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Episode 318: Springtime & Shows

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 318 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
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Northern Lights Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Northern Lights Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Started November 2024, but I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned them on the podcast.
  • About the yarn- thin stripes of cream broken up 3 shades of teal/light blue, 2 grays and 1 deep purple.

October 2025 Sock Club Socks

  • Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Mystery self-striping sock yarn club- stripes of peach, orange, yellow and green.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Log Cabin Blanket

  • Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel
  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024)
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Inspired by Rachel (treehousefiberarts on Instagram) and Sue & Chelsea (Legacy Fiber Artz on Instagram). Check out the Floss Toss Ravelry Group for details on their Scrappy Blanket CAL. Ends December 21st (but you don’t have to finish. 2 prize drawings will be done).
  • My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)’s version on their podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post.
  • Progress- 23 squares

Inclinations Cowl

  • Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowry ($7.00 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & her website.
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: 2 skeins of handspun Color A: Fiber Addict Designs 100% Merino in the Wild Plum Colorway- Ravelry link. Color B: Candombe, I think the fiber is from Malabrigo- Ravelry link.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: Nearly done with the increase section!

Midnight Orchid Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples.
  • Progress: Cast on both socks on two separate needles.

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
  • Progress: I am nearly done with sock 1

Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin

  • Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis’ handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily’s Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit.
  • I started spinning the Shetland and its so dreamy. I’m still working on the first 4 oz bump.

From the Armchair

Books

Musical: The Outsiders

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

Making a flower arrangement to put under the headstone/bench at the cemetery for Mom.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party will start Friday May 22nd and run through July 31st.

Sponsor call has gone out to email subscribers. Will share on social soon. Click here to learn more about sponsor options for Splash Pad ’26.

Events

On a Happy Note

  • Connecting with our nephew Oisin over a re-watch of West Wing.
  • Seeing Rent- but especially how much Riley enjoys it. The show fell on Eme’s 22nd birthday so that was fun too!
  • Riley turned 18! So proud of that kid!
  • Katie’s Randomness (Pigskin sponsor) was having a winter sale. I splurged on two winter bags- one Gilmore Girls themed and the other Christmas chickens!
  • I checked out a new to our area secondhand shop- Uptown Cheapskate.
  • Despite cooler temps and rain, we had a lovely Easter dinner at my Dad’s.
  • A text from my SIL after Easter dinner saying that Zach (who turns 4 in May) went to bed Easter night asking if my dad was coming to his birthday party.
  • I inadvertently made a ridiculously large batch of Superhero muffins because I added too much salt. Turns out I can make 94 muffins in about 3 hours. Not too shabby! Good thing they freeze well.
  • Warming temps and quieter weekends after a stressful work week.
  • My Monday morning workout turned into a country music jam! Such a fun way to start the week.

Quote of the Week

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

-William Arthur Ward

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 317: Motivational Media

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 317 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
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu & shop with them at the Fiber Witch Festival– April 24-26th in Salem, MA

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor The Yarn Sellar & check out details for their Fiber Marketplace (April 11, 2026) here

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Spectrum Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Spectrum Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Back to the Future Socks

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes. Micro-Sock Kit in the Back to the Future Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Back to the Future Sock set- gifted to me by Sue & Chelsea- part of their 4 Sundays of Advent yarn in 2025.

Treysta

  • Pattern: Treysta by Jennifer Steingass $8.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the Laine publishing website
  • Yarn: MC- Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool in Oatmeal. CC1: Handspun (Ravelry Project Page) dark blue.  CC2: Harrisville Designs New England Highland in #34 High Aster (pink). CC3: Brown Sheep Company Prairie Spun DK in Rain Cloud (gray)
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

October 2025 Sock Club Socks

  • Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Mystery self-striping sock yarn club- stripes of peach, orange, yellow and green.
  • Progress: finished sock 1 and cast on sock 2. I’m a few inches into the leg.

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
  • Progress: I’ve knit most of the leg of the first sock.

Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin

  • Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis’ handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily’s Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit.
  • Progress: I started spinning the Shetland and its so dreamy. I’m about half way through the first 4 oz bump.

Brainstorming

  • Cream DK weight yarn from Aunt Florence will pair well with mustard handspun for another colorwork yoke sweater!
  • I received the latest subscription yarn from Woolens & Nosh in the mail this weekend and I’m itching to cast it on. The colorway is called Sunday Brunch at the Breakfast Club

From the Armchair

Books

Movie: Project Hail Mary

Musical: Suffs Check out this Time Magazine article.

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 got a lot of great compliments on the new flower granny square ski balaclava (Ravelry Project Page) I crocheted last month. I wore it skiing at Sunday River.

In My Travels

  • I shared about our recent ski trip to Sunday River in Maine. We enjoyed dinner at the Brick & Stone Tavern in Rumford on Friday night, Dance party at VRBO house Friday night, Steam Mill Brewing in Bethel (right near the mountain) on Saturday night and breakfast at Terry & Maxine’s in Turner, ME
  • Riley and I visited the Boston Public Market’s 2026 Fiberfest on March 22. I think they had about 20 vendors there, some free demos, and a great atmosphere. Parking is only $3 for 3 hours. It was my first real outing wearing my Traveler Sweater!

Events

Life in Focus

A few updates

26 in 2026 Updates

  • B- Blood- donate at least 4 times (1/20, 3/17)
  • D- Declutter 26+ items- delivered a trunk full in February
  • E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events 9 as of now)
  • F-Find 2-6 new things and try them out! 1) Live music at The Cottage
  • 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)
  • K- Knit at least 2 projects with handspun (Treysta sweater, Inclinations Cowl in progress)
  • L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books (18 as of March)
  • N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once (scheduled for April)
  • R- Restaurant- try at least 1 new local restaurant (Blu in Theater District 3/26)
  • S- Socks- knit 26 pair- 6 done so far.
  • 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 done

On a Happy Note

  • Ski weekend at Sunday River. At the igloo we ordered a chocolate chip cookie from the gluten free food truck and it was HUGE (and delicious).
  • There was a very low ceiling in our rental house- and I just looked back at photos to get ready for to record and there’s a funny one of Riley and me touching the ceiling- I knew Hattie jumped in for the last one but I didn’t realize she was holding a kids sized pool cue to touch the ceiling too! Hilarious.
  • Jeff, Megg, Riley and I all did a word search on the breakfast menu after skiing- we all took it so seriously which was just so fun!
  • Lost power after a big wind storm, but it came back on earlier than expected- Dan and I still went out to dinner at fav local Italian restaurants (pro tip- it was a great choice on St. Patrick’s Day)
  • Broadway soundtrack for Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York came out on the SAME day as the Project Hail Mary movie released in theater (yes, we went opening day).
  • Megg and I renewed our Broadway in Boston subscription for 2027! It’s a great line up- Hell’s Kitchen, Phantom of the Opera, A Beautiful Noise, Tommy, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat & The Notebook. There are a few other shows available that we may add on.
  • My friend Marta booked her plane tickets to come visit from Barcelona this summer!
  • Going out for Live Irish music at a local pub
  • My friend Nancy Kelley’s second book just came out! The Courage of Two: Anne Hutchinson, Mary Dyer and the Fight for Freedom of Conscience in Early America.

Quote of the Week

“The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.”

-Harriet Jacobs

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 316: Cast it On, Work it Out

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 316 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week’s segments included:

  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor The Yarn Sellar & check out details for their Fiber Marketplace (April 11, 2026) here.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Neckerchief

  • Pattern: none (inspired by Sophie Scarf by Petite Knit (paid pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks,  Dream base (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere goat, 10% Nylon). No colorway name listed. Variegated yarn with a tan base, pinks, greens, purples and mustards.
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Because I’m using fingering weight yarn, I decided to use the cast on from my Millie Margaret Shawl and figure it out as I go.
    • Millie Margaret Shawl (fingering weight)-Ravelry
  • I did the increases up to 5 inches the pattern calls for and now I’m knitting straight. I’ll reverse my increases w/ decreases on the other side and see how I like it.

Inclinations Cowl

  • Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowry ($7.00 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & her website.
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: 2 skeins of handspun Color A: Fiber Addict Designs 100% Merino in the Wild Plum Colorway- Ravelry link. Color B: Candombe, I think the fiber is from Malabrigo- Ravelry link.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • I love working with my handspun, but I don’t necessarily love 1×1 ribbing every other row. Still I’m making progress and I know I’ll love wearing it.

Treysta

  • Pattern: Treysta by Jennifer Steingass $8.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the Laine publishing website
  • Yarn: MC- Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool in Oatmeal. CC1: Handspun (Ravelry Project Page) dark blue. CC2: Harrisville Designs New England Highland in #34 High Aster (pink). CC3: Brown Sheep Company Prairie Spun DK in Rain Cloud (gray)
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: I finished the colorwork section and have split for the sleeves.

Spectrum Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Spectrum 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: finished first sock during Hattie’s birthday sleepover. Worked on sock #2 while Megg, Rose and I saw Cabaret.

Northern Lights Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Northern Lights 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- thin stripes of cream broken up 3 shades of teal/light blue, 2 grays and 1 deep purple.
  • Finished sock 1 recently. Cast on sock 2. 

October 2025 Sock Club Socks

  • Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 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: beyond the heel on the first sock

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 traded socks for handmade bowls with my new friend Rose! What a great trade!

In My Travels

Ryan, Millie and I went to Farm Fiber Days at Russell’s Gardens Center in Wayland, MA. Some highlights include:

  • It was our 3rd year of wearing overall’s- Millie’s choice for our somewhat matching outfits.
  • 3rd year without Mom. She didn’t come in 2024, the last one she was here for, because she was in St. Maarten. Good for her! But we obviously missed her last year and this year too.
  • I purchased 3 plants. Millie picked out a plant for her mom.
  • I bought 20 ounces of Gray Shetland from Forever in Fiber (Etsy).
  • Millie got to show Ann Weaver of Plied Yarns the hat she knit for her Dad for Christmas.
  • We needlefelted with the folks from Blue Heron Farm
  • We enjoyed lunch at The Local across the street after.

Events

On a Happy Note

  • Chris Stapleton concert with Jeff, Riley & Dad
  • Seussical with Megg and Hattie
  • Hattie’s birthday sleepover- trampoline park, pizza, cookies, Cat & the Hat pancake, pompoms and rehearsing for her Seussical audition
  • A quieter week!
  • Starting a March Madness Challenge at the gym + taking an adult ballet class from my friend Kris
  • Chatting with my friend Marta about her trip back to America this summer
  • Seeing Cabaret
  • Karaoke night in a private room for my friend Megg’s birthday.
  • I got to see my nephew Garret on his 16th birthday. I got a text of him driving with his learner’s permit a few days later.

Quote of the Week

“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’ about doing something together that makes belonging matter.” — Brian Solis

Thank you for tuning in!

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