Striking my best Olympic pose after finishing my new crochet top!

Hey there,

If you’re like me, now that the Olympics is over, you’re looking for your next escape.

I’ve been thinking, and it’s occurred to me that every Knit Stars Masterclass is like three of my favorite escapes, all rolled into one.

There’s the knitting and crocheting, which we all know gives us amazing, relaxing benefits (ok except maybe when we’re frogging or steeking)…

And then there’s the film quality – just like escaping to the movies, but on your own couch.

And then there’s the escape of travel – minus the travel headaches.

So for those of you still missing a Season (or eight) from your Knit Stars Masterclass library, this is your chance to escape – at Olympic-size savings.

For the first time in years, we’ve put all previous Knit Stars Seasons 1-8 on sale for just $197 each. Buy two or more Seasons on sale and save an extra 20%. There’s even a Golden Ticket offer at 30% off!

Click here to shop and save. Sale ends Sunday August 18 at midnight Pacific.

First stop was Hadley, Massachusetts, a charming farm community known for its asparagus and farmstands where you can find fresh veggies, cider, and wool products all based on the honor system.

We filmed Gudrun’s workshop on Shetland Fair Isle + Lace in her historic home built in 1807. It was so fun to play with ALL 225 colors of Jamieson’s Simply Shetland wool and see how Gudrun chose the colors for her class project.

But here was the biggest SURPRISE…

We found out Gudrun’s hubby, David, is a novelist who has published 9 novels – and is also a screenwriter who’s been in multiple writing rooms with George R.R. Martin. 🤯🤯🤯

In fact, books have been a recurring theme with this Season’s Stars. They are almost all voracious readers. We’re thinking of putting together a Season 9 bonus with all of their favorite book and audiobook recommendations. What do you think?

Another big surprise came when Brad and I drove from Gudrun’s home in Hadley to Sleepy Hollow, New York, to film with Carolyn Bloom in her beautiful home overlooking the Hudson River.

Carolyn greeted us in a simple white knit tank – at least I thought it was simple, until she turned around…

SURPRISE!

From Sleepy Hollow it was on to Westfield, New Jersey to film with ChiWei Ranck. Here, a surprise met us at the door, in the form of Mr. Bingley.

As a lifelong dog lover, I was unaware that a dog could be quite so human. ChiWei must have known this somehow, when she and her family named him after a key character in her favorite book, Pride and Prejudice.

We arrived at the door, and Mr. Bingley did not bark. Even as three of us were incessantly knocking on the door, still Mr. Bingley did not bark. He just waited patiently and jovially, with that confident knowing that snuggles and pets from new people were coming his way.

In case you missed ordering these bags, you still have time. Just be sure you’re enrolled in Season 9 – the next chance to sign up will be just before Hazel Tindall’s workshop early-releases at the beginning of September.

You can join the Season 9 waitlist to be notified when signups open again, here.

xoxo,

This last production trip is the first time I can ever remember traveling with BOTH a knit project and a crochet project underway.

And I have to admit y’all…the crochet project won out! I found the stitches to be super-relaxing to work on the flights. And I didn’t have to worry about losing a bunch of stitches or having to tink back.

When I got back home, I blocked my new “Blair Ribbed Crop Top” by Grace of “ForTheFrills.” I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to carry this look off…but I love it! It was so quick and easy and turned out so cute, I ordered yarn to make another project by this designer. More on that in a future newsletter…

On the plane trip home, I picked back up my “Ochre Cardigan” by Ambah O’Brien. I’m making it in a darker color of Quince + Co. “Sparrow” 100% linen, which was a bit challenging on the plane with the low light.

I kept messing up the lace pattern and I’m pretty sure there are some significant boo-boos that remain…but hey, that’s the upside of working with a dark color, right? Others are less likely to notice! 😜

Image and recipe from NY Times Cooking

Green Shakshuka With Avocado and Lime

Gudrun and David hardly ever go out, because they’re both amazing cooks! I asked Gudrun for a favorite, and she said “this is one we make a lot – quick and easy” I’m a big shakshuka fan and can’t wait to try this one!

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 large bunch/1½ pounds Swiss chard, stems and leaves separated and chopped (about 9 cups)
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more as needed
• ⅓ cup half-and-half or heavy cream
• 8 large eggs
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more as needed
• 3 ounces Cotija cheese or queso fresco, crumbled (about ¾ cup)
• 1 avocado, sliced, for serving
• 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced, for serving
• Chopped cilantro, for serving
• Smoked hot sauce, for serving
• Corn tortillas, toasted, for serving
• 1lime, cut into wedges, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion and cook until softening, 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 5 minutes more.
2. Raise the heat to medium-high, add the chard stems, and cook to release some liquid, 5 minutes. Add the chard leaves, in batches, adding more as they wilt, and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until completely wilted, 3 to 5 minutes more. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, pour in the half-and-half and stir loosely together.
3. Make eight small hollows in the cooked chard with the back of a spoon. Gently crack an egg into each hollow. Cover with a lid or foil and cook on medium-low until the eggs are just set, but still soft, about 7 to 9 minutes. Remove the lid, sprinkle with salt, pepper, Cotija, avocado, jalapeño and cilantro. Serve with smoked hot sauce, toasted tortillas and lime wedges.