Episode 275: Spring-ish

Down Cellar Studio Podcast

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 275 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. 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
• Life in Focus
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

Thank you to this episode’s sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu & The Yarn Sellar

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

Thumper Hat

• Yarn: Berrocco Ultra Alpaca in the Light Grey colorway
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 8 (5.0 mm)
• Pattern: Thumper Hat by Jennifer Lassonde- $5 Knitting pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
  • The Thumper Hat is a worsted weight slouchy hat with a diamond lace pattern.
• For the size Large/XL, I used 66g of yarn (around 144 yards/132 meters)

LFA Mystery Shortie Socks

• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• About 12 rounds of ribbing. 1 round of knitting before starting the heel
• I used 35 grams of yarn.

Hair bow

• Pattern: Cottage Hair Accessories (Bow Tie) by Wool & Pine. $5 pattern available on Ravelry or on the Wool & Pine website)
• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Glitz Toes- multicolor mini skein from Christmas 2023 Advent Calendar.
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Pattern was a part of my May 2024 Woolen Yarn Box package. Watch my unboxing video here. If you’re thinking of joining, please purchase using my Affiliate Link.
  • It won’t cost you any extra. I will make a small commission.

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

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.

Woolen Camelot socks

• Yarn: Woolen Women Fibers Sock (80/20 SW Merino/Nylon) in the Woolen Camelot colorway from the May 2024 Woolen Yarn Box.
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Check out my Unboxing Video for this May 2024 Woolen Yarn Box. If you’re thinking of joining, please purchase using my Affiliate Link.
  • It won’t cost you any extra. I will make a small commission.

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
• Progress: My January (Month 4) squares done and seamed and the border is in progress. My February (Month 5) squares are in progress.

Be Fearless Socks

• Yarn: Area 51 Fibres Sturdy Alien Base in the Be FearLess Colorway
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• About the Yarn: pink, peach yellow, green and blue stripes to look like the colors in our FearLESS Living Fund logo. Pet of our February fundraiser.
• Progress: more than half way done with leg on the first sock

Christmas in July Socks

• Yarn: Area 51 Fibres Sturdy Alien Base in the Christmas in July 2023 Colorway
• Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry )
• Ravelry Project Page
• Area 51. Snack shack sponsor.
• Progress: finished first sock. Beyond the heel on the second sock.

Brainstorming

Keeping a “creative projects” list in Evernote is really helping me. With everything going on, I don’t always have the mental energy to decide on something but making feels good and I’m happier when I do it. Thinking ahead to upcoming birthdays and listing patterns out is working better for me this year than ever before.

April Plans

• Crochet beer hat for Chris – Red heart gold + Lion Brand Homespun Yarn- Hepplewhite (May 31st birthday)- yarn purchased
• Mini Mock Neck Tank for Liz. Pattern by Jessie Maed Designs. $9 knitting pattern on Ravelry
  • We bought yarn for this at Rhinebeck and in an over-tired state, lost ourselves in a fit of giggles over the description of this pattern.
  • I need to take Liz’s measurements

From the Armchair

• I’ll Have What She’s Having: How Nora Ephron’s Three Iconic Films Saved the Romantic Comedy by Erin Carlson. Bookshop Affiliate Link. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• The Women by Kristin Hannah. Bookshop Affiliate Link.Amazon Affiliate Link.
• The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. 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

On Sunday March 24, my friend Megg and I spent the day at Raffa Life in Cranston, Rhode Island. We did the 4 hour Urban Sweat in the morning. We took a Worm Moon Sound Bath Yoga Workshop in the afternoon. I left feeling loose, refreshed, and calm. Curious about what a Sound Bath is? Click here for an article that may be helpful.

KAL News

Splash Pad Party will be coming!

Events

• The Yarn Seller’s Fiber Marketplace– April 6, 2024 in York Beach, ME
• Shepard’s Extravaganza: April 6-7 in Enumclaw, WA
• Whidbey Weavers Guild Spin-In: April 6-7 in Oak Harbor, WA
• Fiber Witch Festival: April 19-21, 2024 in Salem, MA (marketplace and classes)
• Connecticut Sheep & Wool: Sunday April 27, 2024 in North Haven, CT
• Yarncentrick Pop-up Event: May 2 & 3, 2024 in Frederick, MD
• Maryland Sheep & Wool: May 4 & 5, 2024 in West Friendship, MD
• New Hampshire Sheep & Wool: May 11 & 12, 2024 in Deerfield, NH
• Webs Fleece Market: May 18 in Northampton, MA (Tent sale May 16-17)
• Coggeshall Farm Sheep & Wool Festival: May 18th in Bristol, RI
• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool: May 25 & 26, 2024 in Cummington, MA
• Flock Fiber Festival– August 4-6 in Seattle, WA
• Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival; September 21 & 22, 2024 in Greenwich, NY
• Vermont Sheep & Wool: October 1 & 2, 2024 in Tunnebridge, VT
• NY Sheep & Wool Festival (aka Rhinebeck): October 19 & 20, 2024 in Rhinebeck, NY
• For more West Coast (US) event- check out the Seattle Knitters Guild Site.

Know of an event I should spread the word about? Let me know!

Life in Focus

I shared an update on my 24 for 2024 list

• 5) Organize a fundraiser for the FearLESS Living Fund
• 15) Purge at least 20 items from my wardrobe (March: nearly 30 pieces)
• 16) Go skiing- 2/24 with Rowans
• 20) Buy a new quilt and/or duvet cover for our bed. Ordered in march.
• 21) Buy a new blow dryer. March 21st ordered Dyson

Ask Me Anything

Rachel asked: How are you coping with your mom’s health concerns and making time for self care?

• Going to bed early.
• Not scrolling on social media- it can be fun, yes, but too much makes me feel anxious.
• Talking with friends and with Dan.
• I started seeing a therapist.
• Making time- not having kids definitely helps with this, but as you all know, I can definitely over-schedule myself. I have been prioritizing family events and not much else. I don’t enjoying saying no or seeing so much white space on the calendar- but I know I’ll need it and I often do.

On a Happy Note

• Friday night game night at my parents with my brother, Dan and the kids. We played a few spirited rounds of Skip-Bo and watched the Taylor Swift Eras tour movie on tv.
• Mom, Riley, Millie and I had a sleepover then spent Saturday doing some thrift and clothing shopping, went out for lunch and brought home Crumbl cookies to taste test (with my Dad/Pepere). My phone fell into the cookie with the MOST sticky frosting. It was hilarious!
• We all celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at my cousin Susan’s annual party. I had a blast catching up with cousins and especially playing with some of the little kiddos.
• Seeing the Girl from North Country (Broadway in Boston series). While Megg and I did not enjoy the show, its always fun to experience live theater and the music was beautiful.
• Monthly massage!
• Lunch with Mom, Dad, Kris and Aila.
• Garret’s playoff hockey game! He got a hat trick, they won and got to the next round of playoffs (they won the second game too).
• Dinner with work friends.

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.

Quote of the Week

“Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.”

— Doug Larson

——

Thank you for tuning in!

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• 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.