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Episode 308: Rhinebeck Recap

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 308 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
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu, Suburban Stitcher, The Wandering Purl & agirlandherwool

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Born to Be Mild Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Born to Be Mild Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Granny Square Chicken

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Palm Springs Colorway
  • Pattern: Granny Square Chicken by Sweet Softies- $3.99 crochet pattern on Ravelry.
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Yarn- self striping with cream, rust, peach, dusty pink, dusty orange. I didn’t change color between rounds- I just let the self striping yarn do its thing. I used an organza bag to put the polyfill in.
  • Put the tortoise shell glasses I bought at Another Yarn on her but they’re a little big.

Essex Beanie

  • Pattern: Essex Beanie by Justine Walley (AlyseCrochet). $5 crochet pattern available on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Berroco Ultra Wool in colorway 3361 Kale (used 68g/ 148 yards for the hat, before the pom pom)
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Sheri’s Christmas Socks

  • Yarn: Gusto Wool Echos in Colorway 1515
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I cast this on to bring to Rhinebeck on my Lemonwood Mini Minder (I have this Art Deco one) so I could walk and knit.

Traveler Sweater

  • Pattern: The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 pattern available on Ravelry & the designer’s website)
  • Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport (90/10 SW/Nylon)
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Body was done and seamed before I left for Rhinebeck but I had to rip back the sleeve twice because I mis-read the instructions. Finally on track now.

Yarn Cozy Lite

  • Yarn: Cascade Heritage Yarn (75% SW Merino 25% Nylon) in the Highlighter Guava colorway
  • Pattern: Yarn Cozy Lite by Knitty Natty- $6 pattern available on Ravelry
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Progress: I have about 1 inch of knitting left.

Game Day Party Socks

  • Yarn: Mandi’s Makings SW Merino Fingering Weight Yarn in the Pigskin ’25 Exclusive Game Day Party Colorway. Green mini skein for heel from Goosey Fibers (Wizard of Oz Advent Calendar yarn)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page

Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin

  • Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis’ handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily’s Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. Emily made a 2-ply where

Gary’s LeHigh Hat

  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood. $5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed Site
  • Yarn: Cesium Yarn Strong DK ( 75% SW Merino/25% Nylon) in the One More Sleep Colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

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.

In My Travels

Rhinebeck 2025

Friday Highlights:

  • Seeing Kacey of Kacey Knits in person at Indie Untangled
  • Seeing Maggie of Yarnaceous Fibers, Emily of Fan Girl Fibers & Jamie of Pacific Knit Co
  • Seeing Christy of Yarn Cafe Creations (she signed up as a Snack Shack Sponsor and donated a skein of yarn)- she also had these cool trinket dishes. I bought 3 for gifts! Love them.
  • Of Dust and Dew had beautiful pottery. I waited too long and didn’t get the chicken vase I had my heart set on.
  • It was my first time at A Woolen Affair.
  • They had a beautiful art installation called Tributary- “A collective art installation as a celebration of community, creativity and collective power.”

Saturday & Sunday Highlights:

  • Saturday- we met up with our friend Lauren (lbeth21) and we spent the day together. Lauren kindly gifted me two bars of her homemade soap. Check out her Instagram- Happy Cat Suds (website coming soon)
  • One our first stops was to see Jess and Roger of Stitched by Jessalu. It was an emotional visit and we didn’t get a photo together. Across the barn, we saw Beth (mdquilter) along with Pigskin Sponsor Kim Shaffir.
  • 2p Meet-up: Thank you to everyone who came out.
  • Sunday morning we started with breakfast at a diner before heading to the fairgrounds. We made it over to see Amy of Ross Farm.
  • I ran into Hope again and she gifted me a beautiful sock set from her yarn store-Hope Made Yarn Co.
  • Sunday we left around 3/3:30p drove through Saugerties to get dinner so we popped into The Perfect Blend yarn store before we ate.

KAL News

Updates In This Episode

  • Our Official Sponsor for Quarter 1 (October): Love in Stitches with Knitty Natty is hosting a Cozy Up Challenge. Check out the details in this Ravelry Thread. Remember, projects need to be finished by 10/31 but you can enter for points until 11/5/25.
  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November)- Twice Sheared Sheep is hosting the Count On It Challenge. Details in this Ravelry thread.
  • Charity Challenge (runs through Thanksgiving)- details in this Ravelry Thread (21 of you have already asked for the address to mail in items! THANK YOU). Please email me to request the address.
  • Pink Challenge (runs through 10/31)- details in this Ravelry Thread.

Commentator Update

There’s been a lot of activity in the huddle thread recently. Players have been discussing a range of interesting topics such as:

Strategy for shopping at fiber festivals, which was partially inspired by Rhinebeck but certainly applies to any festival, suggestions for patterns to use up mini-skeins, recommendations for cruises, board game recommendations, how to balance manicures with crafting time, ideas for handmade gifts for someone going into memory care, and what to do when you’ve simply lost interest in a project

As usual, if you can’t keep up–just jump in!  

I also wandered over to the endzone dance thread today. Unsurprisingly, there are a lot of pink projects, cozies, and pink cozies! But players have also recently finished a few Halloween themed projects Links below go to Ravelry:

I am always amazed by the huge variety of projects that pigskin partiers complete!  It is so fun to see what everyone likes to create!

Events

Life in Focus

I shared a bit about my recent fibromyalgia pain flare.

On a Happy Note

  • 300 Paintings at ART
  • Bethany of the Wandering Purl sent me 2 of her Pigskin exclusive bags with notions pouches!
  • Dad and I went to my nephew Garret’s hockey game together.
  • The foliage is gorgeous this year.
  • I signed up for Lauren (agirlandherwool) self striping club and got my first skein! Its great!
  • Love is Blind Season 9- it was a wild and crazy season. I enjoy chatting about it with my friend Laura and am thrilled that the reunion will air while I’ll be in NYC with her.
  • So many deer in the yard in the last week and even a buck who has made a few appearances.
  • We had fun at a friends’ movie night watching Young Frankenstein.

Quote of the Week

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it–always.”

― Mahatma Gandhi

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 307: Yarn Crawls + Side Quests

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 307 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
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Katie’s Randomness, Heart & Squirrel & Paper Daisy Creations (Ravelry)

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Sweetly Striped Hat

  • Pattern: Sweetly Striped Hat by Chit Chat Knits. $4.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Berroco Vintage in colorway 5185 Tide Pool
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pattern: Snack Shack Sponsor- Chit Chat Knits- 20 points
  • Project Bag & Notions Pouch- Pro Shop Sponsor The Huckleberry Girl- 40 pts each= 80 points
  • Check out this video on how to do a 1×1 left & right cross without a cable needle from my YouTube Channel

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Traveler Sweater

  • Pattern: The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 pattern available on Ravelry & the designer’s website)
  • Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport (90/10 SW/Nylon)
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress:  I finished the front & back and seamed up shoulders and under arms. I cast on sleeve 1 for ride home from PA and was hoping to finish for Rhinebeck but there simply isn’t time.

Born to Be Mild Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Born to Be Mild 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 to the toe on sock #2.
  • About the yarn: tan base with browns and robin’s egg. It reminds me of a robin’s nest.

Granny Square Chicken

  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Palm Springs Colorway
  • Pattern: Granny Square Chicken by Sweet Softies- $3.99 crochet pattern on Ravelry.
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Progress & Plans: I didn’t change color between rounds- I just let the self striping yarn do its thing. almost done last round on the second square then I need to seam it together. I am planning to use some pantyhose with stuffing inside.

Yarn Cozy Lite

  • Yarn: Cascade Heritage Yarn (75% SW Merino 25% Nylon) in the Highlighter Guava colorway
  • Pattern: Yarn Cozy Lite by Knitty Natty- $6 pattern available on Ravelry
  • Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
  • Cast on to be ready for our Zoom cast on party on 10/2! Thanks to Natalie for coming to hang out. Such a fun kick off to this month’s event.
  • If you’d like the Pigskin Cozy version- it is included in this pattern for free through 10/31/25. Get 10% off any of Natalie’s patterns through February 9th, 2026 with the code “PIGSKINPARTY”.

Brainstorming

  • A goose bag for Aila. I may use the notes from this Ravelry Project Page. Or there’s a pattern available for $4 on Ravelry & another for $5.48 on Etsy.
  • A Christmas Stocking for my cousin Chris’s daughter.

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.

In My Travels

Want to see more about this fun & yarny filled weekend? Our 2025 MA Yarn Crawls + Side Quests Part 1 video is available on YouTube (Part 2 coming after Rhinebeck).

Our trip to Philadelphia

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’25

Updates In This Episode

  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November)- Twice Sheared Sheep. Row Counter Challenge- details in this Ravelry Thread.
  • Commentator Report from Mary- links below all go to Ravelry

Recently I’ve been spending time in the Mark it Monday thread.  If you are interested in a thread where the topic of conversation is almost exclusively about the crafting, this is a great thread for you!  It also moves a bit slower than the main huddle thread, so a little easier to keep up.  I find perusing this thread to be great for inspiration. It brings a smile to my face to see other players’ projects coming to life. This week, I realized that player Scitchr is making 5 adorable animals. She is making them all Buffalo Bills clothing! So far, she has made an otter, a woodland duck, a hedgehog, and a woodland badger!  You must check them out…they are so adorable. Plus, she plans on making them Halloween costumes!

Speaking of Halloween costumes, Sandima made a Wednesday (from Addams’ Family) costume for her porch goose: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/sandima/goostavo-porch-goose-sweater

So cute!

In other news…players are busy with the three challenges that are going on right now:

* 25 players have already submitted for points for pink challenge, with 5 players already submitting 2 entries!  

* over 50 players have submitted for points for the Q1 challenge, with over 15 of them already submitting 2 entries!

* 2 people have already submitted for points for the charity challenge!

Don’t forget you still have plenty of time to participate in these challenges!

Events

On a Happy Note

  • Apple picking & yarn crawling with Riley and Aila
  • Megg and I went to see Hamilton in Boston (my second time seeing the show)
  • We celebrated my dad’s birthday with a bonfire
  • Trunk show at my LYS
  • I had a blast chatting with Natalie in an interview for the Love in Stitches Membership
  • Haymakers for Hope- Belles of the Brawl. My cousin Kirstin raised $20,363.23 for cancer research that will benefit MGH’s research into how non-small cell lung cancer transforms into small-cell. Overall the event raised over $465k!
    • Jewelry
  • 4 person puzzle time with Christine & Seamus
  • Mini Grilled cheese & creamy tomato soup appetizer at Gary’s wedding; it was so delightful!
  • Getting new headphones after my right ear bud was broken for a good month.
  • Getting a text from my SIL with photos of my niece and nephew on their way to their first movie with their handmade toys in hand.

Quote of the Week

“Leaves descending to the ground,

Orange, magenta, green & brownThe cool crisp breezes in the air,Autumn season must be here”

-Charmaine J. Forde 

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 306: Fall Vibes

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 306 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
  • Some Years Later
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu, Fibernymph Dye Works & AdoreKnit

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Mayor of Halloween Town Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Mayor of Halloween Town colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Sweetly Striped Hat

  • Pattern: Sweetly Striped Hat by Chit Chat Knits. $4.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Berroco Vintage in colorway 5185 Tide Pool
  • Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Pattern: Snack Shack Sponsor- Chit Chat Knits- 20 points
  • Project Bag & Notions Pouch- Pro Shop Sponsor The Huckleberry Girl- 40 pts each= 80 points
  • Check out this video on how to do a 1×1 left & right cross without a cable needle from my YouTube Channel
  • Progress: I need one more repeat & will begin crown decreases

Traveler Sweater

  • Pattern: The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 pattern available on Ravelry & the designer’s website)
  • Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport (90/10 SW/Nylon)
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: 18 purl ridges done; blocking to see if I have enough of the body knit or if I want to add more length.

Born to Be Mild Socks

  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Born to Be Mild 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- Part of the way through the cuff on sock #2.
  • About the yarn: tan base with browns and robin’s egg. It reminds me of a robin’s nest.

Game Day Party Socks

  • Yarn: Mandi’s Makings SW Merino Fingering Weight Yarn in the Pigskin ’25 Exclusive Game Day Party Colorway. Green mini skein for heel from Goosey Fibers (Wizard of Oz Advent Calendar yarn)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Yarn: Pigskin ’25 Exclusive- 60 points
  • Progress: just beyond the heel on the first sock

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
  • Progress: 9 so far – 2 new ones this month

Hot pink spinning

  • Fiber: Mountain Vewe Coopworths Fiber in hot pink (no specific colorway name)- three 4oz bumps
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Twist direction: singles = Z plied = S
    • This means when I’m spinning, my wheel is spinning clockwise and when plying my wheel is moving counter-clockwise.
  • Progress: ~3/4 way through first bump. 1st bobbin full and the second is well underway

Brainstorming

  • Check out these designs by our Pigskin Sponsors that call for Super Bulky Yarn- Ravelry Link
  • I may try the Fabled Hat pattern by Maggie of Yarnaceous Fibers-$6 Ravelry pattern or the Copper Foxes Super Bulky cowl by Kacey Knits, a $7 Ravelry Pattern
  • Tiny scarf like the Sophie Scarf (Ravelry Pattern) but I likely won’t use a pattern since many of my shawls that are knit side to side start off similarly.
  • Christmas gifts- toys for the littlest of the nieces/nephews. More to come on the next episode. 
  • The Love in Stitches Membership is working on colorwork sweaters and cozies.

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.

Some Years Later

Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

  • Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I’ve been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
  • Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video.
  • Update: I took this blanket camping in Vermont, washed it when it came home and many of the centers burst open. So frustrating. I thought the double magic circle was the key but no, perhaps not. I will do a chain/slip stitch beginning moving forward.

In My Travels

I shared a bit about our recent trip to Vermont.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’25

Updates In This Episode

  • Our first Official Sponsor of the Quarter is Love in Stitcheswith Knitty Natty is hosting a Cozy Up Challenge! Check out all of the details in this Ravelry Post. Join Knitty Natty & me for a special zoom hangout Thursday 10/2 at 8p Eastern. Cast on, chat, learn about some of Natalie’s cool cozy patterns and have some fun. Use code “PIGSKINPARTY” to save 10% on Natalie’s cozy patterns. Details in the Start Here Thread.
  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November)- Twice Sheared Sheep
  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban Stitcher
  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers
  • The Pink Challenge also kicks off 10/1/25. Check out the challenge details in this Ravelry Thread & don’t forget to make an appointment if you’re due for a mammogram or other screening.
  • The Charity Challenge is also ready- check out the details in this Ravelry Thread.

Events

Ask Me Anything

  • Tune in to hear answers MikkaelaB asked about the Pigskin Party. 
  • Check out the Ask Me Anything Thread in Ravelry to ask a question and hear my answer on an upcoming episode.

On a Happy Note

  • Dinner in Plymouth with my Mom’s cousins
  • Adult Ballet Class
  • Vermont Trip
  • Seeing the Mrs. Doubtfire musical
  • Finding out my niece Hattie was cast as Gretl in a local production of The Sound of Music
  • Going to the movies! Laura & I saw The Long Walk, based on a 1979 Stephen King novel
  • Participating in a Clothing Swap & doing second-hand shopping with friends.
  • Raffa Life in Cranston, RI- saunas, steam rooms & cold plunge

Quote of the Week

“With every choice, you create the life you’ll live; with every decision you design it.” Mollie Marti

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information: