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Facebook Live: 5 Tips for Viewer Etiquette

5 Tips for Facebook Live Viewer Etiquette
Over the past *two years of broadcasting live via Facebook, and with well over half a million views from an international audience, I’ve learned a lot about human interaction on a virtual scape. For the most part, live streaming on Facebook — the platform where most of my community spends their social media time– has been fantastic. From a marketing perspective, it’s an exciting tool offering direct contact with those interested in the exact niche of content the broadcaster provides. From a human perspective, it’s so freakin’ cool to be able to have real-time interactions with people in multiple states and countries, at the same time!

Because the application is so new though, so still lacking in protocol, I’ve also noticed that behavior habits are very different by some people than I imagine they would be in a real-life scenario. My colleagues and I have had many conversations about the anonymity of the internet, the carte-blanche attitude to troll, and the challenges of reading comments without reading too much into them. I’m of the mindset that it’s almost never personal when someone says something untoward, but nevertheless it still gives one moment for pause to contemplate motive. There’s obviously not a blanket answer to why people type the things they do during live presentations, but I would posit that in large portion it’s part of an etiquette and influence reverberation learning curve. After all, we’re all new to this and there isn’t a Miss Manners for new media! I believe that some viewers truly don’t realize who — or how many — see what they’re saying in the comments sections of these live streams. In that vein, here are some quick, common sense tips that might offer some clarity.

*Although Facebook Live wasn’t made available to personal users until April 2016, verified users had access to it in Beta via Facebook Mentions, as of August 2015.
#5 Make Yourself Known 

Although it’s absolutely ok to watch Facebook Live videos as a quiet bystander, keep in mind that one of the best things that sets live streams apart from their pre-recorded siblings is the ability to interact with the presenter in real time. Think of this medium as a big table in which the host sits at the head and the viewers — his/her/their guests — sit around it. In this scenario, if the host greets the group or asks the collective a question, it would be appropriate to answer, right? It would also be acceptable if not everyone responded to every word during the entire course of the gathering. Same goes for live streams. Next time you’re watching your favorite Facebook Live-er be sure to click on the “heart” or “thumbs-up” icons, say (i.e. post) “hello”, or reply to the conversation in the comments section. Not only will it make the person on-camera feel like he/she/they aren’t talking to a vast tunnel of internet nothingness, it will also enable you to e-meet the community of Facebook “friends” also participating (via comments) in the stream with you. Oh, and your interactions reflect positively on what’s called “engagement“, which is one of the metrics that the elusive, wizard-behind-the-curtain-that-is-a-Facebook-algorithm, calculates when allowing for how far of a viewer reach the video gets. More engagement, means more reach, which helps us host-y types continue to be able to do our jobs. Team Facebook Live unite (psst…viewers, that includes you!)

#4 Sharing is Caring

If you’re enjoying the topic of the Facebook Live video your watching, share it in your own Facebook timeline so that like-interested friends can discover it in their feeds. Even if they don’t catch the video while it’s actually live, they’ll be able to watch the recorded version later on the host’s Facebook Page. Word of mouth — or word of share, as it were — is one of the biggest compliments you can pay to a live broadcaster, because it helps bring more eyes to their project!

# 3 If You Can’t Say Anything Nice …

You know that old cliché, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all?” In daily life that philosophy may not always be the best laid plan for self-advocacy, social justice or perhaps even, career advancement. On the internet however, and specifically on the comment sections of Facebook posts and videos, it almost always is the right choice. Walk with me for a second, while I elaborate.

Sharing one’s opinion is part of human discourse; an important one at that! It works best however, in person when the nuances of a voice or twinkle in one’s eyes can solidify the intention behind the spoken words. In typed form, those crucial elements aren’t available so things can often be misconstrued. If that’s not the case though and you typed exactly what you meant, and it’s also less than kind, then there’s something else to keep in mind. In the Facebook Live scenario not only will you, the host, and other viewers see it, but also potentially their friends, and their friends’ friends, and their friends’ friends’ friends, and so on. When you comment on a live video, those comments are at the viewable whim of the presenter’s desired privacy settings. For a public figure of any type, that will usually mean no lockdown at all so that anyone, anywhere at anytime can access it.

My general rule of thumb is: if you wouldn’t want your employer, or the people you love to see a comment you’ve made, then don’t make it at all. Save the snark for wine-time with friends! It’s more fun that way, anyway.

#2 Appearance is Everything

How would you feel if a stranger went on to the Facebook page of your workplace and commented negatively about your taste in clothing, your weight, or how you wear your hair? Probably mortified, right? That’s pretty much how it goes when viewers do the same on someone’s Facebook Live video. If the video is being broadcast from someone’s Business Page (versus personal timeline) then it is just that, a virtual representation of that business. Future clients/customers/followers are reading these comments, and regardless of the relevance to that business are absorbing the commenter’s opinion(s).

