Thank you for tuning in to Episode 175 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Check out full show notes and photos on my website. 

This week’s segments included:

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

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Imagined Landscapes

Off the Needles

Ribbit Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Ribbit Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

Mystery Spirit Yarn Christmas Socks

• Yarn: Unknown
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: Non-Euclidian Heel by Sarah Jordan

Velvet Bear

• Pattern: Velvet Valentine Crochet Bear by Sarah Zimmerman
• Yarn: Bernat Velvet in the Burgundy Plum & Blush Pink colorways
• Hook: H
• Used eyes and nose from 6060 on Etsy. 

Beanie for Bernie

• Pattern: improvised based on Gina’s Messy Bun Hat
• Hook: H (5.0mm)
• Yarn: Bernat Velvet in the Burgundy Plum color way

On the Needles

Hattie’s Hedgehog 

• Pattern: Hedley the Hedgehog by by Moji-Moji Design
• Hook: B
• Yarn- Mystery yarn from stash (maybe wool/alpaca from Long Island Livestock co)

Dragon Belly

• Pattern: Dragon Belly by Johanna Lindahl 
• Hook: J (6.0 mm)
• Yarn: Berocco Ultra Wool in Heather (purple) and Charcoal gray. 

Cadet Colors Socks

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

Gram’s 2019 Christmas Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Patons Kroy FX in the Green Striped Ragg Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

Brooklyn’s TeenyBeanie

• Pattern: The TeenyBeanie by Vanessa Smith (Hooked on Sunshine Crochet) -free crochet pattern
• Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly Crofter Baby Fair Isle Effect (DK)
• Hook: E (3.5 mm)

Millie’s Lipsticks

• Yarn: leftover fingering weight
• Hook: Unsure- it was handed down to me. Says 0
• Pattern: made up as I went.

Soccer Ball

• Pattern: Football (Soccer Ball) by Emma Moss ($2 GBP) 
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable in White and Black
• 12 pentagons. 20 hexagons. 

Brainstorming

• Before Christmas: Red Hat for Garret, 2 lipsticks for Millie, Hat and booties for Brooklyn (coming for sleepover this weekend). Ideally a hat for my dad, and a shawl for my grandmother (Dragon’s belly)
• Before New Year’s: hedgehog for Hattie. 2 more toys for our friends’ daughters.

Crafty Adventures

• I enjoyed a crafty day Thanksgiving Weekend with Megg. She got all of the fabric cut for the front of a quilt for her youngest daughter Hattie. Helped her with that while I started some projects.

Knitting in Passing

I shared stories of Millie spending lots of time on our recent trip to NH, knitting on “socks for Uncle Dan” which she proudly told anyone who inquired.

Enjoyed some fiber chat with my cousin Chris’ wife Leah.

 
I met a lovely lady on the train who talked about caring for someone with special needs who would sometimes crochet a chain for hours. Other times she’d make a blanket. She still brings her friend yarn when she goes to visit.

KAL News

Slay the Stash 2019

• Each month you can declare a skein of yarn to knit/crochet/weave to its very end. Let’s use up those older special skeins (purchased before 2019) – and maybe win a new beautiful skein of yarn from one of our sponsors along the way! 
• Check out the December Post
• Use and follow #slaythestash2019 on Social Media

Slay the Stash Sponsor List- 2019 Official Rules for 2019 

• January- Fish Belly Fiber Works
• February- KnitCircus Yarns
• March- Holly Press Fibers
• April- Fibernymph Dye Works
• May – Another Crafty Girl 
• June- Flying Finn Yarns
• July- Sponsored by WindsweptMonique
• August- Knit Style Yarns
• September- Artistic Lilly 
• October – Infinite Twist 
• November- 716 Knit 
• December –  Hypnotic Yarn

We are not bringing Slay the Stash back as is in 2020:  Instead we’ll have a new quarterly challenge called the Quarterly Quest

1. Quench the Queue
2. Lessen the Library 
3. Free the Favorites
4. Slay the Stash

Pigskin Party ‘19

Not familiar? It is an annual knit, crochet, weaving and spin along. Cast on anytime On/after September 5, 2019- February 3, 2020

Everything you need to know is linked in the Start Here Thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group including the Rules, Questions Thread, End Zone Dance Thread where you post your FOs, Coupon Code Thread, List of Prizes, Exclusive Items from our Sponsors!

