Big news (the biggest!) đ
Remember when Louisa Harding visited Loops Utica?
Dear loyal Scoop readerâŚ
Weâre sharing some really big news this week. Like, REALLY big.
For some of you, it may feel bigger than for others.
If youâve been with us from the earliest days of the Loops Utica store (16 years ago!)âŚif you remember moments like the Utica store floodâŚwhen the alpaca pooped in the parking lot...or when we collected hundreds of knit blankets for families that lost their homes in the Moore tornadoâŚthis news might feel huge.
Remember when we made all those blankets for those affected by the Moore tornado?
If youâve joined our circle more recently, maybe through Knit Stars Masterclass Events or our Club, this news might seem like the most natural thing in the world. (As in, duh! Why didnât they do this sooner? đ
)
Either way, itâs happening. And we couldnât be more sure, or more excited! đđđ
Two magical brands youâve helped us grow are coming together, and the âloop-iverseâ is about to shine brighter, bringing even more collaboration, fun and community to this creative pursuit that we all share.
In the coming year, Loops will be renamed Knit Stars.
There, I said it! And before anyone frets that the sky might be falling, let me reassure you: No one is swooping in, buying us out or taking us over. Itâs still me, Shelley (hi! đ), along with your same Loops and Knit Stars team. Weâre just bringing it all together under one brand.
Still! Even though this is all the same people, experiences, and yarn that you love â itâs not without a mix of emotions that our team shares this news with you.
It wonât be easy to let go of the Loops name. Loops is where it all started! Itâs easy to get sentimental. So letâs do it. Letâs get sentimental together.
There will be a few tears. Plenty of questions and plenty of answers. But really it comes down to simplifying - having a single-minded focus on our shared mission to Knit the World Together.
Whether online, in the store, in our Club, through our masterclass events, or all of the aboveâŚ
This is a space where everyone can learn, connect and make, from curious knitters to seasoned experts and everything in between.
This is a space to find what youâre seeking â in the stars, so to speak.
Weâll have even more exciting news to share in the coming weeks.
For now, weâd love to hear your favorite Loops story! Click here to share your favorite Loops memory with us, and we may share your story in an upcoming Scoop newsletter or post.
With so much gratitude for all weâve shared, and our bright future together,
This Spring:
Weâll be rolling out our new brand look and sneak peeks of whatâs next.
This Summer:
Look for a refreshed website experience where the store, online shopping, Club, and Masterclass Events can be accessed from one online destination.
This Fall:
Our Loops flagship store will relocate to a new, 6,000-square-foot destination experience. New location, same love â in Tulsaâs Center One, 35th and Peoria.
I canât wait to hear what you have learned from Loops, what you have made, and the friendships youâve created along the way, and what you hope to see in our new location! Click here now to share your favorite Loops memory with us!
Youâre not alone!
Most of us start out thinking that one pair of needles will be all we need (remember those days? ha!) and quickly watch our needle collection grow out of control.
Years ago, frustrated by all the needle cases that couldnât even come close to containing my collection, I found inspiration in an unlikely placeâŚat the fishing tackle store!
Many of you have heard me talk about my âneedle worm bag,â and my dream to one day create a cuter, more functional one especially for knitters.
WellâŚthat day has finally come. Behold the Loops Needle Keeper!
đĄLoops-blue nylon is cute and tough, with a special Knit the World Together patch label
đĄZips open to reveal two compartments, each with 15 zipper-lock bags (I use one side for circulars, and one for double-points, but you could also store interchangeable sets)
đĄPrinted cards let you write in the needle size and slide it into each pocket, for quick size identification
đĄFour large, additional pockets for notions, crochet hooks, scissors, etc.
đĄSturdy exterior carrying handle
TrulyâŚthis is the only circular/DPN/interchangeable needle case youâll ever need!
Because we will soon be rebranding as Knit Stars, this is the first and ONLY batch of Loops-branded needle keepers. When theyâre gone, theyâre gone.
We are taking pre-orders and expect to ship in early July. To pre-order your loops needle keeper for just $49.99, click here.
The mission? To provide beautiful, hand-dyed yarns for those:
âď¸Â  who have allergies
âď¸Â  who live in warmer climates
âď¸Â  who want wash and wear
âď¸Â  who want to use vegan yarns
Trailhead Yarns believes in creating beautiful yarns that everyone can enjoy. Samantha's yarns are plant-based and include cotton, linen, and tencel. The packaging is plastic-free, always minimalist. Samantha aims is to use materials that are recyclable and biodegradable and focus on reducing the use of energy and water.
It's a blend that's wearable and washable - making this your next favorite throw-on-and-go top! This size-inclusive design features two neckline options (depending on whether you'd rather hide your bra straps) and a split hem to accommodate wider hips.
Our custom kits will make any size T up to a 45" bust - and either of two neckline options. For bust sizes 46-61," just add an extra skein.
We have three kit options available:
â˘Â EXCLUSIVE: Knit Stars Crew" with main color "Exposed Roots"
â˘Â "Offshore Crew" with main color "On the Rocks"
⢠"Boss Lady Crew" with main color "Butter Tart"
Shop our Trailhead Yarns Pop-Up Shop here.
Serve this two-pan recipe warm as an entree, or chill and take as a side dish to your next family picnic!
Ingredients:
6â7 ounces orzo
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot- diced
3 garlic cloves- rough chopped
1 extra large bunch asparagus, tough ends removed, cut into 1 inch pieces.
1 cup snap peas
½â ž teaspoon salt and pepper
2 lemons
½ cup fresh dill
crumbled feta (optional)
Directions:
1. Set salted water to boil and cook orzo according to directions.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chopped shallot and garlic, and stir frequently, saute until golden and fragrant.
Add asparagus and snap peas. Saute 5-7 minutes stirring often, scooping up the shallot from the bottom of the pan. Add salt and pepper. Cook until asparagus is bright green, and little a little crisp, cooked to al dente. The thinner the asparagus, the faster it will cook. Turn heat off. Add the zest of one lemon.
3. Drain pasta and if serving warm, save a little of the hot pasta water. For Chilled pasta, omit this step.
4. Add the warm orzo pasta to the skillet with the asparagus and just a little pasta water to loosen it up to your liking. Stir. Add a generous squeeze of lemon juice. Add salt and lemon to taste. Fold in the fresh dill and sprinkle with optional feta.
