🧶 A beautiful beach day!

Do you ever wish someone would throw you a knitting lifeline?

Then you’re going to love this week’s tip from Andrea Mowry’s Season 2 Knit Stars workshop.

If you ever find yourself getting a bit nervous with a new stitch or a long pattern repeat, worrying that you might have to frog it back, do yourself a favor…

Leave yourself a lifeline.

Watch Andrea’s quick tip, then test your lifeline skills with a few of our suggested patterns this week. 👀

Our fellow Oklahoman, Rachelle of Moondrake Co., created such special yarns for our Spring Hot Loops event, that we immediately sold out and had to order more!

Moondrake Co.’s Bubble Bubble yarn works up so soft and light, you’ll swear it’s a silk blend. But, it’s a magical combination of superwash merino and nylon that takes the dye beautifully in super-saturated fashion!

“Shearwater” by Wool + Pine captures the rustic, homespun quality of slub yarn with a loose gauge and effortless drape. The gorgeous (easy to knit) lace pattern repeats across the entire shawl, then the rectangle is seamed at the shoulder according to your preference and left open at the arm to create a modern, alluring silhouette.

“Shearwater” looks particularly luxe draped over the shoulder, seamed with a wide neckline and styled over your favorite swimsuit, sleeveless top or summer dress.

It elevates your beach day to a new handmade level that will have everyone oohing and aahing!

This beginner lace pattern is easy enough for car or airplane knitting, and works up super quick.

With summer fast approaching, now is the time to get this on your needles just in time for a beach day! ☀️

Our Shearwater model was knit in the color “Mimosa,” but our kit is available in any of our custom, exlclusive Bubble Bubble colors - from bright and cheery “Mimosa” and “GG at the Beach” to elegant and versatile “Bubble Tea” and “Gunner Grey.”

Grab your kit here before they sell out again! 

Photo Credit: Rachael Raimo

“Iris Raglan” is named for the way the cabling detail on the sleeves reminded designer Rachael Raimo of garden plots.

The elongated sleeves and light texture make this stylish option perfect for a day out wandering (or knitting!) in the garden.

This pattern comes with detailed instructions on how to customize the body, sleeve and hem. The spontaneousness of our slubbed Bubble Bubble yarn will make your Iris Raglan especially fun to knit.

Make your own here!

The “Perplexity Wrap” by Tif Neilan is a great example of simple stitches shining in the perfect color combo.

This boomerang style wrap is knit primarily in garter stitch with some pops of detail. The occasional eyelets and simple lace create a symphony of textures and colors when wrapped around you - and there are so many ways to wear it!

Moondrake Co. created this brand-new base specifically for this project! “Preppy” is a bouncy superwash merino in versatile 50-gram skeins, making it more affordable to mix and match. Our Perplexity Wrap was knit with Preppy Worsted in the colors “Gunner Grey,” “Vulnerability,” “Authenticity,” “I Got Mail,” “Stand in the Gap,” and “Consistency.”

Purchase your kit for “Perplexity Wrap” here.

Photo credit: Webster Street Knittery 

Make the most of your yarn with this gorgeous “Free For All” cowl pattern by Jen Peck. This simple yet delicate cowl is made with only two skeins of Moondrake Co. Preppy worsted yarn. Making it a perfect knit for the weekend or a summer trip!

The “Free For All” cowl starts with a provisional cast-on and uses the timeless kitchener stitch to join for a seamless, invisible finish.

Preppy has many colors that this would look fabulous in, but we are partial to “I Got Mail” and “Authenticity.” But, we encourage you to pick your own colorway from the stylish selection of Preppy colors!

Grab those skeins here! 

xoxo

P.S. Keep your eyes out for a special sale coming up that is sure to get your Needles Flying! 👀

Crunchy carrots, cabbage and radish are the perfect summer addition to this Bahn Mi Black Rice Bowl from EatingWell-dot-com. Team member Heidi says, “This bowl is a spa day for your stomach - and it is super easy to swap out ingredients for what is in season!” If you like spice, mix a bit of sriracha sauce with mayonnaise and drizzle it on top for an added punch of flavor! 🤤

• 1 cup black rice, rinsed
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari
• 2 teaspoons fish sauce or tamari
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 (14 ounce) package firm water-packed tofu, cubed
• ½ cup rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup julienned carrot
• 1 cup julienned daikon radish
• ½ cup shredded red cabbage
• ¼ cup fresh mint and/or cilantro
• Sriracha mayo & sliced jalapeño for garnish

Directions
Instructions Checklist

• Step 1
  Combine rice, water and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until the rice is tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Step 2
  Meanwhile, mix oil, tamari, fish sauce (or more tamari) and honey in a large bowl. Add tofu and toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Step 3
  Whisk vinegar, sugar and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Add carrot and daikon and let stand for 15 minutes. Drain and discard liquid.
• Step 4
  Divide the rice, tofu, marinated vegetables and cabbage among 4 bowls. Serve topped with herbs, Sriracha mayo and jalapeño, if desired.