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):

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: Desert Shawl (palate cleanser)
In Progress:

Stash toss 2026 (27 in, 83 out) 


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.

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.


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!



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 Turbogalthe 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:

Be the Light 5K: Sept 26, 2026
SC Marathon 5 K: Nov 6, 2026
Oceanside 5K: Nov 26,2026

Fluffy Books: 


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

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

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

Sunday: sushi and new yarn in Los Feliz; yet another country cotton shawl, the Red Cross reward shirt lands!


Remainders Creative Reuse, 787 E. Washington, Pasadena

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

Calendar: 

Mountain Gallop: Tehachapi, Aug 16, 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: Queenie has stolen this segment, so that she can tell you that wild individualists still need community.


Saturday, August 1, 2026

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Episode 295: Happy Us



This episode will upload August 1, 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 : 
Chrisaah: Yes, I heard you through both time and distance. I specialize in amazing. DEFINITELY reading Wodehouse!
ElizaSki: As soon as our government sorts itself out, you need to come here! And I am an old fan of Frye and Laurie!

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: nope.

In Progress:

Stash toss 2026 (25 in, 82 out) 

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.

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.


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!


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 Turbogalthe 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: still NOT spinning the LS BFL Giverny. 

Using the electric eel 6.1. 

Strategy: Panic zone timers--starting at 20 minutes

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: 


Something I Really Like: Google Chrome Remote Desktop

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

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


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


Saturday : Happy 34th to us!


Sunday: upcycling day
Remainders Creative Reuse, 787 E. Washington, Pasadena

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

Calendar: 

Mountain Gallop: Tehachapi, Aug 16, 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: okay, so Cap’n is taking it today:


Saturday, July 25, 2026

Episode 294: Checking In


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


Check out this episode!

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Episode 294: Checking In




This episode will upload July 25, 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 :
Chrisaah: yes, I have read the Dirk Gently duo, as I will never stop mourning the too-early demise of Mr. Adams. I suspect Jasper Fforde is channeling him.

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: nope.

In Progress:

Stash toss 2026 (25 in, 82 out) 

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.

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.


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 the 48 rows of the sleeve increases



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 Turbogalthe 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: still NOT spinning the LS BFL Giverny. 

Using the electric eel 6.1.

Strategy: one in, one out for clothes, etc., cleaning and boxing the donations as you bring out the cool-weather gear

AW shoot! Quietly running through the heat; the return of Ketorade, back on my bike desk, the fast

Upcoming:

Be the Light 5K: Sept 26, 2026
SC Marathon 5 K: Nov 6, 2026
Oceanside 5K: Nov 26,2026

Fluffy Books: 

Finished: Monkshood

Something I Really Like: canvas- covered clogs, How to Stop Junk Mail


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

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

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

Back to work
Saturday : wrong going right


Sunday: recycling crocs, soccer with pals, repurposing the old
Remainders Creative Reuse, 787 E. Washington, Pasadena

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

Calendar: 

Mountain Gallop: Tehachapi, Aug 16, 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: buddies