Author Archives: downcellarstudio@gmail.com

Episode 237: Paddling, Packing & Prizes

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 237 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
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Shawl Design 

  • I finished up the sample for a new shawl design using a 150g skein of fingering weight from  agirlandherwool in the On the Boardwalk. I lost at yarn chicken andended up finding another similar colorway in leftovers bin. I think it was Queen City Pigskin Colorway- the Huddle is Real. 
  • The finished shawl weighs 160 grams
  • 676.8 meters for Stash Dash

Tiles for Miles Blanket

  • Pattern: Tiles for Miles Crochet Baby Blanket by Yarnspirations. Free crochet pattern available on the Yarnspirations website
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted. Mint for MC. Many colors of greens, blues and grays for Contrast Colors.
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 586 grams
  • 1172.0 meters for Stash Dash

Scrappy Europe Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Double Dog Dare Colorway, Paton’s Kroy FX in the Geranium Colors Colorway and other fingering weight leftovers. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) 
  • Leftovers from Megg’s Socks that I knit and left in Ireland in May and Marta’s socks that I knit in Scotland and Spain and leftt behind for Marta. 
  • Cate’s Clasp Weft join- check out this video on my YouTube Channel for the tutorial.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • 60 grams. 238.8 meters for Stash Dash

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Spinning

  • Malabrigo Nube Roving.113g combed top Merino wool. Colorway: 870 Candombe. 1 bobbin full.
  • Wool of the Andes Unspun Roving. Colorway: Delft Heather (100 grams) 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. 

Uneek Christmas Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Uneek Sock Yarn. Colorway 25- Xmas Limited Edition. 2 cakes 220 yards/200 meters each. 
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 1st sock done. 2nd is beyond the heel

Tweed Tie

  • Pattern: Tweed Tie by Jem Weston- 4 GBP (around $5 US) 
  • Needles: US 2. (2.75) for body, US 3 (3.25 mm) for cast-on
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in the Flagstone Heather colorway.
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Omitting all increases//decreases to keep the bottom at the end of the tie flat not pointed. 
  • Modification: for the last stitch of each row, I am slipping purlwise with the yarn in front for a neater edge.

Recollection Blanket

  • Pattern: Recollection by Deanne Ramsay ($6 crochet pattern available on Ravelry & Etsy– written in both US & UK Crochet terms)
  • Yarn: Various full skeins and 20+ gram fingering weight yarn stash.
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Cast on with US K. It was still a little too tight but it works. Body done in a US J (6.0 mm)
  • Holding all yarn triple. Clusters of treble crochet.

Scrappy Hexagon Blanket

  • Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Hawthorne Marl Sock Lab in the Grey White Marl Colorway, Patons Kroy in the Gentry Colorway + fingering weight scraps
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Planned for 20 columns total. 11 or 13 hexis depending on the column. 
  • SCing them together with 2 strands like I am for the hexagons themselves. A great way to use up very small scraps because I only ever seam 3 sides together. 

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

  • Camping at On the Saco Campground in Fryeburg ME
  •  2 days paddling. 9 miles each day
  • Thurs night went to Saco River Brewing then to the restaurant next door.
  • Living my best life sleeping my hammock tent.
  • Trash collecting. 

KAL News

#SplashPadParty22

  • Link to the 2022 Splash Pad Party Rules.docx
  • Participant Sign Up- Google Form
  • Check out our amazing Sponsors! Click here for the Google doc with their websites and Instagram profiles.
    • Check out the list of available Coupons from our amazing sponsors: Ravelry link
    • Check out the Splash Pad Exclusive Items here
  • Enter your FOs using this Splash Pad Summer Celebration Form to be eligible for prizes (not a Ravelry link).
  • View all the Entries and the Leaderboard here -> Splash Pad Party Player Stats
  • Need help with an entry submission? -> Splash Pad Support Request Form
  • Questions- check out this Ravelry Thread or email Jen.

