Thank you for tuning in to Episode 284 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. 
 
This week's segments included:
 
  • Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
  • Brainstorming
  • From the Armchair
  • Some Years Later
  • In my Travels
  • KAL News
  • Events
  • Contest, News & Notes
  • Life in Focus
  • On a Happy Note
  • Quote of the Week
 
Thank you to this episode's sponsors:
 
Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
 
Farmhouse Pumpkin
  • Pattern: Farmhouse Pumpkins by More Dreams Less Life. $4.25 crochet pattern available on Ravelry.
  • Yarn: KnitKraft Wintuk Yarn in the Rust Colorway
  • Hook: F (3.75 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
 
Rest Relax Recharge Socks
  • Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn: Plush Sock in the Rest Relax Recharge Colorway (from the March 2023 Yarnable Box)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Get $5 off with coupon code BOSTONJEN using my Affiliate Link
 
Urth Yarn Turn a Square Hat
  • Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood ($5 pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed website)
  • Yarn: Urth Yarn Uneek Worsted
  • Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) for ribbing. US 7 (4.5 mm) for body.
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Started August 5th but never talked about on the podcast.
  • Purchased during Cape and South Shore Yarn Haul a year or two ago. 
  • Ended up being about 48g. Still have about 56 g leftover so I will make another.
 
On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
 
Owen's Christmas Stocking
  • Pattern: Christmas Stockings to Knit and Crochet from Family Circle Magazine. Available in this web archive link. I’ve also saved it to my podcast Gmail Google Drive in case it disappears!
  • Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Cherry Red, Hunter Green and White
  • Hook: G (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • Progress: 2 pieces done, seamed up and working on the cuff. I need to finish the cuff, create the appliqué, sew on the name the hook.
 
Peace & Light Socks
  • Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Peace & Light Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • About the yarn: 6 stripes in blues/teals, 3 in creams/yellows- Pigskin Pro Shop Sponsor
  • Purchased from Michele at VT Sheep and Wool. Wound up the yarn on Sue’s ballwinder the next morning and knit most of the leg of the first sock on a boat on Lake Champlain with Sue & Dave Stokes, Paige and Paul Miller and Rachel!!
  • Woolens & Nosh is a Pigskin Pro Shop Sponsor
 
Dirty Crayon Box Socks
  • Yarn: Fiber Stash Strong Toes Sock (80% SW Merino/ 20% Nylon) in the Dirty Crayon Box Colorway
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • I bought this yarn at a festival a long time ago. Speckly with an overall purple tone.
  • Progress: cuff done and a few inches of the first leg.
 
Dream Big Socks
  • Yarn: Fibernymph Dye Works Strong DK (75% SW Merino/ 25% Nylon) in the Dream Big Colorway (Fundraiser for our FearLESS Living Fund)
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
  • 48 sts cuff down
  • Cast on in June but haven't talked about on the pod before. leg of the first sock is nearly done:
  • About the colorway: larger stripes of blue, green, orange. Smaller stripes of orange, purple, gray.  Fibernymph Dye Works is a Pigskin Pro Shop Sponsor
 
Vegas Baby Socks
  • Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Knit Picks Felici in the Vegas Baby Colorwork
  • Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
 
Welcome to Litchfield Hat
  • Pattern: Citrus Hat by Laura Treadway (free knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
  • Yarn: Handspun (Ravelry Project Page)- Into the Whirled; 2 braids Texel & BFL Tussah Silk in the Welcome to Litchfield Colorway + Traveler colorway on Cheviot base to make a 3 ply yarn
  • Needles: US 4 (3.5 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm)
  • Ravelry Project Page
 
Brainstorming
 
  • I fell in love with the Love Today Cowl by Knit Sisu that I saw at a VT Sheep and Wool. I found some of my handspun (Ravelry page here) that I thought would work, wound it up and then did a wraps per inch test and its too thin. I went back to the handspun bin, and found another skein (Ravelry page) and now I'm thinking they'd be nice in the Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowy (Ravelry | website).
  • The goal of this cowl was for a potential Christmas gift even though I'd like it for me, but I think with these 2 skeins of handspun I want to keep it, so we'll see if I cast these on now or let it marinate, because I also want to cast on a sweater for me, and more socks and hats for Christmas gifts.
  • I swatched for a sweater with yarn from VT Sheep and Wool. More on that next time.
 
From the Armchair
The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier. 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
 
I've been wearing lots of woolies lately as have my loved ones!
  • Same as It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan (Pigskin Sponsor)- Ravelry Project Page
  • Dad wore his Musselburgh to Topsfield Fair- Ravelry Project Page
  • Megg also wore Nanaimo Cardigan to Mamma Mia- Ravelry Project Page
  • I also have 2 Nanaimos that I've been wearing- the original one I knit is in earthy oatmealy tones and the other in gray- Ravelry Project Page 1 & Ravelry Project Page 2 here.
  • I'm also wearing a lot of wool socks, especially with wool clogs. I need more supportive clogs for walking. Any suggestions for me?
 
In My Travels
 
 
KAL News
Pigskin Party '24 #DCSPigskinParty24
  • Event Dates: Thursday September 5, 2024- Monday February 10, 2025
  • Find everything you need in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
  • Registration Form  (you must be Registered to be eligible for prizes)
  • Enter your projects using the Point Tally Form
  • Find the full list of Sponsors in this Google Doc.
  • Questions-  ask them in this Ravelry Thread or email Jen at downcellarstudio @ gmail.com
  • Our Official Sponsor for Q1 (October) is The Little Wolf Knits. This means you've got a challenge that can earn you more points and entry towards a cool prize. Check out the challenge details in this Ravelry post
  • Q2- November- sneak peek- sponsor= Twin Mountain Handcrafts- using buttons!
  • Commentator Mary Klute's report:
  • The first quarter challenge has really inspired pigskin partiers! There has been a lot of chatter in the huddle thread about the new techniques folks are planning to meet the requirements of the challenge!  
  • Some players are planning to tackle knitting techniques that they have never tried before like half fisherman's rib, colorwork, intarsia, magic loop, a new cast on or bind off, and brioche.
  • Others are trying out a new tool like an i-cord maker or a new knitting app
  • Others are trying new kinds of projects: a garment with lace down the side, joggers, knitting a shawl for the first time, knitting a shawl with an unusual construction, and colorwork socks
  • A couple of people have mentioned joining mystery knit a longs for the challenge
  • Others have mentioned using varieties of yarn they've never used before like boucle yarn or non-superwash wool.
  • And a finally a bunch of players are planning crochet projects--some who have never successfully crocheted before and others who want to grow their crochet skills by moving beyond granny squares or learning how to join crocheted pieces.
  • This challenge is really motivating players to step out of their comfort zones!  If you still haven't decided what to do for the quarter 1 challenge--head on over to the huddle thread for some inspiration! 
 
Events
 
Contest, News & Notes
 
My friend Linda is looking for donations of warm handknit/crocheted items for adult and youth homeless in Massachusetts. They set up tables on Thanksgiving and put all of the handmade items on the fence outside the First Church in Woburn, MA. Calling for all makers who want to donate. PM me on Ravelry or email me at downcellarstudio at gmail.com and I'll give you the address to send them to. Any fiber type welcome. Hats, scarves, mitts, shawls, blankets. Anything warm is welcome!
 
Life in Focus
 
2024 Word of the Year- Heart
 
2024-  Goals:
  • Use my podcast/YouTube/Instagram following to raise money for the FearLESS Living Fund (details in the Ravelry group- and email if you're one of our regular sponsors)
  • Make & assess goals every month in 2024
  • Monthly review of number of workouts + weigh on at least twice a month.
  • Stretch/Theragun 2-4 times a week
 
24 for 2024 List Updates
  • Get 2 massages beyond the one per month at Massage Envy (1 at Oasis in July, 1 scheduled Oct had to move. scheduled 2 more)
  • Read more books than you did in 2023 (50) 45 as of now
  • Knit at least 1 finished project with handspun in progress
  • Knit/crochet myself a new sweater swatched
  • Make a Christmas afghan for the living room- in progress
  • Try a new local restaurant - Lolita (want one even MORE local)
 
On a Happy Note
 
  • Mamma Mia + dinner at Ruka beforehand
  • October 4: we celebrated my dad's birthday with an evening cookout and swim! Dad left the pool open while mom was in the hospital, and heated it back up to a warm 88 degrees for us to all enjoy one last swim.
  • VT Sheep and Wool!!!
  • Mom, Dad, my Uncle Bob and Aunt Wendy all went to the Topsfield Fair. Beautiful quilts, handknits, emotional support chickens. Live Laugh Love cross stitch- live, laugh, love. Mom got some blue tinsel in her hair! Adorable.
  • Saw everyone's photos of the Northern Lights on Facebook on the way home so I had to take a few!
  • Baby Jane- adapted for the stage by my Mom's friend Michael Hammond for Company Theatre- Marybeth in it.
 
Quote of the Week
 
Bob Dylan on the advice his father gave him: "Even if you don't have all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don't have that you don't want."
 
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Thank you for tuning in!
 
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