021:

• 3 strength/circuit/barre/yoga workouts per week (tracked in Fitbit app)– I’m easily meeting and exceeding this now that I’ve been doing 30 Day Breath Series on the Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel.
• 8 designs published
  • 1 down 7 to go (1 through tech editing, and 2 other samples knit)
• Make & assess goals every month in 2021
  • Did my January assessment! Didn’t take long because I have been doing weekly assessments too.

Tune in to hear some 21 for 2021 List Updates

On a Happy Note

• On Hattie’s Birthday, I stopped by to give her her gift. She was delighted with her unicorn. Check out my Instagram feed for the video. 
• Mom’s Birthday- Zoom Call. 
  • We made a Birthday Video for Mom using Vidday. It allows you to send out a link and folks can upload their videos. You can arrange them, pick music etc. Then they process it all for you. $24 for 10-20 minute video. Worth it for the ease of use.
• SNOW. So much snow.
• I was able to see my Aunt Florence during her chemo treatment. I showed her video on how to make pompoms using cardboard circles & helped her purchase Knit Picks Bulky yarn for her to make some new hats.
• Getting my 2nd Covid Vaccine.

Quote of the Week

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. -Khalil Gibran

Music -“Soft Orange Glow” by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Music -“Soft Orange Glow” by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/