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Down Cellar Studio Podcast

BostonJen

A Knitting, Photography and Crafting Podcast

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  • 23 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 50 min
  • English

Episodes 23

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  • October 31 · 59 min

    Episode 329: Rhinebeck Mojo

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 329 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 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, Stitchin With Yarn, UP North Yarns & Chit Chat Knits Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Big Feelings Socks Yarn: Woolens and Nosh BFL Fingering (85% SW BFL + 15% Nylon) in the Big Feelings Colorway (2nd Quarter 2026 club colorway) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page 19th pair of socks. 7 to go to meet my goal for the year. Moosonee Sweater Pattern: Moosonee Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrison. $6.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & good night, day website. Yarn: Wool Ease Thick & Quick in Deep Lagoon Needles: US 13, 17 & 19 (9, 12 & 15 mm) This is a pullover sweater similar to the Nanaimo Cardigan I like to make (Here's one I knit for my friend Megg: Ravelry link). Started 10/22/24 and finished it almost exactly 2 years later. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Pumpkin jar cozy Pattern: none Yarn: Kelbourne Woolens Skipper in 650 Nantucket Red Hooks: E (3.5 mm) for base & D (3.25 mm) for sides Ravelry Project Page Yarn purchased in 2025 Greater Boston Yarn crawl 2025 MA Yarn Crawls + Side Quests Part 1 video can be found here Paris socks Yarn: Phildar Phil Baby + Socks (75% Merino, 25% Nylon) in the Jaquard Marron 102 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: about half way through first sock. Zoe Hat Pattern: Zoe by Alexandra Davidoff ($6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: Berrocco Vintage Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Suburban Stitcher Socks Yarn: Suburban Stitcher Sock Set in the Classy Until Kickoff colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Pigskin Party Exclusive Colorway from 2023 Progress: more than half way through first sock. Cozy Clusters Blanket Pattern: Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket by Leelee Knits (free & paid options available on the LeeLeeKnits website) Yarn: Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed (74% Acrylic, 20% Wool, 6% Rayon. 841 meters / 400 grams) in colorway Navy Tweed Hooks: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page About the colorway: Navy with tweedy bits in creams and orange Plan 40x60 blanket. Progress: 4 rows complete as of the last episode. At least 6 more now. Enjoy this in the evening. Olga Sweater Pattern: Olga Sweater by Petite Knit ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Petite Knit Website) Yarn: MC: Battenkill Fiber House Blend Fingering (Corriedale, Merino, Romney Blend) (color is very light gray) -4 skeins, CC: Plied Yarn North Ave Scrap Pack Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page Brainstorming Riley searched Ravelry for sweaters we could crochet to have matching Rhinebeck sweaters for next year. Lowrider Jumper by Iron Lamb ($9 crochet pattern available on Ravelry + Iron Lamb website) I recently wore a cropped sweater I purchased in Paris with long navy dress. Loving it! Makes me want to knit all the cropped sweaters! Do you have ideas for me? From the Armchair Partita by Barbara Kingsolver. Amazon Affiliate Link Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. Amazon Affiliate Link Back Where We Started by Becca Freeman. Amazon Affiliate Link I also talked about a book event I went to for Back Where We Started where Becca was in conversation with Emma Brodie who wrote the book, Into the Blue- 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 I shared a story from the book event where my neighbor asked about learning to fix mistakes. In My Travels Tune in to hear about Rhinebeck 2026 KAL News Pigskin Party '26 Details Event runs 9/9/26-2/15/27 Everything you need can be found in the Start Here Thread on Ravelry Sign up (must be registered to win) Rules (includes changes made for the '26 season) Finish a Project? Enter for points using the Points Tally Form Share in the End Zone Dance Ravelry thread to celebrate with friends Check your Stats on the Scoreboard Have a Question? Post it in this Ravelry Thread Sponsor List can be found here (check often for updates) Pro Shop Sponsors can create Exclusive Items which are shared in this Ravelry Thread Coupons & deals from our Sponsors can be found in this Ravelry Thread Updates in this Episode Check out everything on the Ravelry schedule for the upcoming months including these challenges Quarter 1 Challenge is underway hosted by Doolittle Yarnery. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. Closes end of October. Prize announced in next episode. The Charity Challenge runs October 15- November 30, 2026. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. Quarter 2 Challenge starts November 1 hosted by Fangirl Fibers. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. DK gift Quarter 3 Challenge starts December 1 hosted by Suburban Stitcher. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. FO 75g not yards Holiday theme Quarter 4 Challenge Starts January 1 hosted by Yarnaceous Fibers. Details coming soon. Tune in to hear September Prize Winners! Events November 7 & 8: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA January 23 & 24, 2027- Sunkissed Fiber Festival in Dover, FL January 29 & 30- Houston Fiber Fest in Houston TX January 17, March 7th- Farm Fiber Days at Russell's Garden Center in Wayland, MA On a Happy Note At Rhinebeck, our friend Jenni was crocheting candy corn for a bunting. Pretended she was wearing them as bikini. Hilarity ensued. Dad and I had dinner with our friends before we helped them fill the U-Haul with more of moms eBay stock to bring to Vegas to sell. Megg and I went to see Operation Mincemeat in Boston. The first quiet weekend in about a month! Love is Blind Boston & Season 3 of Nobody Wants This. Seeing my first new Monstera leaf unfurl Quote of the Week Though still very far from being perfect girls, each was slowly learning, in her own way, one of the three lessons all are the better for knowing – that cheerfulness can change misfortune into love and friends; that in ordering one's self aright one helps others to do the same; and that the power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely. –Louisa May Alcott ------ For website: 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.

  • October 15 · 52 min

    Episode 328: Quarter 1 Has Begun

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 328 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 Some Years Later Knitting in Passing KAL News Events Contest, News & Notes On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: The Wandering Purl, Heart & Squirrel, Keri'd From Fleece on Ravelry, WIPs & Chainz Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Riley's Halloween Garland Ravelry Project Page Forgot to share last time. 4 candy corn (one for each roommate), 1 bat, 2 pumpkins, 1 witch hat, 1 ghost, a few different leaves I used a foundation hdc (in orange)as the strand that holds it all together figuring that would be a bit sturdier than just a chain stitch. Confetti Cannon Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: Woolens & Nosh- SW BFL Fingering (85% SW BFL + 15% Nylon) in the Confetti Cannon colorway (30g mini in teal) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page About the Colorway: butter yellow, pink, purple, coral, tan, fuschia, aqua, lime/grass green. Mini skein: teal Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins The Riddle of Steel Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: Woolens & Nosh- SW BFL Fingering (85% SW BFL + 15% Nylon) in the Riddle of Steel Colorway (with charcoal mini) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page About the Colorway: Conan the Barbarian Reference- stripes of rusty orange, green, gray and brown. Each colors has 2 tones with a thin stripe of charcoal in between and then a thicker band of charcoal between each of the color sets. Progress- almost to heel of first sock Big Feelings Socks Yarn: Woolens and Nosh BFL Fingering (85% SW BFL + 15% Nylon) in the Big Feelings Colorway (2nd Quarter 2026 club 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: wider stripes of dark denim blue, lighter dusty blue, pink, pumpkin orange, dusty butter yellow, forest green, lighter grassy green. Thin 1-2 round stripes of cream between. Found an old Woolens & Nosh mini in med blue for heel. Progress: just turned heel of second sock. Suburban Stitcher Socks Yarn: Suburban Stitcher Sock Set in the Classy UNtil Kickoff colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Pigskin Party colorway from __ Just started the cuff. Good Rhinebeck project. Cozy clusters blanket Pattern: Cozy Clusters Baby Blanket by Leelee Knits (free & paid options available on the LeeLeeKnits website) Yarn: Hayfield Bonus Aran Tweed (74% Acrylic, 20% Wool, 6% Rayon. 841 meters / 400 grams) in colorway Navy Tweed Hooks: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page About the colorway: Navy with tweedy bits in creams and orange Math based on previous project. 53 clusters wide x 30 clusters high gave me a blanket that's 34" wide by 28 inches high. 53 clusters times 30= 1590 clusters. 418g used= .262g per cluster . Plan 40x60 blanket. 136 chains= 66 clusters by 64== 4224 clusters- 1106g (plus border) Progress: 4 rows complete Neckerchief Pattern: none (inspired by Sophie Scarf by Petite Knit (paid pattern available on Ravelry) using cast on and basic increases from my Millie Margaret Shawl (fingering weight)-Ravelry Yarn: Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks, Dream base (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere goat, 10% Nylon). No colorway name listed. Variegated yarn with a tan base, pinks, greens, purples and mustards. Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) Progress: At least half way through the center section now. Started March just picked back up From the Armchair Under Story by Chloe Benjamin. Amazon Affiliate Link. Ruin by Lily Brooks-Dalton. 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. Some Years Later Strathcona Sweater Pattern: Strathacona Sweater by Tara-Lynn Morrison ($6.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry or on the Good Night, Day website) Yarn: 3 yarns 1) handspun, 2) Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool in the Birch Tweed Colorway 3) Aisling Yarns BFL in the Hurry Sundown Colorway Needles: US 13 (9.0 mm) (neck), US 19 (15 mm) (body) Size S/M (pattern offers sizing from 38"- 53" bust) Ravelry Project Page Knitting in Passing I shared a brief story about an interaction with a lady on the train about my sock knitting. KAL News Pigskin Party '26 Details Event runs 9/9/26-2/15/27 Everything you need can be found in the Start Here Thread on Ravelry Sign up (must be registered to win) Rules (includes changes made for the '26 season) Finish a Project? Enter for points using the Points Tally Form Share in the End Zone Dance Ravelry thread to celebrate with friends Check your Stats on the Scoreboard Have a Question? Post it in this Ravelry Thread Sponsor List can be found here (check often for updates) Pro Shop Sponsors can create Exclusive Items which are shared in this Ravelry Thread Coupons & deals from our Sponsors can be found in this Ravelry Thread Updates in this Episode: Check out everything on the Ravelry schedule for the upcoming months including these challenges Quarter 1 Challenge is underway hosted by Doolittle Yarnery. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. Quarter 2 Challenge starts November 1 hosted by Fangirl Fibers. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. Quarter 3 Challenge starts December 1 hosted by Suburban Stitcher. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. Quarter 4 Challenge Starts January 1 hosted by Yarnaceous Fibers. Details coming soon. The Charity Challenge runs October 15- November 30, 2026. Find details in this Ravelry Thread. Events Friday 10/16- Indie Untangled in Saugerties, NY Thursday 10/15 & Friday 10/16- Woolen Affair in Kingston, NY (2p on I'll be there) October 17 & 18: NY State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY November 7: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA Contest, News & Notes Teaching OMG Sock knitting class at Staci's Stitches starting in January. Thursday nights 6:30-8:30 for 5 classes. On a Happy Note Garret got his license My niece Hattie got parts in upcoming productions of Beetlejuice and Frozen! Megg and I went to see a local production of the musical Rocky Horror. Celebrating Dad's birthday. My boss and my friend Kris both walked the Jimmy Fund walk in memory of my mom (among other people of course) Apple Picking Laura's visit including Winnie the Pooh pajamas at Primark All of the beautiful foliage! My first batch of homemade applesauce. Quote of the Week When autumn darkness falls, what we will remember are the small acts of kindness: a cake, a hug, an invitation to talk, and every single rose. These are all expressions of a nation coming together and caring about its people. — Jens Stoltenberg https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/jens_stoltenberg_640351 ------ 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.

