Episode 285: Silverlining

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 285 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
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Cniotáil Láimhe Designs on Ravelry, Area 51 Fibres, Stitched by Jessalu & Paper Daisy Creations on Ravelry.

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Static Musselburgh

  • Pattern: Musselburgh Hat by Ysolda Teague (7 GBP Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & Ysolda’s website)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Static Fingering Weight Yarn in the Peppercorn colorway
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) & US 2.5 (3.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Note- the pattern just got some updates
  • About the yarn: blues, grays, cream and a bit of a salmony orange. Self patterning yarn.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Owen’s Christmas Stocking

Vegas Baby Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Vegas Baby Colorwork
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: cast on both socks using 2 50g cakes. Sock 2 has a heel. Sock 2 is almost ready for a heel
  • About the colorway- gray tinted rainbow with stripes of purple, blue, darker green, lime green, mustard/yellow, pink

Mom’s 2024 Christmas Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Cascade Heritage Prints in the Holly Stripe Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway- Red, white and green uneven stripes. The first sock is finished. The second sock is beyond the heel.

Hattie’s Scrappy Helical Socks

  • Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers in pinks, purples and blues
  • 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.
  • I measured Hattie’s foot recently when she tried on this WIP. I need a 7-7.5 inch foot. Toe will be 12 rounds, which is about an inch of knitting, so Ii knit a little more than 6 inches before starting the toe.
  • Progress: First sock finished.

Better Waverly Cardigan

  • Pattern: Better Waverly by Taylor E Owen. $8 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool in the Brown Heather Colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the Pattern: I saw Taylor talk about this pattern in her recent YouTube Video.
  • Progress: Still working on the raglan increases

Silverlining Sweater

  • Pattern: Silverlining by Jennifer Steingass $8 pattern available on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool in the Oatmeal Colorway + Junction Fiber Mill Making Tracks Yarn in the Day’s End Colorway
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Size B (because working with fabric that has about 18 inches over 4 inches)
  • Progress: several inches into the body (put on hold) and about half way through the first sleeve.

Brainstorming

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

  • Dan went to a Better Off Dead movie party. I helped him make pig ears to sew onto a chef’s hat (he did the sewing).
  • He also made slime (with raisins because “you like raisins’) and lots of other props from the movie.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’24 #DCSPigskinParty24

Events

Contest, News & Notes

Check out this article if you’re an Apple user who plans to become a member of any new Patreon communities to avoid this 30% fee to Apple. You can check out my Patreon page here.

Life in Focus

I gave a quick update on Mom who will be starting a new cancer treatment on 11/1/24. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers, please.

On a Happy Note

  • Outing with Mom to get eyelash extensions & Savers.
  • Laura’s visit: Matching PJs- Cuddl Duds Coffee PJs from Kohls, My first trip to Costco!
    • Grand Opening of Dance Legacy Arts + Hattie preview of Frozen Jr. Movies (Substance= terrible) + dinner with Megg (lovely)
  • Ryan and Nicki visit with Mom, Dad and me after Rhinebeck & they brought me a skein of yarn!
  • 2 massages in 1 week (24 for 2024 list)
  • Dan and I went to vote together last Saturday morning, then I headed over to a local Sample Sale, knitting on my Silverlining sweater while I waited and listening to others local gossip. I got a ton of Christmas shopping done, then I met up with my mom’s friends Patrick and Szymon in from Arizona. Mom, our friend Sharon (in from CT) and our cousin Linda (who I just found out listens- HI), met us for lunch!  Liz came over and we watched Little Women (2019 version) which I hadn’t seen and was on our to watch list. (3 of 5 movies for my 24 in 2024 list).
  • I visited my parents on Sunday. Millie and Garret were there. We took a walk to neighborhood nearby for Mom’s PT for the day.
  • Group text with friends who went to VT- about our sweaters and other adjacent things. Lots of fun and motivation.
  • Monday night dinner with my parents, Patrick and Szymon.
  • Early morning walk to local State park. beautiful sunrise and golden leaves around the reservoir. Need to do this more often.

Quote of the Week

It doesn’t matter how strong your opinions are. If you don’t use your power for positive change, you are indeed part of the problem.

-Coretta Scott King

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 284: Vermont Sheep & Wool

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 284 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
  • 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:

Woolen Women Fibers, Bronwyn the Brave Designs & Chit Chat Knits Designs

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Farmhouse Pumpkin

  • Pattern: Farmhouse Pumpkins by More Dreams Less Life. $4.25 crochet pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Yarn: KnitKraft Wintuk Yarn in the Rust Colorway
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Rest Relax Recharge Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn: Plush Sock in the Rest Relax Recharge Colorway (from the March 2023 Yarnable Box)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Check out my Yarnable Unboxing Playlist on YouTube
  • Get $5 off with coupon code BOSTONJEN using my Affiliate Link

Urth Yarn Turn a Square Hat

  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood ($5 pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed website)
  • Yarn: Urth Yarn Uneek Worsted
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbing. US 7 (4.5 mm) for body.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Started August 5th but never talked about on the podcast.
  • Purchased during Cape and South Shore Yarn Haul a year or two ago. 
  • Ended up being about 48g. Still have about 56 g leftover so I will make another.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Owen’s Christmas Stocking

  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine. Available in this web archive link. I’ve also saved it to my podcast Gmail Google Drive in case it disappears! web.archive.org-Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Our Archives.pdf
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: 2 pieces done, seamed up and working on the cuff. I need to finish the cuff, create the appliqué, sew on the name the hook.

Peace & Light Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Peace & Light Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: 6 stripes in blues/teals, 3 in creams/yellows- Pigskin Pro Shop Sponsor
  • Purchased from Michele at VT Sheep and Wool. Wound up the yarn on Sue’s ballwinder the next morning and knit most of the leg of the first sock on a boat on Lake Champlain with Sue & Dave Stokes, Paige and Paul Miller and Rachel!!
  • Woolens & Nosh is a Pigskin Pro Shop Sponsor

Dirty Crayon Box Socks

  • Yarn: Fiber Stash Strong Toes Sock (80% SW Merino/ 20% Nylon) in the Dirty Crayon Box Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I bought this yarn at a festival a long time ago. Speckly with an overall purple tone.
  • Progress: cuff done and a few inches of the first leg.

Dream Big Socks

  • Yarn: Fibernymph Dye Works Strong DK (75% SW Merino/ 25% Nylon) in the Dream Big Colorway (Fundraiser for our FearLESS Living Fund)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 48 sts cuff down
  • Cast on in June but haven’t talked about on the pod before. leg of the first sock is nearly done:
  • About the colorway: larger stripes of blue, green, orange. Smaller stripes of orange, purple, gray.  Fibernymph Dye Works is a Pigskin Pro Shop Sponsor

Vegas Baby Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Vegas Baby Colorwork
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Welcome to Litchfield Hat

  • Pattern: Citrus Hat by Laura Treadway (free knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Handspun (Ravelry Project Page)- Into the Whirled; 2 braids Texel & BFL Tussah Silk in the Welcome to Litchfield Colorway + Traveler colorway on Cheviot base to make a 3 ply yarn
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

I fell in love with the Love Today Cowl by Knit Sisu that I saw at a VT Sheep and Wool. I found some of my handspun (Ravelry page here) that I thought would work, wound it up and then did a wraps per inch test and its too thin. I went back to the handspun bin, and found another skein (Ravelry page) and now I’m thinking they’d be nice in the Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowy (Ravelry | website).

The goal of this cowl was for a potential Christmas gift even though I’d like it for me, but I think with these 2 skeins of handspun I want to keep it, so we’ll see if I cast these on now or let it marinate, because I also want to cast on a sweater for me, and more socks and hats for Christmas gifts.

I swatched for a sweater with yarn from VT Sheep and Wool. More on that next time.

From the Armchair

The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier. 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.

Some Years Later

I’ve been wearing lots of woolies lately as have my loved ones!

  • Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan (Pigskin Sponsor)- Ravelry Project Page
  • Dad wore his Musselburgh to Topsfield Fair- Ravelry Project Page
  • Megg also wore Nanaimo Cardigan to Mamma Mia- Ravelry Project Page
  • I also have 2 Nanaimos that I’ve been wearing- the original one I knit is in earthy oatmealy tones and the other in gray- Ravelry Project Page 1 & Ravelry Project Page 2 here.
  • I’m also wearing a lot of wool socks, especially with wool clogs. I need more supportive clogs for walking. Any suggestions for me?

In My Travels

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’24 #DCSPigskinParty24

  • Event Dates: Thursday September 5, 2024- Monday February 10, 2025
  • Find everything you need in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
  • Official Rules
  • Registration 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
  • Our Official Sponsor for Q1 (October) is The Little Wolf Knits. This means you’ve got a challenge that can earn you more points and entry towards a cool prize. Check out the challenge details in this Ravelry post
  • Q2- November- sneak peek- sponsor= Twin Mountain Handcrafts- using buttons!
  • Commentator Mary Klute’s report-
  • The first quarter challenge has really inspired pigskin partiers! There has been a lot of chatter in the huddle thread about the new techniques folks are planning to meet the requirements of the challenge!  
  • Some players are planning to tackle knitting techniques that they have never tried before like half fisherman’s rib, colorwork, intarsia, magic loop, a new cast on or bind off, and brioche.
  • Others are trying out a new tool like an i-cord maker or a new knitting app
  • Others are trying new kinds of projects: a garment with lace down the side, joggers, knitting a shawl for the first time, knitting a shawl with an unusual construction, and colorwork socks
  • A couple of people have mentioned joining mystery knit a longs for the challenge
  • Others have mentioned using varieties of yarn they’ve never used before like boucle yarn or non-superwash wool.
  • And a finally a bunch of players are planning crochet projects–some who have never successfully crocheted before and others who want to grow their crochet skills by moving beyond granny squares or learning how to join crocheted pieces.
  • This challenge is really motivating players to step out of their comfort zones!  If you still haven’t decided what to do for the quarter 1 challenge–head on over to the huddle thread for some inspiration! 

Events

Contest, News & Notes

My friend Linda is looking for donations of warm handknit/crocheted items for adult and youth homeless in Massachusetts. They set up tables on Thanksgiving and put all of the handmade items on the fence outside the First Church in Woburn, MA. Calling for all makers who want to donate. PM me on Ravelry or email me at downcellarstudio at gmail.com and I’ll give you the address to send them to. Any fiber type welcome. Hats, scarves, mitts, shawls, blankets. Anything warm is welcome!

Life in Focus

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 Updates

  • Get 2 massages beyond the one per month at Massage Envy (1 at Oasis in July, 1 scheduled Oct had to move. scheduled 2 more)
  • Read more books than you did in 2023 (50) 45 as of now
  • Knit at least 1 finished project with handspun in progress
  • Knit/crochet myself a new sweater swatched
  • Make a Christmas afghan for the living room- in progress
  • Try a new local restaurant – Lolita (want one even MORE local)

On a Happy Note

  • Mamma Mia + dinner at Ruka beforehand
  • October 4: we celebrated my dad’s birthday with an evening cookout and swim! Dad left the pool open while mom was in the hospital, and heated it back up to a warm 88 degrees for us to all enjoy one last swim.
  • VT Sheep and Wool!!!
  • Mom, Dad, my Uncle Bob and Aunt Wendy all went to the Topsfield Fair. Beautiful quilts, handknits, emotional support chickens. Live Laugh Love cross stitch- live, laugh, love. Mom got some blue tinsel in her hair! Adorable.
  • Saw everyone’s photos of the Northern Lights on Facebook on the way home so I had to take a few!
  • Baby Jane- adapted for the stage by my Mom’s friend Michael Hammond for Company Theatre.

Quote of the Week

Bob Dylan on the advice his father gave him: “Even if you don’t have all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don’t have that you don’t want.”

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 283: PUMPKINS!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 283 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
  • 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 sponsors: Stitchin with Yarn, winemakerssister, Yumi Yarns & Fibernymph Dye Works

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

LFA Helical Socks

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Portal Colorway & a Mystery Colorway (both 50g skeins: 75% SW Merino, 25% Nylon). Knit Picks Felici in the Beatnik Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Cast on in June 2023. Finished September 5. Forgot to share in the last episode.