Listen up: The ONLY TIME it’s ok to make a comment on someone’s appearance on Facebook Live (or frankly, anywhere on the internet) — other than to compliment them — is if they ask for your opinion (i.e. “What do you think about this hair style, thinking of changing it.” OR, “I can’t decide if this shirt works on me, thoughts?) That’s it. The end.

#1 Face Time

The most important thing to remember when watching a Facebook Live video is that it’s the virtual equivalent to inviting someone into your home. Since communication goes both ways during a live stream, you’re getting to have relative face time with the broadcaster. This is what makes the medium so cool –when else can you have a conversation with your favorite musician from abroad, talk with an artist you admire, or get your question answered (for free) by a creative coach?! It also means that they areactually seeing what you type, and in fairly real time. Although in a large audience it’s difficult to catch all of the comments scrolling by, hosts will likely see most. That means whatever you type, you’re literally saying to their face. So look ’em in the virtual eye, and be kind. It’s as simple as that.

Happy viewing!

Find this article helpful? Please share! Also, today is the last day to vote for SXSW Panelists. Please take a moment to vote for the Facebook Live Broadcaster Meet-up that Jennifer Perkins and I have pitched. We love this medium, and want to encourage the community to thrive within it!

 
Watch my weekly series, Ask Me Monday on Facebook every Monday at 12pmCT.

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That’s a Wrap on The Knit Show with Vickie Howell (S1) Filming!

The Knit Show : Highly Anticipated Craft Show Finishes Wraps Production. Premiers in October!

Just over a week ago, filming wrapped for the first studio quality, community funded, internationally accessible knitting and crochet episodic series. Produced in partnership with ProductionFor, 10 episodes of The Knit Show with Vickie Howell are now ready for post-production. Pulling this exciting project together was truly a community effort, and we are thrilled with the project and can’t wait to share it! The full season of the show will go live on Youtube on October 5th, so that knitters and crocheters across the globe can binge watch while they stitch. This show will be free for all, making it available for everyone, with access to the internet, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.

The Studio Shoot

Although the field segments — ranging from personal training sessions for body health and a conversation with a psychotherapist about the mindfulness of knitting, to an insider’s look at an artisanal yarn mill and a field trip to visit shepherds in Central Asia — have been filmed intermittently over the past few months, all studio segments were shot over the course of 5 days at the beginning of August in Austin, Texas.

Twenty industry experts and superstars (including: Pompom Quarterly’s Meghan Fernandes, Koigu’s Taiu Landra, and Breeders musician Kelley Deal) travelled from across the nation, Canada, and Brazil to be a part of the show. They brought with them their talent, knowledge, and most of all a shared enthusiasm for what a show like this one will offer the D.I.Y. community. The energy on set was positive and palpable, and thanks to the vision of Art Director/Director Traci Goudie also a destination experience which included being surrounded by a gallery showing of pieces from 12 different local artists, gorgeous foliage from East Austin Succulents, and vintage furniture to hang out on during downtime.

Along with expert guests, each episode includes 3 “Knit Hive” (a term we coined, meant as a nod to knitting bees of old and the modern “hive mind” mentality) members representing our community. The Hive revolved every episode and over the course of the season included “Hivesters” ranging from hobbyists and fans, to yarn store owners and authors. It takes a village to produce a TV show, and that includes the interest of people to watch it. We wanted to show, even in a small way, appreciation of that. Hence, our Hive.

Community Partners

Along with over 1,200 individual fans, designers, small business people and a few larger companies who backed the Kickstarter campaign which funded initial production of The Knit Show, we’ve recently also had the pleasure of working with a few more partners who committed to helping make the first season happen. Huge thanks to West Elm (and their Austin-based storefront) for providing furniture for the set, ModCloth (and their local, Austin FitShop) for providing my wardrobe, and our most recent backer Interweave/ F+W for joining our viewer outreach efforts. On behalf of the entire, The Knit Show Team, we appreciate you!

We are continuing to look for partnerships on many fronts, and are open to opportunities. If your company has interest in working on social initiatives, live events, bonus content, and more, please contact: vickie@theknitshow.com

A Glimpse at What to Expect

Please take a moment to watch our season Teaser. It’s bite sized, so perfect for sharing on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and beyond. Feel free to download and embed within your own newsletters, blogs, and other communication platforms. Enjoy, and stay tuned for the entire season, coming soon. (Psst…don’t forget to subscribe to our channel on Youtube, so you don’t miss a thing!)

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Home & Family Christmas Stocking!

It’s Christmas in July! Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopoulos welcome Knitting expert Vickie Howell who shows us DIY knitted Christmas stockings. Credit: © 2017 Crown Media United States, LLC | Photo: Alexx Henry Studios, LLC / jeremy lee

 
Home & Family Christmas in July

This week I flew out to Burbank, California to appear on my 3rd episode of Hallmark Home & Family to be a part of their Christmas in July event. As always, it was a blast! See below for my behind-the-scenes video of how the holiday decorations were made!

