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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

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

  • 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!

Contact Information:

Episode 270: Heart

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 270 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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
  • 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 extending what is written as a square into a rectangle.
  • 64 squares now. about 24 totally seamed

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
  • This subscription is not available to new subscribers but I hope you’ll watch each month and see how my blanket comes along. Stay tuned to Woolen Women for all of the fun kits they have! Don’t forget, they’re Pro Shop Sponsors.
  • Progress Notes- first 3 sets of squares seamed & border added. December squares- all 9 done. not seamed.

Jen/Riley’s Matching Hexi Blankets

  • Pattern: Using this photo tutorial & this video tutorial.
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • We are making 4 round hexagons.
  • As Riley finishes one, she texts me and I work up my corresponding mini. We’ve done 14 so far. I’m making collages in Canva for each.

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 Sesigns is a Pigskin Snack Shack Sponsor.
  • Progress: around 75% done.
  • I think this pattern is a great use for Felici which I’ve found doesn’t hold up as well to hard wearing things like socks.

Nimbus Vest

  • Pattern: Nimbus by Berrocco Design Team (free knitting pattern on the Berrocco website)
  • Yarn: Worsted Weight 100% Wool (from Rhinebeck 2022) held double
  • Needles:  US 10 (6.0mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: I’m currently working on the back and am almost done with the 13 inches I need before I decrease for the armholes.

Declan’s 2nd Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Greener Pastures Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Green, black, gray, cream, mustard stripes + gray/green/white self patterning stripe.
  • Progress- the first sock probably about ready for the toe. Second sock- cuff is done, about 3 inches into the leg.
  • I also did some darning on his first pair of handknit socks.

Brainstorming

Bought yarn for 3 blanket projects huge sale at Joann

  • Conor & Carly Baby using this crochet pattern on Ravelry.
  • Colleen & Patrick Baby Blanket using this crochet pattern on Ravelry.
  • Jenny & Manny Baby Blanket  using the Modified Sedge Stitch Baby Blanket- a $2 crochet pattern available on Ravelry.

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.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’23

Events

  • Vogue Knitting Live, New York: January 25-28th, 2024
    • I’m taking classes on Friday & then planning to go to the market 5-8p Friday.
  • I’m teaching a class on the OMG Sock Pattern at Staci’s Stitches in Scituate, MA on Sundays starting February 18th (4 classes)- the class is SOLD OUT

Contest, News & Notes

  • Yarnable Unboxing January 2024 Video posted- this kit came with stitch markers with numbers on them, 25, 50, 75, 100 intended for use when casting on a large amount of stitch. Hawkeygirl3 on YouTube suggested it would also be great for counting rows/rounds like on the leg of a sock if you want to do matching ones! Great idea
  • December 2023 Let the Mystery Unravel Unboxing + Blanket Update

Life in Focus

2023 Review:

  • Knitting/Crochet/Spinning
    • 61 Finished Projects
    • 32 knitting – 2 sweaters (1 for me, 1 for Mom). Lots of hats & socks.
    • 29 crochet (same as last year)- 9 toys
    • 43 are gifts (+ 3 charity items)
    • Spinning- 3 finished projects. 880 meters of yarn. (3 Spinning WIPs)

Favorite projects

2023 by the Numbers:

  • 50 Books read
  • 24 Podcast Episodes
  • 66 Videos on YouTube (some only available for Patrons)
  • YouTube Subscribers- 461 new subscribers, 2,578 subscribers total
  • 5 times- Donated Blood
  • 14 Massages
  • Book Signings- 1
  • Plays/Musicals/drag Shows- 12
  • Concerts- 5 (night time only in Nashville) + 1 (Kane Brown) + 1 (Lainey Wilson ) + 1 (Old Dominion)= 8
  • Birthday Sleepovers- 3
  • Fiber Events- 6 (Russells, CT sheep & Wool, Maryland, Rhinebeck, C&SSYH, Fiber Fest of NE)
  • Trips: Nashville, Maryland, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Rhinebeck.

