Last Sunday, I declared 2025 my year of JOY. No punishing, restrictive resolutions. No stash guilt. No WIP guilt. Instead, I’m simply leaning into the people, places, and activities that give me joy. Since it’s our 10th anniversary Season for Knit Stars masterclasses, and the 20th year in business since opening one little, joyful yarn…

At first, it seemed like such a silly word to choose. Top obvious. Too common. Too…selfish? This past week, as I journeyed through the process of reflecting on the past year and dreaming about a personal theme for the year ahead, the word that kept popping up for me was… JOY. Even as it kept…

The best gift – a photo with all 3 grown-up Brander kids! And no, I didn’t make my sweater – but I could have! 😅 ‘Twas the day after Christmas, And all through the land, The Yarnies were finally Resting their hands. The knit gifts were nestled atop lucky heads. “Hatch Hat” from Clinton Hill…

It’s almost my favorite time of the year. Not the holidays exactly…but the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I’ve come to think of it as the Golden Hour of the year. That magical time, just before the sun sets on the year that’s just passed. Time feels suspended, spacious. There’s magic star dust in…

Happy Sunday! How’s your holiday gift-making coming along? This is usually the week when I start to realize I *may* have bitten off more than I could chew, gift-making-wise. Maybe you’re feeling that, too? So it seems like a good week for a “favorite things” list. These are some of the things I’ve been into…

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…

I’m writing this week’s newsletter a few days before Thanksgiving, so I’d like to tell you a little story about a person in my life I’m especially thankful for. ❤️ But before I do that, I need to let you know we’ve re-opened our Knit Stars Season 10 SuperEarlybird signups, starting today for one week.…

Do you remember when you first learned to knit or crochet, and you thought just ONE pair of needles or hook was all you needed? 🤣🤣🤣 Those were the days, right? Ignorance is bliss! Who knew you would amass so many tools…circulars, double points, interchangeables, all different kinds of materials from bamboo to metal to…

The funniest thing happened this past week, and I think it might hold a valuable little nugget for you. I took Charles Barkley out on an early morning beach walk like we usually do. It’s his favorite part of the day. Dogs are allowed on the beach in the early morning and late afternoon. So…

Last week I talked about a rollercoaster of emotions, but that was nothing compared with this past week. Wherever you may live in the world, and whatever your beliefs, no doubt you have felt the intensity of emotions in the wake of the US elections. So in this week’s Sunday read, I would like to…

On our first beach walk after flying back from Tulsa, Charlie just sat and watched the sunset. How’s your week been? For me it’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. 🎢 The day after I flew back home to Florida from Rhinebeck, I hopped on another plane to Tulsa, where my dad had just…

My whole life, I’ve struggled with compliments. Not the giving part (I love love love making others feel good), but the accepting part. And to get really vulnerable for a minute…I’ve spent a lot of time in therapy over the years trying to understand why. My therapist has a couple strong theories, going back to…