Episode 294: Travels, Time & T-Rex

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 294 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
• Knitting in Passing
• In my Travels
• Events
• Contest, News & Notes
• Ask Me Anything
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

 

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu

• Find Stitched by Jessalu at the Fiber Witch Festival Marketplace: April 12-13 in Salem, MA. The Market is 11a-5p Sat & Sunday and market tickets are still available. Pre-purchase or tickets will be available at the door for either day. The 3-5 slot each day is free, so go find Jess and her beautiful bags there!

 

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

Aila's Daisy Socks

• Yarn: On The Round Nimble Sock (85%/15% SW Merino/Nylon) in the Forage colorway
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 & US 2
• Progress: Cast on 60 sts. Worked 1x1 ribbing. Increased up to 64 sts. Switched to US 2 needles for colorwork.  Then decreased back to 60 sts shortly after, a few rows later back to 56 sts. Knit about 2 inches before turning the heels.

 

How Time Flies Socks

• Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the How Time Flies 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- cream base with pink, green. January 2024 Yarnable Colorway: Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link

 

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

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: 3rd bobbin done and onto the 4th. This is the batt that never ends!

 

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
• Progress: I am still ahead of schedule!

 

Some Bunny Loves You Socks

• Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Some Bunny Loves You Colorway (Yarnable April 2023 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 colorway- cream base with speckles of purple, blue, rust. Yarnable Subscription Box Affiliate Link

 

Inclinations Cowl

• Inclinations Cowl by Andrea Mowry ($7.00 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry & her website.
• Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm)
• Yarn: 2 skeins of handspun Color A: Fiber Addict Designs 100% Merino in the Wild Plum Colorway- Ravelry link. Color B: Candombe, I think the fiber is from Malabrigo- Ravelry link.
• My Ravelry Project Page
• Living in my FearLESS Living Fund bag from Stitched by Jessalu. Bags are still available! Check them out.

 

Dinosaur T-Rex and Pterodactyl

• Pattern: Dinosaur T-Rex and Pterodactyl by Anita Suriaa- $5.99 crochet pattern on Ravelry
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted
• Hook: 2.5 mm
• Progress: I've made T-Rex head and body.

 

Brainstorming

 

• T Jaik flower crochet patterns- check them out on Ravelry. They are so realistic I didn't think they were actually crochet photos!
• Teddy Bear Eyeglasses holder by Tanya Naser-  free crochet pattern available on Ravelry.
• Eme's Very Hungry Caterpillar Socks

 

From the Armchair

• The Crash by Freida McFadden.  Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Colored Television by Danzy Senna.  Amazon Affiliate Link.
• I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai. Amazon Affilitate 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

• On Wed night before music rehearsal Megg asked me to help her cast on a Love Bug with Bernat Blanket to practice for school. (free crochet pattern on Ravelry). Yarn has a lot of twist, got all tangly and we stayed after to untangle it together while other cast members performed on stage.
• On the first night of rehearsal one of my cast-mates asked about my knitting and through that conversation we figured out we've worked together before. She was the choreographer when I was in a production of Crazy for You at a local community college when I was in high school.
• I wore my Aurealis sweater (Ravelry Project Page) one night to music rehearsal and my friend Deana complimented it and I told her I knit it!
• Laura's sock drawer! How gorgeous is this?

 

In My Travels

Vegas trip for BOSS Reseller Remix & FearLESS Living Fund 2025 Awards

• We gave away 2 $5,000 scholarships
• Mom's friend Crystal got a fearless tattoo on her arm.
• We enjoyed visiting the Sphere to see the Postcards from Earth documentary.
• We checked out the Bellagio Conservatory for their beautiful display of Easter decor/flowers.
• Knitting at craps table with Jeff. The manager told me he doesn't see many firsts anymore but I was the first person he'd ever seen knitting in a casino before. He came back a few minutes later asking what I was making- definitely intrigued.
• It took until the last day- walking through New York New York to find Wizard of Oz slots Mom loved best.
• It was obviously a bittersweet trip. Ryan Wilson said it best when he said before talking about 2 winners- in some ways this is the most important year because its the first one without Mom and we're still doing it.
• If you want to see the awards presentation, here's a link to video on my YouTube channel.

 

Boston Public Market Fiber Fest- Sunday March 23 from 10a-5p. Free Admission

• Megg, Riley and I went in the morning.
• Riley wore her crocheted flowered top (Ravelry Project Page). I wore my Aurealis (Ravelry Project Page)- finally got good FO photos for my Project Pages.
• I purchased punch needle coasters for my car cup holders from Gina the Botina
• We also purchased mini skeins from 2 makers- that I sent home with Riley
• East Coast Yarn Co
• Wild Violet Fibers
• Riley picked out a delicious cinnamon roll from Union Square Donuts that we shared.
• Megg got some cute crafty projects for her kids for Easter/graduations.

 

Events

 

• 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
• New Hampshire Sheep and Wool:  May 10-11 in Deerfield, NH
• Sheep & Wool Festival at Coggeshall Farm: May 17 in Bristol, RI
• Massachusetts Sheep & Wool Festival- May 24 & 25 in Cummington, MA

 

Contest, News & Notes

 

I heard about GoSadi in Vogue Knitting email. Have you heard of it?

 

Ask Me Anything

• Instagram- Knitbakecook- Do you ever have crafting slumps? If so, how do you overcome them?
• Yes! Sometimes it helps just to lean into that, don't pressure yourself and then lean back in when you get the urge. More often, what works best is to start something new (or pick back up something that is exciting you). Ideally something small like a hat or a toy so you get that dopamine hit of finishing something fun to get those creative juices flowing. Search your Ravelry favorite or queue, browse Instagram or Pinterest and let yourself day dream a little. Creative time should be fun so find the fun and you'll be excited to get back into things.
• Instagram- ndoyal- When are you coming to the PNW?!
• I am planning to go to Flock in August.
• Instagram- nukerklein- Have you been or are you planning to go to VT Sheep & Wool in the fall?
• This year it's October 4-5 (Dad's birthday- so likely not this year)
• Check out this vlog from 2024 trip to VT Sheep & Wool.
• NDoyal- Dates for Splash Pad

Sunday June 1 through Thursday July 31st. Would folks be interested if we did Zoom events Sunday 6/1?

 

On a Happy Note

• St. Patrick's Day at my cousin's. Emelie "cutting" my hair.
• Lea made us acrylic pieces with Mom's funeral flowers in them. Keychain, bottle opener and bookmark
• Riley sleepover- Sample sale (bought matching PJs). Silly pics in the closet before bed. Ushering for Rent at The Company Theatre.
• Addams Family Musical and Lolita with Megg
• Dinner with Liz
• My favorite massage therapist is back at Massage Envy
• Bike riding with Dan
• Dinner out at a local Italian place for a friend's birthday.
• Thrifting and finally watching Kiss Me Kate (movie) with Megg

 

Quote of the Week

One of the pleasures of getting older is that one can get so much nearer to one's own people, and that the dear ones of them become dearer all the time.

–Willa Cather

 

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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.