🚀 From Google Podcasts to Moon FM in No Time: Your Hassle-Free Migration Guide
👉

Down Cellar Studio Podcast

BostonJen

A Knitting, Photography and Crafting Podcast

  • 32 minutes 42 seconds
    Episode 288: Makeup & Mint
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 288 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Show notes with photos can be found on my website.   This week's segments included:  
    • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • Brainstorming
    • KAL News
    • Events
    • Contest, News & Notes
    • Life in Focus
    • On a Happy Note
    • Quote of the Week
      Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Cold, Cold Heart Socks
    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
    • Yarn: June Pryce Fiber Arts Coventry DK in the Cold, Cold Heart Colorway
    • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
      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.
      Millie's Christmas Makeup   On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Wintermint Socks
    • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Wintermint Colorway
    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
    • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
    • Working on both socks. First one is beyond the heel. Second one is ready for the heel.
      Moosonee Sweater
    • Pattern: Moosonee Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrison. $6.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & good night, day website.
    • Yarn: Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Deep Lagoon
    • Needles: US 13, 17 & 19 (9, 12 & 15 mm)
    • Pullover sweater similar to the Nanaimo Cardigan I like to make (Here's one of Megg's: Ravelry link).
      103 Hat
    • Pattern: 103 Hat by Jennifer Lassonde. $5 Knitting Pattern available on  Ravelry & LoveCrafts
    • Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (worsted) in 845 Cirrus Gray
    • Needles: US 5 & US 7 (3.75 & 4.5 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
      Peace & Light Mitts
    • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Peace & Light Colorway
    • Pattern: Soccer Mitts by Erica Lueder. Free 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
    • Cast on with 56 sts like socks.
      Brainstorming Calendula Christmas Quilt
    • Pattern: Calendula Quilt by Elena Fedotova
    • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Ivory, Deep Red, Varsity Green, Aqua, Medium Rose
    • Hook:  G (4.0 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
      KAL News Pigskin Party '24 #DCSPigskinParty24   This week, I wandered over to the end zone dance thread to take a peek at some of the beautiful projects folks have finished in the last month or so.  Lots of players are double-dipping--that is, making projects that count for both the pigskin party and another make along!   KnitsandReads, oneyarn, Sandyrlevin all participated in the Arne & Carlos Christmas Stocking MKAL.  Their finished objects are beautiful! Sandyrlevin even completed two!    foryouandyarn finished an amazing crochet blanket for the Scheepjes Festival of Lights CAL...it is so intricate and with a beautiful rainbow of colors. Definitely go check it out!  https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4327543/726-750#740   michembry finished a project for the indie gift along--the radvent cowl. It is so pretty with nice cheery warm-toned colors.  Perfect for a cold winter's day. https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4327543/751-775#761   Of course, many players are participating in the December Mystery Gnome KAL from PSP-sponsor Imagined Landscapes, but we'll have to wait a bit longer to see those FOs!   Finally, a few players are double-dipping with other KALs for the Q3 colorwork challenge--I think that would actually be a triple-dip--three ways to win prizes for one project!   VTKimmyKim and Cherlynpickering are participating in the "A Very Merry MKAL," which is a mystery colorwork cowl challenge. LauraKnitsPA and tanksoup are participating in the "Step into Christmas MKAL," which is a mystery colorwork socks challenge.   I think all this double and triple dipping is a great motivator to be extra productive during the PSP!   Events   Contest, News & Notes Cancer unit where my mom stayed is always looking for donations of adult hats if you're looking for a place to donate. Reach out to me and I'm happy to coordinate.   Life in Focus     24 for 2024 list updates
    • Get 2 massages beyond the one per month at Massage Envy DONE
    • Read more books than you did in 2023 (50) 53 as of 12/11
    • Knit at least 1 finished project with handspun- Dan's citrus hat
    • Knit/crochet myself a new sweater Silverlining
      On a Happy Note
    • Haircut & color with Erika
    • Visiting with Julie and Chris who came to visit from Ohio
    • 80 min massage and running into my trainer from my former gym
    • Visiting with my cousins- Joanie, Nancy, Paul, Colleen and Erin
    • House clean out with Aila and Ois
    • Savers with Riley and Aila.
    • Hattie in Frozen Jr- Patrons, check out your feed for a private video of all of Hattie's highlights in the show.
    • Productive and successful software integration.
      Quote of the Week   It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing. It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive... It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away. -Oriah, The Invitation   ------ Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information:      
    15 December 2024, 12:45 pm
  • 38 minutes 40 seconds
    Episode 287: Peace & Light
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 287 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week's segments included:  
    • Life in Focus
    • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • Knitting in Passing
    • KAL News
    • Events
    • On a Happy Note
    • Quote of the Week
      Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Irocknits Designs, Mandi's Makings and Stitched by Jessalu   Life in Focus Join in to hear the latest updates about my Mom's cancer journey   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   Owen's Christmas Stocking   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
      On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   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.
      Cold, Cold Heart Socks  
    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
    • Yarn: June Pryce Fiber Arts Coventry DK in the Cold, Cold Heart Colorway
    • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
      Bee Stacking Toy
    • Pattern: Bee Stacking Toy by Elisa Sartori. $5 crochet pattern available on Ravelry & Etsy
    • Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Black & Sunsoaked (yellow)
    • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
      Wintermint Socks
    • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Wintermint Colorway
    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
    • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
      Moosonee Sweater
    • Pattern: Moosonee Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrison. $6.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & good night, day website.
    • Yarn: Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Deep Lagoon
    • Needles: US 13, 17 & 19 (9, 12 & 15 mm)
    • Pullover sweater similar to the Nanaimo Cardigan I like to make (Here's one of Megg's: Ravelry link).
      Knitting in Passing
    • Knitting in Ambulance with Mom. Nicole, EMT, learned to crochet a year ago and showed me all sorts of photos of the blankets and sweaters she's made!
    • When we got home, Megg was there hanging out with Dan and Laura getting things ready for Mom to come home. She was tinking part of Miles' Christmas stocking because she messed up letter. Then Riley wanted to learn colorwork, so Megg was reading the chart and Riley was knitting. Win win!
    • Megg joined our last Patreon Zoom. She was working on crafts for upcoming Frozen Jr which she's dir/choreo. with some help from Dan- and reworking another colorwork chart for a stocking.  Riley joined for a bit too which was fun!
      • Nicole sent Riley an advent! We are SOOO grateful. Thanks again!
      KAL News Pigskin Party '24 #DCSPigskinParty24   This month, pigskin partiers have been getting really creative with buttons, thanks to our quarter 2 challenge sponsored by twin mountain handcrafts.  I've seen lots of different varieties of ponytail/messy bun hats.  Our umpire socalknitgirl, was the first to post one of these in the Q2 thread and it looks great!  You can also check out some other examples by skymama09, fldhckygrl,  stitchintime82, and Aliceortega   Cowls have been another popular option.  A few people have made the supine cowl. Check out the finished projects by hawkeyegirl3, ronnale, and jeanscully. I always think it is fun to see how different a pattern can look when worked up in different color combinations.  Speaking of cowls,  kikukat's deco fan cowl is absolutely beautiful!  What a cool pattern and her color choices were spot on!   Players thought of a lot of other creative ways to use buttons this month!  I've seen two emotional support chickens so far with button embellishments (kimbuktu7 and heelsknitter). scitchr made an adorable Santa Clause Doll (with removable clothes! impressive!).  And  lmecoll and ladida2u embellished their gnomes with buttons!   I encourage you all to head on over to the Quarter 2 thread to check out these amazing finished objects along with many others!   Events  
    • Wayland Winter Farmers' Market- Farm Fiber Days: January 19 & March 9, 2025 at Russell's Garden Center in Wayland, MA
    • New England Farm & Fiber Festival: February 2 from 11a-5p at the Cyclorama in Boston
    • I'm going to plan to record at least some Vlogmas videos, depending on how the next few weeks go. Any requests of things you want to see?
      On a Happy Note
    • Megg and I went to see a local production of Cabaret.
    • Laura flew in to visit!
    • We saw Oisin in his high school's production of Hadestown. He was fantastic! Before the show, Laura and I picked up Millie and met Megg Hattie and Eme for dinner at the Cottage.
    • Millie slept over and made us pancakes for breakfast.
    • We hit a local craft fair that's become a tradition for us. Liz joined us too. I bought some beautiful pottery- a mug, 2 bowls and a planter.
    • I've been wearing my Silverlining sweater non-stop! I love that it matches earrings Eme made me.
    • Thanksgiving at my cousin Susan's.
    • Funny story- Mom wanting to get the kids ready in the middle of the night. She just needed toilet paper and wall paper!
    • So grateful for Laura coming and just being here to support me. I have some great friends, so blessed but she's defintely one of the best.
      Quote of the Week   There are unheralded tipping points, a certain number of times that we will unlock the front door of an apartment. At some point you were closer to the last time than you were to the first time, and you didn’t even know it. You didn’t know that each time you passed the threshold you were saying good-bye. –COLSON WHITEHEAD   Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information:  
    30 November 2024, 10:00 am
  • 59 minutes 23 seconds
    Episode 286: An Actual Knitting Emergency
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 286 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week's segments included:  
    • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
    • From the Armchair
    • Knitting in Passing
    • 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: Fangirl Fibers, Love in Stitches &  Woolen Women Fibers   Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   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: 12 inches underarm to body. 40 inches around. I thought I was getting 18 sts/4 inches but I got 19, so it is 40 inches not 42 inches around.
    • I was thrilled to meet Peggy from Junction Fiber Mill at Fiber Festival of New England. They shared a clip of my video on their podcast which you can find here.
      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
      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
    • 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.
      On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   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
      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
      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.
      Cold, Cold Heart Socks
    • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
    • Yarn: June Pryce Fiber Arts Coventry DK in the Cold, Cold Heart Colorway
    • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
    • Ravelry Project Page
      From the Armchair   Watching:   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 stories of how Dan bailed me out of a knitting emergency and Riley sent me photos of her progress on her Riley Rose Cowl- a free pattern by me- available on Ravelry | LoveCrafts   In My Travels Riley & I attended Fiber Festival of New England- check out our vlog video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel. Met up with Michelle (chellescraps) and her friends in the morning. Great to see Lisa- who met us at Rhinebeck after following mom's Crispina Scrapbox challenge project! Find a photo of mom in that outfit in this Instagram post. It was great to see Jen, Carlos, Aurora and Zelda around lunch time,vAmy from Ross Farm & Jess from Stitched by Jessalu .     KAL News Pigskin Party '24 #DCSPigskinParty24   Commentator Update We are 10 weeks into the NFL season (and our knit a long) so I thought it would be fun to take a look at the scoreboard to see if any players had completed 10 or more projects...that is, averaging at least one project per week.  I was stunned.  Over 35 players have completed 10 or more projects!   Leading the way is player eyenowhour who has completed 27 projects--including 5 shawls and 12 baby garments!  Impressive!   But don't be dismayed if you can't imagine being as productive as eyenowhour! The great thing about the PSP is you can craft as much or as little as you want and still have a chance to win!   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!   I also talked about Socks for Sam. Check out their website. You can raise awareness for VWM by knitting a sock using #SocksForSam and tagging @Knitsocksforsam.    Life in Focus I shared some updates about Mom's new cancer treatments and recent hospital stays.   On a Happy Note
    • I'm finding it very hard to be happy after the US election, but I try hard to look for these happy notes. As Gretchen Rubin reminded us on a recent episode of the Happier Podcast it is not selfish or unimportant to look for ways to be happy even when and especially when life feels really hard. When we are happier, we can do more to assert our values in the world and do hard things, so I started this segment with that reminder.
    • Knitting on Hattie's socks and Sue's Instagram live on the day after the election helped me through a very difficult day.
    • Halloween!
    • Leaning into connecting with my people- whether that's work, friends, family, knitting community. Its small but its powerful.
    • During Mom's first infusion, we played UNO. Mom slaughtered us! Dad got up and jokingly said he was going to smother her with a pillow before she could beat us any further and she was laughing so hard she almost offed herself! That was a bit of levity we all needed that night.
    • We watched G&Z while their parents went out for their anniversary and again on Veteran's Day.
    • Date night with Dan between Mom's treatments. I had a delicious pumpkin beer- Night Shift Pumpkin Piescraper Pumpkin Pie Ale.
    • I went to see & Juliet with Megg, Terri, Liz and Riley. Then I had a sleepover at my brothers where Riley, Millie and I inadvertently had a matching PJs night.
      Quote of the Week   “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” ― G.K. Chesterton   ------   Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information:  
    15 November 2024, 6:48 pm
  • 46 minutes 25 seconds
    Episode 285: Silverlining
      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!   Contact Information:  
    31 October 2024, 4:02 pm
  • 55 minutes 44 seconds
    Episode 284: Vermont Sheep & Wool
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 284 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website.    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 Word of the Year- Heart   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- Marybeth in it.
      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!   Contact Information:  
    15 October 2024, 11:13 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    Episode 283: PUMPKINS!
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 283 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website.   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 1x1 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   ------   Contact Information:  
    30 September 2024, 11:00 am
  • 50 minutes 13 seconds
    Episode 282: Every Room is the Craft Room

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 282 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
    • Crafty Adventures
    • KAL News
    • Events
    • Contest, News & Notes
    • Life in Focus
    • Ask Me Anything
    • On a Happy Note
    • Quote of the Week

    Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Imagined Landscapes, Fibernymph Dye Works, BellaFio Yarn

    Off 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)
    • 96 total hexagons + half hexies to square off the edges.
    • Border: 1 round of sc (used nearly 1 skein of yarn), 2 rounds of hdc, 2 rounds of Dc on short sides and sc on long sides
    • 4,499 grams used
    • 1,728 grams of multi color yarns / around 10 skeins
    • 2,771 grams wheat used. / around 16 skeins used
    • Total for Stash Dash: 2,567.6 meters

    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
    • Cast on July 12
    • 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.

    Stash Dash Update

    • Jasmin (of the Knitmore Girls Podcast) & I competed again this year. Check out my Stash Dash Spreadsheet here. Here’s Jasmin’s Spreadsheet.
    • My 2024 Stash Dash Total: 12,088
      • 26 projects- 16 knit, 8 crochet, 2 spinning
      • 2 blankets, a cowl, 3 hats, a book holder, a pair of mitts, 11 pairs of socks, 1 Christmas stocking, 2 tops and 4 skeins of yarn
    • Jasmin’s total: 29,811 with the meters for a finished spinning project not yet on her spreadsheet. I always knew if she buckled down and finished one of her massive spinning projects she’d annihilate me and she finally did! One of her spinning projects was 23k! Nicely done, friend!! My hat is off to you.
    On 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. I’m loving how its working up 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 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- almost to heel of the first sock.
    Brainstorming

    Autumn Doodle Cup Cozy by Jamie Lomax ($2 knitting pattern- Ravelry) . Quick  fall colorwork project with DK yarn.

    From the Armchair

    Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah.  Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

    Listened to this because I want to watch the Netflix series based on this starring Sarah Chalke & Katherine Heigl

    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

    During Marta’s visit, the kids turned the living room at my parents’ into a craft room. Millie knit on the hat she’s making for her dad. Riley worked on crochet hexagons for our matching blankets. Roc crocheted on a crab and eventually started a giraffe amigurumi and a baby hat. Riley taught Roc to make a crochet hexagon. Even Max & Garret got in on the action and did some drawing.

    One of the first afternoons, we were sitting at the bar at my parents’ pool. Marta was sewing up a hole in Max’s shirt, I was finishing some socks and Roc was crocheting his crab.

    Throughout the trip, Roc (age 12) was crocheting constantly- in the car, at the table, at the park, anytime he had a few free minutes. He was incredibly adept at chatting and keeping up with his pattern working in increases and decreases.

    We ended up going to 6 craft stores- Plymouth Harbor Knits, Michaels, Joann, The Craft Loft, Hobby Lobby, Gather Here. Roc also got a crochet kit at Dollar Tree (the same dinoaur my niece Aila bought earlier this summer).

    We had a campfire at my house one night. Roc, Millie and Hattie spent most of the night crafting in my studio.

    We visited my house after kayaking & ice cream one afternoon- Hattie also did a bit of knitting on my Musselburgh hat. I found a few dropped stitches the next time I picked it up but that’s ok.

    Crafty Adventures

    Marta, Roc and I did some resin projects while they were visiting. Roc put resin in the bottom of a small wooden crate and then we worked together on a pumpkin lazy susan.

