“Into the Hoods Scarf” by Laura Nelkin.

I don’t know about you, but lately my feed has been full of so much overly-enthusiastic “new year, new you!!!” messaging.

For some reason, the algorithm has started serving me up a bunch of ads for neck creams  and facelifts.😳

And while I’m all for “you do you” when it comes to your appearance, our space holds so many beautiful examples of how creative growth can feed your soul, helping you to shine from the inside out.

As they say, growth is an inside job.

So as we round the corner into the second decade of Knit Stars, and as we’ve just released 20 Masterclass Singles from our library of previous Seasons…

I thought it would spotlight some Stars from our earlier Seasons, and share how they are shining even brighter today.

When Laura Nelkin starred in Knit Stars Season 2, she was one of the most prolific designers around – and she was just hitting her stride. In 2025 alone, Laura published 23 patterns!

But as I’ve continued to follow her work over the years, I’m struck by how she seems to have grown into herself. Her patterns, writing and photos feel ever more exploratory…adventurous…liberated. I asked Laura, what’s changed for you?

“Barcelola Cloche” by Laura Nelkin

“Design-wise, I trust my gut now,” Laura says. ”I used to second-guess everything, but I’ve grown more confident (with a dash of recklessness). When I love something and believe in it, that energy shows up in the finished design.”
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“I’ve also learned that when something feels like a TON of work, it usually means I’m pushing too hard—so I shift gears and look for ease instead. Turns out, that lesson applies beyond design to life as well. I keep things fresh, and that equates to FUN!”

Right now, Laura is running her 13th Annual 1st Quarter KAL, where you can make new friends, get help with your projects and win prizes. And she has a small knitted kit club called Lola’s Choice, which focuses on teaching new techniques with bimonthly shipments.

If you’re intrigued by Laura’s adventurous patterns but unsure if you’re ready for them, her just-released Knit Stars Single (from Season 2) is a great place to start.

“Forza Scarf” is included in Laura’s Knit Stars masterclass.

“While I offer plenty of online YouTube classes and technique videos, these are usually focused on a specific tool, cast-on, or project,” Laura says. “My Knit Stars class is a true deep dive. It explores lace techniques from different parts of the world and inspires knitters to practice incorporating them into their stitches.”
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“My class tempts knitters to try techniques they once thought were far beyond their skill set.”

You can pick up Laura’s Knit Stars class at the intro price of $67 here. It includes a pattern for her Forza scarf, which teaches you lace basics and grafting (and is a pretty precursor to last year’s ubiquitous mini-scarves!).

xoxo,

​​​​P.S. Go here to explore all the Knit Stars Singles (newly released are marked with a 🎉):

🎉 Alexa Ludeman • Fair Isle Tips & Tricks
Alexandra Tavel • The Duality of Knit & Crochet
🎉 Amy Herzog • Successful Sweaters for All Shapes
🎉 Amy Small  • Chunky Art Yarns
🎉 Andrea Mowry • Color Confidence & Fades
🎉 Andrea Rangel • Magical Color Motifs
🎉 Ann Budd • Fear-Free Steeking
Ann & Kay of MDK • New Year Mojo Reboot
Åsa Söderman • Seamless Sweater System
Beata Jezek • Color Confidence
🎉 Caitlin Hunter • Traditional Colorwork
🎉 Carson Demers • Knitting Ergonomics
Casapinka – Colorwork Made Easy
🎉 Cecilia Campochiaro • Sequence Knitting
🎉 Chantal Miyagishima • Designing Sweaters 101
Fatimah Hinds – Unexpected Cables
Felicity Ford • Interpreting Art & Sound into Knitting
🎉 Francoise Danoy • Designing Your First Pattern
Gaye Glasspie • Finding Your Voice
Jeanette Sloan • Beaded Colorwork
🎉 Laura Nelkin • Lace & Estonian Nupps
🎉 Lorilee Beltman • Vertically Stranded Colorwork
Louis Boria • Knit Your Perfect Hat
🎉 Lucy Neatby • Two-Color Double Knitting
🎉 Martha Wissing • Chullo Hat with Cupped Tassels
🎉 Mary Jane Muckelstone • Fair Isle Knitting
🎉 Nancy Marchant • The Tuck Stitch (Brioche)
Patty Lyons • Circular Knitting Hacks
Romi Hill • Intricate Lace, Beading & Shawl Shapes
Summer Lee • Fun, Fast Socks
🎉 Susan B Anderson • Seamless Toy Knitting
🎉 Tamara Kelly • Crochet Hacks for Knitters
🎉 Yumiko Alexander • Working with Plant Based Fibers

Have you heard about the new BIG UP Box?

It’s the brainchild of Season 5 Knit Star Tian Connoughton. Here’s the story…

“Over Christmas break, I took a trip from Massachusetts to Newport, RI,” Tian said. “And as you do, I was seeking out yarn stores to visit. While checking hours, I was also checking to see who they carried. And none of the shops I found carried yarn or supplies from Black makers.”

“While I would love to own a shop and stock the products of all the people I love who happen to be from a historically underrepresented and marginalized community, I figured I could start with a subscription box as phase one.”

“The yarns, patterns, and extras in each box will be from phenomenal artists you might have never heard of, but that are just as deserving of being featured. And then phase two may be a yarn truck where I can BIG UP and give props to the talented people who need to be seen.”

Tian explained, “BIG UP” is  Jamaican Patois for giving props – acknowledging excellence, honoroing accomplishments, and celebrating yourself and others. It’s something I say every day. And now, it’s the heart of this project.”

To back Tian’s kickstarter and order your own BIG UP box rooted in celebration, culture and community, click here.

Yarn and jewelry made to go together? Ummm yes please?

This week’s scroll-stopper is this collab between our friends at Lolabean Yarn Co and Birdie Parker. The “Beloved” yarn set is hand-dyed on LolaBean’s Wax Bean base, a fingering weight blend of superwash merino and silk with beautiful drape, sheen and strength.

Each yarn set can be paired with coordinating jewelry designed by Kristi of Birdie Parker Design – pendant and/or earrings. Want a great project idea for the set? Check out the “Quintet Shawlette” pattern by Season 5 Star Ambah O’Brien.

The pre-order closes tomorrow (!) January 19th, and is expected to ship mid-February (helloooo perfect Valentine’s hint 😍). Click here to pre-order.

“Quintest Shawlette” by Ambah O’Brien would be great for this exclusive Lolabean kit!

But wait! Is that a bag in the background?

Why yes, that’s the “Adella Q” Maker’s Sling in the latest custom color called “Shadow.” The collab between dellaQ and Lolabean’s Adella Colvin is a limited edition, and it’s the first time dellaQ has paired charcoal canvas with black leather! This very special bag has multiple pockets for your phone, tools, notions and latest WIP. Plus some really cool features like an internal yarn feeder, a removable yarn cutter, and adjustable crossbody strap designed to fit all body types.

Pre-order your bag here.

Photo Credit: HomeFoodKitchen.com

Creamy Baked Feta Spaghetti Squash

Shout-out to Daven, my hair stylist, for clueing me into this amazing food trend. I made it last night, and immediately texted it to all my kids because it’s delicious, healthy, economical and above all, EASY. Here’s my pared-down version of the recipe. For more tips, go to this link.

Ingredients:

• Half spaghetti squash, seeded (they sell these now, pre-prepped, at my local grocery – or buy a whole squash, carefully cut in half and seed, and double the rest of the ingredients)
• 4 oz feta cheese (block or crumbled)
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or lightly chopped
• 1/4 cup roasted red peppers or sundried tomatoes in oil
• 1 tsp italian seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°
2. Place ½ squash skin-side-down on rimmed baking sheet
3. Drizzle meat of squash with 1 T olive oil and rub or brush it into the skin. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. Take ¾ of your feta and put it in the squash “bowl,” pressing it in slightly
5. Mix the rest of your ingredients except the basil, including the remaining olive oil, and put it on top of the fetal in your squash bowl
6. Roast at 400° for 50-60 minutes
7. Carefully remove the filling into the baking pan and use two forks to lightly “shred” up all the yummy squash noodles – then mix the noodles together with the hot filling and put them back into the squash bowl. 
8. Top with remaining feta, freshly torn basil leaves and more salt and pepper if desired. Enjoy!