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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Episode 183: Point/Counterpoint

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 183 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles
  • On the Needles
  • Crafty Adventures
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes – with special guest Mary Kino Knits
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles

Little Brother’s Romper 

  • Pattern: Little Brother’s Romper by PetiteKnit (knitting pattern. ~$4.50 US at time of purchase)
  • Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Cascade 220 mystic purple & mystery skein of fingering. 
  • Mom found buttons for me & dropped them off but they are still in quarantine. 

Quarantined Unicorn

  • Pattern: Tiny Unicorn Amigurumi by Ahooka Migurumi (free crochet pattern)
  • Hook: E (3.5 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable Solids (White) & scraps of acrylic
  • Put it in an empty trail mix jar that we took the label off- and put a note saying she was in quarantine. Don’t open for a few more days. 

Rainbow Birthday Cake

  • Pattern: Rainbow Birthday Cake by Yarn Blossom Boutique ($1.99 US Crochet pattern)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up in Colorways: Raspberry, Orange, Sunflower, Lime, Aqua, Lilac and White
  • Included a note saying Quarantine cakes take longer to cook than normal cakes so to let it cook a few days before opening

Dan’s 32 oz Jar Cozy

  • Pattern: none
  • Hooks: E, F and G
  • Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up Denim and gray. 

Reverse Abington Hat

  • Pattern: Abington Hat by Jennifer Lassonde
  • Yarn: Farmers Daughter Fibers Craggy Tweed DK- Amos Moses colorway 
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Worked hat according to instructions but switched all purl and purl decreases for the body of the hat to knits and k2tog.

Soldotna Crop

  • Pattern: Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter $7 US Knit Pattern
  • Yarn:  2 skeins of Two Reds & A Blonde DK from Dachinger Wool in mustard (Farrah Fawcett) and a blue (Veronica Lake). 2 skeins of Brown Sheep Yarn- Prairie Spun DK. In Rain Cloud (light gray) and Owl Gray (Charcoal)
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) and US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Size 3: finished bust- 40 inches Designed to fit with 1-4.5 inches of positive ease.
  • Modified the last section of the colorwork yoke. Love how that came out. Decided to knit the number of body repeats called for in the pattern. Ribbing longer than called for.

On the Needles

Cozy Classic Raglan

  • Pattern: Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs
  • Needles: US 3 for Ribbing. US 7 for body
  • Yarn: Rowan Cashsoft DK- 57% Merino, 33% Microfiber, 10% Cashmere goat

Christmas Stocking for Jenna & Baby

  • 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)
  • Finished applique pieces for Jenna’s. Both pieces done for baby. Can’t put together until I the know gender.

Paton’s Kroy Socks for Gram

  • Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams
  • Yarn: Patons Kroy Green Stripe Ragg Colorway
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • The 2×2 ribbing on the front of the sock was hampering my progress. When I posted about it on Instagram, user Sheldon_Brungard suggested “Try using a progress keeper and set a small daily goal to complete such as 10 rounds. Once the daily goal is met you can switch to something else that excites you more.”
  • That did the trick!

Solid Granny Square Scrap Blanket

  • Yarn: leftover fingering weight yarn
  • Pattern: Solid Granny Square by Lullaby Melodia (free crochet pattern)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • 3 rounds per square.

Crafty Adventures

Started a scrapbook of COVID-19 using Shutterfly. I love documenting life and this is definitely the most bizarre thing I’ve ever lived through. I am already forgetting some tiny details that were striking at the time. I’m including things like “new buzz words, what sold out at the stores, funny memes, what I’m grateful for, home improvement projects.

I made banana ice cream using this recipe for Mom since the local place is closed. Hard to find flavor.  Recipe from wellplated.com

I Reorganized all leftovers and mini skeins after ordering bag of randoms from Knitty in Color. I packaged up yarn to swap with my friend Melissa.

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 WorksNahStDesignsYumi Yarns DesignsagirlandherwoolHolly Press Fibers.

Don’t forget to post on Instagram #QuarterlyQuests & #FreetheFavorites & you can always add #downcellarstudiopodcast

Splash Pad Party – Opens May 30, 2020!

Still have sponsor spots available. Email me downcellarstudio@gmail if you’re interested. 

During Kick off weekend May 30th & 31st I am planning some virtual events. Google Hangout. Instagram Lives with our vendors. 

Events

Maryland Sheep & Wool Virtual Market– check out their Facebook group May 2 & 3. 

Contest, News & Notes 

  • Tune in to hear a chat with Mary of Kino Knits and check out her Instagram feed.
  • We talked all about our new Point/Counterpoint Vol 5 Collection Available on Ravelry! Get our 4 accessory collection normally $18 for only $5 through 5/31/20 with code COLLAB. Click here for a link to the collection.
  • May 1 at 8p Eastern Instagram live. Check out Kino Knits Podcast for more of our chat. 

Life in Focus

2020 Goals

  • 3 times a week (average) exercise of 20 min or more (focus on strength training)= 156 workouts
  • 7 published patterns on Ravelry
  • 10% more sales of designs compared to 2019      

I am becoming a morning workout person which surprised me. April workout totals: Total: 18 out of 30 days – 58% of days worked out. 11 of 18 were strength workouts. Having a blast exploring new trails within a new conservation land property that’s open to the public near my house. It’s so so peaceful and beautiful there. 

Design progress- I have a mitt pattern almost ready for test knitting.  Stay Out of the Forest which was already published and 2 designs in Point/Counterpoint. Sales are going really well!

What’s helping during Stay at Home:

All in April prompts from Corinne Crabtree. Watch video from Corinne Crabtree here . Daily four-point check-in:

  • 1. What’s in my control today?
  • 2. Who am I reaching out to today?
  • 3. How will I move my body a minimum of 5 min. today?
  • 4. Clean mind, clean body…get it done.

Other things I’ve been enjoying:

  • Here For You Podcast with Kate & Doree *who also host the Forever35 Podcast
  • Playing Games with Family on Jackbox.tv
  • Friday evening happy hour with friends on Zoom.

On a Happy Note

  • I painted guest room- well I applied the first coat of primer but its a start. I’m using Sherwin Williams- Knitting Needles & Pewter Cast. 
  • One day heading out for a walk and saw a cardboard sign on telephone pole- Pop-up Art show ahead. On our Neighbor’s fence (on a corner) a local artists hung painted canvases. Brightened my day. 
  • Misfits Market Box. Interesting in trying it? Use this code to get 25% off: COOKWME-NV9CXZ
  • Sharing- I brought dinner to my friend Megg who is a hard working teacher and Mama. We chatted for a few from the lawn while they were up on their deck and I got to see my 2 year old niece Hattie.
  • We had fun with my niece Aila’s 11th birthday parade and game night that followed.

Quote of the Week

Sharon Salzberg on faith and keeping an open mind: 

“It’s not the existence of beliefs that is the problem, but what happens to us when we hold them rigidly, without examining them, when we presume the absolutely centrality of our views and become disdainful of others.”

——

Thank you for tuning in.

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