Episode 281: Ready to PARTY!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 281 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
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors:

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Declan’s 70s Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Seventies Stripes Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Finished August 3rd
  • Total for Stash Dash: 278.2 meters (304.2 yards)

Log Cabin Mitts

  • Pattern: Log Cabin Mitts by Karen Templar (free knitting pattern available on Ravelry & on this site)
  • Yarn: Barnyard Knits, Fuse Fiber Studio, One Twisted Tree (shop formerly own Prairie Girl Danie) + other leftover sock yarn
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • 9 sections of garter stitch log cabin. I decided to knit the 2 squares concurrently so I’d remember which yarns I used for each section, not reading ahead enough to know that you were supposed to work them slightly differently to make matching mitts, but that doesn’t bother me at all, so I just went with it and mine are opposites. I like that I can see all of the colors on the top or bottoms of my hands. 
  • 60g fingering weight yarn (held double)
  • 253.8 meters for Stash Dash

Rafa’s Hat

  • Yarn: Malabrigo Rios in the Cielo y Tierra colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm)
  • Pattern: Rafa’s Hat by Joji Locatelli (free knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page:
  • Started July 9. Finished August 7th.
  • Total for Stash Dash: 115.2 meters

Laura’s London Socks

  • Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Base in the Salt colorway (cream with blips of neons & gray) & a 50g Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Micro Skein in a Mystery Colorway (gray)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Bought the Qing Fibres Yarn in London in November 2022 with Laura. She chose this skein from my stash in 2023 not realizing we bought it when we were together.
  • Total for Stash Dash: 272 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Wool Ease Hexagon Blanket

  • Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick. Centers in colorways- Fern, Coney Island, Seaglass, Slate. Borders- Wheat & Oatmeal
  • Hook: 10mm (N/P)
  • 2 rounds of color- 1 round of wheat or oatmeal
  • 30 done in July. 47 done by August 7th. Had to order more yarn (twice) and ended up with 96 hexagons. The blanket is nearly the size of a full sized comforter.
    • Last summer’s hexi blanket was fingering held double- 60×84 inches and took about 300 hexis which were 4 rounds each (these have only 3). (Check out the Ravelry Project Page here)

Berry Bliss Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon) in the Berry Bliss Colorway (May 2024 Yarnable Box) & Legacy Fiber Artz Glitzy Toes (pink mini from 2023 Advent Calendar)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: I’ve finished the heel on the second sock.

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 the first sock and am nearly to the heel on the second sock. I’m helical striping the LFA yarn and used leftover Knit Picks Felici Self Striping Yarn (purple, blue and a pumpkin orange) for the heel and toes.
    • You can’t tell its striped at all. Looks like 1 cohesive colorway.
  • Progress: first sock finished, nearly to the heel on the second sock.

Brainstorming

  • I’m debating starting my first Woolens and Nosh advent sock early since December is hectic I never get as far as I’d like.
  • I thought I could make a sweater from me with the leftovers of Mom’s Rhinebeck Sweater yarn, but it doesn’t look like I’ll have enough yarn, so that project is on hold. Perhaps I’ll look for more yarn to add to it and save it for that.
  • Dan’s Litchfield Hat with Welcome to Litchfield Handspun (Ravelry Project Page)
  • I’m planning to knit socks for my friend Sheri.
  • My niece Aila asked for socks for Christmas. She’d like these Daisy Socks- pattern 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.

Knitting in Passing

Last Saturday, Oisin came here to Work with Dan. When Megg, Tom and Hattie came to pick him up they stayed for a chat. Hattie got out the ponies and Barbies, then she abandoned that to knit on my Berry Lemonade socks with me. She did fantastic after a quick reminder of the stitches and even took my feedback about putting her left index finger on the second stitch on the needle to prevent that from falling off while slipping the stitch she just worked, off the left needle.

Hattie asked to start her own pair of socks (ambitious) and tried on scrappy helical socks I started in November (Ravelry Project Page)

She tried on the scrappy helical socks I started in November and they fit. I need about 1.5 inches before toe on the first sock, so I should pick those back up soon.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’24 #DCSPigskinParty24

A special THANK YOU to our team

  • Umpire- Wendy- socalknitgirl
  • Commissioners
    • Emily- (ElsaandEm)- Llama Conference
    • Alicia (almariecraft)- Alpaca Conference
    • Nicole (KnitterNicole)- Sheep Conference
  • Commentator- Mary (Maryklute)
  • Playoff Prediction Contest:  Check the Ravelry Group on 9/4 for post. Choose the NFL team you think will win the Super Bowl this year (before the thread closes on 9/19). Correct guesses will get you extra points.
  • 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). 
  • This year, we’ll have 4 primary challenges during the full months of the event- Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan. Stay tuned for those details. The sponsors are:
    • October: Thelittlewolfknits
    • November: Twin Mountain Handcrafts
    • December: Fangirl Fibers
    • January: Fibernymph Dye Works

Other current & upcoming events:

I have 9,273 meters as of August 25. Jasmin is on the board with 5,910 meters

Sending much love to Jasmin & Gigi after hearing about Gigi’s recent stroke. 

Events

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

Life in Focus

Mom Update: After Whole Brain Radiation, Mom went right into 5 targeted radiation treatments to help reduce the size of the cancer in a lymph node that was pressing on nerves that then get in the way of her right vocal cord. As of about mid-July, she didn’t have any voice, and they hoped to correct that. On her last day of that radiation, she also had a PleureX cathetered installed in her right lung to allow regular at-home drainage to keep that pressure off her lung. The day after that- Dad and I tested positive for Covid and by Monday Mom had too. Thankfully Dad and I had only mild symptoms and Mom had none- which was a blessing because the insertion of that port left her riddled with pain for days.

Now she’s coming out of that but starting a new chemo. We’re hopeful that this will take away some of her pain and its already meant she doesn’t need her lung drained as frequently. Hoping September will be a better month for her than the last couple.

Ask Me Anything

NDoyle asks: What has been your favorite item you’ve made this year and why?

Marilynknits- What gauge do you knit your socks at?

  • 8-8.5 sts per inch.
  • 56 sts on US 1.5 needles= 6.5 to 7 inch circumference

On a Happy Note

  • I am very relieved that Covid was mild for us, especially for my Mom. Also very grateful that my brother who was on vacation in Virginia just as we came down with Covid, ended up having a bicycle accident that left him with bruises all over and a broken rib- but is going to be OK. I made everyone promise we’d all stay out of the hospital for one full week!
  • Visits with my cousin Jenny and her daughter Vera who often come over to see my Mom.
  • Weekend pool time, especially with our youngest niece and nephew who are absolute fishies!
  • My dear friend Nathan (only a couple years older than me) had a successful heart and kidney transplant only 1 day apart from each other but is recovering well. Our family all bought t-shirts and made donations to help his family and got a great photo to send him poolside one afternoon!
  • My Mom wanted to get eyelash extensions so she, my cousin Jenny and I all went and it was a lovely experience.
  • Dan and I picked up my grandmother and we all went to my cousin Nancy’s Surprise 60th birthday. Mom and Gram both had a great day that. Beautiful sunny poolday with all the kiddos swimming, I caught up with many of my cousins who I don’t get to see all the time, learned there’s another new baby coming in January and enjoyed fresh pizza from a woodfired oven. We also sang to my grandmother.
  • From there, we headed to Terri’s Graduation Party. She runs the dancing school where I met Kris & Megg, two of my best friends who have 5 of our niblings. Dan’s younger brother Dave played in the band, the kids all played together. We got to see Terri’s brother who came up from FL, and Conor, Carly and baby Miles after they were in Nantucket for a couple weeks.
  • Dinner & Les Mis with Kris, Aila and Megg.
  • At Mom’s chemo treatment, we got to see my friend Waveney who was my officemate in my first job at the hospital 22 years ago and her son, Tighe, checked us in at the Infusion Clinic. As soon as I said hello, his whole face lit up with a smile and he came around and immediately hugged us all. It was pure joy! He’ll be back off to college soon.
  • We hosted a 90th birthday party for my grandmother at The Tavern in her assisted living facility. I put together all sorts of cool photo decorations & used some of her old picture frames for the tables and guests could take them as favors. Dan DJed, and my Dad, our friend Sharon & cousin Susan prepared the food) and the kiddos all acted as bartenders. Hattie even went around and took photos.
  • All of the joy and hope coming out of Democratic party with coverage of the DNC. It feels great to have a candidate I’m truly joyful about supporting.
  • A quieter weekend- getting ready for my friend Marta to arrive from Barcelona (if I’m a bit MIA that’s why)

Quote of the Week

One evening in August, you have an errand outdoors, and all of a sudden, it’s pitch-black. It is still summer, but the summer is no longer alive.

~ Tove Jansson

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 280: Ring the Bell!

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 280 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

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

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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.
  • Started in May 2023. Finished on June 28, 2024
  • Total for Stash Dash: 262 meters

Baby James’ Cozy Clusters Blanket

  • Pattern: Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket by Leelee Knits (free & paid options available on the LeeLeeKnits website)
  • Yarn: Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes in the Slush Colorway (purchased 3). 1 skein of Loops & Threads Impeccable in Colorway 01110 [Navy] for the border
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Bobble Border instructions from this blog
  • Finished size- 30.5 inches wide by 38.8 inches tall (not including the bobbles)
  • Finished on July 2
  • Total for Stash Dash: 1,010 meters (833 meters Caron Cakes [2.25 skeins] – 178 meters Loops & Threads- less than 1 skein)

Trish’s New Orleans Socks

  • Yarn- Cat Tails Yarn in the Chartreux Base (75% Superwash Merino, 15% Nylon, 10% Silver Stellina) in the Christmas Bonfires Colorway (part of the Down in New Orleans Collection)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Trish purchased in New Orleans in 2024 (exclusive colorway for the Quarter Stitch). $34.
  • Finished on July 3
  • Total for Stash Dash: 259 meters

American Ewe Turn a Square Hat

  • Yarn: American Ewe Worsted Tweed in the Terrace Mountain Colorway
  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood ($5 pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed website)
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: 3 ply Merino/Rambouillet Shaniko Wool (89%) with 6% acrylic and 5% rayon flecks. The colorway is a natural with brownish tweedy bits.
  • I purchased the yarn for $15 at Adventures in Knitting in Harwich, MA on the way to visit friends who were staying in Wellfleet. They had a cool display of “used needles” for $4 each. I bought bamboo US.
  • Modifications: I use worsted weight yarn and knit the smallest size, omitting the increases after the ribbing. I knit 6 inches before the crown decreases.
  • Total for Stash Dash: 99.8 meters (109.2 yards), 51 grams

Portland Socks

  • Yarn: Urth Yarns Uneek Fingering in Colorway 3024
  • 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: self striping yarn- cornflower blue, dusty orange, yellowy green, peach, magenta and purple. I purchased the yarn at Knit Wit Yarn Shop in Portland, Maine. You can purchase the same yarn online from them.
  • I held a strand of navy blue nylon thread along with yarn for the heel flap and gusset to give more strength to the heel.
  • I used the Lemonwood Mini Minder (also purchased at Knit Wit) and knit the vast majority of this pair of socks in 2 days walking around Portland, visiting breweries and hanging out with friends. You can see a video I made of this project on Instagram.
  • Total for Stash Dash: 254.7 meters

Welcome to Litchfield Spinning Project

  • Fiber: I purchased two 4oz braid of fiber from Into the Whirled in the Welcome to Litchfield colorway (1 braid Texel & 1 braid BFL Tussah Silk) along with 1 gray  (The Traveler on Cheviot base) braid to ply them together.
  • 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
  • I didn’t fully spin the gray Traveler colorway braid.
  • Finished Project- 3 braids of 3 ply yarn: 184g= 252.2 meters (275.9 yards) ~Aran weight
  • Total for Stash Dash= 252.2 meters x 4= 1,008.8 meters

Book Holder

  • Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Roving Stripes in Daisy & 1 other mystery colorway (lost the ball band), Premier Yarns Parfait Chunky (mustard) & Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Hook: 9.0 mm (M/N)
  • I took inspiration from this pattern on Ravelry. (Boho Book Nook crochet pattern- but I was using MUCH chunkier yarn and I didn’t want to use the same textured stitches)
  • I chained 21 sts and worked with 20 hdcs across each row- working in the third loop after the first row. I wasn’t going to have enough of the Lion Brand Roving to make the whole thing, so I held the Wool of the Andes double for the part that would be covered. I worked a single crochet around the edges, and then sewed the front to back in just 1 spot on either side. I used a chain for the loop to tack it up on the wall.
  • Total for Stash Dash: 128.1 meters

Declan’s Adrift Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Adrift 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 colorway- short stripes (about 3 rounds each) with 3 shades of blue- navy, denim and cornflower plus orange and brown.
  • Total for Stash Dash: 278.2 meters

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. I should have around 19″
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Originally finished July 10, 2021. I ripped out in 2024 because the back was far too short. I ripped out the sleeves (tossed) and unseamed the back and front. The instructions call for the back to be 12 inches but the front falls about 17 inches from collarbone to the bottom hem. I knit about 14 inches on the back and then worked a few sets of German Short Rows before the bottom hem instructions.
  • I tried a few options for sleeves and then decided I”d just sew up the ends in a way to tuck/hem the ends under and I love that.
  • In the end I made the body longer and the sleeves shorter
  • Total for Stash Dash: 424.0 meters (463.7 yards), 212 grams

First Point of Libra Cowl

  • Pattern: First Point of Libra Cowl by Laura Aylor
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Barnyard Knits, Fuse Fiber Studio, One Twisted Tree (shop formerly own Prairie Girl Danie) + other leftover sock yarn
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarn purchased at Vogue Knitting Live January 2020 with Lauren. Planned to make a 2 color shawl. Cast on My Cryptonite by Melanie Berg and never got more than a couple inches in. Here’s the Ravelry Project Page for the shawl that’s now frogged.
  • I started in October 2022. My November 2022 notes say- I’m losing mojo on this and I don’t think it has to do w/ the pattern or my yarn. I like it… but its not getting finished before my trip to the UK so I will need to find other wooly accessories to bring with me.
  • I picked up again July 2024 and it flew off the needles!
  • Modifications: In Section 4, I skipped adding color 4 & 5 (1-3 only). Skipped Section 5.
  • Finished size: 21 inches around. 15 inches tall.
  • Total for Stash Dash: 406 meters

Vera’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!
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Red, Everglade Heather and White
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Total for Stash Dash: 456.5 meters

8,353 meters for Stash Dash

Over 4,500 meters added since the last episode!

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Wool Ease Hexagon Blanket

  • Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick. Centers in colorways- Fern, Coney Island, Seaglass, Slate. Borders- Wheat & Oatmeal
  • Hook: 10mm (N/P)
  • Notes: started in April 2022. I never talked about it on the podcast.  Inspired by an instagram post from Lion Brand. This WIP has been taking up a ton of space in my craft room ever since. When the pump in my dehumidifer went and we had to move some things to get at it, I decided I had to get this WIP done.
  • 2 rounds of color- 1 round of wheat or oatmeal
  • 18 were done. 30 finished now

Berry Bliss Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon) in the Berry Bliss Colorway (May 2024 Yarnable Box) & Legacy Fiber Artz Glitzy Toes (pink mini from 2023 Advent Calendar)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn- lemon yellow, sherbet orange and pink. I worked the first heel in a pink sparkle yarn from Legacy Fiber Artz because I have some spiral striping going on and didn’t want to disrupt it.
  • Progress: I’ve finished the heel on the first sock.

Rafa’s Hat

  • Yarn: Malabrigo Rios in the Cielo y Tierra colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm)
  • Pattern: Rafa’s Hat by Joji Locatelli (free knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page:
  • About the yarn: blues/tans that is almost striping at my gauge. The hat is a 1×1 rib that has a cool purl ridge detail.
  • Progress: I’ve worked two repeats of the pattern

Cold Goat Farm Spinning

  • Fiber: Cold Goat Farm Batt- I believe its Merino/Mohair but there are no details on the business card in my bag. I think I purchased it at Rhinebeck 2023.
  • 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

Brainstorming

Connections socks! Have you heard about them? You take your Daily NY Times Game- Connections Results and put them into colorwork socks. Suzanne told me about them- and recently saw and loved Wendy’s!

Here’s a link to Wendy’s Connection Socks Ravelry Project Page.

From the Armchair

  1. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. Bookshop Affiliate Link.Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. I’ll Just Be Five More Minutes (and other tales from my ADHD brain) by Emily Farris. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  4. We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  5. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  6. Feed by M.T. Anderson. Bookshop Affiliate Link (not available). Amazon Affiliate Link.
  7. Briefly Perfectly Human by Alua Arthur. 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

  • I found a small hole in my Mabel Style cross body sling bag and decided to use embroidery floss for a better hold and to add a bit of visible mending color. I received great customer service when I reached out to them!
  • I’m in the midst of a massive studio clean out. It started w/ issues with my dehumidifier and it’s really spiraled from there. I’m excited to see how it all comes back together.

Knitting in Passing

Aila FaceTimed me from a friend’s house after buying a crochet dinosaur kit at the dollar store. The next day after pool day and dinner we practiced chain and single crochet.

In My Travels

  • Dan and I spent a long weekend in Portland, Maine to celebrate our 20th Anniversary.
  • I was able to go up a night early to attend the knit night at Rising Tide Brewery. I loved meeting Heather from Rising Tide and Jenn & her husband Chuck from Knit Wit.
  • Friday morning, I visited Knit Wit Yarn Shop‘s new location and then walked around. Dan, Dana and Sheri arrived and we met at Duck Fat for lunch before showing them around to some of our favorite breweries.
  • Saturday we visited local shops and more breweries before going to see comedian Kathleen Madigan.
  • Sunday, I did some shopping while Dan watched soccer then we enjoyed some drinks together and ended up back at Rising Tide where there was a 6p Burlesque show so Dan got us tickets. Really fun end to an awesome weekend.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’24 will kick off in the fall (specific date TBD). We’re looking for Sponsors for this season. Interested or know someone who is?

Sign up for my email newsletter and click the box saying you’re potentially interested in sponsoring events and you’ll get first dibs on spots.

And/or email me for details!

Other current & upcoming events:

Events

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

Life in Focus

Tune in for a health Update on BostonJensMom

On a Happy Note

  • Dan and I took vacation the first week of July. Monday after Portland we just chilled. Tuesday I took Mom for whole brain radiation, then to visit my grandmother (her mother) and out for lunch. Wednesday/Thursday we visited friends renting a house in Wellfleet (Cape Cod) and Thursday/Friday we visited friends in Falmouth. Friday morning we picked up Riley from Camp and brought her to our house before she and I headed to Hornstra to get ice cream for lunch (because that’s what vacation is for!) and over to my parents to the pool for the day.
  • Monday 7/8- I met up with my friend Megg to do a 5+ mile beach walk before she headed out to Ireland for the month.
  • Wed 7/10  Mom and I stayed in Boston to save her the back & forth daily for treatment. We met her friend Jacky for lunch. I went back to work in the afternoon. After work, we cooled off in the hotel pool and then had dinner, played Uno and bar trivia at The Hill. We stunk but it was fun!
  • Sunday July 14th pool day at my parents. Jenna, Dave, Gabriella and Zach came over. Within a few hours they were both jumping off the diving board!
  • July 17-18th Mom and I stayed in Boston again after her Radiation treatment. We hit the pool and fared slightly better at trivia but it was hard to be out as long. Mom’s energy was much lower, she was coughing more and couldn’t speak above a whisper.
  • July 21st we had a pool day at my parents. Jeff, Millie and Garret, Jenna, and the 2 kiddos, Kris, Will, Aila and Matt. We celebrated Will’s 17th birthday. Mom’s hair had started falling out and the blank spots at the back of her head looked like a butterfly! Mom told us to go find some Sharpies and color it in! It was a hard day for her and by extension us, but this added a bit of fun and whimsy to it! Millie even attached little plastic gems to parts of the butterfly. After the “temporary tattooing” we shaved off the rest of her hair to help w/ the shedding.
  • July 23rd- Mom’s last day of Whole Brain Radiation!
  • Coming home to a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Dan.
  • Getting 2 massages this month after missing my scheduled on in June for our Portland trip! I always feel like I need it but I’ve been going up on weights at the gym and my upper body was screaming!

Quote of the Week

“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.”

-Emily Dickinson

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 279: Makes, Milestones & Memories

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 279 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
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

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

Announcement- I’ll be putting out only 1 episode per month through the summer to keep things manageable.

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Julia’s Cozy Clusters Blanket

  • Pattern: Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket by Leelee Knits (free & paid options available on the LeeLeeKnits website)
  • Yarn: Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes in the Hibiscus Colorway (purchased 3). 1 skein of Loops & Threads Impeccable in Orange for the border)
  • Hooks: H (5.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Bobble Border instructions came from this blog
  • Caron Cakes – 1054.6 meters
  • Loops & Threads – 130.5 meters
  • Meters for Stash Dash- 1,185.10

My Little Unicorn Socks

  • Yarn: Andre Sue Knits Sock Blank in the My Little Unicorn colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Gray background with white and pink unicorns that look like My Little Pony. My inner 80’s child loved this one.
  • Meters for Stash Dash: 286.3

4 Bowl Savers for Mom

  • Pattern: None
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up in the Seaglass colorway
  • Hook: 5.0 mm (H)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I crocheted 2 circles and 2 hexagons for Mom to put between her Pyrex bowls.
  • Meters for Stash Dash: 119

Riley’s 16th Birthday Flower Top

  • Pattern:  Riley found in this TikTok video
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Caron Skinny Cakes in the Grape Raisin UVA colorway (purchased 3)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • YouTube Video
  • Meters for Stash Dash: 872.4 (1.2 skeins)
  • I am calling it done but I need Riley to try it on and may need to adjust the neck.

Children of Time 2 Ply Yarn

  • Fiber: Into the Whirled Cheviot in the Children of Time colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About: I originally spun this last summer and plied 1 ply of Into the Whirled with 2 plies of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes fiber (Ravelry Project Page here). I had two bobbins of leftovers and I needed the bobbins so I plied those up. The result was much more yarn than I expected.
  • Total= 116 Meters
  • 2 ply: which means things went through the oriface of the wheel 3 times=  Stash Dash Meters- 116.5 x3= 349.5

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
  • Meters for Stash Dash: 285.8

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: finished the second braid- 4 oz in the Welcome to Litchfield Colorway in 70/30 BFL/Tussah Silk
  • Up next: spinning 3rd braid- Into the Whirled- The Traveler colorway (medium gray). 4 oz Cheviot

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.
    • The patterns for this kit will be the Northeasterly Blanket by Melissa Alexander-Loomis (knit version) and the Northeasterly blanket by Katy Stevens (crochet version). 
  • Progress: I finished 9 my May squares but haven’t seamed them yet.

Vera’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!
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Red, Everglade Heather and White
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: Stocking and cuff are finished and ironed. I crocheted the three circles for the snowman, made the scarf and earmuffs and ironed those too. I still need to crochet a carrot nose, sew on the snowman and add the name to the cuff. Nearly done!

Trish’s New Orleans Socks

  • Yarn- Cat Tails Yarn in the Chartreux Base (75% Superwash Merino, 15% Nylon, 10% Silver Stellina) in the Christmas Bonfires Colorway (part of the Down in New Orleans Collection)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Trish purchased in New Orleans in 2024 (exclusive colorway for the Quarter Stitch). $34.
  • Progress: Friday night we hung out with friends and I finished the leg of the second sock, and turned the heel on a rainy Saturday.

Baby James’ Cozy Clusters Blanket

  • Pattern: Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket by Leelee Knits (free & paid options available on the LeeLeeKnits website)
  • Yarn: Caron Cinnamon Swirl Cakes in the Slush Colorway (purchased 3). 1 skein of Loops & Threads Impeccable in Colorway 01110 [Navy] for the border)
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: Nearly done w/ the second Caron cake.
  • Bobble Border instructions from this blog

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.
  • Started in May 2023
  • Progress: nearly to the toe on the second sock.

Brainstorming

  • Socks for Dan
  • Christmas stocking for my cousin Colleen’s son, Owen
  • At least another pair of socks.
  • I really want to crochet a summer top but I can’t find anything that’s really exciting me… Ideas welcome!

