Episode 298: Socks & Blankets

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!

Contact Information:

Episode 297: Prepping the Splash Pad

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 297 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Dinosaur T-Rex

  • Pattern: Dinosaur T-Rex and Pterodactyl by Anita Suriaa- $5.99 crochet pattern on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
  • Hook: 2.5 mm
  • Changed teeth- white embroidered Vs

Belle the Butterfly #4

  • Pattern: Belle the Butterfly $4 pattern from Theresascrochetshop on Etsy
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm(
  • Yarn: leftover DK yarn from stash
  • Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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

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

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 2024) in the Dino-Mite colorway
  • Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: aqua, gray and purple.
  • I don’t love knitting on small needles in the round. Just placed a knit picks order so I ordered a US 2 needle with a 47 inch cord to see if going back to magic loop may serve me better.

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.
  • Progress: Squares to date: 57 squares.

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)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • Worked on these last weekend. Nearly to the toe on the first sock.

Cozy Clusters Blanket #5

  • Pattern: Cozy Clusters by Leelee Knits- $5.99 crochet pattern available on Ravelry or free from their website
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Dove Heather
  • Hook: J hook (6.0 mm) (cast on) and I hook (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 53 clusters wide
  • Currently 34 inches wide about 15.5 inches tall. hoping to get to 36 inches tall before border

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.
  • Changing colors typically after 4 rows-  unless its a colorway that goes back and forth with the same colors- like carrot cake.
  • Foundation half-double crochet 101. 1 row of dc (probably could have skipped).
  • Size: 36″ wide. 14 inches tall so far

Brainstorming

  • Blanket for a friend’s baby with the Four Leaf Clover Granny Square pattern- available on Ravelry
  • I wan to make another summer tee or tank, but I should finish the granny square tank first.

From the Armchair

All in Her Head by Elizabeth Comen, MD. Amazon Affiliate Link

The Wedding People by Alison Espach. 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 gifted Megg her “David Fold in the Cheese!!!” socks from Legacy Fiber Artz Schitt’s Creek Series. She loved them! You can check out my Ravelry Project Page here.
  • Zach liked his dinosaur “I got a baby dinosaur”

KAL News

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

SAVE THE DATE- Virtual Kick Off- Sunday June 1st

Events

Contest, News & Notes

Yarnable May 2025 Unboxing Video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel

On a Happy Note

  • Kiss Me Kate 2nd weekend shows. More family and friends came out than I knew were coming.
  • With very little help from me, we loaded up a 16 foot U-Haul with items from Mom’s ebay store to send to Vegas with her friends. Huge load out of Dad’s cellar and weight off his mind.
  • Megg and I joined Trish & Vikki at their 1st of 10 Reseller Meet-ups on their way to Vegas. Follow their shenanigans on Instagram, Facebook Group.
  • Taking Monday off after Kiss Me Kate closed
  • Spending Friday night at Oisin’s Rugby match. He scored and we enjoyed dinner after.
  • Taking Gabriella and Zach to see Hattie’s Wonka show

Quote of the Week

“You can’t help what you feel, but you can help how you behave.” ―Margaret Atwood

——

Thank you for tuning in.

Remember show notes for this episode can be found at www.downcellarstudio.com/#

If you have a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts, I’d greatly appreciate it.

I can be found on Ravelry as BostonJen and I’d love it if you came over to join our lively and engaged Down Cellar Studio Ravelry Group.

Check me out on Instagram at BostonJen1 if you want to see what I’m up to between episodes.

Check out myDown Cellar Studio YouTube Channel

Email me at downcellarstudio@gmail.com

For website:

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 296: Another Openin’

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 296 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
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu (2nd Episode of the Month)

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Pop Tart

  • Pattern: None
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava & Joann Big Twist Value Solids in Natural Colorway + variegated yarn (fingering weight held double)
  • Hook:C (2.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Made for Eme’s birthday as a cute something to open. Gifted with a box of edible poptarts.

Cold Goat Farm Spinning Project

  • Fiber: Cold Goats Farm; believe it is a merino/mohair batt (8oz) in a natural, undyed cream color
  • 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: All of the spinning of the singles is done- finally.

David… Fold in the cheese socks

  • 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
  • About the yarn- cream, pink and blue to match rose apron David wears in this episode of Schitt’s Creek.
  • I did a shorter than usual leg- 5.25 inches and 9.5 inch foot. The first sock 28 grams, using CC for toe and cuff, so I should have enough for a second pair of socks with this yarn.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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: ~1/2 way through first bump. 1st bobbin nearly full.

Granny Square Tan 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.
  • Progress: Squares to date: 25 squares.

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)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • 90g of yarn to start
  • About the Yarn: Self striping with yellow, tan, peach, pink, light aqua, teal & navy
  • Progress: cast on 1st sock. Finished cuff and an inch or two into leg.

Dinosaur T-Rex and Pterodactyl

  • Pattern: Dinosaur T-Rex and Pterodactyl by Anita Suriaa- $5.99 crochet pattern on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
  • Hook: 2.5 mm
  • Progress: I’ve made T-Rex head and body. Thought I’d run out the yarn for the body (25g mini).

Brainstorming

Advent brainstorm- Granny Wrap available on Ravelry. Kristina- foryouandyarn- reminded me that I love Ali’s Starryeyesali’s 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.

Knitting in Passing

My cousin Ava knit the Storm Sweater by Petite Knit for her boyfriend Luke.

KAL News

  • The Splash Pad Party celebrates its 10th year and officially opens on June 1st. Save the date for some fun kick off events that day!
  • Interested in sponsoring? Check out this link for details.

Events

Life in Focus

  • I shared an update on my Word of the Year for 2025: Welcome & some 25 in 2025 list.

25 in 2025 list

  • 1) Donate Blood at least 4 times (January, March)
  • 4) Go camping (scheduled for June)
  • 10) Record 2-5 things I’m grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)
  • 13) Get at least 2 massages at Oasis (1 in April)
  • 17) Crochet at least 5 toys (1: hedgehog 2&3: Love Bugs, 4 pop-tart, 5 butterfly. WIPs-Another butterfly & TRex)
  • 18) Use my spinning wheel at least once a month (Done monthly so far)
  • 23) Buy a firebox and put important papers inside (working with Dan on list of things to put in it)
  • 25) Purge at least 20 items of clothing/accessories/shoes
    • Probably have at least this much done

On a Happy Note

  • Shucked musical. We had dinner at Democracy Brewing beforehand. Delicious tacos and good beer.
  • Celebrating April Birthdays
  • Decorating for Easter with Dad, Millie and Garret
  • Celebrating Easter with the family!
  • The Pulse on Netflix- my cousin Michael William Freeman was in the last few episodes.
  • I survived tech week and had the forethought to take off Friday before opening weekend.
  • Laura came in from NYC for my show.
  • Opening of Kiss Me Kate!

Quote of the Week

“Because the birdsong might be pretty,

But it’s not for you they sing,

And if you think my winter is too cold,

You don’t deserve my spring.”

Erin Hanson

——

Contact Information: