Last week I talked about a rollercoaster of emotions, but that was nothing compared with this past week. Wherever you may live in the world, and whatever your beliefs, no doubt you have felt the intensity of emotions in the wake of the US elections.

So in this week’s Sunday read, I would like to offer up a short, a heartwarming read, in the form of…

The Story of Mattie.

Every year since almost the beginning of Knit Stars, we’ve chosen to donate a portion of each Season’s proceeds to a nonprofit organization that held special meaning to us and to one of our own in the wider Yarnie community.

This year’s Season 9 give-back recipient is Mattie’s Meals.

And before I tell you a little about Mattie’s Meals, I need to tell you a little about Mattie.

Matilda “Mattie” Cruz, affectionately known as Grandma Bean, was the mother of Adella Colvin, founder of LolaBean Yarn Co.

Matilde lived a life of service. From her time spent in the US Air Force, to teaching in underserved communities, she left an indelible mark on the lives of so many. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, and despite going through aggressive chemotherapy sessions, she still found a way to serve and take care of others.

She would often cook and bring food to other patients undergoing treatment and the staff of the Oncology Department at the James J. Peters Veterans Administration Medical Center in the Bronx (Bronx VA). It brought her immense joy and satisfaction to know that she was fueling those that are responsible for taking care of so many others and those that answered the call to service of our nation.

Near the end of Mattie’s life, as the Oncology team visited her at her bedside, Mattie wished to perform one last act of service. Adella asked the team if she were to help raise money, how could she ensure that the funds would go directly to their department. Matilde perked up and was overcome with joy, as this would be a great way to support the team that provided the best care and comfort they could for her.

After a meeting of the minds, which consisted of multiple email exchanges between doctors, a patient, and the Executive Director of the Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation (BVMRF), a plan was put together to support the BVMRF and the Oncology Department at the Bronx VA.

As part of providing better quality of life for patients, and to honor Matilde’s life of service, a new program was implemented called Mattie’s Meals. This program provides hot meals for those undergoing chemotherapy treatments at the Bronx VA.

Even in her absence, Mattie’s legacy of taking care of others lives on.

Today, as we open the final enrollment period for Knit Stars Season 9: Permission to Shine, I invite you to join us (if you haven’t already) in the one-of-a-kind, once-a-year Premiere experience.

We have created a new “ticker” and each time we reach a milestone, it will unlock new magic – including a bonus Reading List from the Season 9 Stars, and double the give-back (from $5,000 to $10,000) for Mattie’s Meals.

You can enroll in Season 9 right here. And I would love if you would kindly share this link with your friends far and wide so we can maximize the impact. ❤️

xoxo,

P.S. For a 2-minute preview of how Season 9 can change your creative life, click the play button on the new Season 9 Trailer below.

With the full Premier of Knit Stars Season 9 just a few short weeks away…I’ve gotta shine a light on some of the projects designed exclusively for Season 9 by our brilliant Stars.

First, he humbly titled his masterclass “Crafting for Good” with a “bonus” segment on self-striping yarns. But this hat-and-mitts set designed by Gary Boston @garyknitsgaryrides literally took my breath away when I laid my eyes on it in person at his filming!

Chantal Miyagishima’s Season 9 Masterclass is titled, “Designing Garments 101” and teaches you exactly how to grade patterns. But the bonus star of the show is this gorgeous sweater pattern included in her workshop!

In ChiWei Ranck’s Season 9 workshop, you’ll learn how to size up or down from the yarn called for in the pattern, while making this adorable amigurumi Axolotl she designed just for her class.

Thomas Gregory Hamilton’s masterclass is all about Runway Crochet, and empowering you to design high-fashion garments. His class project is a cowl that teaches you some of his favorite stitches.

And while Willie Smith’s Season 9 class is called “Yarn Freedom” – setting you free to substitute yarns in most any situation – he includes a bonus hat pattern you’ll be wearing on repeat all Season!

Speaking of our Stars…if you haven’t yet enrolled in Season 9, going through one of our Stars’ affiliate links is another great way to show your support. Here are all of their links in ABC order:

Carol Feller’s Affiliate Link
Carolyn Bloom’s Affiliate Link
Chantal Miyagishima’s Affiliate Link
ChiWei Ranck’s Affiliate Link
Emma Fassio’s Affiliate Link
Gary Boston’s Affiliate Link
Gudrun Johnston’s Affiliate Link
Hazel Tindall’s Affiliate Link
Thomas Hamilton’s Affiliate Link
Willie Smith’s Affiliate Link

And last but not least, as promised here’s a quick peek at my progress on the Enchanted Forest Pullover in the Knit Collage Fall KAL! It’s working up pretty quick, but it’s still gonna be tight to finish up before the Thanksgiving in Nebraska. 😅

If you joined in, how’s yours coming along?

photo and recipe courtesy of Like Mother Like Daughter

Cinnamon Sugar Biscuit Donuts

This week calls for the simplest and most comforting of recipes. ❤️

Ingredients:

• 16.3oz Grands! Buttermilk Biscuits
• oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Heat 2 inches of oil in a large bottomed pot over medium heat. (Or in a deep fryer heated to 350)
2. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Separate each of the biscuits from the can and cut about 1 circular inch out of the middle of each. (You can fry those up as donut holes!)
4. When the oil is heated, put each biscuit in into your pot and cook until the bottom side turns lightly golden, then flip over and cook the other side till golden. (About 1.5-2 minutes total)
5. Set on paper towels to remove a little oil.
6. While still warm, dip all sides of each donut in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
7. Repeat with additional donuts (and donut holes) and enjoy warm!