The NFL season kicked off on Wednesday, which means the Down Cellar Studio Pigskin Party is underway! I even managed to finish something. Lots of stuff to share…

Stitched or Still-in-Progress

Since I had finished nearly every project I had in progress (no spinning), my primary active WIP was my DVD sock yarn blanket. My daily goal of a zigzag combo stalled when I cast on all the things. But I’m going to resume work here now that my other projects have stabilized. I might only manage one zig or zag per day, but I don’t want to fizzle out on this again!

I also finished up the second sock on the test knit I’d started last year, so I have a pair. This design will be published next month, so I’ll be able to share a proper FO photo then.

Cast-on Conversations

Alright, here’s where my content is exploding this week! On Wednesday I did cast on four projects that day. And on Saturday, I finished one of them! This beautiful textured hat is part of the Kelbourne Woolens Year of DK Hats, and I used one of the skeins of yarn I won in the giveaways at ZK2026.

Next up, I started an infinity scarf using my leftovers from the Yarn Café Creations Advent set I got last year. The scarf pattern isn’t written as an infinity design, but this is my preference – particularly since I want to use every bit of yarn! I cast on provisionally using Stitch Saver, so I’ll graft the ends when I finish. At most, that means I’ll only have maybe a yard of main color.

Next up, I cast on another sock test knit for a collection that will be released next month. My project is adapting the pattern design a bit by using a self-striping yarn and contrast for cuff, heel and toe. Once the pattern is published, I can share the full photo, but here’s the sole so you can see the colorway – this is one I’ve had in my stash for a long time after seeing Yarn Harlot knit with it.

My last first-day cast on was the most complicated, and I haven’t gotten back to it, so that’s on my plan for today! This is a beautiful, cabled sweater using one of the sweater quantities I bought in Ireland.

Since I finished one hat already, I cast on two more. I’m calling it the Hydra Effect, lol. First, I have a two-color design intended to use up a couple leftovers from blankets I’ve knit previously.

And next, I’m knitting a simple hat design I’ve made many times before – this is my twelfth project using this pattern which offers a variety of brim designs. I opted for one of the simple ones that uses knits and purls. And I’m working with leftovers from a sweater I knit back in 2021.

This week I will also be starting a test knit for Laura Nelkin, testing some sizing she’s done for an existing pattern. And I am waiting for confirmation that I can test knit another sock for the series I’ve been helping with. Check back next week for updates here!

Book Banter

I’m making my way through Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover, and according to my Kindle app, I’m 2/3 of the way. I’m definitely intrigued by the storyline, and once I finish I plan to watch the movie.

Football Frenzy

As I said, the NFL season kicked off on Sunday, and I stayed up to watch the rematch from Super Bowl LX (60): Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots. I picked the Seahawks in the pick-em pool I’m in, though I normally would root for the Patriots in this instance since they have two Buckeyes on their roster compared with one in Seattle. But I had to root for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, last year’s Offensive Player of the Year.

Thursday night was a unique game experience as two California teams played in Melbourne, Australia, the first time American pro football was played Down Under. The teams’ leadership took opposing tactics, and there was pretty obvious evidence as to who chose the better approach! The San Francisco 49ers arrived in the host city a week before the game, giving them time to acclimate as well as immerse themselves in the culture. The Los Angeles Rams, in contrast, arrived the day before, ignoring the time change. The final score was 27-7 in favor of the team that enjoyed what Melbourne had to offer while adjusting their bodies to the new time zone. While the “ignore time change” has worked in the past when they’ve played in England, the time difference to Australia is dramatically different. I also noticed in watching the game that the crowd seemed to be far more supportive of the 49ers, though I can’t say if that’s a coincidence or not.

College football week two is also behind us, and I’d kind of like to forget about it, lol. Ohio State had a wonderful first half, but they fell apart in the second half. The only positive is that Texas did NOT beat the spread, but that only matters to those who gamble on sports. (I don’t view the pick-em pool as gambling since I make a dishcloth for one winner, and it’s always possible that I could be that winner!)

This weekend I’ll be away (Travel Tales to come next week!), so I won’t be paying much attention to football except Thursday night in my hotel room.

Grandson Glimpses

I have no photos to share this week, shockingly, but I have plenty to share. Yesterday, the ice cream truck drove down our street. I pointed out its tune, and the kiddo’s excitement escalated very quickly. He said “Grandma, help me.” I pointed out that he didn’t have any shoes on, so he was off and running to grab his crocs. When he came downstairs and put them on, I then asked if he had any money. Again, he took off running upstairs…and came down with a coupon for 50 cents off a dozen eggs at a specific grocery store. Yeah, that won’t work, I don’t think. So, grandma dug out some cash and we headed outside. By this time, though, the truck had left our neighborhood, and I could no longer hear its music. But I couldn’t convince the munchkin of this, no matter how hard I tried. We walked around, one block north/south and two blocks east/west, and as we were nearing my house, a rainstorm was approaching – probably what sent the ice cream truck away, and we returned home.

Saturday morning was my favorite. My son goes to the gym in the morning, usually while everyone is still asleep. On the weekend, the ladies upstairs sleep in. So, the munchkin ventures downstairs. I like to lounge in bed for a bit on Saturday mornings. He climbed up and laid down next to me and we talked for a while, until he decided to go back upstairs.

The “big fun” this week was centered on The Wiggles, a group of Australian performers who sing all kinds of kids’ songs. I don’t recall how we got started, but I launched YouTube to play “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes,” which was then followed by a series of Wiggles videos. He has since asked for “Knees and Toes on the TV” several times, lol. The video lineup also included a version of “Rock-a-Bye Your Bear” – a song he’s been singing and dancing to since he was two years old, but this rendition has a hoe down break inserted. And each time it happens, he insists that I dance with him. Ultra cute!

Since I don’t have any photos from the week, I’ve decided to have a flashback moment from this day two years ago when I took the kiddo and his peeps to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Mullet Boy!

Movie Moments

This week I made it out to see The Dog Stars in the theater – a post-apocalyptic story taking place in Colorado. Midway through the movie, it occurred to me that two of the actors are in the MCU – both playing villains: Josh Brolin and Guy Pearce. I found the story quite engaging, and I was also very intrigued by the trailer for I Am Rocky, about the story behind Sylvester Stallone and how the first movie was made.

And speaking of the MCU, I wrapped up Phase One through The Avengers, and yesterday I started Phase Two watching Iron Man 3 (with the aforementioned Guy Pearce). In a split second on screen, I was surprised to recognize Corey Hawkins, one of the stars of the motion picture adaptation of In the Heights. He wasn’t an actor I knew during previous viewings of this movie. I also had a callback to April when I met actor Ty Simpkins at the Steel City Con, as he had a major role in this movie, then followed up with a cameo in Avengers: End Game. This week I have two more movies to watch – which reminds me that I need to pack my Firestick for the trip, as I forgot it last time! As Phase Two continues, I’m looking forward to spending time with Earth’s mightiest heroes along with the introduction of more of my favorite actors/characters.