Speak To Me

We’d like to introduce you to Speak To Me, readers.

They say, “Our mission is to create a forum for women to learn, explore new ideas, connect and feel empowered to make a difference in the world around them. We believe that the more informed and connected we are as women, the better we feel, and the stronger our families, schools, businesses and communities become. We hope Speak to Me will become the premier speaker series for women in the Bay Area.”

Speak To Me founders Jenny Terry and Tracy Barsotti were friends before they had husbands and babies, but didn’t get a chance to work together until they both spearheaded fundraising events for the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Sharing a desire to bring inspiration, education and a stronger sense of community to the fabulous women they encountered in the Bay Area, they hatched a plan to put their event-planning and marketing skills to work. With similar experiences and management styles, and a passion for making a new idea a reality – a wonderful partnership was born.

If you find yourself in the Bay Area, there’s a wonderful event on January 29th called “Media Madness: Empowering a Cultural Shift.” In movies, television, advertising, video games and magazines, we are all constantly bombarded with messages about how we should look and behave.  Unfortunately they are not always consistent with the values and norms that we aspire to for ourselves and for our children.  Both Jennifer Newsom and Linda Burch have found unique ways to put the power back in the hands of individuals, parents and educators to make better media choices, and to persuade the advertisers and the media to present more representative, positive and balanced models for society.  They will discuss the current state of these efforts, and what we can do to thrive in this new, pervasive world of media and technology.

The following women will be speaking:

Jennifer Siebel Newsom  |  Writer, director and producer of the inspiring documentary Miss Representation. Founder and CEO of MissRepresentation.org and of Girls Club Entertainment.

Linda Burch  |  Co-founder and Chief Education and Strategy Officer of Common Sense Media, the nation’s leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the media lives of kids and families.

Kate Shaw  |  Founder and host of the Lucasfilm Speaker Series

and you can read more about the event here.

Be Sweet will be exhibiting with our friend Elizabeth Goodwin Welbourn with her new line www.stickandballco.com featuring knit ponchos celebrating the game of polo! The raffle will include a Be Sweet Fluffy Collar (our most popular accessory this holiday season) available here. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday Inspiration

There’s no doubt that knitting and crocheting is good for the soul, the mind, the heart and… prisoners?

ABC did an interesting story about two retired women teaching Maryland prisoners how to knit. Seeing these “hardened criminals” knitting away with pink and green yarn makes knitters and non-knitters alike see the zen of the stitch. It’s wonderful to see how these men can make a step towards rejoining society in a positive way.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Our fearless leader, Nadine Curtis celebrated her birthday this past weekend on Saturday the 19th!

Free Tiny Rainbow Cake slice pattern by Trish Young

From all of us here at Be Sweet, a very, very happy birthday, Nadine! We hope this is your best birthday yet!

Please join us in wishing Nadine a happy birthday by leaving her a message on our Facebook wall!

Stitch Red Hits the Today Show!

We wanted to share the below note from Jimmy Beans Wool and the Stitch Red book…

Tanis Gray’s Lace Infinity Scarf knit in Be Sweet Whipped Cream in the Stitch Red book

Hello Stitch Red Partners, Friends, and Supporters!

I wanted to take a moment to give an update in regards to our presence on the Today Show, this Friday, January 18^th! Thanks to Kaity’s hard work and tons of social media blasts, the Today Show is now aware that we are coming and will be on the lookout for us that morning. We are so thrilled! Not only that, but Kathie Lee and Hoda will be featuring Stitch Red products on the 4^th hour of the Today Show either this Friday or next Friday the 25^th.

Now that the Today Show knows we are coming, the pressure is on to bring the largest crowd of people possible to Rockefeller Plaza this Friday morning! Thanks so much to those of you who have contacted us and are donating products, knitted items, and your time. We appreciate it so very much! We are hoping that some of you will be able to make it, and if not, perhaps you can help us get the word out!?!?! Here are the details:

When/Where:

-Meet in lobby of New York Marriott Marquis (1535 Broadway) at 6am for a 6:15am walk to Rockefeller Plaza (Look for Laura and Kaity from Jimmy Beans Wool! They will be wearing red and carrying signs!)

OR

-Meet AT Rockefeller Plaza at 6:30am (45 Rockefeller Plaza)

*NOTE: It’s important we get there as early as possible to hold our spot and get a front row spot for getting on camera and getting the anchors to come over for an interview. The more people that get there early, the more we can spread out and PAINT THE PLAZA RED!!

Who:

Anyone who’d like to join! The more the merrier.

Dress:

Wear as much knitted RED gear as possible.

What else:

-We will be making some signs that say Stitch Red; StichRed.com; Stitch Red for Heart Health, etc. to share. If you’d like to make any of your own signs that promote the campaign, please do!

RSVP:

We would love to get an idea of how many people will be joining us, so if you will definitely come or think you’ll come please text or call Kaity from Jimmy Beans on her cell (775-544-9647) and let her know ASAP! You are also welcome to e-mail her directly to give her a heads up. Either way works!

If there is any way you can help us get the message out, that would be AMAZING! I’ve created a couple of sample posts for you to use on Facebook and Twitter. Feel free to copy and paste them to make it super easy to share!

Facebook:

“Are you in NYC this Friday? We hope you’ll join our friends at @StitchRed in spreading the word about the #1 Killer of women in the US, #Heart Disease! They are heading to The @TodayShow this Friday morning the 18^th, to spread the word about the Stitch Red campaign! They plan to present hosts: @MLauer @SavannahGuthrie @alroker @NMoralesNBC @KathieLGifford @HodaKotb @SaraHaines and others with gifts and knitwear! We hope you’ll join them and wear RED! Find out more:http://gostitchred.blogspot.com/2013/01/knitters-going-wild-on-today-to-raise_15.html”

Twitter:

Join @gostitchred this Friday on @TodayShow to spread the word about #HeartDisease, the #1 killer of Women! http://bit.ly/W5K2jf

Want to help spread #HeartDisease awareness? Join @GoStitchRed this Friday on @TodayShow  and wear RED! http://bit.ly/W5K2jf

Thanks so much for all of your support in this campaign! We really appreciate it and are so excited to be able to introduce Stitch Red this Friday on national television!

Wednesday Inspiration

This week’s Wednesday Inspiration is something you may have seen while watching TV.

http://ispot.tv/a/7Loa

As a knitter, I love it when little bits of knitting or yarn show up in mainstream ads. Sometimes it’s so quick that only we crafters saw it, but it always makes me smile.

Check out the family having Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice in this TV commercial linked above… play close attention to their hair!

New Pattern Monday!

Mondays are never fun, but we’re trying to start your week off right by introducing a new pattern!

We love Chiaki Hayashi, a Japanese designer who has done a number of designs for us here at Be Sweet. Chiaki teaches just down the street from us in Sausalito at Bluebird Yarn.

We wanted to show off her latest, knit in our Bambino yarn, The December Fair Isle Hat. Each month Chiaki will introduce another Fair Isle design, so keep checking back for more information on her latest!

The December Fair Isle Hat is available for download here.

Wednesday Inspiration

Back to our regularly scheduled Wednesday Inspiration, readers!

We love the contrast of a South African man selling amazing animal busts made from white paper and wire (I want one!) at the market and some of our yummy white mohair drying on the dry rack. What a wonderful contrast of textures!

Cake Molds & Honey-Glazed Beehive Cake!

Here at Be Sweet we love to bake. We love anything sweet, but homemade sweet is even better!

Look at these super cute Be Sweet-friendly cake, pancake and candy molds (all available on amazon.com)!

It’s been a while since we shared a recipe with you, readers, so check out this Honey-Glazed Beehive Cake on marthastewart.com!

© Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• For The Cake

  • 3 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sifted cake flour, plus more for mold
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • Ground cloves
  • 6 ounces (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for mold
  • 1 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk, room temperature
  • 6 large egg whites, room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • Marzipan Bees

• For The Honey Glaze

  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup light-brown sugar
  • 2 2/3 ounces (1/3 cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• For The Sugar Glaze

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 3/4 to 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

• Marzipan Bees

  • Marzipan Bees

Directions

• MAKE THE CAKE:

  1. Place rack in center of oven, and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a pastry brush, coat both sides of a beehive mold with butter, making sure to cover all areas. Dust mold with flour, tap out excess, and freeze until ready to use.
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and a pinch of cloves. Cream butter and brown sugar with a mixer until pale and fluffy. Reduce the speed; drizzle in honey. Beat on high until very pale and fluffy. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with flour. Transfer batter to a large bowl.
  3. Whisk egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar, and whisk until stiff, glossy peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the egg white mixture into cake batter, then fold in the remaining whites.
  4. Divide batter between molds, and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes. Cover with foil, and bake 15 to 20 minutes more (a tester inserted in the middle of the cake should come out clean). Transfer molds to a wire rack, and let cakes cool in pans for 15 to 20 minutes.
  5. Turn out cakes, supporting them with your hand, and place flat sides on rack. Let cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 1 day).
  6. Carefully trim the flat sides of the cake halves with a serrated knife so each is level. Align the halves to make sure they are flush, then separate.

• MAKE THE HONEY GLAZE:

  1. Bring honey, brown sugar, and butter to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar dissolves. Add vanilla, and remove from heat. Let cool for 1 minute.
  2. Brush a coat of honey glaze on the flat side of each cake half. Gently press halves together, and let set upright for 5 minutes. (If they don’t stay together, place a small bowl over top to hold the 2 sides together while glaze sets.) Carefully transfer beehive to a rack set over parchment. Spoon remaining warm honey glaze over cake until the cake is completely covered. Let stand until set.

• MAKE THE SUGAR GLAZE:

  1. Bring water to a boil. Add 1 3/4 cups sugar, and stir to dissolve. Remove from heat; let cool for 3 minutes. Spoon some glaze over cake. (If too runny, add more sugar until glaze is the consistency of thick honey.) Pour 1/2 of the glaze over cake, letting it drizzle down the sides. Let set for 5 minutes, then spoon remaining glaze on top. Arrange marzipan bees on cake, pressing gently to adhere to glaze. Serve immediately.

Cook’s Note

This recipe accommodates a 9- to 11-cup beehive mold (available at nordicware.com), which comes split in two parts; a honey glaze glues the two halves together. Both glazes for this cake need to be made right before assembly. If they become too firm, rewarm gently over low heat.

Recipe © marthastewart.com

 

Webs!

I don’t know any knitter that doesn’t love Webs! Located in Northampton, MA, Webs has a heavy online presence and a HUGE yarn store (complete with the warehouse in back full of steals and deals that would make any knitter cry with happiness). Owned and operated by Kathy and Steve Elkins, two of the nicest people in the business, Webs is a haven for all knitters. They carry some of our yummy Be Sweet yarns and we were thrilled to have Kathy sit down and chat with us early in the new year.

Be Sweet (BS): What is your bestselling Be Sweet yarn?

Kathy Elkins (KE): Our customers love Be Sweet yarns but the bestseller is the Bamboo.

BS: Do you have a favorite color way of ours?

KE: In Magic Ball I love Forest Fruits but the overall palette in the Brushed Mohair was what really sold me on carrying the yarn.  It wasn’t just one color, but how they all work together and have just the slightest air of sophistication to them.

BS: What is your favorite Be Sweet yarn?

KE: I’d have to say Bamboo and Extra Fine Mohair are in a dead tie.  Two very different yarns but  I love them both.  Bamboo has such great, saturated colors and the fabric it creates is soft and drapes beautifully.  I love the texture of the EFM and how the colors work together.

BS: Do you have anything you want to share with our readers?

KE: We our proud of the selection of yarns we offer and consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to work with suppliers such as Be Sweet.

 

BS: What is your favorite sweet treat?

KE: Before kids and this crazy world of yarn, Steve and I lived in Boston for many years. We had a favorite restaurant called The Vault. As you might expect, it was housed in an old bank building in the Financial District.  On their menu was a “Warm Fudge-y Brownie”.  I’m not a huge dessert eater but trust me, all desserts are measured against the Warm Fudge-y Brownie. I’ve had a couple of desserts along the way that have come close, but never have I found one exactly as good.  Unfortunately, The Vault no longer exists.

Thanks for sitting down with us, Kathy! We heart Webs and are happy to be part of your store!

KnitCrate

Welcome to 2013, readers!

We wanted to start the new year off by telling you about our friends over at KnitCrate.

Andrea and Joe founded KnitCrate in order to bring premium and unique goods to knitters – both new and experienced – around the world with a touch of fun and surprise!  They and their three young children live and work on a former sheep farm (soon to be active again!) in the historic Hudson Valley region in New York state.

 

KnitCrate delivers a package to your doorstep with a fun knitting project.  They offer Monthly, Bi-Monthly and Gift Subscriptions.  KnitCrate members receive a package of yarn, a pattern for a project to complete and more – these are not just samples.  Whether you are a beginner or an advanced knitter, there will always be fresh and fun ideas to be discovered in your KnitCrate package.

In each KnitCrate package you’ll receive patterns for different project levels, an appropriate amount of yarn for your project, a soothing or sweet extra and fun extras and surprises! They source their yarns from both well-known brands and emerging gems. january’s package includes some Be Sweet yarn!

Their site helps you get the most out of your knitting projects.  Each month they will post a blog entry for that month’s package and methods for al to discuss their experience, suggest improvements and provide a source of inspiration, advice, and information.  This will help you master techniques and upgrade your skill level.  It will also connect with fellow knitters around the world.

Pretty neat, huh? Some other companies we love that offer gift subscriptions are Birchbox and Pop Sugar. Since the holidays are behind us for now, why not treat yourself to a monthly gift?