145 episodes
Teaching Your Brain to Knit Margaret and Catherine
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- Leisure
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4.7 • 111 Ratings
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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
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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 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 https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/make-gnome-mistake
Sarah Schira. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sarah-schira
The pattern I used was I*heart*FATW5. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/iheartfatw5 rosina crochet. Rosina Plane. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/rosina-plane
Brainy Thing:
Catherine points out the value of making a plan in case of unexpected events and Margaret talks about how to develop a Joyous Amygdala. She also mentions some of her favorite Brainy segments from the past
https://www.webmd.com/brain/amygdala-what-to-know
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Catherine and Margaret report on highlights from the past from Behind the Redwood Curtain and Catherine advocates for independent podcasts . Catherine promotes the podcast Chronicles from Behind the Redwood Curtain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWjuhpiHo-E
This podcast's future
For now, this "Ma and Ma" podcast will stop regular production. We thank all our listeners for their support over the years.
Welcome to Episode 145 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we share information about planing for unexpected events and how to grow a joyful amygdala. We talk about knitting shawls, dyeing fabric, trying mosaic crochet and finishing a knitted gnome. We also mention highlights from past Behind the Redwood Curtain segments and Catherine promotes another Humboldt podcast. Finally we report on the future of this podcast. -
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: 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
Behind the Redwood Curtain
At the end of 2022, the courts approved a plan to remove four dams on the Klamath River which are destructive to fish species and cause toxic blue green algae.
https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-11-17/regulators-approve-demolition-of-four-klamath-river-dams?utm_id=76610&sfmc_id=4456079
https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/Largest-dam-removal-project-in-U-S-history-gets-17592091.php?sid=62c3aa67475d9718370d9a07&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headlines&utm_campaign=sfc_morningfix
live condor feed:
https://www.yuroktribe.org/yurok-condor-live-feed
Announcement:
We announce that after our next episode (145), we will be discontinuing the podcast in its current form.
Welcome to episode 144 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit while we report on Hygge and Solastalgia--comfort and longing for comfort; Catherine updates us on her Twists and Turns adventure and celebrates completing a gnome and a snitch while Margaret reports on teaching her bones to knit and finally talks about the victory on the Klamath River for the fish, the quality of the river, and the environment with four dam removals. -
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 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 knitted blocks for Hats and More for Refugees World wide. https://www.ravelry.com/groups/hats-and-more-for-refugees-worldwide. She's using the beginning of the Melanie's Mandala Baby Blanket https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melanies-mandala-baby-blanket for the blocks.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/garden-insects
Brainy Thing:
Margaret shares quick practices that increase happiness in her report on Joy Snacks.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/11/17/feel-happier-joy-flourishing/?utm_campaign=wp_the_optimist&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&wpisrc=nl_optimist&carta-url=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.washingtonpost.com%2Fcar-ln-tr%2F386153a%2F637a338d7e2620469f1837c5%2F596c929a9bbc0f2086603b6d%2F12%2F51%2F637a338d7e2620469f1837c5&wp_cu=bab067e80720f9dc4ad7b181c2d7c0c3%7CC0D7373013494969E0430100007FF0C5
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Catherine reports on the historic Benbow Inn south of Garberville https://benbowinn.com/
Welcome to episode 143 of Teaching your Brain to Knit. Today we present Joy Snack or quick things we can do to bring us happiness; We talk about our crochet (making amigurumi insects) and Knitting, (shawl and knitted blocks) plus we report on the historic Benbow Inn -
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 (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-dishcloth-swap).
Margaret continues to delight in the variety of patterns that creates pumpkins and leaves. She knits Mimi Pumpkin https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/knitted-mini-pumpkin) as well as Oakleaf from Fall Garland (https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=469668145054284). by Jen Lucas and also Leaf from Susan B. Anderson's Fall Harvest Charm
Brainy Thing:
Catherine reports on the impact of light on the brain, particularly early morning light:
https://bestlifeonline.com/daylight-saving-time-benefits/
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples is located in Arcata and focuses on supporting grassroots initiatives for Indigenous people around the world. https://7genfund.org/
Welcome to Episode 142 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we explore the relationship between early morning light and our brains. Catherine is deep within textures and colors with her knitting and Margaret enjoys different designs for little pumpkins and leaves. Finally we spotlight The Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous People located here in Arcata. -
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 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 efforts to resist, Catherine is starting the Westknits MKAL 2022: Twists & Turns shawl.
Brainy Thing: The book Behave: The biology of Humans at our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky is five years old now but is chock full of information about human behavior and told is Sapolsky's witty style. Margaret reviews it.
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Catherine tells of her visit to the new Redwood Skywalk in Eureka's Sequoia Park, suspended 100 feet above the ground.
https://www.redwoodskywalk.com/
Welcome to Episode 141 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we review highlights from the book Behave by Robert Saplosky, discuss learning from knitting pumpkins, dishcloths and a mystery shawl, and report on the new Skywalk among the Redwoods at Eureka's Sequoia Park.
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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 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 amigurumi project that taught her a lot: The Splendid Snail by Tatyana Grigoryan. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/splendid-snail
Brainy Thing:
Although experts debate its existence, many people believe Nature Deficit Disorder is a read condition that needs to be addressed. Richard Louv came up with the term in his book "Last Child in the Woods" . https://richardlouv.com/blog/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder/. Other names and terms Catherine describes in this report are green exercise, eco psychologists, Wilderness therapy professionals
Frederick Law Olmstread (American Landscape Architecture), John Muir and Louise Chala, Colorado University professor
Behind the Redwood Curtain:
Those beautiful iconic Cliffs of California are eroding away. Margaret reports on a recent study about them.
https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/new-high-resolution-study-california-coastal-cliff-erosion-released
California Coastal Cliff Erosion Viewer: https://siocpg.ucsd.edu/data-products/ca-cliff-viewer/
https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/California-s-cliffs-are-falling-into-the-sea-17362397.php
Today, in Episode 140 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, Catherine presents information about Nature Deficit Disorder and the importance of being outside in nature; She also talks about her knitting AND crochet: she finished her crochet mandala Baby Blanket and started knitting washcloths for the washcloth exchange. Margaret shares her experience knitting a snail and then reports on the latest information on the eroding cliffs of California
Customer Reviews
Saddened but grateful
Aloha from me on the Big Island, Today I sadly discovered you have stopped your beautiful sessions with us. I actually teared up and am consoling myself. You ladies are terrific to share yourselves and thoughts with all of us out here. I for one certainly gained so much being included in your programs. I’ve learned about awesome knitters and crocheters. I’ve learned about applicable scientific facts and special places in Humboldt Co. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m sad because I felt as though I had met kindred spirits. Both you women really love life and people, it’s wonderful to have a meaningful message coming my way about the love of my life, creativity. I feel so connected . I feel as though I am in mourning for dear friends. So many losses and tragedy in our lives. But thank you for your beauty and organization and dependable podcasts. I’ll miss you two! So sorry to see you leave. No worries. You left us in a positive place. Lots of love to you both. Aloha and knit on…Susan
Fun and interesting.
Margaret’s and Catherine’s podcast is lovely. They include interesting knitting information,
their project reviews and research on brain functioning. The latter is fascinating! Interesting in a useful way, especially on good mental health techniques in this time of the pandemic. Their voices are pleasant, and the segments are well-organized without being rigid. I love this podcast!
Wonderful Podcast
I started listening to this podcast recently and have very quickly come to appreciate its variety of knowledge and sense of humor. I find it thought provoking too. The two ladies make me feel comfortable, as if I am part of a conversation with friends. I will go back to the beginning and listen to the episodes from the beginning. Thank you!