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Episode 224: New Year, New Projects!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 224 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • KAL News
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Perry’s Vase Cozy

Ripped back and repaired toe of Mom’s Patons Kroy Deep End Socks. Click here for my Ravelry Project Page.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

2022 Fun with Fiber

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. 
  • My Ravelry Project Page

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
  • PHOTOS TO COME

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

Emma’s Yarn Socks

Bayou Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Bayou Colorway
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • New Years Eve cast on based on ones you all selected on Instagram
  • Want to try Knit Picks? Please consider using my Knit Picks Affiliate Link

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

Brainstorming

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
  • Finished before the last episode. Blocked it again and the sleeves are too long. 
  • I am going to wash and block again, but there’s a 95% chance I’ll be ripping back the sleeves by a good 4-5 inches. 

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

Updates for this episode:

  • December Interception Winner: Congrats to sarahkatsq for Post #10. Thanks to Natalie for hosting the Cozy Up Interception
  • No Interception in January 
  • Monthly Scavenger Hunt (January clues have been posted): Figure out these fun clues and earn points each month. Check out this Ravelry Thread or this Google Doc.
  • KAL ends on February 14, 2022

Life in Focus

Word of the Year: Pause

  • Pause: take a time out. Breathe. Relax. Be present. 
  • Pause: put obligations that you may not otherwise, on hold and reprioritize. 
  • Pause: savor the moment. Cherish it. Freeze time if only for a second.
  • Pause: I want the cancer to pause. To stop, if only for awhile, to give us some more time. I know it won’t be forever but I am putting energy into this pause. 
  • Pause: a period or time free from engagement
  • Pause: take a breather
  • Pause: take five
  • Pause- and connect. connect my feelings. connect with others. 

Primary Goals:

  • Move your body 4 days a week. Any movement for 15 minutes or more counts. 
  • Say Yes to time spent with Mom. Call often. Visit once a week, more if possible. Say yes to things that involve her unless it’s interferes with my own mental health or need for rest.
  • Journal about each day of this year. I can write about things a day or two later if need be, but I do want to keep a record. I do want to pause and reflect on things are they happen this year. 

22 for 2022 List

Check out this episode of Happier with Gretchen Rubin to hear more about this project.

  1. Go Skiing (from 2021)
  2. Knit a garment out of handspun (from 2021)
  3. Spend at least two hours learning something new (on my own, in a class, YouTube videos etc)
  4. Read 22 novels 
  5. Go to an art museum 
  6. Buy something a little extravagant 
  7. Meet with financial planner about new investments.
  8. Do at least 1 yoga video per month
  9. Kayak at one new place
  10. Create the collage wall in my studio
  11. Visit Eme at school
  12. Try out the new trail on Grove Street
  13. 2nd Annual Nora Ephron Movies Day
  14. Purge & declutter the secretary
  15. Plan and go on at least 1 date with Dan that involves going at least 1 place we don’t “normally” go
  16. Take a vacation/staycation before August 
  17. Buy a fabulous new dress to wear to weddings
  18. Have my car’s backup camera checked out & ideally fixed
  19. Hire a professional photographer for family photos
  20. Spend a weekend with Laura (in NY or MA)
  21. Go Apple Picking
  22. Hang a calendar in the diningroom

On a Happy Note

  • Quiet New Year’s Eve at home, with Covid all around us. Homemade popcorn, cold craft beer, and Lupin on Netflix.
  • I got a text from my cousin Joanie. Her mom, my Aunt Florence has been struggling to make pom poms for the hats she’s been knitting. I showed her early in December how to use the Clover pom pom maker I bought her, but she was still a bit stuck. Joanie’s daughters helped her make the pom poms! They came out great! Love a good family project.
  • January 2: Nora Ephron Day. Started with You’ve Got Mail, found a Nora Ephron documentary Everything is Copy on HBO Max, then proceeded to watch Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally.
  • Getting silly videos of my niece Hattie in Ireland
  • My January Yarnable Box! Check out the video on my YouTube Channel
  • Yoga with Adriene: Move- A 30 Day Yoga Journey. Check out the Playlist on YouTube. I’ve done 4 so far. 
  • SNOW! We got a good 7-8 inches and it was beautiful. 
  • Fun dinner, post-Christmas but still exchanging gifts with friends, and Yahtzee playing game night at Mom’s last Saturday. 
  • I’ve kept my succulent alive for 1 whole year!
  • Started teaching my Ice Time Hat Class at Staci’s Stitches this week. I won’t be teaching again this year, but I will keep you posted if that changes.
  • An impromptu dinner and game night at mom’s this Thursday.

Quote of the Week

New Year- new verse, new chapter, or just the same old story? Ultimate we write it. The choice is ours. 

-Alex Morritt

Episode 223: Finishing All the Things

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 223 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Some Years Later
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mermaid Tail Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Mermaid Tail colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Crochet Squirrel

  • Pattern: Crochet Squirrel by Junuen Lisunia (free crochet pattern on Ravelry)
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Worsted Weight Acrylic from stash in light brown and dark brown
  • Ravelry Project Page

Among Us- Blue

  • Pattern- Among Us Amigurumi by Tiffany Horton- free crochet pattern available on her website or $2.50
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Ravelry Page shows Among Us Characters alive and dead (dead is when they have a bone exposed) and with a crown. But the “without a bone” and “crown” instructions are not actually included in the PDF. See below for option that has the bone.

Among Us- Yellow with Bone

  • Pattern- Among Us Amigurumi Dead Version by Tiffany Horton- available free on her website
  • Yarn: Worsted Weight Acrylic Yarn from Stash- in Yellow
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Camp Out Fingerless Mitts

  • Pattern: Camp Out Fingerless Mitts by tante ehm- Free Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Yarn: Fully Spun Sock Yarn in the Blue Hole Colorway (blue) with a strand of fingering weight Corriedale handspun yarn.
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Mom’s Christmas Headband

  • Pattern: 108-18 Knitted Hair Band by DROPS Design. Free Pattern available from DROPS website & on Ravelry. 
  • Yarn: Fully Spun Sock Yarn in the Blue Hole Colorway (blue) with a strand of fingering weight Corriedale handspun yarn.
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Riley’s Christmas Cardigan

  • Pattern: Everyday Cardigan in Merino No. 5 by Loopy Mango
  • Needles: US 15 (10 mm)
  • Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green (sage color)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Pattern calls for Seed Stitch but I’m just using the basic instructions and using cables and ribbing for the body/sleeves. 
  • For the front bands I did HDC through back/front loop.

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

Brainstorming

  • I purchased, for the first time, the complete set of Knit Picks Felici. 10 colorways. 1 50g ball each (I subsequently ordered another set). Considering purchasing from Knit Picks? Consider using my Knit Picks Affiliate Link
  • Designs- when I have a bit more mental bandwidth…
  • We found my grandmothers rugmaking supplies at Mom’s house. Need to do some googling! 
  • Spinning.

From the Armchair

2021 Knitting in Review

90 finished knit/crochet projects

  • 2 cardigans
  • 5 tops
  • 19 toys
  • 5 shawls
  • 24 pairs of socks
  • 4 headbands
  • 1 pair of mitts
  • 1 knitted tree decoration
  • 1 Christmas stocking
  • 12 hats
  • 7 blankets
  • 2 jar cozies
  • 7 garlands

Spinning- 4 projects, 11 skeins, 1,686 yards of Yarn (8 spinning projects in 2020 but they were smaller)

Crochet- 38 projects. Knitting 52 projects

Click here for a link to my 2021 Ravelry Projects Tab.

Some Years Later

In July, I gifted my niece Gabriella a teddy bear crochet with Bernat Velvet yarn. She bumped her lip on the way over for a Christmas visit and grabbed her bear for comfort so they brought it with them. Lots of ends sticking out. I took a cable needle and shoved them back in and she looked pretty great after that!

Gabriella’s Velvet Bear

Crafty Adventures

  • Making banana ice cream with Garret. We use this recipe.
  • Making Pizzelles- tasted delicious but looked kind of crumby but confectionary sugar hides many sins. 

Knitting in Passing

  • During a recent sleepover, Millie wanted help with a knitting project and per usual she claimed she didn’t remember how to knit, but when she sat down and started, she picked right up where she left off. We have learned though that she does not enjoy bamboo needles so I need to work on getting her a short circular, metal needle replacement for the cowl she’s working on.
  • Riley’s current project is a cowl from Lion Brand in a fun color changing yarn. It turned out a bit too big and so instead, she wants to make it into a top for Millie. She’s learned to make i-cord to use for straps and we’ll sew those on when she’s done.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

  • Monthly Scavenger Hunt (December clues have been posted): Figure out these fun clues and earn points each month. Check out this Ravelry Thread or this Google Doc.
  • December Interception: hosted by Knitty Natty. Find details in this Ravelry thread or in this Google Doc. Cast on 12/1/21 or later. Deadline to post 12/31/21.

Life in Focus

Starting my annual Year in Review process. I shared about this last year on my YouTube Channel. Check out that video here

Tune in to hear how I did with my 21 for 2021 list. Hear more about these lists on the Happier Podcast w/ Gretchen Rubin

I also reviewed my Word of the Year and primary goals for 2021.

Ask Me Anything

  • Shana “Savers, duh!”- Check out the Christmas Thrifting Video on my YouTube Channel.
  • Marilynknits- “Could you talk about you learned to crochet? I think you probably already shared but I forget. Maybe you could also share a source for your favorite crochet tutorials. I am learning how to crochet!”
  • knit_read_sleep: “How the cling wrap game works. That looked so fun”- tune in to hear my description & check out our video of the Cling Wrap Game Video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel.
  • francesgiff-knitting plans for 2022
    • Handspun garment
    • A new hat for me.
    • Spinning
    • I want to make more garlands for my house. Christmas themed one would be fun. 
  • Genna-with-a-gee: “What are you best methods for having a successful year? Keeping low stress?”
    • Build habits that get you headed where you want to go. Figure out not just what you’re aiming for but concrete steps of when, where, how you’ll do things to move in that direction.
    • Be grateful. Look for the good things happening around you and you’ll find those.
    • Remember that life isn’t all good. It’s a mix. We’re supposed to be sad, angry, overwhelmed. Personally I don’t find it useful to try to find a way out of that. Experience it. Lean in, and then…when it feels like it could pass, move on. Try to move back towards more positive emotions. 

On a Happy Note

  • Thank you for all of your kind notes, comments, cards etc after we announced last episode that Mom is battling lung cancer. We truly appreciate it. After a grueling experience with the special pharmacy, Mom has finally started her gene therapy treatment. 
  • Visiting with Maria who was visiting from Barcelona. Check out the Day 17 Vlogmas Video  to see the treats my friend Marta and her sons sent over for Dan and me.
  • Thrifting with Mom & the kids followed by a 4 kid sleepover.Check out the Day 18 & 19 Vlogmas Video for more. Patrons, check out your Patreon feed for an even longer video with lots more highlights and funny moments from the kids.
  • In addition to fun pancakes- we also scored a sea themed waffle maker at Savers so we made Dolphin, Seahorse and Crab waffles!
  • Babysitting my niece Gabriella.
  • Singing Christmas Carols by the fire even if it was freezing outside! 
  • A quieter Christmas Eve than we planned that turned into a lovely night.
  • Christmas Day with our families. So much fun and laughter. Check out Vlogmas videos for more.  
  • Continued adventures with Helen- the mannequin head- we discussed on the last episode. Millie and Dan got into hijinks on Christmas!

Quote of the Week

“Satisfaction is always available. It is just not always looked for. If, when you enter any experience, you enter with curiosity, respect and interest you will emerge enriched and with awareness you have been enriched. Awareness of enrichment is what satisfaction is.” 

-Ann Hastings

Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 222: Holidays, Hijinks & Hugs Here

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 222 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
  • Some Years Later
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Shout out to Ultimate Insider Patrons: Charlie, Candy, Alicia, Rachel, Rainah, Luanne & Beth

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Aila Grace Shawl 

  • Pattern: Aila Grace by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Into the Whirled Gloucester Sock in the Ramble Colorway (oranges, reds, pinks, purples)
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Check out Day 10 of my Vlogmas Videos to see the shawl after blocking.

Gnomes of the Gnorth

  • Pattern: Gnomes of the Gnorth by Sue Perez (free crochet pattern on Ravelry & website). Video tutorial available on YouTube.
  • Hook: B
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Dance Shoe Legwarmers

  • Pattern: Dance Shoe Legwarmers by Sherry Katherine Vernon (free knitting pattern)
  • Yarn: Charming Ewe Suki Sock in the Mystic Topaz  Colorway
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) & US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • If you’d like a good afterthought heel pattern, consider Susan B. Anderson’s Smooth Operator Heel pattern (Ravelry Link) For a video tutorial, check out this video from the EarthtonesGirl YouTube Channel

Mermaid Tail Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Mermaid Tail colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Riley’s Christmas Cardigan

  • Pattern: Everyday Cardigan in Merino No. 5 by Loopy Mango
  • Needles: US 15 (10 mm)
  • Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green (sage color)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

From the Armchair

Sweet Bobby Podcast– 6 part investigative series about a woman’s experience with being Catfished in England. 

Some Years Later

In July of 2017, I knit Mom a pair of socks out of scraps of Knit Picks Felici. I washed them with a large batch of socks this week and both have holes in the heels. Click here for the Ravelry Project Page. At least 1-2 other pairs in this batch were knit before 2017 and they look great.

We talk about Mom’s experience with her Waves of Change Sweater- 1 year later.

Crafty Adventures

  • Mom & I did some Christmas baking with Riley and Millie.
  • We made Snickerdoodles, Blondies and no-bake protein bites with oats, peanuts and chocolate chips. 
  • I talked on the last episode about getting wool strips of fabric from Dan’s friend’s mother. In this episode I chat with Mom about supplies my Nana might have for braided rugs.

KAL News


Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

Updates in this episode

  • Monthly Scavenger Hunt (December clues have been posted): Figure out these fun clues and earn points each month. Check out this Ravelry Thread or this Google Doc.
  • Tune in to hear the winner of the November Interception Challenge.
  • Tune in to hear November Interception Winners.
  • December Interception: hosted by Knitty Natty. Find details in this Ravelry thread or in this Google Doc. Cast on 12/1/21 or later. Deadline to post 12/31/21.

Life in Focus

Diane, Jen’s Mom, shared the troubling news of her lung cancer diagnosis. Click here for more information about this cancer that’s caused by an EGFR mutation.

On a Happy Note

  • Riley & Millie’s Christmas Panto
  • Jenny & the Pajamas.
  • Helen! 
  • Decorating the tree
  • Vlogmas– check out the playlist on my YouTube Channel.
  • Our supportive friends, family & medical professionals.
  • Getting the Christmas wrapping done quickly with Dan’s help.
  • Helen

Quote of the Week

“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and being alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You have to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes too near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself that you tasted as many as you could.”

-Louise Erdrich

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