  • September 30 · 57 min

    Episode 327: Paris, Pretzels and Paving

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 327 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 Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu, AdoreKnit, Doolittle Yarnery & Starfish Fibers Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Tapestry Socks Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Tapestry Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Nazari Top Available for free on Ravelry & the designer's website. Tray-mat Pattern: None Yarn: Lion Brand Made with Love The Cotton One in the Red Red Wine Colorway (60% Cotton/ 40% Acrylic) Aran weight yarn Hook: H (5.9 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I ran out of yarn and lost the ball band. I need to re-assess. Swiss Placemat Pattern: none. Chained 52 to start. Working in linen stitch Yarn: Save the Yarn Albert (80% cotton/20% alpaca) in colorway 8238 (green)- 3 skeins purchased in Basel Switzerland Hook: G (4.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page Cast on another linen stitch placemat. This one for our dining room or kitchen island. Chained 52 to start on this one. Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page Progress: Picked up first sleeve. Working through decreases. Confetti Cannon Socks Yarn: Woolens and Nosh BFL Fingering (85% SW BFL + 15% Nylon) in the Confetti Cannon 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: butter yellow, pink, purple, coral, tan, fuschia, aqua, lime/grass green. Mini skein: teal Progress: I am beyond heel on the second sock. Brainstorming I need to cast on a worsted hat for Laura (but first I have to find the yarn). I think I'll make the Sweetly Striped Hat by Chit Chat Knits (Pro Shop Sponsor)- $4.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry At Rhinebeck I may buy yarn for the Oporto Tee by Suzanne Sommer $8.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry How cool is this Spiderweb dress- crochet pattern from Etsy?! Maybe for next Halloween? SIZES- Made to measure! This pattern is written for size small but there are notes in red on how to change the size to fit your body! MATERIALS 4.5 mm hook Yarn Weight: Fingering, Sock - I recommend cotton or bamboo Yardage: 130-260+ yards (depends on size) Gauge: 14 stitches by 12 rows = 4" using Hdc From the Armchair The Compound by Aisling Rawle. Amazon Affiliate Link. Let's Not Go Overboard Here by Erica Hendry. Amazon Affiliate Link. The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. 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 Tune in to hear about my recent trip to France! Yarn stores visited Paris- Lil Weasel Colmar- Le Comptoir des Laines Basel- Save the Yarn Strasbourg- Happy Wool .com (sells Phildar yarn) KAL News Pigskin Party '26 Details Event runs 9/9/26-2/15/27 Everything you need can be found in the Start Here Thread on Ravelry Sign up (must be registered to win) - opens 8/19 Rules (includes changes made for the '26 season) Finish a Project? Enter for points using the Points Tally Form Share in the End Zone Dance Ravelry thread to celebrate with friends Check your Stats on the Scoreboard Have a Question? Post it in this Ravelry Thread Sponsor List can be found here (check often for updates) Pro Shop Sponsors can create Exclusive Items which are shared in this Ravelry Thread Coupons & deals from our Sponsors can be found in this Ravelry Thread Updates in this episode Help us welcome Laura (LauraKnitsPA) to our Commissioner Team! Check out the Official Pigskin '26 Logo bags available from AdoreKnit. Check out my unboxing of the tote Steph gifted me on Instagram. Check out our PIG chat threads in the Ravelry group Our Official Sponsor for Quarter 1 (October) is Doolittle Yarnery. Find the Knit/Crochet in Black merch here if you want to join in. The full challenge details are in this Ravelry Thread. The Tailgate Talk Challenge has begun! Check out the Ravelry Thread. Our Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November) is Fangirl Fibers. The full challenge details are in this Ravelry Thread. We hope you'll join us and make a DK gift for someone you love. Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December): Suburban Stitcher- festive fun Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January): Yarnaceous Fibers- challenge TBD Events Friday 10/16- Indie Untangled in Saugerties, NY Thursday 10/15 & Friday 10/16- Woolen Affair in Kingston, NY October 17 & 18: NY State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY November 7: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA On a Happy Note Babysitting fun with Gabriella and Zachary. Driveway paving!! The slightly slower pace of fall and getting out for walks with my friend. Labor Day weekend pool time with family and friends. In Colmar, Marta was looking for a pretzel and thought she saw one but it had feet! I took an adult tap and jazz class at my friend's dancing school. Dan & Shay concert with Riley & getting to see her school. Seeing my friend Nathan in Damn Yankees Quote of the Week "There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees – as if we are all to be allowed a chance to peel, to refresh, to start again." – Ruth Ahmed ----- For website: 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.

  • August 31 · 52 min

    Episode 326: Confetti & Big Feelings

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 326 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 On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Brainstorming From the Armchair Knitting in Passing KAL News Events On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu & Mandi's Makings Off the Needles Neckerchief #2 Pattern: none Yarn: Valley Yarns Huntington (75% Merino, 25% Nylon) in colorway 22 Navy Needles: US 6 (4 mm) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page Progress: Nearly done with the ribbing now! Log Cabin Blanket Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024) Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry. Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)'s version on their latest podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post. Progress: 30 squares completed! I bought two skeins of Dirty Water Dyeworks Lucia DK (SW Merino Nylon blend) in colorway March sky to try to border/seam with. I found a YouTube video to use as a guide for joining as I add the last row of moss/linen stitch. Confetti Cannon Socks Yarn: Woolens and Nosh BFL Fingering (85% SW BFL + 15% Nylon) in the Confetti Cannon Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page New base for Woolens & Nosh that was very kindly gifted to me by Michele to try out! Thank you! I love this new base. About the Colorway: butter yellow, pink, purple, coral, tan, fuschia, aqua, lime/grass green. Mini skein: teal Progress: I am beyond heel on first sock. Big Feelings Socks Yarn: Woolens and Nosh BFL Fingering (85% SW BFL + 15% Nylon) in the Big Feelings Colorway (2nd Quarter 2026 club 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: I am beyond heel on first sock. Deschain Pattern: Deschain by Leila Raven ($6.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: Berroco Remix in colorway 3922 Buttercup Needles: US 10 (6 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I am only a few repeats into the front of the top. Tray-mat Pattern: None Yarn: Lion Brand Made with Love The Cotton One in the Red Red Wine Colorway (60% Cotton/ 40% Acrylic) Aran weight yarn Hook: H (5.9 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I have crocheted around 5 inches so far. Brainstorming Blanket options I'm considering No-Purl Ribbed Blanket by Purl Soho (free knitting pattern) Football Lovie by Alissa Clevenger $5 crochet pattern available on Ravelry Project to bring to France Tip Top Tank Fine by Emily Bolduan- Free Ravelry knitting pattern Islander Vest by Claire Jackson- $11 knitting pattern (options for pay what you can) From the Armchair The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth. Amazon Affiliate Link. In Her Defense by Phillippa Malicka. Amazon Affiliate Link. I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue. Amazon Affiliate Link. Watching: Silo Series on Apple TV- season 3 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 David sent me photos of his Pollen Party socks at work and at Pilates! KAL News Pigskin Party '26 Details Event runs 9/9/26-2/15/27 Everything you need can be found in the Start Here Thread on Ravelry Sign up (must be registered to win) - opened 8/19 Rules (includes changes made for the '26 season) Finish a Project? Enter for points using the Points Tally Form Share in the End Zone Dance Ravelry thread to celebrate with friends Check your Stats on the Scoreboard Have a Question? Post it in this Ravelry Thread Sponsor List can be found here (check often for updates) Pro Shop Sponsors can create Exclusive Items which are shared in this Ravelry Thread Coupons & deals from our Sponsors can be found in this Ravelry Thread Updates for this episode: The next Stretches for Stitchers session (from Fitness by Mara) starts Sept. 14th but participants can join at anytime or use a single class pack! Check out our Quarter 1 (October) Challenge hosted by Doolittle Yarnery. Details in this Ravelry Thread. Thanks to Ravelry user Elisewentwest for updating her worksheet for project tracking. If you want to check it out click here and then make a copy of it to edit for your own tracking purposes. Events September 12 & 13: Boston Fiber Festival in Boston, MA (full or half day passes, or 2 day passes) September 17-20: Cape & South Shore Yarn Haul September 19 & 20: Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival in Greenwich, NY September 24-27: Greater Boston Yarn Crawl October 17 & 18: NY State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY November 7: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA On a Happy Note Laura's Visit- Flight Club Boston. Lolita for dinner. Sunday- breakfast at Yaz's Table, thrifting and shopping for college stuff with Riley. Megg and I saw Jagged Little Pill at Company Theatre Riley getting off to college successfully! Seeing Aila and Hattie perform in the Cabaret show Facetime tour of Riley's dorm Marta is meeting Laura and I in Colmar, France! A step challenge through my gym has me out on more walks. Lovely message from Natalie (remembrances pottery) about a stone wall she's building after seeing one on my vlogmas walks. Megg and I went to Liz's band, Safe Journey's, show at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge. Check them out on Instagram. Then on Saturday, Dan, Dad and I went to an outdoor musical festival in Providence, RI where Safe Journey was playing. We had lunch and beers at the pavilion at 195 District Park. We really enjoyed the Guild Brewery beers and seltzer. Rhinoceros at ART in Cambridge wearing thirfted dress. Quote of the Week "Summers had a logic all their own and they always brought something out in me. Summer was supposed to be about freedom and youth and no school and possibilities and adventure and exploration. Summer was a book of hope. That's why I loved and hated summers. Because they made me want to believe." ―Benjamin Alire Sáenz, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe No episode on 9/15. I'll be in Paris! ------ 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.

  • August 15 · 43 min

    Episode 325: August Has Been Generous

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 325 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 KAL News Events On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Wild Violet Socks Yarn: Wild Violet Fibers Merino Sock (85/15 SW Merino/Nylon) in the OOAK #155 Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Right as Rain Socks Yarn: Teal Torch Knits Fingering Weight in the Right as Rain colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Summer Brights Cozy Pattern: Ball Band with a Twist by Jennifer Lassonde- $2 crochet pattern available on Ravelry | LoveCrafts Yarn: Crafter's Secret Cotton in Turquoise & Brights Hooks: F (3.75 mm) & G (4.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I finished the yoke, blocked it, measured, split for the sleeve. Helical knitting for body. Had about 2 inches in about 2 days. Log Cabin Blanket Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024) Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry. Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)'s version on their latest podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post. Progress: 30 squares completed! I bought two skeins of Dirty Water Dyeworks Lucia DK (SW Merino Nylon blend) in colorway March sky to try to border/seam with. I found a YouTube video to use as a guide for joining as I add the last row of moss/linen stitch. From the Armchair Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune. 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. KAL News Splash Pad '26 Wrap Up Splash Pad Party '26 Final Prize Winners Announced 157 players with entries during the Splash Pad Party! 7 participants with over 100 entries for prizes- jstuntz, mostlymunhies, ddorf4, roocmc, socalknitgirl, eyenowhour and valknits15! Nicely done! Check out the Summer Celebration Thread on Ravelry to see pics of things the community made this summer. Thanks as always to Wendy & all of our sponsors. Pigskin Party '26 Details Event runs 9/9/26-2/15/27 Everything you need can be found in the Start Here Thread on Ravelry Sign up (must be registered to win) - opens 8/19 Rules (includes changes made for the '26 season) Finish a Project? Enter for points using the Points Tally Form Share in the End Zone Dance Ravelry thread to celebrate with friends Check your Stats on the Scoreboard Have a Question? Post it in this Ravelry Thread Sponsor List can be found here (check often for updates) Pro Shop Sponsors can create Exclusive Items which are shared in this Ravelry Thread Coupons & deals from our Sponsors can be found in this Ravelry Thread Events September 12 & 13: Boston Fiber Festival in Boston, MA (full or half day passes, or 2 day passes) September 19 & 20: Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival in Greenwich, NY October 17 & 18: NY State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY November 7: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA On a Happy Note We are getting our driveway paved! I went for fun nails again! Riley took Dad and I to see Tim McGraw, Lady A and The Chicks at Fenway! Her friend Maddie also joined us. Camping and kayaking on the Saco River in Maine. Dan and I went out with a few of our friends for Margarita's birthday. My cousin Gayle came up from Florida for a visit. We had a rocking pool day on Sunday! Then on Monday evening, Dad and Gayle picked up Dan and me for dinner and a walk around the lighthouse. I'm going to France with my friend Laura in September! Quote of the Week A Blessing for the Life You're Bracing For by Kate Bowler Bless you who still have popsicles to drip, tomatoes to slice, books to leave facedown for just a minute longer, and evenings that don't yet know they are numbered. May you resist the annual migration toward freshly sharpened pencils, color-coded calendars, and the familiar lie that next month deserves more of your attention than the one still sitting in front of you. Bless you who linger over one more meal outside, one more chorus of cicadas, one more porch sit, trusting that ordinary rituals are already a life well lived. May you savor what remains before you begin rehearsing what comes next, because August has always been generous with those willing to stay exactly where they are for just a little while longer. —Kate Bowler ------ 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.

  • July 30 · 51 min

    Episode 324: Summer Camp!

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 324 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 Some Years Later Knitting in Passing Crafty Adventures In my Travels KAL News On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu Check them out at their trunk show at South End Yarn Co in Newburyport until August 7, then at Fiber Revival in Newburyport, MA on August 8. Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Wicked Witch Pattern: The Wicked Witch by Ana Maria Liasch da Silva ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Etsy- Etsy also offers larger bundles of Oz characters) Yarn: Worsted weight acrylic yarn from stash Hook: C: 2.75 mm Ravelry Project Page Note: I found the wig cap to be a bit small. Check before starting to sew in place. Dorothy Pattern: The Wicked Witch by Ana Maria Liasch da Silva ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & $4 on Etsy (sale)- Etsy also offers larger bundles of Oz characters) Yarn: Worsted weight acrylic yarn from stash Hook: C: 2.75 mm Ravelry Project Page Note: I found the wig cap to be a bit small. Check before starting to sew in place. Mine! Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Fingering (90 SW Targhee, 10% Nylon) in the colorway- Mine! aka A Gull Takes Off with Bluberry Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Wild Violet Socks Yarn: Wild Violet Fibers Merino Sock (85/15 SW Merino/Nylon) in the OOAK #155 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: 1st sock finished. 2nd sock part way through the heel flap Right as Rain Socks Yarn: Teal Torch Knits Fingering Weight in the Right as Rain 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: 1st sock is finished. 2nd sock is onto the foot. From the Armchair This Story May Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum. Amazon Affiliate Link. Whistler by Ann Patchett. Amazon Affiliate Link. Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston. Amazon Affiliate Link. Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. 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 Roc loves to visit yarn stores so we went to: Wicked Good Yarns in Braintree, MA where he bought scissors, a kit for a chicken and Joann gifted him the tapestry needle he was looking for. Elissa's Creative Warehouse in Needham, MA where he bought blue yarn to cast on an elephant. Stitch House in Dorchester, MA where Roc found a bright mini skein he liked and I restocked my favorite knitting stitch markers. Crafty Adventures Riley worked a bit on the cuff of a sock with her Area 51 Fibres Be FearLESS colorway yarn. Here's the Ravelry Project Page for mine. She also started a diamond painting project and crocheted several rounds on her hexagon blanket. She's using white worsted weight yarn held with minis from the advent yarn Nicole sent her. Marta and Roc both worked on his diamond painting project- a seaturtle. Marta got a crochet kit for a slice of pizza at Walmart and was able to finish 2 pieces with the yarn from the kit (with some heavy mods on the second one). Roc completed 2 hippo stuffies out of microfiber blanket yarn (free pattern from the Friendly Fox site). He finished a dinosaur he started during his last visit and the chicken he bought this year. Gabriella got a Craft-tastic learn to knit kit for her birthday (on sale at CVS right now). It came with a small circular loom. I taught myself how to do it and made a small axolotl. Came out cute! Has patterns for a bee and a panda too. In My Travels We visited Tall Ships while they were in Boston Museum of Ice Cream (lots of fun, especially with kids. We spent about 90 minutes there) Bota Borg 24 quests- each is a series of escape rooms. You can do as many as you like with teams of 3 or more. You choose 2 or 4 hours. We loved it and would definitely go back. The Great Gatsby (musical) We enjoyed seeing our small towns from another perspective. KAL News Splash Pad Party '26 Details Event runs 5/22-7/31 Splash Pad Party Registration is open as of 5/1 View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad '26 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. Find official SPP'26 images you can use on social media in this Google folder. Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread Tune in to see if you won a July Participation Prize Pigskin Party will kick off with the NFL on Wednesday September 9th. Get those WIPs done before then! On a Happy Note Pottery from Riley! Wow A few amazing pool days during 4th of July weekend with family and friends. Riley & I went to the Megan Moroney concert!! Score N' Hole pool game! Marta's visit highlights America's Funniest Videos- especially these two contenders for best video of the year. We had running jokes based on these for 2 weeks straight. Riding around in Riley's Jeep. Kayaking. movies, night swimming, Making up songs. Going for ice cream & slurpees. Taste tests & inside jokes. I felt like I was at summer camp! On our last night togetherwe made up lyrics to a song from the Six musical we'd been listening to and Riley made a video using it. Adorable! My boss gave us 2 of his older kayaks. Dan bought a new rack for the truck so we can fit 5 inside the bed and the 2 longer ones on top. Our friends visited from PA. Millie and twins Rhiannon & Teaghan are so cute- especially in their matching bathing suits. 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 "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time." – Aliyyah Eniath ------ 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.

  • June 30 · 57 min

    Episode 323: Pollen, Party, Prizes & more

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 323 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 Knitting in Passing In my Travels KAL News Events Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu (2nd Episode of the Month) Stitched by JessaLu is the home of handmade project bags in a variety of fun, floral, geeky, or pop-culture themed prints. All bags are made by one woman - JessaLu - on an antique Singer sewing machine in her home in Western Massachusetts. JessaLu has been making quality project bags and an assortment of sewn accessories since 2008 and has recently begun to design her own exclusive prints! Check them out in person July 18th at South End Yarns in Newburyport, from July 24-26th at The Gathering at Westfield State hosted by the Northeast Handspinners Association (check out the Saturday evening ticket option for only $25), and don't forget Fiber Revival August 8th in Newbury, MA Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Pollen Party Socks Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Pollen Party colorway + 20g mini (I think it's Legacy Fiber Artz mini) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I'm working on the colorwork yoke (only about 8 colorwork rounds left) Jelly Roll Blanket Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones ($6.70 US on Ravelry) Hook: H (5.0 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash Ravelry Project Page I was inspired by KnitwithNat's blanket- check it out on Instagram. Progress: I finished my 8th strip and I'm 1/3 into the 9th. Still loving this project! Mine! Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Fingering (90 SW Targhee, 10% Nylon) in the colorway- Mine! aka A Gull Takes Off with Bluberry Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress- I knit the heel of the sock on the plane to NYC, knit on the foot during Schmigadoon and got half way through the toe on the way home. Wild Violet Socks Yarn: Wild Violet Fibers Merino Sock (85/15 SW Merino/Nylon) in the OOAK #155 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: 1 sock is just beyond the heel. 2nd sock is a few inches into the leg Brainstorming Gabriella's birthday ideas Elphaba (crochet pattern for sale on Ravelry & on Crochetlandia Site) Dorothy & Toto (crochet pattern- free on Ravelry) Glinda pattern (crochet pattern- free on Crochetlandia Site) Another set available on Etsy from AnaMariaCraft: Crochet Amigurumi Pattern Bundle Wizard of Oz – Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Wicked Witch & Good Witch $24. Her patterns are also available on Ravelry but if you want a bundle, there are better deals on Etsy. From the Armchair Kin by Tayari Jones. Amazon Affiliate Link. Dirtbag, Massachusetts: A Confessional by Isaac Fitzgerald. Amazon Affiliate Link. Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild. 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 I shared a story about another knitting finding me before the Broadway show we were seeing began. In My Travels Riley and I took an impromptu trip to NYC when she was asked to babysit a local family while they were visiting NY. Friday- we saw Schmigadoon! Saturday- RIley and I got coffee and bagels before we met Laura to visit the Museum of the City of New York to see murals of "Another Wonderland" by Abram Champanier. Riley went off to babysit Saturday night. Laura and I enjoyed a leisurely night in at the hotel. Sunday- Riley and I set an alarm to head to Butterfield Market to buy Dot Cakes. We took a stroll through Central Park before thrift shopping and lunch. Riley went to babysit. I met Laura at Shukette then I went solo to see Operation Mincemeat. KAL News Splash Pad Party '26 Details Event runs 5/22-7/31 Splash Pad Party Registration is open as of 5/1 View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad '26 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. Find official SPP'26 images you can use on social media in this Google folder. Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread Prizes: we have 48 prizes to give away this Splash Pad season. Tune in to hear if you're a May/June winner! Events July 31-August 1: Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WA August 8- FIber Revival in Newbury, MA September 12 & 13: Boston Fiber Festival in Boston, MA (full or half day passes, or 2 day passes) September 19 & 20: Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival in Greenwich, NY October 17 & 18: NY State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY November 7: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA Life in Focus July 2 is half way day of the year! Let's do a check in on my 26 in 2026 List: A-Aim for one night at week at the pool in July and August- make it regular and invite friends to pop over B- Blood- donate at least 4 times (1/20, 3/17) C- Christmas Sleepover D- Declutter 26+ items- delivered a trunk full in February E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events (I have 36 on the calendar for this year!) F-Find 2-6 new things and try them out! 1) Orange Bike Beer 2) Dot Cakes in NYC, G-Go on a trip with Dan (just us) Anniversary Trip to Portland H- Headshots for Hattie I- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum- Go there J- Journal- Write 365 entries in my I Remember Journal about Mom (inspired by Liz Craft who talked about it on Ep 451 of Happier in Hollywood podcast) K- Knit at least 2 projects with handspun (Treysta sweater, Inclinations + bonus Goldwing Sweater WIP) L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books (11 as of February, 24 as of 4/27, 30 as of 5/29, 36 as of 6/24) M- Museum- Museum of the City of New York N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once-- visited in April & Jun O- Organize a FearLESS Living Fundraiser P- Puzzle- do at least 1 with Dan Q-Quarterly review of calendar/photos & goals (to make Year in Review easier and faster)- calendar it! March done, Q2 review will get done this week. R- Restaurant- try at least 1 new local restaurant (Blu in Theater District 3/26) S- Socks- knit 26 pair- 11 done so far. T- Tattoo- started following some artists on Instagram (plan end of year so can donate blood) U- Up the amount of muscle in my body- at least 1 pound by end of the year. Making good progress. V- Vlogmas- take the year off (even if you're tempted) W- Wheel- sit down at my spinning wheel every month (put reminders on my calendar at the beginning of each month to help remind me) Jan, Feb, March, April, May done X- Cross 1 thing off this list that no longer serves me (H hattie headshot) Y-Yoga at least 2-6 times Z- Create Zone to keep important papers On a Happy Note Millie graduated from 8th grade. Dad and I were able to go. Riley's graduation party! Father's Day pool day at my dad's! Dad let Gabriella pick out a few of Mom's Oz things she likes including a book that she's flying through. Thought I broke my toe on wrought iron chair leg- but think maybe it was a bad sprain I'm so grateful it's healing well. A sweet moment with Riley Fun nail art! I got a lovely text from Alicia at ZK of many of our DCS friends! Quote of the Week "We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects." ― Herman Melville -------- 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.

  • June 15 · 48 min

    Episode 322: Dance! Dance! Dance!

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 322 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 KAL News Events On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Miles' Dump Truck Pattern: Dump Truck by by AnvisionCrochet (crochet pattern for sale on Ravelry & Etsy) Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Merry Christmas Kevin Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway Ravelry Project Page Midnight Orchid Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I'm working on the colorwork yoke Pollen Party Socks Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Pollen Party colorway + 20g mini (I think it's Legacy Fiber Artz mini) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I'm well into the foot of the second sock. Mine! Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh SW Targhee Fingering (90 SW Targhee, 10% Nylon) in the colorway- Mine! aka A Gull Takes Off with Bluberry 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: Nemo Reference- thin white stripes with wider colorful stripes in between Orange, aqua, yellow, navy, light gray. May 2025 Club Colorway. Navy mini Almost to heel of sock 1 From the Armchair Books Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino. Amazon Affiliate Link. (You may enjoy this- Beautyland Review) Almost Life by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Amazon Affiliate Link. Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage by Belle Burden. Amazon Affiliate Link. Check out this link to a Guardian article about the book. John of John by Douglas Stewart. Amazon Affiliate Link. Musical: Black Swan at American Repertory Theater 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. KAL News Splash Pad Party '26 Details Event runs 5/22-7/31 Splash Pad Party Registration is open as of 5/1 View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad '26 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. Find official SPP'26 images you can use on social media in this Google folder. Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread A few fun highlights from the June Poolside Chat Broken Jack socks knit up by Ravelry user KBamr- Check out the Ravelry Project Page here. PAKnitWit shared a handy video for the Tubular Cast On using scrap yarn in this Ravelry Post. SammichStitches is working on a Persian Tiles Blanket and got all of the pieces done- ready to seam up and wow is it beautiful. Check out this Ravelry Post. Lmecoll shared a test knit sock for Chit Chat Knits- check it out in this Ravelry Post. They're called the Summer Sizzle Socks. Events July 31-August 1: Flock Fiber Festival in Seattle, WA August 8- FIber Revival in Newbury, MA September 12 & 13: Boston Fiber Festival in Boston, MA (full or half day passes, or 2 day passes) September 19 & 20: Adirondack Wool & Arts Festival in Greenwich, NY October 17 & 18: NY State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, NY November 7: Fiber Festival of New England in Springfield, MA On a Happy Note Seeing Riley off to Prom and attending her high school graduation! Visiting with Vikki, in from Las Vegas. Miles' second birthday party. Aila's voice recital and then a girls shopping trip to follow with Megg, Kris, Riley and Aila. An absolutely splendid birthday! Seeing all the kids in their recitals this weekend. My brother did the father/daughter dance with Riley in her last recital. I blubbered through most of it. We then danced the night away at our twin friends' 50th birthday party. Brunch before Black Swan with Megg and Rose. $18 bottomless brunch (food- not alcohol) at The Painted Burro in Harvard Square is so delicious! Great conversions. Quote of the Week "Heroes didn't leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn't wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else's. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back." ― Jodi Picoult, Second Glance ------ 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.

  • May 31 · 42 min

    Episode 321: Splash Pad Mojo

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 321 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 In my Travels KAL News Contest, News & Notes Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins 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 Sunday Brunch Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Sunday Brunch at the Breakfast Club colorway; club colorway Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: mini skein in a medium denim blue. Self striping- tan, navy, mustard, pink, coffee w/ milk brown. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. Plied 5 bobbins over Memorial Day weekend. and have since finished and washed 5 skeins of yarn! If my math is right, I have 224g of fiber and 352 yards. Jelly Roll Blanket Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones ($6.70 US on Ravelry) Hook: H (5.0 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash Ravelry Project Page I was inspired by KnitwithNat's blanket- check it out on Instagram. Progress: I finished my 7th strip Midnight Orchid Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples. Progress: First sock is finished. The second is just beyond the heel. Merry Christmas Kevin Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway Ravelry Project Page Progress: finished first sock. Finished cuff of second in Portland. No specific rush on these so they're just hanging out in my purse Goldwing Sweater Pattern: Goldwing by Jennifer Steingass ($8 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) for body and US 5 (3.75 mm) for rolled neck Yarn: Valley Superwash DK in Sand (MC) and handspun from Wound Up Fiber Arts for CC (Ravelry page for handspun details) Ravelry Project Page Handspun is all different yellows, mustards, peach, pink orange, rusts. Progress: I'm working on the colorwork yoke From the Armchair The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. Amazon Affiliate Link. Famesick by Lena Dunham. Amazon Affiliate Link. Into the Blue by Emma Brodie. Amazon Affiliate Link. Musical: Something Rotten playing at the Lyric Stage, Boston through June 7, 2026 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 Dan and I spent a weekend in Portland, MA Yarn stores visited: The Purling Pigeon, Knit Wit Yarn Shop, Port Fiber Coffee: Buzz Coffee Breweries: Rising Tide Brewing, Batson River Brewing & Distillery, Orange Bike Brewing (Gluten Free), Apres (seltzers!), Lone Pine Brewing Restaurant: Isa Bistro KAL News Splash Pad Party '26 Details Event runs 5/22-7/31 Splash Pad Party Registration is open View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad '26 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. Find official SPP'26 images you can use on social media in this Google folder. Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread Contest, News & Notes I was so sad to hear of Gigi Knitmore's passing. Sending so much love and support to their whole family. Haven't listened? Check out the Knitmore Girls Podcast back catalog. On a Happy Note We had Gabriella and Zach for another sleepover and it was a blast! We all enjoyed seeing Hattie in Seussical. Dad, Jeff and I all went to one of Garret's last lacrosse games of the year. Normal Mammogram! Reminder to get checked if you're due for this or any other health screening. Anniversary weekend in Portland with Dan Jury Duty Presents- Company Retreat (on Prime). Patreon Zoom- always love hanging out with you. Getting salads back in the rotation + watermelon! All of the Splash Pad Mojo! My fav Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) musical got picked up for a national tour. It starts in Providence in fall of 2027! They also got nominated for 8 Tony's! I'm so excited for them. Quote of the Week An artist is a sort of emotional or spiritual historian. His role is to make you realize the doom and glory of knowing who you are and what you are. He has to tell, because nobody else in the world can tell, what it is like to be alive. -James Baldwin ------ 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.

