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 undergone emergency surgery. While there, I also reconnected with a dear friend who just underwent surgery for breast cancer. Oh, and I had to bring Charles Barkely along with me since it was so last-minute, I stayed at my old house with my ex-husband, my middle son and our 4 dogs.

It was all very healing and I’m so grateful for my time there (and all those puppy kisses), but I am processing a lot today as I write this newsletter 😅 So please forgive me if it’s a little more scattered than usual. But I do have a ton of juicy stuff to share with you. So let’s dive in!

Alexi’s “Holloway” crocheted sweater pattern is included in her Knit Stars single course.

If you’re looking for your next sweater cast-on, I’ve got the perfect one – no, make it two!

We just released Alexandra Tavel’s (@twoofwands) Knit Stars Masterclass from Season 7, called “The Duality of Knit and Crochet,” as our next single standalone class.

Alexi’s is arguably one of the most generous Knit Stars classes ever, in that includes not one, but two adorable, on-trend, cozy sweater patterns that still to this day have never been released anywhere else.

And maybe even more valuable, Alexi shows you how she translates designs from knit to crochet and vice versa. Giving you a deeper understanding and appreciation for both crafts.

I caught up with Alexi this week in between her design work and her newest “job” as mom to River, her firstborn who she was quietly pregnant with all during her Knit Stars class planning and filming. (You can see her adorable bump in these photos 🥰)

Alexi’s “Hawthorne” knit sweater pattern is also included in her Knit Stars single course.

I asked Alexi, what are you most proud of with your Knit Stars masterclass?

“I think it really appeals to makers and to designers, because I’m teaching you how to make these two sweaters, but then it includes worksheets on the background of how I did the math,” Alexi said.
So it’s helpful, if you’re interested in designing to kind of get insight into how a designer works. And now you also have the formulas to design a sweater with that style, shaping and silhouette.”

Next I was curious, now that Alexi is a mom, has she changed her workflow? What does she prioritize the most?

“That’s an interesting question,” she said. “One of my weaknesses is that I have endless ideas and want to do it all.”

(We can all relate to that, right?)

“And I truly love being a mom,” she continued. “I love designing. I love cleaning the house! I just want to do it all. But I do have to be realistic. So I’ve drastically reduced the number of projects that I do in a year.”

“I have a contract with Lion Brand, and I’m working on new designs with new colors of their yarns, Hue + Me and Color Theory. In my own wardrobe, I still gravitate to neutrals, and they have this new Hue + Me color coming out called “Stone.” Then there’s this bright green color called “Dirty Chartreuse” that I think has been getting the most attention from people.

Another new thing for Alexi is she’s begun to release some baby patterns. I asked if baby River has been a cooperative model and so far, the answer is no.

“It turns out he is a horrible model,” she laughed. “He hates to sit still. So it’s been really challenging to photograph him. But there are always lots of great outtakes!”

If you don’t already own Knit Stars Season 7, you can now purchase Alexi’s masterclass at special introductory pricing of just $47, here. (The price will go to $97 when the intro period ends.)

I’ll look forward to seeing your cozy sweater masterpieces! If you make one, please post and tag me @knitstars!

xoxo,

This week marks our 5th early release of Knit Stars Season 9! This was something new we tried this year, in part to give everyone more time to savor the workshop releases, and in part because we knew things might be a little…um…distracting here in the U.S. with the election and all.

(Quick PSA for my friends here in the U.S.: Whatever you do, VOTE! We are so fortunate to have the right to do so.)

Anyhow, I’m so excited to debut Gudrun Johnston’s masterclass: Modern Shetland: Shine In Your Own Custom Cowl. This was a first for us, as we filmed it on two different continents! We flew Gudrun over to her family homeland of Shetland, and then we filmed in the 1800s farmhouse in Hadley, Massachusetts where she lives with her husband, David.

I caught up with Gudrun this week and asked her, was the Knit Stars filming experience what she expected?

“I always enjoy sharing Shetland with people so it was a particular pleasure to be the tour leader and driver during the filming in Shetland,” she said. “With travel snafus getting in the way it ended up being just Brad who came and we had to pack a lot into a short time but we had so much fun doing it! I got to play a small behind the scenes role as Brad’s assistant during the filming of Hazel’s class and it was an honor to spend the day with them both!

Then I asked her, what makes your Knit Stars class special?

“It’s been great to have so much time to prepare for this class and have the opportunity to bring so many different elements into it,” Gudrun said. “Being able to dive into some of the history of Shetland knitting, show the process of the yarn production and overlap with another Shetland instructor creates a really full experience that could never be replicated in a classroom.”

If you’re already enrolled in Season 9, you’ll find Gudrun’s class in here your portal.

If you’re not yet in for Season 9, don’t despair, because our final sign-up period is coming up this week! And lucky you, you’ll be able to immediately immerse yourself in 5 early-released masterclasses, plus enjoy the big binge of the final 5 masterclasses on Dec. 1. And yes you’ll still be able to order the exclusive yarns, kits and Joji bags!

To get on the Season 9 waitlist and get notified when signups open for the final time starting this Thursday, click here.

My Knit Collage kit arrived! Wow that was lightning fast!

And good thing, since I’m on a mission to make my Enchanted Forest Pullover before Thanksgiving. 😅Thanks to everyone who jumped on the train with me. It’s my first Knit Collage KAL and I’m looking forward to the group experience!

And speaking of the holidays…I came across two (well actually, three) great free patterns while cruising the Rav this week.

First, the “Lemon Drizzle Mittens” are a 4-part Mystery Makealong with Becky Greene, and the 4th clue will include a recipe for her Lemon Drizzle Cake. YUM and FUN!

And “The Gifting Hat and Scarf” by Jocelyn Frazier really is the perfect classic, gender-neutral set. It’s free for the holiday Season, so snag it while you can!

Swirled Blueberry Lemon Thyme Cake

Just in case – like me – you’re now craving lemon drizzle cake and don’t want to wait, here’s a Swirled Blueberry Lemon Thyme Cake recipe from my favorite, HalfBakedHarvest.com. If you make it, drop me a line and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) salted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 2 tablespoons blueberry jam

Lemon Thyme Glaze

• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1-2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a (9×5 inch) loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and lemon zest until combined. Add the sour cream and vanilla, beating until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Fold in 1 1/4 cups blueberries.
3. Spoon half the batter into the prepared pan. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of blueberry jam, leaving a few streaks of jam throughout the batter. Add the remaining batter and then swirl in the remaining 1 tablespoon jam. Sprinkle on the remaining 1/4 cup blueberries and 1 tablespoon sugar.
4. Transfer to the oven and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until center is just set. Let cool before glazing.
5. Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth and drizzly. Stir in the thyme, if using.
6. Drizzle the glaze over the cake. Slice and enjoy!