Thursday, May 31, 2012

Episode 7: Coastal Craziness


Thanks as always to both new and returning listeners! You all make this so much fun! :)

On The Needles

-using Quince and Co. Lark yarn

-using Sheep Shop Yarn Co yarn

-using Soft Creations by TMA yarn

Off the Needles

-using LionBrand Baby Soft



Knitting in Passing

I saw these Dansko clogs on sale at work! So cute, right?!


















Check out- MBTA Bingo
Check off a spot when you see a knitter on the train!
Feel free to play it on your local train/bus/subway system :)

Thanks to Alana Dakos for featuring my story on Episode 62 of the Never Not Knitting Podcast!

Life in Focus

Part I of Tips for Better Photographs of your Knitwear

  • Use Natural Light whenever possible: aim for early morning hours or an hour or two before sunset for more even, less harsh light
  • Try taking the photograph from various angles. Above, below, straight on. Try getting shots from close-up and photos of the entire object
  • Take a lot of photos. You've got nothing to lose with digital. If the photo comes out terrible- delete it.
  • Take photos both of the item flat, and worn by yourself or someone else. Seeing a garment or accessory being worn the way it was intended will likely show the object better than just lying on a flat surface.
Suggestions for Printing Services: professional quality prints at pretty affordable prices
5 Photos for my Final Portfolio for my NESOP Workshop





In My Travels

  • Looking forward to participating in World Wide Knit in Public Day 
    • Saturday June 9 from 10a-1p at Nantasket Beach in Hull, MA
    • Feel free to join me if you're in the area!!

Crafty Adventures

Progress on the Studio is slow by steady. I purchased cabinets through Craigslist and will begin sanding them down soon. I'm looking into using eco-friendly milk paint instead of paint or stain once the original finish has been removed.

Cabinets before stripping {sorry for the lousy cell phone photo- snapped this before work and haven't had a chance to get a better once since then}:




My recent "sewing class" with Mom and Ryan was a lot of fun! We worked on these jewelry pouches.



A Contest!

One lucky member of the Ravelry Group (as of May 31) will receive hard copies of the 4 new Coastal Kids patterns by Alana Dakos and Hannah Fettig. Thank you to those of you who joined early! I appreciate your support :)

If you haven't already, head over to the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Group on Ravelry and join. All members in the memberlist as of noon on June 14th will be automatically entered; one lucky person will win a copy of Coastal Knits signed by Alana Dakos.

Please also leave a comment on the post for this episode with feedback on the show and your favorite Coastal Knits/Kids pattern (or your favorite Never Not Knitting pattern). Two random commenters will be entered to win a pattern by Alana Dakos/Never Not Knitting.

And for yet another chance to win, head over to the "What would you like to hear about" thread on the Ravelry Group and leave a comment. Two random commenters will be entered to win a pattern by Alana Dakos/Never Not Knitting.

The 4 Never Not Knitting Patterns you have the chance to win are:

Note: You must be a member of the Ravelry Group to be eligible to win. One prize per person per episode.

On a Happy Note!

  • Comcast cable and internet are being installed at our house next Tuesday! Finally!

Thank you all for listening! The download numbers are going up after each episode and I hope that means you're enjoying the show. I look forward to your feedback!

As always, feel free to contact me at:

Twitter: @BostonJen1
Email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com
Ravelry: BostonJen


21 comments:

  1. I like all of the patterns, I wich to make all for my kids and grandkids. Big knitting dream's lol I guess we all have to have a dream. I love your podcast you are doing a great job.

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  2. The Spring Garden Tee is one of my favorites. Everything Alana designs is beautiful. Your podcast is great. I eagerly wait for each new episodes. I liked your photo segment. You offered some good ideas for photographing knitting projects. I will definitely try them next time.
    Thank you for this great contest and your awesome podcast.
    I am rlene on Ravelry.

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  3. My favorite Coastal Knits pattern is definitely the Rocky Coast Cardigan, though the Bayside pullover is also in my queue.

    Thank you so much for such a great podcast and the amazing giveaway. I love your photography/"Life in Focus" segments. I bought a DSLR a few years ago and haven't had the chance to explore with it as much as I want. Your little tips inspire me to continue doing so in the future.

    Finally, I also moved away from Boston a few years ago, so I love your tidbits about Boston. Surprisingly, I really miss the MBTA. Who would have thought it?

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  4. Jen, I really like your podcast and look forward to new episodes. I love that you're based in Boston (I'm 30 miles away in Stow), and that you talk a bit about local things. Also love the photography segment, as I'm a photographer myself, getting to know my new digital SLR. As far as I'm concerned, there can't be too much photography content.
    As to Alana's patterns, wow!, that's a tough choice. I have a little niece I'd like to knit for, so I guess I'd choose the Wee Wildflower cardi.
    Keep up the good work!
    blb

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  5. I just discovered your podcast (thanks to your recording on the Never Not Knitting podcast!) and I'm very pleased to find a new interesting and educative podcast. I have to listen to the previous episodes now!
    So far, I love the knitting content (maybe I wish it would be a bit more, like what are you planning to knit next, or talking more about the yarns and others - but once again, I just listened to one episode...). I'm surprised I enjoyed the photography content: I'm not good at taking pictures and usually, I don't bring my camera anywhere, as I know my pictures suck; but thanks to your tips, taking decent pictures doesn't look that complicated anymore, and with a few tricks like that, I could even succeed... Listening to you makes me want to give it a try and bring my camera outside to play! On the worse case, my pictures will still be lousy and I can erase them ;) So thanks for the enabling!
    Thanks for the opportunity to win a pattern from Alana Dakos! I never knit anything from her (yet), but really like her designs (I'm a huge fan of her slouchy hats). I think my favorite (and most season appropriate is the Spring Garden Tee), but I had a hard time to pick between this one and the Cloudy Day hat!
    Can't wait to listen to more episodes!

