Author Archives: downcellarstudio@gmail.com

Episode 227: Unicorns, Sunshine & PRIZES

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 227 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Unicorn Macaron Amigurumi

  • Pattern: Unicorn Macaron Amigurumi free crochet pattern by Anitha Domacin available on their website.
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in white and various other colors. Small bit of silver metallic yarn from Stash
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Blue Kamakaze Socks

  • Yarn: ThreadHeadKnits Co. Plump Sock (100% Superwash Merino 4 ply- 438 yards/100g) in the Blue Kamakaze Colorway. 
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams $5 on Ravelry. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Mr. Fezziwig Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Corriedale Sock in the Mr. Fezziwig Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Click here for Wiki page on Mr. Fezziwig from A Christmas Carol

Kim’s Christmas Stocking

  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine. Available in this web archive link. I’ve also saved it to my podcast Gmail Google Drive in case it disappears! You can find that PDF here. 
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: G (4.00 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

Check out this Granny Square Chain. It’s a free Crochet pattern from Homemade@MyPlace

From the Armchair

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf. Bookshop Affiliate LinkAmazon 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.

Knitting in Passing

  • I met my cousin Chris’ fiancee’s grandmother who will soon be 98 years old. She told me she used to knit and crochet.
  • I found some lovely handkerchiefs at my Mom’s. I think some of the edges were trimmed by my grandmother and my great-aunt Rachel.

In My Travels

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’21: is officially over! WOW!

Pigskin '21 Final Stats

278 Players on Roster this Season

  • 135 people earned 1-25 entries
  • 66 people earned 26-50 entries
  • 58 people got between 51-100 entries
  • 14 of you earned more than 100 entries or more entries towards grand prizes. 
  • Only 5 did not post any points. 

Pigskin ’21 Teams & Conferences

  • Our Teams were Part of 2 Conferences this year- Alpaca Conference (Commissioner: Wendy) & Llama Conference (Commissioner: Jen)
  • Llama Conference won- 508,420 points
  • Alpaca Conference had a strong showing with 456,414 points
  • Highest scoring Team was also in the Llama conference- Team 2- Llamaste- 62,849
  • 2nd Place goes to : Team 10- International Llamas- 50,896
  • In 3rd Place from the Alpaca Conference is: Team 24 Suri Longnecks- 50,721!

Congrats to all of our players and teams! Tune in to hear if you won a participation prize or one of our 10 GRAND PRIZES!

Ask Me Anything

How do you knit for Massachusetts winters (Elisa.knits)

  • Layers!
  • Worsted weight hats and shawls.
  • Make fingerless mitts or mittens. Purchase gloves if you prefer those and the idea of making them doesn’t sound appealing.

Which fiber did you spin with when you began to spin (kmac0107)

  • Corriedale. Highly recommend!

What do you want to hear “my name winning a prize? Smile- Mom updates that you are willing to share” (javajennie) & related question “How’s Mom doing? Sending good vibes her way “(bayoumamaLA)

On a Happy Note

  • Random dance parties during Ski weekend.
  • I only fell once skiing in two days!
  • Sharing IPAs with my brother.
  • So much fun with Snapchat filters. Millie made everyone participate.
  • I got to see my friend Laura’s new apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
  • My cousin’s fiancee’s bridal shower. 
  • Visiting with my former boss & totally losing track of time. 

Quote of the Week

“You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt with. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding and my dear one, you and I have been granted a mighty generous one.”-Cheryl Strayed

Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 226: Birthday Fun with Handmades

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 226 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Dotted Rays

  • Pattern: Dotted Rays by Stephen West (Knitting pattern available on Ravelry  for 6 Euros ~$7 US. Also available on Gumroad.)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Capretta Superwash in the Sagebrush colorway, Knit Picks Palette in Wonderland Heather, Opal Heather, Caribbean, Seafaring, Spruce.
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Pink Moon Sweater

  • Pattern: Pink Moon by This.Bird.Knits. $8 US Pattern available on Ravelry and on the This.Bird.Knits Site.
  • Needles: US 5 & 7 (3.75 & 4.5 mm)
  • Yarn:
    • Sweitzer Fiber Mill unknown (gray)- Rhinebeck 2019
    • Lisa Daschinger Wools (mustard)- Farm Fiber Day’s Russell’s Market January 2020
    • mur yarn merino cashmere fingering (pink)- Barcelona 2019
    • Rowan Alpaca Classic (pink) Staci’s Stitches- LYS
    • Marroon- Handspun
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • The sleeves were too long so I ripped back after the cuff, then did the kitchener stitch in the round to reattach to the sleeve. 
  • Check out this video I used to learn how to do the Kitchener Stitch in the Round
  • Vlog January 29 & 30th – shared a little bit of the process.