From the Armchair

  1. The Nix by Nathan Hill. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. One Last Summer by Kate Spencer. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  4. Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan. Bookshop Affiliate Link.Amazon Affiliate Link.
  5. Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto. 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

I was crocheting on Riley’s top on the T. Man told me about how he crocheted as a kid in Cape Verde and Holland. He had nothing to do. No tv. Needed something to entertain himself so he taught himself. Sister knew but couldn’t teach him.  It wasn’t a normal thing for boys in holland. Or girls as far as he knew and they didn’t teach it in school but he had fond memories of it. Great chat learning about his travels and his work as a union carpenter now.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’24 will kick off in the fall (specific date TBD). I will be sending out an email to sponsors in the next 2-3 weeks asking folks to sign up. Interested or know someone who is? Sign up for my email newsletter and click the box saying you’re potentially interested in sponsoring events and you’ll get first dibs on spots.

My total as of this episode: 3,765.2 meters

Events

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

Life in Focus

24 for 2024 list

  • #1-Get 2 massages beyond the one per month at Massage Envy (1 and the guy was GREAT)
  • #4- Read more books than you did in 2023 (50) 31 as of June 24
  • #7-Visit 1 new (to me) museum or historical site. Going to Portland- maybe will look there.

Health Update– BostonJensMom begins whole brain radiation on July 1. Every weekday (except July 4) through July 22. Keep those prayers and good vibes coming. We recorded a very long health update video that will go up in 2 parts on the YouTube Channel. It takes a bit of time to edit because I like to add in photos/videos of the fun life stuff we chat about to make it more fun. Keep an eye out for that if you want the full story of my parents car accident and April and everything that’s happened since our last recording in February.

Health Update Video Part 1

Health Update Video Part 2

On a Happy Note

  • Mom, Megg, Kris and I went to see Come From Away in Boston
  • I helped Dan build a shed for his brother and then relaxed in the pool at my parents once we were done (and good and sweaty).
  • I pressure washed the house and the deck- it’s currently covered in pollen but at least I got the worst of it off. It’s such a satisfying chore!
  • Mom and I went to Aila’s voice recital and out for drinks after.
  • I brought my grandmother to my cousin Jenny’s daughter Vera’s Baptism Party. Beautiful day!
  • Celebrated my birthday at a local Irish Pub for live Irish music. Dan treated us all for dinner. My parents, Megg, Tom (who is from Ireland) and their friend David (visiting from Ireland), Megg’s Mom Terri, Trish and Liz. Very fun, silly night as usual. Megg and I weren’t doing gifts this year because of our Opera House season tickets but I made her socks in March and she brought me a beautiful plant! We all went back to Megg and Tom’s after which was fun because I got to see Eme, Oisin and Hattie too. The boys made lobster for David who hadn’t tried New England Lobster before.
  • After the most stressful and hellish week at work I’ve had in 22 years, I convinced the directors in charge of my Nurse Call Integration project that it was too unstable and had to be shut down so while it was awful, it was done in little more than 3 days. Thankfully, none of the blame was on me (didn’t make it feel that much better). Vendor was woefully unprepared and mismanaged things. On that Friday, my boss told me to leave early. I met up with Dan for lunch at The Galley in Scituate. Sitting in the window/door until a huge storm blew in and they had to close it up.
  • June 11th- my cousin Colleen had her baby boy- Owen (not on my birthday but soo close)
  • June 12th- my nephew Garret graduated from 8th Grade and my Mom (and Dad) were there for it!
  • June 14th- Conor and Carly welcomed their baby boy Miles.
  • I did the stage decorations and played house manager in the last ever Terri’s School of Dance recital. We had a party at Kris’ house after.
  • Father’s Day Pool Party- Dan taught Garret and his friend Terry how to properly shuck a lobster. We played games and swam a little in the pool.
  • My cousin Gayle flew in from FL and joined us for the recital and Father’s Day fun. I had Monday off and headed over to Mom and Dad’s. Jenny and Vera were there, and Millie never left. We swam, played Tock, and went to Heidi’s for an ice cream.
  • On Juneteenth- I hit the gym then took Millie and Riley to get their nails done, then took Gayle to Athleta, swam a bit. Dan, Jeff and Melissa came over and we all had dinner together by the pool.

Quote of the Week

As soon as I have a deadline, I work much better. Time unbounded is hard to handle.

–May Sarton

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