Thank you for tuning in to Episode 183 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes & photos can be found here.

This week’s segments included:

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles
• Crafty Adventures
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes – with special guest Mary Kino Knits
• Life in Focus
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Little Brother’s Romper 

• Pattern: Little Brother’s Romper by PetiteKnit (knitting pattern. ~$4.50 US at time of purchase)
• Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm)
• Yarn: Cascade 220 mystic purple & mystery skein of fingering. 
• Mom found buttons for me & dropped them off but they are still in quarantine. 

Quarantined Unicorn

• Pattern: Tiny Unicorn Amigurumi by Ahooka Migurumi (free crochet pattern)
• Hook: E (3.5 mm)
• Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable Solids (White) & scraps of acrylic
• Put it in an empty trail mix jar that we took the label off- and put a note saying she was in quarantine. Don’t open for a few more days. 

Rainbow Birthday Cake

• Pattern: Rainbow Birthday Cake by Yarn Blossom Boutique ($1.99 US Crochet pattern)
• Hook: D (3.25 mm)
• Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up in Colorways: Raspberry, Orange, Sunflower, Lime, Aqua, Lilac and White
• Included a note saying Quarantine cakes take longer to cook than normal cakes so to let it cook a few days before opening

Dan’s 32 oz Jar Cozy

• Pattern: none
• Hooks: E, F and G
• Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up Denim and gray. 

Reverse Abington Hat

• Pattern: Abington Hat by Jennifer Lassonde
• Yarn: Farmers Daughter Fibers Craggy Tweed DK- Amos Moses colorway 
• Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm)
• Worked hat according to instructions but switched all purl and purl decreases for the body of the hat to knits and k2tog.

Soldotna Crop

• Pattern: Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter $7 US Knit Pattern
• Yarn:  2 skeins of Two Reds & A Blonde DK from Dachinger Wool in mustard (Farrah Fawcett) and a blue (Veronica Lake). 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Yarn- Prairie Spun DK. In Rain Cloud (light gray) and Owl Gray (Charcoal)
• Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4.0 mm)
• Size 3: finished bust- 40 inches Designed to fit with 1-4.5 inches of positive ease.
• Modified the last section of the colorwork yoke. Love how that came out. Decided to knit the number of body repeats called for in the pattern. Ribbing longer than called for.

On the Needles

Cozy Classic Raglan

• Pattern: Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs
• Needles: US 3 for Ribbing. US 7 for body
• Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK- 57% Merino, 33% Microfiber, 10% Cashmere goat

Christmas Stocking for Jenna & Baby

• Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977 (not available online anymore)
• Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red
• Hook: F (3.75mm)
• Finished applique pieces for Jenna’s. Both pieces done for baby. Can’t put together until I the know gender.

Paton’s Kroy Socks for Gram

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
• Yarn: Patons Kroy Green Stripe Ragg Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• The 2×2 ribbing on the front of the sock was hampering my progress. When I posted about it on Instagram, user Sheldon_Brungard suggested “Try using a progress keeper and set a small daily goal to complete such as 10 rounds. Once the daily goal is met you can switch to something else that excites you more.”
• That did the trick!

Solid Granny Square Scrap Blanket

• Yarn: leftover fingering weight yarn
• Pattern: Solid Granny Square by Lullaby Melodia (free crochet pattern)
• Hook: D (3.25 mm)
• 3 rounds per square.

Crafty Adventures

Started a scrapbook of COVID-19 using Shutterfly. I love documenting life and this is definitely the most bizarre thing I’ve ever lived through. I am already forgetting some tiny details that were striking at the time. I’m including things like “new buzz words, what sold out at the stores, funny memes, what I’m grateful for, home improvement projects.

I made banana ice cream using this recipe for Mom since the local place is closed. Hard to find flavor.  Recipe from wellplated.com

I Reorganized all leftovers and mini skeins after ordering bag of randoms from Knitty in Color. I packaged up yarn to swap with my friend Melissa.

KAL News

Quarterly Quests! Get all of the details here. 

Check out the Quarter 2 Thread April 1-June 30 – Free the Favorites Knit any projects you have “hearted” over the year with the hopes of knitting them someday. That day will arrive. Knit as many as you can. You will receive extra entries for any pattern that was favorited over 5 yearsIt can be something you’ve made before

Thank you to our Quarter 2 Sponsors: Prairie Bag Works, NahStDesigns, Yumi Yarns Designs, agirlandherwool, Holly Press Fibers.

Don’t forget to post on Instagram #QuarterlyQuests & #FreetheFavorites & you can always add #downcellarstudiopodcast

Splash Pad Party – Opens May 30, 2020!

Still have sponsor spots available. Email me downcellarstudio@gmail if you’re interested. 

During Kick off weekend May 30th & 31st I am planning some virtual events. Google Hangout. Instagram Lives with our vendors. 

Events

Maryland Sheep & Wool Virtual Market– check out their Facebook group May 2 & 3. 

Contest, News & Notes 

• Tune in to hear a chat with Mary of Kino Knits and check out her Instagram feed.
• We talked all about our new Point/Counterpoint Vol 5 Collection Available on Ravelry! Get our 4 accessory collection normally $18 for only $5 through 5/31/20 with code COLLAB. Click here for a link to the collection.
• May 1 at 8p Eastern Instagram live. Check out Kino Knits Podcast for more of our chat. 

Life in Focus

2020 Goals

• 3 times a week (average) exercise of 20 min or more (focus on strength training)= 156 workouts
• 7 published patterns on Ravelry
• 10% more sales of designs compared to 2019      

I am becoming a morning workout person which surprised me. April workout totals: Total: 18 out of 30 days – 58% of days worked out. 11 of 18 were strength workouts. Having a blast exploring new trails within a new conservation land property that’s open to the public near my house. It’s so so peaceful and beautiful there. 

Design progress- I have a mitt pattern almost ready for test knitting.  Stay Out of the Forest which was already published and 2 designs in Point/Counterpoint. Sales are going really well!

What’s helping during Stay at Home:

All in April prompts from Corinne Crabtree. Watch video from Corinne Crabtree here . Daily four-point check-in:

• 1. What’s in my control today?
• 2. Who am I reaching out to today?
• 3. How will I move my body a minimum of 5 min. today?
• 4. Clean mind, clean body…get it done.

Other things I’ve been enjoying:

• Here For You Podcast with Kate & Doree *who also host the Forever35 Podcast
• Playing Games with Family on Jackbox.tv
• Friday evening happy hour with friends on Zoom.

On a Happy Note

• I painted guest room- well I applied the first coat of primer but its a start. I’m using Sherwin Williams- Knitting Needles & Pewter Cast. 
• One day heading out for a walk and saw a cardboard sign on telephone pole- Pop-up Art show ahead. On our Neighbor’s fence (on a corner) a local artists hung painted canvases. Brightened my day. 
• Misfits Market Box. Interesting in trying it? Use this code to get 25% off: COOKWME-NV9CXZ
• Sharing- I brought dinner to my friend Megg who is a hard working teacher and Mama. We chatted for a few from the lawn while they were up on their deck and I got to see my 2 year old niece Hattie.
• We had fun with my niece Aila’s 11th birthday parade and game night that followed.

Quote of the Week

Sharon Salzberg on faith and keeping an open mind: 

“It’s not the existence of beliefs that is the problem, but what happens to us when we hold them rigidly, without examining them, when we presume the absolutely centrality of our views and become disdainful of others.”

——

Thank you for tuning in.

Contact Information:

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