Teaching Your Brain to Knit

Brainy: 20:20 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 31:09   What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine is enjoying progress on her Stephen West's Twists and Turns shawl knitalong https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twists--turns-westknits-mkal-2022 and is trying out some fun dyeing techniques for fabric. Margaret reports on mosaic crochet, gnome knitting, and some of her favorite projects from the past. Clearly Helena blog. http://www.clearlyhelena.com/how-to-mosaic-crochet/ Make Gnome Mistake https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/make-gnome-mistake Sarah Schira. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-schira The pattern I used was I*heart*FATW5. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/iheartfatw5 rosina crochet.  Rosina Plane. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/rosina-plane Brainy Thing: Catherine points out the value of making a plan in case of unexpected events and Margaret talks about how to develop a Joyous Amygdala. She also mentions some of her favorite Brainy segments from the past https://www.webmd.com/brain/amygdala-what-to-know   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine and Margaret report on highlights from the past from Behind the Redwood Curtain and Catherine advocates for independent podcasts . Catherine promotes the podcast Chronicles from Behind the Redwood Curtain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWjuhpiHo-E     This podcast's future For now, this "Ma and Ma" podcast will stop regular production. We thank all our listeners for their support over the years.                                       Welcome to Episode 145 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we share information about planing for unexpected events and how to grow a joyful amygdala. We talk about knitting shawls, dyeing fabric, trying mosaic crochet and finishing a knitted gnome. We also mention highlights from past Behind the Redwood Curtain segments and Catherine promotes another Humboldt podcast. Finally we   report on the future of this podcast.

Brainy:  1o:12   Behind the Redwood Curtain:  20:47   What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine is continuing her knitting odyssey with Stephen West's Twists and Turns Shawl, http://knittedtoybox.blogspot.com/   Brainy Thing: New words that describe the comfort we lack and long for.  hygge: coziness Solastalgia:   distress of environmental change Here are some links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDDjXhcWB1g https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36459133/#&gid=article-figures&pid=fig-1-uid-0   Behind the Redwood Curtain At the end of 2022, the courts approved a plan to remove four dams on the Klamath River which are destructive to fish species and cause toxic blue green algae.    https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-11-17/regulators-approve-demolition-of-four-klamath-river-dams?utm_id=76610&sfmc_id=4456079   https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/Largest-dam-removal-project-in-U-S-history-gets-17592091.php?sid=62c3aa67475d9718370d9a07&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headlines&utm_campaign=sfc_morningfix live condor feed: https://www.yuroktribe.org/yurok-condor-live-feed     Announcement: We announce that after our next episode (145), we will be discontinuing the podcast in its current form.   Welcome to episode 144 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit while we report on Hygge and Solastalgia--comfort and longing for comfort; Catherine updates us on her Twists and Turns adventure and celebrates completing a gnome and a snitch while Margaret reports on teaching her bones to knit and finally talks about the victory on the Klamath River for the fish, the quality of the river, and the environment with four dam removals.

Joy snacks, Insects, Shawls and Knit Blocks, plus Benbow Inn.   Brainy Thing: 19:26 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:40   What We're learning from our knitting and crochet: Margaret is working on some amigurumi Garden insects https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-insectsby Marica Coridon for a present for her grandson. Catherine is taking a little break from knitting Stephen Wests' Twists and Turns https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twists--turns-westknits-mkal-2022to knock out some knitted blocks for Hats and More for Refugees World wide. https://www.ravelry.com/groups/hats-and-more-for-refugees-worldwide. She's using the beginning of the Melanie's Mandala Baby Blanket https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket for the blocks. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-insects   Brainy Thing: Margaret shares quick practices that increase happiness in her report on Joy Snacks. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/11/17/feel-happier-joy-flourishing/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F386153a%2F637a338d7e2620469f1837c5%2F596c929a9bbc0f2086603b6d%2F12%2F51%2F637a338d7e2620469f1837c5&wp_cu=bab067e80720f9dc4ad7b181c2d7c0c3%7CC0D7373013494969E0430100007FF0C5   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine reports on the historic Benbow Inn south of Garberville https://benbowinn.com/   Welcome to episode 143 of Teaching your Brain to Knit. Today we present Joy Snack or quick things we can do to bring us happiness; We talk about our crochet (making amigurumi insects) and Knitting, (shawl and knitted blocks) plus we report on the historic Benbow Inn

Brainy: 16:30 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:11   What We're Learning from our Knitting Catherine is deep into textures and colors with her Stephen West Knit-along Twists and Turns (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/twists--turns-westknits-mkal-2022). She is eyeing a sweater by Andrea Mowry (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/andrea-mowry). that also is very textural. In addition, Catherine shares the dishcloth she received from the Dishcloth exchange (https://www.ravelry.com/groups/annual-dishcloth-swap). Margaret continues to delight in the variety of patterns that creates pumpkins and leaves. She knits Mimi Pumpkin https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-mini-pumpkin) as well as Oakleaf from Fall Garland (https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=469668145054284). by Jen Lucas and also Leaf from Susan B. Anderson's Fall Harvest Charm   Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on the impact of light on the brain, particularly early morning light: https://bestlifeonline.com/daylight-saving-time-benefits/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is located in Arcata and focuses on supporting grassroots initiatives for Indigenous people around the world. https://7genfund.org/     Welcome to Episode 142 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we explore the relationship between early morning light and our brains. Catherine is deep within textures and colors with her knitting and Margaret enjoys different designs for little pumpkins and leaves. Finally we spotlight The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous People located here in Arcata.

Brainy Thing: 15:45. Behind the Redwood Curtain. 25:45   What We're Learning from Our Knitting Margaret fulfills her multi-year goal of knitting some decorative mini-pumpkins, using Susan B. Anderson's Fall Harvest Charm Set https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-harvest-charm-set. Catherine completed her dishcloths for her Dishcloth exchange. She used the classic Ballband Dishcloth by Kay Gariner and Ann Shayne. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth And despite her efforts to resist, Catherine is starting the Westknits MKAL 2022: Twists & Turns shawl.   Brainy Thing: The book Behave: The biology of Humans at our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky is five years old now but is chock full of information about human behavior and told is Sapolsky's witty style. Margaret reviews it.   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine tells of her visit to the new Redwood Skywalk in Eureka's Sequoia Park, suspended 100 feet above the ground. https://www.redwoodskywalk.com/   Welcome to Episode 141 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we review highlights from the book Behave by Robert Saplosky, discuss learning from knitting pumpkins, dishcloths and a mystery shawl, and report on the new Skywalk among the Redwoods at Eureka's Sequoia Park.    

Brainy: 17:34 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 29:52   What We're Learning from our Knitting and Crochet: Catherine finished up her Melanie's Mandala Baby Blanket https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket.  by Melanie Grobler at M and M Crochet Designs and she has started knitting up ballband washcloths for washcloth exchange https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ballband-dishcloth Margaret Knit up another small amigurumi project that taught her a lot: The Splendid Snail by Tatyana Grigoryan. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/splendid-snail   Brainy Thing: Although experts debate its existence, many people believe Nature Deficit Disorder is a read condition that needs to be addressed. Richard Louv came up with the term in his book "Last Child in the Woods" . https://richardlouv.com/blog/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder/. Other names and terms Catherine describes in this report are green exercise, eco psychologists, Wilderness therapy professionals Frederick Law  Olmstread (American Landscape Architecture), John Muir and Louise Chala, Colorado University professor   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Those beautiful iconic Cliffs of California are eroding away. Margaret reports on a recent study about them. https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/new-high-resolution-study-california-coastal-cliff-erosion-released California Coastal Cliff Erosion Viewer:  https://siocpg.ucsd.edu/data-products/ca-cliff-viewer/ https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/California-s-cliffs-are-falling-into-the-sea-17362397.php     Today, in Episode 140 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, Catherine presents information about Nature Deficit Disorder and the importance of being outside in nature; She also talks about her knitting AND crochet: she finished her crochet mandala Baby Blanket and started knitting washcloths for the washcloth exchange. Margaret shares her experience knitting a snail and then reports on the latest information on the eroding cliffs of California  

Brainy thing: 15:26 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 24:14   What We're Learning from our Knitting and Crochet: Margaret knitted a small amigurmi beet, part of Susan B. Anderson's Summer Veggie Charm set. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-veggie-charm-set. This is her fourth charm but she always learns something new from Susan. This time Susan designed a two color saw tooth pattern to create a transition between the white bottom of the beet and the top (In Margaret's case, a beet red left over called cinnabar by Hazel Knits Yarns.). Margaret also appreciated the wavy beet leaves. Catherine continues to crochet her Mandala Baby Blanket by Melanie Grobler at M and M Crochet Designs https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket. She's been using the yarn in the Karon rainbow color but without warning the big box store Michael's is out of it and she's been trying to find additional skeins.   Brainy Thing: Margaret reports on Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, a book and theory about how we use two systems for thinking: one fast and instinctive and one slower and more reasoned. But both systems are prone to erros.   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Arcata like many cities is trying to get fewer people to drive and more people to use bicycles but it is encountering some growing pains in this switch.   Welcome to Episode 139 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we present the theory of Thinking Fast and Slow, talk about knitting an amigurimi beet and crocheting a mandala baby blanket and discuss trying to make Arcata and other cities less reliant or cars and opening up options for bicycles. I ask for a little more indulgence than usual for the sound quality today because not only are we dealing with the zoom problems in a community that does not have good wifi options, but also, Catherine is sitting outside in the rare but wonderful days around here that offer sunshine, a little warmth and not too much wind -- but as a result you'll hear some background noise of her neighbors.    

Brainy thing: 19:22 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:36   What We're Learning from our Knitting (and Crochet) Catherine was struck with Mandala Madness and is now crocheting Melanie's Mandala https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket Melanie operates M and M Crochet Designs on Ravelry. Catherine is using Caron Yarnspirations in Skinny Cake in color gradient Rainbow. She also shared information on taking care of our crafting hands -- she's taking a Tai Chi for Arthritis class and also recommends Carson Demers https://www.ravelry.com/people/ergoiknit https://www.ergoiknit.com/. book Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting and that he was featured on Fruity Knitting video cast Ep 102 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfWEi57a-4U.   Margaret talks about her reluctance to start the Harmonia's Ring Cowl https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harmonias-rings-cowl by Sivia Harding despite having been given beautiful yarn Shibui Knits Vine in the Majesty Colorway. It begins with a mobieus cast on that Cat Bordhi made famous. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVnTda7F2V4. But she's started now -- at least a few rows.   Brainy Thing: Volunteerism not only helps others, it helps you as well. Catherine reports on it.   https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167487012001456?via%3Dihub   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Margaret talks about Sneaker Waves and Rogue waves: both big waves but different. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/mathematicians-may-soon-be-able-to-predict-enormous-rogue-waves https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/mathematicians-may-soon-be-able-to-predict-enormous-rogue-waves https://www.surfline.com/surf-news/the-importance-of-swell-period/1555   Welcome to Episode 138 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit. Today we talk about a Mandala Baby Blanket and a Moebius Cast on for the Harmonia's Ring Cowl. Catherine shares how volunteering can be good for you as well as the recipients and Margaret offers information on Sneaker Waves and Rogue Waves.    

Brainy thing:20:20  Behind the Redwood Curtain:32:18   What We're Learning from Our Knitting Margaret makes new discoveries about the granny square and Catherine notes that there's a resurgence in popularity of granny squares. Giant Granny Square Afghan by Crochet Me Lovely https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/giant-granny-square-afghan Catherine also talks about second-baby-sock-syndrome with her Kate Atherley Baby Socks https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks-23 and knitting blocks with patterns from Barbara Walker Treasury of Knitting Patterns 4 volumes published by Schoolhouse Press https://www.schoolhousepress.com/. She also mentions the silent knitting group on zoom as the heritage and remembrance of Cat Bordhi, the late, great knitting teacher and encourager. https://new.catbordhi.com/silent-knitting/   Brainy Section This episode we focus on Highly Sensitive People, a group that has been widely researched. There seems to be both a nature (genetic, brain chemistry) and nurture aspect in the background of HSPs. Quiz -- Are you an HSP? https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/. https://hsperson.com/ https://www.verywellmind.com/highly-sensitive-persons-traits-that-create-more-stress-4126393 https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/highly-sensitive-person https://sunkissedhealth.com/modern-mystic-hsp-empath-tools/ brain. https://highlysensitive.eu/en/the-highly-sensitive-brain/#:~:text=Highly%20sensitive%20people%20activate%20brain,especially%20those%20close%20to%20them. https://www.drelaynedaniels.com/4-things-most-people-dont-know-about-being-a-highly-sensitive-person/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4086365/ https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/highly-sensitive-person-brain/ https://highlysensitiverefuge.com/highly-sensitive-person-signs/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Potawot health village is much more than a clinic for American Indians. It is an environment including land use and cultural events that promotes wellness and healing. https://backcountrypress.com/2018/09/potawot-health-village/ http://www.sonic.net/~water4/main_pages/PHVP.html   Welcome to Episode 137 of Teaching your Brain to Knit. Today we investigate the life and brains of Highly Sensitive People. We mention crocheting granny squares, baby socks, knitting blocks for charity and silent knitting meetups. Finally we share information on Potawot Health Village, a local health facility that creates a wellness environment including clinics, gardens, and cultural events.      

Brainy Thing: 17:34 Behind the Redwood Curtain 26:50   What we're learning from our knitting: Catherine is delighting in quickly-knitted and fun baby items -- a hat and socks from various designers: Kate Atherley https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks---worsted-dk-version; also https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks-23 Bianca Boonstra: www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks. Knitty Gritty: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-peasy-newborn-sock-hat Margaret mixed and match gnome parts from Sarah Schira: All Work, Gnome Play. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/all-work-gnome-play Leave Gnome Stone Unturned. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/leave-gnome-stone-unturned   Brainy Thing: Who suffered more from covid isolation? Maybe you'll be surprised. https://greaterdivide.com/2020/04/30/the-resilience-of-extroverts-in-a-time-of-lock-downs/   Behind the Redwood Curtain: The ongoing drought and naturally dry areas like deserts require a different type of landscaping. Margaret introduces xeriscaping. https://frontsteps.com/blog/7-principles-of-xeriscaping/ https://calrecycle.ca.gov/organics/xeriscaping/ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/   Welcome to Episode 136 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we ask the question "Who suffered more from covid Isolation -- introverts or extroverts. The answer might surprise you. Catherine talks about the pleasure of knitting quick, colorful baby items -- a hat and socks and Margaret shares her experience mixing and matching gnome parts. Then we look at xeriscaping -- a way to landscape for dry and drought-ridden areas.

Episode 135  Hedonic Adaptation; freeform crochet and replacement knitting;  The Craftsman TV series.   Brainy Thing:  18:10  Behind the Redwood Curtain 25:42   What we've learned from our Knitting and Crochet Margaret flirted with freeform crochet in response to a prompt of "Deep Listening." She wasn't happy with the product or the process. Catherine continues her obsession with the mitre square blanket and she shares about taking her knitting out into the world. In one case, it was fun -- lots of love for the Agata (https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/agata) Cardigan by Leah Chapman (https://www.ravelry.com/designers/leah-chapman). ; in another, she lost a beloved Stephen West https://www.ravelry.com/designers/stephen-westShawl, Metalouse. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse   Brainy Thing Margaret reports on Hedonic Adaptation also called the Hedonic Treadmill which is the human emotional set-point that is partly genetic and partly attitudinal. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/hedonic-treadmill/. https://www.rickhanson.net/being-well-podcast/being-well-podcast-guest-experts/ https://www.healthline.com/health/hedonic-treadmill#what-is-it   Behind the Redwood Curtain Catherine's been watching the new Craftsman television series on Magnolia network which features the Blue Ox Millworks in Eureka. In addition to celebrating handcrafting, the series features beautiful shots of Old Town Eureka and the Humboldt Coast. https://magnolia.com/watch/show/62a3faac-8006-5a79-b673-8c0217e75fbc/the-craftsman/, https://www.distractify.com/p/eric-hollenbeck-the-craftsman.   Myra Wood (Designer) 0.55 Agata 10:10 Leah Chapman: 10:10 Metalouse 15:18 Stephen West 15:18 The Ribbed Faraway Baby Socks 17:20 Amber 17:20 Mittknitter. 17:20 Blue Ox Millworks Today in Episode 135 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we learn about Hedonic Adaptation, our internal thermostat for emotional happiness;  Margaret experiments with freeform crochet while Catherine continues her blanket obsession;  And Catherine reports on a new TV series, the Craftsman which feature the Blue Ox Millworks in Eureka and a celebration of handwork.  As always please forgive and ignore the audio distortions introduced by zoom and unstable networks. 

