Category Archives: Show Notes

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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Episode 298: Socks & Blankets

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 298 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu. Find Stitched by Jessalu at the Central New York Fiber Festival June 7 & 8 10:00am – 4:00pm at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort, NY. Go find Jess and her beautiful bags there!

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Granny square top 

  • Yarn: MC- Cloudbourn Fibers Wool Fingering Twist in Natural (1 skeins), Advent Mini Skeins from Legacy Fiber Artz (Steel Toes Base) & Fibernymph Dye Works (Bounce Base)- both from 2024. 
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Pattern: none
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 3 round granny squares: Round 1= more tonal color, Round 2= speckled, Round 3= natural
  • Yarn organization: I put 2 sets of colors in each mostly clear zippered pouch from my Yarnable Subscription kits. It keeps the yarn from the mini skeins from getting tangled.
  • Memorial Day weekend I spent Saturday and Sunday mornings quietly working away at the dining room table on this project. Check out this Instagram reel which highlights the project so far.
  • 13 squares around and 4 rows high for the body. 
  • I added SC to trim around all of the edges.
  • Around the bottom, I added a round of SC and a round of HDC. I am playing around with idea of bobbles or puff stitch but want to try on before I decide. 

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 
  • About the yarn: aqua, gray and purple. 
  • After switching to the new Knit Picks US 2 needle with a 47 inch cord, I flew through most of this hat!

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)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the colorway- cream with gray, purple, tan/brown and small blips or orange. Spiral pooling. 
  • Progress: both socks are nearly ready for the toes.

Adrift on an Inland Sea Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Adrift on an Inland Sea Socks 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: first sock finished. Second sock- a few inches into the leg (after the cuff)

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)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 90g of yarn to start
  • About the Yarn: Self striping with yellow, tan, peach, pink, light aqua, teal & navy
  • Progress:  long leg and heel done on sock #1.

Ebb & Flow Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Ebb & Flow 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: nearly finished second sock. Ready for toe

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
  • Progress: started toe of first sock
  • About the yarn- cream, pink and blue to match rose apron David wears in this episode of Schitt’s Creek. 

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 
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 7 colorways with 100g, 1 with 50g. I have another 50g skein I could add in (more of a pain because you have to wind off half). 
  • I am matching up stripes so they end at same time or as close as possible. 
  • Foundation half-double crochet 101. 1 row of dc (probably could have skipped). 
  • Size: 36″ wide. Was 16 inches. Now 28 
  • Changing colors typically after 4 rows-  unless its a colorway that goes back and forth with the same colors- like carrot cake. 

Four Leaf Clover Granny Square Blanket

  • Pattern: Four Leaf Clover Granny Square by by Apinya Roszko
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava 500 in colorway Mint & Loops and Threads Impeccable in Colorway 01808
  • Originally tried center in Brava colorway- Hunter. TOO DARK. 
  • Clever simple clover pattern in just 2 rounds. 
  • Center square (in darker green)- 4g. Three rounds on outside of clover (in mint)- 12g 
  • Size:  6 inch square. 
  • 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: more than a dozen shamrocks made. I’ve crocheted and seamed 7 full squares. 

From the Armchair

Podcast– Cramped

Book: All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley.  Amazon Affiliate Link.

Musical:  The Light in the Piazza at The Huntington Theater in Boston

  • Want to see it? Use promo code TELLAFRIEND25 for 25% off tickets toThe Light in the Piazza. 

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

Tune in to hear about the graduation photo book I made for Eme. 

In My Travels

KAL News

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Updates for this Episode:

  • Splash Pad Kick Off– June 1st. Click here for the schedule
  • elisewentwest created a Google Sheets tracker for your Splash Pad Projects for those who like to plan/track outside of our official Summer Celebration Form (though don’t forget to do that if you want to get your entries for prizes)
    • Click “File” » “Make a Copy”from there, you can name your own version of the tracker and have an editable version to track your projects!
    • The submission form is linked in the top row. In the Points column, you can select more than one option to help you track how many points/entries you earned for a project.
  • Pattern Bundle Collection of sponsor patterns for you to browse. Thanks, SewRunKnit!

