I finished a thing!

Well, almost finished.🥴

I still need to close up those little underarm holes on my new Sipila sweater.

But the timing is perfect! Because this week’s Knit Stars video tip comes from Masterclass Season #2 Star Alexa Ludeman of Tin Can Knits. It’s a one-minute fix for neatly sewing up those pesky holes that are a common occurrence when making a top-down sweater. Check it out!

I’m not sure what I loved more about this project – making it, or the finished product! “Sipila” by Caitlin Hunter is named for her Finnish grandmother. It has short- and long-sleeved options. I went for the long sleeves because I was really taken with the tattooed look of the pattern. Like a tattoo sleeve, but much cheaper and less painful LOL.

I chose the strongest contrast I could find – almost-white and almost-black in our new Loops Luxe Royal Light.

This might just be the perfect sweater yarn. It’s 70% Royal Alpaca (the very finest alpaca, for extreme softness) plus 30% silk (for strength, drape, stitch definition and even more softness). The loft of the alpaca makes it workable for both fingering-weight and sport-weight projects, depending on your personal gauge.

Eagle-eyed readers will notice I messed up and reversed the colors on my yoke. Didn’t realize it until I started the sleeve colorwork! 🙃 So I worked the sleeves as charted, and now it’s a Shelley original… 😘

Knitters find a way!

I got my Sipila out of just 3 skeins of the main color and 1 skein of the contrast color, but that involved a bit of yarn chicken. To be safe, you’ll need 3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5) skeins and 1 (2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) skeins for finished bust circumferences 38.5 (42.5, 46, 50.25, 54.25, 58.25, 62, 65)”

Shop Loops Luxe Royal Chunky here. Find the pattern on Ravelry.

This yarn’s softness and structure also makes it ideal for crochet projects.

Mitzi just finished this “Herringbone Cowl” by Sylwia Kawcynska on Ravelry. She used 3 skeins of Loops Luxe Royal Light in “Birthday Suit,” held double, with an H hook. Just look at that yummy texture. And it’s so squishy!

Would look amazing in any of our six colorways.

Or…how about a knockout one-skein project?

Our perennially popular Osage Cowl pattern is free this week when you purchase a single skein of Loops Luxe Royal Light, here. Any of the 6 colors would be great for this piece. It’s especially pretty on Ayan, in this Loops Blue.

We’re all still glowing from our first-ever Knit Stars Live event with Louis Boria @brooklynboyknits.

It turned out so special…Louis’ words were so inspiring, and his class so full of takeaway tips, that we’re making it accessible to everyone. Look for next Sunday’s Moving the Needle newsletter for a chance to own the workshop for yourself. 👀

Another great “less cooking, more knitting” recipe from Half-Baked Harvest! 

This simple Sheet Pan Hot Honey Mustard Chicken and Crispy Brussels Sprouts is that perfect quick, delicious weeknight dinner. Easy southern style “oven fried” chicken glazed in a sweet and spicy hot honey mustard sauce. The Brussels sprouts are roasted right alongside the chicken for even more ease. Add a side of creamy polenta or mashed potatoes for serving.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thigh
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 cups finely crushed corn flakes
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
• kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 pound Brussels sprouts, halved
• 2 shallots, quartered
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme

Hot Honey Mustard:

• 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• kosher salt