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Episode 186: Rainbows & Reflections

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 186 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: agirlandherwool & Fibernymph Dye Works

I started the show with a bit of my perspective on and support for Black Lives Matter. Tune in to hear the details. I also shared a quote from Gretchen Rubin from Episode 267 of the Happier Podcast.
“The things of ordinary life can seem trivial especially at times like this but big things coexist with little things— and by taking care of little things– and our own lives —we strengthen ourselves to take action on big things. And to turn outward— and to think about other people and the right action we can take in the world.”

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mixed BFL

  • Mixed BFL: Call Me Row-Bear from 2GuysYarn
  • Wheel: Kromski Minstrel 
  • 2 ply yarn 
  • 312.7 meters. 
  • Stash Dash Total: 938 meters

Christmas Stocking for Jenna & Cecilia

  • Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977 (not available online anymore)
  • Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red
  • Hook: F (3.75mm)
  • 912 meters 

Happiest Blanket Ever 2 

  • Pattern: Happiest Blanket Ever by Tamara Kelly (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (Pastel Green) for Main Color. Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop in the Tutti Fruitti Colorway 
  • Hook: K (6.5 mm)
  • Cast on for Baby Size. Chain 154.
  • MC- 783 meters, CC: 429 meters: about 90 meters for last round of border in a salmon color. Total: 1304 meters for stash dash
  • FO= 51 inches long  and 37 inches wide

2 Blues 32oz Jar Cozy

  • Pattern: None
  • Hooks: 3.5 mm (E), 3.75 mm (F),4.0 mm (G)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up in Sky and Denim
  • 46 meters

Rainbow Cozy Large (32oz jar)

  • Pattern: None
  • Hooks: 3.5 mm (E), 3.75 mm (F),4.0 mm (G)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up- Black, worked my way through rainbow. Purple to red. Black body. Pink round at the top.
  • 59 meters

Stash Dash Summer Dishcloths Round 1

  • Yarn: Lily Sugar n’Cream
  • Hook: J (6.0 mm)
  • Pattern: Solid Granny Square
  • I’m trying to work through my entire stash of Lily Sugar n’ Cream cotton. My firstbatch of summer washcloths = 32 cloths.
  • 454 grams/ 704 meters

Stash Dash Total (to date): 6,670 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Quarantine Socks

  • Yarn: Berroco Sox in Colorway 1415 Portsoy (self striping grays and blues)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Finished first sock- 38g.  
  • Almost through leg of second sock. 

Misfit Scrappy Sock 

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Mint Rain Hand Dyed Yarn Twist Sock in the We R All Misfits (self striping). Holly Press Fibers Sheepish Minis in 2 colors of green

PrideSockathon2020 Socks

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Rainbow Colorway & Paton’s Kroy (black)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Cast on for Abigail of Covert Knits Video Podcast Pride Sockathon 2020 runs through June. 
  • Abigail is donating money to The Trevor Project for each pair she finishes and I think I’ll do the same. 

Natural Tans BFL

  • Fiber: 4 oz BFL from Beesy Fibers.
  • Wheel: Kromski Minstrel
  • Plan is to spin 8 oz cream/undyed Corriedale and spin a 3 ply. 

C2C Blanket

  • Pattern: Corner to Corner Start tutorial by Lauri Bolland
  • Hook: I (5.25mm)
  • Yarn: Vanna’s Choice 3 skeins each of (pink) and (light gray)
  • Thanks to walshcentral- Maryann for inspiration and link to pattern on Ravelry.
  • I found this tutorial very useful to get my head around the construction.
  • I used this link for Border help  but found that I was getting too much flare, so after first round of (chain 3, sc) instead of DC in each chain, I did 2 DC, then DC in the SC below. 

Brainstorming

KAL News


Quarterly Quests!

