🧶Caitlin's tip + your perfect spring sweater

Have you ever knit a whole sweater in a weekend?

Our new Knit Stars project manager, Sunnie, just finished this Brookline Blouse - in two days! 

And, while we don’t recommend the circumstances that led to her speed-knitting this sweater, we do highly recommend the project. In fact, it’s leapfrogged straight to the front of my personal spring/summer knitting queue! 🌞

Here’s Sunnie’s story: “I was so excited for this project because it uses Knit Stars’ “Plant-Based Princess” yarn -  I wanted to make it to commemorate my new career! But I had no intention of binge knitting this.”

“Unfortunately this weekend, we were in a multi-car accident on the highway and instead of a weekend of fun, we spent it a bit shook up and counting our lucky stars we walked away unscathed outside of some bruising and soreness. I knit this so quickly to keep myself occupied, stop my hands from shaking and to just keep busy.”

“It reminds me of how grateful I am, for so many things, and how two sticks and a piece of yarn can help you heal from the inside out. And my Brookline is light as a feather and perfect for spring!”

Brookline Blouse by Kate Gardin is available in sizes XS through 5X (shown on Sunnie in a size S). You can make the whole sweater with just two skeins of Plant-Based Princess for sizes XS-XL, or 3 skeins for 2-5X. 

That’s just $35-54 for a supercute, luxury non-wool sweater made of silky-soft Tanguis cotton, bamboo and hemp 🥰 

Choose from 4 colors of Plant-Based Princess yarn here.

Want to try out Plant-Based Princess yarn, but prefer a colorful accessory?

Check out this “Nova” cowl by Carina Spencer that Mitzi made, using 1 skein each of 4 colors. 

Chevron stripes fade into a center band of stars in this generously sized, mosaic colorwork cowl. The slipped stitches create a sturdy fabric, finished on both ends with a ribbed casing. A tasseled drawcord gives this practical accessory a playful touch!

Pick up the project kit here.

While we’re dreaming together about spring sweaters, here’s a great little nugget from Caitlin Hunter @boylandknitworks from Knit Stars Masterclass Season 4.

In the clip, Caitlin helps you over the little speed bump that can often confound first-time top-down sweater makers. Plus she offers some of her trademark cheerful encouragement!

Watch as Caitlin walks you through reconnecting your sleeve stitches

Continuing with my spring sweater fever 😅

Here’s a quick roundup of our favorite sweaters right now…

“Misurina” by Caitlin Hunter is a top down yoke sweater featuring lace, cables and simple colorwork for a really engaging, yet manageable knit! The loose gauge and relaxed fit are flattering and comfortable, and the length is easily adjustable.

Best part is that we made ours in luxury Dream Bean yarn - a collab between us and LolaBean Yarn Co. It’s Adella’s dream blend of fingering-weight merino, cashmere and silk. 

Click here for kits in 2 choices: As shown (Grey Day + Island Blue) or Adella’s favorite combo (Sandstone + Red Your Mind).

The Coastal Crop Raglan by Tif Neilan is another top-down raglan style pullover, knit seamlessly from the collar to the hem.

We love the pops of color in the slip stitch collar and sleeve cuffs, subtle eyelets within the yoke and a faux cable with eyelet design running down the side body. 

Find curated kits with LolaBean Pinto Bean and Cool Beans DK here.

"Sunrise Over Blue Skies" by Fatimah Hinds is easy to throw on and go, as comfortable as a sweatshirt with details that keep it neat and elegant.

Our kits for this sweater are easy to grab and go, too! Shop them here.

Orange you glad it’s almost Hot Loops time?! 🔥

Join us Saturday, April 9, 7pm when we reveal our 2022 Spring Hot Loops Wall, featuring a custom curated wall of orange in celebration of the iconic Queen of orange herself, Gaye “GG” Glasspie.

Heads-up: The Pantone folks say orange is extra-hot for spring! The wall will include orange (of course) but also neutrals, brights, jewel-tones, speckles and hand-dyes to make these special projects your very own.

The projects we'll be showcasing for these fabulous yarns will take your breath away! Each one is curated to the yarn, on trend and knit or crocheted by a Star from our shared constellation.

Your $25 reservation gets you:

1. First look at the new Spring Hot Loops Wall yarn and projects during our live Zoom party on Saturday evening.
2. Access to exclusive custom hand-dyed luxury fibers.
3. A party favor in your shipped package.
4. $25 credit toward your purchases through Sunday, April 17th, midnight, Central (so yes, it makes the event practically free - but you’ve gotta reserve your spot!)

During our Hot Loops Spring 2022 virtual party, we will give you the special, secret code to access your $25 credit to be used towards your Hot Loops yarns for that weekend only.

Click here to reserve your spot now!

And if you’re in Tulsa, stop by the Flagship Store between 10a - 12p on Saturday, April 9, for a special Meet + Greet with GG 🧡

 Photo by Megan Scott from Joy of Cooking.

This week’s recipe from runfasteatslow-dot-com is a favorite of our team member, Janet. She says, “I double the recipe and freeze them. Makes a healthy grab-and-go breakfast & snack! Super easy - I pick up grated zucchini and carrots at Whole Foods and almond flour at Costco. YUM!”

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond meal
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (use gluten-free if sensitive)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup currants or raisins, optional
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup grated zucchini (about 1 zucchini)
• 1 cup grated carrot (about 2 carrots)
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup Grade B maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• paper muffin cups

Instructions:

1. Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper muffin cups. 
2. In a large bowl, combine the almond meal, oats, walnuts, currants or raisins, if using, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.  
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the eggs, zucchini, carrot, butter, maple syrup, and vanilla.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups filling each to the brim. Bake until the muffins are nicely browned on top and a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 to 35 minutes.

Tip:
Keep a batch in the freezer for a sweet grab-n-run breakfast. Simply defrost on low power in the microwave

xoxo

+ the Knit Stars Team