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
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FearLESS Living Fund to benefit the Blind Center of Nevada
Music -"Soft Orange Glow" by Josh Woodward. Free download: http://joshwoodward.com/
Note: Some links are listed as Amazon Affiliate Links. If you click those, please know that I am an Amazon Associate and I earn money from qualifying purchases.
Denmark