It’s that time of year when my WIPs begin that eternal battle with one another…

Crank out one more crochet crop for those last dog days of summer…Or cast on a new knit sweater in fall hues???

Right now for me, the latter is winning out – especially after I took a peek at the latest Pantone Color Institute report for Fall ‘24. It’s full of colors derived from natural pigments like terra cotta, opulent mid-tones, and “universal greens.”

Makes me want to go full redhead for fall and make a green sweater!

And I especially love this palette that Pantone is calling “the new classics.”

In fact, it was this very palette that inspired a whole new idea for our upcoming Yarniverse kits.💡

(In case you’re not already familiar, each quarter we curate an extra-luxe kit for our Yarniverse membership. The kits include a pattern designed by a Knit Star, an exclusive yarn and a special “extra” to go with the theme. Each box is a surprise and when it delivers, it kicks off a kit-focused community make-along inside our Yarniverse community.)

So, for the last several months when I’ve been traveling to film our 10 Knit Stars Masterclasses, I’ve gotten my packing down to a science. In fact I did a whole webinar on my packing system last month.

But one thing was missing.

I kept wishing I had a “travel handmade capsule wardrobe” – a few timeless, interchangeable pieces I could throw in my suitcase every time, no matter where I was headed, and know that I’d always have cute handmade pieces at the ready for on-camera moments.

So when I saw that Pantone “new classic” palette, something clicked for me…

The concept behind the upcoming Yarniverse “Travel Capsule Wardrobe”

What if we helped our Yarniverse members create their own Yarnie Travel Capsule Wardrobes, using the next 4 quarterly kits?

So this is what we’ve decided to do!

Box 1 (available to pre-order now): An all-seasons wrap designed by Nancy Ricci @gettingpurlywithit
Box 2: A street-chic beanie designed by Louis Boria @brooklynboyknits
Box 3: A breezy tank or tee designed by Chantal Miyagishima @knitatude
Box 4: An outerwear piece designed by Alexandra Tavel @twoofwands (the kit will be for a warmer accessory, with an optional expander kit to make a chic outerwear piece)

If you’re a Yarniverse member, you can sign up for kit auto-ship or pre-order the first kit here –  it includes a generous “Hella Hank” merino/cashmere/nylon by Emma’s Yarns in a custom color inspired by the Pantone new classics “Winter Sky” color way.

Not a Yarniverse member yet? Well you are in luck…because today’s the last day of our $1 trial offer! Click here to get access to the kits, 50+ Knit Stars Masterclass and fresh weekly content from your favorite Stars – all for just $1 the first month and $47/mo after that. Cancel anytime (but I promise, you won’t wanna!)

This is the membership you’ll actually use and will enrich your creative life, week after week after week. 💖

xoxo,

And if you haven’t yet tossed your hat into the ring for Knit Stars Season 9…

Hazel Tindall’s workshop just early-released TODAY!

So if you join the premier Season 9 now you’ll get instant access to all 3 workshops that have early-released:

• Carol Feller’s workshop in Cork, Ireland on reversible cables
• Emma Fassio’s workshop in Torino, Italy on customizing chic garments
• Hazel Tindall’s workshop on Shetland colorwork and cables

You’ll also get to participate in all the upcoming early releases and the full Season 9 to watch whenever you like, again and again, for always.

Oh and in case you missed it, Hazel has been crowned the world’s fastest knitter (twice!), and her workshop is loaded with her tips for efficiency and speed.

For instance, check out how she does the long-tail cast-on. It’s so efficient and intuitive!

Join Season 9 here to get access to all the Premieres as they happen. The Season 9 Facebook group is on FIRE with fun and learning. And don’t look now, but the Stars are in there, too! 👀

“LateSummerDreamTee” by Siv Kristin Olsen

Full disclosure on this week’s Project Watch eye candy…

I’ve not made this designer’s patterns, but this “LateSummerDreamTee” came across my feed and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

Also the Ravelry listing says “aran + aran = dk” which doesn’t add up for me but hey, knitters find a way, right?!

Anyway, this is just the kind of transitional garment I start dreaming about this time of year. And the silhouette is super on-trend – slightly cropped, relaxed and with textural interest. If you decide to make one, let me know what yarn you decide to use!

P.S. Have you recently cast off a project you’re in love with? I’d love to see your pics! Email me at hello@knitstars.com and maybe we’ll feature you in an upcoming issue of Project Watch!

Sheet Pan Cheesy Poblano Corn Enchiladas

My good friend Tina came over for Sunday dinner this week. She doesn’t eat meat or fish, so I dug back into my memory for a meatless dish that would still be hearty enough to satisfy Hot Luke. And then I remembered making this one last year, not telling him it was meatless and getting so much satisfaction from telling him after he raved about it! It’s a great dish for the end of summer as it makes beautiful use of peppers, corn and zucchini. Also it’s a great one for company because you can make it ahead and refrigerate or freeze it, then just pop into the oven and enjoy time with your guests (or your yarn!)

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 ears corn
• 2 poblano peppers, halved
• 1 small zucchini, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, quartered
• 4 whole garlic cloves, peeled
• 3 cups salsa verde
• 2-4 chipotle chilies in adobo, chopped (or 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder)
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 10-12 corn or flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• avocado, yogurt/sour cream crumbled cotija/feta, and limes, for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425° F.
2. Arrange the corn, poblano, zucchini, onions, and garlic on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 15-25 minutes, until the vegetables have a light char.
3. Remove the corn kernels from the cob, de-seed the poblano pepper and cut into slices, and chop the onions and garlic. Add everything back to the baking sheet and toss with 1 cup salsa verde, the chipotle, paprika, honey, half the cheese, the cilantro, and basil.
4. Pour 1 cup of the salsa verde onto the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spoon the vegetable filling down the center of each tortilla, tuck, and roll. Place the tortillas, seam side down, into the baking dish. Pour the remaining salsa verde over top of the enchiladas. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Top as desired and enjoy warm!