Episode 301: Summer of Color

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 301 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
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Fitness by Mara

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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
  • 94 grams of yarn
  • Stash Dash: 376 meters

Kim’s Trenta Ball Band

  • 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 Royal Blue and Aqua
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Modified from the original Ball Band pattern to fit this larger sized cup.
  • 38g/ 58 meters

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. Free crochet pattern on Attic 24 website.
  • Hook: I (5.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 7 colorways with 100g, 1 with 50g.
  • Size:
  • 11.64 skeins-  582 grams
  • 2316.4 meters

Stash Dash Total for this Episode: 5,291 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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
  • All of the 9 block squares now have been seamed and have their 3 round gray border.
  • Border- undecided.

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. What should I do with my minis??
  • Progress: Cuff and heel are in contrast aqua. Approaching 1st toe (will also be aqua)

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
  • Progress: I crocheted a few inches but its coming out too large. I will likely rip back and restart.

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
  • Picked back up old WIP- started October 2024. Nearly to heel 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- gift from Kris on Mom’s 1st heavenly birthday. Part way through the leg of sock 1

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
  • Passed heel on second sock (contrast heel)

Same as it Ever Was Hat

  • Yarn: fingering weight yarn from stash (no ball band); maybe MCN base
  • Needles: US 2 (LOOK UP NEEDLE SIZE MM)
  • 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
  • 8g for the crown increases

Bayside Shirt

  • Pattern: Bayside Shirt by Briana Luppino ($9 pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 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

Brainstorming

The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the Drea Renee Knits website)

Log Cabin Blanket

  • Sue and Chelsea from Legacy Fiber Artz are making the Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison (free crochet pattern)  Ravelry Pattern Page.
  • I’ve had this pattern in my favorites for more than 2 years.
  • I was looking for the Julie Harrison pattern and came across this Ravelry pattern by hookloopsarah which features a log cabin layout that’s more of a background color with 4 pops of color that seem to leap up from it. Love this idea!

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

Watercolors are still keeping my creative attention. Loving it!

Knitting in Passing

  • On a July 3 MBTA ferry commute, I sat with a crocheter. We talked about our projects and fav LYSs. I showed her how simple magic loop knitting is.
  • Laura brought socks to her client David when she got back to NY. He sent me a photo asking if they were Cashmere because they were so soft and noting how great they looked with the pants he had on. Then I got a pic of his foot under his desk at work the next day. (Ravelry Project Page)
  • On July 7, a man chatted with me on the Red Line about memories of his mother, sisters and daughters crocheting.
  • Emelyn has been wanting to crochet again but is feeling rusty. On July 4th I reminded them how to single & half-double crochet. Last weekend, they started a star project so we worked with DC and how to work corners and getting used to reading a pattern.

KAL News

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Tune in to hear if you won a participation prize!

Events

Life in Focus

July 2- half way day

25 in 2025 List

  1. Donate Blood at least 4 times (January, March, May, ) – on track
  2. Go shopping for plants with Dan 4 times in the year (my Christmas gift from him) – not yet
  3. Buy new ski boots- DONE
  4. Go camping- DONE
  5. Kayak 2-5 times- DONE
  6. Do at least 5 walks with others- DONE
  7. Take 2-5 yoga classes (outside of the house)- not yet
  8. Do at least 30 lessons in Mondly- not yet
  9. Spend a day at Raffa Life- scheduled for September
  10. Record 2-5 things I’m grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)- I’ve fallen off. Looking forward to getting going again.
  11. Read all of Simple Abundance (ideally daily or close to)- not loving it. some parts are more religious than I expected… may pop back in, but I’ve gotten out of this.
  12. Read at least 60 books- all books count (even poetry etc)- 28 books by end of June. It’s possible!
  13. Get at least 2 massages at Oasis – DONE
  14. See 2-5 movies in the theater (Paddington in Peru)
  15. Knit 2-5 garments for me – 1 done, # WIPs
  16. Finish and enjoy my Christmas Granny Square Blanket- on pause until after Stash Dash
  17. Crochet at least 5 toys- DONE
  18. Use my spinning wheel at least once a month (January-April done, I think I forgot to spin in May and June. Going to get back in. Will still be better than most years!
  19. Have a crafty day with Emelie- talked to her mom about this.
  20. Knit a slouchy hat for myself- not yet
  21. Try out 3 new to me podcasts (Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, White Lotus official podcast, severance official podcast, Cramped) – DONE
  22. Watch White Christmas with Jenny & Kara (bringing the tradition back) — talks have begun!
  23. Buy a firebox and put important papers inside (working with Dan on list of things to put in it)- not yet
    1. https://www.thenokbox.com (Debbie, deafelis recommended)
  24. Create a list of things to pack in case of an evacuation – not yet
    1. https://www.thenokbox.com/ -deafelis- Debbie told me about it-  not yet
  25. Purge at least 20 items of clothing/accessories/shoes- DONE

