Happy New Year and a happy new newsletter look for you, !

As promised, we’ve re-thought and renamed the newsletter I’ve written every week for the past 18 years.

We’ll still be doing what I love most: telling stories and sharing curated project ideas from across the yarn world. But as we shift our focus from selling the yarns to telling the yarns – via our Knit Stars Masterclasses and new Yarniverse membership – we’ll be pointing you straight to the designers and makers we feature, so you can support them directly.

So, as we turn the corner to the New Year, I’ve been thinking a lot about frogging.

Not just the “rip-it rip-it” of frogging back to re-knit part of a project.

But frogging as a metaphor for life.

I’ve come to believe that, just as in knitting, frogging isn’t just a necessary evil.

Sometimes, it’s the beginning of an enormous blessing.

As my faithful readers know, this past couple of years have involved significant unraveling and re-knitting for me personally.

Divorce, moving cross-country and starting over, new love. All 3 kids in major transition in 3 different cities. The closing of an 18-year chapter with yesterday being my last day as a yarn store owner.

None of it easy.

All worth it.

As my friend Nancy likes to say, “Growth is always good.” And every frogging back is a moment for growth. To recognize how the old may no longer serve you. To knit things in a new direction – the direction of your hopes and dreams.

This past week, I caught up with my dear friend Beata Jezek, owner of Hedgehog Fibres and Knit Star from Season 2.

We had a terrific, intimate chat (which will be released as new Yarniverse content in celebration of the release of Beata’s Knit Stars workshop into our Yarniverse membership, starting in January.)

We talked about what’s on her needles right now (spoiler alert, it’s actually what’s on her HOOK!)

We talked about what she’s into wearing and how she styles her knits these days.

And we talked about frogging. Not the yarn kind, but the life kind.

Beata’s life has also changed dramatically in the past few years. When we filmed together 7 years ago, she didn’t have kids. Then she had two in rapid succession. And with the first pregnancy, she was given a devastating diagnosis – which turned out to be incorrect – but caused her to put down her needles and step away from her business entirely, without warning and for more than a year.

If you’re a member of the Yarniverse, you’re in for a treat in January as we explore frogging, making, styling and shining with Beata. And the 1st Quarter Yarniverse Kit will feature a custom color from Hedgehog on their newest luxury base, plus a wonderful self-care project designed by Beata herself.

If you’re not in the Yarniverse, this is a great time to treat yourself to a full-year of inspiration, curation and fresh new content to keep your creative mojo alive and sparkling all year round.

Join the Yarniverse here.

P.S. Today’s the last day to get the Yarniverse Holiday Bundle offer with special Annual savings.

It’s a Yarniversal Truth…

In Knit Stars Season 6, Xandy Peters had one of my favorite quotes of the whole season.

“Knit boldly,” he said. “It’s not really about doing things perfectly. It’s not about getting it right all the time, or doing it well even. It’s about not being afraid to try something and not defeating yourself before you get there.”

What could you try this year, that you’ve always been afraid to do?

What resource or practice could you commit to, to help you reach your goals?

Related: Xandy is doing a really inspiring series on his Instagram this week. He’s been going back and re-photographing his old patterns to better reflect his current self. He’s got a lot of brilliant patterns, so this is a significant undertaking. And we’re here for it!

The pattern shown with his quote above really fooled me…did it fool you?

It’s NOT crochet…it’s knit! 🧐

Xandy’s “Definitely A Knit Shawl” is for those of us who love the look of a crocheted afghan or a classic granny square but prefer to knit, this is the way to go. Using a combination of slipped stitches, increases, and decreases, an effect similar to the look of crochet can be achieved.

You’ll need one 50g skein of fingering weight wool, plus 6-7 mini skeins in various colors. Our “Urth Sweet 16 Non Superwash” is on sale 50% off this week and perfect for this project. Suggested colors: Crosby, Sea, Papaya, Mushroom, Volcano, Coffee, Soot.

“Definitely A Knit Shawl” by Xandy Peters. Photo credit: saxarock on Ravelry.

If you’ve missed it, our Pro/AM competition is in full swing. This competition has been so fun to see unfold and we’re just a few days away from the kick-off of our Knit-Along.

SO, it is not to late to grab your pattern pack here! Included are not 1, not 2, not even 3 but FOUR patterns from our Pro/Am teams. It also included several tutorials to help you through some of the techniques used and is beautifully put together in a PDF. But that isn’t even the best part. 100% of your purchase goes towards Gary’s AIDS/Lifecycle fundraising for 2024.

Our Pro/Am teams have gone above and beyond and created some incredible designs that we think you’ll love to make and LOVE to wear. Using our Loops Luxe Chunky yarn, these designs transcend the seasons and go towards an amazing cause.

Check out an example of just one tutorial provided by Nina Machlin Dayton about how to cable without a cable needle.

Best Anytime Baked Chicken Meatballs
From pinchofyum.com

These are my “most likely to make the weekly repeat list” recipe for 2024! An incredibly versatile recipe, these are surprisingly simple, healthy and delicious. After baking, simmer them in your favorite marinara or buffalo sauce, or dunk them in tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean twist. I bet these will make your Top 2024 list, too!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional – makes meatballs more moist and yummy)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and a little cooking spray.
2. Mix: Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
3. Roll: Roll the mixture into about 30 small balls. Place on baking sheet.
4. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes.