Knit Stars | April 5, 2026
What if your stash inspired you?
BY SHELLEY BRANDER
Note to readers: When Adella Colvin’s email landed in my inbox this past week, announcing she’ll be a Star in Knit Stars 2026: Your Season of Genius, it struck a powerful chord with me. So I’m sharing her email here, in its entirety. I hope you find it as meaningful as I did. xoxo – Shelley
I’ve got something pretty big to share.
After being asked several times over the years to be a part of Knit Stars, I’ve finally said yes. This year, I’ll officially be joining Season of Genius as a master class instructor. Now technically, this won’t be my first time being a part of Knit Stars. I’ve been involved before as a dyer, which was an honor all on its own. But this is different.
This is the first time I’ve said yes to showing up not just through my color, but through my voice, my perspective, and my creativity in a more personal way.
And the truth is, while previous invitations were an automatic no, this time was an automatic yes. Not because the opportunity suddenly became more meaningful, but because I did. Because somewhere along the way, I got more comfortable trusting what I bring to the table.
I’ve come to understand that genius isn’t always loud. It isn’t always polished. It isn’t always packaged in a way that makes everyone immediately understand it. Sometimes genius is simply showing up fully as yourself and being willing to share what only you can offer. That’s what made this yes feel easy.
It felt aligned. It felt honest. And most importantly, it felt like time.
So this time, I said yes. Yes to being seen. Yes to taking up space. Yes to sharing what I know, how I create, and the heart behind the work I do.
And honestly? It feels right.
If you know me, then you know I don’t just love yarn because it’s pretty. I love what it says. I love what it reflects. I love the way it can feel like an extension of who we are.
And that’s exactly what I’ll be teaching in my masterclass, Color with Purpose.
In Color with Purpose, I’ll be helping you look at your yarn collection, your stash, through the lens of authenticity. Not through guilt. Not through overwhelm. Not through the pressure to buy what everyone else is buying or make what everyone else is making.
But through honesty.
What colors actually look best on you?
What fibers and textures do you genuinely enjoy working with?
What kinds of projects do you keep coming back to?
And what makers, brands, and creative voices truly align with your own values?
Because building a stash that feels good to you should feel inspiring, not stressful.
My goal with this class is to help you get more intentional about what you bring into your creative space so that your yarn collection feels less like clutter or obligation and more like a reflection of who you are and what you love.
I want you to feel amazing about what you own. I want you to let go of the guilt. And I want you to be able to walk into a yarn shop with a clear sense of what works for you every single time.
To me, that’s a kind of genius too. Not just knowing what’s beautiful, but knowing what’s beautiful for you. I’m really excited about this. Not just because it’s a new opportunity, but because it feels like a meaningful one.
To be included alongside so many incredibly talented creatives from all over the world is an honor I don’t take lightly. And to be trusted to teach, to share, and to show up fully as myself in this space means a lot.
If this sounds like something you need, or something your creative spirit has been craving, you can sign up now through my link below during the Earlybird period, which runs through April 12th.
And if you’re thinking about joining, Earlybird is absolutely the best time to do it.
Earlybird makers get to be part of the behind-the-scenes journey, with updates, sneak peeks, and little glimpses into how Season of Genius is all coming together before the event officially begins this fall.
You’ll also get the first opportunity to purchase kits and have them arrive well ahead of time, so you’re ready to go when the season begins.
And let’s be honest, we love a good deal.
The regular price for the program is $470, but during Earlybird, you can join for $347.
And if you use coupon code GENIUS20, you’ll get an additional $20 off.
Also, just for full transparency, while I am being compensated for teaching, I do also receive a commission if you use my link to sign up. So if you decide Season of Genius is for you, I’d truly appreciate you using my link to register. It’s a simple way to support me and the work I get to create for this community.
So if you’ve been thinking about it, this is your sign.
Thank you, as always, for supporting me, my work, and this little world I’ve built around color, creativity, and connection. The fact that I get to do this and bring you along with me is something I’ll never take for granted.
This really does feel like the right time.
– Adella
P.S. If you’ve ever walked into a yarn shop with no plan, bought with your emotions, and then side-eyed your stash later… this class might be for you.
P.S. from Shelley: Here’s a list of our Season of Genius Stars and their affiliate links, in case you’d like to support one of them by purchasing through their link. And thank you! 🫶
Meet your 2026 Stars in a series of free Live Zooms (with prizes 🎉!)
I’ll be going live on Zoom and YouTube (link to Knit Stars YouTube) on the following dates. Register for each Zoom and join us for some behind-the-scenes chats on the making of Your Season of Genius. Plus I’ve raided my secret Knit Stars prize closet for some really good stuff to award at random to participants on each Zoom ✨.
For Adella’s masterclass in Your Season of Genius, she’s teaming up with her good friend, Chinua “Chin” Matthews to design the bonus pattern – a very wearable beanie. It’s modeled after the one Adella reaches for most often on her “dye pot days.”
I first met Chin at Rhinebeck a couple years ago, and he was wearing the most jaw-dropping sweater that he had designed: The Modern Mudcloth Sweater. That’s him next to me in this pic.
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups grated carrot (about 3–4 medium carrots)
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 1 stick salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups powdered sugar depending on desired sweetness and thickness
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, beat together the melted coconut oil, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until combined. Mix in the grated carrots.
- Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Beat until just combined. Stir in the shredded coconut, if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the center is just set. Remove from the oven and let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting: In a medium saucepan, melt together the butter, brown sugar, and heavy cream. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved. Add a pinch of salt (optional, depending on taste). Remove from the heat and transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer. Let cool until no longer hot but still pourable. Add the cream cheese and beat until creamy.
- Sift in the powdered sugar, then add the vanilla. Beat until well combined. The frosting should be creamy. If it feels too runny, add more powdered sugar or chill it briefly to firm up. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
- Slice and enjoy!
