🧶 Looking forward (and back!)

This week’s Moving the Needle is authored by Knit Stars Ops Manager Sunnie - shown here, "finally getting to meet Knit Stars Season 2 alum Andrea Mowry at Rhinebeck after test-knitting for her for 2 years! As you can see, I definitely played it very, very cool.”

2023. Wowza.

I don’t know about you, but while I do set some intentions for the New Year, I also love reflecting back on the past year; to sort of run an evaluation of what filled my cup, what drained it, and what I’d like to try next to keep it from going completely empty. 

Because in both life and making, it is all too easy to lose that game of yarn chicken and be left feeling a little incomplete. How do we resolve to make ourselves whole again? 

This past year, I was feeling some kind of burn-out creating things for myself and trying to keep up with the Instagram algorithm (still haven’t caught my breath from that one). After each FO, I found myself feeling incomplete. Dissatisfied. Disappointed.  

And then for Mother’s Day, I made a garment for my mom… and watching her open that gift was one of the most joyful memories I’ve had in my adult life She basically wrote the book on "how to receive a handmade gift". Summary of "book" below 😂.

So I kept making for others. I made toys and hats for my nieces. I made baby gifts and wedding gifts. I made "just because" gifts. I knit and crocheted for hours and hours and found that even though the object I created was bound to leave me, each time it made it to its recipient, I started to become whole.

A nursery rug I made for a friend who is expecting. This rug is adapted from a wonderful Monstera Tapestry pattern by @Seniya_studio 

Does this mean that I think you should stop making for yourself? Oh absolutely NOT! HA! I already cast on 2 sweaters for myself, in fact - the second the last gift was done. I am just suggesting that while we set intentions for the year, you might think about how making fits into that “plan” in a way that leaves you feeling better than you did before you cast on. 

Today, I want to share 4 projects that I hope may inspire some making-joy in your life. 

Photo courtesy of Blue Sky Fibers via Ravelry 

The Owasso Tee by Bobbi IntVeld (@bobbijknits) was the reason behind my mom’s adorable little joy dance. This “tee” is quite simple in construction and ok ok... there is a little seaming but it is worth it. This is a fantastic piece to layer on top of button-ups, long sleeves or even a dress. Try making this one with our Queensland Khatmandu Aran (on sale now!). You'll need 6 (6, 7, 8, 8)(9, 10, 11, 12) skeins for finished bust sizes 39 (43, 47½, 50½, 55) (59, 63½, 67½, 72) inches. The drape will be perfection. I made the size 43 finished bust size for my mom. 

My adorable mom sporting the Owasso Tee at brunch.

A 2022 make that I am seriously considering making a second time is the Outline Raglan by Jessie Mae (@jesssssiemae). I made mine out of our Plant-based Princess; a wool alternative that is soft on the skin and so breathable. This was my Rhinebeck sweater and one of my most worn sweaters of 2022 and of course, now carries the wonderful memories of time with fellow makers and friends. You’ll need 3 (3, 3, 4, 4)(4, 4, 5, 5) skeins to fit chest measurement of 28 (32, 36, 40, 44)(48, 52, 56, 60) inches. I'm wearing the size 3 in the photo above.

Grab Plant-Based Princess here!

The Seafarer’s Cap by Alexi Tavel (@twoofwands) is an amazing staple toque. It has great structure and stretch created by the ribbing, so it’ll fit a wide range of heads. Truly a perfect gift knit. This hat is effortlessly cool and sure to be loved by anyone who receives it (orrrr you if you decide to keep it for yourself which I highly recommend). Try making this one in our Loops Luxe Chunky which is on sale now! You’ll need 2 skeins of Loops Luxe Chunky for this one-size-fits-most hat.

The JOY that is sparked every time I see my husband wearing this piece is on another level. This is a sweater he always reaches for; so much so that his hockey teammates have requested I make them one! (I’m nice but not that nice). The Hot Toddy Hoodie by Chantal Miyagishima from @knitatude is a raglan with a hood that is so classic and comfy. I may try to make myself one out of Mitchell’s Bayou Worsted from one of the amazing colors in stock. My favorite part of this sweater? The i-cord drawstring (and the cutie who is wearing it in the pic above!)

To make one for you or a loved one, you'll need 5 (5, 6, 6, 7)(7, 8, 9, 9) skeins of Mitchell’s Creations Bayou for sizes XS (S, M, L, XL)(2X, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL). Steven is wearing size medium in the photo above. 

Looking forward, I’ve created my “make-6”. I’ve seen this trend on Instagram where people create a 3x3 grid (9 projects in all) they intend to finish in a year. I’ve reduced mine down to a make-6 which gives me 2 months to finish a project but am allowing myself tons of grace to continue following the path of what feels good in making. Will I finish them all? Tune in 365 days to find out 😂.

Make 6 from top left going clockwise (and yarn suggestions if we have one!):

1. The "Edith Dress" by Dominique Calvillo (Photo courtesy of Namaste and Crochet via Instagram.)
2. The "Rose Cardigan" by Andrea Mowry (Photo courtesy of Andrea Mowry via Ravelry).
Yarn Suggestion: Cool Beans Sport 
3. "Lucky Pieces" by Inyoung Kim. (Photo courtesy of Pom Pom Magazine)
Yarn Suggestion: Twisted Ambition Minis with Twisted Ambitions Sweet Sock
4. "Kumo Sweater" by Julia Wilkens (Photo courtesy of Julia Wilkens via Ravelry)
5. The "Helix Cargidan" by Marianne Munier
Our Yarn Suggestion: La Biane Aimée Felix 
6. "Sheep Camp Sweater" by Jen Berg (Photo courtesy of Jen Berg via Instagram).
Yarn Suggestion: Cool Beans DK

Fun CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK: Make your own "Make 6," post on your Instagram and tag us @knitstars!

Dduk Guk courtesy of Cafemaddy.com

For the recipe today, I couldn’t think of a better meal to share that one that I have had EVERY Jan 1 since I can remember! During the pandemic, I learned how to make this from my mom since we couldn't be together and I'm so grateful! Dduk guk is a traditional Korean soup that is eaten as a tradition to celebrate the New Year. I actually used to call it “good luck soup!” when I was a kid. This warm, mild, simple soup is believed to add another year to your life. The chewy rice cakes are so delicious! This recipe is from one of my favorite Korean foodies, Maddy from Cafe Maddy!

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 2-3 anchovies and 1 kombu piece for broth
• 2.5 cup water
• 3 oz of stew beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 scallion
• 1 cup of frozen dduk
  • (the flat kind specifically for dduk guk)
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 Tbsp soysauce
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• salt, pepper

Instructions

• boil 2.5 cups of water with the anchovies and kombu while we prep the ingredients

• beat 1 egg with a pinch of salt, and spread it over a non-stick oiled pan to make a thin crepe

• mince the garlic, chop the scallions, and fold the egg crepe to cut it into thin strips 
• cut the beef into strips, or bite-size pieces
• on a heated pot, add 1 Tbsp each of sesame oil and vegetable oil, and stir fry the beef
• once the beef is mostly brown, add 1 Tbsp of soysauce
• add half the broth (from #1) first, bring to a boil, and then add the other half
• add 1 tsp each of fish sauce and minced garlic, and season the broth with salt and pepper as needed.
• add the rice cakes
• boil another 3-4 minutes
• carefully add another beaten egg in the end, and gently swirl the pot. cover the pot and let it simmer another 1 minute.
• scoop the soup with the rice cakes into a bowl
• garnish with chopped scallions, egg crepe, and thin sliced seaweed.
• enjoy with some kimchi :)

(Recipe from cafemaddy.com) 

Hope you enjoy and thanks for starting 2023 with me! 

- Sunnie + the Knit Stars Team