Episode 268: Christmas Cheer

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 268 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Domingo the Easter Goat

  • Pattern: I used the basic idea from this crochet pattern available on Etsy.
  • Hook:
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in Clarity (blue- body), Mint (green- stripe on egg), Custard (yellow- egg) + pink and taupe mystery yarn
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I made mine much smaller than called for in the Etsy pattern. chained around 10 stitches, worked in the round from there to make a base and then come up for body/head like a Squishmallow.

Space Daddy Socks

  • Yarn: Fan Girl Fibers Fingering in the Space Daddy Colorway (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Don’t forget, Fan Girl Fibers is a Pro Shop sponsor. This project is living in a wedge bag from Snack Shack Sponsor Stitched by Jessalu.

Liz’s Socks

  • Yarn: Area 51 Fibres Sturdy Alien Base ( n the  (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon) in the National Periodic Table Day Colorway (self striping with rainbow and gray)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Area 51 Fibres is Snack Shack Sponsor.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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 I hope you’ll watch each month and see how my blanket comes along. Stay tuned to Woolen Women for all of the fun kits they have! Don’t forget, they’re Pro Shop Sponsors.
  • Progress Notes- I crocheted all 9 squares from the November kit (theme- Tomb of the Lost Queen). I still need to seam them up and add a border

Christmas in July Socks

  • Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Area 51 Fibres is Snack Shack Sponsor.
  • Progress: 1st sock is finished.

Same as It Ever Was Hat

  • Pattern: Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Sarah Jordan of Knit/Wit designs is a Snack Shack Sponsor.

Colourful Mini Dino

  • Pattern: Colourful Mini Dino by Anika Kam (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in the Lady Slipper colorway + mystery worsted acrylic yarn of a similar shade of purple

Hattie’s Scrappy Helical Socks

  • Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers
  • 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.
  • Progress: I’m about half way through the leg of the first sock.

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
  • Progress: keeping up on one sock. The other has maybe 6 stripes. After day 12 ready to turn heel so I might get behind for a couple days depending.
  • Woolens & Nosh is a Pro Shop Sponsor.

Vampires of Venice Spinning

  • Fiber: Into the Whirled. 4oz Falkland in the Vampires of Venice colorway.
  • Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
    • This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
  • Split braid in half. First half has already been spun, washed and dried.
  • Plan is to use the yarn to knit this Tweed Tie available on Ravelry.

Tailgate Party Mittens

  • Pattern: Tailgate Party Hat & Mittens by Wendy Gaal of Knitters Brewing Co
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Dancing Leaf Dyeworks. Bee Bop 100% SW Merino DK  (no colorway name)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

I have such a strong urge to cast on a Christmas afghan that has a quilt-like effect. Any suggestions for me?

  • Crochet Star Quilt by Sandra Paul (~$6 crochet pattern available on Ravelry) Sport weight yarn
  • C2C Barn Quilt Blanket by Emily Marie Davies ($5 crochet pattern available on Ravelry or on this website)
  • Granny Square Snowflake Blanket by Briana K Designs ($8 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry
  • Winter Plaid Blanket  by Mallory Krall- (~4.66 crochet pattern on Ravelry)

From the Armchair

Wool by Hugh Howey (The Silo Series- Book 1) 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

Sled Decorating with Mom. Check out our beautiful project.

Knitting in Passing

  • In talking about vlogging at the gym, we also got talking about knitting and I learned that my friend Taylor wants to learn to knit.
  • I was knitting at Nutcracker intermission and Hattie did a stitch before the lights went down.
  • I was knitting at my niece’s Funky Nutcracker performance which was so long. Megg’s neighbors said I’d have a whole blanket done before it was over.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’23

  • #DCSPigskinParty23
  • Official Rules
  • Find everything you need on my website or in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
  • Register using this Google 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
  • Quarter 3 Challenge: The Waymaker’s Cowl brought to you by our Official Sponsor of the Quarter Mandi’s Makings. Runs December 1-31, 2023. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
  • WIPs Challenge: Finish WIPs you started before the Pigskin Party kicked off on 9/7/23! If you finish them between 11/10/23 and 1/10/24, you’ll earn 150 points. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
  • Tune in to hear if you’re the winner of the Quarter 2 challenge.
  • November Participation Prize Winners be will announced in the next episode.
  • Updates from Commentator Mary
    • There’s lots of talk about favorite warm beverages and baking in the December thread:
    • If you are a tea lover, check out post 288, where multiverseknits shared some of their favorite places to buy tea. 
    • If you are a sourdough baker, check out post 628 where lmecoll shared a recipe for sourdough chocolate chip cookies that she will not be making but has heard are quite good. 
    • I also popped over to the end zone dance thread to see what people have finished lately. One project in particular caught my eye:
    • Rubyrx recently finished a slip stitch party shawl in yarn from sheep she raised! She proceeded, spun, dyed and knit up the yarn into a gorgeous shawl! Amazing!! Check it out on Ravelry.

Events

Contest, News & Notes

On a Happy Note

  • December 1 we celebrated Dan’s birthday & Mom’s 2nd anniversary of diagnosis. So grateful she’s here!
  • Mom, Riley, Trish, Merry and I went to a Sample Sale. Mom, Riley and I then did more shopping and a “bakery tour.” I definitely recommend that Vlogmas episode. It’s very silly.
  • Attending live performances of: Aladdin Jr. the Nutcracker, The Plot Thickens and the Funky Nutcracker.
  • Running into my old boss at work
  • Hattie’s sleepover. She enjoyed crafting time, pancakes and a tractor ride with Uncle Dan.
  • My cousin Colleen having a baby boy in June!
  • Deer in the compost bins.
  • Working on a puzzle advent with Dan.

Quote of the Week

“Summer is for surrendering; winter is for wondering.”  — Debasish Mridha

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 267: Knit, Spin, Crochet, Gift, Repeat

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 267 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
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu, The Little Wolf Knits & Suburban Stitcher

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Splash Socks

  • Yarn: Biscotte Yarn Bis Sock in the Splash Colorway (blue self-striping yarn)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Made for David Markus as a thank you for donating to the FearLESS Living Fund in October of 2023. Finished in time for Laura to bring them back with her after her visit the weekend before Thanksgiving.
  • Length of foot- 8.5 inches before toe
  • Knit them in line at a Sample Sale Mom, Laura, Trish and I went to the Saturday morning of Laura’s visit. People in line jumped in to photo bomb so that was fun.

2 Christmas Stockings

Drawn Together Cowl

  • Pattern: Drawn Together by Shana Cohen ($7 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Payhip)
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) and a 3.75 mm (F) crochet hook for the provisional cast on
  • Yarn: neon coral DK yarn (lost ball band; believe its from Spun Right Round)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Provisional cast on using this Purl Soho video.

Wish Star

  • Patterns: Sol Amigurumi by Vanessa Doncatto (free crochet pattern on Ravelry )
  • Hooks: B (2.25 mm), C (2.75 mm) & D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Big Twist- Solids in Varsity Yellow (for the sun body) and Big Twist Twinkle in Yellow for the heart/face. Leftover red fingering yarn for the mustache.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Made on Black Friday afternoon

Brachiosaurus

  • Pattern:  Dinosaur Jurassic World No Sew Crochet Pattern by Klein Maker on Etsy ($9.89 for 4 patterns)
  • Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable in the Jade colorway (body) & Knit Picks Brava Worsted in the Sky colorway
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pattern wouldn’t be ideal for beginners. Doesn’t tell you when/where to put in Safety Eyes before closing things up. No other major issues, but just be thoughtful. I paid less than $4 for the 4 pack of dino patterns. Worth it.

Bobble pumpkin

  • Pattern: Ribbed Bobble Pumpkin by Breann Mauldin ($3 crochet pattern on Ravelry or free option on this website)
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Wool Ease Thick & Quick in the Succulent Colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I used nearly all 97 meters in this skein with 6 repeats of the pattern.

On 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.
  • Progress: Almost done with the first leg.

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 I hope you’ll watch each month and see how my blanket comes along. Stay tuned to Woolen Women for all of the fun kits they have! Don’t forget, they’re Pro Shop Sponsors.
  • Progress Notes- 1st two sets of squares are done. I’ve crocheted a few from the November kit.

Hattie’s Scrappy Helical Socks

  • Yarn: Random bits & bobs of fingering weight leftovers
  • 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
  • Progress: I’m about half way through the leg of the first sock.