Events

On a Happy Note

  • Seeing Kimberly Akimbo with Megg. I never buy merch, but I bought a mug and I love it!
  • Mammogram- all clear! Reminder: go get yours if you’re due. 
  • After Eme’s graduation, we all finished packing up their townhouse, then met up a brewery and walked next door for a delicious dinner outdoors at a Mexican restaurant- Agave. 
  • Antiquing with Dan on Sunday before we went to Cantrip show. 
  • I went to play cards with Dan’s friends. 
  • Dan and I celebrated 21 years together! 
  • We went to see Will before Senior Prom. While waiting for him, it was so fun to see all of the outfits!
  • My plants! Seeing real growth, transplanting and seeing things continue to thrive. 
  • Celebrating Jenna’s Masters Degree
  • My Dad, my cousins and I went to see my youngest cousin Bella in a high school production of Little Women (the musical). She played Amy (1 of the 4 sisters) and she did a phenomenal job. Dad and I got dinner before hand and caught up. Great night!
  • Low key Memorial Day weekend! Lots of lazy morning making time to work on my crochet top. 
  • Working with Dan, Jeff, Riley and Dad to open the pool! First cookout on the back deck. 
  • Lovely warm-weather walk to Lolita for dinner before seeing The Light in the Piazza. 
  • Will’s high school graduation

Quote of the Week

We are not permitted to choose the frame of our destiny. But what we put into it is ours.

–DAG HAMMARSKJOLD

Thank you for tuning in!

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Episode 289: A Sad Goodbye

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 289 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
  • Some Years Later
  • Knitting in Passing
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Content Note: I start the episode by sharing news that most of you probably already know but in case not, will set the tone for the rest of the episode. After 3 long years battling Stage 4 Lung Cancer- we lost my Mom, Diane, on New Year’s Day. I share a bit more of the story in the Life in Focus segment, but there are small moments peppered throughout so if death and loss is a difficult topic for you right now, that’s ok. I just wanted to give a heads up. If this isn’t the episode for you, we’ll catch you in the next one.

Off 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

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.
  • Gave to Mom for Christmas. She only ended up wearing them a few times but she loved them very much.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Woolens & Nosh 2024 Advent Socks

  • 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
  • Progress: 1st sock done. 2nd is beyond the heel.

Freckled Whimsy 2024 Advent Socks

  • Yarn: Freckled Whimsy
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Riley knit a lot on these!
  • The 1st sock is beyond the heel.

From the Armchair

The Life Impossible by Matt Haig- 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

Wearing mostly Mom’s handknits because I was there and didn’t have all of my own to choose from.

  • I wore some of her socks especially when we ended up sleeping in the family room and it was chilly and I couldn’t leave her alone.
  • Mom’s blue Camp out fingerless mitts (Ravelry Project Page link)- 2021
  • Mom’s Shift Cowl out of my handspun (Ravelry Project Page link)- 2022
  • Mom’s Carbeth Cardigan (Ravelry Project Page link) – finished night before Rhinebeck in 2023 (while in Vegas)

Knitting in Passing

  • Millie loved her lipstick and nail polish amigurumi.
  • Hattie didn’t get her Christmas gifts until after Miles’ Baptism on 1/12- “be off you boring socks” and threw socks across the room and immediately put them on and was showing them off. It was very dramatic and adorable.
  • Laura sent me a text of her friend Arielle wearing the socks I knit her. You can find the Ravelry Project Page here.
  • Laura and I went back to my house one day to collect some things and Riley asked me to bring ALL THE KNITTING, so I grabbed a ton of stuff. She opened every single project bag and in the end still decided to knit on the Freckled Whimsy advent socks