    KAL News

    Pigskin Party ’24 #DCSPigskinParty24

    • Playoff Prediction Contest:  Check this Ravelry Thread 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). 

    Stay Tuned for our October Challenge hosted by The Little Wolf Knits.

    Commentator Mary:

    • The season is off to a great start! The first Monday Night Football game was still on and there were already 18 projects in the end zone dance thread! There were lots of hats and dishcloths, of course, as these are often quick projects. But one player went above and beyond! Shellylynnknits already completed a blitz in 4 days!  She crocheted a scrap yarn basket that is super cool! https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Shellylynnknits/scrap-yarn-basket  That pattern looks like a really fun idea for using up scraps!
    • The September chat thread is in full swing. There are lots of old friends reconnecting after some months away and new players introducing themselves and getting warm welcomes.  There is a lot of chatter about life events, plans for pigskin, and an interesting discussion about why people like knitting socks. In addition, if you are a reader or a cook, be sure to check out that Pigskin Book Talk (Ravelry Link) and Pigskin Recipe Ideas (Ravelry Link)! threads as they are quite lively too!  Don’t be worried about falling behind on any of these threads…you can jump in at any time!
    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! This year they’re especially looking for men’s things.

    Life in Focus

    2024 Word of the Year- Heart

    Thank you Emily for sending me a knit & embroidered heart pin! Its so beautiful and it made my day!

    Update on Mom:

    Mom had a couple good days while Marta was visiting. Grateful we were able to spend time together even when she couldn’t leave the house. The sound of the boys laughing brought her joy.

    She had the catheter removed from her lung. Began having throat issues that worsened day after day. On Thursday 9/12 came for scans and chemo, but only had scans and then was admitted. She’s had a whole slew of tests and so far they haven’t found anything wrong which is good news, but we still need to get to the bottom of things.

    One bit of good news, she should be having an injection of filler into her paralyzed right vocal cord that will allow her voice to come back.

    Ask Me Anything

    Herdofhills asked about: fall project plans, books, favorite fall recipes

    • I am looking forward to: apple picking, apple sauce, wood chopping weekend, oven baked oatmeal (here’s a recipe I like to use), a Better Off Dead movie party,
    • I’ve already enjoyed watching Hocus Pocus (1 & 2), pulling out the wool socks and wearing those at night, decorating, overnight oats for breakfast which I tend to eat more in fall/winter. Even better for fall is warm.

    Deborahjay- Love is blind UK

    • I was watching but got sidetracked with Marta’s visit. For the first time, I found myself fast forwarding through the pre-wedding stuff to hear yes/no. Liked that it seemed like folks were actually there for love and that the cast was far less dramatic than the US participants.

    kjkcrochet- I’d love to know a little bit more about your job

    • I’m a Project Manager in the Nursing Dept of a big boston hospital, supporting a communication system and other projects thank involve communication, responsiveness (to patients) and technology). Tune in to hear more.
    On a Happy Note
    • Max’s reaction to Plymouth Rock!
    • Teaching Roc some new crochet stitches and seeing his enthusiasm. He’s definitely my new buddy. My heart almost burst when he sent me a screenshot of his Home Screen- photo of us outside the Craft Loft in Cambridge.
    • Handpicked sunflowers from my friend Eileen’s garden.
    • Laser tag
    • Going on a Duck Tour
    • 2 whole weeks with Marta. We haven’t been together that long since 1998! And all of the funny moments and inside jokes that come from it.
    • Connections at work making tough days a little easier.
    Quote of the Week

    Summer ends, and Autumn comes, and he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night.

    ~ Hal Borland

    ——

    Thank you for tuning in!

    Contact Information:

    15 September 2024, 10:07 pm
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    Episode 281: Ready to PARTY!
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 281 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website.   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- 60x84 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:  
    31 August 2024, 11:59 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Episode 280: Ring the Bell!
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 280 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website.   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 1x1 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:  
    31 July 2024, 11:00 am
  • 57 minutes 55 seconds
    Episode 279: Makes, Milestones & Memories

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 279 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website.

     

    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

    ——

    Thank you for tuning in!

