How’s this for timing? We just got happy mail with all 15 newly-released colors of Hedgehog Sock!

There’s something for everyone here – neutrals, jewel tones, and pops (helloooo “Flamingo”)!

And we’ve got a perfect project idea (or 2) for you…

“Fading Stripes” is designed by Beata herself. She describes it as an “easy, mindless garter stitch shawl, suitable for even beginners. Just relax and knit a few rows, nothing difficult going on here. It’s done when you run out of yarn!”

You can make your “Fading Stripes” with just 2 full-size skeins of Hedgehog Sock in contrasting colors. Or get creative and add a 3rd color – simply switch from alternating colors 1 + 2, to alternating colors 2 + 3 at any point you like – maybe the midpoint, or maybe toward the end.

I’ve put together a few combos to inspire you…

Sweater lovers, rejoice!

The same color combos I offered you above will work with Caitlin Hunter’s seasonless “Marettimo” design.

“Marettimo” is a relaxed, lightweight summer sweater, knit in the round from the bottom up and featuring a simple feather and fan lace detail at the hem and sleeves. Named for a small island off the coast of Sicily, this sweater is the second in her series of designs named for Italian towns where she dreams of wearing them someday.

To make your own “Marettimo,” you’ll need 2 (3, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4) skeins of your main color, and 1 skein each of 2 contrast colors, to fit sizes XS (S, M, L, XL, 2X, 3X). You want a size that’s 7-11” larger than your bust measurement and the finished bust sizes are 40 (43.25, 46.5, 49.5, 52.5, 55.5, 58.75)”

Knit Stars LIVE with Francoise! ✨

Join Francoise Danoy of @arohaknits in person at our Flagship Store or virtually via Zoom, on Saturday, March 12th, 1pm-4pm Central for this hybrid event!

Francoise will begin by sharing how she incorporates her work as an indigenous artist into her knit patterns and designs. She’ll then move into her workshop based on her beautiful “Once Were Weavers” shawl, featuring the Drop Cable Stitch and lateral braid knit flat techniques. This is a great workshop for knitters who are looking to get a bit more adventurous with lace!

You can purchase your workshop ticket alone for just $59, or add on the optional kit featuring 3 skeins of our Loops Luxe Royal Light (Royal Alpaca + Silk) in your choice of 6 colors, plus some special extras (a $60 value for only $40 – save $20!).

Sign up for our Knit Stars LIVE with Francoise here.

When my daughter, Mallory, says she MUST knit a project immediately…I know it must be a hot trend. 🔥

Indeed, balaclavas are super rad right now, and Mallory whipped this one up in less than a week, just before she headed to a chilly Amsterdam to study abroad for the semester.

She used 2 skeins of Alegria Grande, holding 2 strands double along with a strand of Rowan Cashmere Haze. The pattern can be found for purchase here and you’ll need circular needles in size US #8 and #6.

🌟🌟🌟

Longtime readers will remember that six years ago, on the very first Knit Stars international film production, Mallory and I lost our luggage.

We spent more than a week going from Finland to Norway to Denmark to Italy, all with the clothes on our back plus some necessities purchased at a Finland H + M. The shopping bags became our “suitcases.”

And I learned exactly how long you can go in one sports bra without washing it 😳

Well, on her way to Amsterdam, Mallory had a deja vu. Her flight was canceled, she was diverted through Frankfurt, and her luggage was lost – again.

This time though, she had learned from experience and packed more wisely.

If you’re curious or would like to pick up some carry-on packing tips, you can read her blog here.

Adrianne, our team member living in Italy, made this Taiwanese Castella cake for Valentine’s day that she says “was amazing and fun (it wiggles after it’s baked!). My husband says it’s his new favorite cake. I used this YouTube video that has excellent instructions. I’m going to try a matcha flavor for St. Patrick’s Day!”

This tender, pillowy castella cake from KitchenDose.com is extremely soft, fluffy and full of egg flavor. It’s known for its very smooth surface, without any cracks.

Ingredients:

• 100 g cake flour/ all-purpose flour
• 100g unsalted butter
• 100g sugar
• 6 egg whites
• 6 egg yolks
• 100 ml milk
• ¼ tsp salt
• Vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 150°C.
2. Line a 18cm square cake pan with parchment paper
3. Sift the cake flour into a mixing bowl and set aside.
4. In a saucepan, add in the milk and butter then place over low heat, until the butter is melted completely.
5. Pour the milk/butter mixture into the sifted flour and whisk together until well combined.
6. Add in the egg yolks one by one, mixing after each addition until well incorporated.
7. Add in the vanilla extract and mix well then set aside.
8. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy, then add in the sugar and keep beating until still peaks are formed.
9. Pour the first mixture into the egg white mixture and gently fold it in.
10. Transfer the batter into the prepared baking tin, level the surface using a spatula and tap the cake tin on a work surface a few times to release the air bubbles.
11. Put the cake tin in a larger baking sheet, then pour hot water, about 80°C, into it to make a water bath. Pop into the oven and bake for about 60 minutes or until fully cooked.
12. Remove from the oven, tap the cake tin a few times, this can prevent the cake from shrinking. You can eat it while still warm or you can let it cool completely then slice it.
13. Serve and Enjoy!

Save the date!

Our spring Hot Loops event will be Saturday, April 9th starting at 7pm Central, and it will be all online! Watch for signup instructions in next week’s newsletter.

xoxo