Category Archives: Uncategorized

Episode 212: 6K Socks & Tops

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 212 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
  • Some Years Later
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Anne Beady Designs- find her on Etsy & Ravelry

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Signs of the Season Socks

  • Yarn: Fibernymph Dye Works Bounce base in the Signs of the Season Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Not in Kansas Anymore Socks

  • Yarn: Agirlandherwool Sock in the Not In Kansas Anymore Colorway. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page

Happy Birthday Socks

  • Yarn: Freckled Whimsy Serendipity Sock Yarn in the Happy Birthday Colorway.
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Paton’s Rainbow Stripes

  • Yarn: Paton’s Kroy in the Rain
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • I finished first sock with Jen from the Commuter Knitter Podcast. We talked about these on our Crafty Chat on my YouTube Channel.

July 4th Cozy (32 oz jar)

  • Pattern: based loosely on Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Lily Sugar n’ Cream (Navy) & Lion Brand Re-up (Aqua) & Rowan DK Handknit Cotton (Red)
  • Hooks: F & G (3.75 & 4.25 mmm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Stash Dash Meters: 62.2

Red, White, Blue Ball Band w/ Twist

  • Pattern: based loosely on Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up in colorways, Red, Aqua & White
  • Hooks: F & G (3.75 & 4.25 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Stash Dash Meters: 38.5

Deschain

  • Pattern Deschain by Leila Raven
  • Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)
  • Yarn. Rowan Creative Linen. Colorway 00624-   Gray.
    • Worsted weight 50% Linen / Flax, 50% Cotton. 200 meters / 100 grams. Bought 4 skeins. Used a little more than 2
  • Size: Smallest (54 1/4 in bust) Calls for 16-22″ positive ease.
  • Added 1 repeat to front so I did end up joining a second ball of yarn but otherwise I didn’t alternate skeins and that looks ok.
  • Many project pages talk about adding short rows to the back which I will likely do, as I often find w/ cropped sweaters the back is higher and I don’t enjoy that. Forgot I thought about this and would have been happier if I’d done it.
  • Worried that sleeves would be tight, so I left that opening bigger and picked up and knit 54 sts around
  • Ravelry Project Page

Stash Dash Updates

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Solid Granny Square Blanket 2021 Edition

Bobble Lines Baby Blanket

  • Pattern: Bobble Lines Baby Blanket by Daisy Farm Crafts (free option on Daisy Farm website & paid option available on Etsy. )
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Main Color: Lion Brand Pound of Love in White. Stripes in: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Blush, Lion Brand Baby Soft in Creamsicle, Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop in Tutti Fruitti, Loops & Thread Impeccable in Coral.
  • Cast in with K. 99sts. Working with 97 sts. 
  • 5 rows white hdc. 1 row of bobbles
  • Currently have 13 bobble stripes.

Fibernymph Dye Works Shetland Spin

Wristers Socks

Knitting up a sample for a new shawl design idea… very early sneak peek

Brainstorming

  • I’d like to make toys for the 2 babies in our life turning 1 soon
  • I need to repair another pair of socks for Mom and the hat of Eme’s octopus
    • Pattern: Dandy Sir Cephalopod by Susan Claudino
    • Pattern $6 US available on Ravelry

From the Armchair

Some Years Later

Dawn to Dusk Triangle Shawl – side to side crochet triangular shawlette. Mom still wears hers and I think it looks great, but I don’t love mine. I think the acrylic yarn makes it look/feel cheap. I think I will donate mine.

Knitting in Passing

  • I helped my Mom’s Infusion Nurse, Kathy, with a crochet baby sweater. She’s using a Goosebumps pattern from a YouTube video from the Simona Crochet channel.
  • I helped my 17 year old niece Eme pack up her room. It was fun coming across so many of the toys I made her over the years. She did let a couple of them go, at my insistence that if she didn’t love them now, that it was ok to let them go. She loved them for awhile and that was good enough. She also donated a sewn pillow monster that her mom didn’t want her to let go but because Eme has such a hard time giving up her treasures we both really resisted the urge to encourage her to keep things.

