Vogue Knitting is launching a membership community in September, the Next Loop. You can read about the Next Loop here. They’ve been running newsletters in advance of the launch, and I was pleased to be included in a discussion: Is brioche still hot? You can read the article here.
I love reading or listening to podcasts while I’m knitting. One of my favorites is Articles of Interest by Avery Trufelman. It’s about fashion and the things we wear, but not about being fashionable. Lots of interesting history. The current episode is titled Lace and Labor, and it’s about knitting, crocheting, and the history thereof. Give it a listen here.
Another favorite podcast is We Tried To Tell You, hosted by Marie Greene (designer, teacher, my ex-publisher) and LYS owner Sarah Keller. I love this industry insider look at knitting/fiber.
You can listen to these on Apple Podcasts, or directly from the links listed above.
Do you read/listen/watch TV while you knit? I’m not much of a TV watcher, but reading and listening work for me!
I’m back! I had a fabulous time teaching and playing at Vogue Knitting Live in NYC. I taught 5 classes and we had a lot of fun!
I think the one with the highest risk/reward ratio was my Log Cabin Love Coasters class, which involved reinforcing and cutting steeks, and then adding log cabin edges. These knitters are no longer afraid to cut their knitting!
I was thrilled to be a featured designer with GoSadi, a new platform for designers and makers.
My Whale Conga Line cowl was featured in the designer display (upper group).
What is GoSadi? According to their site, “GoSadi is your central hub for discovering, saving, and organizing your favorite knit and crochet patterns from across the web. Follow your favorite designers, keep track of your projects, and find endless inspiration all in one place—built to make your creative life simpler and more joyful.”
The Makers part of GoSadi just launched last week. You can sign up for a free maker’s account at this link. There are upgrades you can pay for, but the basic membership is free. Decide if you like it, and you can cancel at any time. I’ve been part of the Designers side of things for the last year, but I haven’t spent a lot of time on it. I’m not good about taking time to learn new things that aren’t knitting! I’ll catch up soon.
I was charmed by Sarah Divi‘s interactive art exhibit; she was here last year, too.
Ellie d’Eustachio‘s knitted coral reef was kinetic and tactile, and blacklit!
She said the corals were especially fun to knit, and encouraged me to touch them.
I posted lots more pictures on my Instagram and Facebook accounts, so if you want more you can find them at those links. I’m not quite done posting yet!
I spent all of my time in the venue, the Marriott Marquis at Times Square. It was super cold out and I didn’t get out at all, except for a show on Wednesday night after arriving.
I went to see Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theater, starring Darren Criss (remember him from Glee?) and Helen J. Shen. It was fantastic, very sweet concept and very well done. And the ending? Maybe it was happy; I don’t know! There was a technical issue before the last (?) act. The actors were asked to leave the stage, and it was announced that they were working on a technical issue. Dez Duron (the jazz singer in the show) came out and entertained us with a few songs. And then Darren and Helen came out to chat a bit and say that the issue couldn’t be fixed that night, and we were sent home (getting a refund). So, maybe happy ending? I’d love to see it again and find out!
I’m home getting ready to head to Red Alder Fiber Arts Festival next week. It’s all brioche and assigned pooling for me next week! There’s still room in Brioche Doctor, Embellished Brioche, and Fun Stitches for Assigned Pooling, so come to Tacoma and knit with me!
I published 10 new patterns in 2025, and gave Brioche Pastiche a big glow up for my Modern Daily Knitting brioche class. Not bad! Patterns are: Jelly Jewels (jewelry organizer), Portland Frog Hat (free), Fantasia Cowlette, Simply Stellar Shawlette, Log Cabin Love Coasters (for January 2026 Modern Daily knitting steek class), Flower Power Entrelac, Scattered Petals, Fired Up, Starstruck, Peekaboo Shawlette, and Brioche Pastiche.
Seven of my new patterns featured assigned pooling (four of those combined brioche and assigned pooling), and five featured brioche. I do have my favorite techniques, don’t I?
The Portland Frog Hat got the most attention this year.
2025 Top Nine
Eight of my Top Nine Instagram posts were related to protest, and the last picture wasn’t even mine! It was a tagged collaboration.
Time to move on to 2026! My first class of the year is Log Cabin Love Coasters, an online class for Modern Daily Knitting. Come cut your first steek with me! It’s very non-threatening when it’s just coasters. Class is on Friday January 16, and it’s recorded so you can see it more than once, or if the time isn’t convenient for you. Register here!
I’m in the Guardian! Earlier this month I was contacted by a reporter about crafting and activism. I put her in touch with Tracy Wright, who is also mentioned in this article. The gist of the story is that common interests make it easier to participate in protest. True!
I’ve been a fan of the Bootie and Bossy Eat Drink Knit podcast for a while now. These two sisters talk about knitting, cooking, and life. Recently they’ve been on a read-through of Anne L. Macdonald’s No Idle Hands: The Social History of American Knitting. I read this when it first came out (in hardback!). I think I’ll read it again, on my Kindle.
I was honored when they invited me to have a chat with them for their podcast. It was a fun and rambling conversation about all things knitting, and more.
I think my suggestions for snacking while knitting really captured their fancy. Have a listen here, and giggle along with us! (Link is for Apple Podcasts, but you can also find them on Spotify.)
including in other people’s media content! That’s pretty fun. And a great way to discover new podcasts/people to follow.
Erica’s Whale Conga Line
Erica of the “Bootie and Bossy Eat Drink Knit” podcast was a test knitter for Whale Conga Line, and talks about it in this episode of her podcast at about minute 26. This podcast series is lovely. This episode about a family gift stole my heart; I’ve subscribed and really enjoy the series.
Screenshot
I was interviewed at VKLive NYC by the fabulous people at Gosadi, a big sponsor of VKLive this year, also about Whale Conga Line. I’ve pinned the bit on my Instagram here.
Kim’s Brioche Pastiche hat with taller crown
And Kim of “Knit Together with Kim & Jonna” talked about taking my Brioche Pastiche class at VKLive NYC (I’m at about minute 36). It’s a great recap of her entire time at VKLive; she does a great job of making you feel like you’re there. Here’s a link to the episode on her YouTube channel. I watched it while working on my newest design; it’s like having a knit group in your iPad. Wonderful! I just subscribed.
Where am I next? Trunk show at For Yarn’s Sake for Rose City Yarn Crawl on March 7, 10 am to 3 pm. Hope to see you there!
Find my patterns on Ravelry: Michele Bernstein Designs
Here are some of my favorites, and the newest. Many of my designs are also available through my Payhip store.
PDXKnitterati 