Category Archives: Uncategorized

Episode 228: What’s Old is New Again

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 228 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
  • Some Years Later
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Megg’s 40th Birthday Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn in Raspberry Cream Colorway (from my Yarnable February 2022 Subscription Box). Check out my YouTube Unboxing Video here. 

Unicorn for Millie’s 10th Birthday

  • Pattern: Unicorn Amigurumi by Amy Faulkner 4.90 Euros. About $5.50 crochet pattern (US & UK terms) Available on Etsy.
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (white). Knit Picks Brava Worsted Minis (tail & mane)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Head, body, 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 ears, 1 horn. 

Bunny fix

  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pattern: Best Bunny by Tamie Oldridge. Free crochet pattern from Lion Brand. Available as a PDF directly- click here.
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Berrocco Vintage in purple. Repaired with Knit Picks Brava Worsted 
  • Knit in October 2016

Milly Doll Makeover

  • Pattern: Mary, Millie & Morgan by Susan B. Anderson
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Knit in 2015. 
  • 7 years later she’s getting a makeover.

Garret’s Nana Blanket

  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Hook: I (5.5. mm)
  • Yarn: likely Red Heart Super Saver
  • Fixing Garret’s Nana blanket. I shared more on a blog post on my Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
  • Recreated one panel with the Crumpled Griddle stitch which I believe is what my Nana used. 

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Blue Kamakaze Socks

  • Yarn: ThreadHeadKnits Co. Plump Sock (100% Superwash Merino 4 ply- 438 yards/100g) in the Blue Kamakaze Colorway. 
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams $5 on Ravelry. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Dance Shoe Legwarmers

  • Pattern: Dance Shoe Legwarmers by Sherry Katherine Vernon (free knitting pattern)
  • Yarn: Charming Ewe Suki Sock in the Mystic Topaz  Colorway
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) & US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • If you’d like a good afterthought heel pattern, consider Susan B. Anderson’s Smooth Operator Heel pattern (Ravelry Link) For a video tutorial, check out this video from the EarthtonesGirl YouTube Channel

Pumpkin Patch Socks

  • Pattern: TBD
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Pumpkin Patch colorway
  • Ravelry Project Page

Kim’s Christmas Stocking

  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine. Available in this web archive link. I’ve also saved it to my podcast Gmail Google Drive in case it disappears! You can find that PDF here. 
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: G (4.00 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • green piece and red piece done. iron. 

2022 Fun with Fiber

  • Kingdom Fleece & Fiber Works 100% Tunis Pete’s Fleece (light blues, dark blues and whites). Check them out on Facebook
  • Check out my Ravelry Project Page
  • Mom’s tried on Jessica’s Shift Cowl- pattern, The Shift by Andrea Mowry available for $7 on Ravelry

Brainstorming

Inspired by PliedYarnCo’s Instagram post- this Log Cabin Pillow. Check out this free pattern “Little Log Cabins Recipe” on their website.

From the Armchair

Love is Blind Season 1 on Netflix

Some Years Later

  • Mezzo Cardigan by Alexis Winslow. $9 US Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry or directly from their website.
  • Knit in March/April 2018
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Can’t really wear it with a coat but I do wear it several times a season in fall/winter/early spring. Add some fun jewelry, leggings, heels. great for a date night. Great for chilly winter day when you just want to be wrapped up in many layers!
  • Caesious by Hunter Hammersen
  • Curls: Versatile, Wearable Wraps to Knit at Any Gauge- book details on the Pantsville Press website.
  • Knit Feb-April 2015
  • My project notes do not say, but think I used close to/all of fingering weight skein and yet it wasn’t big enough to wrap around my neck and stay put.
  • In the end, I frogged it to use the yarn for something else.

Knitting in Passing

Stephanie @farmsteadknits on Instagram sent mom a very special car package including a pair of handknit socks & a shawl. Shawl pattern: Around Every Corner by Stephanie Lotven (tellybeanknits). Check out Stephanie’s Ravelry Project Page for full details. Yarn: Sea Panda Yarn- click here for their website. Looks like their Blue Lagoon Mini Set.

In My Travels

Russell’s Garden Center- March 2022 Farm Fiber Days Event

  • Part of Millie’s 10th birthday sleepover
  • Dirty Water Dyeworks- Stephanie
  • Ann Weaver from Plied Yarn
  • Ryan, Lisa, Melissa
  • Purchases- 
    • Friends in Fiber on Etsy
      • Fibery Jewels Teal Speckle Sock Yarn
      • 4 oz of Falkland Fiber Jewels Spots 
    • 2 skeins of Lillian from Dirty Water Dyeworks– in Mediterranean and Sea Breeze
    • Subito Farms yarn for Millie- pink yarn gradient set- 35 yards each pf the pinks and 90 yards natural- 100% cormo raised in Montana, dyed in MA
    • A Hundred Ravens for Millie- Vanir 100% merino DK in the Fantasia Colorway
  • Lunch across the street at The Local afterwards

Visited The Goodwill Bins location in Hudson, NH.

