Author Archives: downcellarstudio@gmail.com

Episode 302: Bayside & Poolside

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 302 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu (2nd Episode of the Month) check out her new prints now in the shop! Check out Stitched by Jessalu bags and so much more at Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA- August 16th

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Tom’s Cozy

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Tomato & Royal Blue. Lion Brand Re-up in White
  • RavelryProject Page
  • Modified from the original Ball Band pattern to fit this larger sized cup.
  • 38g/ 58 meters

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
  • Border: 2 rounds of half-double crochet- first in charcoal, second in teal.
  • Stash Dash total: 2,368 meters

Woolens & Nosh 2024 Advent Socks #2

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Used contrast mini (dark gray) for heels and toes
  • Stash Dash: 263.2 meters
  • Made for Laura to match mine. Thanks again for Michele of Woolens and Nosh for sending this.

Bayside Shirt

  • Pattern: Bayside Shirt by Briana Luppino ($9 pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) US 3 (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Handspun Yarn from 2 bumps from Wild Air Farm Shetland & Pygora- Melody & Cadence + 4 ounce braid from Jakira Farms 85/15 Polwarth/Silk (Ravelry Project Page for handspun) Finished in 2023.
  • Size: 32″ bust
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 200 grams used. 324 meters

Stash Dash Total for this episode – 8,305 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Granny Stripe Top

  • Yarn: MC= Woolen Women Fibers 80/20 Sock in the Watermelon colorway. CCs= Hedgehog Fiber Sock in Harvest Colorway + Legacy Fiber Artz minis from advent calendars
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) to cast on & D (3.25 mm) for body
  • Pattern: none
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Goal is 36″ around
  • Progress: I did rip out and start again.  With MC: 156 Foundation SC/ 52 clusters.
  • 11 rounds so far.
  • Watermelon every other round. minis in between.

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; you do not have to use this pattern. Any scrappy crochet blanket counts.
  • My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry. The basic idea is that you use 1 main color for Rounds 1 & 3 (center and outer square), and then 4 separate colors for the 4 sides of the middle square)
  • Round 1 & Round 3 done using same colors (2 sock yarns held together)- totals about 22g (11g of each colorway)
  • Contrast Colors: total weight of yarns used (reminder- yarns are held double so I only need half the weight listed for each mini). CC 1 & 2: 2g needed. CC 3 & 4: 4g needed
  • Blocks made so far: 6

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
  • Progress: I turned heel on the first sock at the pool last weekend.

Sum-Sum-Summertime socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the colorway Sum-Sum-Summertime
  • 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 Colorway- thinner stripes- 2 colors of aqua, lime green, pink and an orange/peachy yellow. CC mini in lime
  • Progress: finished first sock. Several inches into the second sock. Cuff, heel and toe in lime contrast color.

716 Splash Pad Socks

  • Yarn: 716 Knit Sock Set  in the 716sock base in the colorway: It needs to be ok with getting on a boat with Levar Burton and never coming back.
  • 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: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors (orange, yellow, peach, greens & aquas .
  • Cast on June 1 for SPP Kick off.
  • Jenna of 716 also sent me the mini skein set which is part of her SPP Exclusives.
  • Progress: Finished sock 1, with contrast (aqua) for cuff, heel and toe. Cast on for the second sock. Riley knit on them a bit last weekend.

Brainstorming

  • Seattle travel knitting musings
  • What to buy at Flock Fiber Festival?
  • Rhinebeck Sweater Plans- do you have any yet? I’m not even 100% sure I’m going but I’m thinking about it.

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

  • A Crafty Day with Emelie was on my 25 for 2025 list and I’m happy to say I checked that off. Emelie (almost 7) came over with her mom, my cousin Kara, and her brother Teddy (5). Millie and Riley also joined in the fun. We ended afternoon with ice cream!
  • Learned from Gretchen Rubin’s newsletter that July in World Watercolor Month! I’ve been looking for resources, inspiration etc and there’s lots of cool things there.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party ’25

  • Splash Pad Party Registration is open
    • View Stats and/or Verify Registration here.
  • Check out our Sponsor List
  • Splash Pad Official Rules
  • Enter your FOs using the Summer Celebration Form. Then come over to this Ravelry Thread to share pics and let us ooh and ahh with you!
  • Submit something incorrectly? Need help? Fill out this Support Form & we’ll be in touch.
  • Projects must be finished by the end of the day July 31st, but you can enter your FOs using the form through 8/5.
  • We’ll announce final winners in the next episode after all submissions are in. Winners will be emailed after I return from my Seattle trip.

