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, grey, orange, yellow and pink. Although she has her own modifications, she basically follows Ann Budd's 6 stitches per inch sock. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/6-stitches-per-inch-sock. Margaret also applied several patches in old socks that were wearing thing. Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on studies that show the link with biodiversity in nature with human happiness. Diversity in birds are particularly important. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/12/201204110246.htm https://theconversation.com/biodiversity-how-our-health-and-happiness-depend-on-a-thriving-planet-157261 Behind the Redwood Curtain Margaret talks about a creek in Arcata, the Jolly Giant Creek, and a new art project to honor it. https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2021/may/11/jolly-giant-creek-art/ https://www.arcataplayhouse.org/events/art-and-the-environment-keeping-the-giant-jolly/ arcata parks: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=7d73767b6cbd47a1a9ce460f750d03cb Welcome to Episode 125 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, where we talk about the link between biodiversity in nature and human happiness; Catherine updates her work on the Metalouse and Margaret shares about her basic sock knitting; she also reports on a recent outdoor art project in honor of the Jolly Giant Creek. Thanks for listening to our podcast.

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%20yarns and Casbah Silk Fine. Catherine still needs to assemble her gnome but has started Stephen West's Metalouse from Knitty. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/metalouse. Stephen West. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/stephen-west Brainy Thing We hear a lot about making positive changes for our mental and physical health but changing habits is difficult. Margaret reports on a video from Dr. Kelly McGonigal on Willpower. She's also written a book on it as well as a book on movement. https://www.bestyear.life/kellymcgonigal https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtc1iWm_KCI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_McGonigal Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine shares information on Fernbridge, the 110 year old structure bridging Highway 101 with the town of Ferndale. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernbridge_(bridge) In Episode 124 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we explore some of the elements of willpower than could help us make positive change. In Our knitting, we talk about two double stranded hats and a new heavily textured shawl. And we consider a classic landmark of the Northcoast -- Fernbridge. Thanks for listening to our podcast and you can subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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 black -- a sphere ornament called RBG Ball by Lexie Bryan commemorating Ruth Bader Ginsberg https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rbg-balland a large and thick potholder called Baker's Twine by Ducathi https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bakers-twine Revenge bedtime procrastination Postponing bedtime -- even to the point of being unhealthy -- seems to be one way some people are trying to take control of their lives during the pandemic. It's called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/revenge-bedtime-procrastination: Honor tax There is a movement in our community called the honor tax -- a voluntary payment to the local Wiyot tribal nation for recognition of the traditional land that we are using. http://www.honortax.org/ https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/cost-of-occupation/Content?oid=2130244 https://madriverunion.com/indigenous-peoples-day-sees-honor-tax-appeal/ Welcome to Episode 123 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where we focus on the increasingly familiar phenomenon called Revenge Bedtime Procrastination; We share our recent knitting progress including a blocking party for shawls and knitting in black -- including an rbg ornament and a potholder. We also introduce the concept of an honor tax -- a voluntary, self-determined payment to local native tribes. Show notes and links are in the Teaching Your Brain to Knit Group in Ravelry, in Libsyn, and often in the app you use to play your podcasts. We hope that you'll tell others about our podcast and subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Thank you for listening.

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 late in fingering weight yarn: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/socky-slouchy-hat. by Lauren Sanchez: https://www.ravelry.com/designers/lauren-sanchez. She's frustrated finding a scrubbie pattern she likes and continues working on her gnome. Brainy Thing: Margaret continues to report on resilience, this time sharing information from Rick Hanson, a psychologist, neuroscientists, and Buddhist. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_to_hardwire_resilience_into_your_brain https://www.rickhanson.net/teaching/wednesday-meditations-with-dr-rick-hanson/ https://www.rickhanson.net/ https://www.rickhanson.net/being-well-podcast/ Behind the Redwood Curtain: There's a little section of roadway on Highway 101 about 60 miles north of Arcata that is prone to rock slides. Catherine reports on Last Chance Grade: https://lastchancegrade.com/#:~:text=The%20Last%20Chance%20Grade%20Project,miles%20south%20of%20Crescent%20City.

