Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 24

December YarnYAY! Box

YarnYAY! December boxes are ready and shipping! Get yours today, and knit or crochet along with our wonderful community. Here’s what’s inside:

VALLEY TWEED | ROWAN  Rowan is an iconic British yarn company founded in the late 1970’s and known for color and classic style. Vickie, like every other self-respecting knitwear designer, has of course worked with Rowan yarns at times throughout her career, but her connection to the company is her friendship with Trisha Malcolm. 

Trisha was the editorial director of Vogue Knitting for over 20 years and now works as a brand strategist for Rowan’s parent company, Metz Craft. Vickie and Trisha were thrilled to be able to find a way to work together again, while also sharing a gorgeous Rowan yarn. Spun and dyed in Huddersfield, the home of Rowan, Valley Tweed is a traditional pure wool tweed yarn, with its roots firmly in Yorkshire. Our December color selections are two rich berry shades: Marsh Orchid and Bedale. See the rest of their yarns at: knitrowan.com. 

BRITS BEANIES PATTERNS | DESIGNS BY ROSEMARY DRYSDALE & VICKIE HOWELL 

This month’s hats are patterns that you’ll want to keep in your library forever because they’re classic and will never go out of style. The knit version is designed and knit by design veteran Rosemary Drysdale, and combines simple Stockinette and Seed Stitch to create a textural striping. The crochet version is designed by Vickie and interprets the knit hat’s texture using front and back post stitches. For more of Vickie’s patterns go to: vickiehowell.com 

FAIR ISLE JUMPER TEA TOWEL & ENAMEL PIN | DESIGN BY CERI STAZIKER We were so happy to team up with Welsh graphic artist Ceri Staziker to create the most adorable tea towel and enamel pin to share exclusively with YarnYAYers! See more of Ceri’s designs on Spoonflower.

 

YARNYAY COMMUNITY Access into our Facebook Group where we stitch along, do exclusive giveaways, post video tutorials, and host interviews/events with industry experts. This month includes a LIVE event with former Vogue Knitting Editor-in-Chief and Rowan Brand Strategist, Trisha Malcolm (read more about her in Vickie’s book, The Knit Vibe).

The post December YarnYAY! Box appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Sock Yarn Snowflakes

Sock Yarn Snowflakes

This week on Ask Me Monday, we put our sock yarn scraps to seasonal use, by turning them into snowflake ornaments. 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 Products: Knitter’s Pride Waves, Dreamz & Zing! Crochet Hooks

 
Sock Yarn Snowflakes: How to Crochet

 

 

MATERIALS

Small amount of Sock Yarn

Size D/3-3.25 mm Knitter’s Pride Waves Crochet Hook

26-28 gauge jewelry wire

Wire cutters or scissors

Tapestry needle

DIRECTIONS

Rnd 1: Using the Magic Circle method, work into the center of circle as follows: ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), dc, ch 2, [2 dc, ch 2] four times; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg ch-2. — 5 dc clusters, 5 ch-2 sps

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 5, sk to next dc cluster, *dc in each of next 2 dcs, ch 5, sk to next dc cluster; rep from * around, ending with a ch 5; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 5 dc clusters, 5 ch-5 sps

Rnd 3: Ch 3, dc in next dc, *[ch2, dc, ch3, dc, ch2] in next ch-5 sp, dc in each of next 2 dcs; rep from * around, 4nding with a ch 2; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 20 dcs

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 2*sk to ch-3 sp (in between dcs), [tr, ch1] 6 times in ch-3 sp, ch 1, dc in each of next 2 dcs, ch 2; rep from * around, ending with [tr, ch1] 6 times in ch-3 sp, ch 1; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 6, 6-tr, ch-1 clusters tr, 5 2-dc clusters

Rnd 5 (join wire): Holding wire parallel to back of work, ch 1, sc evenly around wire and in every st; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. Twist wire ends to secure in place; cut wire. 