Pro Shop Sponsors 

• 2 Guys Yarn Company
• Abstract Fiber
• AdoreKnit
• agirlandherwool
• Designs of Acadia (Pigskin Logo Bag)
• Fibernymph Dye Works
• Holly Press Fibers
• Imagined Landscapes Designs
• Infinite Twist
• JDStudios480
• Jennifer Lassonde Designs
• Knitosophy Designs
• Knitters Brewing Company
• Knit Style Yarns
• Prairie Bag Works
• Progress Keepers by Meliabella
• Sunsoaked Yarns
• Yarn Love

Snack Shack Sponsors

•  Anne Beady Designs
• APLCrafts
• Birch Hollow Fibers
• Brenda Castiel Designs
• Creations of Anomalous Mind
• Designs by Meliabella
• Fish Belly Fiber Works 
• Geektastic Fibers
• IrocKnits Designs
• Kino Knits
• Kitchen Counter Crafter
• Knit/Wit Designs
• Leading Men Fiber Arts
• Lilliput Yarn
• Lolodidit
• Love in Stitches
• Mint Rain Hand Dyed Yarns
• Nicole Simmons Designs
• Queen City Yarn
• Remade By Hand Designs
• Shanalines Designs
• Tangerine Designs
• Teal Torch Knits
• The Project Bag
• Tin Can Knits
• UNICORN CLEAN
• Wild Branch Design
• Windswept Designs
• Woodsy and Wild

Updates this episode

• November Participation Winners
• November Interception Winner
• The WIPs interception runs through end of KAL. Check out the details The WIPs Interception is POSTED!
• Team Check In

Events

• Vogue Knitting Live in New York- January 16-19th. 
• Stitches West in Santa Clara- February 20-23

Contest, News & Notes 

I shared the sad news of Scott (Scooterpie) Manko’s passing 

Tune in to Episode 56 (Down Cellar Studio Podcast episode from 2014) where I told the story about first meeting Scooterpie and the running joke that ensued.

• Want to contribute to help out Amy? check out this link
• Want to send some handmade love Amy’s way?Check out this thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group

Life in Focus

Plastic-free July Update
What’s working well? 

• Bamboo toothbrush 
• Tooth soap from the Hippie Farmer 
• Bar soap in shower and sink 
• Charcoal bar soap for face 
• Coconut oil for eye make up remover  
• Argan oil from Trader Joe’s comes in glass 
• Misfit box every two weeks.  If you think you might like it, check out this link to get 25% off your first order. 
• Seltzer in can. Pour small amount into each glass or bottle of water for day 
• Hot and iced coffee cup with me. 
• Silverware and napkin and straw in purse and set in car. 
• Using my 24oz wide mouth Ball Jar at work and home. Fits in my cup holder in the car. I do have a plastic cover but its made from recycled plastic and I use a metal straw with it.  Was a gift from my best friend. Link to Cuppow Lid that I use  
• Made wash cloths for work- dishes. I already have cups, plates, silverware that stays at work and I was there. Was using paper towel. Cotton wash cloth dries quickly enough overnight its not a problem.
• Continue to use my reusable mug for coffee with metal straw. 

Harder 

• Still buying the occasional plastic seltzer bottle or soda on the go. 
• Shampoo bar from Whole Foods + 1 from Hippie farmer. Neither worked.
• Ordered Crush & Brush Toothpaste tabs. They don’t foam up enough for my liking.
• Peanut butter- can buy in bulk w/ my jars only at one store locally and its not in my path. Haven’t been going back. Would like to make a point to go with 2-3 jars and refill.
• Berries and tomatoes in plastic containers.  Try to limit when I can, but I also value getting in whole foods- different nutrients etc. 

On a Happy Note

• Aila in the Nutcracker
• Crafty day with Megg
• Spotify for Christmas music
• Yoga by the Christmas Tree
• New glasses! 2 existing pairs with new lenses. 2 new pair.

Quote of the Week

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

–Audrey Hepburn

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
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