Brainy Thing: 17:35 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:50   What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine is continuing on with her mitered square blanket. Margaret hasn't completed anything but continue with a little stockinette knitting here and a little crochet there. She does have a report about Fast Fashion ripping off Crochet Designers https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/crochet-trend-fast-fashion-copy-designs, a recommendation for new video tutorials from Nimble Needles https://nimble-needles.com/category/tutorials/page/4/ , and a major tip for long tail cast ons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcvzB_9o8qc.    Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on Perfectionism and its positive and negative sides. She's wondering if she suffers from a little bit of perfectionism that is stopping her from starting the colorwork sweater Ghost Horses https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ghost-horses. by Caitlin Hunter. https://www.elitedaily.com/wellness/striving-perfection-can-completely-exhaust-brain/2030504 Jody Deluca, Ph.D. https://www.eriecoloradocounseling.com/publications   Behind the Redwood Curtain: The university where Catherine and Margaret worked is changing its orientation and name. It's now Cal Poly Humboldt and is focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs. https://www.humboldt.edu/sites/default/files/polytechnicreport_hsuhighlights.pdf https://pmc.humboldt.edu/portal/climate-action-plan-20 https://facilitymgmt.humboldt.edu/sites/default/files/hsu_stars_path_to_platinum_2020-2022_final.pdf pcci.humboldt.edu.     Welcome to Episode 134 of Teaching your Brain to Knit. Today we talk about Perfectionism, both its positive and negative effects. Catherine and Margaret have been working on blankets and other projects but not finishing things. And Margaret reports on the changes from Humboldt State University to Cal Poly Humboldt.          

Brainy Thing:  18:28. Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:52   What we've learned from our knitting: Margaret finished a new project and resurrected an old one.  As she was ripping out the yarn from She used the Keanna Chunky Messy bun Hat  pattern by Jocelyn Jones for the general measurements but knit the whole hat in two by two ribbing.  https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/keannas-chunky-messy-bun-hat.   Then, as she was ripping out the Big Marl Blanket by Beata Jezek, she began playing around with the yarn making a big Granny Square.  She turned to Jeanne Steinhilber's Marled Modern Granny Afghan https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marled-modern-granny-afghan for a pattern and she finished her lap-ghan that she'll donate to charity.  Catherine made the first step toward her new sock project -- she wound the skein of yarn into a ball and then inspired by her research on finishing projects, she went back to her mitered Square Blanket and found a tutorial for squaring off the sides to make the edges straight instead of sawtoothed.  Ladybug Laboratory offers a You Tube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14gZfqdZ57k   Brainy Thing: We've talked a lot about meditation on the podcast but an amazing amount of research suggests that Loving Kindness Meditation has many, many benefits.  And Oops.  Margaret talked about Sharon Saltzman as the Queen of Loving Kindness but it is Sharon Salzberg.  Sorry, Sharon.  https://www.organicauthority.com/energetic-health/how-loving-kindness-meditation-transforms-your-brain https://kripalu.org/resources/evidence-based-benefits-loving-kindness-meditation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695992/.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ING1BKvjyv8  https://www.sharonsalzberg.com/metta-hour-podcast/.    Behind the Redwood Curtain What could be more fun than a horse drawn buggy ride through downtown Eureka?  Probably not much.  Check it out here:  https://www.oldtowncarriageco.com/     Today in episode 133 of Teaching your Brain to Knit, we report on the many benefits of one particular meditation techniques -- Loving Kindness Meditation.   We talk about work on old projects -- blankets, in this case, and we present new projects -- a messy bun hat and socks.   Then we report on the delightful carriage rides of downtown Eureka.   Welcome.     

Brainy thing: 20:30 Behind the Redwood Curtain. 35:40 Harry Wells: 16:30   What We're Learning from our Knitting Catherine discusses planning knitting while keeping in mind the things she loves to do. She's looking forward to picking up sock knitting again and is eyeing Sivia Hardings Victoriana which is a toe up sock with bobbles, beads and picots. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/victoriana-socks-2.   Margaret returned to some old favorites -- Arne's and Carlos' birds https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-bird. which she decorated with hats. She also took a class with Harry Wells learning to do the hex stitch and other knit one below stitches plus a new stretch cast on and several new stretch bindoffs.   Brainy Thing: Catherine continues to explore why it's sometimes difficult to finish things and dips into theories of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as motivation   Behind the Redwood Curtain Margaret shares basic information about El Niño and La Niña and looks for an explanation of why Southern California had floods and snow during a year that should be dry.   Welcome to Episode 132 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where Catherine is deep into planning future projects and Margaret reports on knitting old patterns and learning new stitches. During the Brainy Thing Catherine continues to seek understanding about why it's sometimes hard to finish things focusing on intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as motivation. And Margaret talks about El Niño and La Niña and why Southern California got a lot of rain and snow during a year when that shouldn't happen.        

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. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/let-their-words-do-the-talking/201306/truth-bias https://www.amazon.com/Truth-About-Lies-Illusion-Evolution-ebook/dp/B08BYCS1SG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OYUJLJXS4KNA&keywords=the+truth+about+lies&qid=1640643756&s=books&sprefix=the+truth+about+lies%2Cstripbooks%2C1059&sr=1-1   Behind the Redwood Curtain: Although first skeptical, Catherine now sees the benefits of the Arcata Gateway project for our town and other small towns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUsFlnX2xoE          

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. https://medium.com/@Jude.M/read-this-if-you-struggle-with-finishing-things-you-start-a0fdaa83aa6a   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. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/jan/15/causeway-over-bay-between-arcata-and-eureka-caltra/ https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/arcata-under-pressure/Content?oid=20284166 https://california.surfrider.org/shrinking-beaches-rising-seas/ https://theconversation.com/high-tide-flood-risk-is-accelerating-putting-coastal-economies-at-risk-164481?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20newsletter%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2015%202021%20-%202003819676&utm_content=Daily%20newsletter%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2015%202021%20-%202003819676+CID_e71761137d4bdeaef846224ec8b5f2ca&utm_source=campaign_monitor_us&utm_term=High-tide%20flood%20risk%20is%20accelerating%20putting%20coastal%20economies%20at%20risk     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 The Almost Lost Washcloth by Julie Tarsha. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-almost-lost-washcloth 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. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/aug/14/grange/ https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/the-state-of-the-grange/Content?oid=3498448 https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/aug/14/grange/   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.

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. https://christinamarienoel.com/2020/04/01/5-tips-to-creating-better-virtual-connections-using-zoom/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/bradtempleton/2020/05/29/your-guide-to-feeling-a-human-connection-with-the-group-in-zoom-meetings/?sh=b4d837f29ec4 https://www.scienceofpeople.com/zoom-fatigue/ https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/21/this-is-your-brain-on-zoom/ https://news.stanford.edu/2021/02/23/four-causes-zoom-fatigue-solutions/ https://www.discovery.com/science/Body-Tired-When-Your-Brain-Is-Fried   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 https://www.quietrev.com/why-introverts-and-extroverts-are-different-the-science/ https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/apparently-there-are-4-kinds-of-introversion.html https://www.lifehack.org/412467/why-introverts-are-introverts-because-their-brains-are-different#:~:text=A%20study%20published%20in%20the,matter%20in%20the%20same%20area. https://www.quietrev.com/6-illustrations-that-show-what-its-like-in-an-introverts-head/.  Drawings of differences https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-to-be-an-introvert-and-what-everyone-gets-wrong-2018-5#:~:text=Introverts%20have%20different%20brain%20chemistry,called%20the%20Long%20Acetylcholine%20Pathway.   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.