| August 1, 2023

šŸ§¶Become a colorwork star

BY SHELLEY BRANDER

Oh, what I would give to go back in timeā€¦

Back when I was making colorwork sweaters for my babies, completely winging it.

If only Iā€™d had Knit Stars Arne + Carlos, Mary Jane Mucklestone and Andrea Rangel by my side.

Those tiny sweaters – while precious heirlooms – would be so much less embarrassing! šŸ™ˆ

Our Masterclass Season 3: North Stars Rising still stands as our most popular Season to date. And with this list of teachers, itā€™s easy to seeĀ why! This is THE Season to own if you want to master colorwork – plus learn the secrets to lifelong knitting ergonomic health, and the path to unending yarn joy…

šŸ’« Arne + Carlos
šŸ’« Carson Demers
šŸ’« Christel Seyfarth
šŸ’« Mary Jane Muckelstone
šŸ’« Lorilee Beltman
šŸ’« Andrea Rangel
šŸ’« Veera VƤlimƤki
šŸ’« Ann Budd
šŸ’« Cecelia Campochiaro
šŸ’« Ann Shayne + Kay Gardiner of MDK

Season 3 is on sale for just $199 through midnight tonight. You can start watching right away, or save it for a rainy day when you need some more color in your knitting life!

Grab Season 3 on sale here.

Our Masterclass Season 3: North Stars Rising still stands as our most popular Season to date. And with this list of teachers, itā€™s easy to seeĀ why! This is THE Season to own if you want to master colorwork – plus learn the secrets to lifelong knitting ergonomic health, and the path to unending yarn joy…

šŸ’« Arne + Carlos
šŸ’« Carson Demers
šŸ’« Christel Seyfarth
šŸ’« Mary Jane Muckelstone
šŸ’« Lorilee Beltman
šŸ’« Andrea Rangel
šŸ’« Veera VƤlimƤki
šŸ’« Ann Budd
šŸ’« Cecelia Campochiaro
šŸ’« Ann Shayne + Kay Gardiner of MDK

Season 3 is on sale for just $199 through midnight tonight. You can start watching right away, or save it for a rainy day when you need some more color in your knitting life!

Grab Season 3 on sale here.

The biggest issue with my early baby sweaters comes down to one word:

Floats.

Those pesky lengths of yarn between color changes can be tricky. Too tight, and they make your work pucker. Too loose, and tiny fingers get caught in the loops.

If only Iā€™d known Season 3 Star Andrea Rangel back then!

Watch this clip from Andreaā€™s Season 3 workshop – all about catching floats –Ā here.

Now, how about a great project to practice your floats?

Weā€™ve curated kits for Andreaā€™s fun ā€œDissent Toque,ā€ available in both fingering and worsted versions.

Two of our kits useĀ our exclusive Knit Stars colorway of SpincycleĀ called ā€œStarstruck,ā€ available in both Dyed in the Wool (fingering weight) and Dream State (worsted weight).

Choose from our specially curated kits in your choice of weight – only available from Knit Stars –Ā right here.

Colorwork patterns often call for something called a Provisional Cast-on. Have you learned it yet?

The Provisional is really handy when you want to leave yourself options – like the ability to add a different edging or additional length, at the end of a sweater project. Or for a really clean finish with colorwork.

Watch Season 3 Star Mary Jane Mucklestoneā€™s tips for the Provisional Cast-On here.

Then try out your new knowledge with Mary Janeā€™s Sticks and Stripes Cowl. Featuring a bold geometric motif in neutral colors, this cowlā€™s fabric is lush and next-to-skin soft with a double-thick layer to keep you warm. Itā€™s worked entirely in the round and grafted together at the end.

Get our exclusive kit for the ā€œSticks and Stripes Cowlā€ featuringĀ LolaBean Cool Beans DK yarn here.

Repetition is at the heart of knitting – itā€™s part of what soothes us. But it can also cause pain that forces us to slow down, or even stop altogether.

In Masterclass Season 3, ergonomist Carson Demers explains some ways to help prevent and ease the tension caused by repetitive knitting patterns.Ā Watch his tips here.

ā€œIsshoniā€ by Cecelia Campochiaro (another Season 3 Star! šŸ¤©) is a great pattern for practicing your repetition breaks.Ā 

The pattern is unique because one triangle is based on an even stitch pattern and the other triangle is based on an odd stitch pattern. This creates a gorgeous, textured pattern that takes any outfit to the next level.

Our exclusive ā€œIsshoniā€ kits contains 2 skeins of Mitchell’s CreationsĀ yarn in your choice of 4 colors.

Purchase your kit here!

For as long as I can remember, Iā€™ve started pretty much every day with an omelet. Itā€™s fast, simple, and keeps me feeling full until lunchtime. I love to toss in leftover meat and/or veggies from the night before (thin-sliced steak is especially delish!).Ā 

But recently, I discovered a French omelet – and it is a game-changer! Sometimes also called a ā€œwet omelet,ā€ it results in a fluffier, lighter texture without that yucky overcooked egg vibe.

It takes a bit of practice but the method itself is really simple.

1. Thoroughly whisk together 3 eggs (or 2 eggs + 1 egg white) with a splash of water and a dash of salt. Set aside to rest for at least 5 minutes.

2. Prepare your fillings. You will want to pre-dice and pre-cook them so theyā€™re ready to add at the right moment. I like sliced steak, diced turkey, diced veggies and some parmesan and cheddar cheeses.

3. Prepare your pan. You want to use a nonstick pan thatā€™s a bit larger than the classic omelet pan – mine is 8ā€ – and coat it with cooking spray, then add Ā½ T of butter and let it melt over low heat.

4. Add your whisked egg mixture. Now this is the important part: Take a spatula and continuously push the eggs toward the center of the pan until they start to look set but still wet, about 1-2 minutes. Spread the eggs out in the pan to form a circle thatā€™s as big as possible, then smooth and pat down the top to make a continuous circle, like a tortilla.

5. Add your fillings across the middle of the circle, as if you were filling a burrito. Let them heat through for a minute or so, being careful not to brown the bottom of the omelet. Gently fold over each edge of the eggs, and slide onto a plate. Add salt + pepper plus herbs as a garnish if you have them. Enjoy!

xoxo

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