Tag Archives: VELVET ACORN

Ep. 023 How We See Color in Our Knitting and Crochet (1st in a series)

Posted in Brain Function, Crochet, Knitting by

Welcome to Episode 23:   How we see color in our Knitting and Crochet (the first in a series)

Brainy Part:  20:18

Behind the Redwood Curtain  39:38

What we’re learning from our Knitting and Crochet:

Catherine is learning she doesn’t enjoy finishing (she already kinda knew that) but she did it anyway for the Failynn Fox Cowl by Velvet Acorn out of Lion Brand fox cowl side fox cowl Thick and Quick Pumpkin.

 

She also did some improvisation with the Chain Mail Slippers that she was doing for a Arcata Plays  in the Park production locally.   She used the Simple Man Slipper by Melissa Mall in Wool-like Chunky by Loops and Threads.

chain mail slippers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margaret learned how to work an applied edge in crochet (adding the edging perpendicularly to the bottom of the shawl. — oops, she added it to the wrong edge.   The pattern was Terra Cotta Shawl from More Love of Crochet in Summer of 2014 and now called Thorns by Rebecca Velasquez. It is now sold on Rebecca’s website.  Margaret also used lace weight yarn for an entire project for the first time — a lovely silk/linen blend by Sincere Sheep.

Terra folded Terra piece

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brainy Thing:  Seeing Color

Catherine talks about seeing color — in knitting and crochet.   Among other things, she mentions the Concetta Antico who is documented as seeing colors differently.

Here are some links to her research.

Concetta Antico, tetrachromatic artist:  http://concettaantico.com/

For more on this subject, check out Ewe University Episode 39 Effects of Color on Behavior, Emotions and the Brain

Behind the Redwood Curtain:  The Giant Coastal Salamander

Catherine thinks these guys are cute although they’ll probably bite you.

Giant Coastal Salamander

Giant Coastal Salamander

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knitting Tip:

For a real cushy sock, try the princess (as in the princess and the pea) sole.  Melissa Mall included them in her pattern above.  Knitty’s Cinderella sock pattern by Kathryn Beckerdite also includes instructions for the princess sole.

Podcast Business:

We’re still offering the incentive prize for the next group of 100 members in our Teaching Your Brain to Knit Ravelry Group.

Fiesta Rayon boucle Catalina colorway

Fiesta Rayon boucle Catalina colorway

 

 

 

ETA

ETA 9/28/15

Ep. 021 Knitting for Cancer and Other Health Issues

Posted in Brain health, Crochet, Knitting by

Welcome to Episode 21:   Knitting supports Cancer Recovery and other Health Issues

Brainy part starts:  24:05

Behind the Redwood Curtain (Trillium) Starts:  33:35

What We’re Learning from Our Knitting (and Crochet):

Catherine is finishing up the Fantasy Red Cardi designed by Katherine Foster.

completed Fantasy red cardi

completed Fantasy red cardi

She’s also made two hats as part of the North Coast Knittery’s Hats for the Homeless Campaign.   The pattern is The Tyson Hat by Robyn Devine and the yarn is Naturally Nazareth.by Kraemer Yarns.silk wool hat orange hat comparison hat

Catherine is well along on the Failynn Fox Cowl by Heidi May who goes by the Velvet acorn.  She is using Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick in pumpkin for it.

fox earsfox cow progress

Margaret is continuing her exploration of cotton sock yarns.   This episode she talks about Cascade Fixation using the Fixation Ankle Sock pattern by Dawn Friske or Knitamazoo.   fixation

Margaret also re-crocheted the Quotidian or Flapper Bucket Hat by the Stitch Diva to make it just a little larger to accommodate her Mom’s hair bun.

Quotidian Hat

Quotidian Hat

The Brainy Part:  Knitting to Support Cancer Recovery

Catherine introduces one of the many programs developed as an adjunct to support cancer patients and their families.  The Knit for Life Program was started by Tanya Pariequz.  She also talks about Team Survivor Northwest. 

She mentions Tricoter yarns in Seattle, WA.

Behind the Redwood Curtain:   Trillium

Margaret talks about the beautiful little trillium that bloom in the spring at the base of the redwood trees.

trillium 6

Margaret’s photos of trillium under the redwoods

trillium 7 trillium

Knitting Tip

Margaret shares Edie Eckman’s tip in Connect the Shapes Crochet Motifs about using the principle of the Golden Mean in choosing a pleasing proportion of colors in a multi-color project.

Podcast Business:

The Learn-a-long was fantastic.  Such wonderful projects.   The winner (randomly selected) was:  Lost Surprise who will wine the Donegal Tweed yarn.

Our incentive to join our group continues.   For a randomly selected winner in the next 100 members to join our group, our prize is a skein of Fiesta Boucle..

Fiesta Rayon boucle Catalina colorway

Fiesta Rayon boucle Catalina colorway