Get all of the details here. Check out the Quarter 2 Thread April 1-June 30 – Free the Favorites Knit any projects you have “hearted” over the year with the hopes of knitting them someday. That day will arrive. Knit as many as you can. You will receive extra entries for any pattern that was favorited over 5 yearsIt can be something you’ve made before

Thank you to our Quarter 2 Sponsors: Prairie Bag WorksNahSt DesignsYumi Yarns DesignsagirlandherwoolHolly Press Fibers.
Don’t forget to post on Instagram #QuarterlyQuests you can also add one for the Quarter:
#sQuelchtheQueue#FreetheFavorites#LessentheLibrary#SlaytheStash& you can always add #downcellarstudiopodcast

Splash Pad Party – Check out the Start Here Thread for Details & Links to everything you need

Pro Shop Sponsors:

Snack Shack Sponsors

Events

Stash Dash, hosted by the Knit Girllls, runs May 22- August 22, 2020. Check out the Chat Thread & the Rules in the Knit Girllls Podcast group

Contest, News & Notes

My latest knitting pattern is available on Ravelry! The Ice Time Mitts pattern is $5 on Ravelry.

  • Yarn
    • Main Color: Legacy Fiber Artz DK, 75% Superwash Merino, 25% Nylon. 100 grams, 245 yards / 224 meters. Colorway – Grey Gardens (grey)
    • Contrast Color: Cloudborn Fibers Highland DK, 100% Fine Highland Wool. 50 grams, 164 yards / 150 meters. Colorway – Maize Heather (mustard).
    • Yarn Used in Sample (Medium): Main Color used 30 grams, 74 yards / 68 meters. Contrast Color used 22 grams, 71 yards / 65 meters.
  • Sizes
    • Small (Medium, Large)
    • Finished palm circumference: 6 (7, 8) in / 15.25 (17.75, 20.25) cm
    • Intended to fit with no-ease to a little bit of negative ease. Select the size that is closest to your handcircumference as measured just below the knuckles. If you are between sizes, I’d recommend going down to a smaller size
  • Pattern Info
    • Pattern has 2 linked video tutorials- how to work the 1×1 cable without a cable needle and without dropping the stitch off your needles.
    • How to do the Jeny’s surprisingly stretchy BO on 1×1 rib. 
    • Tech edited and test knit.

Life in Focus

Ask Me Anything

Shateen Amanda asked: What is your current favorite lunch or snack?

  • Lunch- Siracha Ranch salad (salad with any veggies I have in my fridge and the Siracha Ranch dressing from Trader Joe’s)
  • Snack- fruit. or popcorn

Limestone knits asked: What are your favorite cardigan patterns

  • I’ve only knit 4 adult cardigans. Rocky Coast by Hannah Fettig, Lush Cardigan by Tin Can Knits, Mezzo Cardigan by Alexis Windslow, Sandbar Cardi- crochet pattern by Toni Lipsey.
  • I’ve learned something through each one- about fit and fiber content… Not sure cardigans are my thing. My favorite of these is the Mezzo Cardigan.

On a Happy Note

  • Attending a peaceful BLM protest in Boston.
  • Figuring out what my family feels comfortable with for visiting.
  • Riley and Millie knitting at the pool
  • Kayaking with Dan
  • Seeing a buck in the backyard.
  • Celebrating my 40th birthday!
  • Visiting with family after the kids come here on Saturdays to work in the woods with Dan.

Quote of the Week

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new.

-Socrates

Contact Information:

Episode 185: Splash & Stash Time

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 185 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsor: Adoreknit

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins


Shy Little Unicorn 

  • Pattern: Shy Little Unicorn by Ana Paula Rimoli
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable Solids (white), Knit Picks Brava Worsted (various solids) + acrylic stash yarn scraps

Happiest Blanket Ever

  • Pattern: Happiest Blanket Ever by Tamara Kelly (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (white) for Main Color. Worsted Acrylic partial skeins for accent colors.
  • Hook: K (6.5 mm)
  • Cast on for Baby Size. Chain 154.
  • 1082 meters

Pint Sized Blue Ball Band

  • Pattern: Ball Band by Jennifer Lassonde (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Ip in the Navy & Sky colorways
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) and G (4.0 mm)
  • 41 meters

Staci’s Stitches Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plus Sock in the Staci’s Stitches colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • 280 meters

Cozy Classic Raglan

  • Pattern: Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs
  • Needles: US 3 for Ribbing. US 7 for body
  • Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK in color 547 Sunny
  • Knitting Size Medium. Short sleeved. Full length 350g of yarn. 805 meters. 

My 1st Spinning Project

  • Wool: 4 oz Gray undyed Corriedale from purchased BeesyBee on Etsy.  $6.75 
  • Wheel: Kromski Minstrel 
  • 2 plies spun Z twist. Plied S twist
  • 166.4 meters. Stash Dash meters x3- 499.2 meters 

2707 meters for Stash Dash to date

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbin


Happiest Blanket Ever 2 

  • Pattern: Happiest Blanket Ever by Tamara Kelly (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love (Pastel Green) for Main Color. Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop in the Tutti Fruitti Colorway 
  • Hook: K (6.5 mm)

Summer 2020 Wash Cloths

  • Lily Sugar and Cream
  • Hook: J
  • Pattern- various crochet patterns
  • 12 done so far. Goal is at least 1 per day. Fill up the gift bin and replace our old ones.

Misfit Scrappy Sock 

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Mint Rain Hand Dyed Yarn Twist Sock in the We R All Misfits (self striping). Holly Press Fibers Sheepish Minis in 2 colors of green

Mixed BFL

  • Mixed BFL: Call Me Row-Bear from 2GuysYarn
  • Wheel: Kromski Minstrel 
  • Finished the spinning. Not sure if I’m going to 2 ply or try my first chain ply. 

Brainstorming

I want to use some leftover Aran weight cotton yarn to make a dress for my 2 year old niece Hattie I’m thinking of the Infant Darling Danger Dress by Charissa Pray. $5 US Crochet pattern.

Crafty Adventures

  • Painting rocks at Mom and Dad’s 
  • Kids made flowers. Dan made a turtle. I made a butterfly. 

Knitting in Passing

  • I did a video chat with my 12 year old niece Riley. Thought she needed help to bind off but really just needed to close up the last stitch.
  • Riley used a video I sent her to cast on a new cowl to teach her friend to knit.
  • Millie (8 years old) can’t find kit from Christmas and wants to knit, so I sent supplies directly to their house and Riley agreed to cast on for her.
  • Here are photos of Riley’s first cowl and headband.

KAL News

Quarterly Quests!

Get all of the details here. 

Check out the Quarter 2 Thread April 1-June 30 – Free the Favorites Knit any projects you have “hearted” over the year with the hopes of knitting them someday. That day will arrive. Knit as many as you can. You will receive extra entries for any pattern that was favorited over 5 years. It can be something you’ve made before.

Thank you to our Quarter 2 Sponsors: Prairie Bag WorksNahSt DesignsYumi Yarns DesignsagirlandherwoolHolly Press Fibers.
Don’t forget to post on Instagram #QuarterlyQuests you can also add one for the Quarter:#FreetheFavorites

Splash Pad Party Starts May 30th!

Check out the Start Here Thread for Details & Links to everything you need

Click here to see details for our Virtual Kick Off Events

Pro Shop Sponsors:

Snack Shack Sponsors

Events

Stash Dash starts May 22 Check out the Chat Thread in the Knit Girllls Podcast group

Contest, News & Notes


Point Counterpoint Volume 5 is on sale for $5 through May 31st with code COLLAB. 4 patterns- 2 each from Mary of Kino Knits and me.

Life in Focus

  • I checked off 2 things on my 20 for 2020 List.
  • I finished a Bluprint Class: Plying with Jillian Moreno (loved it)
  • Dan & I went kayaking at Jacob’s Pond.

On a Happy Note

  • Dan made a new banner for my cousin’s 10th birthday parade.
  • Dan & I celebrated our 16th Anniversary and his brother’s birthday with a socially distant visit in their backyard.
  • We had a visit with my parents, brother and his family.
  • I was delighted to see my cousin Jenny at work. 
  • I enjoyed a one on one chat with my friend Petrina and a Bingo game with her friends.
  • Doing my morning Zoom workout outside on the deck in the nice weather. 

Quote of the Week

If you want your life to be different, you have to start reacting to life differently. – Bryant McGill

Thank you for tuning in!


Contact Information:

Episode 184: Spin Spin Spin

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 184 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Gray Bobble Hexagon Trivet

  • Pattern: Bobble Hexagon Trivet by Amy Minard ($4.50 US crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Lily Sugar n’ Cream in the Greige Colorway
  • Hook:  H (5.0mm)