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 instructional knitting video for best learning. Brainy Thing: Catherine reports on The Brain Booth at Humboldt State University which could be a model for any school, institution or business. https://libguides.humboldt.edu/brainbooth Behind the Redwood Curtain: Margaret talks about oyster farming in Humboldt Bay and the currently virtual yearly Oyster Festival in Arcata the 3rd week of June. Aqua Rodeo. https://aqua-rodeofarms.com/ Hog Island Oyster. https://hogislandoysters.com/oysters/farming. Coast Seafood https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/coast-seafoods-co/Location?oid=2182300 Peg House: http://thepeghouse.com/ Oyster Festival: https://arcatamainstreet.com/oyster-festival Welcome to Episode 121 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit where Catherine reports on the Brain Booth at Humboldt State University that offers a wealth of different strategies to support brain growth and decrease stress. It could be a model for any school, institution or business; Catherine and Margaret talk about their knitting: hats and gnomes and Margaret shares some guidelines on instructional videos, particularly for knitting that best help learning. And Margaret dips into oyster farming in Humboldt Bay. Your can subscribe to Teaching Your Brain to Knit anywhere you listen to podcasts and our shownotes are on Libsyn, Ravelry and on some podcast servers when you listen.

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 starting the next, exploring patterns and yarns. Sivia Harding Bright Shiny Day. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day. https://www.ravelry.com/people/sivia Brainy Thing: Resilience In the first of multiple reports, Margaret shares basic definitions and strategies in developing resilience -- the ability to bounce back from adversity. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202005/the-8-key-elements-resilience#:~:text=Resilience%20is%20defined%20as%20the,bounce%20back%20from%20adverse%20events. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifespan-perspectives/202003/seven-skills-resilience https://www.bouncebackproject.org/ Behind the Redwood Curtain: Public Art in Eureka Ocean Love (or Mother Love) bench along Eureka Waterfront Trail. https://www.google.com/search?q=Ocean+love+public+park+bench+eureka&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=iWSI8R6maQ93PM%252CfKl-MnwYLTBSsM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSKDo1-FX2oiNI1weMq4JSm_Dyqkg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgisK15MbtAhWQjp4KHRmXDPIQ9QF6BAgMEAE#imgrc=C1kHCj0oX8BvuM https://www.google.com/search?q=Ocean+love+public+park+bench+eureka&client=firefox-b-1-d&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=iWSI8R6maQ93PM%252CfKl-MnwYLTBSsM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSKDo1-FX2oiNI1weMq4JSm_Dyqkg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgisK15MbtAhWQjp4KHRmXDPIQ9QF6BAgMEAE#imgrc=iWSI8R6maQ93PM Today on Episode 120 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit, we begin our examination of resilience -- our ability to bounce back from adversity. Catherine is enjoying a slight pause between finishing a big knitting project and starting a new one with the fun of selecting patterns and yarn. Margaret shares her latest projects and her discovery of the many ways to make pom poms, including a tip that makes them neat and tidy. And Catherine takes us to Eureka along the Waterfront Trail and the public art/bench piece called Ocean Love but nicknamed mother love for the mother and child sea lions sculpted.

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-washcloth Basic Bird. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/basic-bird. Arne and Carlos video re gut condition. podcast. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day Brainy Thing: The Brain Gut connection goes both ways and food can positively effect your moods. video re Brain gut condition. podcast. https://www.uclahealth.org/SitePages/video-player.html?v=Yb5v-6dUjqA&t=youtube. from UCLA Kirsten Tillisch , MD Behind the Redwood Curtain We report on the special delights of Fall and Winter Gardening: lettuce, spinach, sprouting broccoli, Chinese cabbage, bok choi among other treats. And don't forget the role of the vagus nerve ( check out Episode 110.) Behind the Redwood Curtain: We report on the special delights of Fall and Winter Gardening: lettuce, spinach, sprouting broccoli, Chinese cabbage, bok choi among other treats. Today on Episode 119 of Teaching Your Brain to Knit we discuss the latest research on the brain/gut connection and how it can affect our moods; we report on the community spirit of swaps, in particular Catherine's dish cloth swap and her continuing progress on Sivia Hardings Knit-a-long; Margaret talks more about bird knitting and in addition, leaf knitting; and we share experiences of fall and winter gardening on the North Coast of California. We hope you can tell we are making progress with our distant sound quality but we're still hoping for great improvement. Thanks for listening.

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&mc_eid=f7638ac441 She used a combination of colors from Leading Men Fibers. https://www.leadingmenfiberarts.com/ Afterwards, she knit Susan B. Anderson's Peas in a Pod, a tiny amigurumi project where she made small balls with ease. Finally, she discovered and knit an Izzy Doll, to be donated to charity https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/summer-veggie-charm-set sethttps://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search#sort=best&inline=&query=izzy https://cmea-agmc.ca/story-izzy-dolls#:~:text=During%20his%20first%20peace%2Dkeeping,dolls%20and%20Mark%20distributed%20them. Catherine is steadily knitting and enjoying Bright Summer Day, a shawl designed by Sivia Harding as a Mystery Knit along. Catherine is using Canon Hand Dye by Amy Lee in colors of yellow and maroon. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day Brainy Thing: One of the most under-appreciated senses, smell not only is key in our sense of taste but also helps us form emotional links with others. https://www.brainfacts.org/thinking-sensing-and-behaving/smell/2015/making-sense-of-scents-smell-and-the-brain https://www.dana.org/article/the-senses-smell-and-taste/ https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/psychology-and-smell/ https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders#1 https://hms.harvard.edu/news/how-covid-19-causes-loss-smell#:~:text=Analyses%20of%20electronic%20health%20records,to%20patients%20without%20COVID%2D19 https://n.neurology.org/content/smell-brain. Behind the Redwood Curtain: Catherine discovers that a small local creek has a big history and has landed right in the middle of the Cancel Culture debate. Today in Episode 118 of Teaching your Brain to Knit, we explore the sense of smell and how it connects us to others; We report on knitting projects — the Bright Sunny Day shawl, a mystery gnome, peas in a pod, and Izzy, the charity doll, and we discuss the small neighborhood Janes Creek which is now embroiled in local politics. As has been the case with the last few podcasts, we've recorded this on zoom which suffers from occasional sound distortions. We are continuing to search for solutions which will work with our antiquated digital equipment. Thanks for your patience and thanks for listening to Teaching Your Brain to Knit.

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 also working on the Bright Sunny Day Mystery Knit Along by Sivia Harding Using Canon Hand Dyes by the Other Amy Lee but going slower than the clues are coming out. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bright-sunny-day Margaret finished the third Potholder for the exchange using Chicken Potholder by Erangi Udeshika https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chicken-potholder-6 . She also finished two projects in Laura Nelkins Kit Knit along. First was a very pleasurable two color Stranded hat call Proto Lola https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/proto-lola in green and white, Berroco Catena and Istez Lettlopi. She's was challenged by the combination of yarn (JaggerSpun Zephyr wool/silk laceweight yarn and small sharp needles. The pattern is Cassio Collar and the beads and findings are lovely. In fact the whole thing is lovely now that it's done. I have an extra kit that I'm happy to send to a listener who is the first one on this thread (Episode 117) on our Ravelry Group Teaching Your Brain to Knit. Brainy Thing: Catherine discusses the difference between Empathy, Compassion and Pity and the role genetics and the brain plays on compassion. https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/study-finds-that-genes-play-a-role-in-empathy https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201310/the-neuroscience-empathy#:~:text=This%20specific%20part%20of%20your,the%20the%20right%20supramarginal%20gyrus.&text=This%20area%20of%20the%20brain,responsible%20for%20empathy%20and%20compassion.She also shares some compassion quizzes and recommends George Orwell's Down and Out in Paris http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks01/0100171h.html and Black Like Me by John Howard Griffin. Max Planck https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Planck https://mpfi.org/ Greater Good quiz https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/empathy Behind the Redwood Curtain The local Natural Fiber Fair is going virtual this year http://www.naturalfiberfair.com/ so all can attend free this year. Watch out for other local fiber events that may be going online. Stitches has had virtual events https://stitches.events/ and Vogue Knitting will be putting on Virtual Knitting Live by Vogue Knitting on September 10-13 and October 8 through 11 https://www.vogueknittinglive.com/portal Marketplace: https://www.handspunhope.org/events?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwf3OmdbV6wIVxcDACh0OzQ0cEAAYASAAEgI2p_D_BwE. Welcome to Teaching Your Brain to Knit, episode 117 where we explore the genetic and brain links to Compassion, report on Catherine's progress on Potholders and Sivia Harding's Mystery Knit along and Margaret's completion of two of Laura Nelkin's kits. We share that our local Natural Fiber Fair is going virtual and encourage everyone to check out their own local fiber events as well as national fiber shows that are happening online.

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 for my Mother" https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/potholder-for-my-mother by Ellinor Wideen. She also used Knit Picks Dishy Twist and a number of leftover cottons in a variety of colors from her stash. Both are anticipating Myster Knit a longs. Brainy Thing: We're familiar with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, but some scientists are studying Post Traumatic Growth that we can experience after we process the discomforts of the trauma. https://sites.uncc.edu/ptgi/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2013/01/PTG-Conceptual-Foundtns.pdf https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=BHEABAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=post+traumatic+growth&ots=o4EMAfbxGo&sig=W9vdXDzR7tBiVbyncM_kkt3ct_I#v=onepage&q=post%20traumatic%20growth&f=false https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=cs2QAgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=post+traumatic+growth&ots=ndjgS0-wEK&sig=Fyrz1cEjWkLGF3WkO8po-O4eETE#v=one