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Episode 257: Fiber in Phoenix

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 257 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
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Sunsoaked Yarns, Bella Fio, Woolen Women
Thanks to Mom for joining me for part of this episode!

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Cushion Bags

  • Pattern: none
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up & Other Dish Cloth Cotton
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • I made 2 cushion covers for Mom because the bags for her inflatable seat cushions were too small to easily fit back into.
  • Ravelry Project Page- Cushion 1: green and aqua
  • Ravelry Project Page- Cushion 2 : black and aqua
  • 155 meters for Stash Dash (in the 2 projects)

2021 Scrappy Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: sock yarn minis and scraps
  • Ravelry Project Page (started in April 2021. Picked back up in September 2022)
  • In this project, I used Helical knitting using Video Tutorial from Knitty Natty & Cate’s Clasp Weft join- check out my YouTube Tutorial  by clicking here.
  • 228 meters for Stash Dash

In a Fog Mittens

  • Pattern: In a Fog by Allison O’Mahony ($5.50 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the designer’s website)
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) & US 6 (4.0mm)
  • Yarn: MC: Spun Right Round (multi color) CC: Fibre Seed Costa Laurel worsted yarn in Colorway CL014 (gray)
  • Size: Medium (3 sizes available)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 161 meters for Stash Dash

Curiouser & Curiouser Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn:  Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Curiouser & Curiouser Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • These count for the #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal
  • Will weigh these socks when I get home from Phoenix

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Summer Rainbow Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Yarn:  Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base in the Summer Rainbow Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: Almost to the heel of sock #2

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: Finished most of the first sock

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: 5 strips finished. 1 more started. Once finished, I need to seam them together & debating a border.

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.

Some Years Later

Cozy Classic Raglan

  • Pattern: Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs
  • Needles: US 3 for Ribbing. US 7 for body
  • Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK in color 547 Sunny
  • Knitting Size Medium. 
  • Finished in May 2020
  • I never loved the way it fits me. Riley recently wore it during sleepover, so I let her take it home. She sent me a fit check wearing it with white jean cut offs, a slick hairdo and some poppin lips! Looking gorgeous. Makes me even happier than the meters that helped me kick Jasmin’s butt in 2020!

In My Travels

KAL News

Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

Events

Life in Focus

  • It’s been a tough couple weeks with Mom having a bad reaction to her normal infusion, then Dan’s mother, Marilyn passed away on June 25th.

On a Happy Note

  • Our nephew Oisin turned 15 and we enjoyed his taco truck birthday party.
  • That same weekend, we had 3 kiddos in a dance recital, and our niece Aila was in Beauty & the Beast as Maurice that night. Mom, Riley, Millie and I grabbed dinner (and for the adults a cold beer) in between!
  • We enjoyed Father’s Day with my dad and gave him custom corn hole boards and bags!
  • Mom, Riley and I got VIP tickets to Kane Brown at Fenway Park. We wore matching tees Mom bought for us.
  • Not one but 2 bucks in our driveway at the same time. Stayed long enough for me to bring Dan back.
  • Fireflies are out! I got to show our friend Liz when she came for dinner.
  • I got to go into the ORs for the first time, after working at MGH for nearly 21 years.

    Quote of the Week

    One’s life begins on so many occasions, constructing itself out of accident derived from coincidence compounded by character.–DONALD HALL


    ——

    Thank you for tuning in!


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    Episode 256: Nashville Notes

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    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 256 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

    • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • Crafty Adventures
    • Knitting in Passing
    • In my Travels
    • KAL News
    • Events
    • Quote of the Week
    • Stay tuned for a special interview at the end of the episode

    Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

    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.

    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

    On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

    Summer Rainbow Socks

    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
    • Yarn:  Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base in the Summer Rainbow Colorway
    • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
    • Progress: I finished the first sock in Nashville & cast on the cuff of the second

    Curiouser & Curiouser Socks

    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
    • Yarn:  Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Curiouser & Curiouser Colorway
    • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
    • I purchased this as a Micro Sock set; 50g of main color + a 20g mini. I also had another LFA mini that I liked with it, so I have green and purple to choose from.
    • Progress: I finished the first sock at Lucky Bastard Bar in Nashville and kitchenered the toe listening to live music. I cast on the second sock.

    In a Fog Mittens

    • Pattern: In a Fog by Allison O’Mahony ($5.50 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the designer’s website)
    • Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) & US 6 (4.0mm)
    • Yarn: MC: Spun Right Round (multi color) CC: Fibre Seed Costa Laurel worsted yarn in Colorway CL014 (gray)
    • Size: Medium (3 sizes available)
    • Progress: finished 1st mitten

    Crafty Adventures

    Emelyn came over after work to do a crafty project together. They decided they wanted to make a snail backpack for which we could find no ready-made tutorials online. We found instructions for round bag that we’ll modify. We went to JoAnn to purchase supplies, grabbed dinner and headed home. Eme cut the two circles (using a large bowl as a guide) and sewed swirl pattern on each piece before we ran out of time. I’m looking forward to picking it back up soon.

    Knitting in Passing

    My mom’s childhood friend Rosie came to Nashville with us. She was asking about my circular knitting on magic loop and we got talking about how her mother knit and taught her to knit as a kid. Her mother would make sweaters, hats, scarves and mittens.

    In My Travels

    My brother Jeff, my parents and I went to Nashville for CMA Fest 2023. Tune in to hear all about our trip and the incredible musicians & bands we saw.

    KAL News

    Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

    Events

    Quote of the Week

    “Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is, I think, finally, the only real question.”– Julian Barnes

    This episode we had a special conversation originally recorded by my friend Beverly Baptiste who co-hosts the weekly sewing podcast-  Punk Frockers with her friend Jenny Hassler for their series on sewing adjacent hobbies. My friends Nicki, Karen, Ryan and Maggie and I share about the kinds of fiber crafts we enjoy, other creative outlets, whether creative people attract creative partners and whether our partners know how much we spend on craft supplies.  You can find the Punk Frockers podcast on their website. You can also find this conversation on Episode 118 Knitting #PFSewingAdjacent.


    ——Thank you for tuning in!


    Contact Information:

    Episode 255: Event-FULL Summers

    Leave a reply

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 255 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
    • In my Travels
    • KAL News
    • Events
    • Contest, News & Notes
    • On a Happy Note
    • Quote of the Week

    Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

    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!

    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 am using Cate’s Clasp Weft Join when joining a new yarn. Using this method, I only have 4 ends to weave in even though I am changing yarns often.

    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.
    • Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video.
    • Progress Update: 225 hexagons done on 5/22/23 (74 unwashed + 151 washed)- goal is 374

    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: 3 strips finished. 1 more started.

    Summer Scrappy Helical Socks #2

    • 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 am using Cate’s Clasp Weft Join when joining a new yarn. Using this method, I only have 4 ends to weave in even though I am changing yarns often.
    • Progress: Sock 1 is close to the heel. Sock 2 has a cuff.

    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.
    • Progress: almost to the toe on the second sock

    Summer Rainbow Socks

    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
    • Yarn:  Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base in the Summer Rainbow Colorway
    • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
    • Progress: 1st cuff down + a few inches into the leg

    Curiouser & Curiouser Socks

    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
    • Yarn:  Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Curiouser & Curiouser Colorway
    • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
    • I purchased this as a Micro Sock set; 50g of main color + a 20g mini. I also had another LFA mini that I liked with it, so I have green and purple to choose from.
    • Progress: ready to start heel on first sock

    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 will plan to do a 3 ply
    • Update this episode: I broke my new driveband! Will replace w/ kitchen cotton yarn for now

    Brainstorming

    • With the announcement of the Legacy Fiber Artz MAL, I decided to wind up all of my LFA minis on the sparkle base to knit some scrappy, helical, clasp-weft sparkle socks!

    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.

    In My Travels

    KAL News

    Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

    Events

    • Stash Dash, hosted by Leslie & Laura of the Knit Girllls Video Podcast starts May 26th and runs through August 31, 2023. Check out details in the knit girllls discord
      • Jasmin (aka cuteknitter) & I will be doing our annual, mostly-friendly challenge.
      • 2 pairs of socks so far= 548 meters
      • You can check out my Stash Dash 2023 Progress on this Google Sheet.
    • Legacy Fiber Artz Knit Your Stash MAL- check out the details on the Treehouse Fiber Arts website
      • Runs May 29- September 4, 2023
      • #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal and #flashyourstash
    • Crafty Bingo- Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast
      • May 26-September 4, 2023
      • Grab the Bingo card over on their Instagram feed
    • The Grocery Girls are hosting Hot Granny Square Summer MAL. Check out details in their Ravelry Group & in Episode 183 on their YouTube Channel.
    • Summer Sock Camp hosted in the Crazy Sock Lady Ravelry Group
      • 5/26- 8/31/2023
    • Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds
    • Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
    • Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

    Contest, News & Notes

    Check out my latest shawl design- Mas Vida!Find all of the details on my website. Mas Vida is available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts for $7. Use code mas for 30% off on Ravelry through 6/2.

    On a Happy Note

    • Mother’s Day celebrations seeing Millie in Matilda followed by dinner at a local brewery
    • Flowers from Chris & Margarita
    • Vikki & Katy visited from Las Vegas. I picked them up at the airport and then we met Mom, Dad, Trish and Liz for dinner.
    • Dan & I celebrated our 19th Anniversary at a local brewery after work.
    • Thank you Steph for the beautiful AdoreKnit Splash Pad ’23 Exclusive Bag & Stitch Markers
    • Getting video messages from Riley about her crochet project! Riley joined one of our Patrons-only Zooms during the Splash Pad Party and that was a lot of fun!
    • Memorial Day weekend visits to my parents’.  Mom shared a cool tip on how to clean jewelry which I’ll share on Instagram. Sunday after the pool, the 4 of us headed to Matt & Kris’ to celebrate Matt’s birthday and Carly’s birthday. I gifted her the Carmen socks I’d just finished! She’s a skiier so I’m hoping she enjoys them.
    • On Monday, a bunch of my cousins and their kids came! We got a fun photo of 9 kiddos together on my parents’ swing! The kids swam and ate ice cream. I played bocce with Garret.

    Quote of the Week

    In the beginning I was so young and such a stranger to myself I hardly existed. I had to go out into the world and see it and hear it and react to it, before I knew at all who I was, what I was, what I wanted to be.
    –Mary Oliver


    ——Thank you for tuning in!
    Contact Information: