Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Episode 234: Yarn Crawling




This episode will upload May 24, 2025

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: I may have caught your bird flu--still enjoying that pic of your flock. Thanks for making me scream out loud with laughter: “ Thanks for the ticket on the guilt train! :)

These were mystery OOAK skeins, so no names (One Of A Kind) quite a risky move to buy these on my part LOL. They were $10 a piece, plus shipping. A good deal for Rios.”

SalPal: Thanks for the warm words about my wanderings. The part I skip is that I need to drive 25 minutes to reach public transit. But after that, the connections are pretty good.

AmyStorm: I'm loving that gnome's colors. I had a gnome addiction until young Minerva began trying to bite them all. I feel that about overwhelm in consignment stores. They also tend to smell of detergent, which I find nauseating. Hence my unique dress code. Recommends "Matilija Nursery in Moorpark specializes in native plants". Sounds like a day trip! Also "there’s a new shop in Simi Valley within the Town Center, so lots of other places to browse or eat nearby." YES!!! The Knitting Lounge!
TurboGal: " I’m so enjoying hearing about your Los Angeles Adventures by train and bus. It’s striking how much of our local area we don’t explore because it’s always there. I’m reading a book called “Local” by Alastair Humphreys which is all about deeply exploring one small map area over the course of the year. The author is a travel writer and started to question his carbon footprint, flying all over the world to explore new places. So he gave himself the challenge of exploring locally. I love that you are doing that - you and the book are inspiring me to do the same!" Also have a peep at Microadventures.

My community: on Reddit, on the ground in the SCV, in this group.

Image courtesy of N30NIX on Reddit.

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 10 (2024): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on Ravelry.
Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 11 is scheduled for OCTOBER 11, 2025. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished:  “Tailfeather Swift”, alias Karen
In Progress:

 Stash toss 2025 (56 in, 20 out): of course it was Malabrigo. And the LA Yarn Crawl. Yes, I did it all for the yarn stores to thrive!! Meanwhile, happy times at L’Atelier on Ventura and Hayvenhurst, and The NEW Altered Stitch on Balboa at Van Ness.


What, more Whales’ Road??

The Altered Stitch is back!!


ESChicken: chicken vibes at last--last laps



Novice Slipover in Malabrigo Rios Water Green: working in the round down the front, a few inches above the ribbing and heading that direction.

Blue Iris Blueberry Waffle Socks: forward momentum. Finished#1. Done the leg of #2 and midway on the foot. It's my travel knitting.

Virgo sweater: onto the sleeves! Started a sleeve in bed on Tuesday evening.

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: It's crocheted and has been on my Rav projects page for months. 225 to 150 chain. I’m just plodding along on the second large panel that makes up the body.

Quilt squares and organizing—none this week—we are at 69 finished so far. 10 more in the early stages.

Dizzy Blondes: on to spinning, my second braid of camel hair silk, which is mainly a kumquat color with a little bit of purple in it. That’s to be plied with some kumquat colored Lisa Souza BFL.

Using the electric eel 6.1.

Strategy: Mindfulness in the Moment from the DBT Deck for Clients and Therapists
 Finch app ID is XRVW2WQW3C. 

GreenFingers: Project Spearmint: I am busily planting more creeping thyme, penstemon, Texas Salvia, and Russian sage as ground covers from High Country Gardens online. And they canceled the AV train line for this week (sigh).

China roses and a California Aster…

Texas Sage and a happy bed of spearmint…

Creeping thyme in the non-rock garden

AW shoot! Hiking LA: Saturday & Sunday: so they canceled the trains from the Antelope Valley down to Los Angeles this week. I’ve been working out on my bike desk, so that’s good, but otherwise I spent Saturday in the rain wandering around Barnes & Noble and getting sushi in the Santa Clarita Valley. On Sunday, I made my way into the Los Angeles yarn crawl by going to two favorites in the San Fernando Valley: L’Atelier on Ventura and then the brand new Altered Stitch on Balboa in Lake Balboa fairly close to Ventura Boulevard. And I did  interviews. I also interviewed the amazing Shar who is a professional Knitter while I was at the new Altered Stitch. I want to thank everybody for the interviews. So I’m going to do the yarn stores here and then hopefully I will get onto the more personal interview with Shar in episode 235.

L’Atelier on Ventura (at Hayvenhurst, next to Gelson’s Market)


The Altered Stitch on Balboa and Vaness (southeast corner shopping center)

 

 

Upcoming:



Jeepers Creepers 5K: Oct 19, 2025.

Be The Light 5K: Sept 21, 2025



Fluffy Books: 

Georgette Heyer: listening to Sylvester. Reading Beauvallet. Sigh. 

Something I Really Like: yarn crawling


Project back episodes on Proton-  episodes 50a-100 zipped

Blather
About that Mothers Day...
He’s a what he’s a what….? My son continues as the chorus line guy.
The Yarn Crawl: take my money!