23 for 2023 list

  1. Read 23 books (35 as of August)
  2. Try at least one pair of fake eyelashes
  3. Print and hang at least 1 of our new family photos  (ordered 8/9 from Walgreens- 8×10 for $12!)
  4. Kayak in one new place Did not complete
  5. Hike in one new place
  6. See 4 plays/musicals (Hamilton 2/9, Shrek in March twice. Secret Garden at Company in April, Matilda [Millie] in May)
  7. Give blood at least 3 times (March, May, August, October & December done)
  8. Knit myself a pair of mittens
  9. Knit/crochet at least one project with handspun (Strathcona sweater “aka my Rhinebeck sweater”
  10. Watch 3 movies in one day (1/22 w/ Mom, Terri, Megg- Everything. Everywhere, All At Once. Women Talk. Armageddon Time)
  11. See a movie in the theater (A Man Called Otto w/ Laura)
  12. Go to a museum (Liz and I went in December)
  13. Finish 1 punch needle project- Did not complete
  14. Ski at least 1 day (ideally 2-4)- Did not complete
  15. Try at least 1 new gym/in person fitness option 4/8- consult at Big Day Fitness. First class on 4/10. Signed up for a month. 
  16. Make at least 1 new financial investment (CD started in February)
  17. Purge at least 23 items from the house. Ideally 46. After a smaller clean out earlier in the year, I took a full car load to Savers in October- lots of clothes.
  18. Publish 1 knitting pattern
  19. Send 5 cards to friends/family just because- Did not complete
  20. Go Camping- Did not complete
  21. Participate in the Fiberuary Challenge on Instagram
  22. Take a class (in person or virtual)- Zumba twice.
  23. Create a new music playlist. Riley’s. Plus CMA fest artists.

2024 Word of the Year- Heart

  • Stay close to my family- which is the heart and life blood of my life.
  • Be true to my heart- what I value, what’s most important to me.
  • I won’t lose heart even when times are hard.
  • I will be true to my heart, my real nature, the heart of me.

2024 Goals:

  • Use my podcast/YouTube/Instagram following to raise money for the FearLESS Living Fund (details in the Ravelry group- and email if you’re one of our regular sponsors)
  • Make & assess goals every month in 2024
  • Monthly review of number of workouts + weigh on at least twice a month.
  • Stretch/Theragun 2-4 times a week

24 for 2024 list

  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.
  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
  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
  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
  14. Take a class
  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
  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
  23. Buy new curtains for living room
  24. Try a new local restaurant

Health update on my Mom, Diane: She was hospitalized for several days because of issues with heart palpitation and then we learned her cancer is back in brain, lymph nodes, pleura (lining of lungs) and ribs. She will start with the same chemo she had last time (Oct ’22- March ’23). It’s likely she’ll also need radiation for the brain, but will do an MRI 4 weeks after chemo starts to know for sure & decide what’s best… Health update video coming soon. Keep those prayers and good wishes coming. Diane starts chemo Monday 1/22.

On a Happy Note

  • We had a great visit with my friend Laura who was here for New Year’s. We struck a great balance of lazily watching tv (The Gilded Age & Slow Horses) and getting out and about. We also went to see Boys in the Boat the movie theater.
  • My parents’ annual open house the Saturday after Christmas.
  • Mom gave the girls needle felting kits for Christmas; Millie Facetimed me several times with questions and showing me her progress!
  • Getting sick has not been fun, but the fact that it didn’t ruin my holidays and the fact that work is also still relatively quiet is a huge happy note. Dan has been taking great care of me, and we’re rewatching Hell On Wheels.
  • I spent Sunday of MLK weekend at my parents’. We played Wordle board game (Amazon affiliate link) with Mom, Riley, Millie and Aila. We visited my cousin Jenny’s new house, got our nails done, went out for Mexican, played more games! Fun impromptu sleepover.
  • Millie- All of the Jokers have been Joked! and telling Grammy to “be her best self” adorable.

Quote of the Week

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

-Akiroq Brost

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 269: Warm Hands & Hearts

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 269 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

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

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Tailgate Party Mittens

  • Pattern: Tailgate Party Hat & Mittens by Wendy Gaal of Knitters Brewing Co
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Dancing Leaf Dyeworks. Bee Bop 100% SW Merino DK  (no colorway name)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • After finishing the mittens, I used Duplicate Stitch to write “fear” on the left palm and “less” on the right palm. I used this video tutorial from Very Pink Knits to help me.

Boxing Gloves Ornament

  • Pattern: Boxing Gloves by Michael Hon ($3 crochet pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Caron One Pound in Scarlet + white acrylic worsted weight yarn
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • These worked up in one busy evening after work and were a gift for the owners of my gym.

