Episode 293: Love Bugs

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 293 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
• Knitting in Passing
• KAL News
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• Life in Focus
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

 

Thank you to this episode's sponsor- The Yarn Sellar. Fiber Marketplace 2025- SATURDAY APRIL 5 , 2025 from 10-3pm at the Union Bluff Hotel 8 Beach Street, York Beach Maine 207-363-1333. Join us for a fun-filled party on Friday, April 4th from 5:30-7:00 Andra Asars (Berroco rep) will be hosting our event. Tickets are on sale in the shop and our online shop. You may win a prize. $25 (only 25 tickets)

 

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

Aurealis

• Pattern: Aurealis by Jennifer Steingass ($8 US Ravelry Knitting Pattern)
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm)
• Yarn: Cloudborn Fibers Highland DK in the Gray Heather colorway (MC) & Junction Fiber Mill Making Tracks DK in the Vermont Vice colorway (CC)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Size: C
• Mods: Bottom ribbing- 2x2 instead of 1x1. Ribbing on sleeves is also 2x2

 

Love Bugs

• Pattern: Love Bug by Trish Hoskin (free crochet pattern on Ravelry)
• Hook: C- 2.75 mm
• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted & Knit Picks Brava Worsted
• Ravelry Project Page

 

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

Ebb & Flow Socks

• Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Ebb & Flow colorway
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress: first sock done. I cast on the second.

 

Cold Goat Farm Spinning Project

• Fiber: Cold Goats Farm; believe it is a merino/mohair batt (8oz) in a natural, undyed cream color
• 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.
• Progress: Nearly finished with my 3rd bobbin of fiber

 

Calendula Christmas Quilt

• Pattern: Calendula Quilt by Elena Fedotova available on Ravelry for $7.50 US.
• Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Ivory, Deep Red, Varsity Green, Aqua, Medium Rose, Gray
• Hook:  G (4.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• granny squares- 1 color or 2 (colors on each half a diagonal)
• I used Canva to help me figure out color placement to extend out the quilt pattern.
• I am seaming squares using the Mattress Stitch.
• I started working on this after being inspired by NDJen04's video about her scrappy blanket- you can find that find on YouTube.
• I had the 2 color (on the diagonal) granny square memorized but totally forgot how to do those. Here's a helpful video I found that helped refresh my memory.
• Goal: 6 per week
• Crocheted 7 last week.

 

Aila's Daisy Socks

• Yarn: On The Round Nimble Sock (85%/15% SW Merino/Nylon) in the Forage colorway
• Pattern: None (will likely use OMG heel)
• Needles: US 1.5 & US 2
• Ravelry Project Page
• I cast on 60 sts. Worked 1x1 ribbing and daisy pattern I charted out using US 1.5 needles. Way too tight. In listening to another podcast, I was reminded that going up a needle size may help. Reknit colorwork section with US 2. Too tight. Washed and blocked to be sure AND to see if I liked the fabric with a US 2. I do. Increased up to 64 sts. Used US 2 for colorwork. Then decreased back to 60 sts shortly after, a few rows later back to 56 sts. Knit about 2 inches.

 

Adrift on an Inland Sea Socks

• Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Adrift on an Inland Sea Socks colorway
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page

 

From the Armchair

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt.  Amazon Affiliate Link.
• How to Stop Time by Matt Haig.  Amazon Affiliate Link.
• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore.  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.

 

Knitting in Passing

• Annissa from The Stitch House sat down next to me on train and asked about knitting. It was great catching up with her.

 

KAL News

• All Pigskin Grand Prize Winners have been emailed.

 

Events

• Boston Public Market Fiber Fest- Sunday March 23 from 10a-5p. Free Admission
• Fiber Marketplace- April 5th at the Union Bluff Hotel in York, Maine (kick off party on the 4th at the Yarn Sellar store)
• Fiber Witch Festival: April 11-13 in Salem, MA
• Gore Place Sheep Sheering Festival- Saturday April 26 from 10a-5p in Waltham, MA.
• Connecticut Sheep & Wool: Saturday April 26 from 9a-4p in North Haven, CT
• Yarncentrick: May 2 in Fredrick, MD
• Maryland Sheep & Wool: May 3 & 4 in West Friendship, MD
• Sheep & Wool Festival at Coggeshall Farm: May 17 in Bristol, RI
• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool Festival- May 24 & 25 in Cummington, MA

 

Contest, News & Notes

 

Stitched by Jessalu FearLESS Living Fund Bags have raised $194! You can find the bags here & 30% of the sales go towards the FearLESS Living Fund!

 

Life in Focus

 

25 in 2025 List- I've made progress on these items

• Donate Blood at least 4 times (1 in January)
• Buy new ski boots- DONE
• Record 2-5 things I'm grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)
• Read all of Simple Abundance (ideally daily or close to)
• Get at least 2 massages at Oasis scheduled
• See 2-5 movies in the theater (Paddington in Peru)
• Knit 2-5 garments for me (Aurealis & WIP- Monsoonee Sweaters)
• Finish and enjoy my Christmas Granny Square Blanket
• Crochet at least 5 toys (1: hedgehog, 2 love bugs)
• Use my spinning wheel at least once a month (Jan & Feb, March done)
• Try out 3 new to me podcasts (Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend)
• Buy a fireproof box and put important papers inside (working with Dan on list of things to put in it)

 

On a Happy Note

• A luxurious mani/pedi
• Dinner with my cousins down in Plymouth.
• A lovely visit with my grandmother- got her TV working so she could watch the Red Sox again.
• Pushing outside of my comfort zones in music rehearsals for Kiss Me Kate, but really enjoying the dancing. 2 hours of tap on Sunday! Loved every second.
• I went to dinner and to see a local production of Rent on Friday evening. My all time favorite show.
• Season 2 of Silo on Apple TV
• Paradise on Hulu

 

Quote of the Week

 

I cannot think of myself apart from the influence of the two or three greatest friendships of my life, and any account of my own growth must be that of their stimulating and enlightening influence.

 

–Edith Wharton

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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.