Life in Focus

  • Checked off another item on my 22 for 2022 list- check out new trail. I’ve also done yoga several times in March- to get towards doing yoga every month. 

On a Happy Note

  • Garret had a scare with appendicitis but didn’t need emergency surgery 
  • Booked basics of our trip to Ireland, Scotland and Barcelona
  • Millie’s Birthday Weekend.
  • Dinner in an igloo with a tiki theme
  • Decorated for Easter 

Quote of the Week

People pay for what they do, and still more, for what they have allowed themselves to become. And they pay for it very simply: by the lives they lead.

–James Baldwin

Episode 227: Unicorns, Sunshine & PRIZES

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 227 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
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Unicorn Macaron Amigurumi

  • Pattern: Unicorn Macaron Amigurumi free crochet pattern by Anitha Domacin available on their website.
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in white and various other colors. Small bit of silver metallic yarn from Stash
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Blue Kamakaze Socks

  • Yarn: ThreadHeadKnits Co. Plump Sock (100% Superwash Merino 4 ply- 438 yards/100g) in the Blue Kamakaze Colorway. 
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams $5 on Ravelry. 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Mr. Fezziwig Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Corriedale Sock in the Mr. Fezziwig Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Click here for Wiki page on Mr. Fezziwig from A Christmas Carol

Kim’s Christmas Stocking

  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine. Available in this web archive link. I’ve also saved it to my podcast Gmail Google Drive in case it disappears! You can find that PDF here. 
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: G (4.00 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

Check out this Granny Square Chain. It’s a free Crochet pattern from Homemade@MyPlace

From the Armchair

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf. 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.

Knitting in Passing

  • I met my cousin Chris’ fiancee’s grandmother who will soon be 98 years old. She told me she used to knit and crochet.
  • I found some lovely handkerchiefs at my Mom’s. I think some of the edges were trimmed by my grandmother and my great-aunt Rachel.

In My Travels

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’21: is officially over! WOW!

Pigskin '21 Final Stats

278 Players on Roster this Season

  • 135 people earned 1-25 entries
  • 66 people earned 26-50 entries
  • 58 people got between 51-100 entries
  • 14 of you earned more than 100 entries or more entries towards grand prizes. 
  • Only 5 did not post any points. 

Pigskin ’21 Teams & Conferences

  • Our Teams were Part of 2 Conferences this year- Alpaca Conference (Commissioner: Wendy) & Llama Conference (Commissioner: Jen)
  • Llama Conference won- 508,420 points
  • Alpaca Conference had a strong showing with 456,414 points
  • Highest scoring Team was also in the Llama conference- Team 2- Llamaste- 62,849
  • 2nd Place goes to : Team 10- International Llamas- 50,896
  • In 3rd Place from the Alpaca Conference is: Team 24 Suri Longnecks- 50,721!

Congrats to all of our players and teams! Tune in to hear if you won a participation prize or one of our 10 GRAND PRIZES!

Ask Me Anything

How do you knit for Massachusetts winters (Elisa.knits)

  • Layers!
  • Worsted weight hats and shawls.
  • Make fingerless mitts or mittens. Purchase gloves if you prefer those and the idea of making them doesn’t sound appealing.

Which fiber did you spin with when you began to spin (kmac0107)

  • Corriedale. Highly recommend!

What do you want to hear “my name winning a prize? Smile- Mom updates that you are willing to share” (javajennie) & related question “How’s Mom doing? Sending good vibes her way “(bayoumamaLA)

On a Happy Note

  • Random dance parties during Ski weekend.
  • I only fell once skiing in two days!
  • Sharing IPAs with my brother.
  • So much fun with Snapchat filters. Millie made everyone participate.
  • I got to see my friend Laura’s new apartment on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
  • My cousin’s fiancee’s bridal shower. 
  • Visiting with my former boss & totally losing track of time. 

Quote of the Week

“You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt with. You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding and my dear one, you and I have been granted a mighty generous one.”-Cheryl Strayed

Thank you for tuning in!