  • May 15 · 49 min

    Episode 320: Venom, Inclinations & More

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 320 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 Some Years Later In my Travels KAL News On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Heart & Squirrel & AdoreKnit Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Venom Pattern: Venom Keychain crochet pattern available on Ravelry for $5 & on Etsy (on sale for $1.50 in May 2026). Yarn: Vanna's Choice in Black, Knit Picks Brava (red) & white felt for eyes and mouth Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Glue used: Aleene's Fabric Fusion On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins 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 Jelly Roll Blanket Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones ($6.70 US on Ravelry) Hook: H (5.0 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash Ravelry Project Page I was inspired by KnitwithNat's blanket- check it out on Instagram. Progress: on my 6th strip Midnight Orchid Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples. Progress: Cast on both socks on two separate needles. First sock is finished. The second is just beyond the heel. Merry Christmas Kevin Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway Ravelry Project Page Progress: turned the heel on the first sock over the weekend. Brainstorming Granny Square Muff by Allyson Dykhuizen- free pattern available on Ravelry Nautilus, The Submarine- Ravelry Pattern by Paola Navarro for $4.20 on Etsy Ace the Airplane- $5.20 on Etsy (view on Ravelry) Airplane by Joyce Overheul- $4.99 Ravelry & Etsy From the Armchair Books Sea Wife by Amity Gaige. Amazon Affiliate Link Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke. Amazon Affiliate Link. Diabolical Lies Podcast (a long-form culture and politics podcast by Katie Gatti Tassin and Caro Claire Burke). Check out their Substack. I enjoyed this episode- Is there a Skinny Apocalypse in Hollywood? A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand. Amazon Affiliate Link 2 Plays It's a Madhouse! by Todd Wallinger. Faust by the Embody Project Theatre If you heard me mention the Suffs musical in Episode 317 it's now available on PBS until July 31, 2026! 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. Some Years Later I've rotated out our couch blankets and I'm loving my Recollections Throw (check out my Ravelry Project Page- from September 2022). Recollection Blanket Pattern: Recollection by Deanne Ramsay ($6 crochet pattern available on Ravelry & Etsy- written in both US & UK Crochet terms) Yarn: Various full skeins and 20+ gram fingering weight yarn stash. Hook: J (6.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page All yarn held triple MC- 3 strands of gray.- separates each row of colorful yarns Blanket is 56 inches wide (not including the fringe). LOVED working on this project. Great end of stash dash project. no finishing required. no borders. no weaving in ends. finish twisting fringe and its done! 6,576 meters for Stash Dash In My Travels NH Sheep and Wool with Ryan We had a great time catching up with Jess & Anne in the Stitched by Jessalu booth. Fearless Living Fund fabric design is part of the Stitched by Jessalu banner! Anne and I geeked out over musicals and theater stuff! I bought a large bag with deer and foxes and other animals all dressed up for winter Got to see Stephanie from Dirty Water Dyeworks and got some gray yarn DK to border my jellyroll blanket. I bought some minis for my jellyroll blanket from a new to me dyer Appena Fiber I wore Mom's Dotted Rays shawl (Ravelry Project Page) Brown Bunny pottery had a chicken soap dispenser and a spotted chicken bowl I couldn't resist! KAL News Splash Pad Party '26 Details Event runs 5/22-7/31 Splash Pad Party Registration is open as of 5/1 View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad '26 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. Find official SPP'26 images you can use on social media in this Google folder. Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread Splash Pad '26 Official Logo Bags & Stitch Markers I've partnered up with Steph from AdoreKnit on official SPP '26 logo bags and stitch markers. Full disclosure, I do earn a small affiliate fee for all products sold (for the use of the artwork). Check them out here. Other Things from the Ravelry Board Sweater MAL Chat- thanks Danielle for starting the chat. If you want to make a sweater in 2026, check it out, chat it up and get some encouragement. On a Happy Note Longer, warmer days! We had our niece & nephew, Gabriella & Zach over for a sleepover. We went on deer walks, watched The Wizard of Oz, made pancakes, and took turns on the mower and backhoe. Aila's birthday dinner which ended with an impromptu dance show by Hattie and a not-so-subtle take over by almost 2 year old Miles Zach's birthday party had animals- they had the most gorgeous rooster I've ever seen. After looking at machines for years, I finally bought an espresso maker. The girls Im going to Rhinebeck with this year started a Marco Polo group chat. Woke up early before NH Sheep and Wool- so I got a car wash and came with 10 min of vacuuming. I got that done and it felt SO good. Took a little field trip to the Beacon Hill Bookstore on Charles St with my co-workers. Lovely to get out, talk books, connect. Quote of the Week "Everybody has a little bit of the sun and moon in them. Everybody has a little bit of man, woman, and animal in them. Darks and lights in them. Everyone is part of a connected cosmic system. Part earth and sea, wind and fire, with some salt and dust swimming in them. We have a universe within ourselves that mimics the universe outside. None of us are just black or white, or never wrong and always right. No one. No one exists without polarities. Everybody has good and bad forces working with them, against them, and within them. From- PART SUN AND MOON by Suzy Kassem" ------ 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.

  • April 30 · 49 min

    Episode 319: 3 Socks/Books/Musicals

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 319 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week's segments included: On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Brainstorming From the Armchair Knitting in Passing In my Travels KAL News Events Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu- Check out all of Jessalu's bags and accessories at NH Sheep and Wool - May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH & at the Webs Tent Sale- May 15-17 in Northampton, MA, Massachusetts Sheep & Wool- May 23 & 24 in Cummington, MA On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Log Cabin Blanket Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024) Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Inspired by Rachel (treehousefiberarts on Instagram) and Sue & Chelsea (Legacy Fiber Artz on Instagram). Check out the Floss Toss Ravelry Group for details on their Scrappy Blanket CAL. Ends December 21st (but you don't have to finish. 2 prize drawings will be done). My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry. Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)'s version on their latest podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post. I bordered one square with a worsted weight Cascade 220 black yarn which I didn't like. Tune in to hear my tale of woe after I decided to machine wash squares before weaving in all of the ends. 23 squares (I think) Jelly Roll Blanket Pattern: Crocheted Jelly Roll Blanket by Kay F Jones Hook: H (5.0 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes Mini Skeins + other minis from stash Ravelry Project Page I was inspired by KnitwithNat's blanket- check it out on Instagram. Progress: I finished 2 columns and nearly done with the third 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 Progress, I am finally onto the decrease section. Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. Finished spinning the first 4 oz of Shetland and started spinning another. I wound off 2 bobbins of the Pucker Brush onto storage bobbins and then wound off the Shetland onto storage bobbins. Midnight Orchid Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples. Progress: Cast on both socks on two separate needles. Sunday Brunch Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Sunday Brunch at the Breakfast Club colorway; club colorway Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: mini skein in a medium denim blue. Self striping- tan, navy, mustard, pink, coffee w/ milk brown. Progress: several inches into the first sock's foot Merry Christmas Kevin Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz, Steel Toes in the Merry Christmas, Kevin colorway Ravelry Project Page Progress: a few inches to the first leg. Knit on these in Saturday in NYC, during Book of Mormon. Brainstorming I knit a swatch out of DK cream yarn I had in stash with colorwork in handspun. I haven't taken the time to check gauge after washing it, but that may be my next colorwork yoke sweater. I love using the Ravelry advanced search to search by gauge. DK Tank & similar fingering weight version (DK) Top Sol by Mochi Knits $9.77 US knitting pattern available on Ravelry or the designer's website. (Fingering weight yarn) the Claire vest- available on Ravelry or the designer's website. Summer Raffia Clutch Bag by Anna Ushakova -$4 crochet pattern available on Ravelry or $7.50 on Etsy From the Armchair Books Good People by Patmeena Sabit. Amazon Affiliate Link. Buckeye by Patrick Ryan. Amazon Affiliate Link. River is Waiting by Wally Lamb. Amazon Affiliate Link. Musicals Beauty and the Beast- this show is touring through next November. Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York- check out our video set to the opening song. Book of Mormon (this show is also touring if you want to see it in a city near you) 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 I had a nice chat with a little boy and his grandmother on the train during MA school vacation week. He was absolutely mesmerized. In My Travels NYC for Riley & Aila's birthdays! Friday: Thrifting, shopping, coffee, FAO Schwartz (for JellyCat Cafe but they didn't have any openings). We met Laura for dinner at Serendipity in Times Square. Saturday: we scored Rush tickets for Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York, did a little more shopping and eating (got in some NYC pizza of course) then to see the show at 2p which Laura joined us for. Then we all had dinner at Dos Caminos before our 7p Book of Mormon Show. At home, we heated up a cinnamon roll Laura went all the way downtown to get us from Losers. Sunday: we got bagels and then coffee, finished the TikTok video to the Two Strangers opening song and then hit the road. Stay tuned for a YouTube video of our adventures. KAL News Splash Pad Party '26 Details Event runs 5/22-7/31 Splash Pad Party Registration is open as of 5/1 View Stats and/or Verify Registration here. Check out our Sponsor List Splash Pad '26 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. Find official SPP'26 images you can use on social media in this Google folder. Splash Pad RAVELRY Links Start Here Thread Pro Shop Exclusive Items Thread Coupon Codes Thread Questions Thread Events NH Sheep and Wool - May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH Coggeshall Farm Fiber Festival- May 16 in Bristol, RI Webs Tent Sale- May 15-17 in Northampton, MA Massachusetts Sheep & Wool- May 23 & 24 in Cummington, MA Life in Focus 26 in 2026 List E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events (17 as of 4/25!) L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books (24 as of 4/27) N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once (scheduled for April) Q-Quarterly review of calendar/photos & goals (to make Year in Review easier and faster)- calendar it! March done S- Socks- knit 26 pair- 6 done so far. W- Wheel- sit down at my spinning wheel every month (put reminders on my calendar at the beginning of each month to help remind me) Jan, Feb, March, April done On a Happy Note During a short spell of what actually felt like Spring weather, Dan and I went to our friend's daughter's high school lacrosse game and then out for dinner after. I joined Dan for his weekly card game. We played Five Crowns, which I really enjoy. We had dinner with Dan's cousins who we don't see often and then with an old high school friend of Dan's who he hasn't seen in over 25 years! He and his wife were lovely. Fun chat. We brought Hattie to Beauty and the Beast, looking all beautiful in her Belle dress. She had an absolute blast. My work friends were reminiscing about this funny old cell phone commercial video we used to love watching it. Check out show notes for link to the video Quote of the Week " I think one of the things that makes theater special is first of all, it's one of the last places you put your phone away." - Lin-Manuel Miranda " I know the world is filled with troubles and many injustices. But reality is as beautiful as it is ugly. I think it is just as important to sing about beautiful mornings as it is to talk about slums. I just couldn't write anything without hope in it." - Oscar Hammerstein ------ 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.

  • April 15 · 37 min

    Episode 318: Springtime & Shows

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 318 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 KAL News Events On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Northern Lights Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Northern Lights Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Started November 2024, but I don't think I've ever mentioned them on the podcast. About the yarn- thin stripes of cream broken up 3 shades of teal/light blue, 2 grays and 1 deep purple. October 2025 Sock Club Socks Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Mystery self-striping sock yarn club- stripes of peach, orange, yellow and green. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Log Cabin Blanket Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024) Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Inspired by Rachel (treehousefiberarts on Instagram) and Sue & Chelsea (Legacy Fiber Artz on Instagram). Check out the Floss Toss Ravelry Group for details on their Scrappy Blanket CAL. Ends December 21st (but you don't have to finish. 2 prize drawings will be done). My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry. Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)'s version on their podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post. Progress- 23 squares 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 Progress: Nearly done with the increase section! Midnight Orchid Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Yarn: Patons Kroy Stripes in the Midnight Orchid colorway Ravelry Project Page About the yarn: skinny stripes of cream with contrast colors- greens, ochre and mauvy purples. Progress: Cast on both socks on two separate needles. Pollen Party Socks Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Pollen Party colorway + 20g mini (I think it's Legacy Fiber Artz mini) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I am nearly done with sock 1 Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. I started spinning the Shetland and its so dreamy. I'm still working on the first 4 oz bump. From the Armchair Books So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder. Amazon Affiliate Link. Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. Amazon Affiliate Link. There's a great review of Intermezzo by Alexandra Harris (with some potential spoilers) on the Guardian's website. Bring the House Down by Charlotte Runcie. Amazon Affiliate Link. Musical: The Outsiders 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 Making a flower arrangement to put under the headstone/bench at the cemetery for Mom. KAL News Splash Pad Party will start Friday May 22nd and run through July 31st. Sponsor call has gone out to email subscribers. Will share on social soon. Click here to learn more about sponsor options for Splash Pad '26. Events Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA Connecticut Sheep & Wool- April 25 in North Haven, CT NH Sheep and Wool - May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH Coggeshall Farm Fiber Festival- May 16 in Bristol, RI Webs Tent Sale- May 15-17 in Northampton, MA Massachusetts Sheep & Wool- May 23 & 24 in Cummington, MA On a Happy Note Connecting with our nephew Oisin over a re-watch of West Wing. Seeing Rent- but especially how much Riley enjoys it. The show fell on Eme's 22nd birthday so that was fun too! Riley turned 18! So proud of that kid! Katie's Randomness (Pigskin sponsor) was having a winter sale. I splurged on two winter bags- one Gilmore Girls themed and the other Christmas chickens! I checked out a new to our area secondhand shop- Uptown Cheapskate. Despite cooler temps and rain, we had a lovely Easter dinner at my Dad's. A text from my SIL after Easter dinner saying that Zach (who turns 4 in May) went to bed Easter night asking if my dad was coming to his birthday party. I inadvertently made a ridiculously large batch of Superhero muffins because I added too much salt. Turns out I can make 94 muffins in about 3 hours. Not too shabby! Good thing they freeze well. Warming temps and quieter weekends after a stressful work week. My Monday morning workout turned into a country music jam! Such a fun way to start the week. Quote of the Week Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. -William Arthur Ward ------ 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.

  • March 31 · 45 min

    Episode 317: Motivational Media

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 317 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 Knitting in Passing In my Travels Events Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsor: Stitched by Jessalu & shop with them at the Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA Thank you to this episode's sponsor The Yarn Sellar & check out details for their Fiber Marketplace (April 11, 2026) here Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Spectrum Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Spectrum Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Back to the Future Socks Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes. Micro-Sock Kit in the Back to the Future Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Back to the Future Sock set- gifted to me by Sue & Chelsea- part of their 4 Sundays of Advent yarn in 2025. Treysta Pattern: Treysta by Jennifer Steingass $8.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the Laine publishing website Yarn: MC- Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Oatmeal. CC1: Handspun (Ravelry Project Page) dark blue. CC2: Harrisville Designs New England Highland in #34 High Aster (pink). CC3: Brown Sheep Company Prairie Spun DK in Rain Cloud (gray) Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins October 2025 Sock Club Socks Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Mystery self-striping sock yarn club- stripes of peach, orange, yellow and green. Progress: finished sock 1 and cast on sock 2. I'm a few inches into the leg. Pollen Party Socks Yarn: Hypnotic Yarn Plush Sock in the Pollen Party colorway + 20g mini (I think it's Legacy Fiber Artz mini) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I've knit most of the leg of the first sock. Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color & 20 ounces of Grey Shetland from Forever in Fiber on Etsy Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. Progress: I started spinning the Shetland and its so dreamy. I'm about half way through the first 4 oz bump. Brainstorming Cream DK weight yarn from Aunt Florence will pair well with mustard handspun for another colorwork yoke sweater! I received the latest subscription yarn from Woolens & Nosh in the mail this weekend and I'm itching to cast it on. The colorway is called Sunday Brunch at the Breakfast Club From the Armchair Books Meet Me At the Lake by Carley Fortune. Amazon Affiliate Link. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Amazon Affiliate Link. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. Amazon Affiliate Link. Movie: Project Hail Mary Musical: Suffs Check out this Time Magazine article. 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 I got a lot of great compliments on the new flower granny square ski balaclava (Ravelry Project Page) I crocheted last month. I wore it skiing at Sunday River. In My Travels I shared about our recent ski trip to Sunday River in Maine. We enjoyed dinner at the Brick & Stone Tavern in Rumford on Friday night, Dance party at VRBO house Friday night, Steam Mill Brewing in Bethel (right near the mountain) on Saturday night and breakfast at Terry & Maxine's in Turner, ME Riley and I visited the Boston Public Market's 2026 Fiberfest on March 22. I think they had about 20 vendors there, some free demos, and a great atmosphere. Parking is only $3 for 3 hours. It was my first real outing wearing my Traveler Sweater! Events Fiber Marketplace- April 11 from 10a-3p in York Beach, ME. Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA Connecticut Sheep & Wool- April 25 in North Haven, CT NH Sheep and Wool - May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH Coggeshall Farm Fiber Festival- May 16 in Bristol, RI Webs Tent Sale- May 15-17 in Northampton, MA Massachusetts Sheep & Wool- May 23 & 24 in Cummington, MA Life in Focus A few updates 26 in 2026 Updates B- Blood- donate at least 4 times (1/20, 3/17) D- Declutter 26+ items- delivered a trunk full in February E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events 9 as of now) F-Find 2-6 new things and try them out! 1) Live music at The Cottage J- Journal- Write 365 entries in my I Remember Journal about Mom (inspired by Liz Craft who talked about it on Ep 451 of Happier in Hollywood podcast) K- Knit at least 2 projects with handspun (Treysta sweater, Inclinations Cowl in progress) L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books (18 as of March) N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once (scheduled for April) R- Restaurant- try at least 1 new local restaurant (Blu in Theater District 3/26) S- Socks- knit 26 pair- 6 done so far. W- Wheel- sit down at my spinning wheel every month ---Jan, Feb, March done On a Happy Note Ski weekend at Sunday River. At the igloo we ordered a chocolate chip cookie from the gluten free food truck and it was HUGE (and delicious). There was a very low ceiling in our rental house- and I just looked back at photos to get ready for to record and there's a funny one of Riley and me touching the ceiling- I knew Hattie jumped in for the last one but I didn't realize she was holding a kids sized pool cue to touch the ceiling too! Hilarious. Jeff, Megg, Riley and I all did a word search on the breakfast menu after skiing- we all took it so seriously which was just so fun! Lost power after a big wind storm, but it came back on earlier than expected- Dan and I still went out to dinner at fav local Italian restaurants (pro tip- it was a great choice on St. Patrick's Day) Broadway soundtrack for Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York came out on the SAME day as the Project Hail Mary movie released in theater (yes, we went opening day). Megg and I renewed our Broadway in Boston subscription for 2027! It's a great line up- Hell's Kitchen, Phantom of the Opera, A Beautiful Noise, Tommy, Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat & The Notebook. There are a few other shows available that we may add on. My friend Marta booked her plane tickets to come visit from Barcelona this summer! Going out for Live Irish music at a local pub My friend Nancy Kelley's second book just came out! The Courage of Two: Anne Hutchinson, Mary Dyer and the Fight for Freedom of Conscience in Early America. Quote of the Week "The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also." -Harriet Jacobs ------ 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.

  • March 15 · 43 min

    Episode 316: Cast it On, Work it Out

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 316 of the Down Cellar Studio Podcast. Full show notes with photos can be found on my website. This week's segments included: On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins From the Armchair Knitting in Passing In my Travels Events On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsor The Yarn Sellar & check out details for their Fiber Marketplace (April 11, 2026) here. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Neckerchief Pattern: none (inspired by Sophie Scarf by Petite Knit (paid pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: Kingdom Fleece & Fiberworks, Dream base (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere goat, 10% Nylon). No colorway name listed. Variegated yarn with a tan base, pinks, greens, purples and mustards. Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) Because I'm using fingering weight yarn, I decided to use the cast on from my Millie Margaret Shawl and figure it out as I go. Millie Margaret Shawl (fingering weight)-Ravelry I did the increases up to 5 inches the pattern calls for and now I'm knitting straight. I'll reverse my increases w/ decreases on the other side and see how I like it. 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 I love working with my handspun, but I don't necessarily love 1x1 ribbing every other row. Still I'm making progress and I know I'll love wearing it. Treysta Pattern: Treysta by Jennifer Steingass $8.50 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & the Laine publishing website Yarn: MC- Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Oatmeal. CC1: Handspun (Ravelry Project Page) dark blue. CC2: Harrisville Designs New England Highland in #34 High Aster (pink). CC3: Brown Sheep Company Prairie Spun DK in Rain Cloud (gray) Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 6 (4.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: I finished the colorwork section and have split for the sleeves. Spectrum Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh Targhee Sock in the Spectrum 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: finished first sock during Hattie's birthday sleepover. Worked on sock #2 while Megg, Rose and I saw Cabaret. Northern Lights Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Northern Lights 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- thin stripes of cream broken up 3 shades of teal/light blue, 2 grays and 1 deep purple. Finished sock 1 recently. Cast on sock 2. October 2025 Sock Club Socks Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 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: beyond the heel on the first sock From the Armchair Our Last Resort by Clémence Michallon. Amazon Affiliate Link. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. Amazon Affiliate Link. The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston. Amazon Affiliate Link. I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol. 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 I traded socks for handmade bowls with my new friend Rose! What a great trade! In My Travels Ryan, Millie and I went to Farm Fiber Days at Russell's Gardens Center in Wayland, MA. Some highlights include: It was our 3rd year of wearing overall's- Millie's choice for our somewhat matching outfits. 3rd year without Mom. She didn't come in 2024, the last one she was here for, because she was in St. Maarten. Good for her! But we obviously missed her last year and this year too. I purchased 3 plants. Millie picked out a plant for her mom. I bought 20 ounces of Gray Shetland from Forever in Fiber (Etsy). Millie got to show Ann Weaver of Plied Yarns the hat she knit for her Dad for Christmas. We needlefelted with the folks from Blue Heron Farm We enjoyed lunch at The Local across the street after. Events Fiberfest at the Boston Public Market- March 21 & 22nd from 10a-5p in Boston, MA Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA NH Sheep and Wool - May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH Massachusetts Sheep & Wool- May 23 & 24 in Cummington, MA On a Happy Note Chris Stapleton concert with Jeff, Riley & Dad Seussical with Megg and Hattie Hattie's birthday sleepover- trampoline park, pizza, cookies, Cat & the Hat pancake, pompoms and rehearsing for her Seussical audition A quieter week! Starting a March Madness Challenge at the gym + taking an adult ballet class from my friend Kris Chatting with my friend Marta about her trip back to America this summer Seeing Cabaret Karaoke night in a private room for my friend Megg's birthday. I got to see my nephew Garret on his 16th birthday. I got a text of him driving with his learner's permit a few days later. Quote of the Week "Community is much more than belonging to something; it' about doing something together that makes belonging matter." — Brian Solis 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.

  • February 28 · 47 min

    Episode 315: Short & SWEET

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 315 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 KAL News On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Gus the Dino Pattern: Gus the Dino by KP Crochet Patterns. $8.50 US Pattern on Etsy Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green & Parfait Chunky in White Hook: J (6.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page The original eyes were too big, so I ripped off his head, made a new one and used smaller eyes which look great. Millie loves him. Manta Ray Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Two versions available- I chose the one with an inner pocket. it looks like a hot water bottle that opens up at the mouth, which makes the ray a pocket for all of the other toys (well, barely). Nemo Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Yarn: Knit Picks Brava minis in Orange, Black & White Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Clown Fish Gill Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Yarn: Knit Picks Brava minis in Custard, Black & White Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Pearl Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Pink Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Octopus Bubbles Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Yellow Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Yellow Tang fish Angelfish Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in White & Yellow Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Seahorse- Sheldon Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids in Yellow & Orange Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Arielle's Socks Yarn: Edelweiss Fibres Standard Sock (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon), 425m for 100g in the Hillside Heather 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- maroons, browns and greens. Kirby Wirby 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Kirby Wirby 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the 2025 Advent Christmas Toys from the 80s 24 Stripe Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Yarn theme: Christmas Toys from the 80s Flower Ski balaclava Pattern: none Yarn: Big Twist Value Solids & Knit Picks Brava Worsted Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page My Blizzard of 2026 project. I wanted another colorful balaclava. I wanted more peripheral vision. I'm excited to wear this skiing and decide if I like the fit better than my first ski helmet balaclava (Ravelry Project Page). On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Northern Lights Socks Yarn: Patons Kroy in the Northern Lights 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- thin stripes of cream broken up 3 shades of teal/light blue, 2 grays and 1 deep purple. Progress: I finished sock 1 recently. Cast on sock 2. October 2025 Sock Club Socks Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock Yarn in the October 2025 Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Brainstorming I really want to cast on a sweater ideally using at least some handspun and I keep getting stuck. UGH. I may swatch for this tank with cream handspun- Camisole No 7 pattern by My Favourite Things- Ravelry Pattern Page From the Armchair Wuthering Heights by Emma Bronte. Amazon Affiliate Link. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Amazon Affiliate Link. Tough Guy by Rachel Reid (Book 3 in Game Changer series). 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. KAL News Pigskin Party '25 Wrap Up Thank Yous! Wendy (socalknitgirl)- Umpire Heather (zoomdogknits)- Sheep Conference Emily (ElsaandEm)- Llama Conference Alicia (almariecraft)- Alpaca Conference Mary (Maryklute)- Commentator Nicole (knitternicole)- Utility Player Thank you to ALL of our sponsors and especially our official sponsors for each of our 4 Quarters: Official Sponsor for Quarter 1 (October)- Love in Stitches 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 Pigskin '25 By the Numbers 1 Awesome event! 3 Conferences, comprised of 12 Teams! 43 Projects completed during the WIP challenge 70 Projects completed on the most popular completion date: 12/31/25 75 Support Forms addressed 146 Projects started on the 2nd most-popular starting date: 12/1/25 (Advent projects, anyone?!) 184 Projects completed during the Pink Challenge to support Breast Cancer Awareness 200 Most popular yardage reported for projects 224 Projects started on Kick Off Day 9/4/25 276 Projects completed for the most popular challenge (Q1 Challenge) 578 Participants! New high! 41% reported being first timers 730 Charity projects completed! Charity was the most popular of the Special Teams 1,301 Non-project submissions (challenges, bonuses, draft) 4,736 Projects started and completed during the event 19,148 Total points for the leader 904Stephanie. She made 79 projects and is frequently crocheting blankets for charity. 12 Grand Prize Winners Announced! Tune in to hear if you won big! On a Happy Note Skiing with Jeff and Millie. Great weather, great conditions, lines weren't too long! We had Hattie for a sleepover Millie's birthday sleepover Blizzard of 2026 Dinner with my cousins Quote of the Week "I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again." ― Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass ------ For website: 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.

