Episode 273: Prizes Galore!

Down Cellar Studio Podcast

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 273 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week's segments included:

• Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins
• From the Armchair
• KAL News
• Contest, News & Notes
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode's sponsor: Stitched by Jessalu Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Jenny's Blanket

• Pattern: Modified Sedge Stitch Blanket by Nicole Mansfield ($2 crochet pattern available on Ravelry)
• Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Sky Blue, Teal, Mint, Cyan, Jade Green and Aqua
• Hook: I (5.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• I first used this border on a Cozy Clusters Blanket (Ravelry project page here). I learned about this edge technique on this website.

Millie's 2nd Squishmallow

• Pattern: None. I did base some of the basic shaping on this pattern on Etsy
• Hook: D (3.25 mm)
• Yarn: worsted weight acrylic yarn in brown, tan, white & pink
• I worked bottom up with the brown, adding in a patch of white at the belly. I created the face out of tan/white and added safety eyes and sewed it on. I added 2 brown ears and a pink and white headband like this Squishmallow: Andres the Sheltie Dog (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Declan's 2nd Socks

• Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Greener Pastures Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• Green, black, gray, cream, mustard stripes + gray/green/white self patterning stripe.
• Thanks for all the tips for his care package! Definitely taking some of those into account.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins FearLESS Socks (DK)

• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz DK (75% Merino, 25% Nylon) in the FearLESS Colorway
• Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Size: XS
• About the Colorway- FearLESS is a special colorway by Legacy Fiber Artz for our February Fiber Community FearLESS Living Fund Fundraiser. Special Colorway “FearLESS” available in DK, Steel Toes (sock) and Cozy Toes (sock)
• Progress: 1st sock is finished. I'm knitting on the foot of the second sock.

FearLESS Socks (Cozy Toes)

• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz DK (75% Merino, 25% Nylon) in the FearLESS Colorway
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Size: M
• About the Colorway- FearLESS is a special colorway by Legacy Fiber Artz for our February Fiber Community FearLESS Living Fund Fundraiser. Special Colorway “FearLESS” available in DK, Steel Toes (sock) and Cozy Toes (sock)
• Progress: Finished the first sock and the cuff of the second. These socks will be gifted to my Mom's chemo nurse, Nicole, who also cared for my Aunt Florence.

Modern Classic Baby Blanket

• Pattern: Modern Classic Baby Blanket by Kristin Holloway ($8 crochet pattern available on Ravelry: free version w/ ads available on this website)
• Hook: I (5.5)
• Yarn: Big Twist Tweed in White (7 skeins)
• Size: Crib Blanket: 36 x 50”
• The blanket is worked in 2 halves that you seam together at the center to make it symmetrical. The pattern features some crochet cables.

Let the Mystery Unravel 2023 Blanket of Calm

• Pattern: Blanket of Calm by Casapinka (free crochet pattern)
• Yarn: Woolen Women Fibers- Let the Mystery Unravel subscription + Cascade Heritage Sock yarn in the Forged Iron Colorway
• Hook: 3.25 mm (D)
• Ravelry Project Page
• You can find my Let the Mystery Unravel Unboxing Video on YouTube in this Playlist
• This subscription is not available to new subscribers but I hope you'll watch each month and see how my blanket comes along. Stay tuned to Woolen Women for all of the fun kits they have! Don't forget, they're Pro Shop Sponsors.
• Progress Notes- I finished the 3 round DC border to my December squares. My January squares done and seamed. I need to add the border to that.

From the Armchair Reading

• The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• You, Again by Kate Goldbeck. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.

Watching:

• Dan and I recently watched all 4 seasons of Jack Ryan on Prime. We also loved Jury Duty (also on Prime).
• I'm thoroughly enjoying Love is Blind Season 6 & chatting about it with my friend Laura.

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. KAL News Pigskin Party '23

• Tune in to hear if you're a January Participation Winner and/or a Grand Prize Winner!

Contest, News & Notes Check out all of the details about our Fiber Community February FearLESS Living Fundraiser including the participating makers. To make a personal donation, you can use this link

• Please use the option to “Add a Public Comment” to let us know you’re part of this Fiber Community Fundraiser.
• I recommend including your Instagram/Ravelry user name so sponsors doing prize drawings and confirm/find you.

Life in Focus I gave updates on a few of my 24 for 2024 items

• #4- Read more books than you did in 2023 (50) well on my way with 10 books in first 2 months of the year.
• #10- Publish at least one new pattern redid the math and proportions for a shawl I came up with last year. talked to an indie dyer about yarn support
• #16- go skiing

6 of 24 completely done! On a Happy Note

• Valentine's Day software upgrade at work went well. I was awake at 2:30a so it was a long day and nothing festive really but it was a good day!
• We hosted Millie and Hattie for their birthday sleepovers. I took them to the Altitude trampoline park and Panera on Friday night. Saturday morning: Millie and I hiked while Hattie and Dan did a dump run and rode around in the tractor. We all did some crafts together before heading to the movies to see Migration.
• I tried a new OPI nail color and loved it. It's called "Pink in Bio"
• I've completed teaching 2 of 4 classes on the OMG Heel at my LYS and we've already got more than half of the class successfully turning heels.
• I enjoyed a movie night at my Mom's to watch Wonka.
• Dan and I did a 1000 piece Ford puzzle.
• I went skiing at Crotched Mountain. Tune in to hear a funny story about Megg's fall.
• We all had a fabulous time at my cousin Jenny's baby shower. She loved her crochet blanket.
• I had a lovely visit with my middle-school best friend Maribeth who is very sick. She was inpatient at the hospital where I work and I was able to go up and see her and catch up.
• I love the daily puzzles from the New York Times- especially Spelling Bee. On the 21st I got every possible word earning me Queen Bee status!
• My friend Trish gave me a souvenir from a trip she took to New Orleans; she went to a local yarn shop and bought yarn from Louisiana- which I'll definitely knit into socks for her. Cat Tails yarn dyed exclusively for the Quarter Stitch Colorway Christmas Bonfires

Quote of the Week It is hard, so terribly hard, to please yourself. Far from being the easy thing that it sounds like, it is almost the hardest thing in the world, because we are not always comfortable with that true self that lies deep within us. –Christopher Alexander ------ 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
• FearLESS Living Fund to benefit the Blind Center of Nevada
• 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.