“I want to help you make that sweater you’ll wear out to lunch – not just to that knitting festival.” – Amy Herzog, Knit Stars Season 2

Raise your hand if you’ve ever cast on a sweater design just because everyone else on Ravelry was making it?

If you finished it, how often did you end up wearing it?

If you’re like me, you’ve got a closetful of makes you never wear…

It’s a dang shame.

So this week, I’m coming in hot with a reminder to think of your makes as clothing. Because that’s what they are!

When you choose the project, think of where you’ll wear it. When you choose the yarn, think of the fibers and colors you reach for in your wardrobe most often.

This “Granito” pullover by Joji Locatelli is THE sweater in our store that everyone reaches for when they get chilly. It’s the “sisterhood of the traveling sweater.” It’s the sweater you wear out to lunch…to dinner…to the breakfast table…to the couch.

I’m not sure if it’s the relaxed fit…the silky softness of the Cashmerino yarn…or the irresistible pockets.

But I AM sure we all need one in our lives.

Lucky for all of us, we just got a shipment from Paris, filled with La Bien Aimée Cashmerino to make “Granito” (plus a brand-new yarn called “La Bien Aimée x Mondim” – scroll down to see 👀)

You’ll need 3 (3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 5) skeins to make finished bust circumference: 37½ (39½ 43¾, 48, 52¼, 54¼, 58½) inches. Joji recommends 6-8” of positive ease.

Choose your color here and cast on your new favorite sweater! ❤️

In this 1-minute introduction to her Knit Stars workshop, the brilliant
Amy Herzog drops a bunch of truth bombs about why we knit sweaters.

If Amy’s sweater workshop is sitting in your Masterclass library and you’ve never gotten around to watching it, might I suggest that this is the time?

And if it’s not in your library…your moment is coming.

Because the Knit Stars Yarniverse is coming!

Making the magic of our bespoke Masterclass experience available to more yarnies everywhere.

If you’re a Knit Stars Club member or Knit Stars All Star, check your portal because we’ve given you free access to the Yarniverse pilot program we’ll be co-creating for the next few months.

Everyone else please stay tuned and join our waitlist for the biggest new thing to hit the yarn universe in, well…ever.

Photos courtesy of Isabell Kraemer via Ravelry

If you’re someone who loves a sheep to skein adventure, we’ve got the yarn – and the perfect project! – for you.

“La Bien Aimée x Mondim” is a collaboration between La Bien Aimée and Rosa Pomar. It’s named after a Portuguese village once famous for its cottage sock-knitting industry.

The 3-ply fingering weight is 100% Portuguese wool, non-superwash. Part of the charm is the rustic nature – you will likely find straw or other vegetable matter spun in with your yarn as you knit!

We’ve found the absolute perfect project for this yarn – the Slip Stitch Party Shawl by Isabell Kraemer.

This knockout asymmetrical triangle shawl is a perfect choice for your first colorwork project. Only one color is used on any given row, and the built-in slip stitch edge gives a beautiful finish.

Seasoned knitters will revel in the ease and fun of ribbing, slip stitches and, of course, changing colors!

You’ll need 1 skein each of 6 colors to complete the original version. For a look very close to the original shown, we suggest these 6 colorways: Stone C1, Bois de Rose C2, Winter C3, Yellow Brick Road C4, Smoke, C5, Hegelia C6.

To make the optional, larger, 2-color version, you’ll need 2 skeins each of 2 colors. For a look similar to the large shawl pictured, we suggest Bois de Rose and Smoke.

Shop our La Bien Aimée x Mondim yarn here.

Photos courtesy of Isabell Kraemer via Ravelry 

If you’re someone who loves a sheep to skein adventure, we’ve got the yarn – and the perfect project! – for you.

“La Bien Aimée x Mondim” is a collaboration between La Bien Aimée and Rosa Pomar. It’s named after a Portuguese village once famous for its cottage sock-knitting industry.

The 3-ply fingering weight is 100% Portuguese wool, non-superwash. Part of the charm is the rustic nature – you will likely find straw or other vegetable matter spun in with your yarn as you knit!

We’ve found the absolute perfect project for this yarn – the Slip Stitch Party Shawl by Isabell Kraemer.

This knockout asymmetrical triangle shawl is a perfect choice for your first colorwork project. Only one color is used on any given row, and the built-in slip stitch edge gives a beautiful finish.

Seasoned knitters will revel in the ease and fun of ribbing, slip stitches and, of course, changing colors! 

You’ll need 1 skein each of 6 colors to complete the original version. For a look very close to the original shown, we suggest these 6 colorways: Stone C1, Bois de Rose C2, Winter C3, Yellow Brick Road C4, Smoke, C5, Hegelia C6.

To make the optional, larger, 2-color version, you’ll need 2 skeins each of 2 colors. For a look similar to the large shawl pictured, we suggest Bois de Rose and Smoke.

Shop our La Bien Aimée x Mondim yarn here.

Ramen photo courtesy of Halfbakedharvest.com 

Spicy Short Rib Peanut Ramen

“Hot Luke” and I are on a bit of a ramen kick…and this week I learned an important trick. Instead of adding the ramen noodles into the crockpot as directed on the Half Baked Harvest site, I placed them dry into the serving bowls, poured the hot mixture over the noodles, and let it rest for 3 minutes before digging in. This way they were perfectly al dente – plus by storing the soup separately from the noodles, they didn’t get mushy, so the leftovers were just as delicious!

Ingredients:

• 3-5 pounds beef short ribs, bone-in or out, fat trimmed
• 8 cups low sodium beef or chicken broth
• 1 can full-fat coconut milk
• 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
• 2-4 tablespoons chili paste, to taste (I use Gochujang)
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 6 shallots, sliced
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chopped ginger
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 4-6 squares dry ramen noodles
• kimichi, cilantro, and green onion, for serving
• chili oil, nori sheets, and sesame seeds, for serving

Instructions:

1. In the bowl of the crockpot, season the short ribs with pepper. Pour over the broth, coconut milk, and tamari. Add the chili paste, peanut butter, shallots, garlic, ginger, bay leaves, and cinnamon stick. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.
2. Preheat the broiler to high. Remove the short ribs from the crockpot and place onto a baking sheet. Break into a few chunks and discard any bones. Broil until caramelized on top, about 3-5 minutes, but watch closely.
3. Meanwhile, crank the heat on the slow cooker to high. Stir in the spinach and noodles and let cook, uncovered, for about 5 minutes. Stir in the short ribs.
4. Ladle the broth, short ribs, spinach, and noodles into bowls. Top as desired with kimchi, cilantro, green onions, chili oil, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

If you make this recipe or cast on either of the projects featured this week, please post and tag us @knitstars – I really love seeing your work and knowing we inspired your making!

xoxo,

+ your Knit Stars Team

Ramen as made by Shelley and “Luke.”