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Episode 247: Socks & Scraps

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 247 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Some Years Later
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles 

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) 
  • Contrast heel- mini skein in a beautiful solid teal. I did a little colorwork on the foot that I’ll share more later.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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
  • 4 rounds per hexagon
  • 51+ hexagons done now. All ends woven in!

Chevron Scrap Blanket

  • Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria’s Blue Crayon (free crochet pattern) available on Ravelry & the Maria’s Blue Crayon Website.
    • This pattern presumes you already know the c2c crochet technique. 
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White & Tranquil (light green), Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Pink and Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly Big! in colorway Soft Lilac
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page (I crocheted one of these in summer 2020- click here for that Ravelry Project Page)
  • For help learning the Corner to Corner Crochet method you could check out this free Ravelry Download from Lauri Bolland or this video tutorial from Lion Brand on YouTube.
  • 1st Strip is finished progress. 11 squares wide. Each section is 11 squares tall. Green, white, pink, white, purple, white. 
  • Some of this is spirit yarn from my friend Kim’s SIL’s stash that I received after she passed away (purple). I’m not sure where the pink yarn came from, but it might have been my Nana’s stash. It feels great to put it to good use. 

Musselburgh Hat 

  • Pattern: Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague ($7.77 US/ 6 GBP knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on Ysolda’s website)
  • Yarn: fingering weight yarn from stash in a denim blue (can’t find the ballband)
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75) circular- 32 in (magic loop for beginning & end of project & US 2 (also called US 2.5) 3.0 mm 16-inch circular for the body of the hat
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Size: Adult Medium
  • I found that I liked working this hat in the round. Purchased Addi Rocket Lace Turbo 16 inch needles in US 2 (but it turns out its technically a US 2.5 or a 3.0 mm needle- not a 2.75 mm needle like I use for the cast on). The difference isn’t all that noticeable but it was a little frustrating.  
  • Progress check- I have finished the increases and have knit about 4 inches.
  • Plan: Switch colors half way through. I have a lighter blue skein from On the Round that I purchased at Wicked Good Yarns in Rockland, MA that I want to use to make it a reversible hat. 

Solstice Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry ) 
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Solstice colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) 
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress- turned heel on first sock. Cast on the second sock.

Brainstorming

My Grandmother called to ask me to knit her another Jean Marie Shawl (named for her). You can find this knitting pattern for $6 on Ravelry & LoveCrafts.Here’s the story:

  • My grandmother called me in mid-January 2023 saying she needed to place an order. I thought she wanted something from Amazon. 
  • She told me very time she wears her Jean Marie Shawl to dinner at her residence she gets tons of compliments. All of her friends love it. Its the right size and it just stays in place perfectly.
  • I published this pattern in 2018 to suit the request that she have a slightly bigger shawl that would stay in place. Half hexagon shape is perfect for this. It is knit in 3 sections, originally done in sport/dk natural yarns from Ross Farm in browns/tans. For this one, she wants white/black to wear with different outfits.

From the Armchair

Books

Movies

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

Wearing lately:

  • Felicity Hat  by Wanett Clyde: Aran weight slouchy hat knit in Duck Duck Wool. Ravelry Project Page. Free pattern available only on Ravelry.
  • Sagamore Flyover Slouch Hat: chunky weight hat. Ravelry Project Page. Yarn: Sugarbush Dawson in Colorway- Wild Willow, a great mustard color. 50/50 llama/wool blend

Knitting in Passing

  • Sunday night hang. Taught megg single and hdc. Knit a little with Hattie while Dan untangled Hattie’s yarn again. Untangled same ball in Ireland. She’d been using it to create a laser course. 

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
    • January Self Care Interception: hosted by Fitness by Mara. Get your Bingo Card PDF Here or the JPG here. Find all of the details in this Google Doc or in this Ravelry Thread.
    • Spread the Warmth Challenge; runs through the end of the Pigskin Party. Get details in this Google doc or this Ravelry Thread.
    • Pigskin Ends on Monday February 13, 2023. Get those projects entered. Don’t wait until the last day to get everything entered on the Google Form! 

