Episode 316: Cast it On, Work it Out

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 316 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
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor The Yarn Sellar & check out details for their Fiber Marketplace (April 11, 2026) here.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Neckerchief

  • Pattern: none (inspired by Sophie Scarf by Petite Knit (paid pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks,  Dream base (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere goat, 10% Nylon). No colorway name listed. Variegated yarn with a tan base, pinks, greens, purples and mustards.
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Because I’m using fingering weight yarn, I decided to use the cast on from my Millie Margaret Shawl and figure it out as I go.
    • Millie Margaret Shawl (fingering weight)-Ravelry
  • I did the increases up to 5 inches the pattern calls for and now I’m knitting straight. I’ll reverse my increases w/ decreases on the other side and see how I like it.

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
  • I love working with my handspun, but I don’t necessarily love 1×1 ribbing every other row. Still I’m making progress and I know I’ll love wearing it.

Treysta

  • Pattern: Treysta by Jennifer Steingass $8.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the Laine publishing website
  • Yarn: MC- Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool in Oatmeal. CC1: Handspun (Ravelry Project Page) dark blue. CC2: Harrisville Designs New England Highland in #34 High Aster (pink). CC3: Brown Sheep Company Prairie Spun DK in Rain Cloud (gray)
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: I finished the colorwork section and have split for the sleeves.

Spectrum Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Spectrum Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: finished first sock during Hattie’s birthday sleepover. Worked on sock #2 while Megg, Rose and I saw Cabaret.

Northern Lights Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Northern Lights Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn- thin stripes of cream broken up 3 shades of teal/light blue, 2 grays and 1 deep purple.
  • Finished sock 1 recently. Cast on sock 2. 

October 2025 Sock Club Socks

  • Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: beyond the heel on the first sock

From the Armchair

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 traded socks for handmade bowls with my new friend Rose! What a great trade!

In My Travels

Ryan, Millie and I went to Farm Fiber Days at Russell’s Gardens Center in Wayland, MA. Some highlights include:

  • It was our 3rd year of wearing overall’s- Millie’s choice for our somewhat matching outfits.
  • 3rd year without Mom. She didn’t come in 2024, the last one she was here for, because she was in St. Maarten. Good for her! But we obviously missed her last year and this year too.
  • I purchased 3 plants. Millie picked out a plant for her mom.
  • I bought 20 ounces of Gray Shetland from Forever in Fiber (Etsy).
  • Millie got to show Ann Weaver of Plied Yarns the hat she knit for her Dad for Christmas.
  • We needlefelted with the folks from Blue Heron Farm
  • We enjoyed lunch at The Local across the street after.

Events

On a Happy Note

  • Chris Stapleton concert with Jeff, Riley & Dad
  • Seussical with Megg and Hattie
  • Hattie’s birthday sleepover- trampoline park, pizza, cookies, Cat & the Hat pancake, pompoms and rehearsing for her Seussical audition
  • A quieter week!
  • Starting a March Madness Challenge at the gym + taking an adult ballet class from my friend Kris
  • Chatting with my friend Marta about her trip back to America this summer
  • Seeing Cabaret
  • Karaoke night in a private room for my friend Megg’s birthday.
  • I got to see my nephew Garret on his 16th birthday. I got a text of him driving with his learner’s permit a few days later.

Quote of the Week

“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’ about doing something together that makes belonging matter.” — Brian Solis

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 315: Short & SWEET

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 315 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
  • KAL News
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Stitched by Jessalu

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Gus the Dino

  • Pattern: Gus the Dino by KP Crochet Patterns. $8.50 US Pattern on Etsy
  • Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green & Parfait Chunky in White
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • The original eyes were too big, so I ripped off his head, made a new one and used smaller eyes which look great. Millie loves him.

Manta Ray

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Two versions available- I chose the one with an inner pocket. it looks like a  hot water bottle that opens up at the mouth, which makes the ray a pocket for all of the other toys (well, barely).

Nemo

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava minis in Orange, Black & White
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Clown Fish

Gill

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava minis in Custard, Black & White
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Pearl

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Pink Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Octopus

Bubbles

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Yellow
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yellow Tang fish

Angelfish

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in White & Yellow
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Seahorse- Sheldon

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Yellow & Orange
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Arielle’s Socks

  • Yarn: Edelweiss Fibres Standard Sock (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon), 425m for 100g in the Hillside Heather Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway- maroons, browns and greens.

Kirby Wirby 2025 Advent Socks

  • Yarn: Kirby Wirby 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the 2025 Advent Christmas Toys from the 80s 24 Stripe Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarn theme: Christmas Toys from the 80s

Flower Ski balaclava

  • Pattern: none
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids & Knit Picks Brava Worsted
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • My Blizzard of 2026 project. I wanted another colorful balaclava. I wanted more peripheral vision. I’m excited to wear this skiing and decide if I like the fit better than my first ski helmet balaclava (Ravelry Project Page).

