Episode 271: Fiber Events & FearLESS Fundraising

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 271 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Stitched by Jessalu

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

I Love You More Socks

  • Yarn: Malabrigo Arroyo in the Azules colorway (medium denim blue)
  • Needles: US 3(3.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • For these DK socks, I cast on 48 sts and followed the OMG heel instructions for that stitch count. I worked more ruonds of ribbing than I usually do and used that as the whole leg of the sock, then worked heel, and foot as usual. I included some colorwork in a neon coral DK yarn to say ” I love” on the left sock and “you more” on the right sock. When squished up it looks like it says I Love You Mom which is also perfect!

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Jenny’s Blanket

  • Pattern: Modified Sedge Stitch Blanket by Nicole Mansfield ($2 crochet pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Sky Blue, Teal, Mint, Cyan, Jade Green and Aqua
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: nearly done with color 2 of 6.

Same as It Ever Was Hat

  • Pattern: Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Beatnik colorway
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Knit wit designs. Snack shack sponsor.
  • Progress: nearly ready for the decreases.

Same as It Ever Was Hat #2

  • Pattern: Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Kingdom Fleece and Fiberworks. No colorway listed.
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: more than half way done.

Nimbus Vest

  • Pattern: Nimbus by Berrocco Design Team (free knitting pattern)
  • Yarn: Worsted Weight 100% Wool (from Rhinebeck 2022) held double
  • Needles:  US 10 (6.0mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Notes: I added about 4 inches to the body before the armholes.

From the Armchair

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Crafty Adventures

  • We recently had a crafty sleepover at my parents- Kris, Aila, Megg, Hattie, Millie, Riley (Jeff for a bit), Mom & her long-time friend Lin.
  • Needle felting & Alcohol Inks + Fire on Glass (click here for a related video tutorial if you’re curious)

In My Travels

  • Mom, Millie and I met up with our friend Ryan at the Farm Fiber Days Event at Wayland Farmers Market at Russells Garden Center.
  • Millie was looking for yarn to knit a hat for her dad. We found it in one of the first booths- Plied Yarns. Always great to see Ann Weaver. We did a full loop and went back to purchase yarn.
  • I bought a handsewn chicken potholder set.
  • The Blue Heron Farm (in Vermont) hosted their table for folks to learn Needle Felting. Millie made Ryan a butterfly like the ones she made for us. Thanks to “Auntie Shelly” at Blue Heron for encouraging Millie.
  • I got some great info from Jim Grant from Good Karma Farm about getting going on my Cricular Sock Machine. Check out their video on How to Knit a Sock on Circular Sock Machine for beginners.
  • We got lunch after at The Local. Then Mom and I went back and I bought a few plants, a watering can & a decorative pumpkin from the clearance section.
  • The next Farm Fiber Days at Wayland Farmer’s Market is March 3, 2024. Details can be found on their website.

Vogue Knitting Live in New York City

  • Class: A Lace for Everything and Everything in Its Lace with Bristol Ivy
  • In the marketplace, I ran into my friend Sarah in the Cowgirlblues booth where I bought some mini skeins.
  • I was thrilled to run into Petrina, Shameika, Twinset Jan
  • I was so happy to meet Pigskin Sponsor, Terri from At Haynes House Yarns.
  • I bought a mini skein bundle from The Golden Purls. I got a quilted bucket bag from M.A.B.E.L, yarn for hat, earrings & a bracelet with fabric covered beads.

Other New York City Notable Moments:

  • Saturday- farmer’s market, walked the High Line, visited Chelsea Market, had dinner at Shukette & saw Kimberly Akimbo on Broadway.
  • Sunday- we saw Poor Things at a theater in Lincoln Center and continued our Oscar Nominee movie watch with Past Lives & Anatomy of a Fall (which I didn’t enjoy as much as The Replacements which we watched earlier in the weekend)

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’23

Update from Commentator: Mary

  • There’s lots of strategizing and discussion about what there is and is not time to finish before the end of PSP.  Relatedly, there is some discussion about the joys of finishing longstanding WIPs even if those projects don’t count for pigskin party.
  • There was also recently some discussion on pros and cons of different approaches to provisional cast ons, including a method where you use a stitch saver instead of scrap yarn (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olAZk2tkTus). 
  • Finally, there’s been some talk of travel plans including the intense decision making process that crafters go through when they are trying to decide what projects to bring on a trip.  This has included discussion of pros and cons of checking luggage vs. carrying on and some musings about who decided that packing light is a value we should all aspire to anyway.
  • Kristen recently shared a link to a story about monkeyshine hunting.  Its a neat tradition that coincides with lunar new year in Tacoma. https://gritcitymag.com/2020/01/a-little-backstory-on-monkeyshines-in-tacoma/
  • Here’s a highlight from the endzone dance thread: Sandyrlevin completed an amazing sweater with a really detailed octopus on it. She did it all with duplicate stitch!  It is truly amazing. https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Sandyrlevin/217-12-amur-maple

Events

Check out all of the details about our Fiber Community February FearLESS Living Fundraiser including the participating makers.

To make a personal donation, you can use this link 

  • Please use the option to “Add a Public Comment” to let us know you’re part of this Fiber Community Fundraiser. 
  • I recommend including your Instagram/Ravelry user name so sponsors doing prize drawings and confirm/find you.

More About This Project:

February 9th is my mom, Diane Lassonde’s, birthday. Diane came up with the idea for the FearLESS Living Fund when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer in December 2021. Since then, each birthday we celebrate with her is precious and this year, with your help, I want to make her birthday month even MORE special by raising funds for this charity she’s created.

The FearLESS Living Fund picks up where the Blind Center of Nevada’s services leave off, helping their outstanding clients to live more fearlessly in pursuit of their dreams. In 2023, we gave out over $9,000 in scholarships. You can watch a video of the event here. With your help, we can raise even more.

I also have some wonderful goodies here that I am going to giveaway. I’ll be pulling winners from those who donate via the PayPal page. Be sure to mention you’re part of the Fiber Community Fundraiser and list your Instagram or Ravelry Name so I can find you and send you your prize.

Life in Focus

2024 Word of the Year- Heart

  • Found a heart mural in NYC
  • Bought a small heart shaped pottery dish to use for stitch markers at a local shop where everything is handcrafted by disabled students at their school.
  • Made a collage of photos (from Walgreens template) from family photo shoot and had it printed 11×14. Now I need to find a place to hang it.
  • Looked at heart jewelry but didn’t find any pieces that were “me” so I’m still looking.

24 for 2024 List- updates

  1. Get 2 massages beyond the one per month at Massage Envy
  2. End the year with more money in the bank than when I started in January. ($51,397- includes CD)
  3. Make & assess goals each month of the year
  4. Read more books than you did in 2023 (50)
  5. Organize a fundraiser for the FearLESS Living Fund (DONE)
  6. Come up with better temporary & more permanent storage for memory items.
  7. Visit 1 new (to me) museum or historical site
  8. Add one new indoor plant to my collection (DONE)
  9. Buy/make/work with Dan/Oisin on at least 1 plant stand for the living or dining room
  10. Publish at least one new pattern
  11. Knit at least 1 finished project with handspun
  12. Knit/crochet myself a new sweater
  13. Make a Christmas afghan for the living room- in progress
  14. Take a class (DONE)
  15. Purge at least 20 items from my wardrobe
  16. Go skiing
  17. Watch at least 5 of the movies on the Jen/Liz movie list 1) Hercules
  18. Do something special for our Anniversary in May
  19. Do a regular (ideally monthly) review of Dropbox Camera Uploads to delete unnecessary items
  20. Buy a new quilt and/or duvet cover for our bed
  21. Buy a new blow dryer.
  22. Get my car detailed (DONE)
  23. Buy new curtains for living room- ordered some to try on 1/19
  24. Try a new local restaurant – Lolita (want one even MORE local)

4 of 24 done in January!

On a Happy Note

  • I was chatting with my friend Margarita who is from the Philippines. She mentioned she gets dried mango in bulk from home and sent some over to me! So sweet of her!
  • Movie night with Liz- Hercules.
  • Car Detailing! It literally feels and smells like a new car! Usually 3+ month wait list- but not at this time of year.
  • Mom made it through Round 1 of Chemo- 3 days in a row. My cousin Jenny (also a nurse at the hospital) visited during day 2 and our cousin Joanie took Mom in on day 3 instead of dad. It was great to spend some quality time with them.
  • Seeing Moulin Rouge with Megg at the Boston Opera House (and dinner at Lolita beforehand)
  • Quality time with Laura & my first visit to NYC since before the pandemic…

Quote of the Week

Energy creates energy. It is by spending myself that I become rich.

–SARAH BERNHARDT

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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