Episode 304: Flock

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 304 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • 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 & Love in Stitches

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

The Muses Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the colorway The Muses
  • 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- 3 stripes in pink, green and purple. In between each color, there are thin stripes of white, gray, white. Cuff, heel & toe all knit in gray contrast mini
  • Total for Stash Dash- 263.2 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Same as it Ever Was Hat

  • Yarn: fingering weight yarn from stash (no ball band); maybe MCN base
  • Needles: US 2
  • Pattern: Same as it Ever Was by Sarah Jordan $6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: all different shades of gray with blips of a mustardy/rust and turquoise

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’m in a few inches into the body

Tie Dye Day Socks

  • Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes base in the Tie Dye Day 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: on the heel of sock #2

716 Splash Pad Socks

  • Yarn: 716 Knit Sock Set  in the 716sock base in the colorway: It needs to be ok with getting on a boat with Levar Burton and never coming back.
  • 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: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors (orange, yellow, peach, greens & aquas .
  • Jenna of 716 also sent me the mini skein set which is part of her SPP Exclusives.
  • Progress: on the heel of sock #2

Four Leaf Clover Granny Square Blanket

  • Pattern: Four Leaf Clover Granny Square by Apinya Roszko
  • Hook: H (5.0 mm)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Brava 500 in colorway Mint & Loops and Threads Impeccable in Colorway 01808
  • 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: Nearly done with 6 of 7 rows. 6 squares left. Should be finished Labor Day weekend.

From the Armchair

  • stitchintime82-Dani recommended: Gmorning, gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me and You by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Amazon Affiliate Link.

I finished:

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 shared stories about 2 ready to wear items we saw in Seattle, a crochet dress & a granny square style tank.
  • I visited 8 local yarn stores to creat Social Media videos for Cape & South Shore Yarn haul which you’ll see on my Instagram feed soon.

In My Travels

Tune in to hear a bit about Flock Fiber Festival. Check out my Vlog video for much more. In this segment, I focus more on the part of the trip with my friend, Laura.

KAL News

This Episode

Events

Life in Focus

Tune in for an update on my 25 in 2025 list.

On a Happy Note

  • I hit 200 workouts at my gym this summer
  • Dinner at Yvonne’s before seeing The Wiz
  • Drinks with Dan’s cousins
  • Quality time with Laura in Seattle
  • I managed NOT to contract Covid
  • Celebrating my grandmother’s 91st birthday. I watercolored a birthday card for her.
  • Cool mornings and evenings. I wore wool socks during the day last week and it was kind of fun!
  • Back to school photos on Facebook! Thanks to everyone who shares them (or texts me with them).
  • I bought these huge denim with painted flower overalls in Seattle and I love them SO MUCH.
  • Whatsapp texts from my friend Marta in Barcelona.

Quote of the Week

“I can tell he lost someone close somehow. You can feel that in people, an openness, or maybe it’s an opening that you’re talking into. With other people, people who haven’t been through something like that, you feel the solid wall. Your words go scattershot off of it.”

― Lily King, Writers & Lovers

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 303: Ask Me Anything Returns

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 303 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
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Ask Me Anything
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Gabriella’s Unicorn

  • Pattern: Shy Little Unicorn by Ana Paula Rimoli
  • Hook: C (2.75 mm)
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (white), Knit Picks Brava Worsted (cotton candy & various solids)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Total for Stash Dash: 116 meters

Sum-Sum-Summertime socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the colorway Sum-Sum-Summertime
  • 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- thinner stripes- 2 colors of aqua, lime green, pink and an orange/peachy yellow. CC mini in lime
  • Total for Stash Dash: 293.3 meters

Stash Dash Total for this episode: 8,715.2 meters

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 full and the second is started
  • I’ve now spun in July and August so I’ve only missed 2 months so far this year.

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. Ends December 21st (but you don’t have to finish. 2 prize drawings will be done).
  • My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry.

From the Armchair

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister. Amazon Affiliate Link.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman. 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 shared a story about a little girl in the nail salon who asked her mom if they could come talk to me because she wants to learn to knit.

In My Travels

Travel packing tips

  • Packing cubes- here’s an Amazon affiliate link to the set I purchased 6 years ago and still love!
  • I always pack some clothes pins/ metal or wood that I use for snacks/drink mix pouches and/or to keep curtains closed in hotel.
  • I have a standard packing list in Evernote that I customize for each trip. It saves so much time and frustration.
  • Pack a travel power strip- to keep all of those chraging cords in one place (also less likely to leave one behind)
  • Knitting project approach
    • At least 2 socks/stockinette hats for waiting, sitting etc.
    • A project that occupies my brain and makes a long flight go by easier.
  • Queue the audiobooks & download podcasts

KAL News

  • Splash Pad Final Winners were announced!

