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:

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• Ravelry: BostonJen & Down Cellar Studio Podcast Ravelry Group
• Instagram: BostonJen1
• YouTube: Down Cellar Studio
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• Sign up for my email newsletter to get the latest on everything happening in the Down Cellar Studio
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• 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.