Knit Stars | July 31, 2023
🔥 Hot Loops Revealed! 🔥
BY SHELLEY BRANDER
We are feeling that relief when you *finally* get to share an exciting secret!
At the fabulous Hot Loops virtual party this weekend, we revealed our TWO indie dyers – Terra of Mitchell’s Creations and Renee of Spun Right Round!
Located just north of New Orleans, Terra has quickly grown her dyeing studio into a creative powerhouse, with her signature *bold colors* in solids, tonals, and #allthespeckles!
About her colors, Terra says, “Personally, I’m a neutral-lover with the occasional pop of color. But my colorways may tell a different story. My colorways are my way of expressing my creativity. I now see color everywhere and in everything.”
We’re thrilled to debut Terra’s brand new base on our new Hot Loops™ Project Wall! Audubon Sock is a silk/merino blend with amazing drape and sheen from the silk, and the bounce and structure of superwash merino.
Grab 4 skeins of Audubon Sock (2 skeins each of 2 colors) and make Andrea Mowry’s “Marley.”
This traditional triangle shawl is brioche-a-fabulous! It’s a great beginner project for brioche newbies – you will get into the brioche groove quickly and then enjoy a relaxing knit all the way to the border where you will switch to a beautiful marled garter edge.
Our “Marley” is shown in colors “Flower Bomb” and “Midas Touch” – or choose any of our other beautifully curated pairings.
Our *second* Hot Loops dyer (yes! TWO dyers this spring!!) is Spun Right Round. Her 100% Superfine Superwash Merino Squish DK makes the most adorable cardigan for the little squish in your life (Even if that “little” squish is a 12 year old now)!
“Circe” by Jenny Wiebe is a lovely, bright cardigan with simple colorwork and the pattern includes sizing from preemie to 12 years. The color combination possibilities are endless! We used Spun Right Round Squish DK with main color Flyin’ Elvis and contrast colors Unplugged, Concord, and Zest.
Mix any of the Squish DK colors to make other fun color combos for the lucky kids in your life!
During last year’s Knit Stars Masterclass Event, GG Glaspie introduced us to the coolest tool!
The WinderFull solves several problems by simply winding the yarn from the skein directly onto this ingenious, flexible spool that is affordable, convenient and very easy to use.
Say goodbye to “yarn barf!” The Winderfull…
– eliminates the need for expensive ball winders
– eliminates tangled yarn balls
– protects the yarn from dirt and debris if you drop it
– spool conveniently tucks away in your knitting bag
– is reusable over and over again
By using any household power screwdriver or drill, together with your swift, just push the button and start winding, saving your arm strength for knitting or crocheting. 💃🏽
The WinderFull can also be used on your ball winder. Just stretch the rubber band and mesh over the stem of the ball winder and wind it up!
Many of you have been enjoying and exploring Sequence Knitting by Cecelia Campochiaro in our 2021 Free Stars!
We created Free Stars to bring a little comfort and creativity to your craft this spring.
You still have a few more days to enjoy this unique class – we’ve extended access through April 23 so you can learn from Cecelia Campochiaro in her groundbreaking Sequence Knitting Knit Stars Masterclass.
Sequence Knitting creates amazing textures and designs on knit fabric, and is made with simple knits and purls! Beginners can experiment with moving stitches around and gain a new understanding. Advanced knitters can incorporate these new textures in any design or project.
These 2-Ingredient Banana Pancakes From The Kitchn are the *perfect* toddler recipe – the kind of food that’s a snack or a meal and is guaranteed to be eaten! Make pancakes into a finger-food by skipping the syrup, and folding them into taco form with some peanut butter inside.
Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
Butter or oil, for cooking (optional)
Maple syrup, jam, powdered sugar, or any other toppings, for serving
Optional mix-ins (choose a few!):
1/8 teaspoon baking powder, for fluffier pancakes
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or a mix
1/2 cup granola
1 cup fresh fruit, like blueberries, raspberries, or chopped apples
Directions:
1. Thoroughly mash the banana with a dinner fork. Add flavorings if desired.
2. Pour the eggs over the banana and stir until completely combined. The batter will be very loose and liquid-y, more like whisked eggs than regular pancake batter.
3. Heat a cast iron pan, nonstick frying pan, or griddle over medium heat. Melt a little butter or warm a little vegetable oil in the pan if desired. Drop about 2 tablespoons of batter into the pan. It should sizzle immediately — if not, turn up the heat slightly. Repeat, leaving at least an inch or two between pancakes.
4. Cook for about 1 minute, until the bottoms look browned and golden when you lift a corner. Sprinkle any chunky toppings, like nuts or chocolate chips, over the top of the pancakes as the first side cooks.
5. Flip the pancakes and cook until the other side is also golden-brown, about 1 minute more. These pancakes are best when eaten fresh off the griddle and still warm. Serve with maple syrup, honey, jam, or any extra toppings you’d like.
