Monday, June 16, 2014

Episode 47- Summer Breeze

Episode 47
HELLO! How is everyone today?
My name is Jen and I’d like to welcome both new and returning listeners to Episode 47 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast.


This Week’s Segments Include:


On the Needles
Brainstorming
From the Armchair
Events
On a Happy Note


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On the Needles


Enchanted Knoll Farm Common Grackle Self Striping Socks
US 1.5 needles
Top-down after-thought heel socks with 60 stitches
Using black for the toes & heels
2 heels left to go





New Shawl Design.
Not ready to talk about it yet but its almost done! Stay tuned.


Dream Catcher Baby Blanket by Susan B Anderson
Needles: US 7 
I've seamed together 2 rows of 3 squares. Two more to go.



Vanilla Socks


I'm going to try the OMG heel by Megan Williams of Stockinette Zombies.





Hat from the formula I've developed over time. See pattern notes for details.



Brainstorming


My aunt always made these… my last one is getting holes…. time to work on some replacements.


From the Armchair


Up, Down All-Around Stitch Dictionary
More than 150 stitch patterns to knit top down, bottom up, back and forth and in the round
by Wendy Bernard

Price: $29.95 US/ $32.95 Canadian
288 pages, hardcover book with spiral binding inside


There are stitch patterns for all different knit patterns:
Knits & purls
Ribs
Textured, slipped and fancy
Yarnovers and eyelets
Cables
Lace
Colorwork
Hems and edging
Projects (some great patterns in here too!)

Key features: clear color photos. Stitch patterns that are written and charted (from top down and bottom up both flat and in the round). At the end there is a Stitch Multiples Index which is really handy!

Highly recommend you give this book a look.

---------------


Collaboration by Connie Chang Chinchio, Tanis Gray, Margaux Hufnagel, Melissa LaBarre + Kate Gagnon Osborn
I won this on Susan B. Anderson’s blog a month or so ago. Thanks Susan!
It's a 15 pattern collection that retails for $24.95 US


My favorite patterns:


Bluebell Pullover by Kate Gagnon Osborn


Isadora Lopapeysa by Kate Gagnon Osborne


Lulu Long Vest by Melissa LaBarre

Sid Scrap Hat by Melissa Labarre

Definitely check it out!
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This week I reviewed the new fashion box shipment I've subscribed to. It's called Stitch Fix.

Here's an example of the styling guide they provide.


Here's the outfit I liked best:


If you're interested, please use this link to check it out!



Events


Tan House Brook Shawl KAL
Must be a member of the group to win
Finish by July 31st and post your project in the FO thread in the group on Ravelry.


Prizes!
  • a skein of Neighborhood Fiber Company Studio Sock (in winner's choice of color ways)
  • the InfiniTAM pattern by Deborah Tomasello
  • Set of Vintage Rose Stitch Markers
  • Pattern of your choice from Sarah Stevens of OhLoops- 5 sock patterns, mitts, 3 hats to choose from! Winner can pick!
    • Corvinus Family Mitts one of my favorites which Sarah kindly gifted me and I haven’t had a chance to cast on yet. cable fingerless mitt pattern



On a Happy Note


c25k free app for iPhone (couch to 5k training program)


My niece, Riley, will be home from St. Louis TODAY!


I got a Global Keratin treatment for my hair! Love it!
Even looks ok after a sweaty hour of Zumba!!


Thanks for listening! Talk to you soon!


Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Instagram: BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com



Monday, June 9, 2014

Episode 46: Stash Dashing!

Thanks for tuning in to Episode 46!


This Week’s Segments Included:


Off the Needles
On the Needles
Brainstorming
From the Armchair
In My Travels
Events
On a Happy Note


-----------------


Off the Needles


US 1.5
60 stitch
afterthought heels



Smoke on the Water Colorway
US 7 Needles
See pattern page for details on how to make it longer to accomdate the extra yardage.



Quick Tip- forgot my shawl pin for my Tan House Brook Shawl and I like the two ends tucked under in front (bandana style). So instead I used a removable, locking stitch marker as a shawl pin. It worked like a charm!



On the Needles


Enchanted Knoll Farm Common Grackle Self Striping Socks
US 1.5 needles
top down after thought heel



Quick Tip- take photo of your finished sock so when you work on the second one you can see on which color you turn the heel or add rip cord, what color you started with etc. then you don’t always HAVE to have the other one with you.


Quick Tip-when you cast on (cuff down) for self-striping socks, put the slip knot between two colors to make it easier to replicate on the next sock.



On the hook- Christmas stocking
Red & Green- Patons Classic Wool
White- Bernat acrylic
US F crochet hook




Brainstorming
Dream Catcher Baby Blanket by Susan B Anderson
Free blanket on the Spud and Chloe website
US 7
I have 12 squares which Dan helped me to arrange! Now to crochet them together and crochet a border.


From the Armchair
Things I want to share, my thoughts, reviews etc.

I got my very first set of Vintage Rose Stitch Markers and I LOVE them!!!


In My Travels
Dan and I went to Portland, Maine over Memorial Day weekend for 10th anniversary!

We highly recommend
The Morrill Mansion B&B
Duckfat

Street & Co
Maine Beer Tour- Rising Tide was our favorite brewery


Nine Stones Spa


Events


I taught my GoodReader class on Saturday June 7 at 10a-12p and it was SO much fun!


Thanks to Erin McDonald for letting me know about some local events put on by the Common Cod Fiber Guild. Franklin Habit is coming to Boston in July! Check out this Link to more information on the event.

Also peek at Erin's awesome knitting blog & etsy shop if you haven't already!

Tan House Brook Shawl KAL


Want to knit a long with us? Come chat here and post your FOs here.
Prizes!

On a Happy Note


My nephew is back from St. Louis!
It's starting to feel like SUMMER!

Work is SLIGHTLY less crazy!
I treated myself to some cute cloud 9 shoes in fun colors and prints from 6pm


Thanks for listening! Talk to you soon!

Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Instagram: BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Episode 45- NH Sheep & Wool FUN!

Thank you so much for tuning into Episode 45!


This Week’s Segments Included:


Off the Needles
On the Needles
Brainstorming
Life in Focus
From the Armchair
Out and About
Events
Close Knit Family
On a Happy Note


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Off the Needles
Knit Hat for Dan (to celebrate our 10th Anniversary)
Yarn: Madeline Tosh Vintage
Needles: US 5



On the Needles

Self Striping Socks
Enchanted Knoll Farm Superwash Sock Yarn: Common Grackle
US 1.5 needles



Needles: US 7- 4.5 mm
Yarn: Fiber Optic Paintbox Graident on their Footnotes Sock Yarn

Brainstorming


Thinking of joining Stash Dash. Summer challenge hosted by the Knit Girllls. Are you participating? Let's chat about it!


Life in Focus


This week's focus: tips on photographing FOs, particularly shawls

Some Basics:

  • Get outside 
  • Avoid the 10a-2p timeframe. While natural light is great, full sun casts lots of shadows and makes things really difficult.
  • Try putting your shawl/scarf on a hanger and hanging it from a tree or other available spot (fence, trelice etc)
  • Check for harsh shadows coming across or distracting backgrounds.
  • Position your object off center; it will be more visually pleasing.
  • Camera modes: portrait, AV More with an f-stop around 2.3 or 4.0

From the Armchair

New to me podcasts I recommend:



Hungriest Knitter





Out and About

Stitch House sale finds!

2 skeins Frog Tree Pediboo
sport weight 80% merino 20% bamboo
turquoise $9.60 each


2 skeins of Malibrigo Sock $12 each
Velvet Grapes and Fresco y Seco


Louet Gems Fingering Weight yarn 50 gram skeins 100% merino $2.50 each
seafom green (3), mustard and teal


If you're local, I'm teaching the GoodReader class at the Stitch House on Saturday June 7 at 10a-12p

Went to this event with my best friend, niece and nephew!



Events

Come join in the Tan House Brook Shawl KAL



Prizes [more to come]


Close Knit Family


This segment features audio from my niece, Emelyn, and me during our trip to the NH Sheep & Wool Festival


Emelyn got some Holiday Yarn in Black Cherry
Yarn event Columbus Day weekend


I bought 1 skein of yarn: Ball and Skein Sophia (merino, cashmere, nylon) in the Bittersweet Colorway.



On a Happy Note


-Sale of Tan House Brook is going well. Thank you for all of the love and and support!


-Finally get some nice weather here!


-3 day weekend next weekend!


- Bullet Journaling is still going really well. Glad to see some of you have been inspired by this!



-Thank you to the Knit Girllls for their shout out for my show on their most recent podcast.



Thanks for listening!
Contact Info:
Ravelry: BostonJen
Instagram: BostonJen1
email: downcellarstudio@gmail.com