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
  • Note- pair 199 of OMG Heel Socks!

DK Bella Fio Socks

  • Yarn: BellaFio DK Sock (75% SW Merino/ 25% recycled nylon) in the Great Gray Owl colorway.  Goosey Fibers Goosey Hefty (100% SW Merino- Worsted Weight) in Buckbeack (cuffs, heels and toes)
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About this project: Great Gray Owl colorway is a beautiful blend of light blues with hints of green, some small bits of a yellowy green and some neutral cream/tan hues. Buckbeak is a beautiful taupe color that pairs beautifully and I love that both colorway names are based on birds. Perfect for our Q2 challenge! Thanks again to BellaFio for sponsoring this month and encouraging us to Embrace Nature!
  • Pair 200 of OMG Heel for me!

Vampires of Venice Spinning

  • Fiber: Into the Whirled. 4oz Falkland in the Vampires of Venice colorway.
  • Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
    • This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
  • Split braid in half. First half has already been spun.
  • Plan is to use the yarn to knit this Tweed Tie available on Ravelry.

Clown collar

  • Pattern: improvsing on my own. Used this free Clown Ruff pattern from Slipped Stitch Hollow as a starting point
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Big Twist Twinkle (Gray), Big Twist Value (Grape), Craft Smart Neon Value (neon yellow) & mystery worsted sparkle yarn in pink and white
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I had a quick visit with Emelyn while they were home for Thanksgiving break. When I asked if there was anything on their Christmas wish list I should know about, they said they’d like a handmade clown collar! I love a good curveball!

Brainstorming

  • Millie wants a goat squishy/toy that looks like her squishmellow
  • I’d like to make toys for Hattie and Gabriella and another dinosaur for Zachary.
  • Mom picked out a skein of yarn for mitts at Rhinebeck that I’d like to knit up before Christmas.
  • I’d like to make 1 other pumpkin.

From the Armchair

Escaping Twin Flames Documentary on Netflix

Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV

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 shared two recent stories about meeting other knitters/talking about knitting in the wild. I met a lovely woman named Joanne at her consignment shop. She was knitting when Mom was wandering around the store so of course she struck up a conversation. Turns out, Joanne also spins too! We had a lovely chat and Mom took a photo of us.
  • I was recently waiting for my car to get it’s oil changed when a kind.79 year old woman asked about my knitting and we ended up chatting for an hour. We talked about restoration of old Victorian in my home town where she owns a condo now.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’23

  • #DCSPigskinParty23
  • Official Rules
  • Find everything you need on my website or in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
  • Register using this Google 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
  • In this episode:
    • Finish up your Q2 Project by the end of November. Quarter 2 Challenge: Embrace Nature brought to you by our Official Sponsor of the Quarter Bella Fio. Runs 11/1-11/30/23. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
    • Quarter 3 Challenge: The Waymaker’s Cowl brought to you by our Official Sponsor of the Quarter Mandi’s Makings. Runs December 1-31, 2023. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
    • WIPs Challenge: Finish WIPs you started before the Pigskin Party kicked off on 9/7/23! If you finish them between 11/10/23 and 1/10/24, you’ll earn 150 points. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
    • Updates from Commentator Mary

Lots of players are talking about double-dipping in other make-alongs. A great thing about the PSP is that you can work on whatever you want so it is easy to have one project count for both PSP points and another MAL!

  • Hikesandbikes is planning an epic shawl project (the Genesis Shawl- check out her Ravelry Project Page) for the Yarniacs podcast’s self-indulgent make along. Find details in their Ravelry group.
  • Many many players are planning to participate in PSP-sponsor Imagined Landscapes’ snow matter what December mystery gnome knit along. There’s lots of chatter on the boards about what colors folks plan to use. 
  • There’s also some talk of the Indie Gift Along which is hosted on Ravelry. Several PSP sponsors are participating so this one is particularly ripe for double-dipping!
  • Some players are also planning on joining Andrea Mowry’s instafriends KAL
  • Also on the boards there is lots of chatter about holiday movies, including Emmet Otter’s Jug Band. That is a new to me Jim Henson movie that I definitely plan to check out!