    Contact Information:

    30 June 2024, 11:00 am
  • 46 minutes 21 seconds
    Episode 278: Game ON!
      Thank you for tuning in to Episode 278 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website.   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
    • 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   Be Fearless Socks
    • Yarn: Area 51 Fibres Sturdy Alien Base in the Be FearLESS 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: this self striping colorway is a bright rainbow colorway that's meant to mimic the logo for our FearLESS Living Fund
    • Meters for Stash Dash: 290.4 meters
      Raven Socks
    • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn in the Raven Colorway from the 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
    • About the Yarn: Speckled colorway with a cream base. Green, gray/black and hot pink colors speckled in.
    • Meters for Stash Dash: 256 meters
      Beer Hat
    • Pattern: Beer Stein Hat by Lindsay Hoffman (free crochet hat available on this blog)
    • Yarn: Lion Brand Homespun Yarn- Hepplewhite & Red Heart Super Saver- Gold
    • Hook: G: 4.25 mm (started with an H but thought the gauge was too large.
    • Other Materials: 3 Pipe Cleaners
    • Ravelry Project Page
    • Dan's friend Chris' wife asked for this for her husband (he excitedly agreed). He's a brewer and manager at one of our local breweries, Vitamin Sea, so maybe he'll sport it to work.
    • Meters for Stash Dash: 120.7
      Total for Stash Dash meters for this episode: 667.1 meters   On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins   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
      Riley's 16th Birthday Flower Top   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 5 (of 9) my May squares.
      Static Musselburgh
    • Pattern: Musselburgh Hat by Ysolda Teague (7 GBP Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & on 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
      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.
    • Progress: Started in July of 2023. Past the cuff of the second sock when I picked them up. I knit the leg and heel over Memorial Day Weekend 2024.
      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: at the heel of the first sock
      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
    • I initially bought 2 skeins based on the size of a similar blanket I made with this pattern, but after coming to the end of the first skein I knew it wouldn't be large enough. I probably should have/could have used an I hook.
    • 2 row repeat that is easy to memorize. Almost done with the 3rd skein. Plan to finish the first week of June.
      Brainstorming Took a chair off the side of the road- the arms are ripped at the front but the rest looks great, so I am going to crochet covers for the arms!   From the Armchair     Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.   In My Travels Aila and I drove out to Great Barrington for Eme's Associate Degree graduation ceremony. We enjoyed dinner at Steam and an ice cream afterwards. In taking Eme to pick up their pottery pieces for the year to bring home, I got to see and hear all about it! At the graduation ceremony the next day, I was chatting for awhile only to look up when asked what I was knitting to see Crispina French, who I know from her vending at Rhinebeck! Talk about a small world!   KAL News   Events   Know of an event I should spread the word about? Let me know!   Life in Focus I give a quick update on my word of the year HEART, which I've been seeing hearts in/on the trees lately! I share a quick goals update and a health update about my parents.   On a Happy Note
    • Dan and I celebrated our 20th Anniversary on May 22nd- the 143rd day of the year (which happened in 2024 only because its a Leap Year- usually Day 143 is May 23rd).
    • Friday of Memorial Day Weekend we went out for dinner (to use up a gift card- which we still had $1 left on when we left) and to a friends' house for a fire.
    • Saturday & Sunday pool days
      • My niece Riley got her learner's permit and drove us home from the grocery store!
      • Teddy and the snorkel (so cute)
      • Baby Vera's first swim
    • The long weekend allowed me the extra day off to clean out our pantry and my closet. I switched out my winter clothes for summer ones, took donations to Savers and did shopping and meal prep for the week. It felt great.
    • Deer and turtles abound!
      Quote of the Week Writer and designer Edith Wharton, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, on what causes old age: "The producer of old age is habit: the deathly process of doing the same thing in the same way at the same hour day after day, first from carelessness, then from inclination, at last from cowardice or inertia. Habit is necessary; but it is the habit of having careless habits, of turning a trail into a rut, that must be incessantly fought against if one is to remain alive... one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways." Source: A Backward Glance (lightly edited for clarity)   Thank you for tuning in!   Contact Information:          
    31 May 2024, 1:00 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App
About Down Cellar Studio Podcast
Links
Listeners Also Subscribed To
© MoonFM 2024. All rights reserved.