This week, I was in New York City filming for our upcoming Knit Stars Season 5 release.

My decision to travel was not made lightly.

Four airplanes. Three airports. A hotel. Cabs and Ubers in a city that’s been so deeply affected by the virus. Would I be a storm chaser heading into the eye of the hurricane? I knew I’d need to limit my contact while I was there and that, upon my return, I’d need to quarantine and wear a mask in my own home, keeping distance from my family.

But something tugged at me – hard – to go. To be present for the 10th and final workshop of Season 5. A Season in which local film crews around the world – Kyoto, Copenhagen, Mallorca, and points across the U.S. – all collaborated to create the impossible…a global workshop series in the midst of a pandemic.

And I needed to go for this person.

This iconic Goddess of Orange who has brought so many knitters together this past year. Who’s inspired us, again and again, with her authenticity and vulnerability and wisdom.

Gaye “GG” Glasspie is even more than a Knit Star. She is simply a Star. She shines. She glows as she just walks down the street in her orange sandals. It’s palpable. Everyone – shopkeepers, dog walkers, babies, strangers in masks – all magnetically drawn to her.

And yet those orange sandals remain firmly grounded. There’s no bravado. Just a huge, huge heart – for her family, her friends, her followers and her mission – to help you learn to live each day On Purpose.

We filmed GG’s Knit Stars workshop inside Brooklyn’s String Things Studio, a yarn shop owned and operated by the energetic powerhouse named Felicia Eve.

As I watched Felicia go from one virtual Zoom appointment to the next, helping housebound knitters learn new techniques or get personal shopping help with yarn for their next project, I was reminded once again…

Knitters find a way.

When we need to be together, when we need to connect, when we need to grow…we find a way.

While on the road, I listened to two things that really helped me, and I hope they may help you too.
1. Brené Brown’s latest podcast, titled “Day 2” – give it a listen.
2. Sean M. Kelly’s latest meditation series on the Simple Habit app called “Calm Your Mind in 30 Days.” Personally, it started calming mine from Day 1!

P.S. Knit Stars Season 5 sign-ups will be October 8-15. Join the wait list here.

Loops Trooper Rachel has been teaching her two elementary-aged children at home since March, and her family has a new mantra: The power of yet.

If you put a “yet” at the end of almost any sentence, it changes intention and opens up possibilities…

“Mom, I can’t read that word…yet!”

“Mom, I don’t like that food…yet!”

Mom, I’m not good at my new piano piece…yet!”

Sooooooooo…

Have you knit with all five of our bases from Emma’s Yarn…yet?

Because this week, as we prepare to change out our famous Hot Loops Wall, ALL of our Emma’s Yarns are now 20% off!

There’s a perfect weight and blend waiting for you!

Emma’s yarn Simply Spectacular DK is a gorgeous 4-ply DK blend of superwash merino and nylon. It is *so* soft to touch and has just the right amount of give, making it perfect for these favorite projects.

Andrea Mowry’s “Rose” cardigan and TinCanKnits’ “Little Tern” blanket are two projects the Troops have paired with Emma’s Simply Spectacular. We love how gorgeous the colors look on this base. They lend a special dimension to your stitches – telling the story of the time you’ve spent on each one.

These hand-dyed colors make some excellent fades and we’ve seen some fantastic color combinations in another Andrea Mowry favorite, the “Comfort Fade Cardi!”

For a neutral and turquoise palette, use these four colors in your Comfort Fade:
Terrazzo + Calypso + Pebble Beach + Another Fish in the Sea

For a dusty pink blushing Comfort Fade, use:
Bohemian Market + Glamping + Root 66 + Drops of Jupiter.

Or make your own combination from our nine colorways!

If you’re looking for a crochet project, Trooper Sherri loved making the “Good Vibes Throw” by Toni Lipsey with Emma’s Simply Spectacular DK – 4 skeins Tin Can + 2 skeins Bohemian Market. She used an I hook and chained 122 to start.

Find these patterns on Ravelry.

Shop Simply Spectacular DK on sale 20% off here!

Are you a brioche master…yet?

Maybe you can’t do it…YET, but with a few tries and a few rows, you’ll soon get the hang of it, and it will open a world of new patterns for you to try!

Here’s an easy first brioche project to take you from “yet” to “YES!”…Lavanya Patricella’s DK Brioche Bandana Cowl.

This stylish unisex cowl is knit in the 2 color brioche stitch. The pattern is worked both in the round and flat. With tapering in the back, it fits nicely around the neck and under your jacket.

Knit this comfy accessory with just two skeins of Emma’s Comfy Cotton DK on size 5 needles. (This yarn also just went on SALE at 20% off!)

Here are some fun color combinations:
Denim + Lady Lavender = Stonewashed flowers

Heliotrope + Cloud 9 = Comfy Classic

Not in the mood for brioche? Relax with an easy breezy “Ivy Shawlette” (just 2 skeins!) and Emma’s Comfy Cotton blend!

Download the Ivy Shawlette for free here!

Pick your Emma’s Comfy Cotton DK palette (on SALE 20% off!) here.

Sometimes it’s the little things that can change your perspective and brighten up your whole week! So if you haven’t tried these flavors *yet*, this is a great recipe to expand your repertoire.

From Half Baked Harvest, 30 Minute Sticky Thai Meatballs use easy-to-find ingredients, combined in a delicious new way…

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
2-3 tablespoons sambal oelek (chili paste)
zest and juice of 1 lime, plus more for serving
1 pound ground chicken, pork, or turkey
1 inch fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
black pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for rolling
2 medium shallots, sliced or chopped
2 red or orange bell peppers, chopped
1/4 cup raw peanuts
1/2 cup fresh basil and or cilantro, roughly torn
8 ounces rice noodles
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 cup diced mango or mango chili sauce, for serving (see notes)

Directions:
1. In a glass jar, whisk together 1/3 cup cold water and the cornstarch. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili paste, lime zest, and lime juice.

2. Add the chicken, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of pepper to a bowl. Mix until combined. Coat your hands with a bit of oil, and roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 15-20 meatballs).

3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil shimmers, add the meatballs and sear until crisp, about 4-5 minutes, turning them 2-3 times. Remove the meatballs from the skillet. To the skillet, add the shallots, peppers, and peanuts, cook another 2-3 minutes, until the peppers begin to char. Pour in the honey/soy sauce mix. Add back the meatballs. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil.

4. Meanwhile, cook rice noodles according to packaged directions. Drain and toss with a couple drizzles of olive oil and the sesame seeds.

5. To serve, divide the noodles among bowls and top with meatballs. Serve with additional herbs, limes, and mango chili sauce (if desired). Enjoy!

Recipe Notes:
Mango Chili Sauce: combine 1/4 cup honey, 2-3 tablespoons sambal oelek (chili paste), 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, zest and juice of 1 lime, and 1 cup diced mango.