Rnd 6: Ch 4, sl st in same sp, *ch3, sk 4, [sc, ch 4, sk 1] five times, ch 3 (this will be the loops over the clusters of tr, ch-1 sps), sk to in between 2-dc cluster, [sl st, ch 4, sl st] in that same sp; rep from * around, ending with ch3, sk 4, [sc, ch 4, sk 1] five times, ch 3; join rnd with a sl st at base of beg-ch.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Hanger:

Rejoin yarn at desired point; ch 20, sl st in same space as join. 

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

 

PRO TIP: Use this same pattern with different weight yarns and size hooks to create different results, from ornament, to coaster, to pot holder and beyond! Tag @vickiehowell with what you come up with!

The post Sock Yarn Snowflakes appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Knit and Crochet Tree Ornaments

Knit and Crochet Tree Ornaments

Holy, moly, it’s December! Which means if you celebrate one of this month’s holidays, it’s ON! 

Many of us spent the weekend putting up (or at least thinking about it) our Christmas trees, so this week on Ask Me Monday, I thought it felt right to revisit two thematic projects: a knit, Scrap Bin Tree Ornament and crochet, Broomstick Lace Tree decoration. Both projects could be made as traditional, modern, or non-holiday specific (woodland forest, anyone?) as the maker would like. Have fun playing with color and embellishments. Happy Holidays!

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 product: Knitter’s Pride Ginger Deluxe Interchangeable Set & Dreamz Crochet Hook

 

Knit and Crochet Tree Ornaments: Watch & Learn



Knit Scrap Bin Tree Ornament

 
Broomstick Lace Tree Wallhanging

GET THE PATTERN HERE

 
Bonus Pattern: Felted Tree Potholder

 

MATERIALS

1 skein Patons Classic Wool Roving (100% Merino Wool; 223 yds), in color: Cloverleaf or Aran

Size U.S. 19/15 mm knitting needles

Large eyed yarn needle

Scissors

Crochet Hook (Size U.S. H or I) OR Cording

Tree Pattern PDF 

Zippered pillowcase or laundry bag

Hole punch, awl, or nail.

Optional:

Small Amount, Roving

Needle Felting Tool & Mat

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approx 8 1/2”/21.5 cm tall

GAUGE

Not important for this project.

ABBREVIATIONS

BO = bind off

CO = cast on

k = knit

st(s) = stitch(es)

NOTE: yarn for this project must be 100% animal fiber (wool) to felt.

DIRECTIONS

This project was originally in partnership with The Knit Show and JOANN. See the video tutorial here.

Pulling from center and outside of skein, DOUBLE STRAND yarn and CO 22 sts.

Knit every row until piece measures 12”/30.5 cm.

BO.

Weave in ends.

FELTING DIRECTIONS

Place knitted piece inside zippered laundry bag or pillowcase. Put in washing machine with a towel or jeans (to help with agitation), and a small amount (Tablespoon is plenty) of gentle shampoo or soap. Wash on a hot cycle, with a cold rinse. Check piece to see if the stitches have lost the hole portion of their definition and that the piece seems like thick felt. If not, repeat the cycle. If you’re working with a front-loading machine, you’ll need to do this several times.

Once you’re pleased with the integrity of the felt, lay flat to dry.

Note: Your piece will already work great as a hot pad without doing anything else. Bookmark this project for hostess gifts year-round!

FINISHING

Print out Tree PDF, and use it as a guide to cut tree out of felt piece.

Optional embellishment:

Using roving and needle felting tools, add needle felted “snow” or “garland” to piece.

About 1/2” down from treetop, use a hole punch or hammer and awl to create a hole at top of tree.

Create Loop:

Either use cording to create loop to tie through hole, or crochet a chain with one strand of yarn and attach to piece.

Hey, hottie — you just made a potholder!

 
Looking for Gifts for the Crafter in Your Life? Consider Shopping YarnYAY!

The post appeared first on Vickie Howell.