  • February 15 · 57 min

    Episode 314: Rip It!

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 314 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 Knitting in Passing KAL News Contest, News & Notes Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Hattie's Rainbow Mittens Pattern: Little Waiting for Winter Mittens by Susan B. Anderson- $4 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Vegas Baby colorway Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page About the colorway- stripes of gray, blue, green, mustard, red and pink. Hattie's Sparkly Mittens Pattern: Little Waiting for Winter Mittens by Susan B. Anderson- $4 Knitting Pattern available on Ravelry Yarn: Fingering yarn held double- 1 sparkle & 1 non-sparkle base (sparkles are 20g minis from Legacy Fiber Artz Advent calendars of years past) Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page 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) in a sage green Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Size: 3 Drawstring- fingering weight yarn- US 6 DPNs. I washed it several times, because it was bleeding yellow. I had to wash it several times before all of the rest of the dye let go. Finished. Washed it. Sleeves were too big. I had 28 purl ridges on the sleeves, I ripped back 7 and then worked the ribbing. Wore to Hattie's birthday dinner. Very comfy cozy. I am finding the weight of the hood wants to pull it back on my neck which I'm not sure I love. Have you found this? Woolens & Nosh 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh, 75/25 Superwash Wool/Nylon 2025 Advent Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Finished right after I finished the last episode. Love these so much! Dory Pattern: Mega Ray & Sea Friends by Theresa's Crochet Shop- $15.50 pattern on website or Etsy Yarn: Knit Picks Brava minis in Celestial, Custard, Black & White Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Gus the Dino Pattern: Gus the Dino by KP Crochet Patterns. $8.50 US Pattern on Etsy (on sale right now) Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green & Parfait Chunky in White Hook: J (6.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page 35 mm eyes were too big! I bought smaller ones, beheaded Gus and gave him a new head with new eyes! On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Back to the Future Socks Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes. Micro-Sock Kit in the Back to the Future Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Back to the Future Sock set- gifted to me by Sue & Chelsea- part of their 4 Sundays of Advent yarn in 2025. About the Colorway- speckles of pink, orange, yellow purple and blue with a blue/purple mini. Progress- just about to toe of sock 1 Arielle's Socks Yarn: Edelweiss Fibres Standard Sock (75% SW Merino/25% Nylon), 425m for 100g in the Hillside Heather 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- maroons, browns and greens. Cast on both on separate needles. Progress- a few inches into leg on one sock, ready to work the toe on the other US 6 shoe. 7.25 inches before toe. About 8.5 inches total foot length. Kirby Wirby 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Kirby Wirby 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the 2025 Advent Christmas Toys from the 80s 24 Stripe Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Yarn theme: Christmas Toys from the 80s Progress- turned heel on sock 2 Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. I plied up about 8.5grams of the BFL with the Finnsheep. 23 wraps (690 inches/19 yards) .3 ounces / around 8.5 grams I've been keeping my wheel next to my spot on the couch and spinning if not every day, then more days than not. Handspun documentation I went through nearly all of my handspun skeins of yarn. I made updates in each page on Ravelry to add skein information. You can enter length and weight and it add that to your stash. I also ended up changing the names of the finished projects to include the weight and length! I wrote yarn weight (dk sport etc) on physical tags i have on the yarn. So much easier for me to work with. Brainstorming I have 3 skeins of Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool that I used to start a Waverly Cardigan (but the gauge is just too tight)- click here for my Ravelry Project Page. I think it might be good for the Lakes Pullover by Ozetta (Ravelry Pattern- $8 knitting pattern). I found this by searching the yarn on ravelry then doing the advance pattern search to look for sweaters people knit with this yarn. Related- Eileen recently asked if someone in our group had knit a certain pattern she had questions about before purchasing/committing to. If you look at the pattern on Rav and click the Projects Tab. You can use the filters there to select "Made by Group Members" and then click on the Rav group you want to look in. You can use that to see who you want to chat w/ about it. ElizabethisKnitting (on Instagram- shared her Winter Soul Sweater in this post. Its so beautiful! Why are you not all knitting this? Great question. You can find this pattern on Ravelry. From the Armchair Greenwich by Kate Broad. Amazon Affiliate Link. Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino. Amazon Affiliate Link. The Maid by Nita Prose. Amazon Affiliate Link. Little One by Olivia Muenter. Amazon Affiliate Link Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid. Amazon Affiliate Link. The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie (A Satirical Novella) by Freida McFadden. 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 At Hattie's birthday dinner, Emelyn asked for help crocheting a circle. They were making a stuffed animal to look like a stage like and had everything done but the center bulk part. Aila also ended up working on it with us. OMG Sock Classes are finished! All of my students turned their heels, some did both socks. Many did their toes and kitchenered. They all had fun and were far more successful than they anticipated so that was very exciting. KAL News Pigskin Party '25 is over! Event Dates: KAL Dates- Thursday September 4, 2025- Monday February 9, 2026 Updates In This Episode Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers- winner announced Commentary from Mary January Participation Prize Winners Announced Grand Prize winners will be announced in the next episode. Commentator Update Thanks to everyone for another fantastic season! The February huddle has been full of chatter about all the projects people rushed to finish before the deadline. However, one of my favorite conversations has been in response to beachsideknits2's question: What is weirdest/most random thing you've ever made? Here are some fantastic answers (prepare to be wowed!) Beachsideknit2's succulent pillow- Ravelry Project Page Tanksoup's Tiktaalik (in case you are like me and had no idea what a tiktaalik is, it "is a 375 million year old fossil fish that was discovered in the Canadian Arctic in 2004" according to this site. Check out Tanksoup's Ravelry Project Page Leahbothe's nose sweaters- Ravelry Project Page And socalknitgirl's top hat—Ravelry Project Page I hope everyone has as much fun as I did this season! See you all this summer for splash pad party! Mary Contest, News & Notes Ross Farm fire Check out this news article with details about the fire. Click here if you're interested in donating or consider purchasing yarn, fiber etc and letting these sheep live on even after they're gone. On a Happy Note I bought a new car! I went to see Sleepwalker at a local theater. Here's a link to a review that sums up some of my thoughts. I went to see Some Like it Hot in Boston. Megg & I got a fabulous dinner beforehand at Yvonne's. Our waitress even brought over a delicious dumpling dish for us to try (sans lobster). Friday date nights with Dan Running into Riley & her bestie Ellie at Lucky Finn, my current local favorite coffee shop- after the gym on a Saturday morning. It was so hilarious! Very much enjoyed Pluribus on Apple TV+. Seeing Millie in Finding Nemo Jr. and an early dinner after with family. Mani/pedis with Megg, Eme & Hattie for Hattie's birthday. Super Bowl- while we lost it's always fun to watch. I enjoyed the commercials, and had fun cheering on the Seahawks kicker Jason Myers who played football at Marist where I went to college (now Marist University) Hattie's 8th birthday dinner. Dad and I did a Zoom beforehand in celebration of what would have been Mom's 70th with a few of her cousins. Quote of the Week Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. -Dalai Lama ------ 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.

  • January 31 · 48 min

    Episode 313: Fresh

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 313 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 Some Years Later Knitting in Passing KAL News Events Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins I mended Hattie's mittens (store bought) and added snaps to her mermaid's removable tail. Granny Square Ski Helmet Balaclava Pattern: none Hook: I (5.5 mm) Yarn: Knit Picks Brava in Dove Heather & Marina, Big Twist Value Solids in Aqua, Vanna's Choice in Charcoal Gray + 1 unknown blue worsted weight acrylic yarn. Ravelry Project Page I did one square to practice and see how I liked the colors together. Originally had a pop of a lime green in there. Liked the colors but didn't love the square. I also used that square to see for the smaller skeins (~30g) would I have enough yarn. I made a second square and that one I really enjoyed. 7 colors- from center out- light gray, medium/bright blue, white, aqua, charcoal, marina (teal), white I made 8 squares. Check out this Instagram post from Grandma.era on how to seam them together. Chroma Twist Bulky in Cousteau for trim around the face and along the bottom edge. It was riding on the train with me in my AdoreKnit Pigskin Party bag. Did you see that Steph from Adoreknit donated 10% of her Down Cellar Studio KAL items to our FearLESS Living Fund? With your help she donated $613 in 2025! On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Back to the Future Socks Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes. Micro-Sock Kit in the Back to the Future Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Back to the Future Sock set- gifted to me by Sue & Chelsea- part of their 4 Sundays of Advent yarn in 2025. About the Colorway- speckles of pink, orange, yellow purple and blue with a blue/purple mini. I cast these on before day trip up to Loon Mountain. I am almost to the heel of sock 1. 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) in a sage green Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Size: 3 Drawstring- fingering weight yarn- US 6 DPNs. I washed it several times, because it was bleeding yellow. I had to wash it several times before all of the rest of the dye let go. Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. I plied up about 8.5 grams of the BFL with the Finnsheep. 23 wraps (690 inches/19 yards) Knit up a swatch on a US 4 and got gauge almost exactly To knit another size 3 Traveler I think I need approximately 19 ounces of each fiber. I did a lot of spinning during the big snowstorm we got last weekend. I am so into it! I cleaned my wheel and wound off fiber onto storage bobbins. Woolens & Nosh 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh, 75/25 Superwash Wool/Nylon 2025 Advent 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: worked on the foot of the second sock during game night at home Log Cabin Blanket Pattern: Log Cabin Square by Julie Harrison. Free crochet pattern available on Ravelry. Video tutorial available on the Little Woollie Makes YouTube Channel Yarn: Legacy Fiber Artz Minis (mostly from Advent calendars 2023 & 2024) Hook: I (5.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Inspired by Rachel (treehousefiberarts on Instagram) and Sue & Chelsea (Legacy Fiber Artz on Instagram). Check out the Floss Toss Ravelry Group for details on their Scrappy Blanket CAL. Ends December 21st (but you don't have to finish. 2 prize drawings will be done). My color placement is inspired by this project/pattern available on Ravelry. Inspired to pick it back up after see Sue (from Legacy Fiber Artz)'s version on their latest podcast episode. She bordered with cream before seaming. I love it. You can see a peek in this Instagram post. Progress- made one more. Total to date: 12 Hattie's Rainbow Mittens Pattern: Little Waiting for Winter Mittens by Susan B. Anderson Yarn: Knit Picks Felici Worsted in the Vegas Baby colorway Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) Cast on at Fiber Club at my library. The next morning my train was slow so I finished all but the thumb on the first mitten. Cast on second About the colorway- stripes of gray, blue, green, mustard, red and pink. From the Armchair Podcast: The Walkers- The real Salt Path (Tortoise Investigates/The Observer) The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods. Amazon Affiliate Link Beyond That, The Sea by Laura Spence-Ash. Amazon Affiliate Link. (recommended by Paige) 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. Some Years Later A look back my 2025 fiber crafting and podcast related items. 60 projects- click here to see these projects in Ravelry. 47 gifts/ 13 for me 34 knit/ 26 crochet No finished spinning projects 1 bag 3 blankets 6 cozies 8 hats 25 socks 1 Christmas stocking 1 sweater 2 tops 13 toys Other fun numbers: Podcast Episodes- 23 Videos on YouTube- 33 BostonJen1- Instagram Followers-10,275 - I finally hit 10k!!!!!!! Ravelry Group Members: 3137 (up from 2981 in 2024) 1 Interview for Love in Stitches Group Podcaster Meet-ups: 1 with Natalie at Flock; 1 at Rhinebeck I was paid to do social media for the Cape & South Shore Yarn Haul Knitting in Passing I am teaching classes on the OMG Sock at Staci's Stitches, my LYS and enjoying seeing my students progress! My friend Mara texted me from the Celtics game the other night saying she was fairly sure one of the other fans in her section was wearing an Ice Time Hat (one of my designs)- you can find the pattern on Ravelry & LoveCrafts 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 Updates In This Episode Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers. Check out this Ravelry Thread for 4th & Goal with Yarnaceous Fibers Challenge Details Wild Card WIP Bonus- check out this Ravelry thread for details (ran 1/5/26 through 1/16/26)- 43 projects finished. Check out this view of the Ravelry chat thread which shows all of the Projects mentioned. A few highlights: ScrapperChris made a beautiful snowflake cardigan (started in 2020)- Ravelry Project Page TXHeather crocheted a 2k+ meter Christmas Tree skirt (also started in 2020)- Ravelry Project Page IWillKnitUaSock- finished knitting a beautiful Angel's Eyes cabled cardigan sweater by Thea Colman that she started in 2022- Ravelry Project Page ImaginedLandscapes finished not 1 but 2 beautiful sweaters, the Diona Pullover (Ravelry Project Page) & the Sonrae (Ravelry Project Page) Commentator Update We are in the home stretch of the Pigskin Party and players are working hard to finish their projects before the clock expires! I wandered over to the end zone dance thread to see what players have finished recently. Here are some amazing projects that caught my eye: Adrie9 finished a knitted knockers blitz! Some of them are specific requests and others for general donation. https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#965 Katanorand finished an amazing spinning project! 26 oz of beautiful 3-ply yarn! https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#960 Players have also completed some beautiful intricate socks! Rosberrycrafts completed some beautiful Christmas colorwork socks https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#962 Fgcreations posted a picture of her second completed pair of socks for 2026! Amazing! They are another beautiful colorwork pattern and the colors she chose are beautiful https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#955 Sandima finished a lovely pair of mosaic socks that used 4 colors for the q4 challenge. So pretty! https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4375943/951-975#954 There's been a lot of conversation in the January huddle about laundry…yep, you heard that right. It's actually pretty fascinating. I've learned a lot. But whether you are into laundry or not, come on over to the friendliest place on the internet before the PSP is over! Events New England Farm & Fiber Festival- Sunday February 8 from 10a-4p in Boston, MA Fiberfest at the Boston Public Market- March 21 & 22nd from 10a-5p in Boston, MA Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA NH Sheep and Wool - May 9 & 10 in Deerfield NH Life in Focus 26 in 2026 List A-Aim for one night at week at the pool in July and August- make it regular and invite friends to pop over B- Blood- donate at least 5 times C- Christmas Sleepover D- Declutter 26+ items E- Events- go to at least 26 ticketed events F-Find 2-6 new things and try them out! G-Go on a trip with Dan (just us) H- Headshots for Hattie I- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum- GO! J- Journal- Write 365 entries in my I Remember Journal about Mom (inspired by Liz Craft who talked about it on Ep 451 of Happier in Hollywood podcast) K- Knit at least 2 projects with handspun L- Literary pursuit- read at least 65 books M- Museum- go to at least 1 N- NYC- go visit Laura at least once O- Organize a FearLESS Living Fundraiser P- Puzzle- do at least 1 with Dan Q-Quarterly review of calendar/photos & goals (to make Year in Review easier and faster)- calendar it! R- Restaurant- try at least 1 new local restaurant S- Socks- knit 26 pair T- Tattoo U- Up the amount of muscle in my body- at least 1 pound by end of the year. V- Vlogmas- take the year off (even if you're tempted) W- Wheel- sit down at my spinning wheel every month (put reminders on my calendar at the beginning of each month to help remind me) X- Cross 1 thing off this list that no longer serves me Y-Yoga at least 2-6 times Z- Create Zone to keep important papers 2026 Word of the Year: Fresh (think: fresh start, fresh foods, fresh powder, fresh air, etc new & therefore interesting or exciting recently made, done etc & especially not yet changed by time in a natural condition rather than artificially preserved by a process such as freezing clean and pleasant energetic, enthusiastic, and not tired: (of a face) natural, healthy, and young looking (of air) clean and cool; found outside rather than in a room: recently done On a Happy Note Wonder at ART- extended through 2/5. Check out their website for tickets. Sound of Music at the Boston Opera House Game night with Liz, Jay, Riley and Dan. A snowy slow MLK weekend. Car shopping. I've been able to hack 3 classes a week at my gym. A cold walk with Megg at Wompatuck. A cute message about Miles enjoying his Christmas gifts- "emotional support calendar" A pipe broke while I was washing woolies on Sunday during snowstorm. Silverlining was that Dan had the part we needed on hand and was able to fix it so quickly. Quote of the Week "Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." -Nathaniel Hawthorne ---- 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.

  • January 15 · 53 min

    Episode 312: Crafting & Contemplation

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 312 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 Knitting in Passing From the Armchair KAL News Events Contest, News & Notes Life in Focus On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Sheri's Christmas Socks Yarn: Gusto Wool Echos in Colorway 1515 (blue to purple gradient in 2-50g skeins) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Gus the Dino Pattern: Gus the Dino by KP Crochet Patterns. $8.50 US Pattern on Etsy (on sale right now) Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green & Parfait Chunky in White Hook: J (6.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page I got 35 mm eyes from Amazon Very Hungry Caterpillar Socks Yarn: Teal Torch Knits Splendid Sock (100% SW Merino) in the Emerald Colorway, Murky Depths Deep Sock in the Age of Aquarium Colorway & Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Vanilla Bean colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) and US 2 Ravelry Project Page The first sock is a colorwork leg sock with things the Very Hungry Caterpillar I measured from another socks- 12 rounds per inch. Goal is a 5 inch leg (after cuff), so ~60 rounds Cast on 56 sts with US 1.5 for cuff. After cuff, knit a few rounds before doing 4 sets of increases (4 increases each time) to get to 72 sts. Then changed to US 2 needles and tested for stretchiness after first block of colorwork. Using that I plotted out the colorwork for one sock based on Pacific Knit Co's Garden Doodle set. The second sock is has 12 round stripes of the 2 green colorways with a red toe to look like the caterpillar. Miles Penguin Pattern: Penguin by Lion Brand Yarn- free crochet pattern on the Lion Brand website Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted minis in Black, Clarity, White and Orange colorways Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page For this one I used two black circles bordered by white so I could skip the safety eyes (Miles is under 2 years old). Dirty Crayon Box Socks Yarn: Fiber Stash Strong Toes Sock (80% SW Merino/ 20% Nylon) in the Dirty Crayon Box Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page I started these socks in October 2024 and finished on January 5, 2026 On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Woolens & Nosh 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh, 75/25 Superwash Wool/Nylon 2025 Advent Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Kirby Wirby 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Kirby Wirby 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the 2025 Advent Christmas Toys from the 80s 24 Stripe Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Yarn theme: Christmas Toys from the 80s 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) in a sage green Needles: US 3 (3.25 mm) & US 4 (3.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: finished the first sleeve and I'm at the cuff of the the second. Pucker Brush Farm BFL Sweater Spin Fiber: 16 oz of multi colored BFL roving from Pucker Brush Farm (purchased at Rhinebeck 2025), 4 oz Merino in a mustard color Ravelry Project Page I am planning to knit a Traveler sweater inspired by Emily Curtis' handmade version- click here for her Ravelry Project Page. I was thrilled to see a recent post on Emily's Instagram that she made a YouTube video about this spin/knit. I found 4oz of Ironwood Hill Farm Roving- Finnsheep combed top that I purchased in April 2021. Unfortunately I can't find more of this on Cece's Wool site or Ironwood's etsy shop, but I think it will give me the idea for a tan/brown color plied with the colorful yarn, so I spun enough to make a sample yarn to swatch with. Brainstorming Crochet Ski Helmet Balaclava available on Etsy for $7.36 Knitting in Passing Millie finished the hat she was knitting for her dad with yarn from Plied Yarn Co. Aila loved her goose purse! Her reaction was priceless Eme loved their Very Hungry Caterpillar socks My dad bought me a set of 2 organizers for socks. Each holds 30 pair. Great for my handknits. They sit on the shelf in our closet and are a gray cotton/linen that matches our hampers! Here's an Amazon Affiliate Link in case you're interested in checking them out. From the Armchair The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Amazon Affiliate Link. Tilt by Emma Pattee. 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. 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 Updates In This Episode Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban Stitcher Mini Maker's Merry Month See details in this Ravelry Thread. Winner announced Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers. Check out this Ravelry Thread for 4th & Goal with Yarnaceous Fibers Challenge Details December Participation Winners Announced Wild Card WIP Bonus- check out this Ravelry thread for details Commentator Update Happy new year pigskin partiers! The January huddle is abuzz with conversation. Several players have posted a list of everything that they made in 2025. We have some really prolific players in the group! The best thing about the conversation is that no one is competitive about it. Just lots of celebrations! I find it kind of inspiring to see what others have accomplished. For example, hikesandbikes finished 54 knitted knockers! What a great cause! It inspires me to try knitting some this year. Come on over and join the chat if you want to get inspired too! A few players have decided that they want to make sweaters in 2026. If you want to join in the fun, hop on over to a new Sweater MAL thread: https://www.ravelry.com/discuss/down-cellar-studio-podcast/4390076/1-25 Another interesting topic of conversation in the January huddle stemmed from the unfortunate injury of one of our players. Sadly, she sprained her wrist. The group came through with lots of ideas for what to do when you can't knit and crochet, including needle felting, doing puzzles, watercolors, playing with art supplies, journaling and as MrsQuilt put it, "whining, reading, and actually paying attention to what is on the TV" I am wishing you all health, happiness, and strong crafting mojo in the new year! Mary Events Farm Fiber Days at Russell's Garden Center- January 18th & March 8th in Wayland, MA Sunkissed Fiber Festival: January 24-25, 2026- just outside Tampa, FL New England Farm & Fiber Festival- Sunday February 8 from 10a-4p in Boston, MA Fiber Witch Festival- April 24-26th in Salem, MA Contest, News & Notes Check out my Vlogmas videos if you haven't already- click here for the full playlist. Thanks to Nellsknitting for starting a thread in the Ravelry Group about a Sweater KAL 2026. (Danielle in MA)- great chatter about WIPs, planning etc. Want to cast on and need some encouragement? check it out. Life in Focus In this episode I reviewed my 2025 word of the year and 25 in 25 list. My Word of the Year for 2025: Welcome 25 in 2025 Donate Blood at least 4 times (January, March, May, Sept) Go shopping for plants with Dan 4 times in the year (my Christmas gift from him) Buy new ski boots Go camping (scheduled for June) Kayak 2-5 times (Saco- 2 days) Do at least 5 walks with others (Megg 3/30) bike riding with Dan twice in March. Walked with Megg (April), hike Mount Monument (Dan, Megg, Tom, Aila), Laura in 2 National Parks in Washington State Take 2-5 yoga classes (outside of the house)--- option- https://balancestudiocohasset.com/book-a-class/ Do at least 30 lessons in Mondly (had 25 done in 2024)- does not include daily lessons Spend a day at Raffa Life- September 21 with Laura and Megg Record 2-5 things I'm grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)- fallen off. Read all of Simple Abundance (ideally daily or close to)(10) Read at least 60 books- all books count (even poetry etc) Get at least 2 massages at Oasis (1 in April, 1 in June, 1 in September) See 2-5 movies in the theater (Paddington in Peru, The Long Walk, Blue Moon, Wicked for Good) Knit 2-5 garments for me (Aurealis - WIPs-Monsoonee Sweaters, granny stripe tank, Bayside tank) Granny tank, Bayside Shirt Finish and enjoy my Christmas Granny Square Blanket Crochet at least 5 toys (1: hedgehog 2& 3: Love Bugs, 4 pop-tart, 5 butterfly- another butterfly WIP, and TRex) Use my spinning wheel at least once a month (Jan, Feb & March, April, July, August, September, Oct, Nov (forgot May & June) Have a crafty day with Emelie Knit a slouchy hat for myself Try out 3 new to me podcasts (Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, White Lotus official podcast, severance official podcast, Cramped) Watch White Christmas with Jenny & Kara (bringing the tradition back) Buy a firebox and put important papers inside (working with Dan on list of things to put in it) https://www.thenokbox.com (Debbie, deafelis recommended) Create a list of things to pack in case of an evacuation https://www.thenokbox.com/ -deafelis- Debbie told me about it Purge at least 20 items of clothing/accessories/shoes On a Happy Note Dad's knee replacement was a big success! I stayed with him from December 5-21. Dad and I had a lovely visit from our friend Merry who came with an unexpected gift- a bracelet with beads made from my mom's funeral flowers in red (ruby slipper), yellow (yellow brick road) and white for home. Dan and I had a lovely double date night at the Irish pub with friends. I was able to see my 7 year old niece Hattie as Gretl in Sound of Music (twice!!!) Making Aunt Milly's cookies with Riley and Millie (and having a sleepover with them). Christmas Eve & Christmas Day were both lovely. Definitely different without my Mom and grandmother there but it was still a joy to be together. Our friend Gail joined us as she usually does and brought all sorts of fun games for us to play. The Sunday after Christmas, I was able to spend all afternoon with my grandmother, some of that alone. My friend Megg came over because she wanted to visit and say goodbye. We had dinner together after. My friend Laura came in for NYE. Small get together with friends at my Dad's turned into a real party, though most didn't stay until midnight. Megg wanted it to be a sparkly kind of night so Laura and I got outfits for the three of us at the consignment shop on the way over! Very silly fun. My cousin Mike and his husband Kyle came up from Florida. My grandmother's services were beautiful with contributions from lots of family members. While it was more stressful than mom's, and it was the worst form of deja vu having the same schedule for that exact same Thur/Fri two years in a row- my grandmother would be happy with how it all turned out. Skiing on Saturday after the funeral. 7 of us, impromptu trip, icy conditions but we still had a blast. Quote of the Week "Amidst the normal hard stuff is the abnormal hard stuff. You may be doing great, but no one great always had it great. At the end of each day, as you prepare for the next, I hope you take an inventory of your life, your thoughts and where you're headed. The wind can take you some cool places, but so can your paddle." ― Richie Norton ------ 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.