Fear Less Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Emma’s Yarn Practically Perfect Sock in the Knit & Stitch Colorway
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Story about the yarn: Shortly after my cousin Gayle listened to E222 that I recorded with mom where we talked about her cancer diagnosis, she was out running an errand and the only parking spot she could find was directly in front of a yarn shop. She took it as a sign and asked for something local that would be good for socks. 
  • Knit & Stitch Boutique in Cocoa Village, FL
  • I stitched Fear & Less just before the toes on each sock using stranded color work and a basic chart I made in Excel.

Boujee New Years Socks

Ball Band Cozy

  • Pattern: Ball Band by Jennifer Lassonde (free crochet pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts). 
  • Yarn: Aqua- Lion Brand re-up. Green- other kitchen cotton of unknown origin
  • Hook:
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Citrus Hat

  • Pattern: Citrus Hat by Laura Treadway (free knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Zen Colorway
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Size: Adult small which is 96 sts. 20″ circumference but I know from experience this cast on count should work. 
  • 2×2 rib then a 6×2 rib
  • Stripes- blues, greens, grays. 
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Gift for my brother’s 40th birthday!

Heart Garland

  • Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs (free crochet pattern available on this blog)
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Knitters Brewing Company Brewski Worsted
  • Gift for my friend Liz.

Mom’s Card Heart Garland 

  • Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs (free crochet pattern available on this blog)
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted & other worsted weight acrylic yarn from stash- blues, greens, yellows, white and silver. 
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Gift for Mom for all of the cards she’s received recently.

 February Yarnable Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Raspberry Creme Colorway (February Yarnable Subscription Box colorway)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Garret’s Nana Blanket

Caribbean Blue Handspun Cowl- frogged

  • Yarn: Handpun made with Merino Fiber from Beesy Bee Fibers on Etsy in Caribbean Hues Colorway. 5 colors greens/blues. 3 ply yarn
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5)
  • Pattern: None- playing around with stitch pattern for potential design. didn’t love it. 
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Mr. Fezziwig Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Corriedale Sock in the Mr. Fezziwig Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Click here for Wiki page on Mr. Fezziwig from A Christmas Carol
  • Finished first sock!

Brainstorming

  • Check out this video from Ysolda on Instagram. It shows how you don’t need to start with a slip knot to start a long-tail cast on and how that can help you avoid that extra little bump of fabric that slip knot creates. Mind blown!
  • Millie’s birthday gifts.
    • Tip: Warm water and white vinegar worked perfectly to get slime off a commercial stuffed animal. It removed the thick, crusted on slime from her handmade but still left a bit of a pink color cast on them.

From the Armchair

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley. Bookshop Affiliate LinkAmazon 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.

Knitting in Passing

  • Kris legwarmer sock. It fits. Now that I know that, I can make second. 
  • Knitting at local brewery turned into a conversation!
  • Finished up my Ice Time Hat Class.
  • I visited Staci’s Stitches for the Hypnotic Yarn trunk show last weekend.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’21:

The Pigskin Party is officially over. Thank you to all of you who made it such a huge success! I will announce all of the rest of the winners on Episode 227 at the end of February!

Contest, News & Notes

On a Happy Note

  • We got about 2 feet of snow in 1 storm during the last weekend in January
  • Decorating my very boring laptop shell with stickers
  • Netflix Series: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window
  • Mom’s birthday. Sleepover. Spa day. Shopping lunch. Dinner. Presents every couple hours. So much fun!
  • Some good news at mom’s recent appointment with her Oncologist.
  • My brother Jeff’s birthday fun at Dave and Busters. 
  • Rachel kindly sent me a gift card to try out Silk and Sonder monthly journal. 
  • Wordle– I’m enjoying it! Are you? They even featured my word of the Year- PAUSE!