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Pigskin Party ’25

Sponsor Sign Up is Open- click here for details

Key Dates:

  • Registration starting Thursday August 20, 2025
  • KAL Starts- Thursday September 4, 2025
  • KAL Ends- Monday February 9, 2026
  • Form Teams- starting Monday August 25, 2025
  • Virtual Kick Off- Friday September 5 & Saturday September 6

Events

On a Happy Note

  • Finally getting my hair cut & colored (and combining that with a fun night at the pool)
  • Impromptu date night with Dan to a local brewery and restaurant
  • Our nephew Will turned 18. We got beautiful weather for his party.
  • My friend Christine & her family came to stay for a long weekend. We all crashed with my Dad. Pool time, Penny Drop (game), a Plymouth harbor cruise, night swims and lots of laughs. Millie knit on her hat & scarf a little bit. Riley knit on my socks.
  • My cousin Chris’s wife Kim delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl- Vivienne!
  • I got an adorable Strawberry Shortcake sweatshirt on clearance at Target for $7
  • Going to The Snug for live Irish music

Quote of the Week

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.”

― Og Mandino

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 301: Summer of Color

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 301 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Fitness by Mara

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Same as It Ever Was Hat

  • Pattern: Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock (Yarnable Box January 2025) in the Intergalactic colorway
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 94 grams of yarn
  • Stash Dash: 376 meters

Kim’s Trenta Ball Band

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Royal Blue and Aqua
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Modified from the original Ball Band pattern to fit this larger sized cup.
  • 38g/ 58 meters

Felici Granny Stripe Blanket

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in Colorways: Punky, Whatits Galore (50g), Space Disco, Carrot Cake, Base Jump, Game Over, Secret Garden, Fiesta
  • Pattern: Granny Stripe by Attic 24. Free crochet pattern on Attic 24 website.
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 7 colorways with 100g, 1 with 50g.
  • Size:
  • 11.64 skeins-  582 grams
  • 2316.4 meters

Stash Dash Total for this Episode: 5,291 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Let the Mystery Unravel 2023 Blanket of Calm

  • Pattern: Blanket of Calm by Casapinka (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Woolen Women Fibers- Let the Mystery Unravel subscription + Cascade Heritage Sock yarn in the Forged Iron Colorway
  • Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • You can find my Let the Mystery Unravel Unboxing Video on YouTube in this Playlist
  • All of the 9 block squares now have been seamed and have their 3 round gray border.
  • Border- undecided.

716 Splash Pad Socks

  • Yarn: 716 Knit Sock Set  in the 716sock base in the colorway: It needs to be ok with getting on a boat with Levar Burton and never coming back.
  • 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: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors (orange, yellow, peach, greens & aquas .
  • Cast on June 1 for SPP Kick off.
  • Jenna of 716 also sent me the mini skein set which is part of her SPP Exclusives. What should I do with my minis??
  • Progress: Cuff and heel are in contrast aqua. Approaching 1st toe (will also be aqua)

Granny Stripe Top

  • Yarn: MC= Woolen Women Fibers 80/20 Sock in the Watermelon colorway. CCs= Hedgehog Fiber Sock in Harvest Colorway + Legacy Fiber Artz minis from advent calendars
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) to cast on & D (3.25 mm) for body
  • Pattern: none
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: I crocheted a few inches but its coming out too large. I will likely rip back and restart.

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
  • Picked back up old WIP- started October 2024. Nearly to heel of sock 1

Over the Rainbow Socks

  • Yarn: Cashmere & Coconuts MCN Sock yarn in the Somewhere Over the Rainbow 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 colorway:
  • Yarn- gift from Kris on Mom’s 1st heavenly birthday. Part way through the leg of sock 1

Woolens & Nosh 2024 Advent Socks #2

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Passed heel on second sock (contrast heel)

Same as it Ever Was Hat

  • Yarn: fingering weight yarn from stash (no ball band); maybe MCN base
  • Needles: US 2 (LOOK UP NEEDLE SIZE MM)
  • Pattern: Same as it Ever Was by Sarah Jordan $6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: all different shades of gray with blips of a mustardy/rust and turquoise
  • 8g for the crown increases

Bayside Shirt

  • Pattern: Bayside Shirt by Briana Luppino ($9 pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Handspun Yarn from 2 bumps from Wild Air Farm Shetland & Pygora- Melody & Cadence + 4 ounce braid from Jakira Farms 85/15 Polwarth/Silk (Ravelry Project Page for handspun) Finished in 2023.
  • Size: 32″ bust
  • Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the Drea Renee Knits website)

Log Cabin Blanket

  • Sue and Chelsea from Legacy Fiber Artz are making the Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison (free crochet pattern)  Ravelry Pattern Page.
  • I’ve had this pattern in my favorites for more than 2 years.
  • I was looking for the Julie Harrison pattern and came across this Ravelry pattern by hookloopsarah which features a log cabin layout that’s more of a background color with 4 pops of color that seem to leap up from it. Love this idea!

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

Watercolors are still keeping my creative attention. Loving it!

Knitting in Passing

  • On a July 3 MBTA ferry commute, I sat with a crocheter. We talked about our projects and fav LYSs. I showed her how simple magic loop knitting is.
  • Laura brought socks to her client David when she got back to NY. He sent me a photo asking if they were Cashmere because they were so soft and noting how great they looked with the pants he had on. Then I got a pic of his foot under his desk at work the next day. (Ravelry Project Page)
  • On July 7, a man chatted with me on the Red Line about memories of his mother, sisters and daughters crocheting.
  • Emelyn has been wanting to crochet again but is feeling rusty. On July 4th I reminded them how to single & half-double crochet. Last weekend, they started a star project so we worked with DC and how to work corners and getting used to reading a pattern.

KAL News

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Tune in to hear if you won a participation prize!

Events

Life in Focus

July 2- half way day

25 in 2025 List

  1. Donate Blood at least 4 times (January, March, May, ) – on track
  2. Go shopping for plants with Dan 4 times in the year (my Christmas gift from him) – not yet
  3. Buy new ski boots- DONE
  4. Go camping- DONE
  5. Kayak 2-5 times- DONE
  6. Do at least 5 walks with others- DONE
  7. Take 2-5 yoga classes (outside of the house)- not yet
  8. Do at least 30 lessons in Mondly- not yet
  9. Spend a day at Raffa Life- scheduled for September
  10. Record 2-5 things I’m grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)- I’ve fallen off. Looking forward to getting going again.
  11. Read all of Simple Abundance (ideally daily or close to)- not loving it. some parts are more religious than I expected… may pop back in, but I’ve gotten out of this.
  12. Read at least 60 books- all books count (even poetry etc)- 28 books by end of June. It’s possible!
  13. Get at least 2 massages at Oasis – DONE
  14. See 2-5 movies in the theater (Paddington in Peru)
  15. Knit 2-5 garments for me – 1 done, # WIPs
  16. Finish and enjoy my Christmas Granny Square Blanket- on pause until after Stash Dash
  17. Crochet at least 5 toys- DONE
  18. Use my spinning wheel at least once a month (January-April done, I think I forgot to spin in May and June. Going to get back in. Will still be better than most years!
  19. Have a crafty day with Emelie- talked to her mom about this.
  20. Knit a slouchy hat for myself- not yet
  21. Try out 3 new to me podcasts (Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, White Lotus official podcast, severance official podcast, Cramped) – DONE
  22. Watch White Christmas with Jenny & Kara (bringing the tradition back) — talks have begun!
  23. Buy a firebox and put important papers inside (working with Dan on list of things to put in it)- not yet
    1. https://www.thenokbox.com (Debbie, deafelis recommended)
  24. Create a list of things to pack in case of an evacuation – not yet
    1. https://www.thenokbox.com/ -deafelis- Debbie told me about it-  not yet
  25. Purge at least 20 items of clothing/accessories/shoes- DONE

On a Happy Note

  • Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge (with brunch beforehand)
  • July 4th pool day
  • Ending an awful workday with drinks outdoor at Trillium, then apps and more drinks and picking up Laura to take her home on the Ferry watching 3rd of July fireworks.
  • Making our rainbow sunglass photo!
  • July 5th secondhand shopping, lunch with Megg and Laura + ice cream (of course)
  • Rewatching Gilmore Girls
  • Line dancing at the beach + seeing a really cool rainbow
  • Dinner outdoors with Dad, Millie and Dan.
  • 2 pool party day last weekend.
  • Shout out from Kelly in the Two Ewes Fiber Adventures podcast. Thank you!
  • Seeing a young buck in the driveway

Quote of the Week

“Love is a creative act. When you love someone you create a new world for them.”