  • Dec 15, 2025 · 39 min

    Episode 311: Advents & Adventures

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 311 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 KAL News Events Contest, News & Notes On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Kris' Christmas socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners in the Fairy Lights colorway & Patons Kroy in Red for heels Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page I knit pair of socks out of this same colorway for Mom in 2019- Ravelry Project Page here. That was my 100th pair of OMG Heel socks. Elsa Pattern: Queen Elsa Amigurumi by Chiara Cremon (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: Knit Picks Brava (worsted weight acrylic yarn) Hook: D (3.25 mm) Ravelry Project Page Fantastic, really clear pattern. Body is worked from the bottom up all the way through the head, then you add two arms and a cape on the back. I ironed the cape and body to smooth out the fabric. Penguin Pattern: Penguin by Lion Brand Yarn- free crochet pattern on the Lion Brand website Yarn: Knit Picks Brava Worsted minis in Black, Clarity, White and Orange colorways Hook: C (2.75 mm) Ravelry Project Page Over the Rainbow Socks Yarn: Cashmere & Coconuts MCN Sock yarn in the Somewhere Over the Rainbow colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Woolens & Nosh 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Woolens & Nosh, 75/25 Superwash Wool/Nylon 2025 Advent Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Kirby Wirby 2025 Advent Socks Yarn: Kirby Wirby 75/25 Superwash Merino/Nylon in the 2025 Advent Christmas Toys from the 80s 24 Stripe Colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Yarn theme: Christmas Toys from the 80s Very Hungry Caterpillar Socks Yarn: Teal Torch Knits Splendid Sock (100% SW Merino) in the Emerald Colorway, Murky Depths Deep Sock in the Age of Aquarium Colorway & Legacy Fiber Artz Steel Toes in the Vanilla Bean colorway Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) and US 2 Ravelry Project Page Cast on 56 sts with US 1.5 for cuff. After cuff, knit a few rounds. 4 sets of increases (4 increases each time) to get to 72 sts. Then change to US 2 needles and test for stretchiness after first block of colorwork. Mapped out the colorwork for one sock based on Pacific Knit Co's Garden Doodle set. Sheri's Christmas Socks Yarn: Gusto Wool Echos in Colorway 1515 (blue to purple gradient in 2-50g skeins) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page I cast this on to bring to Rhinebeck on my Lemonwood Mini Minder (I have this Art Deco one) so I could walk and knit. Cast on cuff of sock #2 on a separate pair of needles before going to see Hattie in Shrek so I had that ready to work on. Back at home, I finished the first leg and heel and am on to the foot. Gus the Dino Pattern: Gus the Dino by KP Crochet Patterns. $8.50 US Pattern on Etsy (on sale right now) Yarn: Bernat Blanket in Misty Green & Parfait Chunky in White Hook: J (6.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page Brainstorming I shared a check in on Christmas making plans/schedule From the Armchair Bury our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab. Amazon Affiliate Link. Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover. 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. 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 Check out this Ravelry Thread with helpful tips for the event, crowd sourced from our incredible players. Updates In This Episode Count On It Challenge hosted by Twice Sheared Sheep, Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November). Details in this Ravelry thread. Winner announced. Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban Stitcher Mini Maker's Merry Month See details in this Ravelry Thread. Stay tuned for more about our Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers November participation prize winners were announced Commentator Update from Mary- links in this section bring you to Ravelry Inspired by the Q3 challenge, there's lots of chatter in the December huddle about things to make with mini skeins! If you are at a loss for what to make, head on over to the huddle for some ideas! Three players have already submitted for points in the Q3 challenge--and all three of them made patterns by PSP sponsor Sarah Schira (Imagined Landscapes) * Esalaza made a super cute textured stripe scrappy hat in red, green, and white....very festive! * Fgcreations made a gnoel gnome--also very festive in Christmas colors! *Amazeh made a Gnatty the Unexpected Gnome Way to rack up those points by combining a sponsor pattern with the Q3 challenge! Speaking of racking up points...I was curious what the highest scoring single point project is so far. DebLinden got 1155 points for one project! How'd she do it, you ask? *She knit a sweater holding two yarns together using 3639 yards (plenty of yardage for a blitz!), *She used 4 pigskin exclusive products, and *She used 3 additional proshop sponsor products. Well done! Wishing you all a happy holiday season! Contest, News & Notes Check out my 2025 Vlogmas Playlist on YouTube On a Happy Note Laura texted me a photo of she and her friend Arielle wearing socks I knit them! Dad, Dan and I went to the Irish pub for Dan's birthday Dad's knee replacement surgery went really well. Seeing Hattie in Shrek and spending the afternoon with Riley. Sue and Chelsea from Legacy Fiber Artz sent me their 4 Sundays Advent- micro sock sets Our friend Merry came to visit and brought homemade food for Dad. She also brought me a beautiful bracelet whose beads are made with Mom's funeral flowers in Wizard of Oz colors. Riley and Milie came down this weekend. We did lots of knitting, crochet and a bit of latch hook. Check out the 13th and 14th vlogmas videos for more. Quote of the Week "Welcome winter. Your late dawns and chilled breath make me lazy, but I love you nonetheless." —Terri Guillemets ------ 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.

  • Nov 30, 2025 · 58 min

    Episode 310: Of Goose & Turkey

    Thank you for tuning in to Episode 310 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 KAL News Contest, News & Notes Life in Focus Ask Me Anything On a Happy Note Quote of the Week Thank you to this episode's sponsors: Stitched by Jessalu Off the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Dan's Birthday Hat Pattern: Turn a Square by Jared Flood. $5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry & Brooklyn Tweed Site Yarn: Yarnbaker DK ((75% SW Merino/25% Nylon) in the Burnt Indigo Colorway (dusty navy blue with black Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page I used 54g of yarn and have 52g left. It was living in my Stitched by Jessalu Rhinebeck bag which is, for now, my hat bag. Game Day Party Socks Yarn: Mandi's Makings SW Merino Fingering Weight Yarn in the Pigskin '25 Exclusive Game Day Party Colorway. Green mini skein for heels/toes from Goosey Fibers (Wizard of Oz Advent Calendar yarn) Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Ravelry Project Page Yarn: Pigskin '25 Exclusive- 60 points 62g used Aila's Goose Bag Pattern: None. Using this Ravelry Project Page as a guide Yarn: Loops & Threads Impeccable in the Aran colorway (~400g skein) Hooks: G (4.0 mm) & H (5.0 mm) Ravelry Project Page Started at the bottom with smaller hook and holding yarn double. ch31 work both sides of that to create the base. increased up to 62 stitches. larger hook. SC around for sides. 7 sts for handle (smaller hook) with the goose head at end of handle which is attached to other side of the bag. Then I added feet at the bottom. On the Needles, Hook or Bobbins Kris' Christmas Socks Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams ($5 knitting pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: West Yorkshire Spinners in the Fairy Lights colorway Needles: US 1.5 (2.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page I knit pair of socks out of this same colorway for Mom in 2019- Ravelry Project Page here. That was my 100th pair of OMG Heel socks. Progress: I am almost to the toe of sock 1. Over the Rainbow Socks Yarn: Cashmere & Coconuts MCN Sock yarn in the Somewhere Over the Rainbow 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: Yarn was gift from Kris on Mom's 1st heavenly birthday. I decided these will be for Hattie (my niece who is Mom's birthday twin). Progress: I'm on the leg of sock 2. Zoe Hat Pattern: Zoe Hat by Alexandra Davidoff- $6 knitting pattern available on Ravelry Yarn: Berrocco Vintage in a teal color Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) & US 7 (4.5 mm) Ravelry Project Page Laura picked out this yarn at Knitty City in NY Progress: I am still on the ribbing. Elsa Pattern: Queen Elsa Amigurumi by Chiara Cremon (free crochet pattern available on Ravelry) Yarn: Knit Picks Brava (worsted weight acrylic yarn) Hook: D (3.25 mm) Ravelry Project Page Progress: just barely started the legs. From the Armchair Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah. Amazon Affiliate Link. Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld. 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. 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 Check out this Ravelry Thread with helpful tips for the event, crowd sourced from our incredible players. Updates In This Episode Count On It Challenge hosted by Twice Sheared Sheep, Official Sponsor for Quarter 2 (November). Details in this Ravelry thread. Official Sponsor for Quarter 3 (December)- Suburban Stitcher Mini Maker's Merry Month See details in this Ravelry Thread. Stay tuned for more about our Official Sponsor for Quarter 4 (January)- Yarnaceous Fibers Commentator Update (links in this section go to Ravelry) Like most of the knitting internet, our November huddle has had lots of chatter about the game of wool, including tips for how to watch it if you are in the US! This has spawned lots of conversations about: how long it really takes to knit something, how hard on your body it can be to knit for long periods of time, and whether crafting with time pressure is a fun challenge or just robs the joy out of our hobby. Several pigskin partiers have shared their experiences with times crafting challenges, such as the sheep to sweater challenges, sock madness, and the super sock world challenge. In other news, players are posting some amazing projects in the end zone dance thread! A few players have completed some really intricate projects lately. For example, Enchantingpastime recently completed an amazing C2C crochet blanket with a penguin wearing a Santa hat! It is so cute. https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Enchantingpastime/larger-penguin-blanket Fgcreations completed some fabulous colorwork "spooky bogeyman mitts: https://www.ravelry.com/projects/fgcreations/spooky-bogeyman-mittens Adrie9 completed a lovely sunset silhouette hat https://www.ravelry.com/projects/adrie9/sunset-silhouette-hat What a talented group of players we have! Contest, News & Notes Check out this Gay Sheep Fashion Show article that I heard about on the 7 podcast from the Washington Post Life in Focus 25 in 2025 Donate Blood at least 4 times (January, March, May, Sept) - done Go shopping for plants with Dan 4 times in the year Buy new ski boots- done Go camping (scheduled for June)- done Kayak 2-5 times (Saco- 2 days)- done Do at least 5 walks with others- done Take 2-5 yoga classes- will not complete Do at least 30 lessons in Mondly- will still try Spend a day at Raffa Life- done Record 2-5 things I'm grateful for each day before bed (more days than not counts)- I've fallen off. Read all of Simple Abundance- gave up. Got too religious for me. Read at least 60 books- - 58 books as 11/29 Get at least 2 massages at Oasis- done See 2-5 movies in the theater- done Knit 2-5 garments for me- done Finish and enjoy my Christmas Granny Square Blanket- not happening this year. Crochet at least 5 toys- done Use my spinning wheel at least once a month- all but May & June! Calling this a win Have a crafty day with Emelie- done Knit a slouchy hat for myself- not yet but it could still happen. Try out 3 new to me podcasts- done Watch White Christmas with Jenny & Kara- its on the calendar Buy a firebox and put important papers inside- working with Dan on finding the right one. Create a list of things to pack in case of an evacuation- not done yet Purge at least 20 items of clothing/accessories/shoes- done Ask Me Anything Tune in to hear my answer to this question: Hi, I'm a newer listener to your podcast and really enjoy it. But just how fast do you knit? It seems you have a job (in addition to the podcast), have time to be in a musical, family,,...yet your projects seem to fly off the needles. How do you get it all done? Are you knitting constantly?? Slow at knitting, Cathleen On a Happy Note My cousin Jenny hosted a girls/cousins game night. We had a lot of fun! Dad, Jeff, Riley, Millie & I started decorating at Dad's and then had a big Wicked (part 1) watch party in the evening. Megg, Eme, Ois, Hattie, Kris, Aila, Riley, Millie, Kara and Emelie all came. Only 3 of them had seen it before. Laura's visit- our craft fair tradition, lots of laughter with Megg and some great second-hand finds to add to my winter wardrobe Seeing Cabaret with Megg and Terri A surprise 4 Sundays advent box delivery from Legacy Fiber Artz- thanks Sue & Chelsea!! Fiber Club at my local library Thanksgiving with the family! My cousin Joanie gifted Dad, Jeff and me each an ornament with flowers from mom's funeral made into beads and put together with crystals into a beautiful snowflake ornament Wicked For Good! Quote of the Week "Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse." — Henry Van Dyke ------ 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.

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