YarnYAY! + Small Businesses = TLA

YarnYAY! (my yarn craft subscription box business) prides itself as a “rising tide” company, aiming to work with other small businesses to help each other rise. In 2019 we were thrilled to partner with 25+ independent businesses. On this Small Business Saturday, we’d like to give them a shout out. Be sure to check out what they have to offer this holiday season … and beyond!
 

Neighborhood Fiber Co.
Robanda International
Outfab
Stitch Sprouts
Rebecca Reitz Designs
WEBS
Sublime Stitching
Kelbourne Woolens
Soak
Floops Stitch Markers
Mrs. Crosby
Makers’ Mercantile
Anda Corrie
Katrinkles
Coco Knits
Loopy Mango
Kiriki Press
Autumn & Indigo
Brooklyn Tweed
Skacel Knitting
We Are Knitters
Knitterella
Erika Knight
Danica Studios
Clubhouse Animation
Digital Technology Professionals

 
Wishing you a mindful holiday shopping experience.

To all of our subscribers, thank you so much for your support of YarnYAY!

 
Sincerely,

Vickie 

https://vickiehowell.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/YarnYAY-Mystery-Packs-1.mp4

Psst… don’t forget to check out YarnYAY!’s holiday shopping specials, too!
 
 

The post YarnYAY! + Small Businesses = TLA appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Go-To Gifts: Cabled Mittens

Go-To Gifts Mittens

This week on Ask Me Monday, we’re rounding out our month-long focus on Go-To Gift projects from my book, The Knit Vibe. So far, we’ve covered the Go-To Chunky Hat, Go-to Slouchy Beanie, and Go-To Chunky Cowl. Next up: the gushy, Go-To Mittens!

For this tutorial, I show how to knit the Horseshoe Cable pattern that really makes these mittens shine, plus demonstrate how to set up and work a thumb gusset. Give Ask Me Monday a watch, use the practice swatches I’ve written up instructions for below, then make the Mittens from the book (available in my YarnYAY! shop, on Amazon, IndieBound, or wherever you get your books.)

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 product: Knitter’s Pride Ginger Double Pointed Needle Set & Smart Stix DPNs

 
Go-To Gifts Mittens: Learn How



 

Go-To Gifts Mittens:  Practice Swatches

HORSESHOE CABLE (in-the-round)

MATERIALS

Koigu Chelsea Aran, or equivalent-weight yarn

Size US 9/5.5 mm Knitter’s Pride Ginger or Smart Stix DPNs

Knitter’s Pride Cable Needle

 

SPECIAL STITCHES

C3/3R: Sl 3 sts to cable needle, hold back, k3, k3 from cable needle.

C3/3F: Sl 3 sts to cable needle, hold front, k3, k3 from cable needle.

DIRECTIONS

Note: Horseshoe pattern is worked over 12 sts. The other sts are in REverse Stockinette and there purely for the purpose of creating a swatch in-the-round, as well as to prepare you for the Go-To Gifts Mittens pattern.

CO 26 sts. Divide sts evenly amongst dpns; join taking care not to twist.

Rnds 1-2: P7, k12, p7.

Rnd 3: P7, C3/3R, C3/3L, p7.

Rnds 4-7: P7, k12, p7.

Rnd 8: P7, C3/3R, C3/3L, p7.

Repeat Rnds 1-8 until piece measures 4″/10 cm from CO edge.

BO.

 

THUMB GUSSET

Note: The purpose of this swatch is only to practice setting up a thumb gusset in Reverse Stockette, and does not focus on the cable panel.

CO 26 sts. Divide sts evenly amongst dpns; join taking care not to twist.

Rnds 1-4: Purl.

Rnd 5: P5, pm, M1, p1, M1, pm, purl around.

Rnd 6: P to marker, sm, p to marker, sm, purl around.

Rnd 7: P5, sm, M1, p to marker, M1, sm, purl around.

Rnd 8: P to marker, sm, p to marker, sm, purl around.

Repeat Rnds 7-8 until you feel like you’ve got it. 

BO.

