Teaching Your Brain to Knit
Our Learning and Favorite Projects in Knitting over the last year
Margaret shares insights she’s learned about in her knitting in general (like she loves stockinette aesthetically but doesn’t enjoy knitting a lot of it) and Catherine states that she’s enjoyed observing how her skills have increased.
 
Favorite Brainy Segments
Catherine was fascinated by learning about the Forgetting Curve (Ep. 34  3.1.16) and Margaret by Happy Brain Chemicals (Ep. 69 4.1.17) 
 
Memorable Behind the Redwood Curtain Segments
Catherine enjoyed delving deeper into the life of the sand dollar even though she’s been picking them up all her life.  Margaret is still smitten with the Humboldt Botanical Garden.
 
Podcast Links
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
 
This episode of Teaching your Brain to Knit is a little bit different than our usual ones.   It is episode 75, and as Catherine points out, our diamond jubilee and we review some of our favorite knitting, brain information and Behind the Redwood Curtain segments.  We’ll return to our regular format in the next episode.
Direct download: Ep._075_Review_of_Favorite_Segments_from_the_past.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:18pm PDT

What We Learned in Our Knitting:
Margaret tried a Knit-in-place patch for her holey socks:
Catherine ran into some “learning opportunities" for knitting a pattern for a second time:  lady violet’s gauntlet 
 
Brainy Thing: 
Finding red flags in scientific research:  Jennifer Raff  University of Kansas   How to read a scientific report
 
checking who is sponsoring research
 
Redwood Curtain:
Catherine shares about Headwaters Forest,  -= last coastal redwood forrest https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/headwaters-forest-reserve
 
Giveaways:
We have another membership incentive give away and another book giveaway.
 
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 

Brainy:    15:17              Behind the Redwood curtain:  24:25
What We’re Learning From Our Knitting:
Catherine enjoys community and patterns  — and sprucing up her kitchen on Ravelry called the Annual Dishcloth Swap, https://www.ravelry.com/groups/annual-dishcloth-swap.  
Margaret Found the “Goldilocks” amount of challenge in Tranis Gray’s Craftsy Fair Isle Ornaments class and improved her Fair Isle techniques, make one left and right, provisional cast on, and working with double point needles on a small circumference.   The result was fun, learning and beautiful Christmas Ornaments.  
Often referred to instructions on fair isle. Philosopher’s Wool: https://www.philosopherswool.com/Pages/Twohandedvideo.htm  
Photos:   The stripped ornament was a practice one — less complicated to be able to concentrate on knitting with double  points.  (not pattern)    
 
BrainyThing:   :  
Catherine shares Newark University research by Gregori Busaki and his group on just how sleep helps to anchor our memories of the day.  
Rutgers University 2009, Newark University gregori busaki  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090915174506.htm
She also mentions Dr. Kirk Parsley who specializes in Sleep.  http://www.docparsley.com/about/
Rutgers University 2009   and Newark University gregori busaki 
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
HSU Natural History Museum
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
 
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit we explore enhancing your memory with Sleep;  Getting the Pleasure of Community (and patterns) in the Dishcloth Swap;   Finding the “Just Right” amount of Challenge in Fair Isle Christmas Ornaments; AND Exploring treasures in the HSU Natural History Museum 

Brainy Thing:    13:34             Behind the Redwood Curtain:  21:34
 
What We Learned From Our Knitting:
Margaret made a cowl and added beads to the edges of the Churchouse Yarns and Teas’ Bias Before and After Scarf.  — http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bias-before--after-scarf
She struggled with the stiff  fiber of Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Drama Linens  but loves the results in  the Sage Paradise color way which to her eyes looks likes an aqua blue.
Catherine finished her third pair of Charity Socks and also finished the Fatima Shawl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fatima-3 by Bunny Muff (Mona8pi) https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fatima-3 and featuring the nupps that Catherine has grown to love.  
 
Brainy Thing:   13:34
How does your brain react to the seasons.   More differently than you would expect.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
The Ocher Sea Star, common along the North Coast, is one of the keys to ocean harmony.  We spotted a lot of these fellows during our hike at the minus tide.  Its Latin name is Pisaster ochraceus .https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisaster_ochraceushttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pisaster_ochraceus
 
Book Giveaway
We have another Book Give Away
 
Links
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
In this episode of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we learn surprising things about how your brain works in different seasons, Margaret wins the struggle with stiff linen yarn for a cowl with beads, Catherine finishes a Charity Project and a long term project, the Starfish comes back to the North Coast and we have another book giveaway.  

Brainy Thing:   25:07   Redwood Curtain:  45:31
What We’re Learning From Our Knitting and Teaching (crochet.)
Catherine focuses on her charity knitting , finishing her Socks for the Homeless and trying to find a good charity to donate some older projects:  a child’s cardigan, an adult raglan sweater, and some baby socks.   
Catherine’s Charity Knitting:  Fantasy Red Cardi by Catherine Foster
generic baby socks
worsted weight sweater The Incredible Custom Fit Raglan Sweater  by Pamela Costello   woolworks
 
Margaret shares some more insights she’s gathered from teaching a small group how to crochet Hats for the Homeless.  Simple Single Crochet Hat  by K T and the Squid  (  Katy Petersen.)  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-single-crochet-hat
 
Catherine’s Charity Knitting:  Fantasy Red Cardi by Catherine Foster  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fantasy-red-cardi
generic baby socks, and a worsted weight sweater The Incredible Custom Fit Raglan Sweater  by Pamela Costello  ( woolworks)  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/incredible-custom-fit-raglan
 
Brainy Thing
Catherine gives a broad view of Meditation describing five categories of meditation outlined  by Jules and Michelle Levey  in Luminous Mind  http://www.wisdomatwork.com/.     Chopra Center  7 myths about meditation  http://www.chopra.com/articles/7-myths-of-meditation
blog   Live and Dare   Giovanni Dienstmann  http://liveanddare.com/
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Catherine and Margaret recount their adventure during a Minus Tide in Humboldt.
 
Links
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
 
 
In this episode of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we offer 5 basic styles of meditation with scores of specific types in each category;  we share an update on lessons learned from teaching; And Some experiences with Charity Knitting; and we explore the bounty of the minus tide in Humboldt.

 
Brainy Thing: 18:02       Redwood Curtain  31:02
 
What We’re Learning from Our Knitting:
Margaret learns a lot about teaching and learning by  teaching a beginner crochet to a group using the pattern of Simple Single Crochet Hat  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/simple-single-crochet-hat
by K T and the Squid  (  Katy Petersen.)  She and the class used  Valley Yarns aran (discontinued).  
 
Catherine also was into crochet this time for her dishcloth swap group.   She learned some new techniques  with the Partly Sunny pattern (99 cents) by Stacey L W   Lee   Partly sunny   toots and momo designs
 
BrainyThing
We hear the phrase Hand-eye coordination but why is that so important to us and our brains.  Margaret explores the topic.  
OT Mom Learning Activities 
Shirley Brice Heath   Journal of language and literacy journal of education
 
Redwood Curtain
For a small town, Arcata, CA has unexpected cultural diversity in it’s business.  Catherine shares information about Los Bagels, a Jewish-Mexican Bakery and how they unite the community with their dia de los muertos  or dia de muertos altar.
 
 
 
 
  

Brainy Thing:   15:53             Behind the Redwood Curtain  27:23
What We’re Learning From Our Knitting
Catherine is trying crochet this time with Stacey LW Lee’s $ 0.99 pattern Partly Sunny.  She needs five for her dishcloth exchange.
 
Margaret relates her journey with Argyle Sock Knitting.  She took a class and there are not a lot of online classes on Argyle.  Photo tutorial:  
 
Brainy Thing:
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Humboldt Botanical Gardens
Margaret shares the delights of Humboldt Botanical Garden.
 
Giveaway
And we have another book give-away
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
Instagram:  MargaretKelso and MagicWombat1 
 
  

Brainy Thing:   16:06    Behind the Redwood Curtain:  24:40
 
What We’re Learning from our Knitting:
Margaret explores the planning/creative phase of a project with Lea Redman's  Knit the Sky Scarf   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sky-scarf.  Redman also has a book called Knit the Sky that promotes creativity and playfulness in knitting.  http://www.knitthesky.com/  book  Margaret heard of Lea Redman through Becky Steward's  Knit Om newsletter.  http://knitom.com/author/becky-stewart/
 
Catherine declares that she is fine being a slow knitter (and later in the episode that she is also fine being a slow reader.)  She is continuing her progress on charity socks  https://northcoastknittery.com/blogs/shop-tidbits/socks-for-the-homeless  sponsored by Northcoast Knittery and on Bunnymuff’s Fatima Shawl.
continuing Fatima shawl
 
Brainy thing: Kwik Learning
Turning on  you superpower brain with Jim Kwik episode of Srini Rao on the Unmistakeable Creative Podcast.  https://unmistakablecreative.com/podcast
Jim Kwik’s podcast:  Kwik Brain:  Memory Improvement Accelerated Learning
 
Kwik Brain:  Memory Improvement Accelearated Learning https://kwikbrain.com/podcast
Kwik Learning website:  https://kwiklearning.com/
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
 
Knitting Tip:
Dealing with ladders that are created in the round knitting.
 
