We report on The Brain Booth at HSU, a place to strengthen brains and reduce stress. We mention our knitting of hats and gnomes and elements of good knitting videos. We also talk about Humboldt Bay Oysters and The Arcata Oyster Festival.

We begin our examination of resilience -- our ability to bounce back from adversity.  Catherine finishes old projects and starts a new one;   Margaret shares tips on making pom poms. And Catherine reports on public art along Waterfront Trail in Eureka

We report on the latest research that shows the Brain-Gut connection goes both ways and what we eat can affect our moods. We connect with the knitting community with swaps and knit-a-longs and continue our exploration of birds and leaves. We also appreciate the delights of fall and wintering gardening on the California North Coast.

We explore the under appreciated but important Sense of Smell that not only is essential to our Sense of Taste but also is critical in our connection to other people. We report on our knitting projects: Bright Sunny Day Shawl; Nice to Gnome You, Peas in a Pod and Izzy Doll. We also discuss a small neighborhood creek and how its name became controversial.

We share information on Compassion and its brain and genetic links. We discuss Knit A-long projects including Sivia Hardings Bright Summer Day and two Laura Nelkin kits: Cassio Collar and Proto Lola (a stranded colorwork hat.) Then we talk about our local Natural Fiber Fair going virtual along with other virtual events.

After processing trauma, people can experience growth. Post Traumatic Growth is gaining recognition from scientists. We talk about cotton yarns, how easy they are to work with, and potholders. We're anticipating upcoming knit alongs. And Catherine share about the River Otter Project and the Otter Art Project.

The brain benefits from travel but even in shutdown, we can enjoy the benefits of the traveling process; Catherine and Margaret find knitting that is comforting; The shrub Ceanothus offers many benefits to gardeners.

We share many strategies for helping you ease your way through the isolation and separation of the Pandemic. Margaret gains a new appreciation for well written directions and mentions two projects with excellent directions that she’s been working on. Catherine continues working on her Socky Slouchy Hat and struggles to find a perfect gauge for her potholder. And she also reports on an annual event in Humboldt, the artists’ Open Studios.

We knit hats and a dish towel and Start a Potholder exchange, we explore part of the mind-body phenomena: the relationship between Depression and Pain; and we celebrate local businesses who step up to protect our community

We discover the Brain Science behind cuteness and cute aggression; we share the cute knitting and crochet we've been working on and then report on a favorite redwood attraction in the area: the Lady Bird Johnson Grove

Catherine Reports on how Chocolate is good for our brains and bodies, then we share our visit to our local Chocolate factory: Dick Taylors. We talk about the match between yarn, needles and pattern, and the many options for knitting gnomes and trees.

We outline the many ways the Vagus Nerve connects the brain with the body and the many ways you can stimulate it that will improve your health.  Margaret shares the small  but satisfying projects she worked on, Catherine talks about crocheting scrubbies and her excitement about new yarn , and she reports how the city of Eureka used its Utility Boxes as canvases for outdoor art. 

In this episode, we touch on English Paper Quilting, we follow up on Jewish Hearts for Pittsburgh, and look at another Laura Nelkin kit — a felted hot pad called Another Contexta. We talk about binaural beats. And then we report on the famous, magical Fern Canyon in Behind the Redwood Curtain.

A bit delayed because of power outages and other events today's episode will explore how the brain changes in animal and human interactions; we’ll talk about a cute little beaded wristlet; report on the Annual Washcloth Swap, and discuss a Northcoast landmark — the Samoa Cookhouse, where you can eat like a logger.

Catherine proclaims baby socks as the perfect travel knitting; Margaret works on Nugget Peds and offers sock tips; Catherine gets into the weeds about Analysis Paralysis and offer ideas to conquer it; Margaret shares resources for visiting Humboldt.

We discuss summer socks, beaded i-cord, a color app from Home Depot, the dishcloth exchange and a pink striped yarn for a dog that may look fierce but who is gentle. We share the latest on the Placebo Effect and report on a new area event, The Arcata Fairy Festival. Plus we have another fun give away.

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...

In this interview about both quilting and knitting, Anna Zilboorg, master knitting teacher, shares a bit of her own history, she touches on meditative knitting, she celebrates our hands, she talks about learning through the mind and learning with the hands and she worries about knitting becoming rote and- rule bound rather than people growing into being being craftspeople.

We share what we’re learning from our knitting: crocheting a shawl, knitting small items and starting a new welcome blanket. Margaret reports new studies that show that human brains respond to changes in the magnetic field but people don’t consciously perceive them. What does that mean? We don’t know. And Catherine talks about a remote monastery and retreat in Southern Humboldt.

What makes a master teacher?   Franklin Habit, who is a designer, teacher, writer and illustrator, shares his story of learning and teaching 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.   

We report on the dynamic among science, creativity and intuition in the film Innsaei; We finish up then plan new knitting projects; We comment on the documentary Murder Mountain; We give a podcast update and offer three giveaways.

We investigate if brain games actually improve your brain function; we finish knitting mitts and a dog sweater and start a new block for a charity blanket; and we extoll the virtues of Humboldt Grassfed beef. We'll be slowing down our podcast publications but we're not going away.

We present research about Housing and Happiness; Catherine tackles a dog sweater; Margaret’s Sheep Gets a Beaded Sweater; and Why for the Klamath Tribe, Salmon is Everything

We report on  how the mighty "little brain", the cerebellum, has invaded our thinking processes, Margaret explores the question can bad energy permeate sock yarn, Catherine faces harsh reality with the Andoa pullover and the albino redwoods reveal their secrets

Catherine reaps the rewards of her Dishcloth Swap and shares them with us, Margaret Finds comfort in a crochet version of Jewish Hearts for Pittsburgh, Catherine reports on research that confirms that singing helps us feel better, especially when we’re in a group, and Margaret reveals research on the surprising ecosystem hundreds of feet above the ground in the Redwood canopy.