Monday, October 14, 2013

Episode 36- Settling into Fall


Thank you for tuning into Episode 36 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast


This Week’s Segments Included:
Off the Needles
On the Needles
Brainstorming
Crafty Adventures
From the Armchair
Life in Focus
In my Travels
Events
On a Happy Note
A Contest
Quote of the Week


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Off the Needles

Heartbreak Shawl by Lisa Mutch
I had so much fun knitting this. Last section the rows got really long but I loved the construction. As you start each section you work short rows and they start out really short, which feels achievable and I love how squishy the fabric is!







Edited this pattern as I went along. Love how squishy and warm it is. Still needs blocking and better photos.




On the Needles

Paton’s Kroy socks - I'm onto the foot of the second sock (still need to work both heels though).

I started a blanket based on the Barnraising square pattern. Playing with stockinette and various stitch patterns. It likely won't become the blanket for my niece but I'm going to keep it on my needles and play with stitch patterns until I get sick of it.




Socks for Dan are nearly done. Just one toe to finish!
Cascade 220 superwash on US 3 (3.25 mm) needles





Grayhaven Hat by Robin Ulrich



Brainstorming

I fear my order from Patons may not arrive. Looking to cast on socks with Paton's Kroy in the colorway- Mean Green Stripes- but I may just get some worsted weight and go with something else.

I told you I liked the Prim Cardigan from Yarn Play but thought it would be too much purling. Thank you Donita for reminding me that Reverse stockinette is no extra purling. You’re just using the “wrong side” for the front.

I've been using my Tix Trinkets shawl clip to hold ends of shawl underneath. You can't see how beautiful it is that way, but its really functional! I've taken to keeping it in my wallet!


Crafty Adventures

I've been working on some scrapbook layouts- Project Life style.


We painted pumpkins with the nieces and nephews. Mine do NOT look like Pinterest ;) but we had so much fun!



I talked about the spreadsheet I use for tracking Christmas ideas and actual spending.

Last week I organized all of my memory boxes from 1980 to 2003. It was a huge project but it was well worth it. I sorted the items (cards, report cards etc) by year in ziplocks. Need to do this with photos too, and then I hope to cull through it again and put the best stuff into a Project Life style album


From the Armchair

This week I reviewed Cascadia kindly provided to me for review by Cooperative Press.
This book is edited by Amanda Milne and Fiona McLean of Knit Social
11 pattern collection 110 pages
$16.95 eBook
$26.95 eBook and print copy
It contains a great visual index, has a great mix of designers and patterns.

I highly recommend that you check this out. Great, versatile patterns and beautiful photography!

ENTER TO WIN!

Come over to the contest thread for this book in our Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group. Tell us which of the patterns is your favorite and who you’d knit it for. One entry per person; must be a member of the group to win.


Life in Focus

Festival Photography Challenge


Entries must be submitted by November 18th

To be entered to win you must enter in the Contest Thread:
  • Tell us the name of the event you attended (link to it, if possible)
  • Submit your 5 photos (or more) and tell us which category they fit
    5 Categories:
    1. Festival Food
    2. Festival Faces
    3. Festival Atmosphere
    4. Wild Life (if no animals present- take more photos of anything else that’s “wild” or the people at the fair)
    5. Festival Close-up



Come chat in the chatter thread about ideas you have or events you're going to.


Prizes:
Beginner Photography Class from the Improve Photography Website





Skein of Highland Handmades Pumpkin Everything Color in the Silver Maple Sock base
Cream, orange, mustard, and rust combine in this variegated skein of sock yarn. Yardage: 425 yards  Composition: 60% SW Merino, 30% Bamboo 10% Nylon


Check out these cute camera accessories. If you've ever had trouble getting the kiddos to LOOK at the camera lens when trying to take a picture you'll know how handy this can be! All handsewn!



In my Travels

I had a great time in NYC with one of my best friends! She kicked my butt in a private pilates session. Then it was on to fun at the Hester Street Fair
I bought some fun things.

This jewelry is from SdV Designs


Then we walked to and over the Brooklyn bridge. I totally forgot to bring my camera. Fail! Thank goodness for iPhone.





