[SCOOP] When things unravel

When things unravel, it’s a good time to take a closer look, an honest look at how you knit your piece to begin with.

So you don’t keep making the same mistakes.

Unraveling is hard. No one likes to go backward. But in the end, it’s really the only way to move forward.

This Tuesday, January 12, my story will be published - in hardcover, Kindle and audiobook formats.

In it, I tell the unvarnished stories of my unravelings….the failures, the fear, and the frogging back.

The release date was set by the publisher more than a year ago. With the tumult of this past week, my first thought was, what a terrible week to publish a book.

My second thought was, this is the perfect week to publish this book.

Now more than ever, we need hope.

We need dreams.

We need a whole lot of love.

As Jimi Hendrix famously said, “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”

I hope you will buy my book, read it and find love between its covers.

Today only, you can get the audio book for free when you purchase the hardcover, here.

Let’s keep knitting the world together. 💙
Shelley

"What a book! This is a must read for 2021 - set your vision and get ready to move in that direction. Full of inspiration. I’m ready now.” - Cheryl V., early reader

"Move the Needle is part personal reflection and part call to action. She distills clear lessons from the challenges she faced as a creative, an entrepreneur, a partner, a parent, and a person, showing her ability to gain perspective from the deeply personal struggles and showcase some key actions that could help someone facing challenges in making a dream a reality". - JuliAnne D., early reader

"I typically do not read non-fiction but I was drawn to this book "Move the Needle" and so thankful I read it. Shelley shares so openly her life story. We need to listen to those voices in our head and see failure as an opportunity to grow. Her love of knitting and realizing that kindness goes a long way is truly an inspiration." - Peggy C., early reader

"It was so powerful to read about someone who has achieved success by following a value system that aligns with mine, and by believing that anything was possible. I’ve always trusted by gut and followed the beat of my different drummer when it comes to my art and business, and to read someone encouraging me to trust my path was inspiring. Everyone should read this book – it isn’t just a book on how to be successful in business, it is a book on how to be successful at life.” - Nina D., early reader

We sometimes imagine great things coming from far away - that they are created by people very different from ourselves.

When we were invited just down the way, over the gravel roads, under the shade trees, to the Myers Family Farm near Sapulpa, OK...we experienced the inspiration of seeing a dream made real.

Heidi was a physician in the Tulsa area that dreamed of a life in the country. In five years, she and her family have built a herd of 150 Cashmere goats from an original grouping of five. And added chickens, honey, and a menagerie of furry friends along the way!

The Loops Troops trekked to the farm and got to watch Heidi's deliriously happy goats playing and munching - growing their soft under coats that would later become a luxurious fiber.

We got to pet Heidi Ho Cashmere - on the goat!

Loops is that only place you'll find this local cashmere treasure. 🐐 💙

We have three colors - Horizon, Sno White, and Hickory - that are inspired by the natural colors of our landscape. Horizon is our new hue this year - designed and hand dyed by Heidi herself! These colors don't steal the show from these local and loved fibers, but connect us back to their roots.

Every year, our Heidi Ho Cashmere sells out within an hour, so to give everyone a chance, we are kindly asking that you limit your purchase to no more than three skeins.

With each purchase of three skeins, we'll include the 2-color and 3-color versions of Shelley's Heidi Ho pattern for free. 😙

If you'd like just a single skein of Heidi Ho's cashmere/silk blend, try "Birdie's Mitts" by Julia Davies - knit ribbed and in the round with a lovely little cable turn at the wrist.

The perfect project for Heidi Ho - mitts that you'll never stop touching!

Shop our Heidi Ho Cashmere here...before it's gone!

Kim Dyes Yarn Cotton Candy Lace combines the luxury feel of silk with the softness of mohair. It's beautiful knit at a looser gauge that allows light to enter the stitches, or held together with another yarn to add a soft halo to your work.

Francoise Danoy's "Puaka Shawlette" (Māori for flower) provides a perfect canvas to play with 1 skein of this yarn. A bud-like stitch pattern creates an interesting texture over the stockinette and a Japanese lace pattern borders the edge for a delicate finish.

Loops Trooper Jane knit her "Puaka" with one skein of Kim's Cotton Candy Lace in September on US Size 5 (3.75mm) needles.

We've got a one-skein idea for crocheters, too!

See all of Kim's Cotton Candy colors and our crochet project here

You've probably been making some resolutions in the last month...knit a row every day? Eat healthier? Stay in touch with friends and neighbors?

From the Peanut Butter Fitness blog, this recipe for Blueberry Almond Protein Muffins will tick all the boxes - these healthy jumbo muffins will fill you up, give you quick fuel for a stitch-fest, and would be the perfect treat to drop on your friend's front porch. The recipe makes seven "jumbo" muffins, so you just might wanna double it!

Ingredients:
2 cups rolled oats
2 scoops Vanilla Protein Powder
1 cup applesauce
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 egg whites
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 1/2 tbsp almond butter
3 tbsp almond slivers
1 cup blueberries

Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Add rolled oats, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon to a large bowl and mix until combined.

2. Add applesauce and melted almond butter. Mix the almond butter into the applesauce to ensure it doesn't harden and clump.
Add remaining wet ingredients and stir until just combined, then fold in blueberries.

3. Scoop oatmeal mixture into jumbo muffin silicone molds on top of baking sheet. Top with almond slivers.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until the tops begin to get golden brown and do not collapse when touched (they will get firmer as they cool).