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  6. I love the Spring Garden Tee, and I have knit the kids version of that. It would be fun to knit one for myself.
    Have been looking at the Coastal Kids patterns, but I can't really decide which one I want.

    Love the podcast btw :-)

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  7. Hi! I'm a new listener who found you via Alana Dakos. I will definitely be listening again, although usually I prefer podcasts with 2 knitters chatting, I really like that you also discuss other interests that intersect with knitting like photography.
    As far as my favourite Coastal Knits pattern goes, I really like the Wildflower cardigan but am pretty firmly anti-seaming, so I'd love to knit the Oak one instead.

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  8. I'm loving your podcast - just found you within the past month & am looking forward to more! I love most of the Coastal patterns, but would probably make the Rustling Leaves Beret first since it's a small project.....

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  9. I would really like to knit the Cedar Leaf Shawlette...or the spring Garden Tee.. can't decide. I like Alana's podcast as well as yours. Keep them coming!

    I think your show is great. I have been getting into the video casts because it is nice to actually see what people are talking about, but the audio ones are great for on the go or doing two things at once. I also really like hearing about your crafty adventures, as I am learning (slowly) about sewing.

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  10. Hi from Australia! I discovered your podcast from NNK also and I'm glad I did, I'm really enjoying listening :-)
    I love all of alanas patterns. I was really taken with the gnarled oak cardigan and I actually bought the same yarn she used in the same colourway! Beautiful.

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  11. Hi. Love all the coastal knits and the never not knitting podcast, it was the first one I discovered.
    Favorite pattern I'd the waters edge cardigan and the shawlette.
    Thanks for all the great giveaways!

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  12. Just discovered your podcast and love it. Have Coastal Knits and I love Alana;s patterns. I love the little oak cardigan and wee wildflower cardigan. Would love the spring garden tee. Keep up the good work. Monica

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  13. I love your podcast! My great aunt always talked about "Down Cellar" but our family has no east coast connections :-) She was the only one who used that term.
    I love hearing about knitting and photography and your adventures. Keep up the great job!

    My favorite Never Not Knitting pattern is the Cedar Leaf Shawllette. I also love the Rocky Coast Cardigan in Coastal Knits.
    Juliewknits on Ravelry

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  14. Hi there! I just learned about your podcast through Never Not Knitting & I think it's great! The topics are interesting & I'm a big fan of longer knitting podcasts so I can get lots of knitting done while listening. Some music would be an awesome addition.

    Thanks to you & Alana for offering a giveaway, this one is huge! I love all of Alana's patterns & have knit her Cedar Leaf shawlette. My favorite Coastal Knits pattern by far is the Gnarled Oak cardigan. It might have to be the next thing I cast on!

    Lots of luck with your podcast & I can't wait to hear more!

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  15. Definitely my favorite part about your podcast so far has been the photography tips - I really struggle with even taking good photos for my Ravelry page. I'd love to hear more about your thoughts on styling different pieces of knitwear.

    My favorite piece from Coastal Kids is definitely the Tiny Rocky Coast.

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  16. I'm in the process of knitting the gnarled oak cardigan. I think it would be fun to knit the kids version of it too! I just started listening to your podcast and I am enjoying it.

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  17. Hey Jen! I'm very much enjoying your podcast. I don't know very much about photography but I am enjoying learning from you. I'm even looking into local photography courses that I could take. So thank you for igniting that interest for me:-) I'm excited that you are doing a contest along with Alana from Never Not Knitting. I love her patterns and her podcast/blog. I love the wee wildflower cardigan and the adult version too! Great contest!

    -Emily from North Carolina

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  18. I love the Cedar Leaf Shawlette- all of Alana's designs are amazing!
    jpeled on ravelry

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  19. I like the Rocky Coast Cardigan for kids.

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  20. I've knit a few of Alana's patterns but I think the next will be the Gnarled Oak Cardi. I'm finding cardigans very useful!

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  21. Hi Jen, I want to tell you that the podcast is great to knit to. I was sitting on my deck knitting away yesterday and listened to 2 episodes. All caught up now. Your photo tips are very inspiring. I got out my digital camera and will be listening for more tips. I had only been using my iPhone camera for the last year but now want to try for better FO shots!

    If you are still taking names for Alana's pattern giveaway, I love the Cedar Leaf Shawlette. I am listening intently for your final decision on the sleeves of your Rocky Coast, too. BTW, love the photo of the clogs!

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