Pigskin Party ’25

Sponsor Sign Up is Open- click here for details

Key Dates:

  • Registration starting Thursday August 20, 2025
  • KAL Starts- Thursday September 4, 2025
  • KAL Ends- Monday February 9, 2026
  • Form Teams- starting Monday August 25, 2025
  • Virtual Kick Off- Friday September 5 & Saturday September 6

Ask Me Anything

Tune in to hear the answers to these questions:

  • Pat- loonyhiker asked: I know you have probably told this before, but I’d love to hear how you and your honey met. I also would love to hear how your parents met. (bonus audio of my parents talking about this by the pool in 2017)
  • Sandy, sjh801 asked:  Favorite children’s book? Both as a child and now as an adult.
    • Children’s Book (purely for sentimental reasons): Walk Rabbit Walk by Colin McNaughton. Amazon Affiliate Link. Hardcover available for ~$20 & paperback for around $7
    • Adult book: Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Amazon Affiliate Link.John Lee does the audiobooks for what is now this series of books. Book 1 of 5 now in this series. I love them all.
  • Dianne, woohoogirl asks: Do you have a Dream project that you’d really like to make that you just haven’t made the time, or plans, for yet?
  • Carrie, Gooberdawn asks: Do you have a project you have created that you feel most proud of? If so, which one and why? ETA: it doesn’t have to be yarn-related.
  • Laura, LauraKnitsPA asks: What is one book you would read over and over, and one movie you would watch over and over?
  • Dani, stitchintime82-  Any updates on designing? I’ve enjoyed your patterns and am wondering if you have any plans to make more patterns.

On a Happy Note

  • I was able to get my Apple watch to charge again after I thought it was dead.
  • Oikos yogurt shake/drinks with 23g of protein.
  • My friend Nathan had a heart and kidney transplant just over 1 year ago. He’s still learning to walk again after ECMO caused major nerve damage in his legs- and we just went to see the musical he directed. Sometimes this world feels so dark right now but this made me incredibly happy.
  • The night we had tickets for the show, we lost power, so we made it a full date night and went for dinner too.
  • A visit from my cousin Gayle. We enjoyed a great pool day on Sunday and dinner in our town Monday night followed by a walk along the harbor.
  • Gayle chose Mom’s Trickle shawl as the item she wanted of hers. I took a photo of her and Google photos turned it into a pop-out.
  • I gifted Gayle the pair of Stranger Things 2 socks from DVD as an early birthday gift and she sent me a cute photo of her wearing them the next morning.
  • Great customer service from an Etsy maker to order pins.
  • I had fun putting together photos Millie, Teaghan and Rhiannon asked me to take a couple weekends ago at the pool of them jumping off the diving board and making their bodies into the shape of the letters of the alphabet. Fun memories!

Quote of the Week

“It’s not hotels and nightclubs I crave, or even spectacular beaches — it’s isolation and solitude, time away from the human world and a chance to measure life on a different kind of yardstick.”

― Peter S. Adler

——

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 302: Bayside & Poolside

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 302 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu (2nd Episode of the Month) check out her new prints now in the shop! Check out Stitched by Jessalu bags and so much more at Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA- August 16th

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Tom’s Cozy

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Tomato & Royal Blue. Lion Brand Re-up in White
  • RavelryProject Page
  • Modified from the original Ball Band pattern to fit this larger sized cup.
  • 38g/ 58 meters

Let the Mystery Unravel 2023 Blanket of Calm

  • Pattern: Blanket of Calm by Casapinka (free crochet pattern)
  • Yarn: Woolen Women Fibers- Let the Mystery Unravel subscription + Cascade Heritage Sock yarn in the Forged Iron Colorway
  • Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • You can find my Let the Mystery Unravel Unboxing Video on YouTube in this Playlist
  • Border: 2 rounds of half-double crochet- first in charcoal, second in teal.
  • Stash Dash total: 2,368 meters

Woolens & Nosh 2024 Advent Socks #2

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Used contrast mini (dark gray) for heels and toes
  • Stash Dash: 263.2 meters
  • Made for Laura to match mine. Thanks again for Michele of Woolens and Nosh for sending this.

Bayside Shirt

  • Pattern: Bayside Shirt by Briana Luppino ($9 pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) US 3 (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Handspun Yarn from 2 bumps from Wild Air Farm Shetland & Pygora- Melody & Cadence + 4 ounce braid from Jakira Farms 85/15 Polwarth/Silk (Ravelry Project Page for handspun) Finished in 2023.
  • Size: 32″ bust
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 200 grams used. 324 meters

Stash Dash Total for this episode – 8,305 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Granny Stripe Top

  • Yarn: MC= Woolen Women Fibers 80/20 Sock in the Watermelon colorway. CCs= Hedgehog Fiber Sock in Harvest Colorway + Legacy Fiber Artz minis from advent calendars
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) to cast on & D (3.25 mm) for body
  • Pattern: none
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Goal is 36″ around
  • Progress: I did rip out and start again.  With MC: 156 Foundation SC/ 52 clusters.
  • 11 rounds so far.
  • Watermelon every other round. minis in between.

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
  • Blocks made so far: 6

Dirty Crayon Box Socks

  • Yarn: Fiber Stash Strong Toes Sock (80% SW Merino/ 20% Nylon) in the Dirty Crayon Box 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: I turned heel on the first sock at the pool last weekend.

Sum-Sum-Summertime socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the colorway Sum-Sum-Summertime
  • 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- thinner stripes- 2 colors of aqua, lime green, pink and an orange/peachy yellow. CC mini in lime
  • Progress: finished first sock. Several inches into the second sock. Cuff, heel and toe in lime contrast color.

716 Splash Pad Socks

  • Yarn: 716 Knit Sock Set  in the 716sock base in the colorway: It needs to be ok with getting on a boat with Levar Burton and never coming back.
  • 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: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors (orange, yellow, peach, greens & aquas .
  • Cast on June 1 for SPP Kick off.
  • Jenna of 716 also sent me the mini skein set which is part of her SPP Exclusives.
  • Progress: Finished sock 1, with contrast (aqua) for cuff, heel and toe. Cast on for the second sock. Riley knit on them a bit last weekend.

Brainstorming

  • Seattle travel knitting musings
  • What to buy at Flock Fiber Festival?
  • Rhinebeck Sweater Plans- do you have any yet? I’m not even 100% sure I’m going but I’m thinking about it.

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

  • A Crafty Day with Emelie was on my 25 for 2025 list and I’m happy to say I checked that off. Emelie (almost 7) came over with her mom, my cousin Kara, and her brother Teddy (5). Millie and Riley also joined in the fun. We ended afternoon with ice cream!
  • Learned from Gretchen Rubin’s newsletter that July in World Watercolor Month! I’ve been looking for resources, inspiration etc and there’s lots of cool things there.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party ’25

  • Splash Pad Party Registration is open
    • View Stats and/or Verify Registration here.
  • Check out our Sponsor List
  • Splash Pad Official Rules
  • Enter your FOs using the Summer Celebration Form. Then come over to this Ravelry Thread to share pics and let us ooh and ahh with you!
  • Submit something incorrectly? Need help? Fill out this Support Form & we’ll be in touch.
  • Projects must be finished by the end of the day July 31st, but you can enter your FOs using the form through 8/5.
  • We’ll announce final winners in the next episode after all submissions are in. Winners will be emailed after I return from my Seattle trip.

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Pigskin Party ’25

Sponsor Sign Up is Open- click here for details

Key Dates:

  • Registration starting Thursday August 20, 2025
  • KAL Starts- Thursday September 4, 2025
  • KAL Ends- Monday February 9, 2026
  • Form Teams- starting Monday August 25, 2025
  • Virtual Kick Off- Friday September 5 & Saturday September 6

Events

On a Happy Note

  • Finally getting my hair cut & colored (and combining that with a fun night at the pool)
  • Impromptu date night with Dan to a local brewery and restaurant
  • Our nephew Will turned 18. We got beautiful weather for his party.
  • My friend Christine & her family came to stay for a long weekend. We all crashed with my Dad. Pool time, Penny Drop (game), a Plymouth harbor cruise, night swims and lots of laughs. Millie knit on her hat & scarf a little bit. Riley knit on my socks.
  • My cousin Chris’s wife Kim delivered a beautiful and healthy baby girl- Vivienne!
  • I got an adorable Strawberry Shortcake sweatshirt on clearance at Target for $7
  • Going to The Snug for live Irish music

Quote of the Week

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars.”

― Og Mandino

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information: