Thank you for tuning in to Episode 127 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week's segments included:  

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

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Plum Deluxe, Imagined Landscape Designs, Nekozuki Knits   In this episode you heard a promo of Tightly Spun, a new podcast starting up in January 2018 by Emily Straw. Click the link for details!     Off the Needles Greedo

• 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

  Buddy Bunny

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

  VAA Hat

• 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.

  Amethyst Stripes Socks

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

  Baker Street Hat

• 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

  Poppy Troll Hats

• 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.

  Doll clothes for Riley’s doll Kelsey

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

On The Needles   Striped Worsted Boxy

• 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!

  Encore Turn a Square

• 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)

  You've Been Elf'ed Socks

• 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)

  Simple Star Ornaments

• 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  Photo Album Project with Kiddos:

• 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   12 Months to Christmas KAL

• 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

  WIP’ing 2017 in the Butt

• 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.

  Pigskin Party KAL

• 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.

Thank you to our Pro Shop Sponsors! Atelier De Soyun  Colorful Eclectic Daisy Girl and Company Fancy Image Yarn Fibernymph Dye Works Inner Yarn Zen Joy in Rugging Knit Style Yarns Knitted Wit Knitters Brewing Company Knitty Kitty Bags Mekamika Nekozuki Knits Plum Deluxe Tea Prairie Bag Works Queen City Yarn Sunsoaked Yarns Woodsy and Wild Yarn Love   Key Details Mentioned in this Episode:

• November Participation Winners
• November Interception Winner
• December Interception Reminder

Life in Focus Happiness Project December Focus: Listen to my body

• 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 In this episode I answered questions from Ravelry user knittergirlkatie about using citric acid to set color into sock yarn.

• 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   "Certainty is the opposite of growth."    --Kathleen Trotter on The Other F Word Podcast     Stay curious out there folks!   ------     For website: Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information:

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Twitter: Instagram & Periscope: BostonJen1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
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