Episode 300: Sum-Sum-Summertime

 

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 300 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
• Crafty Adventures
• Knitting in Passing
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

 

Thank you to this episode's sponsors:

• Stitched by Jessalu- See Jessalu's bags at the The Warm Ewe in Chatham, NY through July 5, 2025 & at  Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA on August 16th
• Yumi Yarns whose Coastal Bloom Wrap Skirt is now available

 

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

Miles' Montessori Toy

• Pattern: Montessori Colour Sorter by Lexie Warren. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry & on Crochet River)
• Hook: D (3.25 mm)
• Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Purple, Orange, Teal and Cyan. Knit Picks Brava in Canary, Rouge and White.
• Ravelry Project Page
• 7 balls and 7 cups. 6 to create hexagon and white in the center.
• Stash Dash: 234 meters
• SPP-116 grams- 2 entries

 

Boss A$$ B|tc# Socks

• Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Superwash Targhee Fingering in the Boss A$$ B|tc# Colorway (purposely not spelled out here, though it is on the label)
• Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry)
• Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• 90g of yarn to start
• About the Yarn: Self striping with yellow, tan, peach, pink, light aqua, teal & navy
• Stash Dash- 280.5 meters (306.8 yards),
• SPP- 75 grams
• 9.5 inch leg, 9.25 inch foot

 

Let's Get Basted Socks

• Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Let's Get Basted Colorway (Yarnable November 2024 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 with gray, purple, tan/brown and small blips or orange. Spiral pooling.
• Stash Dash: 256 meters
• 64 grams- 1 SPP Entry

 

Ball Band for Rachel #2- for Starbucks Venti Cup

• Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
• Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm)
• Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter, Midnight Blue and Bubblegum
• Ravelry Project Page
• Midnight blue hdc through 3rd loop. 1 round of pink sc, body in pewter sc, one round of blue at top.

0.37 skeins = 40.3 meters (44.1 yards), 25 grams

• Stash Dash: 40.3 meters

 

Ball Band for Starbucks Venti Cup (Jen)

• Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde. $2 Crochet pattern available on Ravelry & LoveCrafts
• Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.25 mm)
• Yarn: Loops & Thread Classic Cotton in Pewter and Bubblegum
• Project Page
• 0.57 skeins = 62.1 meters (67.9 yards), 39 grams

 

Adrift on an Inland Sea Socks

• Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the Adrift on an Inland Sea 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: 2 lighter/medium grays, cream, mustard and a thinner stripe of a charcoal bordering on black. Used the CC gray for cuff and will use for the toe.
• Finished on the ride to ME for camping.
• 0.8 skeins = 300.8 meters (329.0 yards), 80 grams
• 8.5 inch leg. 9.5 inch foot

 

Urth Yarn Hat 2 of 2

• 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
• Cast on 92 sts. Used 48g of this skein for hat for Christmas gift
• Stash Dash: 0.56 skeins = 112.6 meters (123.1 yards),
• SPP- 56 grams- 1 entry
• Had to do decreases faster because I was running out yarn. Ended up with maybe 1 yard
• Hat is 8.25 inches tall. Still a great size.

 

David... Fold in the cheese socks #2

• Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz in the David...Fold in the cheese!!!! colorway (with cream/gray mini skein)
• 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, pink and blue to match rose apron David wears in this episode of Schitt's Creek.
• Progress: started toe of first sock
• Cream/gray mini that came with it for cuff. purply/pink mini from LFA advent for heel and toe.
• Socks for Laura
• 0.58 skeins = 245.3 meters (268.3 yards), 58 grams
• 1 SPP for grams, 1 for Snack Shack LFA yarn, 1 for Snack Shack Sponsor- The Sensible Stitcher- cute butterfly bag.

 

Stash Dash Total for this episode: 2,541 meters

 

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

Four Leaf Clover Granny Square Blanket

• Pattern: Four Leaf Clover Granny Square by Apinya Roszko
• Hook: H (5.0 mm)
• Yarn: Knit Picks Brava 500 in colorway Mint & Loops and Threads Impeccable in Colorway 01808
• Size:  6 inch squares. Planning 5x7 blanket (30x42”) before border.
• Modification- the pattern calls for attaching new yarn (at the end of the square) to make the stem for the clover. I just chain to get to the center, make the stem and cut the yarn. I find it easy to crochet the granny square around it in Mint. No issues and one less end to weave in.
• I am joining squares as I go. I used this YouTube tutorial to remind me how to do this.
• Progress: Last time I had 14 (of 35) squares done and seamed. Now I have 17 done. Baby due in September. Lots of time. Loving joining as I go but its less portable this way.

 

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
• I dug this out while cleaning out my studio on one of the very hot days before we left for camping. I had 3 squares of 9 that were seamed up but that didn't have the 3 rounds of DC border on them that I'm doing in dark gray. I finished those over the course of the week's train rides, then got the rest out and found 1 more that needed the border. All of those are done now.
• The other 8 squares have already been steamed. Plan to steam the most recently finished 4 then start SCing the big squares together.
• Border- undecided. May do a few rounds of gray. May incorporate colors. Debating an iCord border. I can't decide.
• Before border- 44 inches long by 24 inches long
• 50g per square x 12
• ~600g= 2,400 meters of sock yarn

 

716 Splash Pad Socks

• Yarn: 716 Knit Sock Set  in the 716sock base in the colorway: It needs to be ok with getting on a boat with Levar Burton and never coming back.
• 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: stripe of black, stripe of bright poolside colors (orange, yellow, peach, greens & aquas .
• Cast on June 1 for SPP Kick off.
• Jenna of 716 also sent me the mini skein set which is part of her SPP Exclusives. What should I do with my minis??
• Progress: Finished leg. Cuff and heel are in contrast aqua. love them.

 

Sum-Sum-Summertime socks

• Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Sock in the colorway Sum-Sum-Summertime
• 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- thinner stripes- 2 colors of aqua, lime green, pink and an orange/peachy yellow. CC mini in lime
• This is not a SPP colorway but its the perfect colorway for this year's SPP logo. Should have reminded Michele to sign up😉
• Brought these camping. Several inches into the first leg

 

 

From the Armchair

 

1. All's Fair in Love and Pickleball by Kate Spencer. Amazon Affiliate Link.
2. The Surrogate Mother by Freida McFadden. Amazon Affiliate Link.
3. Audition by Katie Kitamura. Amazon Affiliate Link.
4. It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Amazon Affiliate Link.
5. The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren. Amazon Affiliate Link.
6. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. Amazon Affiliate Link.
7. Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin. 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.

 

Crafty Adventures

I'm still having fun with watercolors but I have a lot to learn. Any tips on good learning resources?

 

Knitting in Passing

• I was on an inpatient unit at the hospital where I work and asked a woman if she had one of the phones I was looking to upgrade. She said no, but that she's seen me on the train knitting. We had a nice chat and I told her to say hi next time she sees me.

 

In My Travels

12 of us went camping up in Maine at On the Saco Family Campground.

 

KAL News

• Splash Pad Party Registration is open
• View Stats and/or Verify Registration here.
• Check out our Sponsor List
• Splash Pad Official Rules
• Enter your FOs using the Summer Celebration Form. Then come over to this Ravelry Thread to share pics and let us ooh and ahh with you!
• Submit something incorrectly? Need help? Fill out this Support Form & we'll be in touch.

 

Splash Pad RAVELRY Links

• Start Here Thread
• Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread
• Coupon Codes Thread
• Questions Thread

 

Updates for this Episode:

• Prizes- chose from 4  cabanas this time and will choose from the other 4 next episode. At the end of the event, I'll pull 4 more from the most chatty Cabanas

 

Events

• Stash Dash hosted by the Knit Girllls- May 29th-August 30th
• Summer Bingo with the Craft Cook Read Repeat Podcast . Get your Bingo Card on Instagram.
• Single Bingo spots:
• Free space
• Craft: flower focused- watercolor flowers
• Start a new project: Woolens and Nosh Sum-Sum-Summertime socks
• Create something 3-dimensional: granny square top
• Finish a WIP- over 2,000 meters worth of those. 
• Bonus--- Summer book It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan. Amazon Affiliate Link.
• Sock Week hosted by Knitty Natty- July 20-27
• Goal is to complete 1 adult sock during Sock Week
• Tour de Fleece: July 5-July 27 . Tour de Fleece Ravelry Group.
• Rest Days: Tuesday, July 15 and Monday, July 21.
• Challenge Days: The first one is Stage 10, on Monday, July 14. The second is Stage 15, on Sunday, July 20.
• Summer Spin In hosted by Marsha & Kelly of Two Ewes Fiber Adventure. May 31- September 1. All spinning and making with handspun yarn counts. Preparing fleeces also counts. Let’s go!
• Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WA- August 8-10
• Fiber Revival in Newbury, MA- August 16th

 

 

On a Happy Note

• My friend Megg's first June recital for her new dancing school was a big success. I helped with set-up, worked the door and clean up. I am very proud of her. I also got to see some of kiddos dance- Emelyn, Hattie and Aila were in the show. All 3 were in one dance.
• I was totally surprised when during the award's ceremony they announced a new award "The Diane Lassonde Ruby Slipper Award" and Hattie was the first recipient.
• For a dancer who shows "hard work, dedication but also build community and helps to make sure all studnets feel welcome at DLA, because as Diane knew and told us, There is No Place Like Home."
• Riley & Millie's recital, followed by Father's Day Lunch, and Miles' 1st birthday party.
• Jeff and I both showed up Father's day with pink and white checkered outfits- his shirt. my dress. very funny.
• Camping- huge happy note. Just love the couple who runs the place, Tori and Jason. So kind and generous. Discount when we came with less people. Ziplocs sold out, they gave me some of their own. It's just refreshing to know people like that are still around.
• Dance parties all the time. Something that Megg initiates and it makes my dad laugh so hard. I love it.
• Going to Hornstra for ice cream with Riley and her bff Ellie.
• Celebrating Oisin's 17th birthday and getting to see Terri's new house.
• A fun June Patreon Zoom after a lousy day/week at work.

 

Quote of the Week

“Times of stress are also times that are signals for growth, and if we use adversity properly, we can grow through adversity.”

 

—Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

 

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• 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.