Category Archives: Uncategorized

Episode 222: Holidays, Hijinks & Hugs Here

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 222 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
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Shout out to Ultimate Insider Patrons: Charlie, Candy, Alicia, Rachel, Rainah, Luanne & Beth

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Aila Grace Shawl 

  • Pattern: Aila Grace by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Into the Whirled Gloucester Sock in the Ramble Colorway (oranges, reds, pinks, purples)
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page
  • Check out Day 10 of my Vlogmas Videos to see the shawl after blocking.

Gnomes of the Gnorth

  • Pattern: Gnomes of the Gnorth by Sue Perez (free crochet pattern on Ravelry & website). Video tutorial available on YouTube.
  • Hook: B
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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

Mermaid Tail Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Mermaid Tail colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Riley’s Christmas Cardigan

  • Pattern: Everyday Cardigan in Merino No. 5 by Loopy Mango
  • Needles: US 15 (10 mm)
  • Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green (sage color)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

From the Armchair

Sweet Bobby Podcast– 6 part investigative series about a woman’s experience with being Catfished in England. 

Some Years Later

In July of 2017, I knit Mom a pair of socks out of scraps of Knit Picks Felici. I washed them with a large batch of socks this week and both have holes in the heels. Click here for the Ravelry Project Page. At least 1-2 other pairs in this batch were knit before 2017 and they look great.

We talk about Mom’s experience with her Waves of Change Sweater- 1 year later.

Crafty Adventures

  • Mom & I did some Christmas baking with Riley and Millie.
  • We made Snickerdoodles, Blondies and no-bake protein bites with oats, peanuts and chocolate chips. 
  • I talked on the last episode about getting wool strips of fabric from Dan’s friend’s mother. In this episode I chat with Mom about supplies my Nana might have for braided rugs.

KAL News


Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

Updates in this episode

  • Monthly Scavenger Hunt (December clues have been posted): Figure out these fun clues and earn points each month. Check out this Ravelry Thread or this Google Doc.
  • Tune in to hear the winner of the November Interception Challenge.
  • Tune in to hear November Interception Winners.
  • December Interception: hosted by Knitty Natty. Find details in this Ravelry thread or in this Google Doc. Cast on 12/1/21 or later. Deadline to post 12/31/21.

Life in Focus

Diane, Jen’s Mom, shared the troubling news of her lung cancer diagnosis. Click here for more information about this cancer that’s caused by an EGFR mutation.

On a Happy Note

  • Riley & Millie’s Christmas Panto
  • Jenny & the Pajamas.
  • Helen! 
  • Decorating the tree
  • Vlogmas– check out the playlist on my YouTube Channel.
  • Our supportive friends, family & medical professionals.
  • Getting the Christmas wrapping done quickly with Dan’s help.

Quote of the Week

“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and being alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You have to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes too near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself that you tasted as many as you could.”

-Louise Erdrich

Thank you for tuning in.
Contact Information:

Episode 221: Christmas Crafty!

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 221 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
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing 
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Queen City Yarns. Use the code TOUCHDOWN to save 25% off all in stock items now thru Dec 15. Advent Calendars are not included.

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Little Frog

  • Pattern: Little Frog Toy by by Yulia Klyushina ($2.60 US crochet pattern) Available on Ravelry & Etsy
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in the Alfalfa Colorway (green) + white acrylic worsted yarn from stash
  • Eyes: from 6060 on Etsy- similar to these.

Sweet & Sour Socks

  • Yarn: hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Sweet & Sour colorway 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page 
Orange spiral pooled socks with Hypnotic Yarns

Christmas Stocking for Peyton

  • Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977 (not available online anymore)
  • Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red, Red Heart Super Saver Solids in Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: F (3.75mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Crochet Christmas Tree

  • Pattern: None
  • Yarn: White Acrylic Worsted Weight Yarn, Red Heart Scrubby Sparkle in the Marshmallow Colorway, Caron Simply Soft Party in the Snow Sparkle Colorway
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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

Mr. Fezziwig Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • 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

Mermaid Tail Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Mermaid Tail colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Aila Grace Shawl 

  • Pattern: Aila Grace by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Into the Whirled Gloucester Sock in the Ramble Colorway (oranges, reds, pinks, purples)
  • Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • My Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

  • Indie GAL patterns I purchased during Sale:
  • Stocking for my cousin Chris’ fiancée 
  • I was given a lot of wool fabric in 1-2 inch strips. What should I use them for? Braided rug? weaving? Punch needle? 

From the Armchair

  1. Soundtracks by Jon Acuff. Started 10/31. Bookshop Affiliate LinkAmazon Affiliate Link
  2. The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. Amazon Affiliate LinkBookshop Affiliate Link.  
  3. The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan. Amazon Affiliate Link. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 

Gee Thanks… just bought it. Podcast 

Crafty Adventures

Crafting with Eme and Aila. We made yarn covered styrofoam trees. The kids made jewelry. Aila glued embroidery floss to match box cars for ornaments. She will cover hot glue with clay at home. Aila did embroidery on a box I got from Target last year.  

Knitting in Passing 

I share a story about a text from my friend Laura who received a comment in public about her hand knit socks. 

KAL News


Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21Important Links:

Updates on this episode:

  • November Gratitude Bonus Ticket- get 500 tickets as a token of our gratitude by going to the Points Tally Form (Google Form) and choosing the November Bonus Ticket option by 12/1/21.
  • Winner for November Interception to be announced in Thread Soon. I will share winner on next episode.
  • December Interception: hosted by Knitty Natty. Find details in this Ravelry thread or in this Google Doc. Cast on 12/1/21 or later. Deadline to post 12/31/21.
    • Check out Natalie’s patterns for ideas- Ravelry Link.
    • Live Event: 12:00 PM EST on Wednesday, December 1st on the Knitty Natty YouTube Channel.The event with be a live cast on party + a live tutorial with tips for the knit Yarn Cozy Lite pattern
  • Monthly Scavenger Hunt: Figure out these fun clues and earn points each month. Check out this Ravelry Thread or this Google Doc.
  • Tune in to hear the October Participation Winners!

Events

  • Vlogmas coming up on my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel starting 12/1
  • Indie Design Gift-a-Long coming up: November 28-December 31, 2021
    • The sale period will run Tuesday, November 23 at 8 pm (US-EST) through Monday, November 29 at 11:59 pm (US-EST)
    • Check out the Indie Design GAL Ravelry Group
    • Coupon Code: giftalong2021
  • Fasten-off Yarn-A-Long Event– kicks off 11/30. 25% off Sale ends 12/6. KAL runs through December 31st. 
    • Need to have patterns that are discountable off Ravelry. LoveCrafts doesn’t allow this, so I’ll be looking into options so I can participate next year. 
  • I’ll be teaching Ice Time Hat Class at Staci’s Stitches starting in January. 
  • Karen & Jessica of the Make Good Podcast are hosting a Sock KAL. Check out their website for details. 
  • Windswept Monique of the Knitting on the Run Podcast is hosting her annual Be a Helper Craft-a-long. Check out her website for details or Monique’s Instagram Page.
  • Vogue Virtual Knitting Live– December 9-12. 
  • Vogue Knitting Live in NYC in January 2022 has been canceled. They’re currently planning for: February 9–12, 2023 
  • Stitches West: March 3-6, 2022 (proof of vaccination + masks will be required) in Sacramento, CA

On a Happy Note

  • Making cookies with mom 
  • Thanksgiving!
  • Aila and Eme sleepover. 
  • Tree decorating 
  • Zoom with Patrons on Black Friday.
  • Breaking in my new MacBook Pro 14 inch 
  • Dan scanning old family photos and showing them to me. 
  • Nearly done Christmas shopping
  • House decorated for Christmas!

Quote of the Week

“With one kind gesture you can change a life. One person at a time you can change the world. One day at a time we can change everything.”
― Steve Maraboli

Thank you for tuning in!
Contact Information:

Episode 220: Of Seas & Skies

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 220 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
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Anne Beady Designs on Ravelry & Etsy, Charming Ewe & Imagined Landscapes

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Static Socks

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Static in the Neptune Colorway 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page

Mermaid

  • Pattern: Melody Mermaid Amigurumi by Chiara Cremon (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Minis in Cream (body/face), Paprika (hair), Marina (tail)
  • Hook: B 2.25 mm
  • Ravelry Project Page

Little Astronaut

  • Pattern: Little Astronaut by Valto Ekaterina ($4.50 crochet pattern- also available on Etsy)
  • Hook: B 2.25 mm
  • Yarn: White & Black worsted weight acrylic yarn from stash
  • Ravelry Project Page

Mended: Camp Out Fingerless Mitts

  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Free Knitting Pattern by tante ehm
  • I used Berrocco Ultra Alpaca
  • These would be great for the Nov Interception if you haven’t already found a pattern for that!

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Costume Party Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Sock in the Costume Party Colorway (75% SW Merino/25% nylon)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page

Sweet & Sour Socks

  • Yarn: hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Sweet & Sour colorway 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Ravelry Project Page 

Christmas Stocking for Peyton

  • Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977 (not available online anymore)
  • Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red, Red Heart Super Saver Solids in Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: F (3.75mm)
  • 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
  • A little bit of lace in the yoke above the colorwork- Pink held double w/ alpaca. First time using a fuzzy yarn
  • Ravelry Project Page

Brainstorming

  • Little Toy Frog by Julia Ka. Ravelry Link. Etsy Link. $2.60 Crochet Pattern. 
  • Dance Shoe Legwarmers by Sherry Katherine Vernon- Ravelry Link (free knitting pattern).
  • Check out the Pigskin Sponsor Ravelry Bundle ideas for gifts. Tip (sort by Yarn used)
    • Dinosaur Tails Fidget Toy ($1 crochet pattern) Ravelry Link by Knitty Natty
    • Go Fun like Gnome Fun by Sarah Shira- Ravelry Link. Website Link.
    • Ball Band Cozy by Jennifer Lassonde (free crochet pattern)- Ravelry Link. LoveCrafts Link.
    • Cashmears by Sarah Jordan ($4 knitting pattern) Ravelry Link- cabled DK headband
    • Do or Do Not Hat by Cassandra Cruikshank of Eat Knit & Dye- $5 knitting pattern- Ravelry Link. Bulky baby Yoda hat
    • Trail Mix by Lisa K. Ross- $4 knitting pattern- Ravelry Link- fingering weight cable mitts- 6 mo to 6 years
    • Without a Paddle Hat by Mary Hull Kino Knits-$6 Knitting Pattern. Ravelry Link
    • Phishing Mitt(en)s by Jesie Ostermiller $6 knitting pattern- Ravelry Link. DK weight colowork mitts/mittens inspired by Phish Foods Ben & Jerry ice cream
    • Rambler cowl by Lisa Cannon (Fibernymph Dye Works- Ravelry Link. $5 Worsted weight twisted stitch and lace cowl
    • Muskoka Cowl by Brenda Castiel- Ravelry Link. $6 Knitting pattern. Dk weight- non-traditional Fair Isle designs such as checkerboards, diamonds and chevron stripes.

From the Armchair

The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan

The Bookshop on the Shore by Jenny Colgan

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

Riley wore her Nanaimo Cardigan to play rehearsal and texted me to say her Director really liked it!

Jen & Riley both wearing their Nanaimo Cardigans

KAL News


Pigskin Party ’21: Official Hashtag: #DCSPigskinParty21

Important Links:

This episode:

  • Congrats to October Interception Winner- KarensAdventures
  • Check out the details of the November Interception hosted by Shanalines Designs. Find details in this Ravelry Thread or this Google Doc. Cast on 11/1/21 or later. Deadline to post is 11/30/21.
  • I teased the December Interception: Cozy Up Challenge with Knitty Natty
    • Live Event: 12:00 PM EST on Wednesday, December 1st on the Knitty Natty YouTube Channel.The event with be a live cast on party + a live tutorial with tips for the knit Yarn Cozy Lite pattern
  • Monthly Scavenger Hunt: Figure out these fun clues and earn points each month. Check out this Ravelry Thread or this Google Doc.

Events

  • Indie Design Gift-a-Long coming up: November 28-December 31, 2021
    • The sale period will run Tuesday, November 23 at 8 pm (US-EST) through Monday, November 29 at 11:59 pm (US-EST)
    • Check out the Indie Design GAL Ravelry Group
  • I’ll be teaching Ice Time Hat Class at Staci’s Stitches starting in January. 
  • Karen & Jessica of the Make Good Podcast are hosting a Sock KAL. Check out their website for details. 
  • Windswept Monique of the Knitting on the Run Podcast is hosting her annual Be a Helper Craft-a-long. Check out her website for details or Monique’s Instagram Page.
  • Vogue Virtual Knitting Live– December 9-12. 
  • Vogue Knitting Live in NYC in January 2022 has been canceled. They’re currently planning for: February 9–12, 2023 
  • Stitches West: March 3-6, 2022 (proof of vaccination + masks will be required) in Sacramento, CA

Life in Focus

I checked off another of my 21 in 2021 list items. #18 Do something spontaneous and delightful. Whisked Aila and Riley off to Great Barrington to see Emelyn!

  • Craft Fair
    • Rooster made from dyed eggshells and silicone.
    • Button Earrings from Caren Kinne Studios. Website. Instagram: carenkinnestudio
  • Fiesta Bar and Grill
  • Bistro Box– great outdoor lunch. Long line but worth the wait. Even the hungry girls agreed.
  • Patisserie Lenox on Main Street in Great Barrington
  • Even more delightful- in brainstorming what they want for Christmas the kids looked through my Rav pages at what I’ve already made them which was delightful in and of itself, but then we found a cute photo of Eme at age 10 w/ a pair of mitts and a cowl I made her. She had that set with her,so we did a recreation photo!  

Ask Me Anything

Dorothy asked about Thanksgiving Plans. 

On a Happy Note

  • Halloween pics of the kiddos.
  • Fun mail: my Advent Swap & my Legacy Fiber Artz calendar!
  • Teaching sock knitting classes.
  • Switching up the path of my morning walks.
  • Playing games with the girls on vacation. Relative Insanity & What do you Meme.( All variations on Apples to Apples/Cards Against Humanity)
  • Yarnable Subsription Box- November box contained an awesome Apple candle and mulling spices for apple cider. Delicious!
  • I got to see my cousin Jenny at work 2 days in a row!
  • Doing a bit of work on the side with my first boss at MGH.

Quote of the Week

“I love repetition. Repetitions turn time into a place, turns the days into a house, where the repetitions form the walls, floor, and ceiling.”– Karl Ove Knausgaard

Thank you for tuning in.