Events

Fiberuary Challenge on Instagram hosted by CreativeCeci

Contest, News & Notes

  • My college roommate and friend Jen opened an Etsy Shop called JLSCreative Shop. Check it out 
  • Mom & I recorded an update video that went up on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel in the Just Breathe Playlist. You can find that video here. Right now, scans show things are going well and the combination of chemo and gene therapy is keeping the cancer at bay.

Life in Focus

23 for 2023 List

  1. Read 23 books
  2. Try at least one pair of fake eyelashes 
  3. Print and hang at least 1 of our new family photos 
  4. Kayak in one new place 
  5. Hike in one new place 
  6. See 4 plays/musicals
  7. Give blood at least 3 times
  8. Knit myself a pair of mittens 
  9. Knit/crochet at least one project with handspun
  10. Watch 3 movies in one day – done!
  11. See a movie in the theater 
  12. Go to a museum 
  13. Finish 1 punch needle project 
  14. Ski at least 1 day (ideally 2-4) 
  15. Try at least 1 new gym/in person fitness option 
  16. Make at least 1 new financial investment 
  17. Purge at least 23 items from the house. Ideally 46. 
  18. Publish 1 knitting pattern
  19. Send 5 cards to friends/family just because
  20. Go Camping
  21. Participate in the Fiberuary Challenge on Instagram
  22. Take a class (in person or virtual)
  23. Create a new music playlist

Word of the Year- Flow

Definitions:

  • to proceed smoothly and readily to issue or move in a stream
  • To exist in abundance
  • the continuous movement of a liquid in one direction
  • to hang loose and billowing
  • To move or proceed with a given movement or momentum
  • To pass or move by
  • a supply of something that continues without stopping
  • a way of talking or thinking in an easy natural way, without any pauses or difficulties
  • a  smooth uninterrupted movement or progress
  • Smoothness or fluidity in one’s movement
  • A strong, regular repeated pattern of movement or sound
  • I want to be able to go with the Flow no matter what this year brings.
  • I want to remember my dear Aunt Florence and remind myself what she would do. She was smart, caring, generous and strong. Her presence will be a good guide when things get tough.
  • I want to find projects, especially creatively that I can keep up the flow with… that I can get into a flow state with. To zen/bliss out and enjoy.
  • I want to keep my body strong and stretched so that I can move fluidly through the year without things getting in the way of my body’s flow. 

On a Happy Note

  • Playing the sock game during our visit to the Rowan’s. UK/European game. Fun for all ages.
  • Surprise package from Nicole with mini skeins.
  • Snow! Not a lot for as late into the season as we are, but I enjoy it.
  • Visit from family friends who came down from NH. We played games at my parents’ house!
  • January Zoom with my Patrons! I had a blast catching up with you.
  • 3 movies in 1 day- checked off my 23 for 23 list. Homemade popcorn. Lots of knitting and crochet time. Fixed dropped sts in Megg’s socks.
  • Drag show and dinner with Megg and Kris.

Quote of the Week

Everything and everyone at their own pace. Flow with not against yourself.-Akiroq Brost

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 246: Cleaning off the Needles

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 246 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

  • Perry’s Socks
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy FX 
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Megg’s 2nd Nanaimo Cardigan

  • Pattern: Nanaimo Cardigan by by Tara-Lynn Morrison
  • Yarn:  Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Colorway: Abalone  (5 skeins)
  • Needles: US 13 – 9.0 mm, US 15 – 10.0 mm, US 19 – 15.0 mm (body)
  • Size XS/S 
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I added 2 sets of short rows before the bottom ribbing.

Hattie’s Cat Amigurumi

  • Pattern: Siamese Cat Amigurumi by Mareeva Olga available on Ravelry, FireflyCrochet website & Etsy $6.40
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Worsted Weight Acrylic from stash: Magenta with sparkle, Silver with sparkle, Purple.
  • Ravelry Project Page

Friends in Fiber Socks

  • Yarn: Friends in Fiber Superwash Merino Nylon (75/25) in the Fibery Jewels Teal Speckle Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • These were my New Year’s Cast on socks.
  • 56 sts. 8.5 inches of knitting before starting the toe.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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

From the Armchair

Watching:

Reading:

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.

Knitting in Passing

  • One of my OMG sock students Karen reached out via email with a photo of the 8 pairs of socks she knit and gifted for Christmas after taking my class at the beginning of the year!! 
  • Suzanne, SewRunKnit, sent chemo caps for Mom. She chose one and donated the others to the MGH Cancer Center; the next day they were gone.

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
    • Tune in to hear if you’re a December interception winner of a December participation prize winner.

Life in Focus

I enjoy doing a look back at the end of each year. You can see the video I made about Reviewing My Year/Goal Setting in this video on my YouTube Channel.

  • Knitting/Crochet/Spinning
    • 70 Knitting/Crochet Finished Projects in 2022
      • 41 knitting 
      • 29 crochet
      • 53 of 70 are gifts
    • Spinning- 4 finished projects. 872 meters of yarn. 
  • Released 0 new patterns but completed the writing and prototype for 2 designs- a shawl & cowl
  • Sagamore Flyover Hat was my best seller this year.

Tune in to hear a recap of my Word of the Year & Goals for 2022. We’ll talk more about plans and goals in the next episode.

On a Happy Note

  • Going to my cousin Amanda’s book party in Plymouth and out to dinner after with family and friends. Musical bingo!
  • 105 people at my parents’ Open House on January 7th, including my friend Laura who came in from NYC for the weekend.
  • Starting process to kick off the Fearless Living Fund in my mom’s name that will benefit blind population through the Blind Center of Nevada. Friends and family surprised Mom with over $1500 in initial donations. Mom’s friend Katy shaved her head in solidarity (check out the YouTube video here) and is raising money. 
  • While my aunt’s passing has been incredibly difficult, there is still a happy note there in that many of us were able to go visit the Sunday before she passed. Dan and I picked up my grandmother and my parents met us at my cousin’s house armed with leftover trays of food from the Open House. Earlier in the day I was able to help transfer Florence into the guest room bed while Dan and some of the guys disassembled her bed to ready her room for a hospital bed. Then we took turns visiting with her, saying our goodbyes, eating dinner and being together. very time the door to her bedroom opened she smiled and said “I love that sound!” and then “I want you to keep doing that. Even after.” I reminded her its not like we could stop it. It was a hard day but made easier being all together. She passed on Wednesday. 
  • Came home that day to flowers and a beautiful from card that in my daze, I never even saw until he came home and pointed them out!
  • Mom made it through another 3 day round of Chemo. 2 more to go (one in late January & one in February)
  • Getting back into yoga. 
  • Date night with Dan. We hit the local brewery and then onto the tavern for dinner. Just what we needed. 
  • Sleeping in! 

Quote of the Week

It is amateurs who have one big bright beautiful idea that they can never abandon. Professionals know that they have to produce theory after theory before they are likely to hit the jackpot.

– Francis Crick

——

Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 245: Christmas Craziness!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 245 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
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Lucy the Fox

  • Pattern: Lucy the Fox by Banga Vaicekauskienė ($3.90 crochet pattern available on Ravelry and Etsy)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White, Black and Orange 
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Knit Picks Affiliate Link
  • I gifted it to Aila and she named it Ginger

Shrek 

  • Pattern: Improvised using the basic instructions from Lucy Collin’s Han Solo pattern. Pattern no longer available for individual sale. You can find it in this book available from Amazon (affiliate link).
  • Yarn: Green- Spunky Eclectic Victoria in the Ginko Colorway. Cream- Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Cloud. Brown- Cascade 220 Superwash.
  • Hook: B (2.25 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page.
  • I used the basic top down instructions from Lucy Collin’s Han Solo pattern but made the face and belly bigger using increases and HDCs. 

Abington Hat

  • Pattern: Abington Hat by Jennifer Lassonde ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts 
  • Yarn: fingering held double. Knit Picks Capretta in the Sagebrush Colorway & Friends in Fiber sock yarn.
  • Needles: US 4 & US 6. 
  • Size- Medium
  • Ravelry Project Page

Sugarplum Socks

Belt for Mom’s Wave of Change Cardigan

  • Yarn: Battenkill Fiber Mill Yarn (from Rhinebeck 2019). No label or other details available
  • Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Mock i-cord edging with garter stitch for the center. Small number of increases at the beginning and decreases at the end. Will have to see if we want to add some icords onto the sweater to hold the belt or not.

Wave of Change Jacket 

  • Pattern: Wave of Change Jacket by Denise Bayron ($9 US knitting pattern)
  • Yarn: Battenkill Fiber Mill Yarn (from Rhinebeck 2019). No label or other details available
  • Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) for body. US 6 (4.0 mm) for ribbing.
  • Size 3, 45” bust because it calls for 2-4 inches of positive ease.
  • Switch to Lykke Needles for body. Thought I was using 32”. Was maybe 24. 
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

  • Perry’s Socks
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy FX in the Cascade Colors colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Woolens and Nosh Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targee Socks- 2022 Advent Calendar 
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Megg’s 2nd Nanaimo Cardigan

  • Pattern: Nanaimo Cardigan by by Tara-Lynn Morrison
  • Yarn:  Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Colorway: Abalone  (5 skeins)
  • Needles: US 13 – 9.0 mm, US 15 – 10.0 mm, US 19 – 15.0 mm (body)
  • Size XS/S 
  • Ravelry Project Page

From the Armchair

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

  • Vlogmas 2022! 3rd year doing this project on my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel. You can find the playlist here.
  • Christmas Day video still to come!

In My Travels

  • I went to Las Vegas with my parents, my brother Jeff and our friends Trish and Thayer from December 13-19th.
  • We visited the Hoover Dam, went ziplining down Fremont Street, had a couple really swanky dinners out including one at the Paris hotel on the Vegas strip overlooking the Bellagio fountains, did a bit of gambling on the slot machines, attended a Gatsby themed wedding and my brother and I ended the trip with a heck of a Patriots/Raiders game at the new Allegiant Stadium.
  • We visited Blind Center of Nevada. 

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

Life in Focus

Ask Me Anything

Tune in to hear the answers to these questions asked by listeners:

  • How is your Mom doing? I’m praying for her. 
  • I want to hear about your advent knits
  • Knitting projects
  • What was the make you most enjoyed making? What memory makes you happiest?
  • Your plans for 2023, how you’re holding up with all that’s going on in your world.
  • New Years Cast On Plans

On a Happy Note

  • Going to see Six with my bestie, Kris.
  • My friend Liz came over on the Thursday before Christmas to help me wrap. It was a good thing we finished because that night the power went out.
  • Friday morning I went to the ocean to see the waves crashing in after the bombcylone blew through.
  • Christmas Eve at my cousin Susan’s- visit with Santa, cutting Mom’s hair and a funny exchange where Santa thought I was the mother of one of my cousin’s kids.
  • Sleeping over Mom’s on Christmas night, watching movies and playing Tock with Mom, Riley and Millie. 
  • Christmas morning snuggles with my youngest nephew, Zachary. Silly Christmas games Gail set up at my parents- Cling Wrap Game and the bows game (new to us this year). Stay tuned for the video to come soon!
  • 2 unexpected packages- one from Woolen Women Fibers and one from Suzanne, SewRunKnit, who sent three beautiful chemo caps for Mom/donation.

Quote of the Week

There are years that ask questions and years that answer.–ZORA NEALE HURSTON

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: