Teaching Your Brain to Knit
Brainy Thing:   15.55   Behind the Redwood Curtain:   22:47
 
What we Learned from our Knitting
Welts and tiny mittens were the notable learning for Gnorwen the Gnome in Sarah Schira's All Work, Gnome Play Mystery Knit Along.  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/all-work-gnome-play She added a red beard, eliminated the flower decorations and included a miniature set of skis for what will be her grandson's gnome.      Catherine coaxed herself on with the help of Marcie Bell's beautiful darning needles to finish sewing up her Agata sweater by Leah Chapman. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata  She also knit up a few scrubbies and a couple of mitered squares.
 
Brainy Thing:
Researchers say we are biased toward believing each other -- which makes us vulnerable to liars. Starting with Aja Raden's book The Truth about Lies: The Illusion of Honesty and the Evolution of Deceit and then other research, Margaret reports on the Cognitive Bias, The Truth Bias, other biases and the Truth-Default Theory.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Although first skeptical, Catherine now sees the benefits of the Arcata Gateway project for our town and other small towns.
 
 
 
 
 

Brainy Thing:  16:11  Behind the Redwood Curtain:  27:01
 
What We're Learning from Our Knitting
Catherine is in the "piecing together" part of her Agata Sweater by Leah Chapman. Sewing up is not her favorite part of project making. She's using https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata using Lion Brand Mandala in the Chimera Colorway. She also reports on on the resurrected Welcome Blanket project for new immigrants to this country.   welcomeblanket.org. She has some knitted squares she's done in the past that she's going to sew together for a blanket. Blankets are exhibited in museums and then given to our new neighbors.
Margaret didn't accomplish a lot or learned a lot with her project but had a lot of fun: Halloween Eyeball Coasters by Fay Lyth https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/halloween-eyeball-coaster with the iris color matched to her grandchildren's eyes.
 
Brainy Thing: 16:11
Inspired by her reluctance to sew up her sweater, Catherine discovers an explanation, The Construal Level Theory (CLT) or the Near Mode and Distant Mode of projects and she's using the theory to help her power through.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:01
Humboldt County is ground zero for sea level rise on the west coast of the United States. Margaret explains why, what's at risks, and things to do to mitigate against it.
 
 
Welcome to Episode 130 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit. Today Catherine talks about on her progress in the sewing up part of her Agata Sweater. Margaret shares her small but fun project making eyeball coasters for her grandchildren for Thanksgiving. Catherine reports on the The Construal Level Theory or the near and distant phenomenon and why that sometimes makes finishing projects difficult. And Margaret tells about sea level rise risks in Humboldt county. Thanks for listening.

Brainy Thing: 19:25 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 27:60
 
What We're Learning from Our Knitting
Margaret reports on her learning from Little Things including creating a coaster from her Windmill Dishcloth pattern by Patricia Jared. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/windmill-dishcloth-2 She also finished an amigurumi corn on the cob from Susan B. Anderson's Summer Veggie Charm Set https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-veggie-charm-set. and a Spring Tulip by Jen Lucas. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/spring-tulip-4. which was a free pattern and a class from Craftsy's Live Stream (Still available on the website.). She learns a lot from these free classes even if she can execute the pattern because the instructor shares tips as she demonstrates. The Knitting Circle also has free classes with patterns. Most recently Craftsy sponsored the Craft-o-ween series that included cooking, woodwork and quilting.
Catherine is nearing the finish of her Agata Sweater by Leah Chapman https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata using Lion Brand Mandala.
 
Brainy thing: Wool and Sleep
Studies report that wool bedding improves sleep and REM sleep in particular, thereby increasing all the good benefits of sleep like protein production, improved mental health and memory.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Patrick's Point State Park in Humboldt County has been renamed Sue-Meg State Park, the original Yurok place name. Patrick Beegan was a notorious and ruthless white settler who claimed the area where the Park now stands.
 
 
Welcome to Episode 129 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we share research studies that show that wool can help improve your sleep. Margaret talks about learning from the Little Things she's knitted like a tulip, a corn on the cob, and a coaster and the free online knitting classes where she gets tip. Catherine nears completion of her sweater and talks about the breaking news that a State Park in Humboldt has changed its name to the original Yurok name.

Brainy Thing:  16:51   Behind the Redwood Curtain:  32:11
 
What We're Learning from Our Knitting:
Catherine may have missed the deadline for the Imagined Landscape Cardi KAL but she's nearly finished her Agata https://www.ravelry.com/groups/imagined-landscapes?s=tab.
It's a Knitty's free pattern https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata. by Leah Chapman with an unusual construction. She is using Lion Brand Mandala yarn in the Chimera colorway --with a lot of autumnal colors plus a few bright ones.
Margaret had a lot of failures but still learned a lot. The first one was The Big Marl by Beata Jezek https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-big-marl where despite multiple mistakes, she learned an icord edging that was knitted as she went along. Then she had fun on a big search for a pattern she discovered on the net without a name. She was intrigued by the shape and couldn't figure out the construction. The answer was short rows. Here's some of the variations:
Windmill Dishcloth by Dione Read: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-windmill-dishcloth
Round Dishcloth by Amy Carpenter. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/round-dishcloth
Sunburst Dishcloth by Sara Balkwin. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sunburst-dishcloth
The Windmill Dishcloth by Patricia Jared. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/windmill-dishcloth-2
 
Brainy Thing: Grounding
Anticipating travel in the future, Catherine talks about how to overcome jet lag (and enjoy other health benefits) with the ancient but not widely know practice of Grounding, or walking on the sand, grass or earth barefooted .
https://www.afar.com/magazine/how-to-overcome-jet-lag
https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#:~:text=Grounding%2C%20also%20called%20earthing%2C%20is,positive%20effects%20on%20your%20body.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain: The Grange
Margaret discusses some of the controversies involved in local California Granges wanting to pull away from the National Organization.
 
Welcome to episode 128 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we follow Catherine's progress on the Agata Cardigan, we share Margaret's many failures but much learning on her projects, Catherine gives us a tip about countering jet lag with Grounding, and we report on the local and not so local controversies surrounding the Grange. Thanks for listening to our podcast.
Direct download: Ep._128._Grounding_Cardi_Failures_and_The_Grange_-_9_30_21_12.59_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:34pm PST

Brainy Thing: 16:41 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:41
 
What We're Learning from Our Knitting:
Margaret finished a Sampler Sock using both crochet and knitting and a number of sock making techniques she never tried before. The sock started with leg from Beaux Jestes by Tracy Pipinich a crochet pattern where one leg used small granny square and the other ripples. She then went for a garter stitch modification of Lara Neel's Arithmophobia sock,https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/arithmophobia-socks-top-down moved onto a stripped foot then finished up with Lara Neel's Fork in the Road design https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fork-in-the-road-socks
toe. She used left over finger weight yarn in yellows, golds and greens.
 
Catherine is taking on the challenge of Imagined Landscapes Fall Cardi KAL https://www.ravelry.com/groups/imagined-landscapes?s=tab.
She chose Knitty's free pattern Agata https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata. by Leah Chapman and is using Lion Brand Mandala yarn.
 
Brainy Thing: Tips for Helping Your Brain on Zoom
Zoom is tough on the brain. Basically it's harder for our brains to process our interactions but fortunately there are a number of tips that might help. Try one or more of them.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain: The National Christmas Tree
This year, the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC will come from nearby Six Rivers National Forest. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/srnf/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD933469 Catherine is making one of the quilted panels for the tree skirt and featuring an image of Founders Hall of Humboldt State University.
 
Welcome to Teaching your Brain to Knit, episode 127. Today we are featuring tips to make Zoom easier for our brains to process. Margaret shares her adventures with her sampler socks and Catherine reports on her progress with the Agata Sweater. We also talk about the National Christmas Tree in Washington DC this year coming from the nearby Six Rivers National Forest and we announce that Catherine will be making a panel for the tree skirt.

Brainy Thing:  19:00  Behind the Redwood Curtain 28:00
 
What We're Learning from Our Knitting
Margaret got practice in cables on Sarah Schira's Gnot Just Another Gnome https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gnot-just-another-gnome. She used leftovers plus mini skeins in Leading Men Fiber Arts Showstopper in Envy and Christmas at Green Gables.
 
knitting reverse stockinette inside out: https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+knit+reverse+stockinette+stitch+in+the+round&oq=how+to+knit+reverse+stockinette+stitch+in+the+round&aqs=chrome..69i57j0i22i30j0i390l3.9109j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#kpvalbx=_jM8FYea8KczF-gSfsqToBw59
 speedweve    darning loom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhPUjTxQgHA 
 
Scrubbing Stripes dishcloth by yarnspirations https://www.yarnspirations.com/lily-sugarn-cream-scrubbing-stripes-knit-dishcloth/SCK0512-013829M.html
Lily Sugar'n Cream Scrub off yarn:  http://www.sugarncream.com/
 
Brainy Thing: Brains of introverts and extroverts
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
We catch up on past Redwood Curtain topics including the Art Otter project, Last Pass Grade, and Forest Breathing, this time in mini urban forests
 
 
Today in episode 126 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we present research on the differences in brains of introverts and extroverts;  we discuss gnome making, dishcloths, sweaters and shawls and we update some former Behind the Redwood Curtain segments including art otters, and urban mini forests.   

Brainy: 14:50    Behind the Redwood Curtain: 26:21
 
What We're Learning from our Knitting
Catherine is inches away from finishing her Metalouse shawl by Stephen West https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse. She used Woolemeise and Canon Dyeworks yarns. She is looking for a pattern for a sweater as her next project.
Margaret didn't experience much learning but enjoyed a lot of satisfaction knitting her basic top down, heel flap socks using Online sock yarn in a multiple of colors: blue, grey, orange, yellow and pink. Although she has her own modifications, she basically follows Ann Budd's 6 stitches per inch sock. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/6-stitches-per-inch-sock. Margaret also applied several patches in old socks that were wearing thing.
 
Brainy Thing:
Catherine reports on studies that show the link with biodiversity in nature with human happiness. Diversity in birds are particularly important.
https://theconversation.com/biodiversity-how-our-health-and-happiness-depend-on-a-thriving-planet-157261
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Margaret talks about a creek in Arcata, the Jolly Giant Creek, and a new art project to honor it.
 
Welcome to Episode 125 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, where we talk about the link between biodiversity in nature and human happiness; Catherine updates her work on the Metalouse and Margaret shares about her basic sock knitting; she also reports on a recent outdoor art project in honor of the Jolly Giant Creek. Thanks for listening to our podcast.
 
 

Brainy Thing: 20:13 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 34:00
 
What We're Learning from our Knitting
Margaret knitted two double stranded hats. The first was the Double-Quick Marled Beanie from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-quick-marled-beanie using Rowan Kid Classic
from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas in a subtle cream and pale grey color. She modified this slightly using HandMaiden Casbah https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/search#sort=best&query=handmaiden%20fine%20yarns and Casbah Silk Fine.
Catherine still needs to assemble her gnome but has started Stephen West's Metalouse from Knitty.
 
Brainy Thing
We hear a lot about making positive changes for our mental and physical health but changing habits is difficult. Margaret reports on a video from Dr. Kelly McGonigal on Willpower. She's also written a book on it as well as a book on movement.
movement:
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Catherine shares information on Fernbridge, the 110 year old structure bridging Highway 101 with the town of Ferndale. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernbridge_(bridge)
 
In Episode 124 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we explore some of the elements of willpower than could help us make positive change. In Our knitting, we talk about two double stranded hats and a new heavily textured shawl. And we consider a classic landmark of the Northcoast -- Fernbridge. Thanks for listening to our podcast and you can subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts.
 
 
Direct download: Ep._124__Willpower_Hats_Shawls_and_Fernbridge_-_5_4_21_2.20_PM_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:07pm PST

Brainy thing: 24:14. Behind the Redwood Curtain:  34:50                  
 
What we are learning from our knitting:
Catherine arranged her house to tackle the space requirements for blocking large shawls -- Heaven Scent by Boo Knits https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heaven-scentand Bright Sunny Day by Sivia Harding https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day. She is happy to start Stephen Wests' Metalouse shawl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse.
Margaret tackled some knitting in black -- a sphere ornament called RBG Ball by Lexie Bryan commemorating Ruth Bader Ginsberg https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rbg-balland a large and thick potholder called Baker's Twine by Ducathi https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bakers-twine
 
 
Revenge bedtime procrastination
Postponing bedtime -- even to the point of being unhealthy -- seems to be one way some people are trying to take control of their lives during the pandemic. It's called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/revenge-bedtime-procrastination:
 
Honor tax
There is a movement in our community called the honor tax -- a voluntary payment to the local Wiyot tribal nation for recognition of the traditional land that we are using.
 
 
Welcome to Episode 123 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we focus on the increasingly familiar phenomenon called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination; We share our recent knitting progress including a blocking party for shawls and knitting in black -- including an rbg ornament and a potholder. We also introduce the concept of an honor tax -- a voluntary, self-determined payment to local native tribes. Show notes and links are in the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Group in Ravelry, in Libsyn, and often in the app you use to play your podcasts. We hope that you'll tell others about our podcast and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Thank you for listening.
 
