Paper clips. Safety pins. Yarn scraps. Dental floss.

Ever used any of these things as a stitch marker in a pinch? I sure have.

We’ve all found ourselves stuck without a stitch marker right when we need it, digging in the couch cushions while lifting up a silent prayer to the notions gods…

Amiright?

But every so often, it’s so nice to indulge in a really nice set of stitch markers. The lovely kind that makes you smile and feel special every time you complete a round…

These handmade markers from Moondrake are just that kind. And we’d like to gift you a set, packaged prettily in a tiny tin.

At Knit Stars we have a 17-year-old tradition we call Kinder, Gentler Black Friday. We open at the usual time, close at the usual time, encourage relaxed browsing as always…and gift you a little extra something with your purchase.

Now through next Sunday, the first 100 purchases of $50 or more, in store or online, will receive a stitch marker set (a $10 value) as our tiny luxurious gift to you.

Not sure what to buy? Scroll down a bit and you might find just the thing in this week’s newsletter… 🦙

Or how about treating yourself to a Knit Stars gift card or e-gift-card? It’s fun to have in your “hip pocket” the next time you need a yarny pick-me-up.

Above all, please be kind to yourself during this traditionally hectic week. And try to take a bit of time for yourself and your yarn. You are so, so worth it.

xoxo

P.S. Also next weekend, we’ll be hosting a trunk show with Ross of Twisted Ambitions Yarn. This Tulsa-based indie dyer’s star is seriously on the rise! If you’re anywhere near the Flagship store, plan to pop on by from 11 to 2 CST on Saturday, Nov. 26th. Meanwhile…you can shop our selection of Twisted Ambitions yarns and kits here.

Oh lookie, here’s the perfect way to spend $50+ and get those free stitch markers! 😉

Just in time for the holidays, we’ve received a long-awaited order of the first-ever 2-color Vicuña boxes.

Long referred to as “the gold of the Andes,” Vicuña yarn is extremely rare, and difficult to collect due to all of the regulations governing this highly protected, undomesticated cousin of the alpaca. The resulting yarn is so light, warm, soft and special, it comes in a numbered box with its own certificate of authenticity.

We worked with our friends at Amano to develop this 2-color set, so you can venture into stripes or colorwork. Inside the lid is a new, original pattern by our own Mitzi Thomas called the Chacu Cowl. It’s suitable even for beginner knitters, and a true luxury knitting experience.

And alert book enthusiasts out there may already know…there’s another reason this Vicuña collaboration is extra-extra special.

Allie Pleiter, author of more than 50 books including many with knitting themes, has just released her latest title, “It Came Upon a Midnight Shear.” She worked with me and the Knit Stars team to research the vicuña for her book, and includes Mitzi’s pattern in the book as well!

“When I came across the story of vicuña while pondering my next book in the Riverbank Knitting Mysteries, I was immediately captivated. I knew my next book would involve these extraordinary animals and their luscious fiber. Shelley and the KnitStars team helped me get the details right, learn as much as I could about the yarn and how it’s made, and created the perfect pattern for readers to enjoy. I’m so excited to introduce my readers to this wonder of the knitting world!” said Allie.

We have a very limited number of 2-color Vicuña boxes available at $499 each (which is about $300 less than you will find them for in Arequipa, Peru – the only other place they are sold). We also have a very few black, natural and burgundy boxes. Truly the ultimate gift – from or for you.

Shop our Vicuña collection here.

Have you seen the soon-to-be-released sweater design from Season 5 Knit Star Casapinka? 👀

We all love the lacy detail, the side-to-side construction and the “Rear View Window” that Sharon from Security “added to it when The Boss wasn’t lookin” 😼

Casapinka will release the “Rear View Window” pattern November 25th, and we have the perfect VERY pink yarn: “La Bien Aimée” Cashmerino and Kumo held together, each in colorway “Fluoro Morganite.”

You’ll need 3 (4, 4, 4, 4)[4, 5, 5, 5] skeins of Kumo and 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) [3, 4, 4, 4] skeins of Cashmerino to make finished Chest Circumference 32 (36, 40, 44, 48) [52, 56, 60, 64]”

Shop La Bien Aimée Kumo here and Cashmerino here.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been premiering the spectacular online workshops of our Season 7 Knit Stars. Each one has knocked our socks off (except Summer Lee who knocked our socks ON 🧦😜)

I’d like to publicly thank, once again, our amazing Stars, our production crew, our Star Makers, and the entire Knit Stars team for pouring your whole hearts and souls not only into your lifestyle videos, workshops and projects.

Together we truly are knitting – and crocheting – the world together.

Click the pic of Summer above to watch one of my favorite videos…and find out which Knit Star team member “eats nails for breakfast.”

If you’re not already a Knit Stars Masterclass owner, click here to join the waitlist for when we offer Season 8 in 2023!

Roasted Balsamic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

For the first time ever, I won’t be eating my mom’s canned Blue Lake green beans with bacon at Thanksgiving. Since I’m hosting with my new love – 22 of his family members! – I get a say in the veggies, and I choose my favorite…brussels! We gave this recipe from Half Baked Harvest a run-through this week and it’s two thumbs up – way up! The shaved parm and pomegranate arils take it to another level, and it’s so pretty on the table.

If you make this, or any of the projects in this newsletter, we’d love it if you’d post on your Instagram and tag us @knitstars 🥰

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fig preserves
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
• kosher salt and black pepper
• chili flakes
• 1 1/2 pounds brussels sprouts, halved
• 2-3 small shallots, halved
• 1/2 cup shaved Manchego or parmesan cheese
• 1-2 cups pomegranate arils

Instructions:

1. Position the oven rack in the lower 1/3 of the oven. Preheat the oven to 425° F.
2. Make the dressing. In a bowl or glass jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic, fig preserves, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and chili flakes.
3. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together the halved brussels sprouts and shallots. Pour 2/3 of the dressing over the sprouts. Lay the brussels sprouts cut side down. Bake on the lower oven rack until deeply browned, 20 to 25 minutes.
4. Remove the brussels sprouts from the oven and toss with the cheese. Arrange the roasted brussels sprouts on a plate and top with pomegranates. Spoon over the remaining dressing, if desired.