Colourful Mini Dino

  • Pattern: Colourful Mini Dino by Anika Kam (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in the Lady Slipper colorway + mystery worsted acrylic yarn of a similar shade of purple

Clown collar

  • Pattern: improvsing on my own. Used this free Clown Ruff pattern from Slipped Stitch Hollow as a starting point
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Big Twist Twinkle (Gray), Big Twist Value (Grape), Craft Smart Neon Value (neon yellow) & mystery worsted sparkle yarn in pink and white
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Welcome to Litchfield Spinning Project

  • 4 oz of Texel from Into the Whirled- Welcome to Litchfield
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: working on second 4 oz in the Welcome to Litchfield Colorway in 70/30 BFL/Tussah Silk

Christmas in July Socks

  • Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Area 51. Snack shack sponsor.
  • Progress: finished first sock. Half way through leg on second.

Hattie’s Scrappy Helical Socks

  • Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • US 1 (not 1.5), 48 sts. long cuff.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Check out my video tutorial for using Cate’s Clasp Weft Join along with Helical Knitting.

Woolens & Nosh 2023 Advent Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock. 2023 Advent Set
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Calendula Christmas Quilt

  • Pattern: Calendula Quilt by Elena Fedotova
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Ivory, Deep Red, Varsity Green, Aqua, Medium Rose
  • Hook:  G (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

From the Armchair

Books 2 & 3 of the Silo Series:

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

  • We celebrated Christmas with friends by decorating Gingerbread houses which was a ton of fun!

Knitting in Passing

I went consignment shopping and reminded the owner that we’d met before and that I was the “knitter” and she promptly asked for help with gauge math for a handspun cabled sweater she wants to cast on.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’23

  • #DCSPigskinParty23
  • Official Rules
  • Find everything you need on my website or in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
  • Register using this Google Form (you must be Registered to be eligible for prizes)
  • Enter your projects using the Point Tally Form
  • Find the full list of Sponsors in this Google Doc.
  • Questions-  ask them in this Ravelry Thread or email Jen at downcellarstudio @ gmail.com
  • Quarter 3 Challenge: The Waymaker’s Cowl brought to you by our Official Sponsor of the Quarter Mandi’s Makings. Runs December 1-31, 2023. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
  • WIPs Challenge: Finish WIPs you started before the Pigskin Party kicked off on 9/7/23! If you finish them between 11/10/23 and 1/10/24, you’ll earn 150 points. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
  • I announced November participation winners.
  • Updates from Commenter- Mary
    • Pigskin partiers have been busy this month! Over 500 projects have been submitted for points already this month! Players are finishing both small and large projects. There have been over 30 blitzes and over 40 safeties so far this month.
      • There’s still time to participate in the Q3 challenge.  14 people have submitted their finished projects for the challenge so far. BlkGirlsKnitPurl (EJ) posted a beautiful Christmas-y version in the end zone dance thread: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/BlkGirlsKnitPurl/the-waymaker-cowl
        • In the huddle thread, lots of folks who have time off at the end of the year and/or are traveling have been discussing plans for what to work on. There’s also lots of talk of holiday plans and gift knits! Finally, there’s been a bit of chatter about the pros and cons of monogamous knitting and strategies to make sure you are never caught waiting somewhere without a project to work on. 

Contest, News & Notes

Vlogmas 2023 highlights:

  • Day 15: Gingerbread Houses
  • Day 23: At the request of viewer, Suzanne, I shared a few of my shawl patterns, MEGAROW, World of Difference, Boxing Day Bonus and the Riley Rose Shawl. You can use coupon code 10years for 25% off my patterns on Ravelry through the Superbowl!
  • You can find the full 2023 Vlogmas Playlist here.

On a Happy Note

  • Riley’s sleepover. Crafting. Watching Spirited (Apple tv movie) for first time.
  • Dana and Sheri’s Christmas party.
  • Helping with and enjoying Hattie & Aila’s dance recital
  • Gifting Hattie her ride-on Jeep
  • We lost power in a storm, but the power outage was shorter quicker than usual. Dan finished his advent puzzles.
  • Helping to hide Secret Santas at the gym. Taylor, who was the actual Secret Santa, also gifted me a handmade wooden tree and ornament! They are so beautiful and I’m thankful for her thoughtfulness.
  • Christmas lunch with my friends Waveney and Kim.
  • Running into Megg at the consignment store I kept telling her to visit. We bought found Christmas outfits!
  • Relaxing Christmas Eve day and ending the day at my cousin Susan’s party.
  • Christmas Day- playing on the floor with Gabriella and Zachary. Seeing Will and Aila excited about Christmas even well into their teens. A fabulous and fun time spent with my family for the rest of the day.

Quote of the Week

Beauty is as much about how and whether you look as what you see.

–John Green

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