Crafty Adventures

  • We printed almost 400 photos for 11 posters for the funeral home. We broke out the scrapbook supplies and tape gun which I can’t believe Laura didn’t steal because after an initial skepticism she and Jenny were very into it.  Megg, Oisin and Riley were huge helps and had a lot of fun.
  • Megg and Laura searched house for memoriabilia stuff to make 3 displays for funeral home- Red Sox & reselling, Christmas and Wiz of Oz. Incredible. Funeral home did it just as well or even better.
  • Megg made these Sox and Bruins “tickets” on Canva

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
  • Tune in to see if you won our Quarter 3 Challenge sponsored by FanGirl Fibers.
  • Official Sponsor for Q4: Fibernymph Dye Works– Small Gains Challenge (January 2025). Check out this Ravelry Thread for details.
  • Tune in to see if you won a December participation prize.
  • Mary’s Commentator Updates
    • I just finished a sweater–my first big project of the PSP.  It took me months and it feels like a great accomplishment. Plus it is enough yards to qualify for a blitz!  This got me thinking about blitzes and wondering how the pigskin partiers are doing with blitzes this year. When I just looked, players had already submitted for 202 blitzes this year!  Amazing!  But even more amazing are a handful of what I am calling super-blitzers!  
    • 2 players have already completed 6 blitzes so far this year!  Can you believe it?
    • In addition to these super-blitzers, 3 players have completed 5 blitzes and 3 more have completed 3!  But don’t be dismayed if you are a mere mortal like me–The best thing about the PSP is that you can make whatever you want (as much or as little as you have time for).  Wishing you all a very happy new year!

Life in Focus

Tune in to hear the last of my Mom’s story. I also reviewed my word for 2024, Heart, my goals and my 24 for 2024 list.

On a Happy Note

  • Seeing a local production of Pippin and introducing it to Riley.
  • Seeing Hattie in Funky Nutcracker & her winter dance recital. Check out Day 14 of Vlogmas for more.
  • Riley took her first solo drive as a licensed driver, made us breakfast and braided my hair. Later that day, friends surprised my Mom by caroling. Check out this video for more. Oisin got his license the following Saturday. Mom was so proud of both of them.
  • Silly moment putting TJ’s gummy mustaches on our faces. Mom even got in on the action resting it on her oxygen tube and giving crazy eyes for a photo.
  • The Christmas eve cling wrap game that my cousin Lea hosted. You can see it at the end of my Vlogmas Day 24 video
  • Fun Christmas morning with G & Z who enjoyed the power wheels Jeep. Doing puzzles with G while Z played the piano.
  • Low key Christmas afternoon at my parents’. At one point Mom got confused and said we were at a wedding so that turned into a running joke all day. My cousin Jenny, mom’s Goddaughter, came over for a bit and showed Mom the video that over 40 people sent in clips for. She said it was her fav Christmas gift.
  • Laura, whose timing is impeccable and who was everything I needed during the hardest time.
  • Shopping with friends to find attire for Mom’s funeral.
  • Conor led the kids in singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow at mom’s services and our friend Michael Hammond led a group singing Seasons of Love to finish the service at the Cemetery. My cousin Rita Marie sang at funeral mass.
  • Folks flew in from 12 states to attend which was lovely but also it got crazy once we realized we had way more people coming than would fit in he luncheon venue we talked to. Dad said it was like the Jerry Lewis telethon w/ everyone making phone calls trying to find a new venue. By the next morning, we found a place that worked, visited and picked out the menu by that night.
  • As ever, this segment is meant to focus on the highlights. Not the lowlights of which there have been many. Grief sucks. Its hard, but we also got 68 beautiful years w/ my Mom- and we lived it up royally in the last 3 since she got sick. We’ll always more time but I don’t have any regrets and that’s something to be truly grateful for.
  • Miles’ Baptism. It was a beautiful service with brunch after at Conor & Carly’s.
  • Just before Christmas, we gave away $10k in FearLESS Living Fund scholarships to 2 gentlemen the Blind Center of Nevada. Friends attended and sent us videos. Just incredible. I hope it helps to really give them a leg up this year.

Quote of the Week

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.”

Washington Irving

——

Thank you for tuning in.

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