Has this ever happened to you?

Is there someone in your life you love so much, you’d give them the shirt off your back? Or even the handknit cashmere scarf right off your neck?

As we embark on this 10th anniversary year of Knit Stars (and our 20th year in business), I’m sharing some of my favorite memories with your favorite Stars of the yarn world. Along with some fun “where are they now” updates.

This week, Beth and GG from the Knit Stars team came to hang out with me at my home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, for a couple days, so we could plan our Season X Earlybird launch coming up in April.

While we were hanging out “strategizing” (a.k.a. Knitting, eating and entertaining with Charles Barkley), I couldn’t help but reflect back on how far we’ve all come together.

GG and I first connected about 6 years ago, when I commented on one of her posts and (in true GG fashion) she kindly commented back right away. I asked her to be a star in Season 5 and as she so often tells it, “I didn’t see myself as a Star and didn’t think I had anything to teach. Shelley had to drag me in kicking and screaming.”

Season 5 was the year of COVID, when I had planned to travel to film in Japan, Australia, and Europe – and all of that evaporated as we pivoted to find local film crews in each country. The very last masterclass scheduled to be filmed was GG’s. Two days before the filming, she called me full of butterflies, and asked if I would fly to film with her. So of course I did.

It was an unforgettable two days.

Fast forward a couple years, and we surprised GG with a whole Hot Loops wall of orange projects, dedicated to her.

She spotted my cashmere scarf and promptly “borrowed” it – permanently. 🤣I mean…it was orange. How could I say no?

Seriously though, since that time GG has become the Knit Stars Star Advisor, supporting and encouraging each year’s Stars to step into their full potential as teachers and as creative humans. The ripple effect is truly immeasurable. 🧡

And speaking of ripple effects…let’s talk about what Beth has accomplished in the last few years… 🤩

I met Beth a little over three years ago. For years, she’s been the business partner of her good friend and indie yarn dyer. Beth learned all aspects of that business, including how to vend (and survive the process) at yarn shows all around the country.

When it came time for the dyer to wind down, Beth was on the verge of taking a desk job “where I definitely would’ve been miserable” – when she ran across a job listing for Knit Stars Relationship Manager.

Since that time, Beth has helped shepherd 30 folks through the process of becoming Knit Stars. She’s intimately involved in the development of the masterclasses and, naturally, of the yarn kits that go with them.

Oh and at the same time, she’s taught her own Knit Stars Masterclass on adaptive knitting (Season 8), and developed her own platform @adaptiveknitter where she helps people adapt to physical knitting challenges.

Beth just created a great, free resource, “Ultimate Fiber Festival Survival Guide.” It’s a really useful tool for anyone who’s headed to a fiber festival or show, especially for the first time. To get it, just go here to join Beth’s newsletter list.

While we’re on the subject of joining fun, free things…thanks to all of you who followed us over on Instagram @knitstars last week! If you didn’t get a chance yet, give us a follow here. When we reach 50K followers we’re giving away 5 of our all-time best patterns.

Wishing you a wonderful week, and hopefully, some time spent with your yarn besties!

xoxo,

Continuing with our “where are they now” theme…

Today, Ross Taylor @twisted.ambitions.yarn just released the patterns from his Season 8 Knit Stars masterclass.

I still vividly remember when Ross walked into our Loops yarn store back in 2017, carrying a Reasor’s grocery bag full of his hand-dyed yarn. I knew right away, he had something special.

“When we first met, I was working long hours as a USPS mail carrier, sometimes walking over 15 miles a day, while dyeing yarn in my apartment kitchen,” Ross reflected with me this week.

“After years of hard work, I went full-time as a yarn dyer in June 2022. Now, in 2025, I’m running a successful business, collaborating with brands, and designing more in the little spare time I have!”

I asked Ross, what was the best thing about being a Knit Star?

“The best part is how welcoming the community is,” he said. “I also loved pushing myself to create a class that shared my passion for dyeing and designing, while opening up about my journey through depression, anxiety, and addiction.
“Back when  I was asked to be a Knit Star, I was really into marling yarns and wanted to design a hat and cowl set that used marling in a fading sequence. I incorporated some of my favorite stitch patterns to create timeless pieces that are enjoyable to knit and wear.”

You can find kits for Ross’ “If It Makes You Happy” hat and cowl here on his website.

Thank you for all the love for the Knit Stars Needle Keeper!
It’s been so rewarding to see so many of you discover the joys of having all your needles, hooks and notions neatly organized and stored in a single place.

The keepers are now in stock and shipping, while they last. Get yours here.

Photo credit: Foodwithfeeling.com

Mulled Apple Cider

This week’s featured recipe is courtesy of Rose, one of the original Knit Star Guides. It’s a simple, cozy recipe to warm your soul AND make your house smell amazing! “You can buy a package of mulling spices or use spices in your pantry. I like to make this for guests, and have some Captain Morgan available for those who want an added kick,” Rose winks.

Here’s her recipe.

To make the spices, mix 1 cup dried orange peel, 1/2 cup cinnamon stick pulverized, 1/4 cup whole allspice and 1/4 cup cloves. Mix together and keep in jar.

When you want to mull the apple cider, pour 1 quart apple cider into pot. Add 2 Tbsp spices in a muslin spice bag. Heat the cider and steep the spices for 20 minutes. Garnish with star anise and cinnamon stick if desired.