Episode 307: Yarn Crawls + Side Quests

Thank you for tuning in to Episode 307 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
• Brainstorming
• From the Armchair
• In my Travels
• KAL News
• Events
• On a Happy Note
• Quote of the Week

 

Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Katie’s Randomness, Heart & Squirrel & Paper Daisy Creations

 

Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

Sweetly Striped Hat

• Pattern: Sweetly Striped Hat by Chit Chat Knits. $4.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry
• Yarn: Berroco Vintage in colorway 5185 Tide Pool
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) & US 8 (5.0 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Pattern: Snack Shack Sponsor- Chit Chat Knits- 20 points
• Project Bag & Notions Pouch- Pro Shop Sponsor The Huckleberry Girl- 40 pts each= 80 points
• Check out this video on how to do a 1x1 left & right cross without a cable needle from my YouTube Channel

 

On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins

 

Traveler Sweater

• Pattern: The Traveler by Andrea Mowry ($9 pattern available on Ravelry & the designer's website)
• Yarn: Hazel Knits Small Batch Sport (90/10 SW/Nylon)
• Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm)
• Ravelry Project Page
• Progress:  I finished the front & back and seamed up shoulders and under arms. I cast on sleeve 1 for ride home from PA and was hoping to finish for Rhinebeck but there simply isn't time.

 

Born to Be Mild Socks

• Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Born to Be Mild 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- Nearly to the toe on sock #2.
• About the yarn: tan base with browns and robin's egg. It reminds me of a robin's nest.

 

Granny Square Chicken

• Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Palm Springs Colorway
• Pattern: Granny Square Chicken by Sweet Softies- $3.99 crochet pattern on Ravelry.
• Hook: G (4.0 mm)
• Progress & Plans: I didn't change color between rounds- I just let the self striping yarn do its thing. almost done last round on the second square then I need to seam it together. I am planning to use some pantyhose with stuffing inside.

 

Yarn Cozy Lite

• Yarn: Cascade Heritage Yarn (75% SW Merino 25% Nylon) in the Highlighter Guava colorway
• Pattern: Yarn Cozy Lite by Knitty Natty- $6 pattern available on Ravelry
• Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm)
• Cast on to be ready for our Zoom cast on party on 10/2! Thanks to Natalie for coming to hang out. Such a fun kick off to this month's event.
• If you'd like the Pigskin Cozy version- it is included in this pattern for free through 10/31/25. Get 10% off any of Natalie's patterns through February 9th, 2026 with the code “PIGSKINPARTY”.

Brainstorming

 

• A goose bag for Aila. I may use the notes from this Ravelry Project Page. Or there's a pattern available for $4 on Ravelry & another for $5.48 on Etsy.
• A Christmas Stocking for my cousin Chris's daughter.

 

From the Armchair

• The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose. 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

• Yarn Stores I visited with Riley & Aila
• Knit Tuck & Purl
• Another Yarn
• Stitch House
• Wicked Good Yarns
• Sit & Knit
• Boston Fiber Co
• Tight Knit
• Apple picking at Applecrest Farm & Orchard
• SoWa Market

 

Want to see more about this fun & yarny filled weekend? Our 2025 MA Yarn Crawls + Side Quests Part 1 video is available on YouTube (Part 2 coming after Rhinebeck).

 

Our trip to Philadelphia

• Dan and I stayed with friends in suburbs outside Philly. We had a great dinner at East Branch Brewing Company
• We visited Yarnphoria (check them out on Facebook) & purchased yarn from Essence of Autumn
• Rockwell & Rose (restaurant)

 

KAL News

 

Pigskin Party '25

• Event Dates: KAL Dates- Thursday September 4, 2025- Monday February 9, 2026
• Find everything you need in the Start Here Thread in the Ravelry Group
• Official Rules
• Registration Form  (you must be Registered to be eligible for prizes)
• Enter your projects using the Point Tally Form
• Find the full list of Sponsors in this Google Doc.
• Coupon Codes are listed in this Ravelry Thread
• Exclusive Items from our Pro Shop Sponsors are listed in this Ravelry Thread
• Questions-  ask them in this Ravelry Thread or email Jen at downcellarstudio @ gmail.com
• Our Official Sponsor for Quarter 1 (October): Love in Stitches with Knitty Natty is hosting a Cozy Up Challenge. The challenge doesn't start until 10/1 but you can start planning now. Check out the details in this Ravelry Thread.
• Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November)- Twice Sheared Sheep
• Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban Stitcher
• Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers
• Charity Challenge (runs through Thanksgiving)- details in this Ravelry Thread
• Pink Challenge (runs through 10/31)- details in this Ravelry Thread.
• Thanks to Sarah for starting a Pigskin Tips Ravelry Thread!

 

Updates In This Episode

• Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November)- Twice Sheared Sheep. Row Counter Challenge- details in this Ravelry Thread.
• Click here for a video on how to use a chain row counter
• Purchase a Twice Sheared Sheep Row Counter
• Commentator Report from Mary- links below all go to Ravelry

Recently I've been spending time in the Mark it Monday thread.  If you are interested in a thread where the topic of conversation is almost exclusively about the crafting, this is a great thread for you!  It also moves a bit slower than the main huddle thread, so a little easier to keep up.  I find perusing this thread to be great for inspiration. It brings a smile to my face to see other players' projects coming to life. This week, I realized that player Scitchr is making 5 adorable animals. She is making them all Buffalo Bills clothing! So far, she has made an otter, a woodland duck, a hedgehog, and a woodland badger!  You must check them out...they are so adorable. Plus, she plans on making them Halloween costumes!

Speaking of Halloween costumes, Sandima made a Wednesday (from Addams' Family) costume for her porch goose: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/sandima/goostavo-porch-goose-sweater  

So cute!

 

In other news...players are busy with the three challenges that are going on right now:

* 25 players have already submitted for points for pink challenge, with 5 players already submitting 2 entries!  

* over 50 players have submitted for points for the Q1 challenge, with over 15 of them already submitting 2 entries!

* 2 people have already submitted for points for the charity challenge!

 

Don't forget you still have plenty of time to participate in these challenges!

 

Events

• Indie Untangled. October 17
• CAKEpalooza. October 17
• A Woolen Affair. October 17
• NY Sheep & Wool (aka Rhinebeck). October 18 & 19.
• Down Cellar Studio Meet up at Saturday 2p at the Pavilion to the left of the beer tent! Come and say hi.
• The Fiber Festival of New England. November 1 & 2
• Sunkissed Fiber Festival: January 24-25, 2026- just outside Tampa, FL

 

On a Happy Note

• Apple picking & yarn crawling with Riley and Aila
• Megg and I went to see Hamilton in Boston (my second time seeing the show)
• We celebrated my dad's birthday with a bonfire
• Trunk show at my LYS
• I had a blast chatting with Natalie in an interview for the Love in Stitches Membership
• Haymakers for Hope- Belles of the Brawl. My cousin Kirstin raised $20,363.23 for cancer research that will benefit MGH's research into how non-small cell lung cancer transforms into small-cell. Overall the event raised over $465k!
• Jewelry
• 4 person puzzle time with Christine & Seamus
• Mini Grilled cheese & creamy tomato soup appetizer at Gary's wedding; it was so delightful!
• Getting new headphones after my right ear bud was broken for a good month.
• Getting a text from my SIL with photos of my niece and nephew on their way to their first movie with their handmade toys in hand.

 

Quote of the Week

 

"Leaves descending to the ground,

Orange, magenta, green & brown The cool crisp breezes in the air, Autumn season must be here”

-Charmaine J. Forde 

 

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Thank you for tuning in!

 

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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.