Events
I am teaching my Goodreader Class at The Stitch House in Dorchester on Sunday 10/27- 3-5p $20



Sweater KAL

Cast on July 15 or later.  Finish and post FO in thread by the end of the day on 10/15/13
You can knit any adult sized sweater of your choosing- cardigan, pullover, whatever you like! Just needs some sleeve, no vest. MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE GROUP TO WIN.

  • 3 patterns by Brenda Castiel
  • 2 patterns by Lisa Mutch of Northbound knitting
  • Beautiful skein of yarn from Shasta Daisy Knits - Shimmer sock base in a colorway she calls Cranberry 
    A pattern of your choice from Estella Haines. Check her out- she has a blanket, 2 hats, mittens, fingerless mitts and a child’s vest. All really cute! Winner will have their pick.
  • Copy of Wrapped in Color eBook by Deborah Tomasello

NY Sheep & Wool in Rhinebeck is this weekend (October 19-20). There will be a podcaster meet up on Saturday at 1p on the hill to left after you enter through the main gate. You can't miss it.
The Vendor list is up!
Don’t forget to get your tickets online and save yourself the wait! And make sure your knitting apps that you plan to use work even when you're in Airplane mode (aka no signal) because you may not have cell reception at the fairgrounds. Its VERY spotty!

I'm not going to form a team, but please do knit a hat following the Halos of Hope Guidelines. Many podcasters are participating and offering fun prizes.


Stitches East will be held November 7-10
If I go, it will just be for the day, likely on Saturday.



On a Happy Note

Apple picking at Applecrest in Hampton Falls, NH

Yeah they were having a little bit of fun. Can you tell?!



A Contest
Tune in to see if you're a winner. If you are, please contact me so I can make sure you get your prize!


Quote of the Week

     
“Joey: You can't have Thanksgiving without turkey. That's like Fourth of July without apple pie, or Friday with no two pizzas.”



Thanks for listening! Talk to you soon!

Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Ravelry Group: search Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Twitter: @BostonJen1
Instagram: BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com
Show Notes:
Facebook: Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Pinterest: BostonJen


Monday, September 23, 2013

Episode 35- Sweater Success


Thanks for listening to Episode 35!



This Week’s Segments Included:
Off the Needles
On the Needles
From the Armchair
Life in Focus
Events
On a Happy Note
Knitting in Passing
Quote of the Week

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Off the Needles



Lush Cardigan from Tin Can Knits

- Just needs buttons

































Beer bottle koozie
A quick project I whipped up for a friend for the Patriots Season Opener



On the Needles


New version of my shawl pattern




From the Armchair

by Deborah Tomasello $17.95 US


by Katya Frankel
12 GBP- just under $20 US


Enter to win your own copy of Yarn play or a skein of Malabrigo Lace Weight in the Applewood color which was used in the Apple River shawl in this book. Tell me which of the Yarn Play patterns is your favorite in this thread in Ravelry.


Product Discussed:
Heard about these on Episode 142 of Knitting Pipeline where Paula talked about having ordered them. Dan ordered these for me on 9/10 and they arrived on 9/18.

I bought this set:  Jin Que 32” circulars size 6-16
$5.69 plus $.99 shipping
According to the conversion chart these are 1.5mm to 5mm (000-8 in US sizing). I'll let you know more about them when I start knitting with them

Life in Focus

Festival Photography Challenge

5 Categories- at least 1 pic of each
  1. Festival Food
  2. Festival Faces
  3. Festival Atmosphere
  4. Wild Life (if no animals present- take more photos of anything else that’s “wild” or the people at the fair)
  5. Festival Close-up

You can take photos at any fall festival, fiber festival, arts fair that you attend (Just going apple picking or pumpkin picking at a place where you just pick your apples and go home doesn’t count. Sorry folks).

Entries must be submitted by November 18th
To be entered to win you must:
  • Tell us the name of the event you attended (link to it, if possible)
  • Submit your 5 photos (or more) and tell us which category they fit

I will also start a discussion thread so we can talk tips.

Prizes:

Beginner Photography Class from the Improve Photography Website

Link to Improve Photography's Print Lab Study which many of you have asked about.


More prizes to be announced.

Events

Sweater KAL

Cast on July 15 or later.  Finish and post FO in thread by the end of the day on 10/15/13
You can knit any adult sized sweater of your choosing- cardigan, pullover, whatever you like! Just needs some sleeve, no vest. MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE GROUP TO WIN.

  • 3 patterns by Brenda Castiel
  • 2 patterns by Lisa Mutch of Northbound knitting
  • Beautiful skein of yarn from Shasta Daisy Knits - Shimmer sock base in a colorway she calls Cranberry 
    A pattern of your choice from Estella Haines. Check her out- she has a blanket, 2 hats, mittens, fingerless mitts and a child’s vest. All really cute! Winner will have their pick.
  • Copy of Wrapped in Color eBook by Deborah Tomasello

On a Happy Note

Knee boots & shawl weather! I love fall!

Knitting in Passing

I met a lovely new knitter in the train last week. Showed her knit and purl stitches and had a fun chat with her the whole way home!


Quote of the Week

Be Happy. It drives people crazy!

Thanks for listening! Talk to you soon!

Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Ravelry Group: search Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Twitter: @BostonJen1
Instagram: BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com
Facebook: Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Pinterest: BostonJen

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Episode 34- Knitting Lush-ious Knitting



Thanks for tuning into Episode 34-- the first episode recorded in the Down Cellar Studio!


This Week’s Segments Include:
On the Needles
Off the Needles
From the Armchair
Life in Focus
Events
On a Happy Note
Knitting in Passing
Quote of the Week

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On the Needles

Lush Cardigan from Tin Can Knits
  • Check out- Episode 7 of the Knotty Girls Knitcast where Jen and Laura interview with Annie Modesitt and she gives tips about chart reading.
  • Check out this video if you need help picking up and knitting stitches. video explaining it exactly as Suzanne did.
  • by this week I’m working on the waist decreases. feels like its flying.


New version of my shawl pattern


Finished the first of Dan’s Socks


Haven’t done much on my Heartbreak Shawl by Lisa Mutch


Cast on a beer bottle koozie for a friend who (jokingly) asked me for one for the Pat's Home Opener this Sunday! I forgot to mention that I'm just making this up as I go. I'll put some notes in my project page about the details.



Off the Needles
- Go check out Emily's Fancy Pants Fiber Shop on Etsy


From the Armchair

Review: Unique Feet- Men’s Socks from Unique Sheep edited by Laura Lough
  • While this book has some really great patterns, it may not be the perfect book for the basic socks patterns for men in your life. Thankfully there's a great pattern range. Some of my favorite patterns are:
Mr. Blue Sky Maypole Cable RibDiamond Moss
Heraldic Socks

Review: Knit to Flatter by Amy Herzog

One of the Best Books of the Year So Far according to Amazon. Ranked 5 right now in the Crafts, Hobbies and Home category.

I can't recommend this highly enough! I think its also handy to have Amy's Fit to Flatter Craftsy Class. The two are a great pairing.


Product Review: The Knitter’s Helper
Row counter that you wear as a ring! Very handy!


Life in Focus
Food challenge thread is still active in the Ravelry Forum

I'm working up a big photo challenge that you can do at your local (or not so local) fiber festival this fall! Details to come soon.

Events
I'm teaching my Goodreader Class this fall:

Tuesday 9/24 at Yarn’s End in Hanover- 6-8pm $20
Sunday 10/27 at The Stitch House in Dorchester

Sweater KAL
  • 3 patterns by Brenda Castiel-- winner can choose from her patterns that are available as Rav downloads
  • 2 patterns by Lisa Mutch of Northbound knitting
  • Beautiful skein of yarn from Shasta Daisy Knits - Shimmer sock base in a colorway called Cranberry
  • A pattern of your choice from Estella Haines.

On a Happy Note
Practice makes perfect; don't forget to keep learning and be proud of yourself when you see yourself improving.

Knitting in Passing

I've been doing some knitting with my nieces and nephews! So fun!



Quote of the Week

I’ll be back again in 2 weeks! Can’t wait to chat with you again soon!

Thanks for listening! Talk to you soon!

Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Ravelry Group: search Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Twitter: @BostonJen1
Instagram: BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com
Show Notes:
Facebook: Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Pinterest: BostonJen