We know of a place…

A place where knitters support…laugh…learn…

A safe place to show off your creativity, and to be inspired.

You’ve had the power to go there all along – you just have to believe in yourself…

And join us in LoopsClub!

This week *only* we are opening signups for LoopsClub…it’s the last chance this year, and the best time to gift yourself – and maybe someone else!

It’s also your chance to add the optional Blue Bag LoopsClub luxury kits. And we’re beyond thrilled to announce that the December kit will be a collab with Karida Collins of Neighborhood Fiber Co. and designer Romi Hill!

(In fact, ALL our quarterly LoopsClub kits in 2021 will feature Knit Stars designers and/or Knit Stars dyers! )

To give you a taste of what happens inside LoopsClub, I created a free 3-video series with printables to share with you.

With just a few minutes of planning, you’ll be able to put more beautiful, handmade gifts under the tree with much less stress and lots more love

Access the free video tip series (and get signup info) here.

If you’re a silk yarn lover, prepare yourself for a brand-new silk experience

Kim Dyes Yarn Scone Silk is 100% Silk Noil – a subtly nubby fingering weight that feels so natural as it glides through your fingers. Kim’s hand dyed colors evoke the subtly dimensional shades of nature.

This silk is ideal for Tina Tse’s “Blooming Textures Shawl” – a study in simple lace motifs that bring to mind the symmetry and delicate shapes of blooms and leaves. The asymmetrical shawl starts small and grows through sections of garter, lace, and stripes. Keep enjoying until you run out of yarn!

Carolyne knit her “Blooming Texture Shawl” with one skein each of Scone Silk in the Black Sesame and Sorbet colorways.

Treat yourself to this luxurious knit on size 5 needles. You’ll find Tina’s pattern at tinatseknits.com.

Or for a fun 1-skein foray into Silk Noil, make “Copilot” by Dominique Trad, available on Ravelry and shown below.

Find Kim’s gorgeously saturated colorways here.

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Fibers have a history – a lifetime of experience before they reach our hands.

From the animal to mills – carding, washing, spinning, dyeing – a quality fiber has been through countless hours of transformation before it hits the needles.

So we love supporting small businesses like Knit Collage, whose yarns are hand spun and dyed by a talented group of women in India – a partnership in job creation and education founded by Knit Collage’s Amy Small.

This week, we’re sharing a blanket that caught Shelley’s eye and crochets up in a flash! “Solitude Blanket” by ChiWei Ranck is a simple granny square worked up in delicious Knit Collage super bulky yarn and finished with 4 fluffy tassels.

Ravelry user Julesz6619 crocheted one and said:
“Using this yarn was a luxury for me but it is just an amazing product to work with. The pattern works up quickly and used every bit of yarn perfectly with no waste. I feel like I created an heirloom!”

We have two Knit Collage kits available for the “Solitude Blanket” – the original “Petal” colorway, and a “Loops Blues” colorway curated just for us by Knit Collage.

The finished blanket measures 36 inches square and Q Hook.

Choose your Knit Collage “Solitude Blanket” kit here.

5 Ingredient Chicken Sausage and Orzo Skillet from tippsinthekitch.com is a one-pan comfort meal! Our family loves the ease of chicken sausage that is precooked and only needs to be heated to a crisp. Feel free to substitute your favorite sausage and try spinach instead of arugula on top, if that’s what you have on hand!

Ingredients:
3 organic Italian style chicken sausages, sliced into rounds
1 cup orzo
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup shaved parmesan
A few handfuls of arugula
Salt + pepper to tate
Red pepper flakes, optional

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large non-stick sillet over medium high heat. Add chicken sausages and cook for 2 minutes per side, until nice and golden.

2. Add garlic, orzo, and red pepper flakes, toss around for 1-2 minutes, until orzo is slightly toasted and garlic is fragrant.

3. Pour in a chicken broth and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until liquid has been absorbed and orzo is cooked. Stir every couple of minutes to avoid it sticking to the bottom.

4. Once orzo is cooked, stir in parmesan and adjust seasoning.

5. Toss with arugula just before serving. Enjoy!!