🧶Is it time to make your mark?

Shelley Brander · June 26, 2023

What’s on your summer reading list right now?

I just finished up “Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus which was a fun and feminist beach-read break from my usual nonfiction reads.

To me, the long, lazier days of summer are a great time to depart from the norm and read something you wouldn’t usually have time for.

Which brings me to this week’s pre-order opportunity.

Recently in the Yarniverse, our special guest was Jake of Kenyarn fame. Maybe you remember the amazing yarn he dyed for Masterclass Season 7? Well, Jake recently decided to pivot from dyeing yarn and has been focusing on his design business and another unique passion…

Hand-poured resin! I didn’t even realize this was a thing, y’all. And I - along with everyone in that Yarniverse LIVE - was blown away by the creativity and 3-dimensional beauty of his resin buttons and bookmarks.

(I would link you to the resin products on his site, but they always sell out faster than he can make them!)

So after the LIVE, Jake and I connected and decided to put together a really special pre-order bundle to benefit a cause that’s near and dear to both of us.

Make Your Mark Bundle
We’ve just opened a limited-time pre-order that includes:

A signed, hardcover copy of my Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Move the Needle: Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur
A limited edition, hand-poured resin bookmark from Jake, designed especially to go with the book!
All for just $20 + shipping (the book alone is listed at $24.99)
$10 of each bundle purchase goes to the Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention organization for LGBTQ young people.

Help us help a great cause… get a beautiful bookmark to inspire your summer reading… and let my wild story of unlikely entrepreneurship inspire you to go for your wildest dreams!

Pre-order your Make Your Mark Bundle here.

xoxo

P.S. I really would like to know what you’re reading! Hit reply with your latest greatest riveting beach read! 🏖📚I’ll compile/curate a list and share in a future newsletter.

Last week, I kicked off an impromptu make-a-long of the Balloon Cardigan by PetiteKnit.

I’m loving this project so much! The new Moondrake “Arupaka” together with the Urth “Sweet 16” feels like knitting with a cloud. (Except, I imagine, less damp and more cozy than an actual cloud.)

And the pattern has a unique construction that starts with the neckband and builds into a raglan. It’s a really well-written, fun knit and I’m super motivated to wear the finished project.

Even so, I’m sure it’ll take me the balance of the summer to finish - so there’s still plenty of time to jump in on the make-along with me.

We sold out of my color combo when last week’s newsletter debuted, but take heart! We have two other combos that are really close to mine.

I’ve swatched them up just to prove it to you! 🤣

Here’s my original combo of Urth Sweet 16 in “Sand” and Arupaka in “Rose Quartz.”

Now here’s “Rose Quartz” together with Urth Sweet 16 in “Air.”

And here’s Sweet 16 “Air” together with Arupaka in “Whimsical Silver.”

We’ve put even more colors together in a Balloon Cardigan collection here. If you cast yours on, be sure to post on your Instagram and tag me @knitstars so I can see! And check our Instagram reels where I’ll be posting my progress and tips.

HUZZAH! 🎉 We just received a restock of Moondrake Merino Linen for these Hot Loops projects that initially sold out!

You can shop all 12 colorways of this perfect all-season fiber here.
And last but not least, how about a little new cast-on inspo for some other Moondrake restocks?

Photo by Fiona64 on Ravelry.

“Moonbumps” by Maxim Cyr and this knockout version by Fiona64 was made from Moondrake “Fuwa Fuwa” - a fuzzy cashmere blend - plus color-changing Spincycle Dyed in the Wool. We love how the “Oatmeal” colorway of Fuwa Fuwa pairs with our exclusive “Starstruck” color of Spincycle.

You’ll need 4 skeins of Fuwa Fuwa.

Plus one skein of Spincycle DITW.

You’ll need size 5 US needles and the pattern is on Ravelry.

This summery “Ziggy Shawl” by Joji Locatelli calls for 3 skeins of Moondrake MCN Fingering. We love how Elizabethkay on Ravelry edged hers with a jolt of bright pink! (If you want the same look, we suggest 3 skeins of “White Dwarf” with 1 “Supernova” or maybe 3 skeins of “Blue Moon” with a pop of “Heritage.”

You’ll need size 6 US needles and the pattern is on Ravelry.

Shop Moondrake MCN Fingering here.

Grilled Corn and Bean Salad

Raise your hand if you remember Valerie Bertinelli in “One Day at a Time” on TV? 🙋‍♀️

I recently re-discovered America’s sweetheart on the Food Network, and every recipe has my mouth watering! This Grilled Corn and Bean Salad is going straight into my summer beachside rotation.

INGREDIENTS

For the Salad:

4 fresh or frozen ears of corn, husks removed
One 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 jalapeno or serrano chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped (wear plastic gloves when handling)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Dressing:

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 2 large or 4 small limes)
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch chili powder
2 cloves garlic, pushed through a press
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Hot sauce, preferably Crystal Hot Sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

For the salad:

Preheat a grill on high for 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium high and grill the corn, with the cover closed and turning occasionally, until some kernels are black, about 12 minutes. Remove and allow the corn to cool slightly.
Using a sharp knife, cut off the kernels into a very large, deep serving bowl. (Hold the narrow end of the cob, point the other end into the bowl and cut downward, so that flying kernels are trapped by the bowl itself.) Add the black beans, chickpeas, cilantro, green and red bell peppers, onions, chile peppers, salt and pepper to taste to the bowl and toss.

For the dressing:

Whisk together the lime juice, sugar, salt, vinegar, cumin, chili powder, garlic and olive oil in a small bowl. Season to taste with hot sauce.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to thoroughly coat.
Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, toss again and serve. The salad can be made a day in advance, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.