Category Archives: Crochet
Ep. 039 Barbara Arrowsmith Changes Her Brain
Welcome to Episode 39: Barbara Arrowsmith changed her brain in an extraordinary example of neuroplasticity
What We’re Learning from Our Knitting:
Brainy Thing:
Behind the Redwood Curtain: Recycled Folk Art



Knitting Tip:
A Little Podcast Business

Ep. 036 New Research on Muscle Memory May Help Knitters and Crocheters
Welcome to Episode 36: New Muscle Memory Research May Help Knitters and Crocheters
What we learned from our knitting:
Margaret played with crocheted hearts from DIY Wedding by Jennifer E. Ryan either in Interweave Crochet Summer 2015 or as a special collection on the Interweave Website. They were cute, quick and fun. They are called Guest Lapel Pins on Ravelry. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/guest-lapel-pins

Another pair of baby socks using Kate Atherley’s pattern but with continued ribbing on the top of the foot.
Brainy Thing: New Research Finds Way to Speed up Muscle Memory Learning
Behind the Redwood Curtain: 38:45
Podcast Business:

Ep. 28 Process and Product in Knitting and Crochet, Myers Briggs version
Welcome to Episode 28: Process and Product in Knitting and Crochet using the Myers Briggs lens
Brainy Things: 10:40 Redwood Curtain: 18:35
What we’re learning from our knitting and crochet
Margaret just finished the super quick Crochet Cobweb Pattern by Jennifer Hansen or the Stitch Diva. It’s free and a great Halloween or otherwise fun decoration. She used a generic version of Kid Silk Haze (lost ball band) and got more practice use sticky mohair.
Catherine is now grooving with Vanessa Ives Mystery KAL by Bunny Muff with Woole’s Yarn Creations color changing cotton.. She is using toho beads.
Brainy Thing: Product and Process in Knitting and Crochet: Myers Briggs
Margaret discusses the Myers Briggs Personality Inventory and how is might help to explain Knitter’s and Crocheter’s issues with process and product in their project. Check here for an introduction on the Judging and Perceiving pair in Myers Briggs.
Behind the Redwood Curtain
Catherine took the Haunted House Tour of Eureka (CA) and learned why mezzanines were so popular in the Victorian bars in the 1800’s. Here are some photos of Eureka Books. The interior shows the intact mezzanine from the old days.
Knitting Tip
Margaret offers Cat Bordhi’s tip of using mohair or a mohair/silk blend as a reinforcing thread on the toes, heels and even the soles of socks.
Ep. 026. Is There a Connection Between Happiness-Producing Gamma Brain Waves and Knitting
Welcome to Episode 26: Gamma Brain Waves and Knitting and Crochet
Brainy Part: 18:02
Behind the Redwood Curtain: 28:53
What We’re Learning from Our Knitting and Crochet
Catherine took a class from Patti Subik, dyer extraordinaire and owner of Great Adirondack Yarn. On Ravelry here. She experienced one of those great insights that opened up her world using procion dyes.
She also made a cute pair of Baby Uggs designed by Autumn Street (Baby Lee) whose websit is Thingsforboys.com Catherine used the leftovers from her Fantasy Red Cardi project. (see Episode 26)
Margaret sings the praises for Kira K Designs who is Kira Dulaney who designed the Belle Epoque crocheted shawl. Good for a new-ish crocheters, the design is extremely well laid out on the page and therefore easy to follow. Margaret used Lotus Yarn designed by crocheters Designing Vashti, Vashti Braha and Doris Chan that is half cotton, half rayon and features a Z twist.
Brainy Thing: Gamma Brain Waves
Catherine tells us about Gamma Waves which are associated with learning, memory, linguistic processes and other cognitive ability. Maybe even consciousness itself. But the research she find suggests that it also accounts for increased happiness. She makes her own hypothesis (and I love it) that if meditation increases Gamma Waves (and it does) and knitting has meditative qualities (which is does) that knitting might increase Gamma Waves too — therefore increasing happiness. We’re just waiting for some brain scientists to wire up our brains while we knit. Check out this site for an infographic on gamma brain waves.
Behind the Redwood Curtain: Samoa Dunes
Margaret talks about the Samoa dunes . It’s a narrow strip of land that forms the north spit of Humboldt Bay. Among the curiosities are the dolos, that look like giant jacks that help prevent erosion. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolos
Knitting Tip
Catherine talks more about Life Lines.
A Little Podcast Business
Winners were announced for the Berroco Origami yarn try out and for the membership incentive for members 301 to 400.