Episode 248: Birthday Month

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 248 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
Brainstorming
From the Armchair
Crafty Adventures
KAL News
Events
On a Happy Note
Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Cascade Heritage Socks

Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Prints in Colorway 111 Aqua
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
I finished these before the last episode, but I didn’t talk about the colorwork I did before each toe. One sock says “just” and the other says “breathe.”

Mom’s Jean Marie Shawl

Pattern: Jean Marie by Jennifer Lassonde ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts).
Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)
Yarn: Section 1: Dirty Water Dyeworks Lillian in Sea Breeze with Knit PIcks Capretta in Colorway 27636. Section 2: Dirty Water Dyeworks Lillian in Mediterranean & Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in Clair de Lune. Section 3: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in Clair de Lune with Art by Ewe Signature Yarn in the Sapphire Colorway (70% Baby Alpaca/ 30% Silk). Bind Off: Art by Ewe Signature Yarn in the Sapphire Colorway with a 20g mini of a teal fingering weight yarn (no ball band).
Ravelry Project Page
Held fingering yarn doubled and went up a needle size from what pattern calls for. Result is a slightly larger size than the original which was exactly what I wanted.
Cast on February 1. Finished on February 7. Blocked it, dry in time for Mom’s birthday on the 9th.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Grammy’s 2nd Jean Marie Shawl

Pattern: Jean Marie by Jennifer Lassonde ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts).
Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn DK Merino Superwash in Black, Light Gray and White (2 skeins each)
Ravelry Project Page
Nearly done with Section 1.

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
Check out this Instagram post that talks about the join I’ve been using for the end of each hex
4 rounds per hexagon
62 hexagons done as of now

Cloudy Rainbow Socks

Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Yarn: Yarn Cafe Creations Biscotti Yarn (85% SW Merino/15% Nylon 4 ply) in the Thestrals Colorway (gray with blips of rainbow colors
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Cast on 60 stitches and worked 1/1 rib for 14 rounds. Knit about 2 inches and then reduced to 56 stitches (decreases like a toe- done at the beginning and end of each half of the sock).
I am working on the 2 of them in tandem. Each on their own magic loop.

Brainstorming

No-Purl Ribbed Blanket by Purl Soho. Click here for the Ravelry Pattern or here for the Purl Soho website. I heard about this on the Knit Ink Podcast/YouTube Channel hosted by Natasha and her mother Petra.
I’ve been very tempted by the Leah Cowl by Susy Knotsosquare. Granny Stripe Crochet cowl with triangle point on front. Calls for DK weight yarn. Crochet pattern available for a little more than $5 US. Check it out on Ravelry or Etsy. You can also check out her Padme Cowl which is similar but different. Details available on Susy’s website.
Generally just thinking about how when a project doesn’t have an imminent deadline, I’m far less motivated to pick it up. “What’s the point?” is often what comes to mind. It’s an interesting thing to consider because the very same project, given a due-date will often excite me to pick up. Does this happen to you?

From the Armchair

Movies

Tár
The Banshees of Inisherin
- Check out these articles that talk about the handknits in this movie- Vanity Fair & Esquire.
All Quiet on the Western Front (German)
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse (2022)
Master (2022)

Books

West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge. 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

I worked with Millie on handmade Valentine cards for her classmates and teachers.
Millie also made a cute Flamingo from a Plush Craft kit we purchased at Michael’s. Here’s an affiliate link to a similar one available on Amazon.
I finished most of the border for the sheep punch needle project that I haven’t picked up in more than a year.

Punch Needle Project Details

Kit with pattern by Teresa Kogut
Pattern: PN165- For Ewe
Link to purchase pattern only on Etsy for $12.
I purchased my complete kit from Tree House Fiber Arts. Click here for their website.
- Kit included: 7″/9″ Morgan hoop, weavers cloth, floss, Ultra Punch Needle, Needle threaders, pattern, instructions.
- Kits no longer available but Rachel may have the other supplies available.
Helpful resources:
- YouTube Videos by the Woolery & Kate Gillery

KAL News

Pigskin Party’22: The Official Hashtag is #DCSPigskinParty22

Pigskin Landing Page on the Down Cellar Studio Website.
Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
Link to the Official Rules
Player Registration- Google Form
Check out our amazing Sponsors! Click here for the Google doc with their websites and Instagram profiles.
- Check out the list of available Coupons from our amazing sponsors- Ravelry Link. Google Doc.
- Check out the Pigskin Exclusive Items in this Ravelry Thread
Important Updates in this Episode
- Important Updates in this Episode
  - Tune in to hear if you won a January participation prize
  - January Interception: Self Care Bingo by Fitness by Mara. Winner announced!

Events

Sunday March 5 from 10:30a-3:00p Farm Fiber Days at Russell’s Garden Center in Wayland, MA Check out this year’s vendors on this page.
Saturday April 1 from 10a-3p: The Yarn Seller’s 10th Annual Fiber Marketplace in York, Maine. Click here for details.
Saturday April 22 from 10a-5p Gore Place Annual Sheepshearing Festival in Waltham, MA. Click here for details.

On a Happy Note

Lunch with the girls, sundaes and popcorn and Tar at Mom’s.
Mom completed another 3 day round of chemo. We got good news that her January scans show the cancer remains the same. No new growth!
My friend Laura came to visit for the weekend. We spent Friday night at my parents’ hanging out and watching movies. We briefly lost power but it came back; cable did not, so thankfully we still had some more screener DVDs. Saturday, we hit some secondhand stores before going back over to Mom’s for dinner with my parents, my brother and nieces Riley and Millie. The next day we visited Dan’s friend Perry who was recently hospitalized and then to see his youngest brother Dave & our niece Gabriella and nephew Zachary.
Mom & I each got a haircut (real hair for me, wig for Mom).
On Thursday 2/9, we had dinner at Maggiano’s for Mom & Hattie’s birthdays before going to see Hamilton at the Boston Opera House.
Millie came for her 11th Birthday Sleepover (even though her birthday isn’t until 2/20). She wanted to record some videos to share, so look for that on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel soon.