Teaching Your Brain to Knit
by Margaret and Catherine
Margaret and Catherine talk about what they are learning from their knitting, something about the brain or learning, Behind the Redwood Curtain, the area where they live along the Northcoast of California, and a knitting tip
Episodes
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Ep. 145 Planning ahead for difficult times and creating a joyful amydala; Knitting shawls, trying mosaic crochet; finishing gnomes; and highlights of Redwood curtain segments
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...
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Ep. 144 Solastalgia --seeking comfort--, knitting shawls, gnomes and a snitch; Teaching my bones to knit, removing dams on the Klamath, and an announcement
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…
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Ep. 143 Joy Snacks, Insects, Shawl, Blocks, Historic Benbow Inn
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…
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Ep. 142 Light and the Brain; Dishcloths, Shawls, Sweater, Pumpkins and Leaves; Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples
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...
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Ep. 141. Book Review of Behave; Knitting Pumpkins, Dishcloths and Shawls; Redwoods Skywalk
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...
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Ep. 140 Nature Deficit Disorder; Crochet Baby Blanket; Knit Snail and washcloth; The Eroding Cliffs of California
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...
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Ep. 139 Thinking Fast and Slow; Knitting and Crochet; Cars to Bikes
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...
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Ep. 138 Volunteerism, Mandalas Moebius Cast On, Sneaker and Rogue Waves
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…
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Ep. 137 Highly Sensitive People; knitting blocks and socks and crocheting granny squares; Potawot Health Village
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...
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Ep. 136. Impact of Shutdowns on Introverts and Extroverts; Knitting baby items and mixing and matching gnome parts; Xeriscaping for Droughts
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...
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Ep. 135. Hedonic Adaptation; Trying Freeform, Finding Comfort; & Knits in the World; Craftsman television series
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...
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Ep. 134. Perfectionism; blankets, reports & tips; Cal Poly Humboldt
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...
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Ep. 133 Loving Kindness Meditation, Blankets, Hats and Socks, and Old Town Buggy Rides
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...
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Ep. 132 Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation; New socks, old birds, and new stitches; La Niña & El Niño
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...
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Ep. 131 Gnomes, Finishing Plus, Truth Bias, Planned Housing
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...
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Ep. 130. Construal Level Theory of Finishing Projects; Sewing up sweaters; Crocheting Coasters; Humboldt Sea Level Rise
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...
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Ep. 129 Wool and Sleep; Knitting Little Things and Sweaters; Renaming a State Park
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…
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Ep. 128 Grounding, Cardi Knit-along, Knitting Failures, The Grange
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...
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Ep. 127 Zoom Tips for Your Brain; Sampler Socks; Cardi Kal; The National Christmas Tree
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...
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Ep. 126. Brains of Introverts and Extroverts; Knitting gnomes, shawls, sweaters, and dishcloths; Updates on Behind the Redwood Curtains
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...
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Ep. 125. Link Between Biodiversity and Human Happiness; Shawl and Sock Knitting; Keeping the Giant Jolly Art
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...
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Ep. 124 Willpower, Two Double Stranded Hats; New Shawl project; Fernbridge
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...
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Ep. 123. Revenge Bedtime Procrastination; Blocking Party and Knitting in Black; Honor Tax
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...
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Ep. 122. Resilience, Rick Hanson style; Fingering weight hats, ponchos, scrubbies, & knitting with raffia; Last Chance Grade.
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…
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Ep. 121 Brain Booth; Knitted Hats and Gnomes; Knitting Videos; Humboldt Bay Oysters
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 Lauren Sanchez: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lauren-sanchez Margaret...
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Ep. 120. Resilience, Finishing and Starting, Pom Poms, Public Art Bench
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:...
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Ep. 119 Brain, Gut and Moods; Swaps, Knit-a-longs, Birds and Leaves; and North Coast Fall and Winter Gardening
Brainy 16:20. Behind the Redwood Curtain. 25:00 What We're Learning from Our Knitting We're appreciating the community spirit behind swaps and knit-a-longs as Catherine participates in the annual Dishcloth Swap and Sivia Hardings Bright Sunny Day knit-a-long Annual Dishcloth Swap....
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Ep. 118 The Sense of Smell and How it Connects Us to Others; Updates on Knitting; Janes Creek Controversy
Brainy thing: 17:09 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 24:36 What We've Learned from our Knitting: Margaret finished Sarah Schirra's Mystery Knit-along named Nice to Gnome you. Knitting with two strands of yarn was challenging — especially with the nose and the center double decrease but she enjoyed...
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Ep. 117 Compassion and the Brain; Knit a-longs; Virtual Fiber events
Brainy thing: 19:33 Behind the Redwood Curtain (and beyond): 34:15 What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine finished hosting 2020 Potholder exchange which she said was successful. She has been doing some dyeing with procion dyes which she says was fun but messy and recommends kool aid…
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Ep. 116 Post Traumatic Growth; Cotton and Potholders; The River Otter Project
Brainy Thing: 25:48 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 36:28 What We're Learning From Our Knitting: Margaret got caught up in casting on projects but not finishing them. She did complete three Chicken Potholders https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chicken-potholder-6 by Erangi Udeshika using Knit...
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Ep. 115 Brain Benefits of Travel without Traveling; Comfort Knitting; Ceanothus
Brainy: 16:00 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 25:42 What we're learning from our Knitting and crochet: Catherine's comfort knitting is the Socky Slouchy Hat by Lauren Sanchez. She's using a Canon Hand dye sock yarn in a deep black and periwinkle. Lauren Sanchez...
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Ep. 114 Helping Our Brains Survive Isolation; Celebrating Great Patterns; Hats and Potholders; Open Studios
Brainy thing: 17:42 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 28:36 What We're Learning from Our Knitting: Margaret gains an even greater appreciation for well written directions. Two great patterns, in particular that she's worked on lately is Wooly Sheep by Lucy of Attic 24...
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Ep. 113 Mind-Body in Depth: Depression and Pain; Knitting Hats, Ballband Dish Towel; Starting a Potholder Swap; Businesses Help Support Community
Brainy: 21:26 Mind/Body Depression, Pain and the Brain Behind the Redwood Curtain: 28:04 What We're Learning from Our Knitting Both Catherine and Margaret (without consultation with each other) made hats for themselves. Catherine knit the Socky Slouchy Hat by Lauren Sanchez...
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Ep. 112 The Brain Science Behind Cuteness; Cute Knitting and Crochet; Lady Bird Johnson Park
Brainy Thing: 21:11 Behind the Redwood Curtain 29:33 What we're learning from our knitting: Margaret participated in Sara Schira's MKAL3 for a new Gnome "Gnome is Where you Hang Your Hat" https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gnome-is-where-you-hang-your-hat. This one features stranded...
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Ep. 111 The Chocolate Episode: Good for Your brain, a Fun Visit to Dick Taylor's Chocolate Factory, plus Knitting Scarves, Gnomes and Trees
Brainy Thing: 23:31 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 34:16 What We Learned from Our Knitting Catherine has found the perfect combination of yarn, needles and pattern in the Baker's Street Scarf https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baker-street-scarf by Joan of Dark and on Knitty...
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Ep. 110 The Vagus Nerve and Your Brain and Health; Knitting Small Things; Crocheting Scrubbies and getting new yarn; Utility boxes as canvases for public art
Brainy thing: 23:46 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 37:07 What we're learning from our knitting: Margaret's knitting this time focused on small items. She was amazed at the design originality of Rebecca Langford's Little rustic pumpkin https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-rustic-pumpkin…
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Ep. 109 Dinaural Beats, Paper Quilting, Jewish Hearts revisit; Another Contexta Hotpad, Fern Canyon
Brainy: 15:22 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:45 What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine has found the same peace with English Paper Quilting that she gets with knitting but she's not abandoning knitting and has plans for new projects. Margaret revisited the Jewish Hearts for Pittsburgh,...
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Ep. 108 Brain Changes in Animal-Human Interaction; Cairos Wristlet; Yield of Washcloth Swap; and the Samoa Cookhouse
Brainy Thing: 16:15 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:41 Margaret finished the Laura Nelkin Kairos wristlet https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kairos-2. She particularly liked the randomness of the bead placement. This was a kit and Laura offers 5 different colorways on her etsy store.…
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Ep. 107 Socks and tips; Analysis Paralysis; North Coast Tourism
Brainy: 13:05 Behind the Redwood Curtain 27:30 What We're Learning from our Knitting: It's socks, socks, socks in our knitting this episode. Catherine shares the sad tale of her puppy getting to a washcloths she had finished for her Washcloth exchange. Now she gets to keep the slightly chewed...