-Trevor Noah

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 300: Sum-Sum-Summertime

Leave a reply

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 300 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors:

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Miles’ Montessori Toy

  • Pattern: Montessori Colour Sorter by Lexie Warren. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry & on Crochet River)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Purple, Orange, Teal and Cyan. Knit Picks Brava in Canary, Rouge and White.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Stash Dash: 234 meters
  • SPP-116 grams- 2 entries

Boss A$$ B|tc# Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Superwash Targhee Fingering in the Boss A$$ B|tc# Colorway (purposely not spelled out here, though it is on the label)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • 90g of yarn to start
  • About the Yarn: Self striping with yellow, tan, peach, pink, light aqua, teal & navy
  • Stash Dash- 280.5 meters (306.8 yards),
  • SPP- 75 grams
  • 9.5 inch leg, 9.25 inch foot

Let’s Get Basted Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Let’s Get Basted Colorway (Yarnable November 2024 colorway)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • About the colorway- cream with gray, purple, tan/brown and small blips or orange. Spiral pooling.
  • Stash Dash: 256 meters
  • 64 grams- 1 SPP Entry

Ball Band for Rachel #2- for Starbucks Venti Cup

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter, Midnight Blue and Bubblegum
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Midnight blue hdc through 3rd loop. 1 round of pink sc, body in pewter sc, one round of blue at top.
  • Stash Dash: 40.3 meters

Ball Band for Starbucks Venti Cup (Jen)

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter and Bubblegum
  • Project Page
  • 0.57 skeins = 62.1 meters (67.9 yards), 39 grams

Adrift on an Inland Sea Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Adrift on an Inland Sea colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • About the yarn: 2 lighter/medium grays, cream, mustard and a thinner stripe of a charcoal bordering on black. Used the CC gray for cuff and will use for the toe.
  • Finished on the ride to ME for camping.
  • 0.8 skeins = 300.8 meters (329.0 yards), 80 grams
  • 8.5 inch leg. 9.5 inch foot

Urth Yarn Hat 2 of 2

  • 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
  • Cast on 92 sts. Used 48g of this skein for hat for Christmas gift
  • Stash Dash: 0.56 skeins = 112.6 meters (123.1 yards),
  • SPP- 56 grams- 1 entry
  • Had to do decreases faster because I was running out yarn. Ended up with maybe 1 yard
  • Hat is 8.25 inches tall. Still a great size.

David… Fold in the cheese socks #2

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz in the David…Fold in the cheese!!!! colorway (with cream/gray mini skein)
  • 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- cream, pink and blue to match rose apron David wears in this episode of Schitt’s Creek.
  • Progress: started toe of first sock
  • Cream/gray mini that came with it for cuff. purply/pink mini from LFA advent for heel and toe.
  • Socks for Laura
  • 0.58 skeins = 245.3 meters (268.3 yards), 58 grams
  • 1 SPP for grams, 1 for Snack Shack LFA yarn, 1 for Snack Shack Sponsor- The Sensible Stitcher- cute butterfly bag.

Stash Dash Total for this episode: 2,541 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Four Leaf Clover Granny Square Blanket

  • Pattern: Four Leaf Clover Granny Square by Apinya Roszko
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava 500 in colorway Mint & Loops and Threads Impeccable in Colorway 01808
  • Size:  6 inch squares. Planning 5×7 blanket (30×42”) before border.
  • Modification- the pattern calls for attaching new yarn (at the end of the square) to make the stem for the clover. I just chain to get to the center, make the stem and cut the yarn. I find it easy to crochet the granny square around it in Mint. No issues and one less end to weave in.
  • I am joining squares as I go. I used this YouTube tutorial to remind me how to do this.
  • Progress: Last time I had 14 (of 35) squares done and seamed. Now I have 17 done. Baby due in September. Lots of time. Loving joining as I go but its less portable this way.

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
  • I dug this out while cleaning out my studio on one of the very hot days before we left for camping. I had 3 squares of 9 that were seamed up but that didn’t have the 3 rounds of DC border on them that I’m doing in dark gray. I finished those over the course of the week’s train rides, then got the rest out and found 1 more that needed the border. All of those are done now.
  • The other 8 squares have already been steamed. Plan to steam the most recently finished 4 then start SCing the big squares together.
  • Border- undecided. May do a few rounds of gray. May incorporate colors. Debating an iCord border. I can’t decide.
  • Before border- 44 inches long by 24 inches long
  • 50g per square x 12
  • ~600g= 2,400 meters of sock yarn

716 Splash Pad Socks

  • Yarn: 716 Knit Sock Set  in the 716sock base in the colorway: It needs to be ok with getting on a boat with Levar Burton and never coming back.
  • 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: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors (orange, yellow, peach, greens & aquas .
  • Cast on June 1 for SPP Kick off.
  • Jenna of 716 also sent me the mini skein set which is part of her SPP Exclusives. What should I do with my minis??
  • Progress: Finished leg. Cuff and heel are in contrast aqua. love them.

Sum-Sum-Summertime socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the colorway Sum-Sum-Summertime
  • 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 Colorway- thinner stripes- 2 colors of aqua, lime green, pink and an orange/peachy yellow. CC mini in lime
  • This is not a SPP colorway but its the perfect colorway for this year’s SPP logo. Should have reminded Michele to sign up😉
  • Brought these camping. Several inches into the first leg

From the Armchair

  1. All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. Audition by Katie Kitamura. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  4. It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  5. The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  6. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  7. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin. 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’m still having fun with watercolors but I have a lot to learn. Any tips on good learning resources?

Knitting in Passing

  • I was on an inpatient unit at the hospital where I work and asked a woman if she had one of the phones I was looking to upgrade. She said no, but that she’s seen me on the train knitting. We had a nice chat and I told her to say hi next time she sees me.

In My Travels

12 of us went camping up in Maine at On the Saco Family Campground. We got one of their big group sites and had a blast!

KAL News

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Updates for this Episode:

  • Prizes- chose from 4  cabanas this time and will choose from the other 4 next episode. At the end of the event, I’ll pull 4 more from the most chatty Cabanas

Events

  • Stash Dash hosted by the Knit Girllls– May 29th-August 30th
  • Summer Bingo with the Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast . Get your Bingo Card on Instagram.
    • Single Bingo spots:
      • Free space
      • Craft: flower focused- watercolor flowers
      • Start a new project: Woolens and Nosh Sum-Sum-Summertime socks
      • Create something 3-dimensional: granny square top
      • Finish a WIP- over 2,000 meters worth of those. 
      • Bonus— Summer book It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  • Sock Week hosted by Knitty Natty– July 20-27
    • Goal is to complete 1 adult sock during Sock Week
  • Tour de Fleece: July 5-July 27 . Tour de Fleece Ravelry Group.
    • Rest Days: Tuesday, July 15 and Monday, July 21.
    • Challenge Days: The first one is Stage 10, on Monday, July 14. The second is Stage 15, on Sunday, July 20.
  • Summer Spin In hosted by Marsha & Kelly of Two Ewes Fiber Adventure. May 31- September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let’s go!
  • Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WA- August 8-10
  • Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA- August 16th

On a Happy Note

  • My friend Megg’s first June recital for her new dancing school was a big success. I helped with set-up, worked the door and clean up. I am very proud of her. I also got to see some of kiddos dance- Emelyn, Hattie and Aila were in the show. All 3 were in one dance.
  • I was totally surprised when during the award’s ceremony they announced a new award “The Diane Lassonde Ruby Slipper Award” and Hattie was the first recipient.
    • For a dancer who shows “hard work, dedication but also build community and helps to make sure all studnets feel welcome at DLA, because as Diane knew and told us, There is No Place Like Home.”
  • Riley & Millie’s recital, followed by Father’s Day Lunch, and Miles’ 1st birthday party.
  • Jeff and I both showed up Father’s day with pink and white checkered outfits- his shirt. my dress. very funny.
  • Camping- huge happy note. Just love the couple who runs the place, Tori and Jason. So kind and generous. Discount when we came with less people. Ziplocs sold out, they gave me some of their own. It’s just refreshing to know people like that are still around.
  • Dance parties all the time. Something that Megg initiates and it makes my dad laugh so hard. I love it.
  • Going to Hornstra for ice cream with Riley and her bff Ellie.
  • Celebrating Oisin’s 17th birthday and getting to see Terri’s new house.
  • A fun June Patreon Zoom after a lousy day/week at work.

Quote of the Week

“Times of stress are also times that are signals for growth, and if we use adversity properly, we can grow through adversity.”

—Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

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Thank you for tuning in!

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