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Episode 254: Making, Wearing, Traveling, Sharing

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 254 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Some Years Later
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thanks to Riley, our special guest co-host this week!

Off the Needles

Winter Mint Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue

Riley recently finished a knitted tote from the Rheinpack Tote pattern available on Ravelry.

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
  • I’ve been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
  • 4 rounds per hexagon.
  • 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
    • Twin sized blanket is 60×80 inches. 17×22 hexis- 374.
  • Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.
  • Bought 2 grab bags of minis from Legacy Fiber Artz and some yarn from Knit Picks with a gift card I got for my birthday. Minis from CT Sheep & Wool and Maryland S&W
  • Thanks Nicole (ndoyle) for the care package for Riley that included a Crumbl cookie cutter and minis for Riley to make more hexis out of. You can check out our Crumbl taste test in this video.

Purple Spring Spin

  • Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk.
  • Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
    • This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the Fluffypuf braid: contains purple (various shades), yellow, orange, gray, blue, pink
  • I purchased 4 oz of 100% Rambouillet from Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks at CT Sheep & Wool. I split it in two. 2 oz already spun. I will plan to do a 3 ply

Shock Star Hat

  • Yarn: Spun Right Round Squish DK in the Shock Star colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Pattern: none
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: cream base with small bits of neons + black.
  • 92 sts. 2×2 rib with the US 5 needles. Switched to US 7 needles after the brim. Planning on a slouchy hat

Silver Spoon Socks

  • Yarn: A Whimsical Wood Yarn Company Pixie Toes Socks in the Silver Spoon Up My A$$ colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: peaches and pinks with gray/taupe. At my gauge it is striping (~2 rounds per color). I purchased this yarn at Yarncentric event in Maryland.
  • Progress: Almost done with the first leg.

Scrappy Helical Socks

  • Yarn: various fingering scraps
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I tried to weave in ends as I went and I wasn’t loving the look of it. My friend Nicki suggested Cate’s Clasp Weft Join after starting new yarn. I thought of it but talked myself out of it, thinking it wouldn’t work well. It totally does! Let me know if you’d like to see a tutorial on it.
  • Progress: just finished heel on second sock

Ninja Turtle Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
  • About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green
  • Progress: Turned second heel

Riley is knitting on her Riley Rose Cowl (pattern by me, named for her) out of Goosey Fibers Yarn. You can get this pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts. She is also practicing working flat in double crochet using Knit Picks Brava yarn.

From the Armchair

Riley is re-reading The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon 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.

Crafty Adventures

  • This weekend, I had my first go at needle felting. It was a lot of fun!

Some Years Later

In My Travels

KAL News

Events

Contest, News & Notes

My new shawl pattern, the Mas Vida Shawl is coming soon!!

  • Mas Vida is a simple sideways shawl that is written for 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn but can be knit up in any yarn you choose. There isn’t a single purl in the project, and the eyelets are easy to work. Many of you will only need to reference the pattern occasionally once you understand the basic increases and increase repeats.
  • I designed this to take along on a European vacation. I wanted something with a bit of interest, but that wouldn’t be too large, wouldn’t require too much brain space and that wouldn’t work up too quickly (as smaller travel projects tend to do). –
  • Note – This pattern has already been Tech Edited & Test Knit, so it should be smooth sailing!

On a Happy Note

  • I went to see Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan with Megg, Tom & Matt.
  • Seeing my 11 year old niece perform in Matilda.
  • Zach’s 1st birthday dinner.
  • Riley got 2 awards in her last dance competition of the season!

Quote of the Week

Do not look back. And do not dream about the future, either…Your duty, your reward—your destiny—are here and now.

–DAG HAMMARSKJOLD

——Thank you for tuning in!


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Episode 253: Travel & Tasting

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 253 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
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Zach’s 1st Birthday Teddy

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in the Dove Heather, Silver, Mint, Tranquil and Marina colorways
  • Hooks: D (3.25 mm) for stuffed parts & H (5.0mm) for Granny Square
  • Pattern: Theo the Teddy Bear from book: Snuggle & Play Crochet: 40 Amigurumi Patterns for Lovey Security Blankets and Matching Toys by Carolina Guzman Benitez
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Winter Mint Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue
  • Progress: Turned heel of first sock

Zebra Stripes Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Zebra Stripes Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway:
  • Progress: Turned heel of first sock and knit several inches on the foot during our trip to Nantucket

Musselburgh Hat

  • Pattern: Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague ($7.77 US/ 6 GBP knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on Ysolda’s website)
  • Yarn: YarnBaker Fingering in the Blazer Colorway & On The Round Nimble Sock (unsure of colorway)
  • 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
  • Progress check- More than half way done. Added in second color

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
  • I’ve been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
  • 4 rounds per hexagon.
  • 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
    • Twin sized blanket is 60×80 inches. 17×22 hexis- 374.
  • Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.
  • 196 hexagons done by 4/25/23 (151 washed/ 45 unblocked) More than half way there if my goal is 374

Children of Time Spinning

  • Fiber: Into the Whirled Cheviot (4 oz) in the Children of Time colorway
  • Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
    • This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the Fiber: purple, plum, tans, browns and blues
  • Progress: Finishing spinning all 4 oz

Benjamin’s Christmas Stocking

From the Armchair

  1. The Villa by Rachel Hawkins. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  4. “You Just Need to Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon 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.

In My Travels

Check out our 2 part Nantucket Vlog series on my YouTube Channel: Part 1 & Part 2

KAL News

Splash Pad Party Logo
  • Splash Pad Party Registration Opens May 1st. Sign up using this Google Form.
  • To confirm you’re signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
  • The 8th Annual Splash Pad Party opens on Friday May 26th and runs through July 31st.