Stats:

  • 155 players entered
  • 1022 projects finished & entered
    • 424 used around 50g
    • 357 used around 100g
    • 189 projects used around 200g!
    • 52 used around 150g
  • 10 Pro Shop Sponsors
  • 17 Snack Shack Sponsors
  • 2,268 Sponsor Products used in the creation of the 1022 FOs
  • 33 Participation Prizes
  • 30 Final Prizes

Thank you to Wendy and Jen!!!!!
Tune in to hear if you’re one of our end of the summer winners! I will email all winners within a week of this recording.

Events

On a Happy Note

  • My friend Laura visited during the first weekend in August. Celebrated her birthday. She, Mom and I saw The Neil Diamond Musical; A Beautiful Noise in Boston.
  • Second hand shopping. I bought a beautiful cedar entertainment center.
  • Dan, Laura, Aila and I all had sleepovers at Mom & Dad’s. Pool time, ice cream and penny drop. 
  • The Rowans are home from Ireland!
  • Tuesday August 9 we celebrated Mom & Hattie’s half birthdays at the beach.
  • Camping!
  • Sunday- pooltime and dinner with Mom, Dad and my brother, Jeff.

Quote of the Week

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

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 236: Cozy Bunnies

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 236 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Woolen Women Splash Pad Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Woolen Women Fibers 80/20 SW Merino/Nylon Blend. Colorway: Into the Deep
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 219.6 meters for Stash Dash

4 Crocheted Jar Cozies

  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up in various colors
  • Hook: G (4.25) for bottom and F (3.75 mm) for the sides
  • Patterns: some are a take off on my Ball Band with a Twist pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Rainbow Ball Band with a Twist- Ravelry Project Page. 38.5 meters
  • Improv Cluster Cozy- Ravelry Project Page. 35.4 meters 
  • Teal Vanicream Cozy- Ravelry Project Page. 40.7 meters
  • Gray Vanicream Cozy- Ravelry Project Page. 41.6 meters

Rabbit in a Carrot Sleeping Bag #2

  • Pattern: Rabbit in a Carrot Sleeping Bag by Laura Sutcliffe (2 GBP crochet pattern) $2.70 US 
  • Hook: 2.75 mm (C) for bunny & 3.25 mm (D) for sleeping bag
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted- gray, white, pink, orange and green colors
  • Stuffing: mostly used the cotton that comes at the top of a new bottle of pills/OTC medicine.
  • 84 meters for Stash Dash

 On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Malabrigo Nube Roving

  • 113g combed top Merino wool
  • Colorway: 870 Candombe
  • Pre-drafting really helps.

Uneek Christmas Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Uneek Sock Yarn. Colorway 25- Xmas Limited Edition. 2 cakes 220 yards/200 meters each. 
  • Ravelry Project Page

Recollection Blanket

  • Pattern: Recollection by Deanne Ramsay ($6 crochet pattern available on Ravelry & Etsy– written in both US & UK Crochet terms)
  • Yarn: Various Fingering Weight Yarns from stash held triple. Yarns include (but not limited to)- Legacy Fiber Artz, Yarnable, Goosey Fibers, Knitters Brewing Company, Cascade, Knit Picks Felici.
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Changed color plan- after purchasing new pillows for our couch. Pinks, peach, orange, yellow. bits of tan and purple.
  • Blanket is 56 inches wide (not including the fringe). 

Shawl Design 

Sideways shawl design that I had to rip back to center (after finishing the increases) because I wasn’t happy with how decreases are laying. Figured out what I needed to fix. Ripped back a lot, finally got back to virgin yarn again.

Scrappy Hexagon Blanket

  • Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Hawthorne Marl Sock Lab in the Grey White Marl Colorway, Patons Kroy in the Gentry Colorway + fingering weight scraps
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Mapped out gradation plan in Excel.
  • Need:- 132 dark gray & 128 light gray. Completed: 203 of 260 

Tiles for Miles Blanket

  • Pattern: Tiles for Miles Crochet Baby Blanket by Yarnspirations. Free crochet pattern available on the Yarnspirations website
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted. Mint for MC. Many colors of greens, blues and grays for Contrast Colors.
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

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.

KAL News

#SplashPadParty22

  • Link to the 2022 Splash Pad Party Rules.docx
  • Participant Sign Up- Google Form
  • Check out our amazing Sponsors! Click here for the Google doc with their websites and Instagram profiles.
    • Check out the list of available Coupons from our amazing sponsors: Ravelry link
    • Check out the Splash Pad Exclusive Items here
  • Enter your FOs using this Splash Pad Summer Celebration Form to be eligible for prizes (not a Ravelry link).
  • View all the Entries and the Leaderboard here -> Splash Pad Party Player Stats
  • Need help with an entry submission? -> Splash Pad Support Request Form
  • Questions- check out this Ravelry Thread or email Jen.
  • All projects must be finished by the end of the day (your time) on Sunday July 31, 2022). All entries must be submitted via the Summer Celebration Form by Friday 8/5/22.
  • 823 projects entered so far!3,404 entries for prizes!!
  • Will announce winners of our final prizes in Episode 237!

 Events

Ask Me Anything

  • Mazzygirl1- How is your sweet Mom doing?
  • Pebblesgirlcrafts- This isn’t podcast related but would ever do a sock drawer tour on YouTube?
  • Genna-with-a-Gee- What are your favorite sources of crafting inspiration? Crafts, YouTube etc?YouTube Channels: Legacy Fiber ArtzKnitty NattyEarthtones GirlStitching the High Notes.Scrolling Instagram. Photos in Ravelry Chat Thread. 

On a Happy Note

  • Visit with Sue from Legacy Fiber Artz & Sharon from Knit Style Yarns
  • 90 min massage was great even though it left my calves with polka dot bruises
  • Beachside drinks and dinner with my bestie Kris, my mom and hers. 
  • Not so happy about wrist pain that lasted for about 4 days but it passed quickly.
  • Furniture shopping with Mom. First night out we got a bookcase about 27 baskets for me. I took Friday off of work, and we did some more furniture shopping.
  • I went to the Keith Urban Concert with the fam including a few of our cousins, followed by family sleepover at Mom & Dads that turned into two  90+ degree pool days. Floating. Diving contests. Penny drop (if you want to play this game with your family consider using my Amazon Affiliate link for purchase)
  • Cardio jazz class with my girlfriends.
  • Being eligible to donate blood again- 1 year after treatment from Lyme disease ended.
  • Going to the Red Sox/Gaurdians Game for the David Ortiz Hall of Fame Induction Celebration. 

Quote of the Week

I believe one thing; that today is yesterday and tomorrow is today and you can’t stop. 

-Martha Graham

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 235: I’ve Got It Covered

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 235 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Felici Socks (2 finished)

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Desert Rose (Ravelry Page), Bayou Colorway (Ravelry Page) 
  • Bayou (greens and grays). 292.5 meters (10.5 inch foot and leg)
  • Desert Rose- (pinks, purple, dusty mustard/orange).  230.8 meters (8-9 in leg and 9.5 inch foot)

Marled Felici Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket

  • Pattern: Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket by Leelee Knits (free & paid options available on the LeeLeeKnits website) 
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava 500 in White held double with Knit Picks Felici in the Bookshop, Rustic Cabin & Friendly Skies colorways
  • Hooks: 5.5mm (J) for the body 
  • 6 skeins Felici + 12g of another to finish border. 634g of Brava worsted.
  • Border: sc around. hdc around. hdc through 3rd loop around. 
  • 32 inches wide x 48 inches long.
  • 2,505 Meters for Stash Dash

Mom’s Breezy Cover-Up

  • Pattern: Easy Breezy Swim Cover by Megan Shaimes (free on the Meg Made with Love Blog or ad-free for $3.50 on Etsy).
  • Yarn: Wool & The Gang Shiny Happy Cotton in the Turquoise Waters Colorway (~8.4 skeins used)
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Knit i-cord for belt. 3 sts with US 8 DPNs.
  • 1195.6 meters for Stash Dash

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Malabrigo Nube Roving

  • 113g combed top Merino wool
  • Colorway: 870 Candombe
  • Pre-drafting really helps. darkest dye sections are usually the most condensed. 

Scrappy Hexagon Blanket

  • Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Hawthorne Marl Sock Lab in the Grey White Marl Colorway, Patons Kroy in the Gentry Colorway + fingering weight scraps
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • *7/14 update- 99 light gray. 80 dark gray- 179 total (of 260)- 81 left

Woolen Women Splash Pad Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Woolen Women Fibers 80/20 SW Merino/Nylon Blend. Colorway: Into the Deep
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Cast on Sunday July 10th beginning of Knitty Natty’s Sock Week. Check out her YouTube Channel if you haven’t already
  • Finished heel on Wednesday. Into the foot on Thursday.
  • You can still get your official logo bag and sock set on the Woolen Women Website

Brainstorming

Pattern: Recollection by Deanne Ramsay. Ravelry Link to Pattern. Blog Link. $6 US
“Designed to utilise all those leftovers that seem too small to be useful, but too precious to throw away, this blanket can be made in any size and with any yarn weight.Use your chosen

 From the Armchair

This Is My Brain In Love by I.W. Gregorio Bookshop Affiliate LinkAmazon 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

  • A lady asked what I was knitting during the opening act of The Chicks concert. She said she’s an avid knitter too.
  • Helped a new hat knitter find needles in Michaels 
  • I received a text from my friend Laura’s pilates client, David, of his bright Felici Socks in his work pants/shoes in a conference room in summer. 

KAL News

#SplashPadParty22

  • Link to the 2022 Splash Pad Party Rules.docx
  • Participant Sign Up- Google Form
  • Check out our amazing Sponsors! Click here for the Google doc with their websites and Instagram profiles.
    • Check out the list of available Coupons from our amazing sponsors: Ravelry link
    • Check out the Splash Pad Exclusive Items here
  • Enter your FOs using this Splash Pad Summer Celebration Form to be eligible for prizes (not a Ravelry link).
  • View all the Entries and the Leaderboard here -> Splash Pad Party Player Stats
  • Need help with an entry submission? -> Splash Pad Support Request Form
  • Questions- check out this Ravelry Thread or email Jen.

Events

Life in Focus

I reviewed my: Word of the Year: Pause

Primary Goals:

  1. Move your body 4 days a week. Any movement for 15 minutes or more counts. 
    • January: 19 workouts/4 weeks= 4.75 times per week.
    • February: 12 workouts/ 4 weeks= 3 per week
    • March: 13 workouts
    • April: 13 workouts
    • May: 8 workouts
    • June- 21 workouts
    • 86= divide by 26 weeks of the years- 3.3 
  2. Say Yes to time spent with Mom – that’s going well!
  3. Journaling. Major fail on journal except for tracking mom’s important health details, taking as many photos as I can, and doing my 1 line a day journal.

Ask Me Anything

Val asked if I’d seen any interesting wildlife on my walks lately. We have a new fawn in the yard. The hawks are especially loud! I found some interesting information on the Mass Audubon website. I think the ones near us are the Red-tailed hawks.

On a Happy Note

  • Laura’s visit. Pool day. Heidi’s for ice cream. Consignment shopping- where we scored, clothes, jewelry and a new/old mirror for our guest room which Dan hung this week. 
  • Zero Refills No waste store in Cohasset, MA.
  • Laura left Sunday of July 4th weekend. Dan and I worked around house Monday morning then enjoy the pool in the afternoon & dinner with fresh local corn with Mom and Dad. 
  • The Chicks concert with Mom, Dad, Jeff and Riley- tailgaiting, sneaking in my knitting & singing our lungs out! 
  • Trish’s 50th birthday at the Japanese Hibachi and pool day.
  • Dinner and pool night with Mom, Dad and Millie. Millie and I picked wild blueberries. I found necklaces that say Fearless for Mom, Riley, Millie and Me. 

Quote of the Week

One discovers the light in darkness, that is what darkness is for; but everything in our lives depends on how we bear the light. –JAMES BALDWIN

Thank you for tuning in!


Contact Information: