Episode 254: Making, Wearing, Traveling, Sharing

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 254 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

Off the Needles
On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
From the Armchair
Crafty Adventures
Some Years Later
In my Travels
KAL News
Events
Contest, News & Notes
On a Happy Note
Quote of the Week

Thanks to Riley, our special guest co-host this week!

Off the Needles

Winter Mint Socks

Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022)
- You can see more of the December 2022 Winter Mint themed packaged in my Vlogmas 2022: Day 2 video
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Ravelry Project Page
About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue

Riley recently finished a knitted tote from the Rheinpack Tote pattern available on Ravelry.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
Hook: F (3.75 mm)
Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
Ravelry Project Page
I’ve been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
4 rounds per hexagon.
3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
- Twin sized blanket is 60×80 inches. 17×22 hexis- 374.
Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.
Bought 2 grab bags of minis from Legacy Fiber Artz and some yarn from Knit Picks with a gift card I got for my birthday. Minis from CT Sheep & Wool and Maryland S&W
Thanks Nicole (ndoyle) for the care package for Riley that included a Crumbl cookie cutter and minis for Riley to make more hexis out of. You can check out our Crumbl taste test in this video.

Purple Spring Spin

Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk.
Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
- This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
Ravelry Project Page
About the Fluffypuf braid: contains purple (various shades), yellow, orange, gray, blue, pink
I purchased 4 oz of 100% Rambouillet from Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks at CT Sheep & Wool. I split it in two. 2 oz already spun. I will plan to do a 3 ply

Shock Star Hat

Yarn: Spun Right Round Squish DK in the Shock Star colorway
Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
Pattern: none
Ravelry Project Page
About the yarn: cream base with small bits of neons + black.
92 sts. 2×2 rib with the US 5 needles. Switched to US 7 needles after the brim. Planning on a slouchy hat

Silver Spoon Socks

Yarn: A Whimsical Wood Yarn Company Pixie Toes Socks in the Silver Spoon Up My A$$ colorway
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Ravelry Project Page
About the yarn: peaches and pinks with gray/taupe. At my gauge it is striping (~2 rounds per color). I purchased this yarn at Yarncentric event in Maryland.
Progress: Almost done with the first leg.

Scrappy Helical Socks

Yarn: various fingering scraps
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Ravelry Project Page
I tried to weave in ends as I went and I wasn’t loving the look of it. My friend Nicki suggested Cate’s Clasp Weft Join after starting new yarn. I thought of it but talked myself out of it, thinking it wouldn’t work well. It totally does! Let me know if you’d like to see a tutorial on it.
Progress: just finished heel on second sock

Ninja Turtle Socks

Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Ravelry Project Page
Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green
Progress: Turned second heel

Riley is knitting on her Riley Rose Cowl (pattern by me, named for her) out of Goosey Fibers Yarn. You can get this pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts. She is also practicing working flat in double crochet using Knit Picks Brava yarn.

From the Armchair

Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Riley is re-reading The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.

Crafty Adventures

This weekend, I had my first go at needle felting. It was a lot of fun!

Some Years Later

Me Made May has me wearing my handknits and posting on Instagram.
Day 1: Yorkshire Meadow Shawl– details on my website.
Day 2: Grace & Frankie Shawl–
Day 3: Tan House Brook Shawl
Day 4: World of Difference Shawl
Day 5: Boxing Day Bonus (me) + Jean Marie Shawl (Mom)
Day 6: Mas Vida Shawl (Coming soon)
Day 7: Deschain Tee by Leila Raven
Day 8: Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter
Day 10: Riley Rose Shawl
Day 13: Amma Top by Maria Valles (me) + Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs (Riley)

In My Travels

Riley & I attended Connecticut Sheep & Wool. Check out our vlog video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel.
Mom & I spent Thursday through Monday in Maryland, attending Yarncentrick on Friday & Maryland Sheep & Wool on Saturday. Stay tuned for a 2 part vlog series on my YouTube Channel

KAL News

Splash Pad Party Registration opened May 1st. Sign up using this Google Form.
To confirm you’re signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
The 8th Annual Splash Pad Party opens on Friday May 26th and runs through July 31st.
Virtual Events to open the Splash Pad will be Friday 5/26 & Saturday 5/27. Check out this link for details. All times are in Eastern Time.
Check out the Sponsor List here.

Events

Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 27 & 28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds
Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds
Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Contest, News & Notes

My new shawl pattern, the Mas Vida Shawl is coming soon!!

Mas Vida is a simple sideways shawl that is written for 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn but can be knit up in any yarn you choose. There isn’t a single purl in the project, and the eyelets are easy to work. Many of you will only need to reference the pattern occasionally once you understand the basic increases and increase repeats.
I designed this to take along on a European vacation. I wanted something with a bit of interest, but that wouldn’t be too large, wouldn’t require too much brain space and that wouldn’t work up too quickly (as smaller travel projects tend to do). –
Note – This pattern has already been Tech Edited & Test Knit, so it should be smooth sailing!