Down Cellar Studio Podcast

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 259 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
• Some Years Later
• Crafty Adventures
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Enchanted Etchings Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Shock Star Hat

• Yarn: Spun Right Round Squish DK in the Shock Star colorway
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
• Pattern: none
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the yarn: cream base with small bits of neons + black.
• 92 sts
• 130.5 meters for Stash Dash

Watermelon cozies

• Pattern: Ball Band (free pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts) & Ball Band with a Twist ($2 crochet pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts) by Jennifer Lassonde
• Yarns: Loops & Threads Capri Eco Cotton in Colorway: Cranberry. Loops & Threads Everyday Cotton in Jade. Leftover scrubby yarn for lighter green
• Hooks: 3.75 mm (F) & 4.25 mm (G)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Inspiration- Ali (starryeyesali) posted a watermelon bowl she made with leftover yarn on Instagram
• Small Jar cozy (16 oz wide mouth Mason jars). All sc (like the original ball band pattern). 7 rounds of Jade, 2 rounds of light green, 9 rounds of red. Black "seeds" sewn in later.
• Large Jar cozy (24 oz wide mouth Mason jars)- following Ball Band with a Twist instructions. 6 rounds of bottom section in Jade. 2 rounds of light green and the rest in Red. Black "seeds" sewn in later.
• Large Jar cozy #2 (24 oz wide mouth Mason jars)- rounds of Jade, 2 rounds of light green, rest was done in red. Black "seeds" sewn in later.
• 156.4 meters for Stash Dash

Woolens and Nosh Socks

• Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targee Socks- 2022 Advent Calendar
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 20g mini in dark purple; used for cuff and heel.
• 285.8 meters for Stash Dash

Zebra Stripes Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Zebra Stripes Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 273.6 meters for Stash Dash

Children of Time Spinning

• Fiber: Into the Whirled Cheviot (4 oz) in the Children of Time colorway
• 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.
• Ravelry Project Page
• 1 ply of Wool of the Andes in 2 colors of blue + 2 plies of Into the Whirled
• Skein 1= 94g. 116.91 yards or 106.9 meters
• Skein 2= 82g 120.3 yards, 110 meters
• Total meters of yarn 216.9
• For Stash Dash= 4 x 216.9 = 867.6 meters

Purple Spring Spin

• Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk.
• 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.
• Ravelry Project Page
• 2 skeins of finished yarn with Fluffypuf & Kingdom Fleece & Fiber Works
• Skein 1- 66g. 80.97 yards or 74.04 meters
• Skein 2= 66g. 79.44 yards or 72.64 meters
• Total Meters= 146.68
• I still had singles left of the Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks fiber, so I plied that with some mystery purple singles.
• Skein 3: 28g. 54.44 yards or 49.78 meters
• Meters for Stash Dash- 49.78 x 4= 199.12
• Total Meters for Stash Dash for all 3 skeins = 795.84

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. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

• Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
• Ravelry Project Page
• I've been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
• 4 rounds per hexagon.
• 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
• Twin sized blanket is 60x80 inches. 17x22 hexis- 374.
• Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.
• As of 7/25/23- 51' wide by 58" long. (13 x 17 hexis)

Silver Spoon Socks

• Yarn: A Whimsical Wood Yarn Company Pixie Toes Socks in the Silver Spoon Up My A$$ colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: on the foot of the first sock.

3 Christmas Stockings

• 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! web.archive.org-Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Our Archives.pdf
• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
• Hook: G (4.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: I have 3 of the 4 front/back panels I need for the frist 2 done. The forth is onto the leg. I am going to crochet up 2 more and then iron them, and start seaming them.

Rainbow Crochet Crop

• Pattern: 100% improvised.
• Yarn: Lion Brand Re-up. Colors: Ecru, Red, Orange, Sunflower, Lime, Aqua, Lilac and Raspberry
• Hook: E (3.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Wide, oversized crochet top that I completely improvised on the go. Thought I'd do all granny squares but didn't think I'd have enough yarn.
• Originally finished in June 2022, but it was too short and I only wore it once.
• Had hdc rows in rainbow colors at the bottom. Ripped all of that back and instead of doing 1 round of each color, I did 2. Extending beyond blue to include purple and pink.

My Little Unicorn Socks

• Yarn: Andre Sue Knits Sock Blank in the My Little Unicorn colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• Gray background with white and pink unicorns that look like My Little Pony. My inner 80's child loved this one.

From the Armchair

• The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Recommended by Dan's cousin Melissa
• Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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. Some Years Later

• Mom sent 2 socks to be repaired. Her Knit Picks Felici Zen Socks had a hole in the foot. It was easy to repair with a bit of yarn. I washed them and they're ready to give back. I only finished these in May 2022, right before Mother's Day so these haven't held up very well. Click here for my Ravelry Project Page.
• I also did a blanket repair on a knitted blanket a friend's mother asked me to fix. I was assuming it was crochet, so the fact that it was knitted was a surprise. The section that was torn was part of a very long strip of knitting that was knit on the bias, so it was a little tricky but it was in garter stitch and I did a good job of pulling the stitches back up. Its not 100% invisible, but I'm happy with it. I have it washed and ready to return.

Crafty Adventures Resin adventures with Gayle & Meagan for their Bucket List with a Twist. They made us aprons to wear while working that Bucket List with a Twist! KAL News Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

• Sign up using this Google Form.
• To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
• Click here for the full list of Sponsors with all the links you need to their websites & social media.
• Many of our Sponsors are offering coupon codes. Find them here- Google Doc or Ravelry Thread.
• Tune in to hear if you won a participation prize.
• End of the event winners will be announced in Episode 260

Events

• Stash Dash, hosted by Leslie & Laura of the Knit Girllls Video Podcast starts May 26th and runs through August 31, 2023. Check out details in the knit girllls discord
• My total as of this episode: 8,140 meters
• You can check out my Stash Dash 2023 Progress on this Google Sheet.
• Legacy Fiber Artz Knit Your Stash MAL- check out the details on the Treehouse Fiber Arts website
• Runs May 29- September 4, 2023
• #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal and #flashyourstash
• Crafty Bingo- Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast
• May 26-September 4, 2023
• Grab the Bingo card over on their Instagram feed
• The Grocery Girls are hosting Hot Granny Square Summer MAL. Check out details in their Ravelry Group & in Episode 183 on their YouTube Channel.
• Summer Sock Camp hosted in the Crazy Sock Lady Ravelry Group
• 5/26- 8/31/2023
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Life in Focus

• After 3+ years I got Covid.
• Mom's July MRI & CT Scans show that the cancer has not grown/changed! Great news!

Ask Me Anything Tune in to hear my answers to these questions:

• AnnahB wants to know how many UFOs I have. (12 somewhat active + hibernations)
• MaysMomNH- How your Mom is doing.
• Elisa.Knits- How you pick yarn for sweaters and cardis please.
• Nali_Knits- what motivates you to keep knitting/podcasting after so many years?
• KGZKnits- Can we watch instead?
• Red-Christina- trying to knit men's cardigan for my grandpa- any suggestions?
• Classic Cardigan by Tin Can Knits. $8 knitting pattern on Ravelry or Tin Can Knits website.
• Slade by Michelle Wang (for Brooklyn Tweed). $10 pattern available on Ravelry; $9 on Brooklyn Tweed Website.
• Reading Cardigan by Jared Flood. $16 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & for $15 on Brooklyn Tweed website)
• DogMomKnits- Fall Knitting Plans- Pigskin Party (if there will be one) info?
• There will be a Pigskin Party. I'll be planning it very soon!