Frozen Shake Cozy

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 crochet pattern available on Ravelry | LoveCrafts
  • Yarn: worsted crochet cotton
  • Hooks: F (3.75mm) & G (4.0mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarn- mystery blue cotton on a cone that was from Aunt Rachel’s stash.
  • Made for mom during September hospital stay when the dietitians started making frozen shakes to get nutrients into her.

Ribbed Bobble Pumpkin

  • Pattern: Ribbed Bobble Pumpkin by Breann Mauldin. $3 crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Free version available here.
  • Yarn: KnitKraft Wintuk Yarn in the Tangerine Colorway
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarn gifted to me by my friend Heather. We became friends through the dancing school we went to. Her mother was the stage manager and my mom was the house manager for our recitals. We’ve all know each other since I was 12. Heather’s mother Rita passed away a few years ago. When Heather heard my mom was in the hospital she dropped off a care package at the dancing school- chemo caps for Mom and yarn from her mom’s stash for me!

Rita’s pumpkins

  • Pattern: Pumpkin by June Gilbank. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Free version available here.
  • Yarn: KnitKraft Wintuk Yarn in the Tangerine Colorway
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 5 finished
  • Yarn is definitely 1970s/1980s squeeky acrylic, so not my favorite to work with, but it feels great to put it to good use and to bring a bit of life to Rita’s old stash.

Farmhouse Pumpkin

  • Pattern: Farmhouse Pumpkins by More Dreams Less Life. $4.25 crochet pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Yarn: KnitKraft Wintuk Yarn in the Tangerine Colorway
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Worked in the round. Does use FP & BP HDC which I learned in my crochet cables class at Staci’s! Love the look of this. Worked up in an evening of TV.

Pumpkin Patch Cup Cozy

  • Pattern: Pumpkin Patch Cup Cozy by Kylee Keller. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry & this blog.
  • Yarn: KnitKraft Wintuk Yarn in the Tangerine Colorway, Knit Picks Brava Worsed in the Dublin colorway (green) & mystery brown acrylic yarn from stash.
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • The pattern calls for thicker yarn and a larger hook than I had. It also calls for what’s essentially a 1×1 ribbed look, but I liked the look of the ribbing from the front/back post crochets on the Farmhouse Pumpkins, so I used that pattern instead. I used the stitch count from my Ball Band with a Twist pattern (available on Ravelry | LoveCrafts).

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Farmhouse Pumpkin

  • Pattern: Farmhouse Pumpkins by More Dreams Less Life. $4.25 crochet pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Yarn: KnitKraft Wintuk Yarn in the Rust Colorway
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I initially grabbed the yarn from Heather and threw some in my bag for the hospital and rest (still in its plastic Thom McCann shoe store bag lol into my craft room). I though the other skein of Wintuk was red- but when I went down there again, I realized it was rust! and the pumpkin madness continued!
  • Cast on Saturday 9/28 watching Season 2 of the OA with Dan on Netflix.

Static Musselburgh

  • Pattern: Musselburgh Hat by Ysolda Teague (7 GBP Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & Ysolda’s website)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Static Fingering Weight Yarn in the Peppercorn colorway
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm) & US 2.5 (3.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Note- the pattern just got some updates
  • About the yarn: blues, grays, cream and a bit of a salmony orange. Self patterning yarn.
  • Progress: 15 inches. I will plan to add one more inch and then work the decreases.

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 there’s a new one coming in the Fall.
    • Blanket Pre-Orders for the Murder She Knit club are available now! Please consider using my Affiliate Link.
  • Progress: I finished 9 my July squares & seamed them. I started my August squares and have 1 package waiting for me to open- the last batch.

Stranger Things 2 Socks

  • Yarn: Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon) in the Stranger Things 2 Self Striping Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Cast on the morning of Thursday 9/5 for the Pigskin Party. I didn’t get to join in the round until that night, but now its well underway.
  • About the colorway- stripes of: orange, hot pink, purple, navy blue, medium blue and red.
  • Progress- My first Pigskin Cast on using Snack Shack Sponsor yarn. I’m almost to heel of the first sock.

Rest Relax Recharge Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn: Plush Sock in the Rest Relax Recharge Colorway (from the March 2023 Yarnable Box)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Cast on both cuffs so I can try to work these up quickly. They’ll match some of Mom’s go-to pjs.
  • Cute acrylic Pigskin markers from Twin Mountain Handcrafts on them. Thanks ladies for sending them to me. I love them.

Brainstorming

  • Making the pumpkins has me itching to make toys. It would be great to make some for the little kiddos for Christmas.
  • I need to start the Christmas stocking for my cousin Colleen’s little boy Owen so I have that ready for Thanksgiving.
  • The pumpkins also have me longing to crochet some hats.

From the Armchair

  1. Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano. 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.

Knitting in Passing

  • Talked to several nurses and other staff about my knitting and crochet while in with Mom. One PCA learned to knit before but said she never really full understood it. I told her I’d be happy to meet her for coffee and a lesson anytime.
  • The staff all oooh and ahhh over Mom’s handknit socks.
  • One morning when Mom was really out of it from anesthesia the day before, I was putting on her handknit socks and I had them totally crooked, heel on the side, and she was busting my chops. I told her “hey, I said I was good at knitting them, not putting them on!” and she insisted on taking a photo for me to share! Little glimpses of her coming back to her real self were great- even if it was going to be a bit more time before she was back to normal.
  • I recently saw a notice in my town’s Facebook page that the senior center is looking for yarn they can use to make things to sell at holiday’s craft fairs. PSA: even if your community hasn’t reached out- see if they need yarn so you can clear out anything you don’t need and know it will go to good use.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’24 #DCSPigskinParty24

  • Event Dates: Thursday September 5, 2024- Monday February 10, 2025
  • Find everything you need in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
  • Official Rules
  • Registration 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
  • Tailgate Talk Challenge– Click here for Ravelry Link
    • Great way to get to know your team. There will be daily prompts from 9/5 through 9/16. Answer them in your Team thread in the Ravelry Group. If you answer them all, no more than 2 per day, you’ll get 150 points (as long as you enter them on the Points Tally form by 10/1). 
  • Our Official Sponsor for Q1 (October) is The Little Wolf Knits. This means you’ve got a challenge that can earn you more points and entry towards a cool prize. Check out the challenge details in this Ravelry post
  • Commentator Mary Klute’s report- One of the best things about the pigskin party is the community!  It is so much fun to get to know other players and the annual Tailgate Talk is a great way to do that. It looks like this year’s Tailgate Talk was a great success–at the time of this report nearly 200 players had submitted for their Tailgate Talk points! But players aren’t just chatting–they are also finishing projects!  So far there are 307 finished projects on the scoreboard, including 10 blitzes!  And it looks like players are really using sponsor products to rack up some extra points.  So far, finished projects have earned over 50 points on average by using sponsor products!  Symama09 is a great example of how to really maximize those sponsor points.  She earned 280 sponsor points on her recently finished gnome by using 2 proshop exclusive products, three proshop non-exclusive products, and two products from snack shack sponsors!  Her gnome is super cute too- check out the Ravelry Project Page here! Finally, don’t forget to spread the word about the PSP!  You can join 14 players who have been earning points by drafting players!
  • Tune in to hear if you’re a September Participation Prize winner. I will be in touch with all winners via email.

Events

Know of an event I should spread the word about? Let me know!

Contest, News & Notes

My friend Linda is looking for donations of warm handknit/crocheted items for adult and youth homeless in Massachusetts. They set up tables on Thanksgiving and put all of the handmade items on the fence outside the First Church in Woburn, MA. Calling for all makers who want to donate. PM me on Ravelry or email me at downcellarstudio at gmail.com and I’ll give you the address to send them to. Any fiber type welcome. Hats, scarves, mitts, shawls, blankets. Anything warm is welcome!

Life in Focus

Update on Mom: Diane is still in the hospital after being admitted on 9/12.

  • Attempts at the bedside to put filler into her right vocal cord to bring back her voice didn’t work, so they brought her down to the OR and did the procedure there. She has so much more volume now! She doesn’t notice a huge difference but we all do.
  • We thought about 2 weeks in that she’d be going home, bags were all packed and they decided to do a last minute CT which showed spots in her lungs. We were told it wasn’t cancer but it took until Thursday to do a Bronchoscopy to reveal the cause of that issue- 2 different bacterial infections. Of course at first we were told it was just 1 and she could go home on oral antibiotics. 10 minutes later the other was found and now she has to stay for at least a few days of IV antibiotics.

How to make it fun in the hospital

  • Get to know your caregivers; find out what you have in common. It makes it more interesting if you can actually have a bond with the people you’re interacting with on a regular basis.
  • Get some new pajamas- especially if that’s all you get to wear. If your family can stay over with you- get matching PJs. It’s a little thing but it can make it feel a bit more special.
  • Find ways to make the little things into bigger things. Our first matching PJ night, we wore flamingo pajamas. In advance of that, I purchased flamingo decorations at the party store and bought light up necklaces, straws & ice cubes to turn the evening into a party.
  • The next night, we planned to have an ice cream sundae party. The unit always has ice cream on hand. Mom ordered a peach puree from the daily menu and I saved M&Ms that my cousin Jenny brought and we had an ice cream party. As it turns out, I spotted fireworks out the windows of the elevator lobby that night and was able to bring Mom over to see. Made what could have been an average night – or a depressign one because we thought she’d be home, more entertaining.
  • Have folks send in mail and bring it to the patient! Chellescraps- Michelle, sent a bouquet of paper flowers (I believe they’re from freshcutpaper)- my brother’s family also got her one early on in her stay (these are great because, you may not know this but some patients cannot have fresh cut flowers- burn patients, some immunocompromised patients etc); Sewrunknit, Suzanne, sent a funny card, ElsaandEm, Emily, sent a handknit/embroidered flower pin, my cousin Jenny brought a WonderWoman balloon and ironically on the same day, a friend dropped off a Wonder Woman pillow at the house (great to use to push into Mom’s side when she had pain)
  • Ask friends and family to text photos and videos! Hattie sent Mom the cutest video of a little dance/kartwheel which was so fun. 

On a Happy Note

  • Sharpie Rollerball Pens (.5mm)- available on Amazon. The only thing that would make it better is if it was a click top, but I’m totally willing to live without the convenience.
  • Trader Joe’s Honey Hydration Day & Night Cream Duo. $7.99 (dupe for Farmacy Honey Halo, which I’ve never tried)
  • One day when my SIL brought Riley, Garret and Millie in to see Mom at the hospital, Millie said she wanted to see my office, so since Mom was still at her MRI, we took a detour. Millie did a full on simulation of me at work, drinking selzter, typing on my computer etc.
  • My parents celebrated their 47th Wedding Anniversary. Thankfully Dan had more brain cells and time than the rest of us and got Mom flowers on his way in to visit.
  • I picked up my grandmother to bring her in for a visit with my Mom. We had a lovely visit.
  • My cousin Sabrina came up from Tennessee with her girlfriend Maria for a visit with my Mom. It was so great catching up with them.
  • Watching The American President. I love that movie. Mom and I had been talking about it in the hospital that day- specifically the line from Michael J. Fox (as Lewis Rothschild) “I tell any girl I’m going out with to assume that all plans are soft until she receives confirmation from me thirty minutes beforehand.” Robin McCall: “And they find this romantic?” Lewis Rothschild: “Well, I say it with a great deal of charm.”
  • I was able to use our John Deere tractor/backhoe to free myself when a tree fell in our driveway and I was trapped. Dan was in Vermont and I thought I’d have to call my nephew Oisin but it didn’t come to that!
  • I scored a $300 ski bag with a charging set-up for boot warmers for $15 at a yard sale this weekend.
  • Trader Joe’s pumpkin Kringle! with Cinnamon coffee.

Quote of the Week

Strive to be whole, not perfect, for in wholeness we embrace both our strengths and our flaws, while in perfection, we lose the beauty of our true selves. -Unknown

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