Events

  • THANK YOU to everyone who donated 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 their church in Woburn center. Check out these beautiful photos.
  • I’ll be participating in Vlogmas again this year. Is there anything you especially want to see? Let me know and I’ll see what I can do. Check out previous years playlists:  Vlogmas 2022 Playlist & Vlogmas 2021 Playlist
  • Advent Knitting. Check out this Ravelry Bundle put together by Knitty Natty if you need ideas for an Advent project. Thanks for including my Boxing Day Bonus Shawl- Ravelry | LoveCrafts. Don’t forget you can use coupon code 10 years for 25% off any of my patterns on Ravelry.
  • Vogue Knitting Live– New York City: January 25- 28, 2024 (not sure if I’ll be there yet. More to come)

Contest, News & Notes

What’s going on on the YouTube Channel?

  • Health Update videos with Mom (Diane Lassonde). Check out Part 1 and Part 2.
  • November Let the Mystery Unravel Video

On a Happy Note

  • My friend Laura visited from NYC the weekend before Thanksgiving! We did some consignment shopping & went out to eat with Mom on Friday. Saturday we went to a Sample sale then a couple craft fairs with Mom & Trish. We had a wuick visit to Megg and got to see my nephew Oisin.
  • We survived a big regulatory visit at the hospital I work at.
  • Thanksgiving highlights- Coloring with Gabriella, reading and making snowflakes with my cousins’ kids.
  • Black Friday shopping. No lines
  • Decorating with Mom and Dad. Oisín signing Christmas carols.
  • Decorating our tree with Liz.
  • Dan is finished a huge work project. Crazy hours over holiday but it all went well.
  • I’ll do an update on my 23 for 2023 list in the next episode but I’m feeling really good about it. If you do these kinds of lists, I’d love to crowdsource ideas in the Ravelry Group!

Quote of the Week

For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock.

–James Baldwin 

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 266: Head to Toe

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 266 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

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Rising Tide Fiber Co, Enchanted Etchings, Chit Chat Knits

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

3 Crochet Charity Hats

  • Wool Ease Thick & Quick Bedrock Hat. Ravelry Project Page. 9 mm crochet hook
    • Standard circle increases up to (inc, sc5)
  • Lion Brand Baby’s First Hat. Ravelry Project Page. 8 mm crochet hook.
  • Purple Crochet Hat. Ravelry Project Page. 8 mm crochet hook. Mystery yarn.

Perry’s Christmas Hat

  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood
  • Yarn: Goosey Fibers, Squishy DK. OOAK colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbing. US 7 (4.5 mm) for body.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • The yarn was a sample from collab with Cait for my Stay Out of the Forest Hat which you can find on Ravelry & LoveCrafts.

I blocked & sewed the buttons on Mom’s 2023 Rhinebeck Sweater

  • Pattern: Carbeth Cardigan by Kate Davies (~$8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & this website)
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) for the ribbing and US 9 (5.5 mm) for the body
  • Yarn: Sweitzer Fiber Mill mystery yarn purchased at Maryland Sheep & Wool 2023
  • My Ravelry Project Page

I added belt loops to Mom’s Wave of Change Cardigan- Ravelry Project Page.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Liz’s Socks

  • Yarn: Area 51 Fibres Sturdy Alien Base ( n the  (80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon) in the National Periodic Table Day Colorway (self striping with rainbow and gray)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
  • Ravelry Project Page

Jen/Riley’s Matching Hexi Blankets

  • Pattern: Using this photo tutorial & this video tutorial.
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • We are making 4 round hexagons.
  • As Riley finishes one, she texts me and I work up my corresponding mini. We’ve done 4 so far.

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
  • Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Check out the October Unboxing video
  • Progress: I finished the 3-round border in the dark gray.

Welcome to Litchfield Spinning Project

  • 4 oz of Texel from Into the Whirled- Welcome to Litchfield
  • Ravelry Project Page

Christmas Stockings

Brainstorming

  • I received my Woolens & Nosh Advent socks. I wound up the contrast color and I’m going to plan to finish both cuffs before December 1st.