The boycotts: keeping the faith

I am on Bluesky as drgemma. Working on moving away from the other platforms. 

Community Resources:
Books I’ve UsedA 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

Calendar: 
Yarnopoly and Second Saturday Stitchers—look them up on Facebook! meet-ups on the 2nd Saturday of each month (usually)
Sit and Stitch group: 9-noon, 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at Joanne Darcy Library in Canyon Country
SCV Free Craft exchange: Find them on Facebook. 

Forever Brave 5K May 25, 2025
Memorial Day: May 26!
Sugar Daddy 5K: June 14, 20
July 4th week off!
Red White and Blue 5K July 6, 2026
Be the Light Sept 21, 2025
Jeepers Creepers 5K: Oct 19, 2025.

CFR 11 (2025): Oct. 11, 2025. 

And Minerva gets the last word: maybe I broke the dog…

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Episode 233: Happy Moomins Day!


Shownotes can be found on our blog at cogknitivepodcast.blogspot.com and also on our group on Ravelry.


Check out this episode!

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Episode 233: Happy Moomins’ Day!



My fungoid alter-ego
This episode will upload May 17, 2025

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 : 
Chrisaaah: who likes my fungoid self. Thanks again, AmyStorm!
DCAlaneKnits: I think it's a fine addiction to have. And what colorways EXACTLY did you get of Rios...Hmmm??? And that ChickPic...Wow! So dang CUTE! I also just love your purse chickie.
Gather DTLA: a fond and grateful farewell!

My community: on Reddit, on the ground in the SCV, in this group.

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 10 (2024): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on Ravelry.
Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 11 is scheduled for OCTOBER 11, 2025. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished:  Nope.

In Progress:

 Stash toss 2025 (46 in, 18 out): 

ESChicken: chicken vibes at last





Novice Slipover in Malabrigo Rios Water Green: working in the round down the front, a few inches above the ribbing and heading that direction.


Blue Iris Blueberry Waffle Socks: forward momentum. Finished#1. Done the leg of #2 and midway on the foot. It's my travel knitting.

Virgo sweater: onto the sleeves! Started a sleeve in bed on Tuesday evening.


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: It's crocheted and has been on my Rav projects page for months. 225 to 150 chain. I’m just plodding along on the second large panel that makes up the body.

Quilt squares and organizing—none this week—we are at 69 finished so far. 10 more in the early stages.

Dizzy Blondes: on to spinning, my second braid of camel hair silk, which is mainly a kumquat color with a little bit of purple in it. That’s to be plied with some kumquat colored Lisa Souza BFL.

Using the electric eel 6.1.

Strategy: The Summer cold, treating symptoms, Dr Zachary Rubin (pediatric allergist on social media)
 Finch app ID is XRVW2WQW3C. My two birds hanging out together at Forthright’s place. That’s Courage sitting on the floor:


GreenFingers: Project Spearmint: I am busily planting more creeping thyme, penstemon, Texas Salvia, and Russian sage as ground covers from High Country Gardens online. Since I really did not feel able to do train travel this week, and Mother’s Day was Sunday, staying rooted (sorry about that!) in household tasks seemed like a great idea. The creeping thyme along the front of the house seem to be taking hold.


AW shoot! Hiking LA: Saturday & Sunday: no weekend hikes because I was sick. Instead, I just upped my game for green fingers and various tasks around the house. I also upped my game for self-care as I will talk about in a different segment.

Upcoming:



Jeepers Creepers 5K: Oct 19, 2025.

Be The Light 5K: Sept 21, 2025



Fluffy Books: 

Georgette Heyer: listening to Sylvester. Reading Beauvallet. Sigh. 

Something I Really Like: AirPods 2 pro


Project back episodes on Proton-  episodes 50a-100 zipped

Blather
Mother’s Day 2025

Prom night happened!

He’s a what he’s a what….? My son continues as the chorus line guy.
The Yarn Crawl: not this week

The boycotts: keeping the faith

I am on Bluesky as drgemma. Working on moving away from the other platforms. 

Community Resources:
Books I’ve UsedA 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

Calendar: 
Yarnopoly and Second Saturday Stitchers—look them up on Facebook! meet-ups on the 2nd Saturday of each month (usually)
Sit and Stitch group: 9-noon, 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at Joanne Darcy Library in Canyon Country
SCV Free Craft exchange: Find them on Facebook. 

Forever Brave 5K May 25, 2025
Memorial Day: May 26!
Sugar Daddy 5K: June 14, 20
July 4th week off!
Red White and Blue 5K July 6, 2026
Be the Light Sept 21, 2025
Jeepers Creepers 5K: Oct 19, 2025.

CFR 11 (2025): Oct. 11, 2025. 

And Minerva gets the last word: I like it when she's a little sick and stays home...



Saturday, May 10, 2025

Episode 232: I'm a Fungus!


Shownotes can be found on our blog at cogknitivepodcast.blogspot.com and also on our group on Ravelry.


Check out this episode!

Monday, May 5, 2025

Episode 232: I’m a Fungus!

Loving my weekend train trips

This episode will upload May 10, 2025

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 : 

Sagepecas: Welcome to my flock on Finch!
Mango and Es : And welcome to you too, lil birb!
Chrisaah: identified my superb cuppa tea at the Japanese restaurant as Genmaicha, which contains brown rice. She's looking forward to seeing "The Play that Goes Wrong" soon in Canberra. And congrats on that designer jacket you thrifted!
DCAlaneKnits: In denial about her addiction to ESC's. She is definitely NOT buying sets of minis to make more, oh, no she's not!
Salpal: Great post about trying to identify whether Prius noises belonged to your car or to the Prius of Love!
AmyStormcompleted the Imagined Landscapes mystery gnome. "Hopefully you will find this flattering, mine is named Dr. Gemma.

"Dr. Gemma Fungi studies the resilience of nature and the symbiotic relationships that form for organisms and their communities to thrive; especially in the face of adversity or natural disasters. She ends every lecture reminding her students that they are a community and by helping and strengthening their community they are also helping themselves." I have never looked so good or been so complimented! Picture in her posting is under a spoiler warning. Yes, I cried."

My community: on Reddit, on the ground in the SCV, in this group.

Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 10 (2024): ALL INFO IS RIGHT HERE! It's the info thread on Ravelry.
Cogknitive Fiber Retreat 11 is scheduled (tentatively for OCTOBER 11, 2025. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

What's On My Hooks and Needles:

Finished:  Nope.

In Progress:

 Stash toss 2025 (46 in, 18 out): counting the newly finished hand spun cashmere/BFL from Lisa Souza…



…and the newly finished Camel hair/silk/BFL blend:

and some beautiful yarn from Noro (natsumeki) From Wollhaus in Pasadena:




Novice Slipover in Malabrigo Rios Water Green: working in the round down the front, a few inches above the ribbon and heading that direction.


Blue Iris Blueberry Waffle Socks: forward momentum. Finished#1. Done the legof #2 and midway on the foot. It's my travel knitting.




Virgo sweater: onto the sleeves! Well...maybe next week.

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: It's crocheted and has been on my Rav projects page for months. 225 to 150 chain. I’m just plodding along on the second large panel that makes up the body.

Quilt squares and organizing—none this week—we are at 69 finished so far. 10 more in the early stages.

Dizzy Blondes: on to spinning, my second braid of camel hair silk, which is mainly a kumquat color with a little bit of purple in it. That’s to be plied with some kumquat colored Lissa Souza BFL.

Using the electric eel 6.1.

Strategy: It’s time to refresh things a bit.
 Finch app ID is XRVW2WQW3C. Welcome to Monika and Birb!

GreenFingers: Project Spearmint: I ordered more creeping thyme, penstemon, Texas Salvia, and Russian sage as ground covers from High Country Gardens online. Now I just have to dedicate a few weekend mornings to serious planting. Also cutting dead wood off china and tea cup roses. And I planted a few of the creeping time from the original batch along the front of the house. Cross your fingers that we're really finished with the cold nights here.

 

AW shoot! Hiking LA: Saturday & Sunday: Glendale & Pasadena-- Metrolink to Glendale, bus to Pasadena, then A train to LA Union Station, and train homeward

Upcoming:



Jeepers Creepers 5K: Oct 19, 2025.

Be The Light 5K: Sept 21, 2025




Fluffy Books: 

Georgette Heyer: Listening to The Nonesuch.. Finished Simon the Coldheart.

Tea Tastings:


Something I Really Like: The Goes Wrong Show (YouTube)

Project back episodes on Proton-  episodes 50a-100 zipped


Blather



He’s a what he’s a what….? My son continues as the chorus line guy.
The Yarn Crawl: Wollhaus in Pasadena—carefully curated yarny joy


The boycotts: keeping the faith

I am on Bluesky as drgemma. Working on moving away from the other platforms. 

Community Resources:
Books I’ve UsedA 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

Calendar: 
Yarnopoly and Second Saturday Stitchers—look them up on Facebook! meet-ups on the 2nd Saturday of each month (usually)
Sit and Stitch group: 9-noon, 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month at Joanne Darcy Library in Canyon Country
SCV Free Craft exchange: Find them on Facebook. 

Forever Brave 5K May 25, 2025
Memorial Day: May 26!



Sugar Daddy 5K: June 14, 20
July 4th week off!
Red White and Blue 5K July 6, 2026
Jeepers Creepers 5K: Oct 19, 2025.

CFR 11 (2025): Oct. 11, 2025. 

And Minerva gets the last word: Stay playful.