This week’s newsletter is a hard one to write, and yet I write it with so much joy in my heart.

The same kind of joy that happens when you’ve been working on a beautiful project for years, and it finally comes time to bind off.

As I write this, I’m in the final stages of binding off my 27-year marriage to my friend and longtime business partner, Brent. We’ve all heard the divorce horror stories, but Brent and I have been determined to treat this process like the ending of a beautiful knit project: A celebration of all we’ve accomplished together. Three amazing, creative, grown children. Three amazing businesses – first branding, then Loops and Knit Stars, and now his blossoming painting business.

We both want to look back a year from now and know that we handled even the difficult parts with compassion, grace and love.

And I’m reminded, yet again, of how knitting mirrors life. No project is perfect. No creative process is without its rough patches. Every ending is a celebration, and an opportunity for another beautiful beginning.

It’s been a time of deep reflection for me. I’ve just returned from a month in Europe, filming for Knit Stars Season 7 in Sweden and Amsterdam, meeting up with my daughter and my best friend who lives in Madrid, and spending a week quietly falling in love with the island of Mallorca (and visiting Season 5 Star Tatiana Sarasa at her amazing Mallorca studio!)

I’ve returned with even deeper gratitude for the global movement we’ve created together. And I’m in the process of re-discovering whole swaths of myself that I thought I’d forgotten.

So this week, I encourage you to spend some time in reflection as well. Where are you on your journey?

What might you need to bind off, and what is it time to cast on?

xoxo
Shelley

Knitters know: Nothing motivates you to finish an old project like the promise of a new project!

“Textured Shawl Recipe” by Orlane Sucche is one of the most popular long-running patterns on Ravelry, and for good reason. It has three easy, repeating blocks of stitches – just the right combination of engaging and meditative.

We’ve curated 6 different kits for your “Textured Shawl,” using our own Loops Luxe Fizz superfine alpaca held together with either our exclusive LolaBean Dream Bean or our brand-new Loops Luxe Smoothie, a luxurious base of 80% wool + 20% silk that creates a light and airy texture while holding a stunning depth of color.

“Iconic Orange” Dream Bean + “Iconic Orange” Fizz
“Iconic Orange” Smoothie + “Iconic Orange” Fizz
“Blueberry” Smoothie + “Blueberry” Fizz
“Razzleberry” Smoothie + “Arctic” Fizz
“Coconut” Smoothie + “Grey Goose” Fizz
“Red Your Mind” Dream Bean + “Strawberry” Fizz

Choose your favorite combo here and get ready to cast on!

Looking for a project that lets you try out our Loops Luxe Fizz on a lighter summer shape?

Our friends over at Espace Tricot created a feminine love letter with the “You Had Me At Tricot” Shawl. The delicate eyelet stitches and sweet ruffle make this that perfect touch of color and style to wrap around your neck as you head out the door.

I saw scarves like this all over Europe these last few weeks!

“You Had Me At Tricot” can be knit with two skeins each of Loops Luxe Smoothie and Loops Luxe Fizz. Or sub LolaBean Dream Bean for the Smoothie.

We’ve created kits for you here.

Have you ever wished your lace eyelets were a little more “open?”

Laura Nelkin from Knit Stars Season 2 has a great tip for you this week, to open up your eyelets and make them a little bigger.

Click here to watch this one-minute tip that you can put to great use on your  “You Had Me At Tricot” project.

The markets are filling up with homegrown, fresh summer veggies! And this Grilled Garden Veggie Pizza from TasteofHome-dot-com is just waiting for you to make the most of those farmer’s market finds. Whether you throw it on the grill or roast it inside, this pizza is sure to be a staple this summer. While it cooks, sneak in a few rows!

Ingredients

• 1 medium red onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 large sweet red pepper, halved, stemmed and seeded
• 1 small zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 yellow summer squash, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch slices
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 prebaked 12-inch thin whole wheat pizza crust
• 3 tablespoons jarred roasted minced garlic
• 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/3 cup torn fresh basil

Directions:

1. Brush vegetables with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill, covered, over medium heat until tender, 4-5 minutes per side for onion and pepper, 3-4 minutes per side for zucchini and squash.
2. Separate onion into rings; cut pepper into strips. Spread pizza crust with garlic; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Top with grilled vegetables, then remaining cheese.
3. Grill pizza, covered, over medium heat until bottom is golden brown and cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes. Top with basil.