| February 9, 2025

đŸ§¶The love of your life

BY SHELLEY BRANDER

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I just finished listening to the book “Let Them” by Mel Robbins.

While there were lots of great insights and “aha’s” for me in the book, only once did it move me to tears – at the very end of the book.

After explaining in detail how to let other people be who they are, and reclaim your own power by choosing how you show up, Mel points out this fundamental truth.

YOU are the love of your life.

“You are the only relationship you’ll have from the day you’re born to the day you die. The foundation of all your relationships lies in how you treat yourself,” Mel says.

“Are you allowing yourself to pursue your dreams without waiting for someone else’s approval?”

So as we embark together on this Valentine’s week, let me offer up permission to revisit your dreams, and to put your joy first.

If you need to, do what I did. Print out the quote above and stick it on your mirror as a daily reminder. It’s my valentine to you. ❀

Today’s the last day of our annual sale on Previous Knit Stars Seasons. Seasons 1-8 are marked down from $470 to just $197, and Season 9 is just $297. You can add to your collection at sale prices, here.

It’s a great way to show yourself some of that love and joy we just talked about.

And here’s a gentle reminder – you don’t have to make the pattern, or even practice the technique, to derive great joy from Knit Stars Masterclasses. What Hannah Thiessen posted this week reminded me of this.

Hannah’s workshop in Knit Stars Season 4 wasn’t about a pattern. It was about slowing down and getting intentional about your craft (many would say she was ahead of her time). Watching her documentary, her natural dyeing, and her attitude – it all just makes you feel good.

Here are some other Knit Stars offerings that weren’t “about the pattern” per se – and yet there is so much to learn and absorb, so much joy and wisdom to take from each of them


Carolyn Bloom (Season 9) taught me to look at my store-bought wardrobe and my tired me-made wardrobe with fresh eyes, as candidates for her yarn embroidery technique. It re-ignited my creativity in a whole new way.

Chelsea Heranic (Season 8) made me look at yarn and making as a way to celebrate my body, rather than hiding it. That’s some powerful stuff right there.

 

Patty Lyons (Season 7) has a magical way of embracing the “un-vention,” helping you see your making ability for the wildly creative superpower it really is.

Jeanette Sloan’s masterclass in Season 6 includes a pattern, but its real power is in the possibilities. In her soothing British accent, Jeanette shows you there’s a whole other dimension available to you via beadwork. It’s uplifting and inspiring beyond measure.

Gaye Glasspie’s Season 5 Masterclass is unlike any other before or since. And I feel like it should be annual “required viewing” for us all, myself included. The reminders to lean into authenticity, consistency, and vulnerability are truly life-changing.

I often refer to Cecelia Campochiaro as an example of the breathtaking innovation that we endeavor to highlight in Knit Stars. Her invention of Sequence Knitting is like AI is to computers (except maybe more fun and less scary, LOL). Everyone deserves this empowering course in their creative arsenal! (It’s in Knit Stars Season 3).

Tammy White’s Knit Stars masterclass often gets eclipsed by the other, more technique-driven courses in Season 2, but it is a pure delight from start to finish. You simply can’t have a bad day after watching her, the animals on her farm, and how they interact.

And while Season 1 certainly had its pattern-driven highlights (hello, Cocoknits and Romi Hill!), I still to this day will queue up Stephen West’s masterclass just to be entertained by his vibe and creative turns of phrases, like “slippa-dee-doo-dah” and “shortcut rows.”

One last thing about the sale
in last week’s newsletter, we shared this handy Knit Stars Progress Checklist, but it had a typo (Season 4 Stars listed twice and Season 5 Stars omitted). Here’s the updated, correct version!

Don’t miss next week’s newsletter, where I’ve got a really special one for you
I’m headed to New York City for the opening night of “Redwood,” Idina Menzel’s new broadway musical. My lifelong best friend is a producer! I can’t wait to tell you all about it. đŸ€—

xoxo,

 

If you missed the chance to order this yummy Kokon kit for Carolyn Bloom’s scarflette from Season 9 (or you did order it and want more), this is your moment!

After all the Season 9 wave 2 kits were shipped, we found ourselves with a slight surplus of just this kit (hey there, logistics snafu!) 👋 So it’s now on sale 10% off while they last, here.

And speaking of Carolyn
check out this adorable hat design by her!

“‘Deliberately Twisted’ is a snuggly hat made using a delightful super bulky single ply, which lends itself beautifully to the lovely cable-like texture of this hat,” Carolyn writes. “Yet there is not a cable needle to be found in this design! This eye-catching feature is achieved using the twisted purl stitch, rather than cable stitches.”

And this particular feature is not the only “twist” in the pattern! The hat is knit inside out and once completed, twisted inside out to reveal the gorgeous texture.

Find the hat pattern for sale on Ravelry here.

 

Photo and Recipe credit: Half-Baked Harvest

Spicy Chili Beer Cheese Soup

It’s Superbowl Sunday. And as a brander-turned-yarnie, that’s always meant just two things for me: 1. Ads and 2. Yarn time. While I may not really care about the big ‘Bowl, I can get behind a great bowl of soup! This new recipe from Half-Baked Harvest is part chili, part soup, and all YUM. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef, chicken, or turkey
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 poblano pepper, chopped
  • 3-4 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • salt and black pepper
  • 2-4 cups broth
  • 1 can/bottle beer (or additional broth)
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups chunky red salsa
  • 2 ounces cream cheese, melted
  • 1-2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • avocado and scallions, for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a large dutch oven set over medium-high heat, brown the meat and onions all over, breaking up the meat as you go, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add the poblanos, taco seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute. Pour over 2 cups of broth, add the beer or additional broth, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes until the soup thickens a bit.
  3. Pour over the milk. Add the cream cheese, the salsa, and the shredded cheese. Stir to melt, 5 minutes. If the soup is too thick, add broth to thin.
  4. Ladle the soup into bowls. Top as desired with cilantro, avocado, and scallions. You can sprinkle over some extra cheese too! Eat and enjoy!

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