You probably know dopamine as the happy chemical messenger in your brain that affects movement, motivation, mood and memory. But did you know that anytime you check something off your to-do list, you get a natural dose of dopamine? Which instantly lifts your mood and motivates you to move forward to the next thing? When…

I have a confession. 😅 I’ve been a sweater knitter from day one. Literally, the day I learned to knit, I picked out a pink cabled sweater as my first project – and yes, I did finish it! But I never wore it. Sadly, it ended up like far too many of my other hand-knit…

Has this ever happened to you? Is there someone in your life you love so much, you’d give them the shirt off your back? Or even the handknit cashmere scarf right off your neck? As we embark on this 10th anniversary year of Knit Stars (and our 20th year in business), I’m sharing some of…

Last Sunday, I declared 2025 my year of JOY. No punishing, restrictive resolutions. No stash guilt. No WIP guilt. Instead, I’m simply leaning into the people, places, and activities that give me joy. Since it’s our 10th anniversary Season for Knit Stars masterclasses, and the 20th year in business since opening one little, joyful yarn…

At first, it seemed like such a silly word to choose. Top obvious. Too common. Too…selfish? This past week, as I journeyed through the process of reflecting on the past year and dreaming about a personal theme for the year ahead, the word that kept popping up for me was… JOY. Even as it kept…

The best gift – a photo with all 3 grown-up Brander kids! And no, I didn’t make my sweater – but I could have! 😅 ‘Twas the day after Christmas, And all through the land, The Yarnies were finally Resting their hands. The knit gifts were nestled atop lucky heads. “Hatch Hat” from Clinton Hill…

It’s almost my favorite time of the year. Not the holidays exactly…but the week between Christmas and New Year’s. I’ve come to think of it as the Golden Hour of the year. That magical time, just before the sun sets on the year that’s just passed. Time feels suspended, spacious. There’s magic star dust in…

Happy Sunday! How’s your holiday gift-making coming along? This is usually the week when I start to realize I *may* have bitten off more than I could chew, gift-making-wise. Maybe you’re feeling that, too? So it seems like a good week for a “favorite things” list. These are some of the things I’ve been into…

Each week when I sit down to write this newsletter, I imagine you reading it. I picture you, cozy in your favorite spot, with your latest project (and maybe a furry companion) by your side. This time of year, it’s likely to be a special project for someone you love. And what a wonderful, special…

I’m writing this week’s newsletter a few days before Thanksgiving, so I’d like to tell you a little story about a person in my life I’m especially thankful for. ❤️ But before I do that, I need to let you know we’ve re-opened our Knit Stars Season 10 SuperEarlybird signups, starting today for one week.…

Do you remember when you first learned to knit or crochet, and you thought just ONE pair of needles or hook was all you needed? 🤣🤣🤣 Those were the days, right? Ignorance is bliss! Who knew you would amass so many tools…circulars, double points, interchangeables, all different kinds of materials from bamboo to metal to…

The funniest thing happened this past week, and I think it might hold a valuable little nugget for you. I took Charles Barkley out on an early morning beach walk like we usually do. It’s his favorite part of the day. Dogs are allowed on the beach in the early morning and late afternoon. So…