Moonrise Necklace

  • Pattern: Moonrise Necklace by Sivia Harding & Ellen Sandin (knit)
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Vineyard Silk Classic – lace weight silk yarn came with kit. 
  • Bought kit at Stitches West 2016. Emily (knittingbutterfly), Joanna Johnson and I went out to San Jose and were very kindly hosted by our friends the Knitmores- Jasmin and Gigi of the Knitmore Girls podcast. Thursday afternoon before the event actually opened that we had lunch with Sivia. When we dropped her back at her hotel we went up to her room and she showed us the kits for these beautiful necklaces and samples that were already made/in progress. Knew it was something my mom would love! She had a handful of colors to choose from and we got to pick what we wanted off her bed and buy them! When we got back to the car we all agreed that the exhilaration was intoxicating and decided this was the knitting version of a drug deal. We got such a kick out of it. 
  • Kit had everything I needed- yarn, beads, the flosser to string the beads, clasp.
  • Love the way this came out. Think I’d have liked it with the 2.0 mm called for and perhaps with bigger beads a little better but I didn’t have that on hand. Pattern is well written and intuitive. It was easy to memorize the 8 row repeat and to read my knitting once the repeat was established.
  • Something new to me. Never knit with beads before. K1, place one. very easy. 
  • Pattern available as a kit from Earthfaire (US $29.95). Kit includes pattern, silk thread, bead mix, and clasp.

Mother’s Day Wash Cloths

  • Pattern: None (crochet)
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm) and I (5.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Lily Sugar n’Cream 

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins 

Shy Little Unicorn 

  • Pattern: Shy Little Unicorn by Ana Paula Rimoli
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable Solids (white), Knit Picks Brava Worsted (various solids) + acrylic stash yarn scraps

Cozy Classic Raglan

  • Pattern: Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs
  • Needles: US 3 for Ribbing. US 7 for body
  • Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK 

Misfit Scrappy Sock 

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Mint Rain Hand Dyed Yarn Twist Sock in the We R All Misfits (self striping). Holly Press Fibers Sheepish Minis in 2 colors of green

Christmas Stockings

  • Pattern: Granny Square Christmas Stocking by Family Circle Magazine 1977 (not available online anymore)
  • Yarn: Patons Classic Worsted in Bright Red
  • Hook: F (3.75mm)

Blue Raspberry Matchy Socks

  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Socks in the Blue Raspberry Colorway 
  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)

Spinning! To hear the full story about my spinning wheel tune in to Episode 173

My 1st Spinning Project

  • Wool: 4 oz Gray undyed Corriedale from purchased BeesyBee on Etsy.  $6.75 
  • Wheel: Kromski Minstrel 

Mixed BFL

  • Mixed BFL: Call Me Row-Bear from 2GuysYarn
  • Wheel: Kromski Minstrel 

From the Armchair

Crafty Adventures

I’ve done a bit of coloring and digital scrapbooking. 

KAL News

Quarterly Quests!

Get all of the details here. Check out the Quarter 2 Thread April 1-June 30 – Free the Favorites Knit any projects you have “hearted” over the year with the hopes of knitting them someday. That day will arrive. Knit as many as you can. You will receive extra entries for any pattern that was favorited over 5 yearsIt can be something you’ve made before

Thank you to our Quarter 2 Sponsors: Prairie Bag WorksNahSt DesignsYumi Yarns DesignsagirlandherwoolHolly Press Fibers.

Don’t forget to post on Instagram #QuarterlyQuests you can also add one for the Quarter:#FreetheFavorites

Splash Pad Party

Pro Shop Sponsors:

Snack Shack Sponsors

Events

Stash Dash starts May 22. Check out the Chat Thread in the Knit Girllls Podcast group

Contest, News & Notes

Ask Me Anything

Tune in to hear the answers to these questions:

  • knitini: how to avoid knitting burnout? I’m teetering on the edge.  
  • Mfcknits: what to you knit in warmer weather?
  • thisElsaSilva- how do you manage your WIPs and how many do you have? Sewrunknit: how you found your niche at work. Did you go to school for your job?
  • Ecbthorman- Someone you follow on insta whose feed is bringing you knitting inspo   right now. I love watching the #todaysknitoutfit hashtag
  • ann.rupp: How did you make the numbers work when you modified the stitch count on your Boxy?

On a Happy Note

  • I finished painting my guest room. Paint colors: Sherwin Williams: Knitting Needles & Pewter Cast 
  • Mother’s Day 
  • Flowers in bloom on my walks. 
  • New babies in the family!

Quote of the Week

Henry David Thoreau “The cost of a thing is the amount of … life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.” 

Thank you for tuning in!
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