Overflowing Brain Syndrome: We Have the Antidote!

Imagine, if you will: it's the middle of the day and you need a break. Even if you feel good about the way you're spending your day, your poor brain can't absorb one more iota of information (aka, the teeny tiniest amount). In other words, you've reached your brain's capacity for paying attention.

There's a Zen koan (story) that's a good analogy for your poor brain and it's attention capacity. The analogy is about a teacher pouring a cup of tea for their visitor. The teacher pours the tea until the cup overflows. When the visitor protests, the teacher compares the cup of tea to the visitor's mind: How can they receive more when their mind is full? This story is a good reminder that we need to empty our brain occasionally. We all know how to empty a cup, but how do you empty your brain and renew your attention?

Psychologists have a theory about restoring our capacity for attention; it indicates that attention restoration activities are important to our mood, our energy levels, and our productivity. This seems like common sense, right? In plain language, we need a break every now and then to help us focus on whatever's next. Attention restoration can be achieved in a number of ways, including creative outlets. Who knew?? (We did, of course!) There's a reason so many people craft. While learning a craft can be stressful, practicing our crafts often results in a state of flow, or immersion in an activity. This flow is how we empty our brain, so that we're ready for our next task.

Take a break, find your flow!

Intermediate Crochet with Moses  - Masks Appreciated, but not required
Take the next step in your crochet journey! Take the next step in your crochet journey! You'll learn to design a basic hat and then how toincrease and decrease (intentionally!) while you crochet it.
$35 (use your own supplies or buy them at Yarnivore for 10% off)

Upcoming dates & availability-
   Sunday, April 13 & 20 at 1 pm - 4 seats available

Stitching Workshop with Nancy - Masks Appreciated, but not required
Bring your needlepoint or cross stitch projects for support, problem-solving, and camaraderie!
$20 (use your own supplies or buy them at Yarnivore for 10% off)

Upcoming dates & availability-
   Sunday, April 14 at 1 pm - 2 seats available   
                                 Sunday, April 14 at 3 pm - 2 seats available

Shop News

Featured Yarn & Patterns

We're in love with Amano Yarn Turay! This Merino Wool/Cotton blend has the soft hand, breathability and sheen of Peruvian Pima cotton and the bounce, warmth and versatitlity of Superwash Merino Wool. (Last week's newsletter discussed why cotton blends like this are so wonderful.)

Turay is listed as aran weight (more on yarn weights, here), which means it's a heavy worsted (#4) or light bulky (#5). Amano Yarn recommends a US 8-10 (5 - 6mm) knitting needle. While they did not provide a crochet gauge, we recommend that you use a hook size that is one level up from the recommended needle size. In this case that would be US I - K (5.5 - 6 mm).

Turay has 146 yards in a 100g skein and winding is needed before you use it. (Yarnivore winds for free when the yarn is purchased from us. (If you order online, make sure to add Yarn Winding Free with Purchase to your cart!)

We like Turay in shawls, tops or baby blankets. Wove shawl by Jennifer Weissman (knit, $7 in-store/Rav), Shanti Pocket shawl by Deni Sharpe (crochet, $5.50 in-store/Rav), Quick Work in Thick Wool pullover by Susan Crawford (knit,about $9.40 in-store/Rav), Jules Cardigan by Phanessa Fong (crochet, $3 in-store/Rav), Touch of Kindness blanket by Fifty Four Ten Studio (knit, $5 in-store/Rav), and Easy Texture Blanket by Salena Baca (crochet, $6 in-store/Rav).