🧶The BIG reveal…

This past week Instagram has been abuzz as the yet-to-be revealed Knit Stars Masterclass Season 8 Stars dropped cryptic hints on their feeds. Did you catch any of them?

It’s been sooo delightfully difficult to keep it all under wraps for the better part of a year - all the hush-hush planning, the squeals of delight, and the excited conversations about how we’re making THIS year’s Season the best one yet. 

We’ve announced the theme for this year and opened up Earlybird Signups for the Season 8 Premiere- click here to get the Earlybird rate (and first chance at the special yarns and Joji bag!)

But you may still be asking; why Breaking The Ice? 

First, I was inspired by one of the Masterclass teachers who hails from Reykjavík, Iceland. I've always wanted to "take" you along with me to Iceland, not just for the majestic landscapes, but also because of their unique knitting culture. And the fact that we'll have the guidance of a Star who deeply understands and appreciates the history and culture - makes it that much more special.

And second, we want to help you break through any icy, limiting beliefs you still have about what you can and cannot do with yarn! 💪 

So now, without further ado, it’s time to go public with this year’s Season 8 Premiere Stars, their teaching topics and their yarn partners!

 Hélène Magnússon
@helenemagnusson

Traditional Icelandic Lopi Sweaters

Travel the world with us to Reykjavik, Iceland, where you’ll learn how to knit iconic sweaters using traditional colorwork and motifs, modern shaping and breed-specific wool. 

“We will be knitting one of the longest traditions: a true lopi sweater. The softest, the lightest lopi sweater you can imagine with yarn that has been sourced for you and is absolutely amazing…and that you can only find one place in Iceland. I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of Knit Stars and have the opportunity to take you on a journey to Iceland with me.” - Hélène

Yarn Partner: Hélène is dyeing her own, extra-soft yarn to pair with her project!

Olga Buraya-Kefelian
@olgajazzyknits

3D Knitwear 

Come along on a fantastic ride to discover the world of three-dimensional knitwear, developed by the brilliant artist Olga Buraya-Kefelian. This fascinating technique uses the juxtaposition of positive and negative knitting space, redefining what it means to add texture to your garments. Olga’s exclusive Season 8 workshop design will employ Chromium, a silk wrapped stainless steel yarn, to add even more dimension and texture to your finished piece.

“I’m going to take you from the very origins in the story of how the three-dimension knitwear came to be, and how this school of thought came to be. We will be utilizing some very familiar techniques…but what I believe is the whole idea and viewpoint between three-dimensional knitwear is how you create this perfect marriage between yarn, the fiber, the construction together with the texture all with the purpose of preservation and also having a beautiful result that lasts.”   - Olga

Yarn Partner: Neighborhood Fiber Co.

Alexandra Tavel
@twoofwands

The Duality of Knit and Crochet

New York-based artist “Alexi” introduces a genre-bending workshop where we learn how to design an exclusive new sweater for both knitting and crochet. Learn how to make a crochet stitch look like a knit stitch for the ultimate in versatility. Alexi always delivers what’s on-trend each season with modern yet timeless pieces inspired by the runway. 

“Being a part of Knit Stars is a completely new experience for me. I’m going to be showing you step by step how I take a concept for a sweater and how I turn it into both a knitting and crochet pattern from cast on to bind off - or foundation row to fasten off if you crochet. This is the first time I’ve done anything like this and I hope you enjoy it!” – Alexi Tavel

Yarn Partner: Sewrella Yarn

Dawn Barker
@barker.wool

Assigned Pooling 

Dawn lets us in on her popular signature technique for designing and dyeing yarn that magically forms a unique project that’s both fun to make and innovative. Learn the tips for success from the inventor herself. No one will know that you only used a single skein of yarn to make these colorful works of wearable art!

"It is still a pretty new technique and I get asked quite frequently if there is an index of video demonstrations that go along with my patterns. Honestly, I can’t think of a better platform than Knit Stars to share that information with you!” - Dawn

Yarn Partner: Barker Wool

Jonah Larson
@jonahhands
Crochet!

15-year-old crochet prodigy Jonah Larson has graced Good Morning America, The Drew Barrymore Show, CBS and more, spreading his love of crocheting to millions and raising tremendous amounts for charitable causes - including Roots Ehiopia, the give-back cause for Knit Stars Season 8! Now, Jonah is adding Knit Stars to his long line of appearances! In this workshop he’ll share all the basics as well as how to make his favorite slouchy hat.

“I’ll be combining two hand dyed yarns into a beautiful, soft and fuzzy texture that will look great using an extended half double crochet. It's the first time I've taught using hand-dyed yarn! The main reason I said yes to working on a workshop with Knit Stars is because Jonas Hands is all about philanthropy and teaching others how to crochet and having them find their outlet or craft.” - Jonah

Yarn Partner: Hedgehog Fibres

Nancy Ricci
@gettingpurlywithit

“It’s Just A Rectangle!”

If you can knit or crochet a rectangle, you can transform it into anything - hat, mitts, even a garment! - infused with your own signature style. New Yorker Nancy Ricci will show you how to take a pattern and inbue it with your own personality for limitless possibilities. This workshop shares the basics of design math so you can invent your own pattern and establish your own voice in the wider yarn world.

“And you might think, oh no no no, knitwear design I don’t go there, it’s too scary, I can’t do that. What if I tell you I started designing two weeks after I learned how to knit? We can do hard things and if you are scared, let me take you to the other side of fear, and let me show you what you are capable of.” - Nancy

Yarn Partner: Kim Dyes Yarn

Chelsea Heranic
@knittingtipsy

Crafting Bikinis That Fit Your Body

Fun, fashionable, and full of self love, this workshop takes you on an adventure to make a custom-fit bikini. Equal parts instruction and inspiration, Chelsea’s known for inspiring body love for those of all sizes.  Gone are the days when crochet options were limited to shawls and blankets - this lively Masterclass will get you itching for your next beach day so you can show off your wearable art!

“Bikinis are meant to fit your body, not the other way around. In this course, we’re going to talk about how to feel confident and sexy in your skin and how to create the bikini or swimsuit of your dreams. We’ll talk about styling tips, self-love and maybe make a cocktail along the way. I wanted to bring my own message of self-love, body acceptance, and the belief that every body is worthy of respect, love, and fabulous bikinis. I think making clothing is a rebellious act of self love. We all know women’s clothing is terrible in terms of sizing, you can be a 6 in one store and a 20 in another (I have both in my closet right now). But being able to make clothes that make you feel good about yourself, make you feel powerful, it's a wonderful feeling and that's how I feel when I make something."  - Chelsea

Yarn Partner: LeRoo Cotton

Ross Taylor
@twistedambitionsyarn

Yarn Dyeing

Indie dyer Ross Taylor got his start when he was in search of a particular color that didn’t exist—so he created it himself! This yarn dyeing workshop will take you through the ins and outs of choosing colors and the technical process of applying them. Learn the basics and a few advanced techniques for creating your own hand-dyed yarn or simply come along for the ride so you can deepen your appreciation! 

“I can't wait to teach you the fundamentals of dyeing from semi solid yarns to speckled yarns, and then I’m going to teach you to incorporate the yarns you just dyed into designs of your own. I I said yes to Knit Stars to inspire people that if they thought about dyeing yarn, just to jump in and do it. You're going to have fun no matter what. It's super fun. Just do it.” - Ross

Yarn Partner: Twisted Ambitions Yarn

Beth Gorishek
@adaptiveknitter

Adaptive Knitting

There’s no one way to knit—and that’s especially true for anyone who has any kind of limitation, injury or disability. The great news is that if you can tie your shoes, you can learn (or re-learn) to knit! In this groundbreaking workshop, Knit Stars’ very own Beth Gorishek shines a light on how to make knitting accessible for all. Adaptation is its own form of creativity!

“Not only am I going to show you how I knit, how I learned to knit…I’m also going to help you decide how YOU knit, how you hold your string and make pretty things. Knit Stars provides a platform where anyone anywhere can access amazing teachers with wonderful things to teach, and they don't have to travel. For some people with disabilities, that is a major barrier to attending really, really fantastic courses with really, really fantastic teachers, and this gets that roadblock right out of the way.” - Beth

Yarn Partner: Fairy Godmother Dyeworks

Ginnifer Goodwin
@ginnifergoodwin

Practical and Cozy: Elevate the Everyday

Take a trip with us to Los Angeles where we visit with award-winning actor Ginnifer (As seen in Once Upon A Time and Big Love) to soak up her lessons on how she uses knitting to elevate the coziness of the everyday. In this “next step” of our original Knit Start program, Ginnifer will teach you practical applications of ribbing, mistake rib and slipped stitch colorwork to apply to small, meditative projects that add cozy touches to her family home. 

“I said yes to Knit Stars because I love doing things that scare me, and I look forward to sharing my passion for knitting with you.” - Ginnifer

Yarn Partner: Why Knot Fibers

Earlybird signups are now officially open - for a special Earlybird price. 

Grab your ticket to Knit Stars Season 8: Breaking The Ice here. 

When you save your spot, not only will you get a sweet discount, but you’ll be able to join in the first wave of the exclusive Season 8 yarn sale- ensuring any yarn you order will arrive before the workshops debut this fall. 

Each of the 10 indie dyers are making a limited number of kits available, and your Earlybird ticket gives you first dibs on these custom dyed skeins. (Yes, they do sell out and once they’re gone, that’s it.) And speaking of selling out, hot off the press, we just got a photo of our exclusive bag for this year…and all I can say is WOW.

Joji + Co. yes, THAT Joji! - created this bag just for us! See the special Knit Stars stamp on the front? 👀 

I’m thrilled about this year’s line-up of instructors and yarn partners because it’s such a unique, brilliant, collaborative cast who will be sharing their years of expertise with you. Yes, it’ll push your creativity to new heights. Yes, you’ll be exposed to new techniques you might not otherwise have the opportunity to play with. Yes, you’ll make beautiful hats and sweaters and bikinis! 

When you join as an Earlybird, you get to experience the delicious build up as we tease out the Season over the next few months. Then, when the Masterclasses go live this Fall, you’ll get to celebrate with thousands of yarn lovers all over the world. There’s truly nothing like it. I hope you join us! 

Join the party and get your Earlybird discount here.