| December 8, 2024

🧶From my couch to yours

BY SHELLEY BRANDER

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Each week when I sit down to write this newsletter, I imagine you reading it.

I picture you, cozy in your favorite spot, with your latest project (and maybe a furry companion) by your side.

This time of year, it’s likely to be a special project for someone you love. And what a wonderful, special gift that is – to be able to knit or crochet for those we care about.

In fact, I looked it up this past week, and found that knitters and crocheters only represent 0.00006% of the world’s population.

Isn’t that shocking, that so many may never know the joy of yarn in their fingers…the click of the needles…the thrill of making the perfect warming gift for someone…this powerful, tangible act of love?

I’ve made it my life’s mission to change that, at least in some small way. I want to Knit and Crochet the World Together – through stories, human connection, learning, and yes, love.

And the most powerful way I can achieve my mission is to spread the word about Knit Stars Masterclasses.

In 2025 we will celebrate 10 years of Knit Stars with 10 Knit Stars masterclasses AND 5 Crochet masterclasses.

Our goal for Season 10 is 10,000 enrollees. Yes, it’s a big number – but we are looking to make a big impact in this 10th Anniversary Year.

And get this…if everyone reading this newsletter would enroll in Season 10, we would surpass our goal 10 times over.

As a tangible expression of our mission, we’ve decided that when we reach this milestone of 10,000 enrollees, we will 10X our give-back for 2025, from $1,000 to $10,000 per nonprofit – a grand total of $150,000.

And, while I can’t share the names of our upcoming Season X Stars yet, I CAN share that these are the 15 non-profits they have chosen:

• Autism Society of America – empowers the Autism community
• Chile sin Cáncer – reduces inequality of opportunities in the face of cancer
• Dress-cember – utilizes fashion + creativity to help end human trafficking
• Equal Justice Initiative – challenges racial and economic injustice
• Foster Pride – empowers children and youth in foster care
• Gleaners Community Foodbank – working for a hunger-free community
• Homegrown National Park (HNP) – raises biodiversity awareness
• Humane Canada – ending animal cruelty and protecting animals
• Loveland Foundation – prioritizes healing for communities of color, especially black women and girls
• NaCoA – reduces the impact of alcohol and drug use on children and families
• Nasco – feeds minds in rural schools in Ghana
• Nevada Storm – supports women’s top tier tackle football
• Operação Nariz Vermelho – brings joy to hospitalized children
• Reading is Fundamental – brings the joy of reading to children
• World Central Kitchen – provides fresh meals in crises

Today is the last day to enroll as a SuperEarlybird for Season X, and be a part of this very special Season from the very start.

Yes, it’s a leap of faith since you don’t know who the Stars or topics will be yet.

But isn’t every yarn project a leap of faith? 💖

Let’s leap together. Join Season X as a SuperEarlybird here.

xoxo,

P.S. I would love it if you take a moment to forward this newsletter to someone who would love it, too.

Thank you for the big love for our new Knit Stars Needle + Notions Keepers! More than 300 of you will be sooooo much more organized in the New Year! 🎉

The shipment is headed our way and we hope to ship them to you before Christmas. If you’d like to pre-order (and get a bonus set of blocking mats plus a digital download of my first book to help you organize your stash and WIPs too), click here.

This week I came across two new projects on Ravelry that would be great gift knits for others – or relaxing, pretty projects just for you.

I’d love to wave my magic wand and have “My Jose Hood” by NORgardknitters ready to wear for my trip to visit Mallory in Washington, DC this weekend. I just love the cozy elegance.

“MY JOSE HOOD” by NORgardknitters

And I’m always on the lookout for projects that use mini-skeins – perfect for those Advent calendars that are so popular these days. “The Gift Wrap” by Christy Houghton is a fun and easy garter-stitch wrap with the creative use of mini-bobbles to break up the sections. A beautiful touch of texture and whimsy, IMHO.

Plus the pattern is free, as of this writing ❤️

Enjoy, and let me know if you decide to cast on, and who you’re making it for!

“The Gift Wrap” by Christy Houghton

So here’s something lighthearted for all my fellow pet lovers out there…

Charles Barkley officially started his own Instagram account! 🐾

It will just be lots of beach walks and sandy noses, with maybe some occasional yarn shenanigans.

If you’re so inclined, you can follow along on Insta @charlesbarkleycavofficial

Pork and Ricotta Meatballs

If you’re a longtime reader, you’re probably picked up on my passion for meatballs. I love them in any combination, soaked in a good red sauce (my current favorite is Rao’s Arrabiata). So when New York Times Cooking debuted this super-simple recipe by Kay Chun, I had to try it!

I had to make a few substitutions based on what was in my fridge…ground chicken instead of pork, Good Culture cottage cheese instead of ricotta, and some leftover “everything bagel” pita chips ground up for bread crumbs. But my goodness…these are simply fantastic. My new favorite meatball. I gobbled them up on their own, no pasta required. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup/4 ounces whole-milk ricotta
  • ½ cup/2 ounces grated Parmesan
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup plain dry bread crumbs
  • 1 pound ground pork

Instructions:

  1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and use your hands to gently mix.
  2. Shape the meat into 12 equally sized balls (about 2¼ inches in diameter). Arrange on a greased-rimmed baking sheet.
  3. Bake until golden and cooked through about 15 minutes. Serve warm.

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