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 https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat . And she continues her search for the best gauge to use for a potholder with the Knit Picks Dishie Twist. Margaret is also searching for comfort and returned to Arne and Carlos for t...
Jul 17, 2020•30 min•Ep. 115
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 https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/woolly-sheep-2 . She used scrap yarn. She added a touch of embroidery on the sweater/blanket for the sheep. Also, she’s working on the Baker’s Twine potholder out of https://www.ravelry.com/patter...
Jun 13, 2020•35 min•Ep. 114
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 https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat Margaret’s was the Churchmouse Yarns and Teas Boyfriend Watch Cap https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/boyfriend-watch-cap Margaret also tried out the famous and ...
May 02, 2020•36 min•Ep. 113
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 colorwork. Margaret also got caught up in other cute projects including Henry’s Bunny https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/henrys-bunny by Sara Elizabeth Kellner and Susan B. Anderson’s Spring Charm set ht...
Mar 23, 2020•37 min•Ep. 112
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 http://knitty.com/ISSUEff15/index.php . She used Brittany birchwood needles and Blue Moon Fiber Company’s yarn in the Evermore colorway. Margaret is proclaiming Sarah Schira the Queen of the gnomes after investigation int...
Feb 07, 2020•46 min•Ep. 111
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 that she started in in Kelbourne Woolens, Germantown, Gold but sadly didn’t have enough to complete. Just to be able to complete something she took up the crocheted Fall Leaves Pattern https://www.ravelry....
Jan 22, 2020•47 min•Ep. 110
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, making one for her. Ravelry https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jewish-hearts-for-pittsburgh hearts https://www.planetjune.com/blog/free-crochet-patterns/love-hearts/ 6 pointed stars https://www.rav...
Dec 05, 2019•34 min•Ep. 109
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. Catherine hasn’t done much knitting but she’s working on a pair of Baby Socks https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks-23 and has reaped the rewards of her dishcloth exchange. https://www.ravelry.co...
Nov 07, 2019•36 min•Ep. 108
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 Vortex 5 by Rebecca Hudson https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vortex-5-dishcloth but needs to make another one. She decided on the perfect traveling project: Baby socks. Some patterns she likes are ri...
Sep 18, 2019•38 min•Ep. 107
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 Reena Meijer Dress Knit better Socks blog http://knitbettersocks.blogspot.com/ ) The yarn is Canon Hand Dyed 80 Merino, 10 Cashmere and 10 nylon.by The Amy Lee Show and the colorway is “I will believe that ...
Aug 13, 2019•37 min
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 in the Northcoast. What we’re learning from our Knitting: Catherine plays "too little/too much" with her Caron Big Cake ( https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/caron-big-cakes ) a 100% acrylic yarn. But...
Jul 14, 2019•36 min•Ep. 105
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 You Go Construction. I have all of Anna’s book and I’ve long admired her philosophy and approach to knitting that she lays out in her book Knitting for Anarchists. In this interview about both quilting an...
May 18, 2019•26 min•Ep. 104
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 Shawl: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quest-shawl . Then she completed several small projects: A souvenir from Stitches West, Rebecca Danger’s Wickedly Peaceful Polar Bear: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wickedly-...
Apr 28, 2019•43 min•Ep. 103
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. He has years of experience and is a Fiber teacher in demand all over the world. Find him at his website http://franklinhabit.com/home at Skacel Makers/Mercantile with Fridays with Franklin https://wearema...
Mar 22, 2019•34 min•Ep. 102
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 ( https://www.amazon.com/Second-Treasury-Knitting-Patterns/dp/0942018176/ref=pd_cp_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0942018176&pd_rd_r=2a3d2895-acb1-11e8-8e51-357518f34f72&pd_rd_w=XOqrD&pd_rd_wg=BKXpo&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=fcaa6d12-8b2b-4ad7-b277-864b2da79f6e&...
Jan 18, 2019•45 min•Ep. 101
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 Nordlys yarn in 75 wool/25 nylon yarn. This long repeat yarn was originally suggested by Theresa Schabes for the Maya hat and mittens: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maya-hat-and-mittens-set . Ca...
Jan 04, 2019•34 min•Ep. 100
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 sheep by Lucy of Attic24: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/woolly-sheep-2 . She used scraps of fingering weight yarn although the pattern called for DK. Brainy Thing: Housing and Happiness Catheri...
Dec 17, 2018•35 min•Ep. 99
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. Catherine faces harsh realities with the man’s pullover pattern, Andoa, https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/andoa-pullover ( free on Ravelry, from Nora Gaughan and done for Berroco). Brainy Thing: For decad...
Dec 02, 2018•30 min•Ep. 98
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 Pittsburgh group. In Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/groups/jewish-hearts-for-pittsburgh Also on Facebook. Brainy Thing: Good Brain Chemicals from Group Singing Let’s raise our voices for the good brain ...
Nov 16, 2018•28 min•Ep. 97
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 she plans to piece together the blocks with a stitch of some sort but she’s not sure what yet. Finally she wants to felt it. She hopes the finished results will be a nice felted blanket that she’ll donate...
Nov 01, 2018•35 min•Ep. 95
Brainy Thing: 25:39 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 39:10 What We’re Learning from Our Knitting Catherine is doing what she calls a "template sweater”. A sweater out of acrylic yarn that she later modify according to fit for her final sweater. She didn’t feel like a formula sweater so thought this would be more fun. The yarn is Yarnspirations by Caron Big Cakes in the Summer Berry Tart Colorway (gradient) out of 100% acrylic. She also calls out for some extra yarn for her Heaven Scent pattern: She n...
Oct 21, 2018•48 min•Ep. 95
Brainy thing: 16:26 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 28:03 What We’re Learning from Our Knitting Catherine finishes her quadrant dishcloths ( https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quadrant-dishcloth )for her dishcloth exchange and even adds a fancy tag. By Jenny Konopinski quadrant is free at knitpicks For little or no discernible reason, except a whim, Margaret makes Nai Nai’s Favorite Dishcloth ( https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nai-nais-favorite ) by Ali Crockett and discovers the bias ...
Oct 01, 2018•44 min•Ep. 94
Brainy thing: 13:56 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 21:00 What we’re learning from our knitting: With no finished project, Margaret offers an update of her knitting: Knit the sky Scarf ( https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sky-scarf ); Bathroom jar covers; Nair-Nai’s favorite wash cloth ( https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/nai-nais-favorite ); 30 day knitting challenge ( https://knitom.com/30-day-challenge/ ) Catherine falls in love with Patty Lyons Cable Cardigan in Vogue Knitting Fall 2...
Sep 17, 2018•31 min•Ep. 93
Brainy thing: 15:37 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 28:36 What we’re learning from our knitting: Catherine picks another pattern from Barbara Walker’s A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns ( https://www.amazon.com/Second-Treasury-Knitting-Patterns/dp/0942018176/ref=pd_cp_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0942018176&pd_rd_r=2a3d2895-acb1-11e8-8e51-357518f34f72&pd_rd_w=XOqrD&pd_rd_wg=BKXpo&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=fcaa6d12-8b2b-4ad7-b277-864b2da79f6e...
Sep 01, 2018•40 min•Ep. 92
Brainy Thing: 15:35 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 26:30 What we’ve been learning from our knitting: Margaret has been focusing on Process over Product on the Tree Afghan. To find podcasts on the Tree Afghan Patterns check out Webs Yarn Store Shows 100, 101, 102, 103, 104. (I had trouble linking to the patterns) Catherine is trying new blocks for her charity knitting blanket and reports on her Bias Square with a diagonal design. Brainy thing:15:35 For most of us, starting a meditation practice is c...
Aug 18, 2018•39 min•Ep. 91
Brainy thing: 20:25 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 32:27 What We’re Learning from Our Knitting: Margaret is exploring new approaches to knitted birds with Nicky Filakowska’s aptly named book Knitted Birds . These birds are knitted in pieces and then assembled and stuffed. Catherine is realizing the importance of gauge with a seemingly simple dishcloth pattern — the Quadrant dishcloth/washcloth by Jenny Konopinski https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quadrant-dishcloth Brainy Thing: The Matilda ...
Aug 02, 2018•43 min•Ep. 90
Brainy Thing: 21:10 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 32:54 What We’re Learning from Our Knitting Margaret caught the Virus fever when she needed a bright, sunny shawl before the sun came from its winter’s sleep in Humboldt. It’s a four row repeat crochet triangle shawl -- Virus Shawl No one know who the original designer is but you can find it at: Written http://giftsbyhelen.co.uk/2016/06/virus-shawl-a-written-pattern/ video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6gJPoo5t60 chart https://www.woolpedia.de/e...
Jul 16, 2018•45 min
Brainy Thing: 19:24 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 36:24 What We’re Learning from Our Knitting: Catherine is almost finished the heavenly Heaven Scent by aand is switching to blocks for her charity blanket. Margaret switches from birds to eggs with a decorative knitted egg, again from Arne and Carlos. She offers a giveaway on the book. Brainy Thing: Catherine finishes off her three part series on the controversy— Can there be positive addictions. She focuses this time on William Glasser who literal...
Jul 02, 2018•43 min
Brainy thing: 14:25 Behind the Redwood Curtain 25:16 What We’re Learning from our Knitting Margaret is playing around with Embellishing Birds from Arne’s and Carlos’ book Field Guide to Knitted Birds. arne and carlos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scnTbAFiwtc \ embellish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zcc5JhkT5Q Judy’s magic cast on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhBIS0AhhQY Catherine is continuing her adventure with knitted beads and lace with Knitting Boo’s Heaven Scene shawl. https://www....
Jun 16, 2018•39 min•Ep. 87
Brainy Thing: 23:05 Behind the Redwood Curtain: 43:15 What we’re learning from our knitting: Using Zauberball cotton Catherine continues her adventure with lace shawl Heaven Scene by Knitting Boo. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heaven-scent . Margaret makes Lara Neels Reclaiming Our Time https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reclaiming-our-time and talks about some other sock patterns that allow you to easily reknit the sole and heel where holes and wear are most likely to appear. B...
Jun 01, 2018•55 min•Ep. 86
