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 ht...
Feb 27, 2023•38 min•Ep. 145
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, ht tp://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 Be...
Jan 21, 2023•33 min•Ep. 144
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-insects by 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 k...
Dec 28, 2022•39 min•Ep. 143
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...
Nov 13, 2022•35 min•Ep. 142
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 e...
Oct 10, 2022•35 min•Ep. 141
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...
Sep 23, 2022•38 min•Ep. 140
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 lef...
Aug 25, 2022•34 min•Ep. 139
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 c...
Jul 27, 2022•37 min•Ep. 138
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 block...
Jun 20, 2022•46 min•Ep. 137
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 Margare...
May 21, 2022•36 min•Ep. 136
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...
Apr 20, 2022•32 min•Ep. 135
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....
Mar 09, 2022•38 min•Ep. 134
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 t...
Feb 22, 2022•35 min•Ep. 133
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....
Jan 23, 2022•43 min•Ep. 132
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 ...
Dec 27, 2021•32 min•Ep. 131
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 ...
Nov 20, 2021•36 min•Ep. 130
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.ra...
Oct 28, 2021•38 min•Ep. 129
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 on...
Sep 30, 2021•39 min•Ep. 128
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-s...
Aug 28, 2021•35 min•Ep. 127
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+stoc...
Jul 31, 2021•40 min•Ep. 126
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, g...
Jun 18, 2021•35 min•Ep. 125
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...
May 04, 2021•45 min
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...
Apr 11, 2021•39 min•Ep. 123
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 ...
Mar 15, 2021•35 min•Ep. 122
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 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 instructi...
Feb 11, 2021•38 min•Ep. 121
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 star...
Jan 10, 2021•27 min•Ep. 120
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. https://www.ravelry.com/groups/annual-dishcloth-swap Bright Sunny Day shawl. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day Julia Farwell-Clay. Bodhi Leaf. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bodhi-leaf...
Dec 02, 2020•35 min•Ep. 119
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 watching how the various doubled yarns of different colors worked together. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nice-to-gnome-you https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/double-vision/?mc_cid=c289c548d9&am...
Oct 10, 2020•32 min•Ep. 118
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 dyes (acid) for beginners. Her current project that she’s making for the Dishcloth Exchange is Log Cabin Dishcloth by Mary Anne Dinsmore https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/log-cabin-dishcloth . She al...
Sep 07, 2020•44 min•Ep. 117
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 Picks Dishy and Dishy Twist in silver and orange and Naturatura organic yarn in pale yellow. She hopes to finish some of those projects she started. Catherine also finished potholders, named “Potholder fo...
Aug 20, 2020•48 min•Ep. 116