On a Happy Note

• After a day of resin crafts and pool time, Mom, Dad, Gayle, Meagan, Liz and I headed out for ice cream and then back for 2 round Tock match (Meagan & I won one, Gayle & Liz won one).
• I went to Minute Clinic to confirm I had Covid, but mostly to see if I also had strep throat, and was treated by my childhood bestie, Maribeth!
• Grateful for my own craft room with a comfy chair in a cool part of the house. Perfect for isolating and making sure Dan didn't get sick. I did go outside a bit on the weekend days. Dan brought up my wheel. I still spent a lot of time lying down between projects but it was nice to get out. I missed our nephew's 16th birthday pool party, though, so that was a bummer.
• Jeff was able to get an extra ticket for me to join he and Riley to see Lainey Wilson at the Mohegan Sun casino on Friday night! We had dinner, loved the show, got a cool Watermelon Moonshine Stanley Tumbler, and then I slept over at their house. Hung out with Riley & Millie in the morning, singing Hamilton as Riley made us homemade waffles.

Quote of the Week The great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving. –OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, SR ------ Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 258 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
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Summer Rainbow Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base in the Summer Rainbow Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 253.8 meters for Stash Dash

Hattie's Water Bottle Holder

• Pattern: Freedom Water Bottle Holder by Wendy Serrao (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry & on Wendy's website)
• Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up
• Hook: G (4.25 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the project: Hattie (age 5) saw a water bottle holder at the local refill store and asked for one. Her Mom, Megg texted asking if I could please make one for Hattie. The pattern is designed for an adult/larger sized water bottle so I knew I wanted to make mine smaller than called for in the pattern. I started in blue and increased up to about 38 sts around. Instead of double crochets, I worked half double crochets instead. 6 rows hdc, followed by 3 rows of (ch1, dc around) in purple. Then I repeated that in pink.
• I had planned to do the strap half pink and half purple, but when I had Hattie try it on, it was too long (even though I had been accounting for a serious amount of stretch). She said it needed attention regardless because there wasn't any blue in the strap. Noted. Thankfully, I'd anticipated my picky client and brought all three colors with me to the pool. I ripped back, adjusted the length, added some blue to the second half of the strap and voila!
• 80.2 meters for Stash Dash

Seeing Spirals Washcloth

• Pattern: Seeing Spirals Washcloth by Lindsey Dale (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry or on Lindsey's website)
• Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up
• Hook: G (4.25 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 14 meters for Stash Dash

Musselburgh Hat

• Pattern: Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague ($7.77 US/ 6 GBP knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on Ysolda's website)
• Yarn: YarnBaker Fingering in the Blazer Colorway & On The Round Nimble Sock (unsure of colorway)
• Needles: US 2 (2.75) circular- 32 in (magic loop for beginning & end of project & US 2 (also called US 2.5) 3.0 mm 16-inch circular for the body of the hat
• Ravelry Project Page
• Size: Adult Medium
• About the project: Half light blue, half darker denim blue, about 8.5 inches tall. You can still fold up the brim if you really want to.
• 384.7 meters for Stash Dash

Chevron Scrap Blanket

• Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria's Blue Crayon (free crochet pattern) available on Ravelry & the Maria's Blue Crayon Website.
• This pattern presumes you already know the c2c crochet technique.
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White & Tranquil (light green), Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Pink and Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly Big! in colorway Soft Lilac
• Hook: J (6.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page (I crocheted one of these in summer 2020- click here for that Ravelry Project Page)
• For help learning the Corner to Corner Crochet method you could check out this free Ravelry Download from Lauri Bolland or this video tutorial from Lion Brand on https://youtu.be/mQPVlaRE4Gw
• Each section is 11 squares tall. Green, white, pink, white, purple, white.
• I used mattress stitch to seam all 6 strips together. I used white to do a dc border round, then a hdc round. From there I did a crochet pom pom border using 2 puff stitches that you fold over to make bobbles. I first used this border on a Cozy Clusters Blanket last summer (Ravelry project page here). I learned about this edge technique on this website.
• 3,024 meters for Stash Dash

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

• Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & https://youtu.be/X4hgFCAKHkg?list=PLsrz34yAA5TqZ9zDYjyLp4A1tx_2x0Ub6
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
• Ravelry Project Page
• I've been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
• 4 rounds per hexagon.
• 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
• Twin sized blanket is 60×80 inches. 17×22 hexis- 374.
• Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.
• Progress: I started seaming!

3 Christmas Stockings

• 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! web.archive.org-Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Our Archives.pdf
• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
• Hook: G (4.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: I have 3 of the 4 front/back panels I need for the frist 2 done. The forth is onto the leg. I am going to crochet up 2 more and then iron them, and start seaming them.

LFA Helical Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Portal Colorway + 50g skein in a mystery colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the colorways: both have a pink base. The mystery skein leans more to blues and purples. Portal has some brighter sky blues and bits of green and maroon. Together they just look like one beautiful colorway.
• Progress: a few inches from the heel on the first sock

Zebra Stripes Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Zebra Stripes Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the colorway- approximately 3 round stripes of black and cream
• Progress: Finished first sock. Turned the heel on the second sock.

Woolens and Nosh Socks

• Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targee Socks- 2022 Advent Calendar
• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 1 stripe a day. So manageable– then I got to Vegas and realized I was using US 2 instead of US 1.5. Thought the gauge looked strange. Ripped back to cuff. I got off track after that.
• 20g mini in dark purple; used for cuff and will use for the heel.
• Progress: I finished the first sock (did not use the mini for the toe). Cast on the second sock, using the mini for the cuff.

From the Armchair

• Watching: Shrinking (on Apple TV+)I finished reading:
• Beach Read by Emily Henry. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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. In My Travels

• While in Phoenix with Mom, she, Merry & I took a day trip tour to Sedona through Detours. Nicki was our guide. First stop: Montezuma Castle. where the Sinagua people built dwellings into the side of the rock face. It was a 20 room, multi-story structure access via sets of wooden ladders.
• Bell Rock trailhead/ vista.
• Chapel of the Holy Cross – beautiful setting with nearly 360 views of the red rocks all around, beautiful face of windows on one end with a large statue of Jesus over the altar.
• Uptown Sedona. Lunch. Coffee. Shopping. Ice cream!

KAL News Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

• Sign up using this Google Form.
• To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
• Splash Pad '23 Sponsors with all the links you need to their websites & social media.
• Many of our Sponsors are offering coupon codes. Find them here- Google Doc or Ravelry Thread.
• Tune in to hear if you are one of our Participation Winners

Events

• Stash Dash, hosted by Leslie & Laura of the Knit Girllls Video Podcast starts May 26th and runs through August 31, 2023. Check out details in the knit girllls discord
• My total as of this episode: 5,630 meters
• You can check out my Stash Dash 2023 Progress on this Google Sheet.
• Legacy Fiber Artz Knit Your Stash MAL- check out the details on the Treehouse Fiber Arts website
• Runs May 29- September 4, 2023
• #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal and #flashyourstash
• Crafty Bingo- Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast
• May 26-September 4, 2023
• Grab the Bingo card over on their Instagram feed
• The Grocery Girls are hosting Hot Granny Square Summer MAL. Check out details in their Ravelry Group & in Episode 183 on their YouTube Channel.
• Summer Sock Camp hosted in the Crazy Sock Lady Ravelry Group
• 5/26- 8/31/2023
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Life in Focus

• I shared in the last episode that my mother-in-law, Marilyn, passed away shortly before I left for Phoenix. When I returned home, we finished the of the plans and held her funeral mass that Thursday morning. Dan's younger sister Kathy (and her husband Tony) came in from Florida and stayed with us as did my friend Laura (from NYC). We all met up for dinner on Wednesday night with Dan & Matt's aunt who came in from Maine and 2 of her daughters and their families.
• The services and lunch afterwards were beautiful. Readings and music were all specially chosen and read/performed by people she loved. Its was a beautiful send off. We had a small gathering after at my friend Megg's house. She, Laura and I walked down to the beach just before sunset.