Quote of the Week

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”~ Albert Pike

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 225: Ski Stories & Stitches

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 225 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
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Winter Carnival Hat

  • Pattern: Winter Carnival Hat by Margaret Stauffacher
  • Yarn: Hedgehog Fibers Merino DK in Genie (multicolored), Pachamama’s Alpacas Trixie & Preston Sport (natural), Spunky Eclectic Victoria (100% Polworth) in Sky (Blue) & Ginko (Green)
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 5 (3.75 mm)
  • Size: Adult Medium
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Costume Party Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Sock in the Costume Party Colorway (75% SW Merino/25% nylon)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page

Plied 2 skeins of yarn:

  • Three Waters Fiber- Forested Hills Colorway- 4 ozs. Split into 3rds but didn’t weigh anything.
  • Rhapsody Fiber Arts- 2oz 50% Angora/50% merino no colorway
  • Washed it but I still need to measure, weight etc. 
  • Check out my Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mr. Fezziwig Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Corriedale Sock in the Mr. Fezziwig Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Click here for Wiki page on Mr. Fezziwig from A Christmas Carol
  • Finished the first sock

Emma’s Yarn Socks

Boujee New Years Socks

Dotted Rays

  • Pattern: Dotted Rays by Stephen West (Knitting pattern available on Ravelry  for 6 Euros ~$7 US. Also available on Gumroad.)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Capretta Superwash in the Sagebrush colorway, Knit Picks Palette in Wonderland Heather, Opal Heather, Caribbean, Seafaring, Spruce.
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

2022 Fun with Fiber

  • Kingdom Fleece & Fiber Works 100% Tunis Pete’s Fleece (light blues, dark blues and whites)
  • Liz from Kingdom Fleece & Fiber Works very kindly sent this braid, and a few others, for me to try out.
  • Check them out on Facebook
  • 1 bobbin full. Started second. 
  • Check out my 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

  • Taught Millie how to make pom poms to make them into little doggies. She didn’t finish but we got the basics of 2 pom poms done. 

Knitting in Passing

  • I lost my new ski hat in NH but thankfully was able to find it.
  • Riley got her sweater project back and knit on that during sleepover at my parents and then on our ski trip. Millie brought her cowl and knit a bit in the car… and then per usual got car sick. 
  • Millie wore a granny square jacket mom made for me when I was little, out to dinner the other night! It looks super cute on her. 
  • My friend Laura sends me photos of her feet, warm and cute in her handknit socks which makes me so happy! Now my friend Megg has started doing that too. It’s a fun little game.
    • Check out my Reel. Use the Hashtag. Share your knits. Encourage your loved ones to play along too! 
    • #knitgiftwearshare
  • I picked up a bottle of wine for big storm this weekend and received a nice compliment on my Felici Hat. Aran weight slouchy hat I knit out of Duck Duck Wool in the Summer Sidewalk Colorway. Click here for my Ravelry Project Page.

In My Travels

  • Tune in to hear a story of our ski trip to Loon Mountain in New Hampshire. PSA: Please wear a helmet!
  • Patrons, check out the Patreon feed for a video vlog from that weekend!

KAL News


Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

Tune in to hear if you’re a December Participation Winner

Life in Focus

Tune in to hear an update on my Goals for 2022 and my 22 for 2022 list.

On a Happy Note

  • Encanto on Disney Plus. Riley made us a popcorn/candy bar! 
  • Liz & Millie playing guitars
  • I got to see Millie’s last session of gymnastics for the season.
  • Meeting up with my friend Melissa and her daughter for lunch. 
  • We bought a book called “Mom Tell Me Your Stories” from Savers. It’s a book where you can document answers to questions about your Mom’s life.  Riley and Millie are into it. We spent an hour Sunday morning asking Mom questions.
  • Dan bought me a cool new contraption so I can make hot coffee when we go camping.
  • Dan surprising me with dinner one night and lunch another day when my week was really hectic.
  • Not so great- Millie & Mom getting Covid. Happy note- Mom was chosen in the lottery to get monoclonal antibody infusion!
  • Snow is coming! 

Quote of the Week

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”

—Mark Twain

Contact Information: