Episode 186: Rainbows & Reflections

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 186 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
Brainstorming
KAL News
Events
Contest, News & Notes
Life in Focus
Ask Me Anything
On a Happy Note
Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: agirlandherwool & Fibernymph Dye Works

I started the show with a bit of my perspective on and support for Black Lives Matter. Tune in to hear the details. I also shared a quote from Gretchen Rubin from Episode 267 of the Happier Podcast.
“The things of ordinary life can seem trivial especially at times like this but big things coexist with little things— and by taking care of little things– and our own lives —we strengthen ourselves to take action on big things. And to turn outward— and to think about other people and the right action we can take in the world.”

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mixed BFL

Mixed BFL: Call Me Row-Bear from 2GuysYarn
Wheel: Kromski Minstrel
2 ply yarn
312.7 meters.
Stash Dash Total: 938 meters

Christmas Stocking for Jenna & Cecilia

Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977 (not available online anymore)
Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red
Hook: F (3.75mm)
912 meters

Happiest Blanket Ever 2

Pattern: Happiest Blanket Ever by Tamara Kelly (free crochet pattern)
Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (Pastel Green) for Main Color. Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop in the Tutti Fruitti Colorway
Hook: K (6.5 mm)
Cast on for Baby Size. Chain 154.
MC- 783 meters, CC: 429 meters: about 90 meters for last round of border in a salmon color. Total: 1304 meters for stash dash
FO= 51 inches long and 37 inches wide

2 Blues 32oz Jar Cozy

Pattern: None
Hooks: 3.5 mm (E), 3.75 mm (F),4.0 mm (G)
Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up in Sky and Denim
46 meters

Rainbow Cozy Large (32oz jar)

Pattern: None
Hooks: 3.5 mm (E), 3.75 mm (F),4.0 mm (G)
Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up- Black, worked my way through rainbow. Purple to red. Black body. Pink round at the top.
59 meters

Stash Dash Summer Dishcloths Round 1

Yarn: Lily Sugar n’Cream
Hook: J (6.0 mm)
Pattern: Solid Granny Square
I’m trying to work through my entire stash of Lily Sugar n’ Cream cotton. My firstbatch of summer washcloths = 32 cloths.
454 grams/ 704 meters

Stash Dash Total (to date): 6,670 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Quarantine Socks

Yarn: Berroco Sox in Colorway 1415 Portsoy (self striping grays and blues)
Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Finished first sock- 38g.
Almost through leg of second sock.

Misfit Scrappy Sock

Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Yarn: Mint Rain Hand Dyed Yarn Twist Sock in the We R All Misfits (self striping). Holly Press Fibers Sheepish Minis in 2 colors of green

PrideSockathon2020 Socks

Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Rainbow Colorway & Paton’s Kroy (black)
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
Cast on for Abigail of Covert Knits Video Podcast Pride Sockathon 2020 runs through June.
Abigail is donating money to The Trevor Project for each pair she finishes and I think I’ll do the same.

Natural Tans BFL

Fiber: 4 oz BFL from Beesy Fibers.
Wheel: Kromski Minstrel
Plan is to spin 8 oz cream/undyed Corriedale and spin a 3 ply.

C2C Blanket

Pattern: Corner to Corner Start tutorial by Lauri Bolland
Hook: I (5.25mm)
Yarn: Vanna’s Choice 3 skeins each of (pink) and (light gray)
Thanks to walshcentral- Maryann for inspiration and link to pattern on Ravelry.
I found this tutorial very useful to get my head around the construction.
I used this link for Border help but found that I was getting too much flare, so after first round of (chain 3, sc) instead of DC in each chain, I did 2 DC, then DC in the SC below.

Brainstorming

Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon
Graceful by Kristina Smiley free crochet pattern for Expression Fiber Arts

KAL News

Quarterly Quests!

Get all of the details here. 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.
Don’t forget to post on Instagram #QuarterlyQuests you can also add one for the Quarter:
#sQuelchtheQueue#FreetheFavorites#LessentheLibrary#SlaytheStash& you can always add #downcellarstudiopodcast

Splash Pad Party – Check out the Start Here Thread for Details & Links to everything you need

Pro Shop Sponsors:

Snack Shack Sponsors

Events

Stash Dash, hosted by the Knit Girllls, runs May 22- August 22, 2020. Check out the Chat Thread & the Rules in the Knit Girllls Podcast group

Contest, News & Notes

My latest knitting pattern is available on Ravelry! The Ice Time Mitts pattern is $5 on Ravelry.

Yarn
- Main Color: Legacy Fiber Artz DK, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon. 100 grams, 245 yards / 224 meters. Colorway – Grey Gardens (grey)
- Contrast Color: Cloudborn Fibers Highland DK, 100% Fine Highland Wool. 50 grams, 164 yards / 150 meters. Colorway – Maize Heather (mustard).
- Yarn Used in Sample (Medium): Main Color used 30 grams, 74 yards / 68 meters. Contrast Color used 22 grams, 71 yards / 65 meters.
Sizes
- Small (Medium, Large)
- Finished palm circumference: 6 (7, 8) in / 15.25 (17.75, 20.25) cm
- Intended to fit with no-ease to a little bit of negative ease. Select the size that is closest to your handcircumference as measured just below the knuckles. If you are between sizes, I’d recommend going down to a smaller size
Pattern Info
- Pattern has 2 linked video tutorials- how to work the 1×1 cable without a cable needle and without dropping the stitch off your needles.
- How to do the Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy BO on 1×1 rib.
- Tech edited and test knit.

Life in Focus

I talk about focusing on committing to my own anti-racism education and how I can sustain both education and action. Resources mentioned: Me & White Supremacy Book by Layla Saad & Justice in June

Ask Me Anything

Shateen Amanda asked: What is your current favorite lunch or snack?

Lunch- Siracha Ranch salad (salad with any veggies I have in my fridge and the Siracha Ranch dressing from Trader Joe’s)
Snack- fruit. or popcorn

Limestone knits asked: What are your favorite cardigan patterns

I’ve only knit 4 adult cardigans. Rocky Coast by Hannah Fettig, Lush Cardigan by Tin Can Knits, Mezzo Cardigan by Alexis Windslow, Sandbar Cardi- crochet pattern by Toni Lipsey.
I’ve learned something through each one- about fit and fiber content… Not sure cardigans are my thing. My favorite of these is the Mezzo Cardigan.

On a Happy Note

Attending a peaceful BLM protest in Boston.
Figuring out what my family feels comfortable with for visiting.
Riley and Millie knitting at the pool
Kayaking with Dan
Seeing a buck in the backyard.
Celebrating my 40th birthday!
Visiting with family after the kids come here on Saturdays to work in the woods with Dan.