On a Happy Note

  • Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge (with brunch beforehand)
  • July 4th pool day
  • Ending an awful workday with drinks outdoor at Trillium, then apps and more drinks and picking up Laura to take her home on the Ferry watching 3rd of July fireworks.
  • Making our rainbow sunglass photo!
  • July 5th secondhand shopping, lunch with Megg and Laura + ice cream (of course)
  • Rewatching Gilmore Girls
  • Line dancing at the beach + seeing a really cool rainbow
  • Dinner outdoors with Dad, Millie and Dan.
  • 2 pool party day last weekend.
  • Shout out from Kelly in the Two Ewes Fiber Adventures podcast. Thank you!
  • Seeing a young buck in the driveway

Quote of the Week

“Love is a creative act. When you love someone you create a new world for them.”

-Trevor Noah

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 300: Sum-Sum-Summertime

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 300 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
  • Crafty Adventures
  • Knitting in Passing
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors:

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Miles’ Montessori Toy

  • Pattern: Montessori Colour Sorter by Lexie Warren. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry & on Crochet River)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Purple, Orange, Teal and Cyan. Knit Picks Brava in Canary, Rouge and White.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Stash Dash: 234 meters
  • SPP-116 grams- 2 entries

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
  • Stash Dash- 280.5 meters (306.8 yards),
  • SPP- 75 grams
  • 9.5 inch leg, 9.25 inch foot

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)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • About the colorway- cream with gray, purple, tan/brown and small blips or orange. Spiral pooling.
  • Stash Dash: 256 meters
  • 64 grams- 1 SPP Entry

Ball Band for Rachel #2- for Starbucks Venti Cup

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter, Midnight Blue and Bubblegum
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Midnight blue hdc through 3rd loop. 1 round of pink sc, body in pewter sc, one round of blue at top.
  • Stash Dash: 40.3 meters

Ball Band for Starbucks Venti Cup (Jen)

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter and Bubblegum
  • Project Page
  • 0.57 skeins = 62.1 meters (67.9 yards), 39 grams

Adrift on an Inland Sea Socks

  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Adrift on an Inland Sea colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • RavelryProject Page
  • About the yarn: 2 lighter/medium grays, cream, mustard and a thinner stripe of a charcoal bordering on black. Used the CC gray for cuff and will use for the toe.
  • Finished on the ride to ME for camping.
  • 0.8 skeins = 300.8 meters (329.0 yards), 80 grams
  • 8.5 inch leg. 9.5 inch foot

Urth Yarn Hat 2 of 2

  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood ($5 pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed website)
  • Yarn: Urth Yarn Uneek Worsted
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbing. US 7 (4.5 mm) for body.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Cast on 92 sts. Used 48g of this skein for hat for Christmas gift
  • Stash Dash: 0.56 skeins = 112.6 meters (123.1 yards),
  • SPP- 56 grams- 1 entry
  • Had to do decreases faster because I was running out yarn. Ended up with maybe 1 yard
  • Hat is 8.25 inches tall. Still a great size.

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.
  • Progress: started toe of first sock
  • Cream/gray mini that came with it for cuff. purply/pink mini from LFA advent for heel and toe.
  • Socks for Laura
  • 0.58 skeins = 245.3 meters (268.3 yards), 58 grams
  • 1 SPP for grams, 1 for Snack Shack LFA yarn, 1 for Snack Shack Sponsor- The Sensible Stitcher- cute butterfly bag.

Stash Dash Total for this episode: 2,541 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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
  • Size:  6 inch squares. 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: Last time I had 14 (of 35) squares done and seamed. Now I have 17 done. Baby due in September. Lots of time. Loving joining as I go but its less portable this way.

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
  • I dug this out while cleaning out my studio on one of the very hot days before we left for camping. I had 3 squares of 9 that were seamed up but that didn’t have the 3 rounds of DC border on them that I’m doing in dark gray. I finished those over the course of the week’s train rides, then got the rest out and found 1 more that needed the border. All of those are done now.
  • The other 8 squares have already been steamed. Plan to steam the most recently finished 4 then start SCing the big squares together.
  • Border- undecided. May do a few rounds of gray. May incorporate colors. Debating an iCord border. I can’t decide.
  • Before border- 44 inches long by 24 inches long
  • 50g per square x 12
  • ~600g= 2,400 meters of sock yarn

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. What should I do with my minis??
  • Progress: Finished leg. Cuff and heel are in contrast aqua. love them.

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
  • This is not a SPP colorway but its the perfect colorway for this year’s SPP logo. Should have reminded Michele to sign up😉
  • Brought these camping. Several inches into the first leg

From the Armchair

  1. All’s Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  2. The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  3. Audition by Katie Kitamura. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  4. It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  5. The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  6. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  7. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin. 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.

Crafty Adventures

I’m still having fun with watercolors but I have a lot to learn. Any tips on good learning resources?

Knitting in Passing

  • I was on an inpatient unit at the hospital where I work and asked a woman if she had one of the phones I was looking to upgrade. She said no, but that she’s seen me on the train knitting. We had a nice chat and I told her to say hi next time she sees me.

In My Travels

12 of us went camping up in Maine at On the Saco Family Campground. We got one of their big group sites and had a blast!

KAL News

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Updates for this Episode:

  • Prizes- chose from 4  cabanas this time and will choose from the other 4 next episode. At the end of the event, I’ll pull 4 more from the most chatty Cabanas

Events

  • Stash Dash hosted by the Knit Girllls– May 29th-August 30th
  • Summer Bingo with the Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast . Get your Bingo Card on Instagram.
    • Single Bingo spots:
      • Free space
      • Craft: flower focused- watercolor flowers
      • Start a new project: Woolens and Nosh Sum-Sum-Summertime socks
      • Create something 3-dimensional: granny square top
      • Finish a WIP- over 2,000 meters worth of those. 
      • Bonus— Summer book It’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Amazon Affiliate Link.
  • Sock Week hosted by Knitty Natty– July 20-27
    • Goal is to complete 1 adult sock during Sock Week
  • Tour de Fleece: July 5-July 27 . Tour de Fleece Ravelry Group.
    • Rest Days: Tuesday, July 15 and Monday, July 21.
    • Challenge Days: The first one is Stage 10, on Monday, July 14. The second is Stage 15, on Sunday, July 20.
  • Summer Spin In hosted by Marsha & Kelly of Two Ewes Fiber Adventure. May 31- September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let’s go!
  • Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WA- August 8-10
  • Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA- August 16th

On a Happy Note

  • My friend Megg’s first June recital for her new dancing school was a big success. I helped with set-up, worked the door and clean up. I am very proud of her. I also got to see some of kiddos dance- Emelyn, Hattie and Aila were in the show. All 3 were in one dance.
  • I was totally surprised when during the award’s ceremony they announced a new award “The Diane Lassonde Ruby Slipper Award” and Hattie was the first recipient.
    • For a dancer who shows “hard work, dedication but also build community and helps to make sure all studnets feel welcome at DLA, because as Diane knew and told us, There is No Place Like Home.”
  • Riley & Millie’s recital, followed by Father’s Day Lunch, and Miles’ 1st birthday party.
  • Jeff and I both showed up Father’s day with pink and white checkered outfits- his shirt. my dress. very funny.
  • Camping- huge happy note. Just love the couple who runs the place, Tori and Jason. So kind and generous. Discount when we came with less people. Ziplocs sold out, they gave me some of their own. It’s just refreshing to know people like that are still around.
  • Dance parties all the time. Something that Megg initiates and it makes my dad laugh so hard. I love it.
  • Going to Hornstra for ice cream with Riley and her bff Ellie.
  • Celebrating Oisin’s 17th birthday and getting to see Terri’s new house.
  • A fun June Patreon Zoom after a lousy day/week at work.

Quote of the Week

“Times of stress are also times that are signals for growth, and if we use adversity properly, we can grow through adversity.”

—Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

Episode 299: ABCs- Abstraction, Birthdays & Crochet

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Thank you for tuning in to Episode 299 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week’s segments included:

  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • From the Armchair
  • Crafty Adventures
  • 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: Bella Fio and Wild Violet Fibers

Visit us at wildvioletfibers.com to shop our latest collections and sign up for shop updates. Splash Pad Party participants can use discount code SPLASH25 for 15% off their order.

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

103 Hat

  • Pattern: 103 Hat by Jennifer Lassonde. $5 Knitting Pattern available on  Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Yarn: Malabrigo Rios (worsted) in 845 Cirrus Gray
  • Needles: US 5 & US 7 (3.75 & 4.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 115.2 meters (126.0 yards), 60 grams used.