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Ep. 106 Summer socks, beaded i-cord, color app, washcloth exchange, The Placebo Effect, Arcata Fairy Festival
Brainy thing: 18:37 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:19 What We're Learning From Our Knitting Margaret finished a pair of summer socks: Top down, 1x1 twist rib cuff, afterthought heel with gusset, (check out Ariana Hipsagh gussets in afterthought heel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUyJM2FBH_o…
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Ep. 105 Blankets, Buffalo Log Cabin Mitts, Diet and Depression, Reintroduction of the Condor
Brainy Thing: 15:16 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 27:41 In episode 105 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we share our knitting stories with buffalo wool, the log cabin mitts, blankets and blanket squares. We report on research about the effect of diet on depression and the reintroduction of the condor...
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Ep. 104 Anna Zilboorg Interview: Master Teacher Series
Today on episode 104 of the Teaching Your Brain to Knit podcast we have a special treat: an interview with master knitting teacher Anna Zilboorg. I recorded this last October while on an Camp Stitches workshop in Coeur d'Alene Idaho. I was excited to be registered in Anna's workshop-- Design as…
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Ep. 103 Knitting Little Things; Starting a New Welcome Blanket; Magnetoreception and the Human Brain; The Redwood Monastery
Brainy thing: 24:18 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 29:40 What we've learned from our knitting (and crochet): Margaret completed her Quest Shawl by Linda Dean featured in the Jimmy Beans Advent Crochet event. It was great fun but she was glad to finally finish it. Quest...
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Ep. 102 Franklin Habit Interview: Master Teacher Series
What makes a master teacher? After years of experience designing, teaching, writing, and illustrating, Franklin Habit shares his story of learning and teaching the fiber arts. From knowing five ways to teach a class to managing different types of learners, Franklin offers information and hints.…
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Ep. 101 Investigating science and intuition in the film Innsaei; Finishing and planning new knitting projects; Reporting on the documentary Murder Mountain; Giveaways galore
Brainy: 20:17 Redwood Curtain: 26:10 What We're Learning from our Knitting: Catherine discovers new stitches from Barbara Walker's Second Treasury for blocks for her Charity Blanket...
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Ep. 100 Do Brain Games Really Work; Finishing a Pair of Fingerless Mitts; Modifying a Dog Sweater and Starting another Charity Block; Feasting on Humboldt Grassfed Beef
Brainy Thing: 10:43 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 22:25 What We're Learning From Our Knitting: Margaret, yet again, referred to Ann Budd's The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns https://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Handy-Book-Patterns/dp/1931499047 to make mitts for her granddaughter in leftover Viking...
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Ep. 099 Linking happiness with Housing; Tackling a Dog Sweater; Crocheting a Sweater for the Sheep; Why Salmon is Everything
Brainy Thing: 11:58 Behind the Redwood Curtain 22:08 What We're Learning from Our Knitting (and Crochet): Catherine tackles a new dog sweater for her son's dog. Knit Dog Coat (by Bernat): https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dog-coat-11. Margaret adds beads to the sweater for her crocheted...
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Ep. 098 The mighty cerebellum invades the thinking brain; Margaret wonders if sock yarn can hold negative energy; Catherine faces harsh reality; Albino redwoods reveal their secrets
Brainy thing: 13:40 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 19:10 What We're Learning from Our Knitting: Margaret wonders if her yarn can hold negative energy on her Dragon's Egg Socks by Anne Podlesak https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dragons-egg-socks from The Unofficial Harry Potter Knits.…
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Ep. 097 Create Happy Brain Chemicals through Singing; Reaping the Rewards of Dishcloth Exchange; Finding Comfort through Jewish Hearts for Pittsburgh; Discovering the Redwood Canopy
Brainy: 12:49 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 21:21 What We're Learning from Our Knitting: Catherine reaps the rewards of the Dishcloth Swap https://www.ravelry.com/groups/annual-dishcloth-swap. Margaret finds comfort from yarn crafts after the Tree of Life mass shooting with the Jewish Hearts for...
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Ep. 096 Finding Fun Brain Facts; Continuing the Template; Finishing Granny Squares; Discovering Milwel Point; Slow Podcasting
Brainy Thing: 13:22 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 21:37 What We're Learning from our Knitting (and Crochet) Margaret finished the crocheted blocks (from The Big Book of Granny Squares by Tracey Lord) for a lap blanket. She finished #33, #133, #66 and #178 and two others she didn't write down. Now…
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About this show
Margaret and Catherine talk about what they are learning from their knitting, something about the brain or learning, Behind the Redwood Curtain, the area where they live along the Northcoast of California, and a knitting tip
Hosted by
Margaret and Catherine