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7 Back-to-School Supplies for Craft Organization

Back-to-School Craft Tool Organization

It’s been a minute since I’ve talked about my favorite time of the year to organize my knitting and crochet tools. Unlike for some folks, it’s not the usual “Spring cleaning” months. Nope, for me, it’s back-to-school time that gets me motivated to manage my craft studio.⁣

⁣This week on Ask Me Monday, I’ll show you my latest back-to-school supply scores, and how I use them to keep my knitting needles, crochet hooks, and notions in their place!⁣

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  Ginger Circular Needles, Ginger DPNS, Ginger Crochet Hooks, Waves Crochet Hooks, Smart Stix Needles, Yarn Cutter, and more!

 



7 Back-to-School Supplies for Craft Organization

Although back-to-school looks a little different this year, fortunately, the school supply aisles at the stores, do not. Here are just some of the great, practical tools for school that also work great as organizational components for our knitting, crochet, and crafting supplies!

Cylindrical Pencil Case

These work for holding a myriad of tools, but I especially dig using them to hold loose crochet hooks and double-pointed knitting needles. Bonus: silicon versions like this one are easily cleaned with a wet rag, so a great choice for throwing in a large project bag that you take on-the-go!

3-Ring Binder & Clear Zipper Bags

Those rogue circular needles can be a wily bunch! Keep them at bay with a simple, 3-ring binder, filled with basic, clear plastic zipper bags. Organize your needles by size, cord length or, if you’re feeling saucy, material!

 

Pencil Sharpener

In a pinch, an unused pencil sharpener is a perfect size for holding loose, stitch markers. Plus, it’s pretty cute!

Composition Books

These are my favorite types of notebooks to write pattern drafts, make notes on supplies, and sketch out ideas. Stock up on all of the fun prints offered at the beginning of the school year, so you’ll be all set for a year’s worth of doodling!

 

Locker Shelf

Collapsible locker shelves will take your craft space organization to the next level… literally! Use these on tabletops and in shelving units to create more space to house books, yarn, needle and hook sets, and more!

 

 

Bento Box

Bento boxes are the best! Of course, they offer no-waste food storage, but they’re also cute and compact keepers of a range of crafty items. Use them to house your pattern highlighter tape, extra circular needle cords, scissors, and more. Alternatively, pack yourself a little knit kit before you hit the road on your next outing!

Reusable Food Bags

Whether you go snack or sandwich-sized, reusable food bags are ideal for a crafter’s thises and thats. Use then to keep your notions, or as a waste-free gift bag option for small items like wee, baby socks.

Do you, like me,  eagle-eye school supplies for craft tool organization? What are your favorites? I wanna know!

 

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Grand Eyelet Lattice Stitch + Geo Scarf!

Grand Eyelet Lattice Stitch

This week on. Ask Me Monday, I delve into one of my absolute favorite lace patterns: Grand Eyelet Lattice Stitch. I discovered this stitch pattern while researching for the numerology section of my book The Knit Vibe (this one is featured for the number 8, see page 107), and fell in love with the modern angles of the geometric shapes created by the 8 row repeat. This one looks cool in a chunky-weight yarn, and lovely in a lace-weight (see my new Geo Scarf below).  Here’s wishing you a grand time knitting this one!

IKEA Hack: Linen Broomstick Lace Embellished Pillow

Linen Broomstick Lace

As I’m settling into our beautiful new YarnYAY! studio space, I’m working on adding little handmade details to make otherwise store-bought home decor pieces feel like my vibe. This week on Ask Me Monday, I show you one of those pieces and IKEA pillow hack of sorts. Using beautiful, crisp linen yarn, and an old-school technique, I create a Broomstick Lace panel to add texture and dimension to a velveteen pillow. Watch the tutorial, then make it your own.

Don’t forget to tag @vickiehowell #askmemonday with your Linen Broomstick Lace projects, and Tune into Ask Me Monday, on Facebook three Mondays a week at 12pmCT!

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  Ginger Crochet Hooks & Jumbo Birch Needles

 



 

Broomstick Lace Embellished Pillow

MATERIALS

Flax & Twine Daytime Linen (100% Egyptian linen; 130 yds) —yardage will vary; I used 1 1/2 hanks for my oversized pillow.