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
  • This is the repeatable version of the 2023 Advent, with 16 of the original 24 colors.
  • 259.3 meters (283.5 yards). 70 grams

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.
  • Check out this Instagram reel which highlights.
  • 60 squares total
  • Cloudborn 371.7 meters (406.5 yards), 101 grams
  • Legacy Fiber Artz- 162.9 meters (178.1 yards), 38 grams
  • Fibernymph Dye Works- 60.4 meters (66.0 yards), 16 grams
  • Total: 595 meters. 155 grams

Ball Band with a Twist Cozy

  • Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter, Midnight Blue and Bubblegum
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Stash Dash: 40.3 meters
  • You may also be interested in my more basic jar cozy pattern: Ball Band- Ravelry | LoveCrafts (free)

Stash Dash total for this episode- 1,009.8 meters

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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: All but the toe of sock 2 is done

Miles’ Montessori Toy

  • Pattern: Montessori Colour Sorter by Lexie Warren. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry & on Crochet River)
  • Hook: D (3.25 mm)
  • Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Purple, Orange, Teal and Cyan. Knit Picks Brava in Canary, Rouge and White.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I’ve gotten some great ideas in the Toy Cabana chat thread on Ravelry
  • Progress: 6 cups and 4 balls are done. Need to do white for center (basket and ball)- then seam together. Clever pattern.

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).

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
  • Size:  6 inch squares. 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: Last time I had seamed 7 full squares. Now I have 14 (of 35) squares done and seamed.

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.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors.
  • 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. What should I do with my minis??
  • Progress: Leg of first sock nearly finished

From the Armchair

Crafty Adventures

I came home from a massage dying to paint. I pulled out my watercolors and painted the sensations of my pain and the colors I associated with each. I’ll be playing with this concept more in the future (hopefully next time on actual watercolor paper and maybe using other media too).

Knitting in Passing

  • A nice gentleman said my crochet was beautiful and that he crochets. I showed him my tank top which was nearly done at the time.
  • We went to a grad party for my SIL and a friend of hers remembered me from Zach’s birthday. She wants to crochet so we talked about resources etc.
  • Reconnected with some of Dan’s cousins recently. His cousin Melissa and I often talk books, so that was fun but she also said she’d like to learn to knit and/or crochet. Hoping to get together with her for lunch in Boston soon.
  • Thank you to Suzanne- Sew Run It for the beautiful handknit hat and three knit hearts for my birthday. She started it shortly after my mom passed. Her notes say “The colors screamed Diane! The pattern is called Pair of Hearts and it too felt like a connection with her. I know you were and will remain close.” Pattern= Pair of Hearts is by Chit Chat Knits and is available on Ravelry for $4.50.
  • Lauren lbeth21 messaged me with Jess from Stitched by Jessalu at Central NY Fiber Fest
  • Susie of The Huckleberry Girl offered to send me a bag. I was thinking of summer and Splash Pad when looking at her shop and she had a bag with Blueberries and Butterflies which made me think of Mom. So special. Thank you, Susie.

KAL News

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

Events

Life in Focus

  • I shared about my Summer Bucket List and the graphic/template I created for my Patrons. Do you have any ideas for me?
  • My Word of the Year for 2025 is Welcome. I recently received a beautiful cross stitched piece with the word Welcome on it from Heidi, Yarnitheidi on Instagram and Ravelry. Thank you, Heidi!

On a Happy Note

  • The Splash Pad Kick Off Virtual sessions were so much fun!
  • The Waitress at the North Shore Music Theater (closes 6/15)
  • Cellar clean out, using new shelves and bins to organize. We also gathered a lot of items to donate.
  • Playing Five Crowns, totally exhausted, crushing the guys (had a score of 3 then 7 for most of the game) and then going home to sleep.
  • Quality time at the nail salon with Riley
  • Knitting by the pool as Riley, Garret & Millie took their first dip.
  • Will’s high school graduation party.
  • Flowers for my birthday
  • Red Sox game with my Dad.
  • A stressful work project really ramped up on my birthday. My friend got yummy pastries for us to share in the office.
  • Celebrating my birthday with Dan, Dad, Riley Garret and Millie.
  • Really funny birthday videos from Gabriella & Zachary.
  • Audible sale. I got a ton of great books and I’m really excited about reading again.
  • Daisies are finally starting to come in. They grow wild in our yard but they’re late this year.

Quote of the Week

“A well-composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter in any other way.”

― Caroline Gordon

Thank you for tuning in!

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