Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 34
February 5, 2018
Two Color Brioche Knitting in the Round
Two Color Brioche in the Round
This week on Ask Me Monday, we explored the basics of knitting two color Brioche in the round. I much prefer this method to it’s flat counterpart, and in this video I show you why: once you’re set-up, only 1 round (with 2 steps) is required to create the look.
Watch the recorded version of my Facebook Live video below for a tutorial, then see below for practice instructions.
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Two Color Brioche in the Round Swatch
MATERIALS
Any size, 16″ long circular needle
2 colors (Color A & Color B), corresponding weight yarn to go with needle
Stitch marker
SWATCH
Using Color A,”fully load” your circular needle with an EVEN number of sts. DO NOT JOIN RND.
Set-up Row: Slide sts down to opposite end of needle and join Color B as follows:
*Sl1yo, p1; rep from * to end.
Place marker and join rnd, taking care not to twist.
Rnd 1A: Using Color A, BRK1 (knit the stitch and the yo together), sl1yo; rep from * around. Creates Knit columns on RS.
Rnd 1B: Using Color B, Sl1yo, BRP1 (purl the stitch and yo together); rep from * around. Creates Purl columns on RS.
Repeat Rnd 1A & 1B for 4″/10 cm.
BO, working yos and stitches together.
Resources:
My go-to guru for Brioche related information is Nancy Marchant from BriocheStitch.com.
Looking for Brioche Knitting worked flat? Please check out Andrea Mowry’s amazing tutorial on “The Color Episode” of The Knit Show!
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February 1, 2018
Crafting Your Business: Personal Branding
Personal Branding
I see it again and again: amazingly talented artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs who create stellar products or content, but don’t know how to speak about it to the masses. Self-promotion seemingly rides a fine line between narcissism and compartmentalized disassociation. In the age of influencers however, not having a braggadocios bone in your body can be detrimental to your business — especially if YOU are that business. Fortunately, now more than ever though, there’s a method for almost all types of marketing madness; meaning that we can find a platform or two (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, etc.) that fits within our respective comfort zones and thrive in a way that feels relatively authentic. The key, I believe, is to start with visual branding and working your way outward. Use the image (literally or figuratively) you’d like to represent your brand as the genesis of the mind map that you’ll build your message from. I’ve found that this exercise can help psychologically shift self-promotion from feeling like tooting your own horn, to you doing your job as a marketer of a brand or product. Once you relinquish the fear of public perception as being personal, it’s much easier to strategize messaging that encompasses you as a business.
On Air!
Recently, CEO of Stitchcraft Marketing Leanne Pressly, interviewed me to discuss building a personal brand including: visual cues, authentic community engagement, and intent versus accidental incarnation. Listen to our conversation now on the Stitchcraft Marketing Podcast!
Here are links to where the show can be heard:
Business of Craft Podcast
Show Notes: http://stitchcraftmarketing.com/podcast/vickie-howell/
iTunes
Stitcher
Google Play
Interested in working with me on your own personal branding, or your businesses’ community building strategy? Message me; I’d love to talk!
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January 24, 2018
Bobble Hearts | Mooshy Gooshy Cowl for JOANN
Bobble Hearts
Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches, so I teamed up with JOANN Fabric & Crafts to encourage showing a little of that love to crochet. On the most recent Facebook Live video (airing today at 2pm ET) on their Page, I give a tutorial on crocheting bobble hearts as part of a quick-cowl to make and give!
Mooshy Gooshy
Crochet Bobble Heart Cowl
Materials
2 skeins Big Twist Roving (100% Acrylic), in color: (A) Cream Licorice
1 skein Big Twist Natural Blend (80% Acrylic; 20% Wool), in color: Scarlet
Size 12 mm Crochet Hook
Tapestry needle
One Size
Finished measurements
Approx. 8”/20.5 cm Tall x 13”/33 cm Wide
Gauge
1.5 hdc = 1”
Abbreviations
Ch = chain
Dc = double crochet
Hdc = half-double crochet
Rnd(s) = Round(s)
Sl st = slip stitch
Special Stitches
Half Bobble = [Yo, insert hook into st, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] twice, yo, pull through all loops on hook.
Bobble = [Yo, insert hook into st, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] 3 times, yo, pull through all loops on hook.
Directions
With A, Ch 36.
Join rnd with a sl st in first ch. –36 sts.
Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc next ch and in every ch around. Join rnd with a sl st.
Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next hdc and every hdc around. Join rnd with a sl st.
Rnds 3: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc in next dc and in every dc around. Join rnd with a sl st.
Rnds 4-5: Repeat Rnds 2-3.
Join B.
Rnd 6: With B, Ch 3, half bobble, ch 3, sk 5, *[bobble, ch 2, bobble] in next hdc, ch 3, sk 5; rep from * to last st, bobble, ch 2. Join rnd with a sl st.
Cut B.
Rnd 7: With A, ch 2, sk bobble, going over ch-3, sc in center 3 skipped hdc from the row below, *ch 2, sk bobble, sc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, sk bobble, going over ch-3, sc in center 3 skipped hdc from the row below; rep from * ending with a ch 2, sk bobble. Join rnd with a sl st.
Rnd 8: Ch 3, *dc in each sc, dc in ch sp, dc in sc; rep from * around, ending with a dc in ch sp, dc in sc. Join rnd with a sl st. — 36 sts.
Rnd 9: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), hdc next ch and in every ch around. Join rnd with a sl st.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in ends.
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January 23, 2018
Knitting in the Round with Two Circular Needles
Knitting in the Round with Two Circular NeedlesThis week on my live stream, Ask Me Monday I showed another alternative to using double pointed needles to knit small circumferences in the round: knitting in the round with two circular needles.
Watch the Rebroadcast of Ask Me Monday Here!
Tune in every Monday at 12pm CT on Facebook Live!
SHOW NOTES:
If you’re interested in learning other methods for knitting small circumferences, check out:
How to Knit with Double Pointed Needles (from my latest JOANN Fabric and Craft Stores video): https://www.facebook.com/vickiehowell/videos/10155293998993295/
How to Knit Using the Magic Loop Method
Watch this method being used on a sock on The Knit Show’s Trend Episode!
How to Knit wit Curved Double Pointed Needle (courtesy of Makers’ Mercantile)
Follow Swatch-A-Day Januar-AY on The Knit Show’s Instagram feed, for loads of inspiration and stitch pattern instructions!
–>Follow me on Instagram for Insta-stories and craft book reviews!
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January 5, 2018
Bargello Stripes | @theknitshow Swatch-A-Day 5
Bargello Stripes
This pattern is so, retro-cool — we love it! #tksswatchaday
Watch this Vic’s Tip Segment to Learn the Stitch
(Click to play from when the segment starts within our Color Episode)
Recommended Project: Bargello Cowl
January 4, 2018
Off-Center Crochet Cable | @theknitshow Swatch-A-Day 4
Off-Center Crochet Cable #tksswatchaday
Crochet cables add dimension without requiring any extra tools!
YARN: Malabrigo Worsted, in color: Frosted Pink
HOOK: Size H/5 mm
U.S./U.K. Conversion Terms
US UK
BPdc = BPtr
FPtr = FPdtr
sc = dc
hdc = htr
SWATCH:
Ch 23.
Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook and to end. Turn. —21 sts
Row 2: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, sk 3, FPtr In next 3 sts, FPtr in 3 sk sts, dc in next st and to end. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 2, hdc 9, BPdc in next 6 sts, hdc to end. Turn.
Repeat Rows 2-3, until piece 6.5”/16.5 cm.
Fasten off.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for Yarn-y inspiration, and don’t forget to watch Episodes 105, 106, 107, 108, and 109 for crotchet segments!
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January 3, 2018
Star Stitch | @theknitshow Swatch-A-Day 3
Star Stitch Swatch
One of our favorite textural stitches that works with any weight yarn.
To be honest, this year’s Pantone Color, Ultra-violet, is not our gig. But the pops of it in this Mintalicious colorway is perfection.
YARN: Spun Right Round Big Rad Bulky
NEEDLES: Size I.S. 11/8 mm needles (these beauties are form the Marblz interchangeable set.)
Special Stitch: Make Star (MS)
Purl 3 sts tog, leaving them on LH needle; YO, p the same 3 sts tog again; let sts drop off LH needle. (Watch Insta Story on 1/3 for demo) #tksswatchaday
SWATCH:
CO 17 sts.
Rows 1-2: *P1, k1; Rep from * to last st, p1.
Rows 3&5 (RS): Knit.
Row 4: P1, *MS, p1; from * to end.
Row 6: P3, MS, *p1, MS; rep from * to last 3 sts, p3.
Repeat Rows 3-6 until piece is square(ish).
Repeat Rows 1-2.
BO in patt.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch Season 1 of The Knit Show, bonus content, and for more yarn-y inspo.
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January 2, 2018
Clover Stitch | @theknitshow Swatch-A-Day 2
Swatch-A-Day 2
Clover Stitch
We were introduced to this stitch on The Holiday Episode, by @susanbanderson It’s a sweet pattern with unexpected bursts of yarn produced through long stitches worked two rows down.
Watch Susan’s segment below for her demonstrate the Clover Stitch!
Recommended Project: Clover Hat
Design by Susan B. Anderson. Knit in Barrett Wool Co. Home Worsted Weight
Clover Stitch Swatch
Yarn Used: The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers Craggy Tweed
Needles: U.S. Size 6 (4 mm)
Swatch: CO 30 sts.
Rows 1-3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K3, *K4, K2tog, sl 1, k1, psso; Rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Rows 6, 8,10, 12, 14 & 16: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 7: K3, *K4, ML, K2, ML; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 9: Knit.
Row 11: K3, *k2tog, sl 1, k1, psso, k4; Rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 13: K3, *ML, k2, ML, k4; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 15: Knit.
Repeat Rows 5-16 until swatch is a square.
Knit 3 rows. BO.
Block swatch.
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January 1, 2018
Seed Stitch: @theknitshow Swatch-A-Day 1
Instagram Swatch-A-Day 1
Seed Stitch
A classic stitch, perfect for giving texture to pieces knit with smoother yarns. #tksSwatchaDay
Yarn: @malabrigoyarn Rasta, in color: Arco Iris (one of our faves!) Needles Used: Size U.S. 11
Swatch: CO 20 sts.
Row 1: *K1, p1; rep from * to end.
Row 2: *P1, k1; rep from * to end.
Rep these two rows until you have a square. BO in pattern pattern stitch. (
Follow @theknitshow on Instagram for more yarn, stitch, and swatch inspo!
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December 31, 2017
Swatch-A-Day Januar-ay on @TheKnitShow
Swatch-A-Day!Hey, party people! Help The Knit Show get to that coveted 10k subscribers (at which point we can direct link from our IG stories, which makes info easier for you to find), AND get inspired every day this month. Join our Swatch-A-Day Januar-AY, by subscribing and following along for different stitch patterns, gorgeous yarns, and project prompts.
Stitching along with us? Use #TKSStitchaDay in your posts so we see ’em!
Happy New Year!
xx,
Vickie
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