🧶How did I get here?

           CLICK HERE to listen to an audio version of this newsletter

These days we’re all moving so fast…

Many of us live in such a constant state of fight or flight, we actually become accustomed to fighting against what’s possible.

When challenges pop up, we tell ourselves “I can’t” over and over.

And then one day, we forget all our reasons for why we can’t do it. All of a sudden, we find ourselves doing the thing.

We’re like, “Wait a minute! What’s going on? How did I get here?”

It’s a beautiful transformation, to find yourself in a place you didn’t expect to be. And to be completely okay with whatever comes next.

This is what it’s like to leave the landlocked hometown you’ve always known and start a new life by the sea.🙋‍♀️

This is what it’s like to become a knitter. “I can’t…I can’t…wait, maybe I can…wait, I’m doing it!”

And this is what it’s like to finally take the plunge into Knit Stars Masterclasses. 🏊🏽‍♀️

Knit Stars has become THE global knitting event of the year. Every year it gets better and better. You may be wondering if you’re too much a beginner (or maybe too advanced!) to join in. But don’t worry. Knit Stars Masterclass Events are for EVERY knitter. You’re never too late to the party!

Signups for our 7th Season called Texture + Wonder are now open here. 

Join in today and a few months from now, you won’t believe how far you’ve come. ❤️

xoxo,

P.S. Want to learn more? Join me LIVE today at 2PM CT on our webinar where we'll chat with this Season's Stars and Star Makers.

Students enrolled in Masterclass Season 7 get a chance to pre-order some very exclusive yarn and kits 😍

At first you might look at this fancy “star stitch” pattern and think, “I can’t.”

But if you can make a purl stitch, YOU CAN! 

 And for the crochet version, you only need to know how to do a half-double crochet!

Purchase our “Starry Starry Scarf” kit during October, and you’ll get the alpaca-silk blend yarn and pattern pdf for just $45, plus Knit Stars will donate $10 for each kit sold to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

A perfect gift to honor any survivor - or yourself!

Get your kit here.

"Adventurer Cowl” by Ambah O’Brien is part of her Festive KAL, and can be made short with 12 mini-skeins or long with 24 minis from any of our Koigu Festive Pack pre-order kits. Raverly photo credits, clockwise from top left: knitnapread, KansasJayhawk, Ambah O’Brien, foolshopping.

Heads up…

I found the pattern you’re going to want to make on repeat for holiday gifts this year! 🎅🎁

This “Adventurer Cowl” by Ambah O’Brien is designed to use minis from Festive kits. You can make the shorter version with 12 minis or the longer one with 24. Fade it or just work your colors in a random order - it looks amazing in any combination!

This cowl is suitable for advance beginners, with some simple lace that’s both written and charted. Check out Ambah’s Festive KAL on Ravelry to join in the fun!

For the cowl, we’ve curated 4 gorgeous Festive Packs from our friends at Koigu.Click here to pre-order so you can look forward to some colorful, relaxed holiday knitting!

P.S. Use code FESTIVE for 20% off the Festive bundle patterns in Ambah’s Ravelry or Etsy stores through midnight tonight, Sunday October 9th! 

Crockpot Grilled Fiery Habenero Apricot BBQ Ribs

“Ribs in a crockpot??! Blasphemy!” you might be thinking. But hear me out!

The crockpot provides that fall-of-the-bone tenderness. Plus while it cooks on low, you get 6 hours of knitting time! Then just brush with the amazing homemade sauce and grill them for a few minutes. Serve with baked beans and a vinegar-based coleslaw (I made a simple version with cabbage mix from the store, green onions, cilantro, and a quick dressing of apple cider vinegar + sesame oil). This was my first time ever making ribs, and it was nothing short of spectacular! Another winner from HalfBakedHarvest.com. Give it a try at home, you won’t be sorry. P.S. The store was out of apricots so I subbed peaches!

Ingredients

• 3 pounds baby back ribs - around 1 rack
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
• 12-ounce beer, just use your favorite

Fiery Habanero Apricot BBQ Sauce

• 1 1/4 cups ketchup preferably organic
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice or you can sub apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 1/2 teaspoons ground mustard
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper use less if you don't like the heat
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt + 1 teaspoon pepper
• 8 ounces fresh or frozen raspberries
• 4-5 apricots diced (I subbed with 2 peaches)
• 4-6 habanero chilies, seeds removed (BE CAREFUL!! Wear gloves if possible)

Instructions

1. Grabs the ribs and place them on a cutting board. Take a butter knife, wedge it just underneath the membrane to loosen and pull the membrane up and off the bone. Then just use your hands to pull the rest of the membrane off.
2. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the ribs.
3. Place the ribs in the bowl of a crockpot and pour the beer into the crockpot. Cover and cook 6-8 hours on low.
4. Sometime while the ribs are cooking, make the BBQ sauce. Combine all the ingredients for the BBQ sauce in a medium size sauce pot. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the apricots are very soft, about 10-15 minutes. Once the fruit is soft, remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly, then puree the sauce in a blender until completely smooth. Pour into a glass jar. Store any leftovers in the fridge.
5. Once the ribs are finish cooking and you are ready to grill them, preheat the grill to medium high heat.
6. Remove the ribs from the crockpot and brush them with the BBQ sauce. Be careful when handling, the ribs are they are really going to want to fall apart. This is obviously what you want, but it does make them a little tricky to handle.
7. Place the ribs on the grill and grill for 5-8 minutes or until light grill marks appear. Carefully remove the ribs from the grill and onto a serving plate. Brush with more BBQ sauce and serve warm. Enjoy!!