Episode 182: Crafting Through the Pandemic

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 182 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

Off the Needles
On the Needles
Crafty Adventures
KAL News
Contest, News & Notes
Life in Focus
Ask Me Anything
On a Happy Note
Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Prairie Bag Works

Off the Needles

Crochet Heart Garland

Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs (free crochet pattern)
Hook: H 5.0 mm
Yarn: worsted weight acrylic scraps
Made garland for Eme’s birthday parade. Mod Podge Stiffy to stiffen them up.

Purple Marled Romper

Pattern: Little Brother’s Romper by PetiteKnits
Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm)
Yarn: Cascade 220 held together with fingering weight yarn

On the Needles

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.

Christmas Stocking for Jenna & Babies (3 total in progress)

Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977
Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red
Hook: F (3.75mm)

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)

Cake Party Christmas Socks

Yarn: Wisdom Yarns Pix in the Cake Party Colorway & Patons Kroy in Red
Pattern: OMG heel
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
I’m using Patons Kroy for cuff, heel and toe. First sock done and I still have 80g of main yarn left.

Staci’s Stitches Socks

Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plus Sock in the Staci’s Stitches colorway
Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Yarn named for my LYS Stacis’ Stitches.

Happiest Blanket Ever

Pattern: Happiest Blanket Ever by Tamara Kelly (free crochet pattern)
Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (white) for Main Color. Worsted Acrylic partial skeins for accent colors.
Hook: K (6.5 mm)

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)

Crafty Adventures

Dan and I spray painted sheet for Emelyn’s birthday parade

Talked on the last episode about the Crispina Scrapbox Challenge. Mom and I both participated. Our stories and projects are on the blog. Mom’s post is here. Find my post here.

KAL News

Quarterly Quests: Tune in to hear if you’re a Quarter 1 Winner

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, NahSt Designs, Yumi Yarns Designs, agirlandherwool, Holly Press Fibers.

Contest, News & Notes

Stay Out of the Forest is a DK colorwork hat inspired by true crime podcast, My Favorite Murder. It’s the perfect hat for my fellow Murderinos! It is written for 2 sizes, and uses 3 skeins/colors of yarn. The colorwork charts make it easy to fly through this project.
I recommend mostly tonal or solid yarn with a lot of contrast from the other colors. You especially want contrast between the MC and CC1. If you really want to delve into the My Favorite Murder theme, check out the beautiful yarns I used from Goosey Fibers!

Full details can be found on the pattern page on Ravelry.

Life in Focus

Tune in to hear an update on my 2020 goals

Ask Me Anything

Meliabella asked: Your Favorite Way to decompress after working remotely during Covid.
Knitwise09- To celebrate the release of your new hat- tell us your hometown murder. I kept it family friendly on the podcast but here’s a link to a serial killer named Gary Sampson who grew up in my mom’s neighborhood. He and my Uncle used to play together as kids.
Agirlandherwool- how has planning and organizing your to do lists changed during this stay at home quarantine?
Jen.on.the.block- thinking of knitting the Mezzo cardigan. Curious how much you wear/love yours. I love mine! Here’s a link with details. Highly recommend knitting one.
My niece Riley asked- Crafty adventures you’ve had or would like to try- Brioche.
jen.cragen- how you’re feeling with all of this stuff in the world. So many feelings. Tune in to hear more.

On a Happy Note

Eme’s Sweet 16 Birthday Parade
Mom making us all masks. As always I’m so grateful for her.
I did a video chat with Riley for her 12th birthday. She asked me how to bind off headband she was making. Worked on that then pulled out a cowl project I cast on and gave her for Christmas.
Virtual happy hour with friends on Saturday night.
An unusual but lovely Easter.