CogKNITive--A Knitting + Psychology Podcast

Monday, August 24, 2026

Episode 298: Interlude

This episode will upload August 29, 2026

Comments are welcomed! Either comment here or go to our group on Ravelry.

Buy Dr Gemma a Ko-Fi, if you're enjoying the podcast and feeling up to it. Remember that I am still working, though, so feel free to give the money to a charity instead.

I will NOT add you to any of my follower groups currently, due to robo-accounts. Please follow me here. You can contact me through our group on Ravelry or on this blog.

Warm Thanks : my listeners. Alane, I’m still laughing! Permission indeed!

My communities: on Finch, on Reddit, on the ground in the SCV and AV, in this group.

Finch app ID is XRVW2WQW3C.

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 12 (2026): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on

Ravelry. Yes, I made my hotel reservation.

CHANGE: Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 12 is scheduled for Nov 7, 2026.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

This is a Developing thread, so check back often.

Don't forget the Bloodroot tee fashion show

Registration for CFR 12 (2026):

Via Paypal to Dr. Gemma at gemmadw AT yahoo.com
Payment is due at time of registration and is NOT refundable.**
Sign-ups begin Sept. 1, 2026
Loretta 1031 left a message about donations for her crocheting club for school kids. This still applies!

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished: Yellow Handspun Calm Cowl

In Progress:

Stash toss 2026 (27 in, 107 out)

The 10-square bag:

Doing the sides, all the blocks are joined. Done up the side panels. Thinking of the liner, digging out an old flannel sheet.

Lakeside cardigan : Remaining: 1 set of front on panels, each is 2x2, weaving those ends, attaching, then major remaining seams.

September Sweater: paused.

It's crocheted and has been on my Rav projects page for months. I’m done the second torso piece and I've sewn it all together. On the left arm! That will leave the bottom ribbing section and some fixes on the bottom of the other arm.

Coral Strange Brew: paused

Vestuary 2026: paused

A great video by The Shetland Trader on steeking armholes for stranded -pattern vests. A fine discussion of reinforcing and cutting a steek by Brooklynn Tweed. You do put underarm stitches on a stitch holder. You do still shape the armhole per the pattern. Currently shaping the armholes as I head for the neckline.

At neck and upper armhole shapings

Bloodroot Tee: Done sleeves and just heading down the body. Hooray! 4” of body and probably about 9” to go!

Oceanside Top: Now on color #3 and onto the flutter sleeves section

Quilt squares and organizing—none this week—we are at 69 finished so far. 10 more in the early stages. Fusible interfacing pre-cut rectangles for t-shirt quilts

Dizzy Blondes: nope.

Using the electric eel 6.1.

Strategy: escape the consumer culture. Normalize reality.

AW shoot! Bike desking , 3-4 miles/day

Upcoming:

Be the Light 5K: Sept 26, 2026

SC Marathon 5 K: Nov 6, 2026

Oceanside 5K: Nov 26,2026

Fluffy Books:

Listening: The Heretic’s Apprentice

Finished: The Hermit of Eyton Forest The Confession of Brother Haluin

Reading: Smallhope and Pennyroyal 2: A Family Affair

Something I Really Like: CicLAvia—making LA accessible to pedestrians and bikes

Remember “ICEBlock”? Now there’s Antifreeze: https://antifreeze.app/

Hate AI? https://airesistlist.org/

Put a Lid on It: summer recipe:

Ketorade

In a pint jar:

Juice of half a lemon

2 TBSP apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp No Salt

1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt

5-10 drops liquid stevia

Fill rest of jar with sparkling water

Blather: Quiet days of summer. Beloved Son is home, farm is quiet.

Culling for Remainders Run

Remainders Creative Reuse, 787 E. Washington, Pasadena

Community Resources:

Books I’ve Used: A Knit/Crochet Library on the Ravelry group for CogKnitive

My Favorite Resources to Buy: The entire list can be found right here.

Skills and techniques list : links

Social Services: link to page (ICE, LGBTQIA+, etc.)

Calendar:

Labor Day Break: Sept 4-7, 2026

Be the Light 2026: Sept. 26, 2026

SC 5K, 2026: Nov 8, 2026

CFR 12 (2026): Nov.7, 2026

Oceanside 5K: Nov 26,2026

And Minerva gets the last word: thanks for making my bed

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Episode 297: Summer Stuff

Check out this episode!

Episode 297: Summer Stuff

This episode will upload (after) August 15, 2026

Comments are welcomed! Either comment here or go to our group on Ravelry.

Buy Dr Gemma a Ko-Fi, if you're enjoying the podcast and feeling up to it. Remember that I am still working, though, so feel free to give the money to a charity instead.

I will NOT add you to any of my follower groups currently, due to robo-accounts. Please follow me here. You can contact me through our group on Ravelry or on this blog.

Warm Thanks :

DCAlaneKnits: yes! I’m alive and well, but I was a wee bit…in hiding…

Turbogal: thanks for wishing us joy for our recent anniversary!

My communities: on Finch, on Reddit, on the ground in the SCV and AV, in this group.

Finch app ID is XRVW2WQW3C.

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 12 (2026): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on

Ravelry. Yes, I made my hotel reservation.

CHANGE: Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 12 is scheduled for Nov 7, 2026.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

This is a Developing thread, so check back often.

Don't forget the Bloodroot tee fashion show

Registration for CFR 12 (2026):

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished:

Purple Silk Wool Camel Shawl:

Purple Cashmere Silk Wool Shawl:

In Progress:

Stash toss 2026 (27 in, 85 out)

The 10-square bag:

Doing the sides, all the blocks are joined. Done up the side panels. Thinking of the liner, digging out an old flannel sheet.

Lakeside cardigan : Remaining: 1 set of front on panels, each is 2x2, weaving those ends, attaching, then major remaining seams.

September Sweater: paused.

Coral Strange Brew: paused

Vestuary 2026: paused

At neck and upper armhole shapings

Bloodroot Tee: Done sleeves and just heading down the body. Hooray! 4” of body and probably about 9” to go!

Oceanside Top: Now on color #3 and onto the flutter sleeves section

Quilt squares and organizing—none this week—we are at 69 finished so far. 10 more in the early stages. Fusible interfacing pre-cut rectangles for t-shirt quilts

Dizzy Blondes: nope.

Using the electric eel 6.1.

Strategy: remember the internet is not representative

AW shoot! Bike desking , 3-4 miles/day, the Tehachapi Mountain Gallop 2026

Upcoming:

Be the Light 5K: Sept 26, 2026

SC Marathon 5 K: Nov 6, 2026

Oceanside 5K: Nov 26,2026

Fluffy Books:

Listening: The Hermit of Eyton Forest

Finished: The Violin Maker’s Secret, The Devil’s Novice, The Pilgrim of Hate, The Raven in the Foregate

Reading: The Retired Assassin and the Kittens

Something I Really Like: Stash tossing, homey days and puttering

Remember “ICEBlock”? Now there’s Antifreeze: https://antifreeze.app/

Hate AI? https://airesistlist.org/

Put a Lid on It: summer recipes:

Ketorade

In a pint jar:

Juice of half a lemon

2 TBSP apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp No Salt

1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt

5-10 drops liquid stevia

Fill rest of jar with sparkling water

Custard in the IP—the recipe:

4 egg yolks

3 tbsp swerve or similar sweetener

1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream

3/4 tsp vanilla

Pinch of salt

1. Whisk all ingredients together.

2. Strain the mixture and pour into 3 ramekins or cups that will fit into your pot together. (You can double the mixture and stack the cups if they fit. Try half-pint canning jars.)

3. In instant pot, add 1.5 cups water to bottom and place trivet in bottom.

4. Cover each pot with aluminum foil, place on trivet.

5. Cook on high for 6 minutes. Natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick pressure release.

6. Carefully remove HOT cups from pot to wire rack and allow to cool naturally.

Iced tea by cold brew: herbal leaves in pitcher with infuser in fridge+ liquid stevia

Iced coffee in pint jar:

2 tsp medium roast instant coffee

Half dropper liquid stevia

Hot water to 3/4 filled

Heavy cream 1/4 jar

Add all but cream to jar. Allow to cool to room temperature. Add cream and into the fridge!

Egg salad:

4 or 5 hard boiled eggs

2 tbsp olive or avocado oil mayo

1 tbsp preferred mustard

1 dill pickle chopped finely or dash of Plurk

Salt

Pepper

Paprika (not hot variety)

Mash it all together with a Tattie Beadle or potato masher (for you Americans). Serve on toast.

Home made Keto ice cream:

I use a serving of Keto Chow plus heavy cream. Run it through the freezer over night. Then 2 runs through the ninja ice cream maker on light ice cream. On the second run, I add some cream to make it softer.

Blather: Quiet days of summer. Beloved Son is home, farm is quiet.

Saturday : hanging out with my son in Glendale, knitting

Sunday:cooking, crocheting, listening to Brother Cadfael

AND THEN… Tehachapi!

Thursday off to wander and, oh yes, Red House, Friday to work, Saturday was the race and the various markets, Sunday was recovery with my menfolk

Remainders Creative Reuse, 787 E. Washington, Pasadena

Community Resources:

Books I’ve Used: A Knit/Crochet Library on the Ravelry group for CogKnitive

My Favorite Resources to Buy: The entire list can be found right here.

Skills and techniques list : links

Social Services: link to page (ICE, LGBTQIA+, etc.)

Calendar:

Labor Day Break: Sept 4-7, 2026

Be the Light 2026: Sept. 26, 2026

SC 5K, 2026: Nov 8, 2026

CFR 12 (2026): Nov.7, 2026

Oceanside 5K: Nov 26,2026

And Minerva gets the last word: She goes away for a long weekend and this happens…

Saturday, August 8, 2026

Episode 296: Palate Cleanser

Check out this episode!

Monday, August 3, 2026

Episode 296: Palate Cleanser

This episode will upload August 8, 2026

Comments are welcomed! Either comment here or go to our group on Ravelry.

