Episode 323: Pollen, Party, Prizes & more

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 323 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
  • 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 (2nd Episode of the Month)

Stitched by JessaLu is the home of handmade project bags in a variety of fun, floral, geeky, or pop-culture themed prints. All bags are made by one woman – JessaLu – on an antique Singer sewing machine in her home in Western Massachusetts. JessaLu has been making quality project bags and an assortment of sewn accessories since 2008 and has recently begun to design her own exclusive prints!  Check them out in person July 18th at South End Yarns in Newburyport, from July 24-26th at The Gathering at Westfield State hosted by the Northeast Handspinners Association (check out the Saturday evening ticket option for only $25), and don’t forget Fiber Revival August 8th in Newbury, MA

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Pollen Party Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Pollen Party colorway + 20g mini (I think it’s Legacy Fiber Artz mini)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Goldwing Sweater

  • Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck
  • Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: I’m working on the colorwork yoke (only about 8 colorwork rounds left)

Jelly Roll Blanket   

  • Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones ($6.70 US on Ravelry)
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I was inspired by KnitwithNat’s blanket- check it out on Instagram.
  • Progress: I finished my 8th strip and I’m 1/3 into the 9th. Still loving this project!

Mine! Socks

  • Yarn:  Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Fingering (90 SW Targhee, 10% Nylon)  in the colorway- Mine! aka A Gull Takes Off with Bluberry
  • 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 knit the heel of the sock on the plane to NYC, knit on the foot during Schmigadoon and got half way through the toe on the way home.

Wild Violet Socks

  • Yarn: Wild Violet Fibers Merino Sock (85/15 SW Merino/Nylon) in the OOAK #155 Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: 1 sock is just beyond the heel. 2nd sock is a few inches into the leg

Brainstorming

Gabriella’s birthday ideas

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

I shared a story about another knitting finding me before the Broadway show we were seeing began.

In My Travels

  • Riley and I took an impromptu trip to NYC when she was asked to babysit a local family while they were visiting NY.
  • Friday- we saw Schmigadoon!
  • Saturday- RIley and I got coffee and bagels before we met Laura to visit the Museum of the City of New York to see murals of “Another Wonderland” by Abram Champanier. Riley went off to babysit Saturday night. Laura and I enjoyed a leisurely night in at the hotel.
  • Sunday- Riley and I set an alarm to head to Butterfield Market to buy Dot Cakes. We took a stroll through Central Park before thrift shopping and lunch. Riley went to babysit. I met Laura at Shukette then I went solo to see Operation Mincemeat. 

KAL News

Splash Pad Party ’26 Details

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Prizes:  we have 48 prizes to give away this Splash Pad season. Tune in to hear if you’re a May/June winner!

Events

Life in Focus

July 2 is half way day of the year! Let’s do a check in on my 26 in 2026 List:

  1. A-Aim for one night at week at the pool in July and August- make it regular and invite friends to pop over
  2. B- Blood- donate at least 4 times (1/20, 3/17)
  3. C- Christmas Sleepover
  4. D- Declutter 26+ items- delivered a trunk full in February
  5. E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events (I have 36 on the calendar for this year!)
  6. F-Find 2-6 new things and try them out! 1) Orange Bike Beer 2) Dot Cakes in NYC,
  7. G-Go on a trip with Dan (just us) Anniversary Trip to Portland
  8. H- Headshots for Hattie
  9. I- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum- Go there
  10. J- Journal- Write 365 entries in my I Remember Journal about Mom (inspired by Liz Craft who talked about it on Ep 451 of Happier in Hollywood podcast)
  11. K- Knit at least 2 projects with handspun (Treysta sweater, Inclinations + bonus Goldwing Sweater WIP)
  12. L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books (11 as of February, 24 as of 4/27, 30 as of 5/29, 36 as of 6/24)
  13. M- Museum- Museum of the City of New York
  14. N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once– visited in April & Jun
  15. O- Organize a FearLESS Living Fundraiser
  16. P- Puzzle- do at least 1 with Dan
  17. Q-Quarterly review of calendar/photos & goals (to make Year in Review easier and faster)- calendar it!
    1. March done, Q2 review will get done this week.
  18. R- Restaurant- try at least 1 new local restaurant (Blu in Theater District 3/26)
  19. S- Socks- knit 26 pair- 11 done so far.
  20. T- Tattoo- started following some artists on Instagram (plan end of year so can donate blood)
  21. U- Up the amount of muscle in my body- at least 1 pound by end of the year. Making good progress.
  22. V- Vlogmas- take the year off (even if you’re tempted)
  23. W- Wheel- sit down at my spinning wheel every month (put reminders on my calendar at the beginning of each month to help remind me) Jan, Feb, March, April, May done
  24. X- Cross 1 thing off this list that no longer serves me (H hattie headshot)
  25. Y-Yoga at least 2-6 times
  26. Z- Create Zone to keep important papers

On a Happy Note

  • Millie graduated from 8th grade. Dad and I were able to go.
  • Riley’s graduation party!
  • Father’s Day pool day at my dad’s! Dad let Gabriella pick out a few of Mom’s Oz things she likes including a book that she’s flying through.
  • Thought I broke my toe on wrought iron chair leg- but think maybe it was a bad sprain I’m so grateful it’s healing well.
  • A sweet moment with Riley
  • Fun nail aty!
  • I got a lovely text from Alicia at ZK of many of our DCS friends!

Quote of the Week

“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”

― Herman Melville

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