On a Happy Note

• While Laura was in town we went for a late lunch with Kris and Megg at the Salt Society and then Laura, Kris and I got ice cream at Hornstra and Laura and I went on to see No Hard Feelings at the movies.
• Saturday July 8th we had a big pool party for our friend Trish's birthday. Fun day with all the kiddos before they head off to their various camps.
• On Sunday, Dan's friends came for a visit and brought us a delicious homemade strawberry rhubarb pie.
• Monday night we did a double date night with Megg and Tom to The Snug, an Irish pub, for live music to catch up before they head to Ireland for summer visits.
• Thursday I celebrated 20 years at Mass General with the annual Ether Day Dinner (normally held in October but ours was postponed) where they celebrate staff with milestones in 5 year increments from 20-60 years of service. Cocktail hour with live music followed by a delicious dinner for over 600 people! It was made especially fun because my dear friend Waveney and her husband Atticus were there- and Dan ran into a friend from work whose wife was also celebrating 20 years.
• On October 16, 1846, the first successful public demonstration of the use of ether for surgical anesthesia was performed, making pain-free surgery possible.
• Friday pool night. Meagan and Gayle, up from NH, brought resin/acrylic crafts and the fam decorated cutting boards and trays. I missed it but Dan and the others who learned are going to teach me.

Quote of the Week We can take a wonderful vacation in spirit, even though we are obliged to stay at home, if we will only drop our burdens from our minds for a while. –Laura Ingalls Wilder Thank you for tuning in!Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 257 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
• Some Years Later
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Sunsoaked Yarns, Bella Fio, Woolen Women Thanks to Mom for joining me for part of this episode!

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Cushion Bags

• Pattern: none
• Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Up & Other Dish Cloth Cotton
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• I made 2 cushion covers for Mom because the bags for her inflatable seat cushions were too small to easily fit back into.
• Ravelry Project Page- Cushion 1: green and aqua
• Ravelry Project Page- Cushion 2 : black and aqua
• 155 meters for Stash Dash (in the 2 projects)

2021 Scrappy Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel by Megan Williams ($5 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Yarn: sock yarn minis and scraps
• Ravelry Project Page (started in April 2021. Picked back up in September 2022)
• In this project, I used Helical knitting using Video Tutorial from Knitty Natty & Cate's Clasp Weft join- check out my YouTube Tutorial by clicking here.
• 228 meters for Stash Dash

In a Fog Mittens

• Pattern: In a Fog by Allison O'Mahony ($5.50 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the designer's website)
• Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) & US 6 (4.0mm)
• Yarn: MC: Spun Right Round (multi color) CC: Fibre Seed Costa Laurel worsted yarn in Colorway CL014 (gray)
• Size: Medium (3 sizes available)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 161 meters for Stash Dash

Curiouser & Curiouser Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Curiouser & Curiouser Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• These count for the #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal
• Will weigh these socks when I get home from Phoenix

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Summer Rainbow Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base in the Summer Rainbow Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: Almost to the heel of sock #2

Zebra Stripes Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Zebra Stripes Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the colorway:
• Progress: Finished most of the first sock

Chevron Scrap Blanket

• Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria's Blue Crayon (free crochet pattern) available on Ravelry & the Maria's Blue Crayon Website.
  • This pattern presumes you already know the c2c crochet technique.
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White & Tranquil (light green), Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Pink and Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly Big! in colorway Soft Lilac
• Hook: J (6.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page (I crocheted one of these in summer 2020- click here for that Ravelry Project Page)
• For help learning the Corner to Corner Crochet method you could check out this free Ravelry Download from Lauri Bolland or this video tutorial from Lion Brand on YouTube.
• Each section is 11 squares tall. Green, white, pink, white, purple, white.
• Progress: 5 strips finished. 1 more started. Once finished, I need to seam them together & debating a border.

From the Armchair

• Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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.

Some Years Later

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.
• Finished in May 2020
• I never loved the way it fits me. Riley recently wore it during sleepover, so I let her take it home. She sent me a fit check wearing it with white jean cut offs, a slick hairdo and some poppin lips! Looking gorgeous. Makes me even happier than the meters that helped me kick Jasmin's butt in 2020!

In My Travels

• Mom and I are recording from Phoenix, Arizona at the List Perfectly Camp Listing Party Event.
• Mom & I gave a presentation on the Fearless Living Fund where we've already raised over $1600!
• You can donate to the Fearless Living Fund to benefit the Blind Center of Nevada on Venmo.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

• Sign up using this Google Form.
• To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
• Click here for the full list of Sponsors with all the links you need to their websites & social media.
• Many of our Sponsors are offering coupon codes. Find them here- Google Doc or Ravelry Thread.

Events

• Stash Dash, hosted by Leslie & Laura of the Knit Girllls Video Podcast starts May 26th and runs through August 31, 2023. Check out details in the knit girllls discord
  • My total as of this episode: 1,619 meters (plus socks I haven't been able to weigh)
  • You can check out my Stash Dash 2023 Progress on this Google Sheet.
• Legacy Fiber Artz Knit Your Stash MAL- check out the details on the Treehouse Fiber Arts website
  • Runs May 29- September 4, 2023
  • #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal and #flashyourstash
• Crafty Bingo- Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast
  • May 26-September 4, 2023
  • Grab the Bingo card over on their Instagram feed
• The Grocery Girls are hosting Hot Granny Square Summer MAL. Check out details in their Ravelry Group & in Episode 183 on their YouTube Channel.
• Summer Sock Camp hosted in the Crazy Sock Lady Ravelry Group
  • 5/26- 8/31/2023
• Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Life in Focus

• It's been a tough couple weeks with Mom having a bad reaction to her normal infusion, then Dan's mother, Marilyn passed away on June 25th.

On a Happy Note

• Our nephew Oisin turned 15 and we enjoyed his taco truck birthday party.
• That same weekend, we had 3 kiddos in a dance recital, and our niece Aila was in Beauty & the Beast as Maurice that night. Mom, Riley, Millie and I grabbed dinner (and for the adults a cold beer) in between!
• We enjoyed Father's Day with my dad and gave him custom corn hole boards and bags!
• Mom, Riley and I got VIP tickets to Kane Brown at Fenway Park. We wore matching tees Mom bought for us.
• Not one but 2 bucks in our driveway at the same time. Stayed long enough for me to bring Dan back.
• Fireflies are out! I got to show our friend Liz when she came for dinner.
• I got to go into the ORs for the first time, after working at MGH for nearly 21 years.

Quote of the Week

One's life begins on so many occasions, constructing itself out of accident derived from coincidence compounded by character.–DONALD HALL

——

Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 256 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. This week's segments included:

• Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• Crafty Adventures
• Knitting in Passing
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• Quote of the Week
• Stay tuned for a special interview at the end of the episode

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Ninja Turtle Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.

