Episode 295: Fiber Witch Fun

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 295 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
  • Some Years Later
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Some Bunny Loves You Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Some Bunny Loves You Colorway (Yarnable April 2023 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- cream base with speckles of purple, blue, rust.
  • Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link. Get $5 off with coupon code BostonJen

Belle the Butterfly #3

  • Pattern: Belle the Butterfly $4 pattern from Theresascrochetshop on Etsy
  • Hook: C
  • Yarn: leftover DK yarn from stash
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Cold Goat Farm Spinning Project

  • Fiber: Cold Goats Farm; believe it is a merino/mohair batt (8oz) in a natural, undyed cream color
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 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.
  • Progress: 3rd bobbin done and onto the 4th. This is the batt that never ends! Getting closer but still not done.

Calendula Christmas Quilt

  • Pattern: Calendula Quilt by Elena Fedotova available on Ravelry for $7.50 US.
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Ivory, Deep Red, Varsity Green, Aqua, Medium Rose, Gray
  • Hook:  G (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I used Canva to help me figure out color placement to extend out the quilt pattern.
  • I am seaming squares using the Mattress Stitch.
  • I had the 2 color (on the diagonal) granny square memorized but totally forgot how to do those. Here’s a helpful video I found that helped refresh my memory.
  • Goal: 6 per week
  • Progress: 19 2 weeks ago & 12 last week (week 7 & 8)- 106 in 8 weeks- avg/13 per week
  • 129 not attached and 48 attached.
  • Current draft is 18 rows and 16 columns- 288 squares. 177 done/ 111 to go- 61% done

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
  • I started in September 2023- due to finish in August 2024. This month, I finished the squares for the last month’s kit.

Let’s Get Basted Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Let’s Get Basted Colorway (Yarnable November 2024 colorway)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • About the colorway- cream with gray, purple, tan/brown and small blips or orange. Spiral pooling.
  • Progress: about 2 inches away from heel of the first sock.

David… Fold in the cheese socks

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz in the David…Fold in the cheese!!!! colorway (with cream/gray mini skein)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress- almost to heel on the first sock

Brainstorming

  • I was inspired by Jenna(716knit) at the Fiber Witch Festival, had on a marled scrappy shawl (Slumber Shawl- Ravelry link) that was gorgeous! It got me thinking that I really want to start something with my Legacy Fiber Artz minis from previous year advents. Maybe a Granny Stripe blanket?
  • Or perhaps another Recollections crochet blanket. I made one in the summer of 2022 (check out my Ravelry Project Page). It uses fingering weight yarn held triple and treble crochets. You work each row right to left and cut each time. between each set of clusters you use a main color. Debating using Fibernymph 10g minis from last year’s advent for those rows (notes say it used- about 8g per row but that’s held triple which might just be too annoying).
  • I’m debating making a smaller blanket that will live on the backseat of my car, draped over. Mostly for the pop of color with my gray interior but I bet the kids would use it when they’re back there.
  • I’d also like to make a crocheted granny square tank top for the summer so I could potentially use some of my minis for that.
  • Do you have any ideas for me?

From the Armchair

  • The Wandering Purl YouTube channel– I have a Gilmore Girls sock sized bag from Bethany and I know lots of you are fans of her, but I didn’t realize she had a channel!  Enjoying her content, check it out.
  • White Lotus- Season 3: it was a slow burn of a season with some seriously cringy content but I loved how the finale came together.

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.

Some Years Later

I wore my Construction Zone top April 4th.

Construction Zone

  • Pattern: Construction Zone by Heidi Kirrmaier ($7.50 US knitting pattern)
  • Yarn: Tempting Ewe Yarns Luxe Aran (90% Merino/10% Silk) in the Grey Goose Colorway. 2 skeins 340 yards total
  • Needles: US 9 | 5.5 mm
  • Ravelry Project Page

I’ve been wearing my handknit sweaters as April has been cold and rainy!

  • Aurealis (Ravelry Project Page)
  • Silverlining (Ravelry Project Page)
  • Freewheeler (Ravelry Project Page)
  • Mom’s socks

Knitting in Passing

At a recent rehearsal for Kiss Me Kate, my fellow cast member, Janet, told me about this yarn company her friend Katie Aucella owns called Claws Out Yarn- here’s a link to her shop.

You can also find Claws Out Yarn on YouTube Channel & Instagram

In My Travels

Tune in to hear more about my trip to the Fiber Witch Festival in Salem.

I loved meeting up with friends, Monique (Windswept Monique on Instagram) who brought me 2 skeins of beautiful wool yarn that she’s allergic to, to sell/raffle off for FearLESS Living Fund. I met up with Ryan kollerskrafts and Jenna 716knit and shopped around with them and we grabbed lunch after.

It’s always a joy to see bag maker and podcast sponsor Jess of Stitched by Jessalu.

Into the Whirled– Cris + James who were there selling jewelry which you can find under the shop name westand28. I believe they will be at Maryland Sheep & Wool. Check them out on Instagram too. They had beautiful handdyed silk cordage bracelets with sterling silver. Each color has meaning. I couldn’t decide!  

Heart pendant (similar to this one). Mom- fine silver (.999) metal clay.

Jess also introduced me to Fiber Witch Festival organizers Ana Campos (Circle of Stitches). Emily  (Kitty with a Cupcake). I purchased a progress keeper that’s a floppy disk in yellow w/ a rainbow on it.

Dragon Hoard Yarn- Myth Fingering in one of her show special colorways- Gardens of Persephone

I purchased a project bag (Gardener’s Magical Craft Shelf bag) and beautiful sticker with hand drawn art from Dawn Kathryn

I had lunch with Ryan and Jenna at Turner’s Seafood

I visited Circle of Stitches yarn store in Salem. I purchased a mini skein from Cryptic Hollow Fibers, 9 inch circular socks needles from ChiaoGoo. & 2 cute stickers. I was so happy to run into Val (valtherizzle) as I was checking out!

I also shopped at Modern Millie’s, Re-find (2 pairs of earrings) & Oak & Moss– where I purchased a lemon button fern.

KAL News

The Splash Pad Party kicks off soon! It will be our 10th year (even though yes we took last year off). Mark your calendars: June 1- July 31

Events

On a Happy Note

  • I found old photos of theater and dance friends which I brought to rehearsal.
  • My friend and I went to Gretchen Rubin’s Q&A for her new book Secrets of Adulthood (Amazon Affiliate link).
  • Dan and I went to the Oligo Nation Gala to support our friend John who was receiving an inspiration award. I wore a fun dress from Poshmark and Mom’s jewelry.
  • Kris’ birthday dinner at a local mexican restaurant.
  • Dad, Jeff and I enjoyed a video chat organized by my cousin Jimmy.
  • Repotting some plants. Hoping they take.
  • Dinner with Megg at Scutari in Hanover, MA
  • I visited Vico Style on Charles St in Boston- found 2 dresses that could work for Kiss Me Kate & 1 just for me.
  • Visited with my Dad, Millie and Garret over the weekend and we decorated for Easter.
  • Rehearsal for Kiss Me Kate is going well!

Quote of the Week

Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one’s voice.

-Joseph B. Wirthlin

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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