Links for Podcast:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
In this episode of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, Read and learn Kwikly using Jim Kwik’s methods and tips;  Follow Margaret’s process and stumbles planning a new project — Knit the Sky;  Listen to Catherine “Embrace the Slow” with Charity Socks;  Drive through giant redwood trees;  and get a tip on dealing with ladders knitting in the round.  
 
 
 
 

Brainy Thing:   15:40          Behind the Redwood Curtain:  31:50
What We’re Learning from our Knitting:  
With her first shetland lace shawl, Catherine learns that the secret to lace knitting for her is to count stitches after completing each row in the Fatima shawl http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fatima-3  with Sincere Sheep’s  Hester colored (peachy) silk/linen blend.  It also includes  beads and nupps.   Margaret starts Christmas gifts with the Buggy Mitts.http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buggy-mitts with Morehouse Farms wool.  (It was a Morehouse Farms Kit when she bought it years ago.  
 
BrainyThing:  
Dr. Bill Hettler  proposes Six Dimensions of Wellness      http://www.nationalwellness.org/?page=Six_Dimensions  which offers a concept beyond physical health.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Margaret talks about Sequoia Park in Eureka. http://www.sequoiaparkzoo.net/visit/sequoia-park/
 
Book Give-Away continues
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
 
 
 

Welcome to Episode 66.

Brainy Thing:   14:45       Behind the Redwood Curtain:  31:50
Catherine’s grand finale of Bunnymuff's  Absolutely essential shawl.  She bound off with  Jenny’s stretchy bindoff.  
Margaret finished her Inversible Socks, yarn by Fibernymph.   She used an afterthought heel with a gusset in the corners.     
 
Amygdala
Why is it the political discussion is so toxic these days?  Catherine discovers answers hidden in the Amygdala.  
The Oatmeal:;  You Are Not Going to Believe What I’m About to Tell you    http://theoatmeal.com/comics/believe
USC Brain and Creativity Institutem article:  Lead researcher Jonas Kaplan;  Sarah Kimball and Sam Harris  Scientific Report 6 Article 39589
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Catherine Tells us all about the  Roosevelt Elk which love hanging around Prairie Creek Park.  
 
Book Giveaway
Margaret is offering Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s book Knitting Rules to the first person who asks for it on the Episode 66 Thread on Ravelry.
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
This episode of Teaching Your Brain to Knit reveals a surprising discovery of why we can’t talk across the political divide (but don’t worry we’re not going to talk about politics itself.  It’s about the brain, of course and how to counter its sometimes bad habits                                                                   )  Catherine recounts the finale to Bunnymuff’s Absolutely Essential Shawl;  Margaret presents Fibernymph’s Inversible Yarn in an afterthought heel sock;  Catherine introduces the stately Roosevelt Elk;  and Margaret gives away a copy of Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee 
 
 
 

Brainy thing:   19:29             Behind the Redwood Curtain 30:45
 
What We’re Learning from Our Knitting
Nothing could be easier than Kirsten Hipsky’s   #576  Knit Lace Jar Cover http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knit-lace-jar-covers so of course Margaret had to complicate it by learning a new technique:  this time a garter stitch kitchener which turned out less complicated than the standard stockinette kitchener.
Catherine  is starting a new Bunny Muff project that includes beads and nupps.   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fatima-3 and she continues to work on the Charity Socks project sponsored by the Northcoast Knittery:  https://northcoastknittery.com/blogs/shop-tidbits/socks-for-the-homeless
 
Brainy Thing:  Kristy Glass Podcast Interviews Betsan Corkhill:
Kristy Glass is a prolific video podcast and recently designated May Mental Health Month.   She interviewed Betsan Corkhill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujY79nFUDVY who recently published   Knitting for Health and Wellness  https://www.amazon.com/Knit-Health-Wellness-knit-flexible-ebook/dp/B00KVL5OQ8.  (She also interviewed us in May  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vPppbZTkF0)
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Catherine shares what one woman can do to help the homeless:  Betty Chinn and the homeless http://bettychinn.org/
 
Giveaway:
Help Margaret Destash:  this time it’s Japanese Inspired Knits by Marianne Isager.  
 
 
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit we review an episode of the Kristy Glass Knits Podcast where she interviews Betsan Corkhill and discusses the topics of Betsan’s new book, Knitting for Health and Wellness.  Margaret tries out a garter stitch variation kitchener stitch;  Catherine starts a new Bunny Muff patter with beads and Nupps;  We celebrate Betty Chin in our community who has made great progress helping the homeless in ourarea;  and we give away another book.  
 
 
 

Brainy Thing:     13:44             Redwood Curtain:  19:26
 
What We’re Learning From Our Knitting;
Margaret continues her exploration of new techniques through the creation of jar covers (to use as vases, crochet hook holders, pencil holders, etc.).   This time she tries out foundation crochet with the pattern  Crochet Jar Cosy by Emma Escott  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jar-cover-5
Foundation Crochet :  
photo tutorial:  .futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2009/3/tutorial-foundation-single-crochet.aspx    lots of markers and arrows
 
Catherine reports her progress on  worsted weight charity socks sponsored by the NorthCoast Knittery—https://northcoastknittery.com/blogs/shop-tidbits/socks-for-the-homeless with using Kramer Yarn in the Garnett color.  Harry Wells designed the basic sock pattern.  She also talks about what she learned at  Sunny Grove Alpacas, a local farm with goats and alpacas.
 
Brainy Thing
What can Silence do for the brain?   Good things, says Margaret.  Hear what she has to say about noise and silence.
 
Dr. Michael Wehr
Benefits of Silence:  
Medical Daily 5 health benefits of silence
 
Redwood Curtain   
Humboldt State University, locally called HSU, started out as a teacher’s college.   Catherine traces its history over a hundred years.  
 
Give away  
Knit Baby Head and Toes by Gwen Steege will be given to the first person who asks on Episode 64 thread on Ravelry.
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
On this episode of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we look at what is the impact of noise and silence on the brain, what’s the benefit of the foundation crochet technique, following progress on charity socks and learning about raising alpacas, checking out the   over 100 years of history of Humboldt State University, and offering another book give away.
 
 
 

Brainy Thing:    26:15   Behind the Redwood Curtain  42:55
What We’re Learning from Our Knitting:
Catherine learned an important lesson about life lines on her Absolutely Essential Shawl by Bunny Muff http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/absolutely-essential.  She also started a sock for a charity project sponsored by the Northcoast Knittery made of from Kramer Yarn.  
Margaret finally used some organic cotton, naturally colored yarn she had had in her stash forever.  She doesn’t know if they are FireFox yarns, the organic cotton of different colors started by Sally Fox (the labels have disappeared)  but she likes the idea and the yarn.  http://www.foxfirefiber.com/yarn.html.  She made two jar covers by Sara Delaney #575 Crocheted Lace Jar Covers.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-lace-jar-covers  Her Ravelry name is. Chickenbetty.   She used a cute little flower and leaves by Carolina Guzman  from the  One and Two Company with an excellent pattern.  
 
Brainy Thing:
Studies show that the fiber arts (knitting, crochet, weaving, etc.) can help students, particularly women, become more comfortable with STEM subjects — science, technology, engineering and math.   Catherine tells us about it in this segment.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Dozens of things from rivers to frogs were named after Alexander von Humboldt but why and who in the U.S. knows who he is?  Margaret reports on him.  
 
Knitted Babes Give away
As part of her de-stash efforts, Margaret offers up the book Knitted Babes by Claire Garland book — free to the first person who asks for it on the Ravelry Thread
 
Winners of the Learn-along.  
Listen to the episode for the winners of the 2017 Learn-along.  Prizes are Bamboo So Fine in peach and a cute notions case in a  guitar fabric.  
 
Podcast Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit why educators are trying to  channel STEM students into the fiber arts; who was Alexander von Humboldt and why was he forgotten in the U.S.; What did Catherine learn about Life lines and Margaret about organic cotton; how to get a free book— from us -- and who won the 2017 spring  Learn-along.
 
 

What We’re Learning From Our Knitting
 
Margaret isn’t ready for the challenges of The Forzo Cuff by Laura Nelkin  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/forzo-cuff.  She will give away her slightly used kit to someone who is.   Just post on the Ravelry thread — first come, first served.   It is knitted lace.  Find the difference between that and lace knitting:    http://theknittingbuzz.typepad.com/the-knitting-buzz/2011/03/knitted-lace-vs-lace-knitting.html.  I
 
Catherine  continues her long trek with  Absolutely Essential Scarf by Bunny Muff   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/absolutely-essential;  now becoming bored with a stitch that was frustrating her awhile ago.  She is also starting socks for a local charity campaign organized by The North Coast Knittery using Kramer Yarn https://northcoastknittery.com/.  
 
Brainy Thing
From the book How Learning Works  by Susan Ambrose et al. comes an outline of 
William G. Perry’s theory of stages of Intellectual Development later modified by Marcia Baxter-Magolda.     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_G._Perry   
His ideas don’t judge what you believe but how those beliefs are formed and held.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Rock slides are a fact of life in this area, particularly during a very rainy season.   Margaret talks about recent slides. 
 
Knitting Tip:   Cokleymonster on our Ravelry Thread reminds us to  keep notes on our knitting as we go along. 
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
This episode of Teaching Your Brain to Knit outlines Levels of Intellectual Development
 
How Intellectually developed are your ideas?   In this episode of Teaching your Brain to Knit we outline William Perry’s theories.  We also share how Margaret faces a wall of learning challenges with the Forzo Cuff;  how Catherine finds Persistence on the Absolutely Essential Scarf;  how to deal with rockslides in the Redwood area and a tip about remembering details of your Knitting.   
 
 

Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit,  a special episode-long interview with Stan Vanella, a  local Humboldt biofeedback practitioner.  So, no knitting, no crocheting, no Behind the Redwood Curtain, but an information packed introduction to Neurofeedback.  All of our other segments will return next episode.
 
Stan defines Neurofeedback and distinguishes between Neurofeedback and biofeedback.
 
Stan Mentions the App Belly Bio,  an Apple App that measures your breathing.
 
If you’re looking for a Bio/Neurofeedback practitionner, the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research ISNR) and the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance both have lists of practioners.  
 
You also might want to check out:  
https://www.isnr.org/neurofeedback-introduction   International Society for Neurofeedback and Research's  short video  introduction and some introductory articles.
 
Thanks again to Stan Vanella for giving us an introduction to Neurofeedback.  Next episode, we will return to our regular format where Catherine and I talk about what we’re learning from our knitting and sometimes crochet;  present a segment on learning, teaching or the brain;  share something about Behind the Redwood Curtain in  Northern Coastal California area and offer a knitting tip.  You can subscribe to our podcast on itunes, on the Podcast app on your apple smart phone or on the Stitcher app on android phone devices.   

 

 

 

 
Brainy Thing:   23:50  Behind the Redwood Curtain:  45:03
 
What We’re Learning from our Knitting and Crochet
CatherIne continues on the lacey Absolutely Essential Shawl  by Bunny Muff.  She talks aboutLace Knitting versus Knitted Lace.   Here’s a resource for knowing the difference.    http://theknittingbuzz.typepad.com/the-knitting-buzz/2011/03/knitted-lace-vs-lace-knitting.html
Margaret completes the Queen Anne’s Lace crochet scarf with a lot of help from Sue Perez’ blog, Mr. Micawber’s Recipe for Happiness http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/  
 
Brainy Thing:     Natural Happy Brain Chemicals
Sourced from Christoper Bergland’s The Athlete’s Way:  Sweat and the Biology of Bliss and The Athlete’s Way:  Training Your Body and Mind to Get Joy Out of Exercise, Catherine briefly reviews seven natural brain chemicals that make us happy.  
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Queen Anne’s Lace Wildflower
The ubiquitous wildflower/weed has many uses and ties to the fiber world.
 
Knitting Tip:
Door Stopper advises that when knitting a sweater, knit a sleeve as the swatch.
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit, what you need to know about natural happy brain chemicals, Continuing progress on the Absolutely Essential lace shawl, what to do when you’re stumped on the crocheted Queen Anne’s lace pattern, and the versatile Queen Anne’s Lace wildflower.   
Direct download: Ep._060_Natural_Happy_Brain_Chemicals_-_4_19_17_10.57_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am PDT

 
Brainy Thing:   23:50  Behind the Redwood Curtain:  45:03
 
What We’re Learning from our Knitting and Crochet
CatherIne continues on the lacey Absolutely Essential Shawl  by Bunny Muff.  She talks aboutLace Knitting versus Knitted Lace.   Here’s a resource for knowing the difference.    http://theknittingbuzz.typepad.com/the-knitting-buzz/2011/03/knitted-lace-vs-lace-knitting.html
Margaret completes the Queen Anne’s Lace crochet scarf with a lot of help from Sue Perez’ blog, Mr. Micawber’s Recipe for Happiness http://mrsmicawber.blogspot.com/  
 
Brainy Thing:     Natural Happy Brain Chemicals
Sourced from Christoper Bergland’s The Athlete’s Way:  Sweat and the Biology of Bliss and The Athlete’s Way:  Training Your Body and Mind to Get Joy Out of Exercise, Catherine briefly reviews seven natural brain chemicals that make us happy.  
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Queen Anne’s Lace Wildflower
The ubiquitous wildflower/weed has many uses and ties to the fiber world.
 
Knitting Tip:
Door Stopper advises that when knitting a sweater, knit a sleeve as the swatch.
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit, what you need to know about natural happy brain chemicals, Continuing progress on the Absolutely Essential lace shawl, what to do when you’re stumped on the crocheted Queen Anne’s lace pattern, and the versatile Queen Anne’s Lace wildflower.   
Direct download: Ep._060_Natural_Happy_Brain_Chemicals_-_4_19_17_10.57_AM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:30am PDT

Brainy Thing:  20:45     Redwood Curtain:
 
What We’re Learning from Our Knitting:
Margaret is learning Intarsia, a technique she’s been wanting to learn for a long time.  She presents her experiences so far and a variety of sources for learning intarsia from books, videos, You tube, Craftsy  
You Tube
 
 
Catherine has been struggling to find knitting time but sneaking in a row or two of Absolutely Essential by Bunny Muff. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/absolutely-essential
 
Brainy Thing: 
The Dana Foundation supports Brain Research and education about the brain.   Dana foundation  http://www.dana.org/
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
 
Knitting Tip
Crochet more foundation chains than you need and count your stitches in each row as you finish them.
 
A Little Podcast Business
Winners for joining the Ravelry Group announced.
 
2017 Learn Along:
Ends on May 1st.   Get those projects done and post them on the thread in the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Ravelry Group.
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
Summary
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit learn how the Dana Foundation supports research and education  about the brain;  Margaret offers sources and tips for learning intarsia; Catherine discovers how absolutely essential knitting is for her while she works on Bunny Muff’s shawl:  Absolutely Essential, Get the details on the Redwood Craft Stomp April 27 -29, Learn two crochet tips from our listener thread and finally find out who wins prizes for joining the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Group on Ravelry.
Direct download: Ep._059__The_Dana_Foundation_Supports_Brain_Research_-_4_3_17_2.58_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30pm PDT

Brainy Thing:   25:25    Behind the Redwood Curtain:   35:25 
What We Learned From Our Knitting
Catherine knit not one, but two Poncho Perfectos by The Knit Cafe Toronto for a production of Julius Caesar.   Listen to her tale.   
The pattern is no longer  available but Catherine used raveler raplib’s Pacific NW Poncho notes as a guide.   http://www.ravelry.com/projects/raplib/poncho-perfecto  She used Jenny’ super stretchy bind off
 
Margaret has been playing with a number different projects but she finished two crochet ball ornament covers.  The directions are free and are:  Joy M. Prescott's  Elegant ornaments:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elegant-ornaments  in #10 orange cotton thread and Teresa Richardson's Thread crochet ornament   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thread-crochet-ornament---christopher  The video tutorial  is  at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL0i4TTlGyM
 
Brainy Thing:  
Catherine tells us that receiving appreciation and giving appreciation fire the same parts of the brain as offering gratitude does and it does great things for our well being.  She mention the O T Tanner company, Positive Psychology Researc, Psychiatry Seven, Dr. Tard Khastan from George Mason University and Dr. Robert A Emmons, the world’s leading expert on Gratitude.  He’s at UC Davis and is the founder of the Journal of Positive Psychology.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Today Margaret Explore the Temperate Rainforest, the ecosystem of the Redwood Forest.  
 
Knitting Tip:
Seven7seven (one of our group members) gives a tip that to keep track of yarn care instruction, take a photo of it when you’re photographing the yarn to add to the Ravelry stash pages.
 
The Learn-along
The Learn-along continues.   It ends May 1.  There’s prizes and learning to be had.  
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit, how you can improve your quality of life with gratitude and appreciation;  Catherine takes a journey in knitting for the theatre;  Margaret enjoys the plasticity of crochet;  We learn what a temperate rain forest is, we get a tip about how to never lose your yarn’s care instruction, and we give a reminder about the 2017 Learn along.
 

Brainy Thing:  17:29           Behind the Redwood Curtain:  27:00
 
What We’re Learning from Our Knitting:
Catherine rages against the bulky yarn she’s using in some mystery yarn she’s using and returns to a more comfortable yarn she used for but the Funky Baby Kimono by Melilab   http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/funky-baby-kimono  
 
 
Margaret muses about several shades of black after finishing a generic top down,   Fish Lip Kiss Heeled generic sock with Soft Like Kittens yarn from independent dyer, Annette M Russell in Auckland, New Zealand (now on indefinite hiatus)  http://www.softlikekittens.com/  
 
Brainy Thing:
Catherine takes a playful (but probably not scientific approach) to playing with color, first on Facebook and then with Pantone’s color of the year, greenery.    Check out the color and personality quiz on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Teachingyourbraintoknitpodcast/ and see the information about the color “greenery” from Pantone:  https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2017
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Margaret shares the story of the Little Sailboat Who Could, The Golden Rule which is a project of the Veterans for Peace to teach the world about the dangers of nuclear war and testing.   
 
Tip:
Our Ravelry board is a great source of information.   Check out what BeadWeasel has to say about Beads on our Episode 54 thread.  
 
Learn Along
Remember, there are prizes and fun on our 2017 Learn-along.  Check out the thread on our Ravelry page.
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
This time on the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Podcast we explore probably a not very scientific view of how personality and mood impact color and vice versa, Catherine rages against bulky yarn but gets comfort from baby yarn, Margaret muses on several shades of black, she also tells the story of the Little Sailboat Who Could, a veterans for peace project teaching about the dangers of nuclear war and testing and then there’s a tip from one of our listeners, bead weasel about beads.  
 
Direct download: Ep._057_Personality_Mood_and_Color_-_3_5_17_3.48_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:35pm PDT

Brainy Thing:    14:14              Behind the Redwood Curtain:  22:40
 
What We Learned from our Knitting
Finish up Party
Margaret finally finished her grandson’s socks (for the second time (no pattern— the first time it was too tight) and Catherine finished up two projects.    Margaret mulls over the product versus process question with the help of some famous knitters:  
Catherine’s finishes another baby sock recipe that she usually donates to Afghans for Afghans and two little cowls for a friend’s children — on of a fox and the other a teen aged ninja turtle.  Heidi May of Velvet Acorn Designs is the designer  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=heidi%20may%20&page=1&view=captioned_thumbs&sort=best
 
Brainy Thing:
Two new-ish studies explore depression and agin looking at the brain split front and back.  
 
Behind The Redwood Curtain:  
Arcata’s Sister City, Camoapa, Nicaragua,  supported in part by the I Street Party  https://www.facebook.com/sistercityproject/
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
 
Today in Teaching Your Brain to Knit we find two studies that focus on the front of the brain one on depression, the other aging;  , in knitting synchronicity both Margaret and Catherine finish-up- languishing projects,  we share the story of  how the little  town of Arcata helps a sister city in Nigaraguan with a big party, Catherine gives us a knitting tip from her hard earned wisdom, and don’t forget the Learn-along where you try some new technique, pattern, yarn or craft to sharpen your brain and maybe win some prizes.    Check out the details on Teaching Your Brain to Knit Page on Ravelry
 
 
Direct download: episode_56_working_-_2_17_17_7.36_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:11pm PDT

Brainy thing:   17:11  Behind the Redwood Curtain:  30:42
 
Catherine was deep into the production of Pussy hats by   Jayna Zweiman and Krista Suh https://www.pussyhatproject.com/knit/ .   Bunches more patterns on:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#query=pussy%20hat&view=captioned_thumbs&page=1&sort=best  Margaret steals, uh, appropriates one of them.  Catherine took this opportunity to repurpose a cowl that was beautiful —Cuppa Java Cowl  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cuppa-java-cowl  by Sarah Wilson or The Sexy Knitter http://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-wilson— but didn’t quite work for her.   She loved the yarn, though: A Gothling merino cashmere blend by Rainy Days and Wooly Dogs Goth Sox in the colorway "Home Coming Queen’s got a gun.”  She made other hats out of Cascade 220 and some mystery yarns from her stash.
Margaret features some knitting made by other people and shares her delight with the Faberge’ egg-like ornament designed by Laura Lamers’ (http://www.ravelry.com/people/northcoastknit)  of the Northcoast Knittery.  
 
Brainy Thing:
Catherine describes the “Love Hormone” Oxytocin and some recent research that shows bonding between dogs and their owners.  There are lots of studies on this including several by Jessica Oliva.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
A paved, multi-use trail just south of Bay Shore Mall and along the Eastern Edge of Humboldt Pave meets lots of needs.   It’s the Hikshari’ trail   http://www.redwoods.info/showrecord.asp?id=5666
 
Podcast Business:
There’s an ongoing incentive to sign up for the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Podcast Ravelry Group and a current contest for the 2017 Learn-along.  
 
 
 
 
How the hormone Oxytocin can increase happiness, How knitting can unite sides in activism, The discovery of a new stitch which brought joy,  Finding a new humboldt trail that accommodates a range of needs, Repurposing yarn for a -not-quite-right finished project
Direct download: Ep._055__Increasing_Oxytocin_to_Increase_Happiness_-_2_2_17_5.11_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:58pm PDT

Brainy Thing:   15:59             Behind the Redwood Curtain:  23:56
What We Learned from Our Knitting:
Margaret finished Laura’s Lamers' Silken Straw Kerchief (unpublished) which was a long term but pleasant pattern. The yarn is challenging but so worth the extra attention it needs.   The pattern includes beads and silk — what more could you want?
Catherine finished her  Age of Brass and Steam shawlette by Orange Flower http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-age-of-brass-and-steam-kerchiefwith a self striping skein from Canon dye works.
 
Brainy Thing:
Margaret reports on “Neurosociety," the immersion/interactive theatre experience currently in Menlo Park, California that explores how our brains influence our perceptions and how our perceptions impact what we believe.  It was created by David Byrne and Mala Gaonkar.  http://www.pacegallery.com/exhibitions/12834/the-institute-presents-neurosociety and runs through March.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Catherine talks about how Arcata’s Big Scoop ice cream shop is an excellent example of a locavore business and one that reflects the owners’ values.
 
Knitting Tip:
Margaret got feedback from listeners about more information on Color Dominance.  Here is some  particularly helpful information she found:   
 
2017 Learn-along:
The 2017 Learn-along runs from January 1 to May 1.   There are two threads on the Teaching Your Brain to Knit page of Ravelry:  one for the finished projects and one for chatter — to admire, offer advice and muse.
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
Today on Teaching Your Brain to Knit, an interactive theatrical event that teaches you about your brain; a new strategy for dealing with challenging yarn, having fun with self-striping yarn, how an Arcata ice cream shop supports the locavore movement, More on color dominance and a reminder about the 2017 Learn-along.
 
 
 
 
Direct download: Ep._054_Immersive_Theatre_Teaches_About_Our_Brains_-_1_18_17_6.18_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:29pm PDT

Brainy Thing:   13:02    Behind the Redwood Curtain:
 
What We’re Learning From Our Knitting:
Catherine returns to an old favorite, The Age of Brass and Steam by Orange Flower http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-age-of-brass-and-steam-kerchief
Margaret tries a new tool, Embellish-Knit https://www.amazon.com/Caron-20293-Embellish-Knit-Machine-Kit/dp/B003W0AUQ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483493507&sr=8-1&keywords=embellish-knit+machine+kit which makes a wicked-fast i-chord to create some Wreath Ornaments by Lorna Miser.
 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wreath-ornaments-3  and the Fino necklace by Laura Nelkin.  
 
Brainy Thing:  Gut Instinct and the Brain
Scientists are showing a direct link between the human gut and the brain which accounts for those “gut feelings we get. 
Switzerland science researchers at ETH in Zurik,  Urs Meyer  German and his team at the  Swiss Federal insititude of technology,  research gut brain afferance   https://www.ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2014/05/how-the-gul-feeling-shapes-fear.html
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Sequoia Park Zoo
A small but sweet zoo in Sequoia Park in Eureka concentrates on education and species preservation.
 
Knitting Tip:  Prevent Repetitive Stress Syndrome
Keeping your hands in a C shape with your palms facing upward helps to prevent repetitive stress syndrome
 
Learn-along
Our all-new Learn Something New Incentive with randomly selected prizes.   See thread on the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Ravelry page.   One prize will be a skein of 650 yards of Kristin Omdahl’s  B so Fine yarn  (in bamboo)   by Kristin Omdahl Yarns.   Other prizes to be announced.  
 
Links:
website https://teachingyourbraintoknit.com/ for show notes, photos of our knitting and crochet projects, Behind the Redwood Curtain places and things and anything else we decide to post.
 
Is there anything to  “gut feelings” that people are always talking about, We return to an old favorite   Age of Brass and Steam Kerchief, using a new tool dramatically speeds up making i-chord, Spot lighting Eureka’s small but educational zoo, a way to prevent repetitive stress syndrome, and the beginning of a new Learn-along  
Direct download: Ep._053_Gut_Feelings_and_the_Brain.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:52am PDT

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