From the Armchair

  1. The Armor of Light by Ken Follett (read by John Lee). Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.

In My Travels

Fiber Festival of New England

  • Ran into Jean (Mazzy Girl), Amy (CapeNeddickknitter),  Michelle- chellescrips, Jen, Carlos, Aurora & Zelda.
  • Jess & Roger and team from Stitched by Jessalu. Donated a percentage of their sales to our FearLESS Living Fund. Donation for $350 came through this week and we are so grateful. If any other sponsors would like to do a fundraiser like this in the future, let us know! We’d love to help promote it.
  • Check out our video to see the Eastern States Exposition Center, see what we bought and all of the fun eye candy!

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’23

#DCSPigskinParty23

Updates this Episode

  • Tune in to hear if you won an October Participation Prize.
    • I also announced the winners of our Announce Q1 Challenge winners- hosted by Paper Daisy Creations.
    • Quarter 2 Challenge: Embrace Nature brought to you by our Official Sponsor of the Quarter Bella Fio. Runs 11/1-11/30/23. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
    • I gave a sneak peek of our Quarter 3 Challenge.  Check out the Waymaker Cowl by Amanda Massingill (Mandi’s Makings). Free knitting pattern available on Ravelry.
    • WIPs Challenge: Finish WIPs you started before the Pigskin Party kicked off on 9/7/23! If you finish them between 11/10/23 and 1/10/24, you’ll earn 150 points. Full details can be found in this Google Doc and in this Ravelry Thread.
    • I announced October Participation Prize Winners, Quarter 1 Challenge Winners & gave a sneak peek of our Quarter 3 Challenge hosted by Mandi’s Makings. Check out The Waymaker Cowl on Ravelry.
    • Update from Commissioners: There is lots of excitement about the Q2 challenge.
    • Most of the people who have finished have completed hats. If you poke around the scoreboard and the chat threads you’ll see so many stunning examples. For example, quite a few folks have finished patterns from the knitting the National parks book.
      • Juliepoolie71 made the Crater Lakes hat. Ravelry Project Page.
        • Esalaza made the Hawai’i Volcanoes Beanie. Ravelry Project Page.
        • Knitternicole made the Theodore Roosevelt Beanie. Ravelry Project Page.
    • But you don’t have to knit a hat for this challenge. Hollyelyse finished a whole colorwork sweater for the challenge (in 10 days!) Check out the Ravelry Project Page.
    • You don’t even have to knit for this challenge. You can crochet or spin too. For example:
      • Sarahsyarn86 is crocheting adorable granny squares that have daisies in the center. Check out the Ravelry Project Page.
      • Katanorand is working on a spinning project using fiber in the colorway strawberry fields. Check out this Ravelry Post. 

Events

  • My cousin Linda’s friend is looking for 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 their church in Woburn center. 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!
  • I’ll be participating in Vlogmas again this year. Is there anything you especially want to see? Let me know and I’ll see what I can do. Check out previous years playlists: Vlogmas 2022 Playlist & Vlogmas 2021 Playlist
  • Vogue Knitting Live– New York City: January 25- 28, 2024

Contest, News & Notes

On a Happy Note

  • For Halloween, Mom & I reprised our Sanderson sister roles. I trick or treated with Hattie for a little while then hung out by the fire with family and friends.
  • Megg & I bought a 5 pack of tickets for shows at the Boston Opera House this season. Our first show was November 1st, Frozen. We were able to add on two tickets and bring Millie and Hattie with us. We had an absolutely magical night!
  • On the Saturday while Mom & I were at New England Fiber Festival, Riley was texting me. She did her first hexi all on her own! Then a couple more! When she ran out of minis, she moved onto her Riley Rose Cowl and sent a photo of her knitting and watching Gilmore Girls. Be still my heart!
  • Watching Gabriella & Zachary for the afternoon.
  • Finally making a dent in my Christmas shopping. My goal the last couple years has been to be completely finished before December 1 so I can really enjoy December. Sometimes I’m better at that than other years, but I’m going to really try hard to get that done by my deadline this year.
  • One of my cousin Lauren’s friends from Amsterdam gifted me a pack of Stroopwafels which I enjoyed with coffee in my new chicken mug from NE Fiber Fest!
  • We went to Flight Club in Seaport District of Boston for Conor’s 35th Birthday- just after I found out he and Carly are expecting their first baby in June (right around my. birthday)!

Quote of the Week

Bad luck in small doses can cast a glittering light on the rest of life.

–Ann Patchett

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