 

Go-To Gifts Mittens

Put your skills to work by making the Go-To Mittens from my book, The Knit Vibe, available on Amazon or wherever you get your book!

The post Go-To Gifts: Cabled Mittens appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Home & Family Show Go-To Gifts Chunky Cowl

Debbie Matenopoulos and Cameron Mathison welcome Haylie Duff and she prepares baked brie with figs and pistachios. Actor Brian Austin Green visits our home. Actor Omar Gooding talks about “Family Time.” Chef Lori “Lorious” Rogers whips up chocolate bread pudding. Atlas Monroe founder, Deborah Torres cooks nachos with a twist. Dr. Elroy Vojdani discusses Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Knitting expert Vickie Howell makes a chunky cowl neck scarf. We share “The Ultimate ‘Home & Family’ Holiday Guide.” Kym Douglas is here with DIY holiday hostess gifts. Shirley Bovshow has DIY botanical candles. Maria Provenzano creates ornament earrings. Credit: © 2019 Crown Media United States, LLC | Photo: Keith Castillo/ Alexx Henry Studios, LLC.

I capped-off the California leg of my The Knit Vibe book tour, with a visit to the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family show. Everyone, from casting director Jolie, to make-up artist Marty, to co-host Debbie, are always so kind and gracious — it’s an absolute pleasure to be a part of an episode!

This time, we did a quickie demo of one of the Go-To Gifts from The Knit Vibe, a lusciously Chunky Cowl. This project works up quickly (using super-chunky yarn and size US 13 needles) and beautifully in a slip stitch, spiral rib. Make one (or lots) today, even if you don’t yet have my book, by going to the Home & Family site where (courtesy of Abrams Books) we’re offering the pattern for free.

Don’t forget to tag me (@vickiehowell) with a photo with your finished cowls, if you make ’em! xx

Go-To Gifts: Chunky Cowl

Need more Go-To Gifts? There are a bunch in my book, The Knit Vibe, available on Amazon or wherever you get your book!

The post Home & Family Show Go-To Gifts Chunky Cowl appeared first on Vickie Howell.

CreativeBug Live!

Creativebug Live

This week I visited the Creativebug San Francisco studios to sit down with Liana Allday on an episode of CreativeBug Live talking about The Knit Vibe, our community, some great projects to make for the holidays, and how to get your knitting Mojo back. 

You can watch the episode below. Enjoy!


The Knit Vibe: As Seen on Creativebug Live

Read all of the stories and get the patterns I spoke of on Creativebug Live in my book, The Knit Vibe, available on Amazon or wherever you get your book!

 

 

 

The post CreativeBug Live! appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Got-To Gifts Slouchy Beanie

Go-To Gifts Slouchy Beanie

All month on Ask Me Monday, I’m sharing the knit and crochet skills to make easy, fun gifts from my book, The Knit Vibe. Last week I focused on the Go-To Chunky Hat. Next up: the Twisted Rib & Cable stitch pattern used to make the Go-To Slouchy Beanie.

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 product: Knitter’s Pride Ginger Interchangeable Needle Set

 
Go-To Gifts Slouchy Beanie: Watch the AMM Tutorial
 
Twisted Rib & Cables Swatch (in-the-round)

SPECIAL STITCHES (see the tutorial in the video above)

K1tbl

Knit the stitch through the back loop to create a twisted stitch.

T1/2L

Sl st onto cable needle hold to front, p1, k1tbl, ktbl from cable needle.

DIRECTIONS

CO multiple of 6 stitches. Join rnd, taking care not to twist.

Rnds 1-7: *K1tbl, p1; rep from * around.

Rnd 8: *T1/2L, p1, k1tbl, p1; rep from * around.

Rnds 9-15: *K1tbl, p1; rep from * around.

Repeat Rnds 1-15, once more.

BO.

 

Go-To Gifts: Slouchy Beanie

Put your skills to work by making the Go-To Slouchy Beanie from my book, The Knit Vibe, available on Amazon or wherever you get your book!

The post Got-To Gifts Slouchy Beanie appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Go-To Gifts: Chunky Hat

 

Go-To Gifts Chunky Hat

Wait, wha? It’s already November? Welp, I guess we’d better start talking about go-to gift projects, then! All month, on Ask Me Monday, I share the knit and crochet skills to make easy, fun gifts from my book, The Knit Vibe. First up: the Eyelet Mock Cable stitch pattern used to make this chunky beanie.

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 product: Knitter’s Pride Smart Stix Interchangable Set.

 

Go-To Gifts Chunky Hat: Watch the AMM Tutorial



Eyelet Mock Cable Swatch (flat)

CO 18 sts.

Row 1 (RS): P2, *sl 1, k2, psso (pass slipped stitch over the knit sts), p2; rep from * to end.

Row 2:  K2, *p1, yo, p1, k2; rep from * to end.

Row 3: P2, *k3, p2; rep from * to ends.

Row 4: K2, *p3, k2; rep from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until piece is square. 

BO.

Eyelet Mock Cable Swatch (in-the-round)

CO multiple of 5 sts.

Rnd 1: Sl 1, k2, psso, p2; rep from * around.

Rnd 2: *k1, yo, k1 , p2; rep from * around. 

Rnds 3-4: *K3, p2; rep from * around.

Repeat Rnds 1- 4 for four inches, BO.

 

Go-To Gifts: Chunky Hat

Put your skills to work by making the Got-To Chunky Hat from my book, The Knit Vibe, available on Amazon or wherever you get your book!

 

The post Go-To Gifts: Chunky Hat appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Crochet Ball Fringe Coasters

Crochet Ball Fringe Coasters

This week on Ask Me Monday we learned how to make the cutest little edging there ever was, Crochet Ball Fringe! Use this technique to embellish tea towels, pillows, and kids garments, or have fun making some seasonal coasters for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and beyond! 

 

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 Products: Knitter’s Pride Zing! Crochet Hook Set and Rainbow Row Counter Ring

 



Crochet Ball Fringe

DIRECTIONS

Join yarn to the prepared edge (see video or below) of the fabric, knit, or crocheted piece you’d like to adorn with ball fringe.

Ch 5,* [in 3rd ch from hook, YO, insert hook, YO, pull through 2 loops] 4 times, (you’ll have 5 loops on hook) YO, pull through all loops on hook (first bobble made)*; ch 3, rep from * to ** (second bobble made); sl st into base of first bobble (this will connect both bobbles to create a ball); ch 3, sk next st, sc in next st.

Repeat process until fringe is complete. If you’re working in the round, join with a sl st.

Fasten off.

Crochet Ball Fringe Coasters: How-To

MATERIALS

1/8 yd Main Color fabric

1/8 yd Contrasting Color fabric

Medium-weight fusible interfacing (optional)

Sewing machine OR hand-sewing needle

Thread

Embroidery floss and needle

Lace-weight or sock-weight yarn, or crochet thread

Knitter’s Pride Zing! C/2 (2.75 mm) crochet hook

Iron

 

DIRECTIONS (make 4)

Sew coaster:

Cut 4 ½ ” pieces of both Main and Contrasting fabrics. 

 

OPTIONAL: Cut 4″ piece of fusible interfacing. Iron on to Main fabric piece, according to manufacturer directions.

 

With WS facing and using a ​1⁄4″ seam allowance, sew Main and Contrasting pieces together, leaving an opening for turning.

 

Turn piece RS out. Press.

 

Top stitch around entire piece.

Prep edging:

Using embroidery floss, needle, and video as a guide Blanket Stitch at ​1⁄4″ intervals around RS  of sewn coaster.

Add Crochet Ball Fringe

Join yarn at one corner of the coaster, at the first Blanket Stitch. Crochet Ball Fringe (see above or video) around the coaster, joining rnd with a sl st. 

Fasten off. Knot to secure. Trim ends.

The post Crochet Ball Fringe Coasters appeared first on Vickie Howell.