Episodes
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...
Published 02/27/23
Published 02/27/23
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 ...
Published 01/21/23
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...
Published 12/28/22
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...
Published 11/13/22
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...
Published 10/10/22
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...
Published 09/23/22
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...
Published 08/25/22
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...
Published 07/27/22
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...
Published 06/20/22
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: ...
Published 05/21/22
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...
Published 04/20/22
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...
Published 03/09/22
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...
Published 02/22/22
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...
Published 01/23/22
We talk gnome knitting and making welts, finishing projects and in-between projects. Margaret reports on cognitive biases, specifically the Truth Bias, and Catherine shares about small town planned housing.
Published 12/27/21
We explore theories of why it's so hard to finish up projects sometimes. Catherine uses some of those theories to help her slog through sewing up her Agata Sweater; Margaret crochets eyeball coasters for her grandchildren's Halloween and she reports on Sea Level Rise in Humboldt County.
Published 11/20/21
We share information on how wool bedding improves sleep. Margaret reports on what she's learned from free classes and knitting little thing and Catherine is nearly finished her sweater. In breaking news, Catherine reports how the former Patrick's Point State Park's name has been changed to the original Sumeg State Park
Published 10/28/21
We follow Catherine's progress on the Agata Cardigan, share Margaret's many knitting failures but a lot of learning, Catherine shares a tip for countering jet lag (and other health ills) with Grounding and we report on the many controversies with The Grange.
Published 09/30/21
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.
Published 08/28/21
Today we report on three differences in the brain between Introverts and Extroverts; We talk about our knitting: gnomes, shawls, sweaters and dishcloths; and we give updates on former Behind the Redwood Curtain segments: Art Otters; Mini urban forests, and Last Pass Grade
Published 07/31/21
We explore studies on the link between biodiversity in nature and human happiness. We also talk about our shawl and sock knitting and report on a new public art project celebrating the Jolly Giant Creek in Arcata
Published 06/18/21
We report on willpower, needed to make positive changes; In our knitting, we talk about double stranded knit hats and a new textured shawl pattern. And we report on Fernbridge, connecting Highway 101 to Ferndale over the Eel River.
Published 05/04/21
We explore why some people are postponing bedtime in order to capture some control over their lives; We report on our knitting that includes blocking shawls and knitting in black; and we introduce the concept of the honor tax, a voluntary tribute to local native tribes
Published 04/11/21
We report on psychologist and neuroscientist Rick Hanson's view on resilience; We have tales about searching for a perfect scrubbie, of all things, and our projects of fingering weight hats, ponchos, and knitting stars of raffia; And we discuss the tectonic changes that present problems for Last Chance Grade.
Published 03/15/21