Episode 268: Christmas Cheer

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 268 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
Knitting in Passing
KAL News
Events
Contest, News & Notes
On a Happy Note
Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Domingo the Easter Goat

Pattern: I used the basic idea from this crochet pattern available on Etsy.
Hook:
Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in Clarity (blue- body), Mint (green- stripe on egg), Custard (yellow- egg) + pink and taupe mystery yarn
Ravelry Project Page
I made mine much smaller than called for in the Etsy pattern. chained around 10 stitches, worked in the round from there to make a base and then come up for body/head like a Squishmallow.

Space Daddy Socks

Yarn: Fan Girl Fibers Fingering in the Space Daddy Colorway (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon)
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Ravelry Project Page
Don’t forget, Fan Girl Fibers is a Pro Shop sponsor. This project is living in a wedge bag from Snack Shack Sponsor Stitched by Jessalu.

Liz’s Socks

Yarn: Area 51 Fibres Sturdy Alien Base ( n the (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon) in the National Periodic Table Day Colorway (self striping with rainbow and gray)
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Ravelry Project Page
Area 51 Fibres is Snack Shack Sponsor.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Let the Mystery Unravel 2023 Blanket of Calm

Pattern: Blanket of Calm by Casapinka (free crochet pattern)
Yarn: Woolen Women Fibers- Let the Mystery Unravel subscription + Cascade Heritage Sock yarn in the Forged Iron Colorway
Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
Ravelry Project Page
You can find my Let the Mystery Unravel Unboxing Video on YouTube in this Playlist
This subscription is not available to new subscribers but I hope you’ll watch each month and see how my blanket comes along. Stay tuned to Woolen Women for all of the fun kits they have! Don’t forget, they’re Pro Shop Sponsors.
Progress Notes- I crocheted all 9 squares from the November kit (theme- Tomb of the Lost Queen). I still need to seam them up and add a border

Christmas in July Socks

Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
Ravelry Project Page
Area 51 Fibres is Snack Shack Sponsor.
Progress: 1st sock is finished.

Same as It Ever Was Hat

Pattern: Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
Ravelry Project Page
Sarah Jordan of Knit/Wit designs is a Snack Shack Sponsor.

Colourful Mini Dino

Pattern: Colourful Mini Dino by Anika Kam (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry)
Hook: C (2.75 mm)
Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in the Lady Slipper colorway + mystery worsted acrylic yarn of a similar shade of purple

Hattie’s Scrappy Helical Socks

Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers
Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
US 1 (not 1.5), 48 sts. long cuff.
Ravelry Project Page
Check out my video tutorial for using Cate’s Clasp Weft Join along with Helical Knitting.
Progress: I’m about half way through the leg of the first sock.

Woolens & Nosh 2023 Advent Socks

Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock. 2023 Advent Set
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
Ravelry Project Page
Progress: keeping up on one sock. The other has maybe 6 stripes. After day 12 ready to turn heel so I might get behind for a couple days depending.
Woolens & Nosh is a Pro Shop Sponsor.

Vampires of Venice Spinning

Fiber: Into the Whirled. 4oz Falkland in the Vampires of Venice colorway.
Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
- This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
Split braid in half. First half has already been spun, washed and dried.
Plan is to use the yarn to knit this Tweed Tie available on Ravelry.

Tailgate Party Mittens

Pattern: Tailgate Party Hat & Mittens by Wendy Gaal of Knitters Brewing Co
Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
Yarn: Dancing Leaf Dyeworks. Bee Bop 100% SW Merino DK (no colorway name)
Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

I have such a strong urge to cast on a Christmas afghan that has a quilt-like effect. Any suggestions for me?

Crochet Star Quilt by Sandra Paul (~$6 crochet pattern available on Ravelry) Sport weight yarn
C2C Barn Quilt Blanket by Emily Marie Davies ($5 crochet pattern available on Ravelry or on this website)
Granny Square Snowflake Blanket by Briana K Designs ($8 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry
Winter Plaid Blanket by Mallory Krall- (~4.66 crochet pattern on Ravelry)

From the Armchair

Wool by Hugh Howey (The Silo Series- Book 1) 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

Sled Decorating with Mom. Check out our beautiful project.

Knitting in Passing

In talking about vlogging at the gym, we also got talking about knitting and I learned that my friend Taylor wants to learn to knit.
I was knitting at Nutcracker intermission and Hattie did a stitch before the lights went down.
I was knitting at my niece’s Funky Nutcracker performance which was so long. Megg’s neighbors said I’d have a whole blanket done before it was over.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’23

#DCSPigskinParty23
Official Rules
Find everything you need on my website or in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
Register using this Google Form (you must be Registered to be eligible for prizes)
Enter your projects using the Point Tally Form
Find the full list of Sponsors in this Google Doc.
- Coupon Codes are listed in this Google Doc & in this Ravelry Thread
- Exclusive Items from our Pro Shop Sponsors are listed in this Ravelry Thread
Questions- ask them in this Ravelry Thread or email Jen at downcellarstudio @ gmail.com
Quarter 3 Challenge: The Waymaker’s Cowl brought to you by our Official Sponsor of the Quarter Mandi’s Makings. Runs December 1-31, 2023. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
WIPs Challenge: Finish WIPs you started before the Pigskin Party kicked off on 9/7/23! If you finish them between 11/10/23 and 1/10/24, you’ll earn 150 points. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
Tune in to hear if you’re the winner of the Quarter 2 challenge.
November Participation Prize Winners be will announced in the next episode.
Updates from Commentator Mary
- There’s lots of talk about favorite warm beverages and baking in the December thread:
- If you are a tea lover, check out post 288, where multiverseknits shared some of their favorite places to buy tea.
- If you are a sourdough baker, check out post 628 where lmecoll shared a recipe for sourdough chocolate chip cookies that she will not be making but has heard are quite good.
- I also popped over to the end zone dance thread to see what people have finished lately. One project in particular caught my eye:
- Rubyrx recently finished a slip stitch party shawl in yarn from sheep she raised! She proceeded, spun, dyed and knit up the yarn into a gorgeous shawl! Amazing!! Check it out on Ravelry.

Events

Vogue Knitting Live– New York City: January 25- 28, 2024

Contest, News & Notes

3rd installment of Mom’s Health Update/catch up available on YouTube
Vlogmas 2023 Playlist
December Yarnable Video

On a Happy Note

December 1 we celebrated Dan’s birthday & Mom’s 2nd anniversary of diagnosis. So grateful she’s here!
Mom, Riley, Trish, Merry and I went to a Sample Sale. Mom, Riley and I then did more shopping and a “bakery tour.” I definitely recommend that Vlogmas episode. It’s very silly.
Attending live performances of: Aladdin Jr. the Nutcracker, The Plot Thickens and the Funky Nutcracker.
Running into my old boss at work
Hattie’s sleepover. She enjoyed crafting time, pancakes and a tractor ride with Uncle Dan.
My cousin Colleen having a baby boy in June!
Deer in the compost bins.
Working on a puzzle advent with Dan.