Solstice Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Solstice Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Summer Rainbow Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base in the Summer Rainbow Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: I finished the first sock in Nashville & cast on the cuff of the second

Curiouser & Curiouser Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Curiouser & Curiouser Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• I purchased this as a Micro Sock set; 50g of main color + a 20g mini. I also had another LFA mini that I liked with it, so I have green and purple to choose from.
• Progress: I finished the first sock at Lucky Bastard Bar in Nashville and kitchenered the toe listening to live music. I cast on the second sock.

In a Fog Mittens

• Pattern: In a Fog by Allison O'Mahony ($5.50 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the designer's website)
• Needles: US 4 (3.5mm) & US 6 (4.0mm)
• Yarn: MC: Spun Right Round (multi color) CC: Fibre Seed Costa Laurel worsted yarn in Colorway CL014 (gray)
• Size: Medium (3 sizes available)
• Progress: finished 1st mitten

Crafty Adventures

Emelyn came over after work to do a crafty project together. They decided they wanted to make a snail backpack for which we could find no ready-made tutorials online. We found instructions for round bag that we'll modify. We went to JoAnn to purchase supplies, grabbed dinner and headed home. Eme cut the two circles (using a large bowl as a guide) and sewed swirl pattern on each piece before we ran out of time. I'm looking forward to picking it back up soon.

Knitting in Passing

My mom's childhood friend Rosie came to Nashville with us. She was asking about my circular knitting on magic loop and we got talking about how her mother knit and taught her to knit as a kid. Her mother would make sweaters, hats, scarves and mittens.

In My Travels

My brother Jeff, my parents and I went to Nashville for CMA Fest 2023. Tune in to hear all about our trip and the incredible musicians & bands we saw.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

• Sign up using this Google Form.
• To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
• Click here for the full list of Sponsors with all the links you need to their websites & social media.
• Many of our Sponsors are offering coupon codes. Find them here- Google Doc or Ravelry Thread.

Events

• Stash Dash, hosted by Leslie & Laura of the Knit Girllls Video Podcast starts May 26th and runs through August 31, 2023. Check out details in the knit girllls discord
  • My total as of this episode: 1,075 meters in 4 pairs of socks
  • You can check out my Stash Dash 2023 Progress on this Google Sheet.
• Legacy Fiber Artz Knit Your Stash MAL- check out the details on the Treehouse Fiber Arts website
  • Runs May 29- September 4, 2023
  • #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal and #flashyourstash
• Crafty Bingo- Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast
  • May 26-September 4, 2023
  • Grab the Bingo card over on their Instagram feed
• The Grocery Girls are hosting Hot Granny Square Summer MAL. Check out details in their Ravelry Group & in Episode 183 on their YouTube Channel.
• Summer Sock Camp hosted in the Crazy Sock Lady Ravelry Group
  • 5/26- 8/31/2023
• Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Quote of the Week

"Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is, I think, finally, the only real question."– Julian Barnes

This episode we had a special conversation originally recorded by my friend Beverly Baptiste who co-hosts the weekly sewing podcast- Punk Frockers with her friend Jenny Hassler for their series on sewing adjacent hobbies. My friends Nicki, Karen, Ryan and Maggie and I share about the kinds of fiber crafts we enjoy, other creative outlets, whether creative people attract creative partners and whether our partners know how much we spend on craft supplies. You can find the Punk Frockers podcast on their website. You can also find this conversation on Episode 118 Knitting #PFSewingAdjacent.

——Thank you for tuning in!

Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 255 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. For full show notes with photos check out my website. This week's segments included:

• Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Carmen Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Gusto Wool Carmen Sock Weight Yarn (80/20 Merino/Nylon) in Colorway 1402
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the yarn: Half of the skein is navy blue the other half is a neon rainbow. At my gauge it is microstriping!

Scrappy Helical Socks

• Yarn: various fingering scraps
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• I am using Cate's Clasp Weft Join when joining a new yarn. Using this method, I only have 4 ends to weave in even though I am changing yarns often.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

• Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
• Ravelry Project Page
• I've been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
• 4 rounds per hexagon.
• Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video.
• Progress Update: 225 hexagons done on 5/22/23 (74 unwashed + 151 washed)- goal is 374

Chevron Scrap Blanket

• Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria's Blue Crayon (free crochet pattern) available on Ravelry & the Maria's Blue Crayon Website.
• This pattern presumes you already know the c2c crochet technique.
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White & Tranquil (light green), Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Pink and Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly Big! in colorway Soft Lilac
• Hook: J (6.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page (I crocheted one of these in summer 2020- click here for that Ravelry Project Page)
• For help learning the Corner to Corner Crochet method you could check out this free Ravelry Download from Lauri Bolland or this video tutorial from Lion Brand on YouTube.
• Each section is 11 squares tall. Green, white, pink, white, purple, white.
• Progress: 3 strips finished. 1 more started.

Summer Scrappy Helical Socks #2

• Yarn: various fingering scraps
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• I am using Cate's Clasp Weft Join when joining a new yarn. Using this method, I only have 4 ends to weave in even though I am changing yarns often.
• Progress: Sock 1 is close to the heel. Sock 2 has a cuff.

Ninja Turtle Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
• Progress: almost to the toe on the second sock

Summer Rainbow Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Desert Vista Dyeworks Viso base in the Summer Rainbow Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: 1st cuff down + a few inches into the leg

Curiouser & Curiouser Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Curiouser & Curiouser Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• I purchased this as a Micro Sock set; 50g of main color + a 20g mini. I also had another LFA mini that I liked with it, so I have green and purple to choose from.
• Progress: ready to start heel on first sock

Purple Spring Spin

• Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk.
• 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.
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the Fluffypuf braid: contains purple (various shades), yellow, orange, gray, blue, pink
• I purchased 4 oz of 100% Rambouillet from Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks at CT Sheep & Wool.
• I will plan to do a 3 ply
• Update this episode: I broke my new driveband! Will replace w/ kitchen cotton yarn for now

Brainstorming

• With the announcement of the Legacy Fiber Artz MAL, I decided to wind up all of my LFA minis on the sparkle base to knit some scrappy, helical, clasp-weft sparkle socks!

From the Armchair

• The Cartographers by Peng Shepard. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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. In My Travels

• Friday night we had dinner at Water Street in Wiscasset, Maine
• Maine Botanical Gardens.
• The girls and I especially loved the 5 giant troll sculptures
• We loved the flowers and other exhibits too. One especially neat thing was The Lerner Garden of the Five Senses which made me think of Gretchin Rubin & her new Life in Five Senses book which I reviewed in Episode 254
• Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

KAL News Splash Pad Party 23: May 26-July 31, 2023

• Sign up using this Google Form.
• To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
• Click here for the full list of Sponsors with all the links you need to their websites & social media.
• Many of our Sponsors are offering coupon codes. Find them here- Google Doc or Ravelry Thread.

Events

• Stash Dash, hosted by Leslie & Laura of the Knit Girllls Video Podcast starts May 26th and runs through August 31, 2023. Check out details in the knit girllls discord
• Jasmin (aka cuteknitter) & I will be doing our annual, mostly-friendly challenge.
• 2 pairs of socks so far= 548 meters
• You can check out my Stash Dash 2023 Progress on this Google Sheet.
• Legacy Fiber Artz Knit Your Stash MAL- check out the details on the Treehouse Fiber Arts website
• Runs May 29- September 4, 2023
• #legacyfiberartzknityourstashMal and #flashyourstash
• Crafty Bingo- Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast
• May 26-September 4, 2023
• Grab the Bingo card over on their Instagram feed
• The Grocery Girls are hosting Hot Granny Square Summer MAL. Check out details in their Ravelry Group & in Episode 183 on their YouTube Channel.
• Summer Sock Camp hosted in the Crazy Sock Lady Ravelry Group
• 5/26- 8/31/2023
• Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Contest, News & Notes Check out my latest shawl design- Mas Vida! Find all of the details on my website. Mas Vida is available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts for $7. Use code mas for 30% off on Ravelry through 6/2. On a Happy Note

• Mother's Day celebrations seeing Millie in Matilda followed by dinner at a local brewery
• Flowers from Chris & Margarita
• Vikki & Katy visited from Las Vegas. I picked them up at the airport and then we met Mom, Dad, Trish and Liz for dinner.
• Dan & I celebrated our 19th Anniversary at a local brewery after work.
• Thank you Steph for the beautiful AdoreKnit Splash Pad '23 Exclusive Bag & Stitch Markers
• Getting video messages from Riley about her crochet project! Riley joined one of our Patrons-only Zooms during the Splash Pad Party and that was a lot of fun!
• Memorial Day weekend visits to my parents'. Mom shared a cool tip on how to clean jewelry which I'll share on Instagram. Sunday after the pool, the 4 of us headed to Matt & Kris' to celebrate Matt's birthday and Carly's birthday. I gifted her the Carmen socks I'd just finished! She's a skiier so I'm hoping she enjoys them.
• On Monday, a bunch of my cousins and their kids came! We got a fun photo of 9 kiddos together on my parents' swing! The kids swam and ate ice cream. I played bocce with Garret.

Quote of the Week In the beginning I was so young and such a stranger to myself I hardly existed. I had to go out into the world and see it and hear it and react to it, before I knew at all who I was, what I was, what I wanted to be. –Mary Oliver ------ Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 254 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. Click here. This week's segments included:

• Off the Needles
• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• From the Armchair
• Crafty Adventures
• Some Years Later
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Thanks to Riley, our special guest co-host this week! Off the Needles Winter Mint Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022)
• You can see more of the December 2022 Winter Mint themed packaged in my Vlogmas 2022: Day 2 video
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue

Riley recently finished a knitted tote from the Rheinpack Tote pattern available on Ravelry. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

• Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
• Ravelry Project Page
• I've been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
• 4 rounds per hexagon.
• 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
• Twin sized blanket is 60x80 inches. 17x22 hexis- 374.
• Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.
• Bought 2 grab bags of minis from Legacy Fiber Artz and some yarn from Knit Picks with a gift card I got for my birthday. Minis from CT Sheep & Wool and Maryland S&W
• Thanks Nicole (ndoyle) for the care package for Riley that included a Crumbl cookie cutter and minis for Riley to make more hexis out of. You can check out our Crumbl taste test in this video.

Purple Spring Spin

• Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk.
• 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.
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the Fluffypuf braid: contains purple (various shades), yellow, orange, gray, blue, pink
• I purchased 4 oz of 100% Rambouillet from Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks at CT Sheep & Wool. I split it in two. 2 oz already spun. I will plan to do a 3 ply

Shock Star Hat

• Yarn: Spun Right Round Squish DK in the Shock Star colorway
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm)
• Pattern: none
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the yarn: cream base with small bits of neons + black.
• 92 sts. 2x2 rib with the US 5 needles. Switched to US 7 needles after the brim. Planning on a slouchy hat

Silver Spoon Socks

• Yarn: A Whimsical Wood Yarn Company Pixie Toes Socks in the Silver Spoon Up My A$$ colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the yarn: peaches and pinks with gray/taupe. At my gauge it is striping (~2 rounds per color). I purchased this yarn at Yarncentric event in Maryland.
• Progress: Almost done with the first leg.

Scrappy Helical Socks

• Yarn: various fingering scraps
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• I tried to weave in ends as I went and I wasn't loving the look of it. My friend Nicki suggested Cate's Clasp Weft Join after starting new yarn. I thought of it but talked myself out of it, thinking it wouldn't work well. It totally does! Let me know if you'd like to see a tutorial on it.
• Progress: just finished heel on second sock

Ninja Turtle Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
• About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green
• Progress: Turned second heel

Riley is knitting on her Riley Rose Cowl (pattern by me, named for her) out of Goosey Fibers Yarn. You can get this pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts. She is also practicing working flat in double crochet using Knit Picks Brava yarn. From the Armchair

• Life in Five Senses by Gretchen Rubin. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Riley is re-reading The Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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

• This weekend, I had my first go at needle felting. It was a lot of fun!

Some Years Later

• Me Made May has me wearing my handknits and posting on Instagram.
• Day 1: Yorkshire Meadow Shawl- details on my website.
• Day 2: Grace & Frankie Shawl-
• Day 3: Tan House Brook Shawl
• Day 4: World of Difference Shawl
• Day 5: Boxing Day Bonus (me) + Jean Marie Shawl (Mom)
• Day 6: Mas Vida Shawl (Coming soon)
• Day 7: Deschain Tee by Leila Raven
• Day 8: Soldotna Crop by Caitlin Hunter
• Day 10: Riley Rose Shawl
• Day 13: Amma Top by Maria Valles (me) + Cozy Classic Raglan by Jessie Maed Designs (Riley)

In My Travels

• Riley & I attended Connecticut Sheep & Wool. Check out our vlog video on the Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel.
• Mom & I spent Thursday through Monday in Maryland, attending Yarncentrick on Friday & Maryland Sheep & Wool on Saturday. Stay tuned for a 2 part vlog series on my YouTube Channel

KAL News

• Splash Pad Party Registration opened May 1st. Sign up using this Google Form.
• To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
• The 8th Annual Splash Pad Party opens on Friday May 26th and runs through July 31st.
• Virtual Events to open the Splash Pad will be Friday 5/26 & Saturday 5/27. Check out this link for details. All times are in Eastern Time.
• Check out the Sponsor list here.

Events

• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 27 & 28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds
• Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Contest, News & Notes My new shawl pattern, the Mas Vida Shawl is coming soon!!

• Mas Vida is a simple sideways shawl that is written for 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn but can be knit up in any yarn you choose. There isn't a single purl in the project, and the eyelets are easy to work. Many of you will only need to reference the pattern occasionally once you understand the basic increases and increase repeats.
• I designed this to take along on a European vacation. I wanted something with a bit of interest, but that wouldn't be too large, wouldn't require too much brain space and that wouldn't work up too quickly (as smaller travel projects tend to do). -
• Note - This pattern has already been Tech Edited & Test Knit, so it should be smooth sailing!

On a Happy Note

• I went to see Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan with Megg, Tom & Matt.
• Seeing my 11 year old niece perform in Matilda.
• Zach's 1st birthday dinner.
• Riley got 2 awards in her last dance competition of the season!

Quote of the Week Do not look back. And do not dream about the future, either...Your duty, your reward—your destiny—are here and now. –DAG HAMMARSKJOLD ------ Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 253 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. For full show notes with photos check out 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
• Contest, News & Notes
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

• Zach's 1st Birthday Teddy
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in the Dove Heather, Silver, Mint, Tranquil and Marina colorways
• Hooks: D (3.25 mm) for stuffed parts & H (5.0mm) for Granny Square
• Pattern: Theo the Teddy Bear from book: Snuggle & Play Crochet: 40 Amigurumi Patterns for Lovey Security Blankets and Matching Toys by Carolina Guzman Benitez
• Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Winter Mint Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022)
• You can see more of the December 2022 Winter Mint themed packaged in my Vlogmas 2022: Day 2 video
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue
• Progress: Turned heel of first sock

Zebra Stripes Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Zebra Stripes Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the colorway:
• Progress: Turned heel of first sock and knit several inches on the foot during our trip to Nantucket

Musselburgh Hat

• Pattern: Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague ($7.77 US/ 6 GBP knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on Ysolda's website)
• Yarn: YarnBaker Fingering in the Blazer Colorway & On The Round Nimble Sock (unsure of colorway)
• Needles: US 2 (2.75) circular- 32 in (magic loop for beginning & end of project & US 2 (also called US 2.5) 3.0 mm 16-inch circular for the body of the hat
• Ravelry Project Page
• Size: Adult Medium
• Progress check- More than half way done. Added in second color

Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

• Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
• Ravelry Project Page
• I've been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
• 4 rounds per hexagon.
• 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
• Twin sized blanket is 60x80 inches. 17x22 hexis- 374.
• Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.
• 196 hexagons done by 4/25/23 (151 washed/ 45 unblocked) More than half way there if my goal is 374

Children of Time Spinning

• Fiber: Into the Whirled Cheviot (4 oz) in the Children of Time colorway
• 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.
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the Fiber: purple, plum, tans, browns and blues
• Progress: Finishing spinning all 4 oz

Benjamin'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! web.archive.org-Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Our Archives.pdf
• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
• Hook: G (4.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: finished green panel. Finished the last ~20 rows of the red side on the train this week.

From the Armchair

1. The Villa by Rachel Hawkins. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
2. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
3. I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
4. "You Just Need to Lose Weight" and 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

I'm also excited for new book from Virginia Sole-Smith- Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture.

• Check out Episode 265 of the Forever 35 Podcast & Episode 30 of the Struggle Care Podcast for Interviews with Virginia Sole-Smith about her book. Virginia also has her own podcast called Burnt Toast (and a Substack by the same name) which I've just started listening to.

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 Check out our 2 part Nantucket Vlog series on my YouTube Channel: Part 1 & Part 2 KAL News

• Splash Pad Party Registration Opens May 1st. Sign up using this Google Form.
• To confirm you're signed up, check the Stats/Registration Spreadsheet here.
• The 8th Annual Splash Pad Party opens on Friday May 26th and runs through July 31st.

Events

• Maryland Sheep & Wool: May 6 & 7th at the Howard County Fairgrounds
• Mom & I are planning to attend
• NH Sheep & Wool: May 13 & 14 in Deerfield, NH
• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 27 & 28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds
• Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Contest, News & Notes

• Thanks to test knitters testing my Mas Vidas shawl

Life in Focus I checked off two things on my 23 in 2023 list

• #1- Read 23 Books- now at 24!
• #23- Create a new music playlist. Riley's. Plus CMA fest artists.

On a Happy Note

• Walking at the beach with Megg & Maria before Oisin's boat race. His team set the course record for the day!
• Laura came in from NY that evening and joined us for Tom's birthday dinner.
• On Sunday, I drove down to Orleans where Laura was house sitting to watch the Love is Blind "live" Re-union debacle on Netflix.
• Training at the gym & the energy that comes with it!
• Going w/ Riley and Mom to get our nails done before Nantucket. Riley took us for boba smoothies afterwards. We had a great time.
• Riley was showing a friend a nail polish in TJ Maxx that looks like mine and it was the exact color of OPI I always get- Don't Bossa Nova Me Around- and she bought it for me. So sweet!
• Nantucket! 4 day weekend was just the break I needed from work. The candy and cookie taste tests were a fun way to do something memorable without having to spend a ton of time or money.
• Getting Mom to watch on Love is Blind
• Watching The Sinner on Netflix with Dan.
• Working on a slide show for my friend's son's Bar Mitzvah.

Quote of the Week Writer and psychoanalyst Marion Milner on the work required to be happy: "Let no one think it is an easy way because it is concerned with moments of happiness rather than with stern duty or high moral endeavour. For what is really easy, as I found, is to blind one's eyes to what one really likes, to drift into accepting one's wants ready-made from other people, and to evade the continual day to day sifting of values." Source: A Life of One's Own ------ Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 252 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website.

This week's segments included:

• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• Some Years Later
• Knitting in Passing
• KAL News
• Events
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Winter Mint Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Winter Mint Colorway (Yarnable December 2022)
  • You can see more of the December 2022 Winter Mint themed packaged in my Vlogmas 2022: Day 2 video
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the colorway: mint green with specks of gray and blue
• Progress: Leg of the 1st sock is complete

Solstice Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Solstice Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress- Finished 1st sock. Cast on second.

Ninja Turtle Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
• About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green
• Progress: Sock #1 done. 2nd one on the leg

Carmen Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Gusto Wool Carmen Sock Weight Yarn (80/20 Merino/Nylon) in Colorway 1402
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the yarn: Half of the skein is navy blue the other half is a neon rainbow. At my gauge it is microstriping.

Purple Spring Spin

• Fiber: Fluffypuf #130 Hand Dyed Roving Batt Purple/Pink. 1.4 ounces. 50% BFL, 40% merino, 10% Tussah Silk.
• 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.
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the braid: contains purple (various shades), yellow, orange, gray, blue, pink
• Ordered 4 ounces of a purple fiber that I plan to split in half and ply with this for a 3-ply.

Children of Time Spinning

• Fiber: Into the Whirled Cheviot (4 oz) in the Children of Time colorway
• 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.
• Ravelry Project Page
• About the Fiber: purple, plum, tans, browns and blues

Chevron Scrap Blanket

• Pattern: Chevron Scrap Blanket by Maria's Blue Crayon (free crochet pattern) available on Ravelry & the Maria's Blue Crayon Website.
  • This pattern presumes you already know the c2c crochet technique.
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted in White & Tranquil (light green), Lion Brand Pound of Love in Pastel Pink and Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly Big! in colorway Soft Lilac
• Hook: J (6.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page (I crocheted one of these in summer 2020- click here for that Ravelry Project Page)
• For help learning the Corner to Corner Crochet method you could check out this free Ravelry Download from Lauri Bolland or this video tutorial from Lion Brand on YouTube.
• Each section is 11 squares tall. Green, white, pink, white, purple, white.
• Progress: 2 strips finished. 2 more started. I am going to run out of Knit Picks Brava White yarn.

I did finish a top down elongated triangular shawl that was a design idea. I think I like it, but waiting for it to come off the blocking mats for final decisions.

Brainstorming

I'm debating what to make for my nephew Zachary's 1st birthday in May. This is a strong contender: Baby Snuggler by Cheryl of Crochet 365 Knit Too. Crochet pattern available for $4.49 on Ravelry or free on the Crochet 365 Knit Too Website or ad-free from Cheryl's website here.

From the Armchair

I talked in the last episode about Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.Thanks to Sarah, PAKnitWit who mentioned that some of the book tour might have been recorded. I found this video on YouTube.

1. Foster by Claire Keegan. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
2. This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
3. Normal People by Sally Rooney. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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.

Some Years Later

Riley wore her Everyday Cables Cardigan to Easter this year. I knit this very bulky sweater for her for Christmas 2021 (From Dec 10-24th!). You can check out my Ravelry Project Page here.

Knitting in Passing

• Eme sleepover We played Cube Escape Collection. We played The Mill which is like an electronic version of an escape game where you have to go around the room to find clues and figure out how to solve a puzzle. Grandmother knit her own hair (which we had to spin on a castle style spinning wheel) to make a pot holder so we could get hot duck out of oven.
• We messaged with Z, Emelyn's former roommate, and sending videos to try to help with their ssk issues.
• I had so much fun teaching Eme to crochet. I bought them some hooks and yarn to keep going.

KAL News

• Splash Pad Party starts on Friday May 26th.
• Save the date for our virtual kick off events on Friday & Saturday May 26-27th. More details to come.
• Call for Sponsors went out. You can find information on my website.

Events

• Saturday April 22 from 10a-5p Gore Place Annual Sheepshearing Festival in Waltham, MA. Click here for details.
• Connecticut Sheep & Wool: April 29, 2023 at the North Haven Fairgrounds.
• Maryland Sheep & Wool: May 6 & 7th at the Howard County Fairgrounds
  • Mom & I are planning to attend
• NH Sheep & Wool: May 13 & 14 in Deerfield, NH
• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 27 & 28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds
• Maine Fiber Frolic: June 3-4th from 9-10a at the Windsor Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Life in Focus

• While it's been difficult, I'm really enjoying taking small group workout classes at a new to me gym nearby.

On a Happy Note

• Hiking with Megg and alone.
• Seeing The Secret Garden musical at The Company Theatre.
• Eme & Kris' birthday dinner.
• Watching Love is Blind on Netflix and talking about it with Laura. It's such a fun way to connect w/ a friend.
• Easter at my parents' house.
• Warmer, longer days.
• My houseplants. I've recently divided up some more of my plants. Getting ready to fertilize them. They are bringing me so much joy, and having kept them alive (many for well over a year now), I'm getting confidence to try a few new plants. Maybe soon!

Quote of the Week"

The events of your past are fixed. The meaning of your past is not. The influence of every experience in your life is determined by the meaning you assign to it. Assign a more useful meaning to your past and it becomes easier to take a more useful action in the present."

-James Clear-

—-Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 251 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. Click here. 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
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• Life in Focus
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Shout out to Ultimate Insider Patrons: Aggie, Alexis, Alicia, Beth, Erica, Haidi, Kristina, Rachel, Rachel and Steph Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Grammy's 2nd Jean Marie Shawl

• Pattern: Jean Marie by Jennifer Lassonde ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts).
• Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)
• Yarn: Plymouth Yarn DK Merino Superwash in Black, Light Gray and White (2 skeins each)
• Ravelry Project Page

Own Two Feet Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Merino Superwash Sock Twist Tiny Stripe in the Own Two Feet Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 56 stitches. Cuff Down.
• About the yarn: 2 round stripes of plum, lavender, brown and gray

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Musselburgh Hat

• Pattern: Musselburgh by Ysolda Teague ($7.77 US/ 6 GBP knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on Ysolda's website)
• Yarn: fingering weight yarn from stash in a denim blue (can't find the ballband)
• Needles: US 2 (2.75) circular- 32 in (magic loop for beginning & end of project & US 2 (also called US 2.5) 3.0 mm 16-inch circular for the body of the hat
• Ravelry Project Page
• Size: Adult Medium
• Plan: Switch colors half way through. I have a lighter blue skein from On the Round that I purchased at Wicked Good Yarns in Rockland, MA that I want to use to make it a reversible hat.

Ninja Turtle Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 56 stitches. Cuff Down.
• Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
• About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green.
• Progress: Sock #1 is most of the way through the foot.

Carmen Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Gusto Wool Carmen Sock Weight Yarn (80/20 Merino/Nylon) in Colorway 1402
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page

Cloudy + Rainbows Spinning Project

• Fiber: 4oz braid of BFL from Frabjous Fibers in the Rainy Day Rainbows Colorway
• Description- long stretches of light gray punctuated with shorter blips of rainbow colors
• 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.
• I bought a new poly drive band for my Kromski Minstrel from Spinning Bunny on Etsy that I heard about on a Kromski Spinning Wheel Owners message board on Ravelry.
• Finished spinning all 4 ounces. I would like to ply with other gray fiber.

Wild Air Farm Fiber

• Fiber: 3.9 ounces of Shetland & Pygora from Wild Air Farm. Tag indicates "Melody & Cadence" which I presume are the animal names. 1 bump in green, 1 bump in blue
• 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.

From the Armchair

• Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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 finally got around to hanging up items to create a collage wall in the Down Cellar Studio.

Knitting in Passing

• While knitting on my Musselburgh Hat at Oisin's show, the women behind me asked me at Intermission what I was making because she's a "big knitter." I explained about the hat and what a sensation the pattern was. It was nice chatting with her.

KAL News

• The Annual Splash Pad Party is ON for this summer. Save the dates for virtual kick off events Friday & Saturday May 26-27th
• Call for sponsors going out soon. Sign up for my email newsletter & check the box for getting Sponsor emails if you want to be the first to know about available sponsor spots.
• Participant sign-ups will start in May.

Events

• Saturday April 1 from 10a-3p: The Yarn Seller's 10th Annual Fiber Marketplace in York, Maine. Click here for details.
• Saturday April 22 from 10a-5p Gore Place Annual Sheepshearing Festival in Waltham, MA. Click here for details.
• Connecticut Sheep & Wool: April 29, 2023 at the North Haven Fairgrounds.
• Maryland Sheep & Wool: May 6 & 7th at the Howard County Fairgrounds
• Mom & I are planning to attend
• NH Sheep & Wool: May 13 & 14 in Deerfield, NH
• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 27 & 28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds
• Check out some West Coast (US) Events on the Seattle Knitters Guild site (thanks Kristen- kips206)

Contest, News & Notes

• I will have a new shawl pattern ready for test knitters soon. I think I will run the test on Ravelry because it's what I know and is easiest and life is still a little challenging for me right now, so thank you for giving me a little grace.

Life in Focus Tune in for my update on 23 in 2023.

• Any tips for brands/types of fake eyelashes to try?
• Skiing didn't happen this year. Sigh.
• I'm making good progress of reading, going to musicals, sending cards and going to the movies!

I celebrated the 11 year anniversary of the Podcast with a quick look back at Episode 1! On a Happy Note

• Follow-up after Mom's recent scans show things look good. She & Dad headed off to Florida for vacation.
• Dan & I helped Dad replace their broken TV and we had a nice dinner together.
• My cousin Susan's annual St. Patrick's Day Party with birthday cake for my cousin Christopher whose baby I met for the first time that day and a Bailey's toast to my dear Aunt Florence.
• Picked up Riley and Millie to go meet Mom & Trish for mani pedis before Mom & Dad headed to Florida on Vacation.
• Seeing Oisin play Shrek in Shrek Jr. at his Middle School.
• Girls Game Night at my cousin Joanie's house
• Going back to Zumba before my old gym closes.
• I had my annual mammogram and thought there was cause for concern but ultrasound proved everything is normal! PSA: Get those boobies checked!! It's important.

Quote of the Week I realized I was as happy as I'd ever been in my life. It was the happiness of the right-before, when everything is potential and no branch on the tree of possibility has yet been closed off by action. –Dawn Drzal Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information:

• Check out the Down Cellar Studio Patreon!
• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/downcellarstudio
• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
• Check out my Down Cellar Studio YouTube Channel
• Knit Picks Affiliate Link
• Bookshop Affiliate Link
• Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link
• Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
• 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.

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 250 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 Bobbin
• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• Brainstorming
• 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 sponsor: The Yarn Sellar and be sure to check out their annual Fiber Marketplace Saturday April 1 2023, 10-3 pm at the Union Bluff in York Beach,Maine. Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Hattie's Ice Cream

• Pattern: Ice Cream Cone by Shannon Holding. Free Crochet Pattern available on the LoopholeFox website & on Ravelry
• Hook: C (2.75)
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in Cotton Candy (pink), Blush (pink), White. Loops & Threads Impeccable in Soft Taupe (cone)
• 2 scoops of ice cream (instructions include option for 3 scoops).
• 1st scoop is pink, 2nd scoop is white. Pink and purple sprinkles
• Ravelry Project Page

Hattie's Cupcake

• Pattern: Cupcake by Stitch11. Free crochet pattern available on this website & on Ravelry.
• Hook: C (2.75)
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in White. Loops & Threads Impeccable in Soft Taupe (cake), Big Twist Twinkle in Gray (wrapper)
• Silver sparkle yarn for cupcake wrapper, taupe for cupcake, white frosting with pink and purple sprinkles to match ice cream.
• Ravelry Project Page

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Mini Skein Hexagon Blanket

• Pattern: Basic Crochet Hexagon Pattern & Tips from Make Do and Crew Website & YouTube Tutorial
• Hook: F (3.75 mm)
• Yarn: Mini skeins from 2022 agirlandherwool Advent Calendar, 24 Days of Cheer Swap minis + other scraps/swap yarn
• Ravelry Project Page
• I've been closing the end of each hexagon with this join- link to Instagram post
• 4 rounds per hexagon.
• 3.75 inches each. Likely need over 300
• Twin sized blanket is 60x80 inches. 17x22 hexis- 374.
• Over 160 full hexagons done now.
• I washed all of my finished hexis (that already had ends woven in), in the washing machine on delicate inside a lingerie bag. The lingerie bag is important because with small pieces, you can lose pieces into your machine and cause problems.
• Results:
• 5 of them came apart at the join on the final round.
• No bleeding or fading.
• No shrinking.
• I'm glad I did this so I could get the bad ones out of the mix before I seam them.
• Learned double magic circle from this YouTube video. The trick is to know how to pull both loops to tighten the loop.

Ninja Turtle Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Qing Fibre Dashing Fingering Yarn in the Ninja Turtle Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 56 stitches. Cuff Down.
• About the yarn: it is the brightest, most neon yellow/green. Laura chose this yarn when we were shopping at Loop London in the Fall of 2022.
• Progress: Sock #1 is beyond the heel.

Own Two Feet Socks

• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Merino Superwash Sock Twist Tiny Stripe in the Own Two Feet Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 56 stitches. Cuff Down.
• About the yarn: 2 round stripes of plum, lavender, brown and gray
• Progress: Just finished the heel of the second sock.

Benjamin'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! web.archive.org-Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Our Archives.pdf
• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
• Hook: G (4.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: finished green panel. Almost done w/ the red.

Grammy's 2nd Jean Marie Shawl

• Pattern: Jean Marie by Jennifer Lassonde ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts).
• Needles: US 9 (5.5 mm)
• Yarn: Plymouth Yarn DK Merino Superwash in Black, Light Gray and White (2 skeins each)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Just finished Section 2 of 3.

Brainstorming I charted out elongated shawl design idea which feels really good. From the Armchair

• Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Modern Loss: Candid Conversations about Grief. Beginners Welcome. by Rebecca Soffer and Gabrielle Birkner. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Part of your World by Abby Jimenez. Bookshop Affiliate Link. 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 finished my January-June Covid Photo Book/Scrapbook that I made in Shutterfly and ordered it!
• I started working on second half of the year. I have notes about each day of the year that I'm mostly copying/pasting into Shutterfly and adding photos from Google Photos which makes it easier. So grateful I journaled during 2020 as it will likely end up being one of the wildest year of our lives.

Knitting in Passing

• Riley texted me that she's ready for her next knitting project. We purchased some Goosey Fibers yarn at Yarn's End during the Cape & South Shore Yarn Haul so she can knit the Riley Rose Cowl, which, yes, is named after her. You can find my pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts.

In My Travels

• Mom, Millie & I went to Russell's Garden Center for Farm Fiber Days Event.
• Blue Heron Farm set-up table for people to learn Needle Felting. Millie made a butterfly and then a bunny. We purchased a needle felting kit from them. Later Mom found cookie cutters.
• Millie got lots of snuggle time with 2 French Angora Rabbits that she wants to convince her dad to adopt. Thank you, Jessica.
• I purchased two batts of Shetland from Wild Air Farm in Bolton, MA.
• I also chose 3 minis from Sassy Black Yarns.
• Millie chose a skein of Making Tracks from Junction Fiber Mill
• Our marled variegated 2 ply yarn. Hand-dyed in small limited-edition batches. Made with 100% American wool.

KAL News

• I emailed all Grand Prize Winners and the sponsors who donated their prizes. Check your email if you haven't already.
• Splash Pad preliminary prep underway

Events

• Knit for Food Knit-a-thon 2023 Event: a Fundraiser for Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry and Meals on Wheels organized by Laura Nelkin is happening on March 26, 2023
• Saturday April 1 from 10a-3p: The Yarn Seller's 10th Annual Fiber Marketplace in York, Maine. Click here for details.
• Saturday April 22 from 10a-5p Gore Place Annual Sheepshearing Festival in Waltham, MA. Click here for details.
• Connecticut Sheep & Wool: April 29, 2023 at the North Haven Fairgrounds.
• Maryland Sheep & Wool: May 6 & 7th at the Howard County Fairgrounds
• Mom & I are planning to attend
• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 27 & 28th at the Cummington Fairgrounds
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: Sept 30 & Oct 1 at the Tunbridge Fairgrounds

On a Happy Note

• Getting more minis from Nicole in the mail!
• Met up with my friend Gary from college for coffee while he was in Boston.
• Hattie's first ever birthday sleepover for her 5th Birthday. I picked her up and then we picked up Millie, at Hattie's request. We had a low key night at home, and went to the Children's Museum the next morning. Hattie was overtired, so we drove her home and then Millie and I met up with my parents to head back into Boston for Riley's dance competition. Mom, Dad, Jeff, Millie, Garret and I all went to an early dinner between her performances.
• Monday night at a local Irish pub listening to live music for Megg's birthday.
• Last Saturday, Megg dropped off Oisín to work with Dan, and we all had breakfast before Megg and I went off for a hike. We got back to the car just as the rain started.
• Millie's Bucket List with a Twist item was to ride horses with Grammy in the snow. It nearly snowed on Saturday May 11, but it was too warm. Thankfully, the rain stopped while we were inside the barn at Nancy & Roger's house, meeting the animals. Our friend Terri is friends with Nancy and Roger who kindly and enthusiastically agreed to help make Millie check off her bucket list item. We met all of the animals, most of whom were rescued. They have a very silly goat, some miniature horses (Goliath, Delilah & Princess Buttercup), 2 Gypsy Vanners (Zoe & her mother Dulcie) and another large horse, Scooter. Mom and I each rode Zoe and Millie rode Dulcie.
• Garret's 13th birthday sleepover. We went to Altitude to jump on the trampolines, to Panera for dinner and then he taught me how to edit videos using the CapCut app.

Quote of the Week In our concern for others, we worry less about ourselves. When we worry less about ourselves an experience of our own suffering is less intense. –DALAI LAMA ------ Thank you for tuning in! Contact Information:

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