Episode 321: Splash Pad Mojo

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 321 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Inclinations Cowl

  • Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowry ($7.00 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & her website.
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: 2 skeins of handspun Color A: Fiber Addict Designs 100% Merino in the Wild Plum Colorway- Ravelry link. Color B: Candombe, I think the fiber is from Malabrigo- Ravelry link.
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Sunday Brunch Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Sunday Brunch at the Breakfast Club colorway; club colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: mini skein in a medium denim blue. Self striping- tan, navy, mustard, pink, coffee w/ milk brown.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin

  • Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis’ handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily’s Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit.
  • Plied 5 bobbins over Memorial Day weekend. and have since finished and washed 5 skeins of yarn! If my math is right, I have 224g of fiber and 352 yards.

Jelly Roll Blanket   

  • Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones ($6.70 US on Ravelry)
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I was inspired by KnitwithNat’s blanket- check it out on Instagram.
  • Progress: I finished my 7th strip

Midnight Orchid Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples.
  • Progress: First sock is finished. The second is just beyond the heel.

Merry Christmas Kevin

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: finished first sock. Finished cuff of second in Portland. No specific rush on these so they’re just hanging out in my purse

Goldwing Sweater

  • Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck
  • Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Handspun is all different yellows, mustards, peach, pink orange, rusts.
  • Progress: I’m working on the colorwork yoke

From the Armchair

  1. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Famesick by Lena Dunham. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. Into the Blue by Emma Brodie. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Musical: Something Rotten playing at the Lyric Stage, Boston through June 7, 2026

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.

In My Travels

Dan and I spent a weekend in Portland, MA

KAL News

Splash Pad Party ’26 Details

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Contest, News & Notes

I was so sad to hear of Gigi Knitmore’s passing. Sending so much love and support to their whole family. Haven’t listened? Check out the Knitmore Girls Podcast back catalog.

Emily, Gigi and Me in 2016

On a Happy Note

  • We had Gabriella and Zach for another sleepover and it was a blast! We all enjoyed seeing Hattie in Seussical.
  • Dad, Jeff and I all went to one of Garret’s last lacrosse games of the year.
  • Normal Mammogram! Reminder to get checked if you’re due for this or any other health screening.
  • Anniversary weekend in Portland with Dan
  • Jury Duty Presents- Company Retreat (on Prime).
  • Patreon Zoom- always love hanging out with you.
  • Getting salads back in the rotation + watermelon!
  • All of the Splash Pad Mojo!
  • My fav Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) musical got picked up for a national tour. It starts in Providence in fall of 2027! They also got nominated for 8 Tony’s! I’m so excited for them.

Quote of the Week

An artist is a sort of emotional or spiritual historian. His role is to make you realize the doom and glory of knowing who you are and what you are. He has to tell, because nobody else in the world can tell, what it is like to be alive.

-James Baldwin

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 320: Venom, Inclinations & More

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 320 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Some Years Later
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Heart & Squirrel & AdoreKnit

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Venom

  • Pattern: Venom Keychain crochet pattern available on Ravelry for $5 & on Etsy (on sale for $1.50 in May 2026).
  • Yarn: Vanna’s Choice in Black, Knit Picks Brava (red) & white felt for eyes and mouth
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Glue used: Aleene’s Fabric Fusion

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Inclinations Cowl

  • Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowry ($7.00 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & her website.
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: 2 skeins of handspun Color A: Fiber Addict Designs 100% Merino in the Wild Plum Colorway- Ravelry link. Color B: Candombe, I think the fiber is from Malabrigo- Ravelry link.
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Jelly Roll Blanket   

  • Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones ($6.70 US on Ravelry)
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I was inspired by KnitwithNat’s blanket- check it out on Instagram.
  • Progress: on my 6th strip

Midnight Orchid Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples.
  • Progress: Cast on both socks on two separate needles. First sock is finished. The second is just beyond the heel.

Merry Christmas Kevin

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: turned the heel on the first sock over the weekend.

Brainstorming

  • Granny Square Muff by Allyson Dykhuizen- free pattern available on Ravelry
  • Nautilus, The Submarine- Ravelry Pattern by Paola Navarro for $4.20 on Etsy
  • Ace the Airplane- $5.20 on Etsy (view on Ravelry)
  • Airplane by Joyce Overheul- $4.99 Ravelry & Etsy

From the Armchair

Books

2 Plays

  • It’s a Madhouse! by Todd Wallinger.
  • Faust by the Embody Project Theatre
  • If you heard me mention the Suffs musical in Episode 317 it’s now available on PBS until July 31, 2026!

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.

Some Years Later

I’ve rotated out our couch blankets and I’m loving my Recollections Throw (check out my Ravelry Project Page- from September 2022).

Recollection Blanket

  • Pattern: Recollection by Deanne Ramsay ($6 crochet pattern available on Ravelry & Etsy– written in both US & UK Crochet terms)
  • Yarn: Various full skeins and 20+ gram fingering weight yarn stash.
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • All yarn held triple
    • MC- 3 strands of gray.- separates each row of colorful yarns
  • Blanket is 56 inches wide (not including the fringe).
  • LOVED working on this project.
  • Great end of stash dash project. no finishing required. no borders. no weaving in ends. finish twisting fringe and its done!
  • 6,576 meters for Stash Dash

In My Travels

NH Sheep and Wool with Ryan

  • We had a great time catching up with Jess & Anne in the Stitched by Jessalu booth. Fearless Living Fund fabric design is part of the Stitched by Jessalu banner! Anne and I geeked out over musicals and theater stuff!
    • I bought a large bag with deer and foxes and other animals all dressed up for winter
  • Got to see Stephanie from Dirty Water Dyeworks and got some gray yarn DK to border my jellyroll blanket.
  • I bought some minis for my jellyroll blanket from a new to me dyer Appena Fiber
  • I wore Mom’s Dotted Rays shawl (Ravelry Project Page)
  • Brown Bunny pottery had a chicken soap dispenser and a spotted chicken bowl I couldn’t resist!

KAL News

Splash Pad Party ’26 Details

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Splash Pad ’26 Official Logo Bags & Stitch Markers

I’ve partnered up with Steph from AdoreKnit on official SPP ’26 logo bags and stitch markers. Full disclosure, I do earn a small affiliate fee for all products sold (for the use of the artwork). Check them out here.

Other Things from the Ravelry Board

  • Sweater MAL Chat– thanks Danielle for starting the chat. If you want to make a sweater in 2026, check it out, chat it up and get some encouragement.

On a Happy Note

  • Longer, warmer days!
  • We had our niece & nephew, Gabriella & Zach over for a sleepover. We went on deer walks, watched The Wizard of Oz, made pancakes, and took turns on the mower and backhoe.
  • Aila’s birthday dinner which ended with an impromptu dance show by Hattie and a  not-so-subtle take over by almost 2 year old Miles
  • Zach’s birthday party had animals- they had the most gorgeous rooster I’ve ever seen.
  • After looking at machines for years, I finally bought an espresso maker.
  • The girls Im going to Rhinebeck with this year started a Marco Polo group chat.
  • Woke up early before NH Sheep and Wool- so I got a car wash and came with 10 min of vacuuming. I got that done and it felt SO good.
  • Took a little field trip to the Beacon Hill Books on Charles St with my co-workers. Lovely to get out, talk books, connect.

Quote of the Week

“Everybody has a little bit of the sun and moon in them. Everybody has a little bit of man, woman, and animal in them. Darks and lights in them. Everyone is part of a connected cosmic system. Part earth and sea, wind and fire, with some salt and dust swimming in them. We have a universe within ourselves that mimics the universe outside. None of us are just black or white, or never wrong and always right. No one. No one exists without polarities. Everybody has good and bad forces working with them, against them, and within them.

From- PART SUN AND MOON by Suzy Kassem”

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 319: 3 Socks/Books/Musicals

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 319 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week’s segments included:

  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu– Check out all of Jessalu’s bags and accessories at NH Sheep and Wool – May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH & at the Webs Tent Sale– May 15-17 in Northampton, MA, Massachusetts Sheep & Wool– May 23 & 24 in Cummington, MA

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Log Cabin Blanket

  • Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024)
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Inspired by Rachel (treehousefiberarts on Instagram) and Sue & Chelsea (Legacy Fiber Artz on Instagram). Check out the Floss Toss Ravelry Group for details on their Scrappy Blanket CAL. Ends December 21st (but you don’t have to finish. 2 prize drawings will be done).
  • My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)’s version on their latest podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post.
  • I bordered one square with a worsted weight Cascade 220 black yarn which I didn’t like. Tune in to hear my tale of woe after I decided to machine wash squares before weaving in all of the ends.
  • 23 squares (I think)

Jelly Roll Blanket   

  • Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I was inspired by KnitwithNat’s blanket- check it out on Instagram.
  • Progress: I finished 2 columns and nearly done with the third

Inclinations Cowl

  • Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowry ($7.00 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & her website.
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: 2 skeins of handspun Color A: Fiber Addict Designs 100% Merino in the Wild Plum Colorway- Ravelry link. Color B: Candombe, I think the fiber is from Malabrigo- Ravelry link.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress, I am finally onto the decrease section.

Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin

  • Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis’ handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily’s Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit.
  • Finished spinning the first 4 oz of Shetland and started spinning another.
  • I wound off 2 bobbins of the Pucker Brush onto storage bobbins and then wound off the Shetland onto storage bobbins.

Midnight Orchid Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples.
  • Progress: Cast on both socks on two separate needles.

Sunday Brunch Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Sunday Brunch at the Breakfast Club colorway; club colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: mini skein in a medium denim blue. Self striping- tan, navy, mustard, pink, coffee w/ milk brown.
  • Progress: several inches into the first sock’s foot

Merry Christmas Kevin

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: a few inches to the first leg. Knit on these in Saturday in NYC, during Book of Mormon.

Brainstorming

I knit a swatch out of DK cream yarn I had in stash with colorwork in handspun. I haven’t taken the time to check gauge after washing it, but that may be my next colorwork yoke sweater. I love using the Ravelry advanced search to search by gauge.

DK Tank & similar fingering weight version

  • (DK) Top Sol by Mochi Knits $9.77 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry or the designer’s website.
  • (Fingering weight yarn) the Claire vest- available on Ravelry or the designer’s website.

Summer Raffia Clutch Bag by Anna Ushakova -$4 crochet pattern available on Ravelry or $7.50 on Etsy

From the Armchair

Books

  1. Good People by Patmeena Sabit. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Musicals

  1. Beauty and the Beast- this show is touring through next November.
  2. Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York– check out our video set to the opening song.
  3. Book of Mormon  (this show is also touring if you want to see it in a city near you)

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.

Knitting in Passing

  • I had a nice chat with a little boy and his grandmother on the train during MA school vacation week. He was absolutely mesmerized.

In My Travels

We went to NYC for Riley & Aila’s birthday sleepover!

  • Friday: Thrifting, shopping, coffee, FAO Schwartz (for JellyCat Cafe but they didn’t have any openings). We met Laura for dinner at Serendipity in Times Square.
  • Saturday: we scored Rush tickets for Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York, did a little more shopping and eating (got in some NYC pizza of course) then to see the show at 2p which Laura joined us for. Then we all had dinner at Dos Caminos before our 7p Book of Mormon Show. At home, we heated up a cinnamon roll Laura went all the way downtown to get us from Losers.
  • Sunday: we got bagels and then coffee, finished the TikTok video to the Two Strangers opening song and then hit the road.
  • Stay tuned for a YouTube video of our adventures.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party ’26 Details

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Events

Life in Focus

26 in 2026 List

  • E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events (17 as of 4/25!)
  • L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books (24 as of 4/27)
  • N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once (scheduled for April)
  • Q-Quarterly review of calendar/photos & goals (to make Year in Review easier and faster)- calendar it! March done
  • S- Socks- knit 26 pair- 6 done so far.
  • W- Wheel- sit down at my spinning wheel every month (put reminders on my calendar at the beginning of each month to help remind me) Jan, Feb, March, April done

On a Happy Note

  • During a short spell of what actually felt like Spring weather, Dan and I went to our friend’s daughter’s high school lacrosse game and then out for dinner after.
  • I joined Dan for his weekly card game. We played Five Crowns, which I really enjoy.
  • We had dinner with Dan’s cousins who we don’t see often and then with an old high school friend of Dan’s who he hasn’t seen in over 25 years! He and his wife were lovely. Fun chat.
  • We brought Hattie to Beauty and the Beast, looking all beautiful in her Belle dress. She had an absolute blast.
  • My work friends were reminiscing about this funny old cell phone commercial video we used to love watching it. Check out show notes for link to the video 

Quote of the Week

“ I think one of the things that makes theater special is first of all, it’s one of the last places you put your phone away.“

– Lin-Manuel Miranda

“ I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn’t write anything without hope in it.“

– Oscar Hammerstein

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information: