Episode 310: Of Goose & Turkey

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 310 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
  • KAL News
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu

Check out Stitched by Jessalu in person on Friday Dec 19th from 5-8p at the Holiday Artisan Pop-up at 44 Graves Street South Deerfield MA.

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Dan’s Birthday Hat

  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood. $5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed Site
  • Yarn: Yarnbaker DK ((75% SW Merino/25% Nylon) in the Burnt Indigo Colorway (dusty navy blue with black
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I used 54g of yarn and have 52g left.
  • It was living in my Stitched by Jessalu Rhinebeck bag which is, for now, my hat bag.

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 heels/toes 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
  • 62g used

Aila’s Goose Bag

  • Pattern: None. Using this Ravelry Project Page as a guide
  • Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable in the Aran colorway (~400g skein)
  • Hooks: G (4.0 mm) & H (5.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Started at the bottom with smaller hook and holding yarn double. ch31 work both sides of that to create the base. increased up to 62 stitches. larger hook. SC around for sides.
  • 7 sts for handle (smaller hook) with the goose head at end of handle which is attached to other side of the bag. Then I added feet at the bottom.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Kris’ Christmas Socks

  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners in the Fairy Lights colorway 
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I knit pair of socks out of this same colorway for Mom in 2019- Ravelry Project Page here. That was my 100th pair of OMG Heel socks.
  • Progress: I am almost to the toe of sock 1.

Over the Rainbow Socks

  • Yarn: Cashmere & Coconuts MCN Sock yarn in the Somewhere Over the Rainbow 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:
  • Yarn was gift from Kris on Mom’s 1st heavenly birthday. I decided these will be for Hattie (my niece who is Mom’s birthday twin).
  • Progress: I’m on the leg of sock 2.

Zoe Hat

  • Pattern: Zoe Hat by Alexandra Davidoff- $6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry
  • Yarn: Berrocco Vintage in a teal color
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Laura picked out this yarn at Knitty City in NY
  • Progress: I am still on the ribbing.

Elsa

  • Pattern: Queen Elsa Amigurumi by Chiara Cremon (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava (worsted weight acrylic yarn)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: just barely started the legs.

From the Armchair

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. 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.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’25

Updates In This Episode

  • Count On It Challenge hosted by Twice Sheared Sheep, Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November). Details in this Ravelry thread.
  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban StitcherMini Maker’s Merry Month See details in this Ravelry Thread.
  • Stay tuned for more about our Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers

Commentator Update (links in this section go to Ravelry)

Like most of the knitting internet, our November huddle has had lots of chatter about the game of wool, including tips for how to watch it if you are in the US!  This has spawned lots of conversations about:

  • how long it really takes to knit something, 
  • how hard on your body it can be to knit for long periods of time, and
  •  whether crafting with time pressure is a fun challenge or just robs the joy out of our hobby. 

Several pigskin partiers have shared their experiences with times crafting challenges, such as the sheep to sweater challenges, sock madness, and the super sock world challenge. 

In other news, players are posting some amazing projects in the end zone dance thread!  A few players have completed some really intricate projects lately.  For example,

What a talented group of players we have! 

Thanks to everyone who donated warm items for our November Charity Challenge!

Contest, News & Notes

Check out this Gay Sheep Fashion Show article that I heard about on the 7 podcast from the Washington Post

Life in Focus

25 in 2025

  1. Donate Blood at least 4 times (January, March, May, Sept) – done
  2. Go shopping for plants with Dan 4 times in the year
  3. Buy new ski boots- done
  4. Go camping (scheduled for June)- done
  5. Kayak 2-5 times (Saco- 2 days)- done
  6. Do at least 5 walks with others- done
  7. Take 2-5 yoga classes- will not complete
  8. Do at least 30 lessons in Mondly- will still try
  9. Spend a day at Raffa Life-  done
  10. Record 2-5 things I’m grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)- I’ve fallen off.
  11. Read all of Simple Abundance- gave up. Got too religious for me.
  12. Read at least 60 books- – 58 books as 11/29
  13. Get at least 2 massages at Oasis- done
  14. See 2-5 movies in the theater- done
  15. Knit 2-5 garments for me- done
  16. Finish and enjoy my Christmas Granny Square Blanket- not happening this year.
  17. Crochet at least 5 toys- done
  18. Use my spinning wheel at least once a month- all but May & June! Calling this a win
  19. Have a crafty day with Emelie- done
  20. Knit a slouchy hat for myself-  not yet but it could still happen.
  21. Try out 3 new to me podcasts- done
  22. Watch White Christmas with Jenny & Kara- its on the calendar
  23. Buy a firebox and put important papers inside- working with Dan on finding the right one.
  24. Create a list of things to pack in case of an evacuation- not done yet
  25. Purge at least 20 items of clothing/accessories/shoes- done

Ask Me Anything

Tune in to hear my answer to this question:

Hi,

I’m a newer listener to your podcast and really enjoy it.  But just how fast do you knit?

It seems you have a job (in addition to the podcast), have time to be in a musical, family,,…yet your projects seem to fly off the needles.  How do you get it all done?  Are you knitting constantly??

Slow at knitting,

Cathleen

On a Happy Note

  • My cousin Jenny hosted a girls/cousins game night. We had a lot of fun!
  • Dad, Jeff, Riley, Millie & I started decorating at Dad’s and then had a big Wicked (part 1) watch party in the evening. Megg, Eme, Ois, Hattie, Kris, Aila, Riley, Millie, Kara and Emelie all came. Only 3 of them had seen it before.
  • Laura’s visit- our craft fair tradition, lots of laughter with Megg and some great second-hand finds to add to my winter wardrobe
  • Seeing Cabaret with Megg and Terri
  • A surprise 4 Sundays advent box delivery from Legacy Fiber Artz– thanks Sue & Chelsea!!
  • Fiber Club at my local library
  • Thanksgiving with the family! 
  • My cousin Joanie gifted Dad, Jeff and me each an ornament with flowers from mom’s funeral made into beads and put together with crystals into a beautiful snowflake ornament
  • Wicked For Good!

Quote of the Week

“Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.”

— Henry Van Dyke

——

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Episode 309: Hats & Stockings

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 309 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
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

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

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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
  • Project Notes & Mods: did not increase after ribbing as called for. Knit 7 inches before working decreases. I used 52g of yarn and have 56g remaining so I can make another hat with this yarn.

Gary’s Delaware Hat

  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood. $5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed Site
  • Yarn: Robin’s Promise Yarn Co, Two Birds in the Hand (DK 4ply 100% SW Merino) in the White-Tailed Robin Feather Colorway
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the Yarn- purchased Rhinebeck Weekend at CAKEpalooza. Its a mostly solid royal blue. 
  • This project is living in my new Stitched by Jessalu Rhinebeck 2025 bag. I think this will be my fall/winter hat project and I’ll just keep the needles in here and keep replacing the yarn.

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)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Natalie’s video support for the stretchy i-cord bind off is great.

Vivienne’s Christmas Stocking

  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine. Available in this web archive link. I’ve also saved it to my podcast Gmail Google Drive in case it disappears!
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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.
  • I found 4oz of Ironwood Hill Farm Roving- Finnsheep combed top that I purchased in April 2021. Unfortunately I can’t find more of this on Cece’s Wool site or Ironwood’s etsy shop, but I think it will give me the idea for a tan/brown color plied with the colorful yarn, so I’ll spin just enough to make a sample yarn– but this Finn is spinning like a dream. Where could I get more? Send suggestions my way

Spectrum Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Spectrum 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- skinny stripes of color with 1 round of black between. Colors include Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, 3 shades of Blue, Pink + Purple.
  • Progress: I’ve passed the heel on the first sock

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: First sock done. Onto the leg of the second sock.
  • Hattie knit on them at her uncle’s birthday party.

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
  • Sleeve progress- knit a few more sets of decreases on the first sleeve. Still have a second sleeve to go and the whole hood. Focusing a bit more on Christmas gifts coming up so this one will be taking a backseat.

Brainstorming

  • Queen Elsa Amigurumi by Chiara Cremon. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. You can find lots of cute character patterns on her Instagram account.
  • Zach- maybe something spiderman

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.

Crafty Adventures

During Gabriella & Zachary’s sleepover we pained and made plastic ornaments with spiraled pipe cleaners inside. So cute and easy!

Knitting in Passing

A cute preteen girl came over when I was crocheting on the train to ask what kind of hook I was using and then asked if I was making a stocking for Christmas. I asked if she crocheted. She said yes but didn’t offer more. When she went back to the grown up she was with, they gave her a big high five. So cute.

Then the gentleman across from me who saw me counting rows then asked what happened if I lose count. Told him I could read the stitches. He congratulated me onto who new addition to our family.

In My Travels

I shared highlights from a recent trip to New York City.

  • I spent a wonderful morning at the MET
    • Aida Silvestri- artist from Eritrea who had a triptych of pieces on display.
      • Her work is motivated by social concern, but it also explores the camera’s ability to connect people to a place. In these portraits of immigrant women, the artist strategically blurs her subjects’ faces. This gesture, born of a need for protective anonymity, seems to evoke a greater enigma of the self. Mapping the course of migration to London are lines of thread stitched into the surfaces of the print- permanent, identity-altering interventions. Silvestri regards her series as a documentary project dedicated to those travelers who never reached their destination.
    • Two embroidery samplers from Bostonian women from the late 1700s that were just beautiful.
  • We visited the Chelsea Flea– I got a cool pair of earrings
  • We got cookies from Levain Bakery
  • We made a quick trip to Knitty City and Laura picked out yarn for a hat
  • Musical- Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
  • We also saw Blue Moon at the movies. Tells the story of Lorenz Hart’s struggles with alcoholism and mental health as he tries to save face during the opening of “Oklahoma!”.

KAL News

Pigskin Party ’25

Updates In This Episode

  • Our Official Sponsor for Quarter 1 (October): Love in Stitches with Knitty Natty– Winner Announced
    • julicorn.makes made a Maxine Hot Water Bottle Cozy by Laura Penrose (fair isle snowflakes)- Ravelry Project Page
    • MrsZoom made Knitty Natty’s Yarn Cozy Lite with the new football exclusive pattern in Colts colors- Ravelry Project Page
    • Random number generator chose yesthatshelby as our winner!
  • Pink Challenge is over- details in this Ravelry Thread. Winner Announced!
    • CinderGA made Defying Gravity Socks by Lisa Ross- Paper Daisy Creations- Ravelry page
    • Wizabef knit the Elinor Mittens by Irene Nielson- Ravelry Project Page
    • Random number generator picked Alice Ortega who knit the Barn Swallow Socks by Cheryl Toy- Ravelry Project Page
  • Count On It Challenge hosted by Twice Sheared Sheep, Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November). Details in this Ravelry thread.
  • Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban Stitcher  Details announced. See details in this Ravelry Thread.
  • Stay tuned for more about our Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers
  • Charity Challenge (runs through Thanksgiving)- details in this Ravelry Thread (36 of you have already asked for the address to mail in items! THANK YOU). Please email me to request the address.

Commentator Update (links in this section go to Ravelry)

Quarter 2 is in full swing and, when I looked today, 9 players had already submitted for points for the Q2 challenge!  Are you still thinking of what you can make that is at least 60 rows, using a row counter?  Here are some ideas!

  • Hats! Many of our early Q2 finishers completed hats.
    • Neferetri, Hollyelyse and Janknitdun completed beautiful cabled hats…I bet the row counter came in handy for those projects!
    • Kimbuktu7 completed a lovely colorwork hat
    • Adrie9 completed a lovely two colored musselburgh hat 
  • Neckwear is also a popular choice among our early Q2 finishers

There’s still plenty of time for you to get your projects in for Q2. These finishers have definitely demonstrated that there are plenty of patterns with at least 60 rows that work up in a flash!

PepperRN added in Pigskin Party Tips Thread on Ravelry

If you are budgeting but still want to support sponsors buy something re usable. Stitch markers can be used in 1 project and then when finished in the next. I like knitting hats for charity so I bought a hat pattern from a sponsor. I put that pattern with a sponsor bag and sponsor stitch markers and can knit it over and over during the PSP.

On a Happy Note

  • New York City! I took the train this time which was a great option. Laura and I had dinner with two of her pilates clients.
  • We all enjoyed Gabriella and Zachary’s first sleepover. We watched the KPOP Demon Hunters movie and after going to bed early and reading the Hot Air Balloon book, wehad fun hunting for the orange eyed monster! Dan made the kids pancakes and we’ll put their photos on the collage wall in the guest room. Gabriella asked for a unicorn and a ghost Spiderman. Zach wanted Spiderman.
  • I received a really nice message from my cousin Gayle who was visiting her friend in NH and let me know that Mom’s shawl that she chose was keeping her warm. Love you Gayle!
  • My childhood friend Maribeth has shared a few photos of things her family has found when cleaning out her parents’ attic- costumes and things my mom made. It was sweet of her to send me those photos so we could reminisce.
  • I finally got to join Beth’s Karaoke Night Zoom (part of the Love in Stitches Membership).
  • Dad is recovering from a back injury but doing better.
  • We successfully moved my grandmother into the Memory Care side of the independent living home she’s lived at for 5 years. Hope this will be a good fit for her.
  • I got a massage this week!

Quote of the Week

“In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures. The bed is white and silent, and much life can hide beneath its blankets.”

― Cynthia Rylant, In November 

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

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: