Finished Objects: Meghan's Star Crossed ✨
Meghan's Star Crossed in Forge + Weld
It's been a whirlwind month of knitting, but my Star Crossed by Jacqui Cieslak (@jacquelinecieslak) is finished! Emme's (@rocksteadyemme) gorgeous test knit of Star Crossed in Forge in our fawn colorway and Spincycle Dream State inspired me to immediately cast on a Star Crossed of my own!
Ever since I finished my test knit for Stagleap, I've been itching to make a sweater for myself in Raven, so this project popped up at the perfect time. A black sweater might seem daunting, but ever since I started knitting with black yarn I've been actually wearing my handknits more than ever. Why? Because they actually match my unintentionally very New York wardrobe. It's really quite a revelation to make clothing that isn't in just a color I appreciate, but actually wear regularly.
Although Spincycle Dream State is quite dreamy, I wanted to try holding together our Weld in two different colors for a marled look. Naturally, I selected aspen and ash, our natural white and gray, for the marl to contrast with all that delicious black. It turns out Weld x2 is a bit puffier than Forge, so I ended up using the same needle size throughout, instead of changing to a smaller needle for the colorwork, as the pattern recommends. It turned out just right!
Weld held doubled in Ash + Aspen
In process, it became clear that I needed to lengthen my Star Crossed for max comfort and wearability. Tunic length sweaters with cowls are my jam, so I worked the body to 19" [48 cm] before dividing for the front and back. This way the colorwork hem doesn't land on the widest point of my apple-shaped body, and instead pulls the eye downward. I've been styling my Star Crossed with a comfy black skater dress and leggings, as to not pull attention away from all that lovely colorwork at the hem.
Friday at the Met
This sweater has already become a staple in my rotation, and I can totally see myself not only wearing it weekly, but easily become one of the sweaters I pull on over my pjs for cozy knitting time at night.
Hot Tip: The lighting at the Met is the perfect place for FO photography.
What can I say other than I highly recommend both the pattern and making it in Forge + Weld x2! If you're all interested in one of our easy yarn bundles for this design, let us know and we can set it up on the site!
Notably, it gives me all the feels to see a plus-size activist designer like Jacqui Cieslak (@jacquelinecieslak) creating beautiful patterns and photography that are universally embraced. As a plus-size knitwear designer, I've largely shied away from designing for myself, which I've come to realize deeply damaged my own feeling of self-worth, as well as reinforced the stigma of fatphobia. Knitting a gorgeous sweater by a plus size designer has not only given me a beautiful new sweater I'll cherish, but has also been an act of self love and embracing who I am as I am.
#happysweaterface
How My $355K in Stolen Assets Was Recovered: After falling victim to a sophisticated crypto scam that cost me $355,000, I want to share how a digital asset recovery firm came through for me when all hope seemed lost.
What Happened
Back in January 2025, I was lured into a fake investment platform promising high returns on Bitcoin and Ethereum deposits. The platform looked legit — smart UX, fast transactions, and fake testimonials. By the time I realized the scam, my wallet had been drained of BTC and ETH.
Finding Help
After weeks of despair, I found TROYHACK CYBER SERVICES, a firm specializing in crypto asset tracing and recovery. I reached out to them and after reviewing the blockchain transactions, they agreed to take on my case. This team was nothing short of elite. They used a blend of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools and custom blockchain forensic software to trace my funds.
After 2 weeks of intense analysis and legal groundwork (including working with law enforcement and compliance teams from exchanges), they managed to freeze over 90% of the stolen funds. I recovered approximately $323,000 worth of asset
Crypto scams are terrifying, but companies like TROYHACK CYBER SERVICES gave me a second chance. Their use of advanced cyber-forensics, blockchain analytics, and legal coordination is the only reason I saw any of my funds again. Time is crucial in tracing stolen assets before they’re fully laundered or converted to privacy coins. So, just incase you are a victim of same situation, do well to contact them through either of the details below
I sincerely appreciate the help provided by WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY in recovering my cryptocurrency. I had lost all of my life’s savings after falling victim to a fraudulent investment organization. I was distraught and didn’t know what to do. I discovered WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY after doing some internet research. They have an excellent reputation and have helped many customers recover their stolen bitcoin. I am glad I tried them out. The personnel at WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY was very knowledgeable and helpful. Throughout their journey, they kept me updated and provided me with a detailed explanation of the recovery process. All of my bitcoin accounts were recovered using the WIZARD JAMES RECOVERY. With deep appreciation, I thank the Wizard James Recovery.
You can get in touch with them at email : wizardjamesrecovery@usa.com OR WHATSAPP: +44 7418 367 204 if you’ve also misplaced your cryptocurrency wallet, forgotten your password, or had your phone compromised.