Knit Stars | July 5, 2026
š§¶Frozen shoulder and Knit Stars magic
BY SHELLEY BRANDER
It was the worst of times, it was the best of timesā¦
On the European filming trip for Knit Stars Season 11, I was reminded yet again of the importance of staying present with my knitting.
But before I get into the story, a gentle reminder that todayās the last day for our first-ever BOGO Sale.
Enroll in this yearās upcoming Season 11 Premiere, and get a coupon code for any previous Season of your choice, free. You can use the coupon and start enjoying your free Season right away.
Our previous Seasons are also on sale through midnight tonight, at just $197 each (regularly $470).Ā Youāll find those here.
And we have this cool new Passport Flipbook tool to help you decide which Season/s to get,Ā here.
Now for that storyā¦
Apparently, after all these years of knitting, I still canāt get it through my 58-year-old brain that itās meant to be relaxing – not a life-or-death competition with myself.
And so it came to be that I embarked on the first flight to England with a cast-on and a dream, to make an entire āBea Topā by PetiteKnit on the journey.
It all went pretty well at first. I was making great progress. Somewhere across the Atlantic, my shoulder began to complain, quietly. So I adjusted positions and pressed onā¦and onā¦and on.
By the time we arrived in London, Iād knit about 8 inches of sweater, but I could tell my shoulder was done.
And by the time weād finished filming with Erika Knight and Debbie Bliss, I woke up and couldnāt move my shoulder, my arm or my hand. It was completely locked up and even Advil wouldnāt touch the pain. Looking back, you can see it in my faceā¦
Thank goodness for Season 11 Star Alice Hammer, who directed me to her Chinese Medicine practitioner in Vichy, France. I hobbled my way there, early on the morning after we arrived in Vichy. And he performed true miracles with acupuncture and energy healing.
(āYou have too much fire,ā he said, pointing to his poster of the five elements of Chinese medicine. āYou need more water, more calm.ā)
Hmmm yes, so Iāve been told. š
So with my shoulder tenderly un-frozen, I hobbled back the mile or so toward my hotel. I was almost back when I heard some enchanting music start up, somewhere in the distance. I knew there was some kind of festival going on, so I let my curiosity lead me toward the music.
And oh my goodness, look who I found!
Franklin Habit, Season 10 Knit Star, was in town for the festival along with hundreds of other dancers for a traditional dance display.
I was entranced! As it turns out, Franklin even sewed his whole costumeā¦And this was the first time his dancing in costume had ever been captured on video!
Knit Stars magic is real, friend.
So allās well that ends well with the frozen shoulder saga. (I really need to find a doctor like that here in Florida.)
And please, next time you pick up your needles or hook, remember to do as I say and not as I did. Slow down, breathe, enjoy – and always listen to your body. š¤
Until next weekā¦
xoxo,
Shelley