KAL News

Splash Pad- May 28 through July 31

Splash Pad Ravelry Links:

Events

  • Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast with Monica and Cortney- Summer Bingo starts end of May. Check out their website #CCRRsummerbingo2021 Bingo card can be found saved to Stories Highlights in their Instagram account.
  • Knit Girllls Stash Dash May 28-August 31. Check out their website for more details.   They will be hosting the event on Discord this year.
  • Vogue Virtual Knitting Live– July 15-18. September 9-12, 2021. October 7-10, 2021. November 11-14, 2021
  • Tour de Fleece. Saturday June 26 through Sunday July 18, 2021 Ravelry Link
  • Fiberworld July 21-25, 2021. Click here for their website.
  • 2020 Summer Olympics will begin on Friday, July 23, 2021

Contest, News & Notes

Life in Focus

I am not participating in Plastic Free July this year but tune in for a bit about what I think about the challenge and how you can make some changes in your life if that’s interesting to you! Check out the Plastic Free July thread in the Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group

For more, check out Episode 107 of the Sustainable(ish) Podcast

On a Happy Note

  • Dan is healing well after knee surgery.
  • I was diagnosed with Lyme 2 days later (not so happy) but the silver lining is that there hasn’t been much sun to avoid while I’m on these nasty antibiotics.
  • We had a super fun Tuesday night/post-4th raincheck night pool night. Hattie, Garret and Millie went swimming then snuggling on the couch after dinner. Ice cream bars from Dairy Queen. Buster Bar with peanuts! Better than I remember which I think is rare when remembering things from childhood.
  • I worked with Eme to get in her papers to complete her second semester of college.
  • Maggie, Our friend’s daughter painted a deer for us to hang in our dining room!
  • Yarn swap with the Between Knits and Purls Ravelry Group: Merry Everything and Happy Always!

Quote of the Week

“I may not be where I want to be but I’m thankful for not being where I used to be.”

― Habeeb Akande

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 211: Happy Dance & Happy Notes

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 211 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Shout out to Ultimate Insider Patrons: Beth, Luanne, Kathy, Candy & Theresa

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Recalibrate Top

  • Pattern: Recalibrate Top by Shana Cohen (test knit)
  • Needles: US 8
  • Yarn: 2 Skeins of Teal Torch Knits in colorways: Charcoal & Dowager Countess. Goosey Fibers Goosey Sock in the Scarecrow Colorway, MadelineTosh Tosh Sock in the Birch Grey Colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I knit size 5; full length.
  • Check out my almost-done Happy Dance Video from Instagram.
  • Modifications: I changed the striping sequence for the left & right body. For my size I was supposed to do 2 garter ridges per color striping all the way across the body. Instead I did:
    • 7 repeats of the 2-garter ridge stripes (7 each of cream + gray)
    • 7 repeats of 1 garter ridge stripes (7 each of cream + gray).
  • Split hem:
    • Front: Picked up 4 sts from each side panel plus the front stitches. Knit 18 rows (9 garter ridges).
    • Back: Picked up 5 stitches from each side panel plus the back stitches. Knit 22 rows (11 garter ridges).
  • For the edging on split hem section, I started and ended each RS row with (k1, s1pw wyif, k1). I started and ended each WS row with (s1pw wyif, k1, s1pw wyif).
  • Pattern is available for pre-sale now $8.00. Click here for Ravelry Link. Click here for PayHip Link.
  • This pattern is available for presale. Save 20% with code SUMMER.

Dragonboat Christmas Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Dragonboat (self striping), Minis from Holly Press Fibers for Cuff. Heel & Toe in Twisted Owl Fiber Studios in the Poison Ivy colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 268.7 meters for Stash Dash

Alien Knight & His Horse

  • Pattern: Princess & Knight by Silvia Usón (~$4.25 pattern on Etsy– English & Spanish)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in Black, Alfalfa (green), Midnight Heather (Navy) & Big Twist Twinkle (Silver)
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Safety Eyes from 6060 on Etsy.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • 46 meters for Stash Dash

Hydrangea Stripes Blanket #2

  • Pattern: Hydrangea Stripes Blanket by Lucy of Attic24 (free crochet blanket)- Ravelry LinkWebsite link.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Hook: I (Cast on with K hook)
  • Yarn: Vanna’s Choice in Shadow Ombre, Orion Blue, Burgundy & Sea glass, Sprightly Acrylic Worsted in Suede & Big Twist Soft in Rose & Charcoal
  • I cast on 86 to make this blanket smaller than my last one.
  • I followed the border instructions in the pattern. 3 rounds of a spike stitch: gray, pink, gray, then I did a round of HDC in the gray. Love the look!
  • About 39 inches squares before border. 
  • 1,149 meters for Stash Dash

Stash Dash total to date: 4,891 meters. Click here to see my Spreadsheet Tracker. 

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Fibernymph Dye Works Shetland Spin

  • Three 2 oz braids of natural Shetland
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Onto the 3rd 2oz braid (the darkest of the 3 shades)

Solid Granny Square Blanket 2021 Edition

Not in Kansas Anymore Socks

  • Yarn: Agirlandherwool Sock in the Not In Kansas Anymore Colorway. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page

Happy Birthday Socks

  • Yarn: Freckled Whimsy Serendipity Sock Yarn in the Happy Birthday Colorway.
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Paton’s Rainbow Stripes

Brainstorming

  • Another crochet blanket.
  • Another Recalibrate Top.
  • I’d like to cast on something with the Tequila Sunrise Cheviot that I spun last summer from Blueberry Chick Yarn (click here for my Ravelry Project Page). 473 yards. crochet shawl maybe? Let me know if you have any suggestions.

From the Armchair

Crafty Adventures

  • I did just a little bit of painting with the girls. I’ll include a few minutes of audio after the music if you want to tune in. 

KAL News

Splash Pad- May 28 through July 31

Splash Pad Ravelry Links:

In this episode- I shared the details of the 4th of July Challenge. Details on my website & on Ravelry. I announced a bunch of Participation Winners. If you won- please reach out to me via Ravelry or email.

Events

  • Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast with Monica and Cortney- Summer Bingo starts end of May. Check out their website #CCRRsummerbingo2021 Bingo card can be found saved to Stories Highlights in their Instagram account.
  • Knit Girllls Stash Dash May 28-August 31. Check out their website for more details.   They will be hosting the event on Discord this year.
  • Vogue Virtual Knitting Live– July 15-18.
  • Tour de Fleece. Saturday June 26 through Sunday July 18, 2021 Ravelry Link
  • Fiberworld July 21-25, 2021. Click here for their website.
  •  2020 Summer Olympics will begin on Friday, July 23, 2021

Contest, News & Notes

I learned about the Woolly Wishes organization on Episode 39 of the WeCrochet Podcast 
They provide Syrian families with warm clothing items, toys, and blankets among other things. Check out the link above for more details about where in California to mail handmade items that they will deliver to the Syrian refugee camps.

On a Happy Note

  • Oisin and Will’s birthday sleepover.
  • Seeing fireflies in the driveway!
  • Will’s soccer game and Riley’s softball game.
  • Hattie, Aila and Emelyn’s dance recital.
  • Great pool day for Father’s Day.
  • Hair color (for me) and cuts for Mom & me.
  • Oisin’s birthday at the beach!
  • Sleepover with all 5 girls. blanket forts. manicures, making pancakes and muffins, painting, video games. barbies and most of them were only with us for about 15 hours! 

Quote of the Week

In order to complete our amazing life journey successfully, it is vital that we turn each and every dark tear into a pearl of wisdom, and find the blessing in every curse. – Anthon St. Maarten

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 210: Summer Fun Begins!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 210 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
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Fibernymph Dye Works & Knit Style Yarns

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Freewheeler Sweater

  • Pattern: Freewheeler by Kristen Finlay (Ravelry Link) $11 AUD (~$9 US)
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Yarn (held double): Holiday Yarns FlockSock (Badger Black Colorway); CeCe’s Wool Yarn Baby! 1120 yards fingering weight Superwash Merino (Cherries Jubilee Colorway)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I knit the size 42. I decreased every row towards the end of the decrease section. I went down 2 sizes for ribbing US 5.  
  • 2,048 meters for Stash Dash

Playhouse Scrappy Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Socks by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in Playhouse colorway + other leftovers of Felici
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Check out my Knit Picks Affiliate Link if you want to purchase some Felici Yarn
  • Felici Colorways used:
    • Ribbit
    • Playhouse
    • Witch’s Brew
    • Currant Mood
    • Beyond the wall
  • Used 66g of yarn- 262 meters

Stash Dash Total as of this recording: 2,311 meters

Click here for a link to the spreadsheet I’m using to track my Stash Dash Meters.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Recalibrate Top

  • Pattern: Recalibrate Top by Shana Cohen (test knit) Find Shana on Instagram.
  • Needles: US 8
  • Yarn: 2 Skeins of Teal Torch Knits in colorways: Charcoal & Dowager Countess. Goosey Fibers Goosey Sock in the Scarecrow Colorway, MadelineTosh Tosh Sock in the Birch Grey Colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page

Fibernymph Dye Works Shetland Spin

  • Three 2 oz braids of natural Shetland
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Onto the 3rd 2oz braid (the darkest of the 3 shades)

Candy Color Socks

  • Yarn: Regia 4 ply in Colorway 01160
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • CO 60 sts. 2×2 rib. Reduced down to 56 after heel.

Dragonboat Christmas Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Dragonboat (self striping), Minis from Holly Press Fibers for Cuff. Heel & Toe in Twisted Owl Fiber Studios in the Poison Ivy colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I made two 25g balls that each had 16 stripes. I need about 9 stripes for foot (before toe) based on other Felici socks. Aim for 7 stripes on leg. 
  • All but toe of second sock is done. So close. 

Solid Granny Square Blanket 2021 Edition

Not in Kansas Anymore Socks 

  • Yarn: Agirlandherwool Sock in the Not In Kansas Anymore Colorway. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page

Happy Birthday Socks 

  • Yarn: Freckled Whimsy Serendipity Sock Yarn in the Happy Birthday Colorway. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Hydrangea Stripe #2

  • Pattern: Hydrangea Stripes Blanket by Lucy of Attic24 (free crochet blanket)- Ravelry Link. Website link.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Hook: I (Cast on with K hook)
  • Yarn: Vanna’s Choice in Shadow Ombre, Orion Blue, Burgundy & Sea glass, Sprightly Acrylic Worsted in Suede & Big Twist Soft in Rose & Charcoal
  • Cast on 86.

From the Armchair

Some Years Later

  • Last June I used some Lion Brand Re-up in rainbow colors plus gray and Black to make a fun Mason Jar Cozy. We use it all the time but with washing and nearly daily use it could probably stand to be replaced. Ravelry Project Page
  • 2 years ago I finished up a scrappy hexagon blanket that I later gifted to friend and co-worker Lauren for her baby girl, Meadow. I still see her posting pics of her daughter using it. Ravelry Project Page

Crafty Adventures

Punch Needle

  • Kit with pattern by Teresa Kogut
  • Pattern: PN165- For Ewe
  • Link to purchase pattern only on Etsy for $12.
  • I purchased my complete kit from Tree House Fiber Arts. Click here for their website.
    • Kit included: 7″/9″ Morgan hoop, weavers cloth, floss, Ultra Punch Needle, Needle threaders, pattern, instructions.
    • Kits no longer available but Rachel does have double hoop, pattern and the punch needle in stock.
  • Helpful resources:
  • Took Mom’s advice and separated out whole skeins of embroidery floss into the 3 strands I needed and put them on bobbins. From there I could load my punch needle and keep going until I decided to cut instead of running out of floss and having to thread it again and again. Got through nearly all of the sheep! 

In My Travels

  • Dan & I enjoyed our first Tentrr experience. Site: Mauralou Farm in Rhode Island. 
  • We had dinner in Westport MA at the Back Eddy Restaurant.

KAL News

Splash Pad- May 28 through July 31

Splash Pad Ravelry Links:

Events

Contest, News & Notes

Life in Focus

I talked about how I planned for and successfully navigated a really intense work week!

On a Happy Note

  • During the first weekend of June we had Hattie and Oisin for a sleepover. Started the weekend with a surprise school pick up for Hattie & taking her out for ice cream. 
  • We enjoyed our nephew Will’s confirmation + picnic by the beach after. 
  • Getting 4 days in a row with my dear friend Kim. 
  • Listening to audiobooks with Dan.
  • Swap box from my Merry Everything and Happy Always Swap Partner in the Between Knits & Purls Ravelry Group Can’t wait to open each day in July!
  • Birthday Flowers + puzzle from Dan

Quote of the Week

Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action. “― William James

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information: