KNIT STARS BLOG!

🧶How to take a compliment

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…
Read More

🧶The most important one

This feels like the most important newsletter I’ve written all year. I really want to get it right…for you to feel what’s in my heart and for it to touch your own heart, deeply. So here goes… (deep breath)… This past week I met with some dear friends from around the world. We are a…
Read More

🧶The no that launched thousands of yeses

Pull up a chair and get comfy, because this week I have a little longer yarn that I’ve never shared publicly before. When was the last time you had to build up your courage for weeks to ask something of someone you really admired, and they told you no? Or even worse, just ignored you?…
Read More

🧶Revive your whole wardrobe

Happy Sunday! Is there one compliment you love getting more than any other kind? Over the past 9 years of producing Knit Stars Masterclasses, there’s one customer comment that’s my absolute favorite to read… “This workshop alone was worth the price of admission for the whole Season!” And of course I feel that way about…
Read More

🧶Is this a “crazy” idea?

This week, let’s talk a bit about “crazy” ideas. Knit Stars Season 5 was the high Season of COVID. I had planned the ultimate travel bucket list year, with plans to film in Australia, Japan, Mallorca, Copenhagen and points all across North America. It all fell away in a heartbeat as all the countries closed.…
Read More

🧶Join the inner circle

You know how last week I talked about dissolving the “nots” in our knitting? Well this week, it’s confession time. Because there was an insidious “not” that ensnared my first couple decades as a maker. I was NOT going to touch circular knitting! I made dozens of adult and baby sweaters, all seamed. I was…
Read More

🧶Goodbye, nots!

Lately I’ve been doing some deep thinking – about knots. You’re a Yarnie, so you know the feeling. You’re flowing along in the zone on your project, and all of a sudden you hit a dreaded knot. You have to stop, decide whether it can be undone or cut, leaving two more ends to weave…
Read More

🧶Your next capsule wardrobe

It’s that time of year when my WIPs begin that eternal battle with one another… Crank out one more crochet crop for those last dog days of summer…Or cast on a new knit sweater in fall hues??? Right now for me, the latter is winning out – especially after I took a peek at the…
Read More

🧶Do you wanna go faster? 🎢

The year was circa 1978. It was my first time visiting Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was nervous to ride Zingo, the big wooden roller coaster. So I decided to work up my courage on an easier ride first. “The Himalaya” was one of those rides where the cars fly around in a…
Read More

🧶A different kind of love story

I’ve been a dog lover for as long as I can remember. Our first pup as a young family was Lucy the Lhasa Apso. Longtime readers will remember my beloved Purl, who survived a horrific attack and went on to grace our home with so much love, wiggles and furry hugs, that before we knew…
Read More

🧶What a surprise!

Striking my best Olympic pose after finishing my new crochet top! Hey there, If you’re like me, now that the Olympics is over, you’re looking for your next escape. I’ve been thinking, and it’s occurred to me that every Knit Stars Masterclass is like three of my favorite escapes, all rolled into one. There’s the…
Read More

🧶Turn stash into kindness

Dear reader, this week I’d like to introduce you to a real life Soap Star. 🤩 Stacy Wiener is the founder of S.A.C.K. – Supporting A Community with Kindness. She was nominated by TWO of our Yarniverse members to be a Rising Star – and in the exact same month that I found out about…
Read More

🧶 Get to know Emma

I first saw Emma Fassio’s name many years ago, on a pattern my friend Gina Hills was working on. Many of you might remember Gina, a manager at our Loops stores for more than a decade. Gina was (still is) a style inspiration of mine, a big fan of iconic Italian fashion houses like Missoni.…
Read More

🧶Catching the Doodle bug

Jamie Lomax took up knitting in 2020 as a COVID hobby. She was working as a senior project manager for a large retail and food service company in Seattle at the time. “We all got sent home, and I was on Teams calls all day every day. I have ADHD so I was struggling to…
Read More

🧶Something new is blooming…

Happy Sunday, beautiful reader! Do you ever have those moments like I do, when you’re scrolling social media, and an image makes you stop and audibly gasp – causing anyone else in your household to run in and see if you’re ok? This past week I had one of those moments, and (after assuring said…
Read More

🧶Sprinkle that stuff on everything…

TW: This week’s newsletter includes sensitive mental health topics. Sending all of our love our beautiful readers, family and friends ❤️.  “I had two options. I could either let it wreck me and disrupt my life, or I could inspire myself and others, share my story, and use it to help raise awareness.” These are the wise words of…
Read More

🧶Back in the saddle

Hello dear reader, How’s it going in your creative world? These past few weeks have been even more whirlwind-y than usual for me, as Knit Stars Season 9 filming has kicked into high gear. I made a commitment to go to all the filmings this year, which means I’m up in the air, upside down,…
Read More

🧶 Gratitude – in any language

Toto, we’re not at the beach house anymore. We’re near the ‘beech house” in Cork, Ireland! I snapped a pic of this charming home with a spectacular garden, just up the road from Knit Stars Season 9 Star Carol Feller’s house in Cork, Ireland. Every Knit Stars Season is a wonderful adventure, and this year…
Read More

🧶Now he’s dancing with his fingers

We talk a lot around here about how yarn can change lives. We’ve seen it in action a million times over, in small ways and bigger ways. But this week’s story…well, this one hits differently. Yarn didn’t just change Thomas Gregory’s life. It saved it. Thomas Gregory (@gregorystitch) came to my awareness last year by…
Read More

🧶Behold, the future of patterns

Are you a sticky notes knitter? A highlighter hooker? Or maybe you’re a washi-tape wonder? 🤩 At various points in my 4 decades as a Yarnie, I’ve been all of the above. As I’ve progressed (and my eyesight has regressed) I find myself using all kinds of tricks to keep my place and track the…
Read More

🧶How to take a compliment

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…
Read More

🧶The most important one

This feels like the most important newsletter I’ve written all year. I really want to get it right…for you to feel what’s in my heart and for it to touch your own heart, deeply. So here goes… (deep breath)… This past week I met with some dear friends from around the world. We are a…
Read More

🧶The no that launched thousands of yeses

Pull up a chair and get comfy, because this week I have a little longer yarn that I’ve never shared publicly before. When was the last time you had to build up your courage for weeks to ask something of someone you really admired, and they told you no? Or even worse, just ignored you?…
Read More

🧶Revive your whole wardrobe

Happy Sunday! Is there one compliment you love getting more than any other kind? Over the past 9 years of producing Knit Stars Masterclasses, there’s one customer comment that’s my absolute favorite to read… “This workshop alone was worth the price of admission for the whole Season!” And of course I feel that way about…
Read More

🧶Is this a “crazy” idea?

This week, let’s talk a bit about “crazy” ideas. Knit Stars Season 5 was the high Season of COVID. I had planned the ultimate travel bucket list year, with plans to film in Australia, Japan, Mallorca, Copenhagen and points all across North America. It all fell away in a heartbeat as all the countries closed.…
Read More

🧶Join the inner circle

You know how last week I talked about dissolving the “nots” in our knitting? Well this week, it’s confession time. Because there was an insidious “not” that ensnared my first couple decades as a maker. I was NOT going to touch circular knitting! I made dozens of adult and baby sweaters, all seamed. I was…
Read More

🧶Goodbye, nots!

Lately I’ve been doing some deep thinking – about knots. You’re a Yarnie, so you know the feeling. You’re flowing along in the zone on your project, and all of a sudden you hit a dreaded knot. You have to stop, decide whether it can be undone or cut, leaving two more ends to weave…
Read More

🧶Your next capsule wardrobe

It’s that time of year when my WIPs begin that eternal battle with one another… Crank out one more crochet crop for those last dog days of summer…Or cast on a new knit sweater in fall hues??? Right now for me, the latter is winning out – especially after I took a peek at the…
Read More

🧶Do you wanna go faster? 🎢

The year was circa 1978. It was my first time visiting Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I was nervous to ride Zingo, the big wooden roller coaster. So I decided to work up my courage on an easier ride first. “The Himalaya” was one of those rides where the cars fly around in a…
Read More

🧶A different kind of love story

I’ve been a dog lover for as long as I can remember. Our first pup as a young family was Lucy the Lhasa Apso. Longtime readers will remember my beloved Purl, who survived a horrific attack and went on to grace our home with so much love, wiggles and furry hugs, that before we knew…
Read More

🧶What a surprise!

Striking my best Olympic pose after finishing my new crochet top! Hey there, If you’re like me, now that the Olympics is over, you’re looking for your next escape. I’ve been thinking, and it’s occurred to me that every Knit Stars Masterclass is like three of my favorite escapes, all rolled into one. There’s the…
Read More

🧶Turn stash into kindness

Dear reader, this week I’d like to introduce you to a real life Soap Star. 🤩 Stacy Wiener is the founder of S.A.C.K. – Supporting A Community with Kindness. She was nominated by TWO of our Yarniverse members to be a Rising Star – and in the exact same month that I found out about…
Read More

🧶 Get to know Emma

I first saw Emma Fassio’s name many years ago, on a pattern my friend Gina Hills was working on. Many of you might remember Gina, a manager at our Loops stores for more than a decade. Gina was (still is) a style inspiration of mine, a big fan of iconic Italian fashion houses like Missoni.…
Read More

🧶Catching the Doodle bug

Jamie Lomax took up knitting in 2020 as a COVID hobby. She was working as a senior project manager for a large retail and food service company in Seattle at the time. “We all got sent home, and I was on Teams calls all day every day. I have ADHD so I was struggling to…
Read More

🧶Something new is blooming…

Happy Sunday, beautiful reader! Do you ever have those moments like I do, when you’re scrolling social media, and an image makes you stop and audibly gasp – causing anyone else in your household to run in and see if you’re ok? This past week I had one of those moments, and (after assuring said…
Read More

🧶Sprinkle that stuff on everything…

TW: This week’s newsletter includes sensitive mental health topics. Sending all of our love our beautiful readers, family and friends ❤️.  “I had two options. I could either let it wreck me and disrupt my life, or I could inspire myself and others, share my story, and use it to help raise awareness.” These are the wise words of…
Read More

🧶Back in the saddle

Hello dear reader, How’s it going in your creative world? These past few weeks have been even more whirlwind-y than usual for me, as Knit Stars Season 9 filming has kicked into high gear. I made a commitment to go to all the filmings this year, which means I’m up in the air, upside down,…
Read More

🧶 Gratitude – in any language

Toto, we’re not at the beach house anymore. We’re near the ‘beech house” in Cork, Ireland! I snapped a pic of this charming home with a spectacular garden, just up the road from Knit Stars Season 9 Star Carol Feller’s house in Cork, Ireland. Every Knit Stars Season is a wonderful adventure, and this year…
Read More

🧶Now he’s dancing with his fingers

We talk a lot around here about how yarn can change lives. We’ve seen it in action a million times over, in small ways and bigger ways. But this week’s story…well, this one hits differently. Yarn didn’t just change Thomas Gregory’s life. It saved it. Thomas Gregory (@gregorystitch) came to my awareness last year by…
Read More

🧶Behold, the future of patterns

Are you a sticky notes knitter? A highlighter hooker? Or maybe you’re a washi-tape wonder? 🤩 At various points in my 4 decades as a Yarnie, I’ve been all of the above. As I’ve progressed (and my eyesight has regressed) I find myself using all kinds of tricks to keep my place and track the…
Read More

Knit Stars

The cashmere we waited a year for! 😅

We’ve been waiting almost a year for this luscious, luxury yarn from Malabrigo to arrive! “Caprino” is Spanish for “goat,” a nod to the 20% cashmere combined with 80% superfine merino that makes this yarn next-to-your-neck soft. Loretta made “Doo Wop” by Lisa Hannes using 2 skeins each of Natural, Plomo, and Matisse Blue on…
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A Holiday Special Edition!!

In the midst of a very non-traditional Thanksgiving season, we’d like to continue a beloved Loops tradition… The kinder, more relaxed Black Friday 💞 It’s this simple: With any purchase of $50 or more from LoopsLove.com or the Loops store, we’ll include this super-comfy Knit the World Together™ mask free – now through Tuesday, or while they…
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emPower People purple DK yarn

Join the emPower people project and knit, crochet or sew your purple bandana using DK-weight yarn! You need 225 yards of DK yarn and size 7 needles. Find all the info and download the free patterns at this emPower People site.  Manos del Uruguay Serenafrom $ 16.99
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Welcome to Loops Town!

What to do, see, eat, and pack for your big visit to Tulsa. You’ve always dreamed of a trip to the land of Loops…hand-dyed fibers, exclusive patterns, and friendly faces as far as the eye can see! But can you make a weekend of it? You betcha! Tulsa is a booming city full of green,…
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Hot Loops Fall 2020

$ 25.00 (Register here!)  Join us for our signature virtual event, 7pm Friday, September 25th! We’ll reveal our 2020 Fall Hot Loops Wall, featuring one indie dyer, exclusive colorways…and the projects we’ll be showcasing for these fabulous yarns will take your breath away! Each one is curated to the yarn, on trend and knit or crocheted…
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Let’s Unwind together… 🏝️

Anyone feel a little wound up these days? 🌪 Not sure about you, but a shawl called “Unwind” is exactly what we need right now! 🤪 Tracy Millar from the Grocery Girls podcast designed this top-down triangle shawl “to help you unwind from life’s crazy days. It’s a relaxing and uncomplicated pattern repeating soothing and…
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Scoop: The shape-shifter 💡

Does your handknit wardrobe include a shape-shifter yet? Every knitter needs one. A piece that goes from shawl to cowl to poncho to sweater with a simple sleight of hand. Andrea Mowry’s Everyway Shawl is our dream shape-shifting piece…a quick-to-make exercise in movement and color that keeps your eyes moving across stripes and angles. 💡Drape…
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Free yarn movies to watch this week 🌟

The heart of the Loops mission is to spread joy and inspiration. We know that sharing smiles and fiber love can be a ray of hope shining though the clouds – and so we’re bringing it back… We are so proud of Knit Stars and what it has done to inspire and nurture knitters around…
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My get-through-this-together shawl 🌈

This was my first COVID project, in the earliest days of the pandemic when my mind could only handle something super simple. It turned out to be the perfect choice – easy, mindless, meditative and colorful. Each time I pulled it out, it put a smile on my face. I bet it could do the…
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An almost-edible shawl debut 😋😍

With a background in painting, knitwear designer Ambah O’Brien (shown above, left) has a passion for color and interesting design. Her designs are straightforward to make, size inclusive and oh-so-wearable! When not designing, Ambah can be found wandering about her vegetable garden, sewing, thrifting or going for a beach ramble on the coast in Southern Victoria, Australia.…
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Fresh scoop of freebies 🍨

We love each and every Looper out there…💙💙💙 Knitters that knit everyday. Knitters that knit when they can. Crocheters that always have a project on hand. And especially those of you that are dreaming of taking the next step. This Scoop’s for you! And because you deserve a treat, ALL of the patterns we’re sharing…
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A Constellation of Stars 💫💫💫

What makes someone a Star? Hard work. Dedication. Curiosity. Leadership. Passion. A Star is someone who breaks new ground and then shows us how to shine. And when we all have a place to shine, we can light up the sky. Our gaze if fixed on a stunning collection of designers and artists coming together…
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Scoop Special Edition 🖤🖤🖤

We all know there are much more important things happening in the world right now than yarn. We also know it’s so important to continue to support independent makers – especially BIPOC – during this time. So, while we did postpone the Knit Stars Season 5 yarn sale by a week, it’s happening – starting…
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We are all stitched together 💙

If you’ve had your head down knitting this week, and have missed the crucial conversation around George Floyd in your fiber community, please tune in, take it in, learn, and find a way to support.  If you’re not sure where or how to begin, here are some suggestions: This very simple but powerful infographic series is…
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My dream yarn, your dream price 🥰

Dream a little dream today. You just never know when it will come true. When I started a little yarn store 15 years ago, I never dreamed that we’d one day have our own yarn brand. Never imagined I’d journey up into the mountains of Peru, hang out with these fuzzy fellas at 15,000 feet,…
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Scoop: my wrinkled sweaters 🙈

The wrinkles and little imperfections in these sweaters? Take them as a very good sign. These are my 3 all-time favorite sweaters in my personal hand-knit wardrobe. One is at least 7 years old. I wear these All. The. Time. And they’re all made from the same yarn: “Sparrow” 100% linen (link) from Quince & Co.…
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Our anniversary gift to you 🎁

Do you and your stash have a love-hate relationship? 😇😈 You’re not alone! Now – with so many of us at home – is the perfect time to organize your stash and works in progress, and rediscover the treasures that are hiding within…✨ This week, to celebrate Loops’ 15th Anniversary, I’m doing a series of…
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Mask and they shall receive 💙

By now, you know that our health care workers are running short on masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We want to help! Join us in a make-along and help raise funds for PPE for our health care workers on the front lines. Fifty percent of all sales of this yarn will go to…
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Your path to the clouds 🌥

When you’re starting your climb up the mountain, the people at the top of their game seem to sit in the clouds. In your wildest dreams, you won’t ever reach the clouds… But despite the obstacles, you begin to take those steps up the hill, one foot after another. And you keep reminding yourself, those…
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The world’s biggest online knitting festival 🌎💙

Wow, what a world we are living in. What we knew to be true changes almost daily, and… If you’re like me, your yarn has been a lifeline through it all. I believe knitting is truly a superpower. It’s creating. It’s healing. And best of all, it connects us. This is why I’m so pleased…
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