Events

Contest, News & Notes

  • Thanks to test knitters testing my Mas Vidas shawl

Life in Focus

I checked off two things on my 23 in 2023 list

  • #1- Read 23 Books- now at 24!
  • #23- Create a new music playlist. Riley’s. Plus CMA fest artists.

On a Happy Note

  • Walking at the beach with Megg & Maria before Oisin’s boat race. His team set the course record for the day!
  • Laura came in from NY that evening and joined us for Tom’s birthday dinner.
  • On Sunday, I drove down to Orleans where Laura was house sitting to watch the Love is Blind “live” Re-union debacle on Netflix.
  • Training at the gym & the energy that comes with it!
  • Going w/ Riley and Mom to get our nails done before Nantucket. Riley took us for boba smoothies afterwards. We had a great time.
  • Riley was showing a friend a nail polish in TJ Maxx that looks like mine and it was the exact color of OPI I always get- Don’t Bossa Nova Me Around- and she bought it for me. So sweet!
  • Nantucket! 4 day weekend was just the break I needed from work. The candy and cookie taste tests were a fun way to do something memorable without having to spend a ton of time or money.
  • Getting Mom to watch on Love is Blind
  • Watching The Sinner on Netflix with Dan.
  • Working on a slide show for my friend’s son’s Bar Mitzvah.

Quote of the Week

Writer and psychoanalyst Marion Milner on the work required to be happy:


“Let no one think it is an easy way because it is concerned with moments of happiness rather than with stern duty or high moral endeavour. For what is really easy, as I found, is to blind one’s eyes to what one really likes, to drift into accepting one’s wants ready-made from other people, and to evade the continual day to day sifting of values.”


Source: A Life of One’s Own–

—–

Thank you for tuning in!
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Episode 252: Socks, Chevrons & Gardens

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 252 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

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

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Winter Mint Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue
  • Progress: Leg of the 1st sock is complete

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- Finished 1st sock. Cast on second.

Ninja Turtle Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
  • About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green
  • Progress: Sock #1 done. 2nd one on the leg

Carmen Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn: Gusto Wool Carmen Sock Weight Yarn (80/20 Merino/Nylon) in Colorway 1402
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: Half of the skein is navy blue the other half is a neon rainbow. At my gauge it is microstriping.

Purple Spring Spin

  • Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk.
  • Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
    • This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the braid: contains purple (various shades), yellow, orange, gray, blue, pink
  • Ordered 4 ounces of a purple fiber that I plan to split in half and ply with this for a 3-ply.

Children of Time Spinning

  • Fiber: Into the Whirled Cheviot (4 oz) in the Children of Time colorway
  • Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
    • This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the Fiber: purple, plum, tans, browns and blues

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.
  • Each section is 11 squares tall. Green, white, pink, white, purple, white.
  • Progress: 2 strips finished. 2 more started. I am going to run out of Knit Picks Brava White yarn.

I did finish a top down elongated triangular shawl that was a design idea. I think I like it, but waiting for it to come off the blocking mats for final decisions.

Brainstorming

I’m debating what to make for my nephew Zachary’s 1st birthday in May. This is a strong contender:
Baby Snuggler by Cheryl of Crochet 365 Knit Too. Crochet pattern available for $4.49 on Ravelry or free on the Crochet 365 Knit Too Website or ad-free from Cheryl’s website here.


From the Armchair

I talked in the last episode about  Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.Thanks to Sarah, PAKnitWit who mentioned that some of the book tour might have been recorded. I found this video on YouTube.

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

Riley wore her Everyday Cables Cardigan to Easter this year. I knit this very bulky sweater for her for Christmas 2021 (From Dec 10-24th!). You can check out my Ravelry Project Page here.

Knitting in Passing

  • Eme sleepover We played Cube Escape Collection. We played The Mill which is like an electronic version of an escape game where you have to go around the room to find clues and figure out how to solve a puzzle. Grandmother knit her own hair (which we had to spin on a castle style spinning wheel) to make a pot holder so we could get hot duck out of oven.
  • We messaged with Z, Emelyn’s former roommate, and sending videos to try to help with their ssk issues.
  • I had so much fun teaching Eme to crochet. I bought them some hooks and yarn to keep going.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party Logo
  • Splash Pad Party starts on Friday May 26th.
  • Save the date for our virtual kick off events on Friday & Saturday May 26-27th. More details to come.
  • Call for Sponsors went out. You can find information on my website.

Events

Life in Focus

  • While it’s been difficult, I’m really enjoying taking small group workout classes at a new to me gym nearby.

On a Happy Note

  • Hiking with Megg and alone.
  • Seeing The Secret Garden musical at The Company Theatre.
  • Eme & Kris’ birthday dinner.
  • Watching Love is Blind on Netflix and talking about it with Laura. It’s such a fun way to connect w/ a friend.
  • Easter at my parents’ house.
  • Warmer, longer days.
  • My houseplants. I’ve recently divided up some more of my plants. Getting ready to fertilize them. They are bringing me so much joy, and having kept them alive (many for well over a year now), I’m getting confidence to try a few new plants. Maybe soon!

Quote of the Week

“The events of your past are fixed. The meaning of your past is not. The influence of every experience in your life is determined by the meaning you assign to it. Assign a more useful meaning to your past and it becomes easier to take a more useful action in the present.”

-James Clear-

—-Thank you for tuning in!
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