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Northern Lights Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Northern Lights Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn- thin stripes of cream broken up 3 shades of teal/light blue, 2 grays and 1 deep purple.
  • Progress: I finished sock 1 recently. Cast on sock 2. 

October 2025 Sock Club Socks

  • Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

  • I really want to cast on a sweater ideally using at least some handspun and I keep getting stuck. UGH.
  • I may swatch for this tank with cream handspun- Camisole No 7 pattern by My Favourite Things- Ravelry Pattern Page

From the Armchair

  1. Wuthering Heights by Emma Bronte. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker.  Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. Tough Guy by Rachel Reid (Book 3 in Game Changer series). 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.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’25 Wrap Up—–Thank Yous!

  • Wendy (socalknitgirl)- Umpire
  • Heather (zoomdogknits)- Sheep Conference
  • Emily (ElsaandEm)- Llama Conference
  • Alicia (almariecraft)- Alpaca Conference
  • Mary (Maryklute)- Commentator
  • Nicole (knitternicole)- Utility Player

Thank you to ALL of our sponsors and especially our official sponsors for each of our 4 Quarters:

Pigskin ’25 By the Numbers

  • 1 Awesome event!
  • 3 Conferences, comprised of
  • 12 Teams!
  • 43 Projects completed during the WIP challenge
  • 70 Projects completed on the most popular completion date: 12/31/25
  • 75 Support Forms addressed
  • 146 Projects started on the 2nd most-popular starting date: 12/1/25  (Advent projects, anyone?!)
  • 184 Projects completed during the Pink Challenge to support Breast Cancer Awareness
  • 200 Most popular yardage reported for projects
  • 224 Projects started on Kick Off Day 9/4/25
  • 276 Projects completed for the most popular challenge (Q1 Challenge)
  • 578 Participants!  New high!  41% reported being first timers
  • 730 Charity projects completed!  Charity was the most popular of the Special Teams
  • 1,301 Non-project submissions (challenges, bonuses, draft)
  • 4,736 Projects started and completed during the event
  • 19,148 Total points for the leader 904Stephanie.  She made 79 projects and is frequently crocheting blankets for charity.

12 Grand Prize Winners Announced! Tune in to hear if you won big!

On a Happy Note

  • Skiing with Jeff and Millie. Great weather, great conditions, lines weren’t too long!
  • We had Hattie for a sleepover
  • Millie’s birthday sleepover
  • Blizzard of 2026
  • Dinner with my cousins

Quote of the Week

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”

― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass

——

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Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 314: Rip It!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 314 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Hattie’s Rainbow Mittens

  • Pattern: Little Waiting for Winter Mittens by Susan B. Anderson- $4 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Vegas Baby colorway
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway- stripes of gray, blue, green, mustard, red and pink.

Hattie’s Sparkly Mittens

  • Pattern: Little Waiting for Winter Mittens by Susan B. Anderson- $4 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Fingering yarn held double- 1 sparkle & 1 non-sparkle base (sparkles are 20g minis from Legacy Fiber Artz Advent calendars of years past)
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Traveler Sweater

  • Pattern: The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 pattern available on Ravelry & the designer’s website)
  • Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport (90/10 SW/Nylon) in a sage green
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Size: 3
  • Drawstring- fingering weight yarn- US 6 DPNs. I washed it several times, because it was bleeding yellow. I had to wash it several times before all of the rest of the dye let go.
  • Finished. Washed it. Sleeves were too big. I had 28 purl ridges on the sleeves, I ripped back 7 and then worked the ribbing.
  • Wore to Hattie’s birthday dinner. Very comfy cozy. I am finding the weight of the hood wants to pull it back on my neck which I’m not sure I love. Have you found this?

Woolens & Nosh 2025 Advent Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh, 75/25 Superwash Wool/Nylon 2025 Advent Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Finished right after I finished the last episode. Love these so much!

Dory

  • Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa’s Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava minis in Celestial, Custard, Black & White
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Gus the Dino

  • Pattern: Gus the Dino by KP Crochet Patterns. $8.50 US Pattern on Etsy (on sale right now)
  • Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green & Parfait Chunky in White
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 35 mm eyes were too big! I bought smaller ones, beheaded Gus and gave him a new head with new eyes!

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Back to the Future Socks

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes. Micro-Sock Kit in the Back to the Future Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Back to the Future Sock set- gifted to me by Sue & Chelsea- part of their 4 Sundays of Advent yarn in 2025.
  • About the Colorway- speckles of pink, orange, yellow purple and blue with a blue/purple mini.
  • Progress- just about to toe of sock 1

Arielle’s Socks

  • Yarn: Edelweiss Fibres Standard Sock (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon), 425m for 100g in the Hillside Heather Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway- maroons, browns and greens.
  • Cast on both on separate needles. Progress- a few inches into leg on one sock, ready to work the toe on the other
    • US 6 shoe. 7.25 inches before toe. About 8.5 inches total foot length.

Kirby Wirby 2025 Advent Socks

  • Yarn: Kirby Wirby 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the 2025 Advent Christmas Toys from the 80s 24 Stripe Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarn theme: Christmas Toys from the 80s
  • Progress- turned heel on sock 2

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
  • 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.
  • I plied up about 8.5grams of the BFL with the Finnsheep. 23 wraps (690 inches/19 yards) .3 ounces / around 8.5 grams
  • I’ve been keeping my wheel next to my spot on the couch and spinning if not every day, then more days than not.

Handspun documentation

  • I went through nearly all of my handspun skeins of yarn. I made updates in each page on Ravelry to add skein information. You can enter length and weight and it add that to your stash.  I also ended up changing the names of the finished projects to include the weight and length! I wrote yarn weight (dk sport etc) on physical tags i have on the yarn. So much easier for me to work with.

Brainstorming

  • I have 3 skeins of Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool that I used to start a Waverly Cardigan (but the gauge is just too tight)- click here for my Ravelry Project Page. I think it might be good for the Lakes Pullover by Ozetta (Ravelry Pattern- $8 knitting pattern). I found this by searching the yarn on ravelry then doing the advance pattern search to look for sweaters people knit with this yarn.
    • Related- Eileen recently asked if someone in our group had knit a certain pattern she had questions about before purchasing/committing to. If you look at the pattern on Rav and click the Projects Tab. You can use the filters there to select “Made by Group Members” and then click on the Rav group you want to look in. You can use that to see who you want to chat w/ about it.
  • ElizabethisKnitting (on Instagram- shared her Winter Soul Sweater in this post. Its so beautiful! Why are you not all knitting this? Great question. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

From the Armchair

  1. Greenwich by Kate Broad. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. The Maid by Nita Prose. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  4. Little One by Olivia Muenter. Amazon Affiliate Link
  5. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  6. The Widow’s Husband’s Secret Lie (A Satirical Novella) by Freida McFadden. 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.

Knitting in Passing

At Hattie’s birthday dinner, Emelyn asked for help crocheting a circle. They were making a stuffed animal to look like a stage like and had everything done but the center bulk part. Aila also ended up working on it with us.

OMG Sock Classes are finished! All of my students turned their heels, some did both socks. Many did their toes and kitchenered. They all had fun and were far more successful than they anticipated so that was very exciting.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’25 is over!

  • Event Dates: KAL Dates- Thursday September 4, 2025- Monday February 9, 2026

Updates In This Episode

  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers– winner announced
  • Commentary from Mary
  • January Participation Prize Winners Announced
  • Grand Prize winners will be announced in the next episode.

Commentator Update

  • Thanks to everyone for another fantastic season! The February huddle has been full of chatter about all the projects people rushed to finish before the deadline. However, one of my favorite conversations has been in response to beachsideknits2’s question: What is weirdest/most random thing you’ve ever made?  Here are some fantastic answers (prepare to be wowed!)
  • Beachsideknit2’s succulent pillow- Ravelry Project Page
  • Tanksoup’s Tiktaalik (in case you are like me and had no idea what a tiktaalik is, it “is a 375 million year old fossil fish that was discovered in the Canadian Arctic in 2004” according to this site. Check out Tanksoup’s Ravelry Project Page
  • Leahbothe’s nose sweaters- Ravelry Project Page
  • And socalknitgirl’s top hat—Ravelry Project Page

I hope everyone has as much fun as I did this season!  See you all this summer for splash pad party!

Mary

Contest, News & Notes

Ross Farm – Check out this news article with details about their devastating barn fire.

Click here if you’re interested in donating or consider purchasing yarn, fiber etc and letting these sheep live on even after they’re gone.

On a Happy Note

  • I bought a new car!
  • I went to see Sleepwalker at a local theater.  Here’s a link to a review that sums up some of my thoughts.
  • I went to see Some Like it Hot in Boston. Megg & I got a fabulous dinner beforehand at Yvonne’s. Our waitress even brought over a delicious dumpling dish for us to try (sans lobster).
  • Friday date nights with Dan
  • Running into Riley & her bestie Ellie at Lucky Finn, my current local favorite coffee shop- after the gym on a Saturday morning. It was so hilarious!
  • Very much enjoyed Pluribus on Apple TV+. 
  • Seeing Millie in Finding Nemo Jr. and an early dinner after with family.
  • Mani/pedis with Megg, Eme & Hattie for Hattie’s birthday.
  • Super Bowl- while we lost it’s always fun to watch. I enjoyed the commercials, and had fun cheering on the Seahawks kicker Jason Myers who played football at Marist where I went to college (now Marist University)
  • Hattie’s 8th birthday dinner. Dad and I did a Zoom beforehand in celebration of what would have been Mom’s 70th with a few of her cousins.

Quote of the Week

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.

-Dalai Lama

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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