 

Brainy Thing:   16:14       Behind the Redwood Curtain:   24:21
 
What We're Learning from our Knitting: 
Margaret finished her first poncho -- well, actually a shoulder cosy:  Wave Shoulder Cozy by Eline Oftedal https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wave-shoulder-cosy with beads and starring Dragonfly Fibers yarns from Laura Nelkin's Ducenti Shawl kit.   She also played around with raffia yarn from Churchmouse yarns and teas making their pattern for stars.
Catherine finished her second Socky Slouchy Hat of late  in fingering weight yarn:  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat. by Lauren Sanchez: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lauren-sanchez.   She's frustrated finding a scrubbie pattern she likes and continues working on her gnome.
 
Brainy Thing:
Margaret continues to report on resilience, this time sharing information from Rick Hanson, a psychologist, neuroscientists, and Buddhist.
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
There's a little section of roadway on Highway 101 about 60 miles north of Arcata that is prone to rock slides. Catherine reports on Last Chance Grade: https://lastchancegrade.com/#:~:text=The%20Last%20Chance%20Grade%20Project,miles%20south%20of%20Crescent%20City.
 

Brainy thing:   23:21     Behind the Redwood Curtain: 28:43
 
What We're Learning from Our Knitting.
Catherine is giving away hats at the dog park. Socky Slouchy Hat: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat. by
Margaret finished her ADVENTure Gnome: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/adventure-gnome
by Sarah Schira: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-schira and offers a list of points for finding an instructional knitting video for best learning.
 
Brainy Thing:
Catherine reports on The Brain Booth at Humboldt State University which could be a model for any school, institution or business. https://libguides.humboldt.edu/brainbooth
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Margaret talks about oyster farming in Humboldt Bay and the currently virtual yearly Oyster Festival in Arcata the 3rd week of June.
Aqua Rodeo. https://aqua-rodeofarms.com/
Coast Seafood https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/coast-seafoods-co/Location?oid=2182300
Oyster Festival: https://arcatamainstreet.com/oyster-festival
 
 
 
Welcome to Episode 121 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where Catherine reports on the Brain Booth at Humboldt State University that offers a wealth of different strategies to support brain growth and decrease stress. It could be a model for any school, institution or business; Catherine and Margaret talk about their knitting: hats and gnomes and Margaret shares some guidelines on instructional videos, particularly for knitting that best help learning. And Margaret dips into oyster farming in Humboldt Bay. Your can subscribe to Teaching Your Brain to Knit anywhere you listen to podcasts and our shownotes are on Libsyn, Ravelry and on some podcast servers when you listen.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct download: Ep._121__Brain_Booth_Hats_and_Gnomes_Knitting_Videos__Oysters.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:34pm PST

Brainy Thing:  13:52            Behind the Redwood Curtain. 21:23
 
 
What We're Learning from Our Knitting
Margaret investigates the construction of Pom Poms she used in her knitting and the one trick that will make your pom poms neat and tidy.  Stitch and Sheep: https://sheepandstitch.com/library/how-to-make-a-pom-pom/ Purl Soho: https://www.purlsoho.com/shop?q=pom%20pom. Arne and Carlos Bird: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-bird. Catherine is that pause between finishing one project and starting the next, exploring patterns and yarns. Sivia Harding Bright Shiny Day. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day. https://www.ravelry.com/people/sivia
 
 
Brainy Thing:  Resilience
In the first of multiple reports, Margaret shares basic definitions and strategies in developing resilience -- the ability to bounce back from adversity.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202005/the-8-key-elements-resilience#:~:text=Resilience%20is%20defined%20as%20the,bounce%20back%20from%20adverse%20events.
 
 
Behind the Redwood Curtain:  Public Art in Eureka
Ocean Love (or Mother Love) bench along Eureka Waterfront Trail.
 
 
 
 
Today on Episode 120 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we begin our examination of resilience -- our ability to bounce back from adversity.  Catherine is enjoying a slight pause between finishing a big knitting project and starting a new one with the fun of selecting patterns and yarn.  Margaret shares her latest projects and her discovery of the many ways to make pom poms, including a tip that makes them neat and tidy.  And Catherine takes us to Eureka along the Waterfront Trail and the public art/bench piece called Ocean Love but nicknamed mother love for the mother and child sea lions sculpted.
 
 
 
 
 
Direct download: episode_120_resilience_finishing_pom_poms_ocean_love_-_1_9_21_3.33_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:25pm PST

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