Buy Dr Gemma a Ko-Fi, if you're enjoying the podcast and feeling up to it. Remember that I am still working, though, so feel free to give the money to a charity instead.

I will NOT add you to any of my follower groups currently, due to robo-accounts. Please follow me here. You can contact me through our group on Ravelry or on this blog.

Warm Thanks :

Jasmin Knitmore: I really love these phone calls.

ChrisAah: PLEASE DO NOT KNIT IT IN BLACK! As for that Middle English poem…

Turbogal: “I was traveling on the train once with a knitting friend and she cut her steek on the train! There’s a challenge for you!

I wonder if the recycling group that Jasmin was speaking about is Ridwell? They recently came to the Minneapolis area and I really appreciate that they collect items thoughtfully. They have some items they collect every time, and then each pick up there is a special item that they are looking for - one that will be upcycled or recycled by a specific partner. I know they are on the west coast out in Portland, but don’t know where else they are.”

My communities: on Finch, on Reddit, on the ground in the SCV and AV, in this group.

Finch app ID is XRVW2WQW3C.

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 12 (2026): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on

Ravelry. Yes, I made my hotel reservation.

CHANGE: Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 12 is scheduled for Nov 7, 2026.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

This is a Developing thread, so check back often.

Don't forget the Bloodroot tee fashion show

Registration for CFR 12 (2026):

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished: Desert Shawl (palate cleanser)

In Progress:

Stash toss 2026 (27 in, 83 out)

The 10-square bag:

Doing the sides, all the blocks are joined. Done up the side panels. Thinking of the liner, digging out an old flannel sheet.

Lakeside cardigan : Remaining: 1 set of front on panels, each is 2x2, weaving those ends, attaching, then major remaining seams.

September Sweater: paused.

Coral Strange Brew: paused

Vestuary 2026: paused

At neck and upper armhole shapings

Bloodroot Tee: Done sleeves and just heading down the body. Hooray!

Oceanside Top: Still on color #2.

Quilt squares and organizing—none this week—we are at 69 finished so far. 10 more in the early stages. Fusible interfacing pre-cut rectangles for t-shirt quilts

The Stolen Neighbors Quilt Project: (thanks to Turbogal: the full text is here.)

CONTRIBUTING SQUARES:
Cut a 3” x 3” square (or squares) out of any fabric – sewing scraps, old clothes, etc.
Feel free to embellish your squares, but keep in mind: they need to be able to go through a standard sewing machine (seams will land 1/2 inch from the edges) and will eventually be displayed

outside in the elements for multiple hours.
HAVE MULTIPLE SQUARES? ABLE TO SEW?
We would love the help! Sew squares together into blocks using 1/2 inch of seam allowance (individual squares should be 2 inches x 2 inches once you’ve sewn them together). Most helpful would be blocks of 5 squares by 5 squares or 10 squares by 10 squares.
Mail squares to:
PO Box 19068
Minneapolis, MN 55419.
If you’re part of an impacted community and aren’t able to contribute a square, we invite you to send a word, phrase, name, or symbol to mnquiltproject@gmail.com, and a member of the Project will add it to a square for you.

Dizzy Blondes: nope.

Using the electric eel 6.1.

Strategy: staying cool: fasting, ketorade, indoor exercise, hydration, night-prepping meals, batch prepping, night chores, early to bed, early to rise, setting up tomorrow’s cold drinks in the evening, early/late laundry

AW shoot! Bike desking , 3-4 miles/day

Upcoming:

Tehachapi Mountain Gallop 5K: August 15, 2026

Be the Light 5K: Sept 26, 2026

SC Marathon 5 K: Nov 6, 2026

Oceanside 5K: Nov 26,2026

Fluffy Books:

Listening: The Violin Maker’s Secret, The Devil’s Novice

Finished: The Sanctuary Sparrow

Reading: The Violin Maker’s Secret

Something I Really Like: programmable house—lights, thermostat, ring camera, cat feeder and fountain

Remember “ICEBlock”? Now there’s Antifreeze: https://antifreeze.app/

Hate AI? https://airesistlist.org/

Put a Lid on It: In a pint jar: ketorade

Juice of half a lemon

2 TBSP apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp No Salt

1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt

5-10 drops liquid stevia

Fill rest of jar with sparkling water

Custard in the IP—the recipe:

4 egg yolks

3 tbsp swerve or similar sweetener

1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream

3/4 tsp vanilla

Pinch of salt

1. Whisk all ingredients together.

2. Strain the mixture and pour into 3 ramekins or cups that will fit into your pot together. (You can double the mixture and stack the cups if they fit. Try half-pint canning jars.)

3. In instant pot, add 1.5 cups water to bottom and place trivet in bottom.

4. Cover each pot with aluminum foil, place on trivet.

5. Cook on high for 6 minutes. Natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick pressure release.

6. Carefully remove HOT cups from pot to wire rack and allow to cool naturally.

Blather: Quiet days of summer. Beloved Son is home, farm is quiet.

Saturday : HOT! so I went to Pasadena for the Bead and Craft show, just to get in some serious train knitting