Episode 226: Birthday Fun with Handmades

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 226 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
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Dotted Rays

  • Pattern: Dotted Rays by Stephen West (Knitting pattern available on Ravelry  for 6 Euros ~$7 US. Also available on Gumroad.)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Capretta Superwash in the Sagebrush colorway, Knit Picks Palette in Wonderland Heather, Opal Heather, Caribbean, Seafaring, Spruce.
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Pink Moon Sweater

  • Pattern: Pink Moon by This.Bird.Knits. $8 US Pattern available on Ravelry and on the This.Bird.Knits Site.
  • Needles: US 5 & 7 (3.75 & 4.5 mm)
  • Yarn:
    • Sweitzer Fiber Mill unknown (gray)- Rhinebeck 2019
    • Lisa Daschinger Wools (mustard)- Farm Fiber Day’s Russell’s Market January 2020
    • mur yarn merino cashmere fingering (pink)- Barcelona 2019
    • Rowan Alpaca Classic (pink) Staci’s Stitches- LYS
    • Marroon- Handspun
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • The sleeves were too long so I ripped back after the cuff, then did the kitchener stitch in the round to reattach to the sleeve. 
  • Check out this video I used to learn how to do the Kitchener Stitch in the Round
  • Vlog January 29 & 30th – shared a little bit of the process.

Fear Less Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Emma’s Yarn Practically Perfect Sock in the Knit & Stitch Colorway
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Story about the yarn: Shortly after my cousin Gayle listened to E222 that I recorded with mom where we talked about her cancer diagnosis, she was out running an errand and the only parking spot she could find was directly in front of a yarn shop. She took it as a sign and asked for something local that would be good for socks. 
  • Knit & Stitch Boutique in Cocoa Village, FL
  • I stitched Fear & Less just before the toes on each sock using stranded color work and a basic chart I made in Excel.

Boujee New Years Socks

Ball Band Cozy

  • Pattern: Ball Band by Jennifer Lassonde (free crochet pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts). 
  • Yarn: Aqua- Lion Brand re-up. Green- other kitchen cotton of unknown origin
  • Hook:
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Citrus Hat

  • Pattern: Citrus Hat by Laura Treadway (free knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Zen Colorway
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Size: Adult small which is 96 sts. 20″ circumference but I know from experience this cast on count should work. 
  • 2×2 rib then a 6×2 rib
  • Stripes- blues, greens, grays. 
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Gift for my brother’s 40th birthday!

Heart Garland

  • Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs (free crochet pattern available on this blog)
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Knitters Brewing Company Brewski Worsted
  • Gift for my friend Liz.

Mom’s Card Heart Garland 

  • Pattern: Heart Garland by Sarahndipities Designs (free crochet pattern available on this blog)
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted & other worsted weight acrylic yarn from stash- blues, greens, yellows, white and silver. 
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Gift for Mom for all of the cards she’s received recently.

 February Yarnable Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Raspberry Creme Colorway (February Yarnable Subscription Box colorway)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Garret’s Nana Blanket

Caribbean Blue Handspun Cowl- frogged

  • Yarn: Handpun made with Merino Fiber from Beesy Bee Fibers on Etsy in Caribbean Hues Colorway. 5 colors greens/blues. 3 ply yarn
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5)
  • Pattern: None- playing around with stitch pattern for potential design. didn’t love it. 
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Mr. Fezziwig Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Corriedale Sock in the Mr. Fezziwig Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Click here for Wiki page on Mr. Fezziwig from A Christmas Carol
  • Finished first sock!

Brainstorming

  • Check out this video from Ysolda on Instagram. It shows how you don’t need to start with a slip knot to start a long-tail cast on and how that can help you avoid that extra little bump of fabric that slip knot creates. Mind blown!
  • Millie’s birthday gifts.
    • Tip: Warm water and white vinegar worked perfectly to get slime off a commercial stuffed animal. It removed the thick, crusted on slime from her handmade but still left a bit of a pink color cast on them.

From the Armchair

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley. 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.

Knitting in Passing

  • Kris legwarmer sock. It fits. Now that I know that, I can make second. 
  • Knitting at local brewery turned into a conversation!
  • Finished up my Ice Time Hat Class.
  • I visited Staci’s Stitches for the Hypnotic Yarn trunk show last weekend.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’21:

The Pigskin Party is officially over. Thank you to all of you who made it such a huge success! I will announce all of the rest of the winners on Episode 227 at the end of February!

Contest, News & Notes

On a Happy Note

  • We got about 2 feet of snow in 1 storm during the last weekend in January
  • Decorating my very boring laptop shell with stickers
  • Netflix Series: The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window
  • Mom’s birthday. Sleepover. Spa day. Shopping lunch. Dinner. Presents every couple hours. So much fun!
  • Some good news at mom’s recent appointment with her Oncologist.
  • My brother Jeff’s birthday fun at Dave and Busters. 
  • Rachel kindly sent me a gift card to try out Silk and Sonder monthly journal. 
  • Wordle– I’m enjoying it! Are you? They even featured my word of the Year- PAUSE!

Quote of the Week

“What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.”~ Albert Pike

Thank you for tuning in!
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