Size G/4 mm Knitter’s Pride Ginger Hook

1 Size 30 mm Jumbo Birch Needle

Sharp Tapestry Needle

Sewing Pins or Clips

Pop Color Pillow,  in your desired size. — I used the 26″ version of this one.

GAUGE

Not important for this project. See the instructions below.

DIRECTIONS

Ch a multiple of 5, that measures the width of the front of your pillow. For my pillow, I chained  85.

Row 1: Place loop from hook onto knitting needle; *using hook pull loop up from the next ch and place onto knitting needle; repeat from * to end. Turn.

Row 2:  *Holding knitting needle in the left hand, slip 5 loops from needle to crochet hook; [YO, pull through loops, YO pull through rem loop to close], 5 sc in center of hole just created; repeat from * to end. Turn.

Rep Rows 1-2, until piece measures approximately 2/3 of the height of your pillow. For my pillow, it was twelve times more.

Fasten off leaving a very long tail for seaming.

FINISHING

Using sewing pins or clips, center the piece, and secure it at both sides.

Using the tail, a sharp tapestry needle, and either the blanket stitch or whip stitch, sew piece to the side seams of pillow.

Tie. Off. Weave in ends.

 

Try new skills and fun projects every month…

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YarnYAY! August Subscription Pack

YarnYAY! August Subscription Pack

I’m thrilled to announce that for YarnYAY! August, I’ve had the pleasure of partnering up with two more amazingly talented women, designers and business owners. This month,  we at YarnYAY! are focused on easy-breezy natural crafting elements as an ode to the last days of summer. Subscribe today to get the August Knit & Crochet Pack! Here’s what’s inside.

Daytime Linen | Flax & Twine 

This month, we’re working with Flax & Twine Daytime Linen. Made in Egypt, it has a beautiful natural sheen to it, and gets more and more flexible as you work with it. The natural is a boiled, dew-ret, long fiber flax. The ecru has been bleached. Watch it soften up with washing!

Flax & Twine is owned by renowned designer Anne Weil. It’s based in Denver, Colorado.

 

Drawstring Bag Patterns | Designs by Anne Weil & Vickie Howell



Which project do we like best this month? It’s a draw! Well, a drawstring bag, that is. The knit version, designed by Anne Weil, employs a simple, sweet stitch with a hem channel and cleverly made drawstring. Both printed and digital versions of both patterns come with the August pack.The crochet version, designed by Vickie, leans into the stitch definition that linen allows when using a textured stitch.

*All of our YarnYAY! booklets are printed by woman-run, Austin print shop Digital Technology Professionals.






Madder Root Dye Kit | Smile & Wave

There’s nothing more gorgeous in the textile world than the magic of natural dyeing. Designer/instructor Rachel Denbow’s work takes it to the next level! This month, she’ll share a bit of that beauty with us through both a lesson and a kit using madder root to dye our linen projects (or a piece of fabric) in a blush to terracotta palette.

Rachel’s company Smile & Wave focuses on dyeing and weaving courses, and gorgeous tools and fibers.

Canvas Notions Bag | YarnYAY!

One can never have too many zippered bags to help keep all of our project bags organized. This canvas version will go with anything and hold everything from notions to tools!

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Tunisian Loopy Knot Cowl & Scarf

Loopy Knot Stitch

This month on Ask Me Monday, we’ve been playing with net stitches, which are great options for summer pieces like tops, scarves and market bags. In a recent episode, I covered knit and crochet stitches that produce a mesh-like fabric. Today, we’re looping in (har, har, har) a third craft by learning a Tunisian crochet stitch that evokes a knotty net look. I love the Tunisian Loopy Knot Stitch because it’s got the cool vibe of modern macrame while feeling light and airy like lace.

Watch the episode, learn the stitch, then put your sweet, stitching skills to work by making the Loopy Knot Stitch Cowl or Scarf. Have fun!

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  Ginger Tunisian Interchangeable Hooks



Loopy Knot Stitch Cowl & Scarf

MATERIALS

1 (2) hank(s) HiKoo Popcycle (50% Polyester from Recycled Bottles/50% Bamboo; 305 yards), in color: Do-Able Denim

Size 7 Knitter’s Pride Ginger Tunisian Crochet Hook

Tapestry Needle

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Cowl 36″/91 cm circumference

Scarf 60″/152 cm length

 

SPECIAL STITCHES

Loopy Knot (LK)

In the same space [insert hook, pull through loop, ch 1] TWICE, insert hook, pull through loop, YO pull through 3 loops.

 

PRO TIP: Use this same pattern (except start with ch 14) with a super chunky yarn and size US 15 Tunisian hook, for a cool, snuggly winter scarf!

 

DIRECTIONS

Ch 24.

Row 1:

Forward Pass: LK in 4th ch from hook and every ch to end.  — 20 sts.

Backward Pass: Ch 2, *YO and pull through 2 loops; rep from to end. — 1 loop left, 20 LK

Row 2:

Forward Pass: Ch 2,  LK in every sp across, taking care not to miss the first sp next to the beg-ch.

Backward Pass: Ch 2, *YO and pull through 2 loops; rep from to end. — 1 loop left, 20 LK

Repeat Row 2, until piece measures 36″(60″)/91(152) cm

Cowl only:

Fasten off.

Scarf only:

Last Row: 

Forward Pass:  Insert hook in 2nd bar from hook. YO and pull up a loop  *Insert hk in next bar, YO and pull up a loop. Rep from * to end of row.

Backward Pass: YO and pull through 1 loop, *YO and pull through 2 loops; rep from to end. — 1 loop left, 20 LK

 

Looking for more Tunisian Crochet Projects? Try these:

Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch Pillow
Tunisian Summer Scarf

 

Try new skills and fun projects every month…

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Puffy Stocking Ornament

Puffy Stocking Ornament

This week on Ask Me Monday I teach one of my annual Christmas in July projects, which in the past have included Scrap Bin Stockings and Broomstick Lace Trees. This time, I riff on the former by creating smaller stockings that are stuffed and made ornament sized. A Puffy Stocking Ornament will make a great gift-topper or tree decor this upcoming holiday season. Better yet, since we’ve got a few months to prepare, make them for all of your friends as just a little something to make their holiday heart smile. 

For this project, I use chunky-weight yarn (for extra puffiness), but if you’d like smaller ornaments, simply scale down to worsted-weight yarn and  Size 8/5mm needle. 

Psst…don’t forget to bookmark this project to revisit in December! 

Find Ask Me Monday three Mondays a month at 12pmCT on my Facebook page. See past episodes here.

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  Aluminum Crochet Hooks, Ginger Circular Needles

 

 



Puffy Stocking Ornament Pattern

MATERIALS

Chunky-weight scrap yarn in colors A & B.

Size US 11/8 mm needles

Wool Needle

Optional: Size US J/6 mm crochet hook

Don’t crochet? No problem! Simply add a ribbon or knit an i-cord loop!

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approx 7″/18 cm tall x 3″/7.5 cm wide (stuffed)

FIND ABBREVIATION DEFINITIONS HERE

DIRECTIONS

Note: This project is worked flat, then seamed up.

Leg:

With A, CO 14 sts.

Rows 1 & 3: *K1tbl, p1; rep from * to end.

Rows 2 &4 : *p1tbl, p1; rep from * to end.

Join B.

Row 5: With B, knit.

Row 6: Purl.

Rows 7-8: With A, knit.

Repeat Rows 5-8, once more.

Repeat Rows 5-6, once more.

Cut B.

Heel:

Row 1 (RS): K9, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle. Turn. (You’ll leave the remaining sts

unworked.)

Row 4: P4, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 5: K3, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle.

Row 6: P2, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 7: K3, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle.

Row 8: P4, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 9: K4, k2tog (closes gap), k to end.

Row 10: P8, p2tog (closes gap), p to end. –12 sts.

Rejoin B.

Resume yarn striping pattern.

Rows 1-2: With B, knit.

Row 2: P all sts.

Rows 3-4: With A, knit.

Repeat Rows 1-4, once more.

Cut A.

Toe:

Row 1: K2, ssk, k2tog, ssk, k2tog, k2. — 8 sts.

Row 2: Ssp, p2tog, ssp, p2tog. — 4 sts.

Row 3: Ssk, k2tog, pass stitch over to BO, leaving a long tail for seaming.

 

FINISHING

Fold piece in half and using tail and wool needle, seam together foot and side of leg.

Stuff all ends, plus additional scarp yarn into stocking until it’s nice and puffy, then continue seaming across top of leg. Feed end through the body to bury.

Looking for a vessle for those gift cards? Simple skip the stuffing and top-seaming steps to turn this project into a gift card stocking!

Hanging loop:

Using crochet hook, rejoin yarn at top corner of stocking, ch 8, join loop with a slip st in same space as you began. Fasten off. Bury ends.

 

 
Give a gift to yourself…

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Knit and Crochet Net Stitches

Knit and Crochet Net Stitches

This week on Ask Me Monday (live on Facebook on Mondays at 12pmCT) I show how to knit and crochet the net stitch, a great choice for summer tops, swimsuit cover-ups, and market bags like those featured in the July YarnYAY! pack. Give the episode a watch, then put your skills to work with the practice swatches below. Enjoy!

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  Aluminum Crochet Hooks, Ginger Circular Needles

 

 

 



Knit Net Stitch

Worked in multiples of 2.

WORKED FLAT:

Row 1: *YO, k2tog; rep from * to end.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *K2tog, YO; rep from * to end

Row 4: Knit.

Repeat these 4 rows for pattern stitch.

WORKED IN-THE-ROUND:

Rnd 1: *YO, k2tog; rep from * to end.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: *K2tog, YO; rep from * to end

Rnd 4: Purl.

Repeat these 4 rnds for pattern stitch.

Practice Swatch

CO 20 sts.

Rows 1-2: Knit.

Row 3: K2, *YO, k2tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 4: K2, p to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 5: *K2tog, YO; rep from * to end

Row 6: Knit.

Repeat Rows 3-6until piece measures 4″ (or until you’ve got the hang of it).

Last 2 Rows: Knit.

BO.

 

Crochet Net Stitch

Worked in multiples of 4 + 5 for foundation ch.

Row 1: Sc in 9th ch from hook, *ch 5, sk 3, sc in next ch; rep from * to end. Turn.

Row 2: *Ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * to end. Turn.

Note: Directions are essentially the same for this pattern stitch, worked in-the-round. The only difference would be that you would join the round OR work in spiral.

Practice Swatch

Ch 21.

 Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and to end. Turn.  — 20 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1 (doesn’t count as sc), sc in same st, and envery st to end.

Row 3: *Ch 5, sc in next ch-5 sp; rep from * to end. Turn.

Repeat Row 3 until piece measures 4″ (or until you’ve got the hang of it).

Last 2 Rows: Ch 1, sc in every st to end.

Fasten off.

Market Share Bag by Vickie Howell for YarnYAY! (Included in the July ’20 Pack)

 

 

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YarnYAY! July Subscription Pack

YarnYAY! July Subscription Club

During a period in history when time has no meaning, it’s hard to believe that it’s actually July already. The upside: that means the YarnYAY! July Subscription Club Pack is now available!

This month we’re exploring sustainable fibers, learning a new skill and getting a cool tool. Here’s the scoop!

 

HIKOO POPCYCLE | SKACEL

This month, we’re working with a yarn that’s as innovative as it is silky and drapey! Popcycle is made from 50% bamboo and 50% polyester from recycled plastic bottles. Each subtle tweed hank (of which you’ll get a pop-color from the palette at random) recycles TWO plastic bottles! Cool, eh?

Skacel Knitting, perhaps known best for being responsible for bringing Addi Needles to us, is a women-founded-and-run business in Kent, Washington.

Market Share Bag Knitting Print & Digital Pattern Included

MARKET SHARE BAG | VICKIE HOWELL

This month we’re getting netty with it. We’re combining the strength of the Popcycle yarn with open-weave knit or crochet stitches (you choose!) to create net bags perfect for carrying produce and more from the market. The knit version combines a series of yarn-overs and knit-two-togethers to form an eyelet fabric.

MARKETING BAG | VICKIE HOWELL

The crochet version links chains together to form an ever-expanding mesh.

 

SUCCULENT MINI NEEDLE FELTING KIT | FELTED SKY

We’re so excited to, for the first time, offer a needle felting project and lesson which will result in the cutest little felt succulent you ever did see!

Felted Sky is a family-run business owned by Elizabeth Whitton and based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. To see more of their AMAZING needle felting kits or buy a pot for your wee plant, go HERE. 

 

WRIST RULER | CROSSOVER INDUSTRIES

We love an accessory with a purpose, and the Wrist Ruler fits the bill! Made with silicon, it’s easy to clean and wear. Need a measuring tape? Look to your wrist!

Crossover Industries was founded by Avik & Rich, two buddies who met in architecture school. They run this company, along with ILOVEHANDLES and Walrus toys, out of their space in Portland, OR.

 

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Face Mask Neck Cord | How to Crochet Romanian Cord

Face Mask Neck Cord | How to Crochet Romanian Cord

This week on Ask Me Monday I solve an issue I never thought would be one, where to put your ear loop, elastic face mask when you’re temporarily not wearing it (ie. in the car). Think, glasses-chain for your face mask!

We’ll learn how to crochet a Romanian Cord, which can be used for any number of projects, from drawstrings to purse handles, but we’ll turn into a face mask neck cord. Here’s the scoop!

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  Ginger Crochet Hooks

 

 



See Crochet Abbreviations & US to UK translation Chart HERE.

 

Romanian Cord | How to Crochet

Ch 3.

Set-Up:

Insert hook in 2nd and 3rd ch from hook. You’ll now have 3 loops on the hook (shown).

 

YO, pull loop through the first 2 loops. You’ll now have 2 loops on the hook. YO pull through 2 loops. Stitch finished, you’ll now have 1 loop on the hook.
Turn hook clock-wise so you see the top of the stitch, which will have one bar, nestled under it like a scarf (see below.)

 

Insert hook, from right to left, into the bar; pull through first loop. You’ll now have 2 loops on the hook. YO, pull through both loops.

Ok, now you’re set up and ready to go!

* Main:

Turn hook clock-wise so you see what will now look like a scarf that’s been wrapped twice. In other words, there will now be 2 bars. Insert hook, from right to left, into the 2 bars. You’ll now have 3 loops on hook (shown).



YO, pull through first 2 loops. YO pull through last 2 loops.

Repeat from * until cord is desired length. BO.

 

Face Mask Neck Cord

MATERIALS

Small amount of DK-weight yarn 

Size U.S. G/4.5 mm crochet hook (I recommend Knitter’s Pride Ginger’s for this project, because of their point tip.)

Sharp, tapestry needle

2, Lanyard clips

2, O-rings

 

DIRECTIONS

Leaving a 6″/15 cm tail, work Romanian Cord (see above and video tutorial) until piece measures 26″/66 cm (without tail) OR 2″/5 cm shorter than the desired length. 

Fasten off, leaving a 6″/15 cm tail.

FINISHING

Assemble neck cord:

Slide o-ring onto lanyard clip. Repeat for the second set.
Slide one end of the cord, about 1″/2.5 cm, through o-ring and fold into the loop.
Feel tail through a tapestry needle. Make a couple of tack stitches to secure.



Wrap tail multiple times around both widths of the loop. Knot and trim. 
Repeat for the opposite side.
Clip the face mask neck cord to the elastic ear loops on your mask. You’re done!

 

Looking for cloth face mask tutorials? Check out my round-up here!

 

 

 

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3 Great Bind-Offs for Shawls & Shawlettes

Bind-Offs for Shawls

Whether your knitting a lacy neckpiece for spring or heavy-wrap for winter, it’s good to have a few bind-offs in your skill arsenal to bring your project to finishing success. This week on Ask Me Monday I show 3 great bind-offs for shawls and shawlettes: the Yarn-Over Bund-Off, Stretchy K2tog tbl Bind-Off, and the Picot Bind-off. Let’s get to it!

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  SmartStix Circular Needles, Ginger Double-Pointed Needles

 



 

Yarn-Over Bind-Off

Step 1: K2, slip 2nd stitch on right-hand needle over the 1st one, and let it drop off (as for a traditional BO).

Step 2: Insert right-hand needle, from left to right, into the stitch on the left-hand needle; YO; lift the stitch over the YO and let it drop off of the needle.

Step 3: K1, slip 2nd stitch on right-hand needle over the 1st one, and let it drop off.

Repeat Steps 2-3 until all sts are bound off.

 

Stretchy K2tog tbl Bind-Off

K1, *slip 1 stitch back to the left needle, k2tog tbl; rep from * until 1 st remains. Cut yarn and pull through last stitch to secure.

 

Picot Bind-off

K2, bind-off 1, *slip stitch on RH needle back onto LH needle, e-wrap cast-on 2 stitches, bind-off 4 stitches; repeat from * to end.

 

Find knitting abbreviations HERE!

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