 

 
My project was a quick-to knit, chunky stocking that makes for a great gift for family, friends, and even co-workers. The best part? If you start now there’s plenty of time to make stockings for everyone in your life — you get a stocking, you get a stocking, everybody gets a stocking! Here’s how.
Home & Family Christmas Stocking: How to Make

Merry Knitmas!

Chunky, holiday stocking

MATERIALS

Valley Yarns Superwash Super Bulky (100% Superwash wool; 55 yds.), in colors: (A) 2 balls Aqua Oasis by Vickie Howell, and (B) 1 ball Moontower Mustard by Vickie Howell

Size US 13 (9mm) Needles

Large-eyed Tapestry Needle

OPTIONAL: Crochet Hook

FINISHED SIZE

21”/53.5 cm long, excluding hanging loop

GAUGE

10 sts x 12 rows = 4”/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch

ABBREVIATIONS

BO = bind off

CO = cast on

LH = left hand

K = knit

k1tbl = knit one stitch, through the back loop so it twists

k2tog = knit two stitches together

P = purl

p1tbl = purl one stitch, through the back loop so it twists

psso = pass slipped stitch over

RH = right hand

sl = slip

ssk = slip one stitch, slip another stitch, knit them together through the back loop.

st(s) = stitch(es)

yb = yarn back

yf = yarn forward

YO = yarn over

DIRECTIONS

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

Leg:

With A, CO 30 sts.

Rows 1, 3 & 5: *K1tbl, p1; rep from * to end.

Rows 2, 4 & 6: *p1tbl, p1; rep from * to end.

Join B.

Row 7: With B, k all sts.

Row 8: P all sts.

Row 9:  K1, *sl 1, k3, psso; rep from * to last st, p1.

Row 10: P1, *p3, YO; rep from * to last st, p1.

Note: Carry colors up side.

Row 11: With A, k all sts.

Row 12: P all sts.

Row 13: K3, *sl 1, k3, psso; rep from * to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 14: P3, *P3, YO; rep from * to last 3 sts, p3.

Repeat Rows 7-14, four times total.

Cut A.

Heel:

The heel is worked with a series of short-rows as follows.

Row 1: With B, k all sts.

Row 2: P all sts.

Begin shaping.

Row 3 (RS): K20, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle. Turn. (You’ll leave the remaining sts unworked.)

Row 4: P9, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 5: K8, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 6: P7, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 7: K6, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 8: P5, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 9: K6, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 10: P7, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 11: K8, yf, sl 1, yb, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Row 12: P9, yb, sl 1, yf, sl st back to LH needle. Turn.

Shaping finished.

Row 13: K9, k2tog (closes gap), k to end.

Row 14: P18, p2tog (closes gap), p to end. –28 sts.

Foot:

Join A.

Row 1: With A, k all sts.

Row 2: P all sts.

Row 3: With B, k all sts.

Row 4: P all sts.

Repeat Rows 1-4, four times total.

Cut B.

Toe:

Row 1: With A, k5, ssk, k2tog, k10, ssk, k2tog, k to end. — 24 sts.

Row 2: P all sts.

Row 3: K4, ssk, k2tog, k8, ssk, k2tog, k to end. — 20 sts.

Row 4: P all sts.

Row 5: K3, ssk, k2tog, k6, ssk, k2tog, k to end. — 16 sts.

Row 6: P all sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a really long tail for seaming. Feed tail through live sts; let fall off of needles and cinch shut.

FINISHING

Using tapestry needle and yarn tail, seam up stocking side.

Make loop:

Using a crochet hook and A, or simply braiding yarn make a 2”/5cm loop and attach to top-back of stocking cuff.

Weave in ends.

To see how to knit the Layover Lace stitch pattern used to create the leg of the stocking, tune in today at 11am/10CT for a rerun of the episode. Curious how the short-row heel is worked? Join me next week at 12pm CT on my regular Ask Me Monday series, for a Facebook Live demo! 

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Tunisian Crochet Lace Summer Scarf Tutorial

This week on my regular series, Ask Me Monday I shared the new Clover Takumi Interchangeable Tunisian Hook Set, PLUS showed how to work the Tunisian Crochet Lace Stitch and Purl Bind-off used to make this, easy-breezy Summer scarf. 

Tunisian Crochet Lace Scarf: Watch the episode here!

 
How to Make the Tunisian Crochet Lace Scarf

Sorbet Scarf

Tunisian Lace Summer Accessory

MATERIALS

Clover Takumi Interchangeable Tunisian Hook Set (from which I used Size L and K hooks, and the 36” cord.)

1 Ball, Freia Handpaints Ombre Sport (100% wool; 217 yds), in color: Flame

Clover Tapestry Needle

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approx 3 1/2”/9cm wide x 54”/137 cm circumference

GAUGE

15 sts x 8 rows = 4”/10 cm in Tunisian Lace Stitch on larger hook

DIRECTIONS

Using larger hook and 36”/91 cm cord, ch 209.

Foundation Row

Forward: Pick up a loop in each ch all the way across. — 209 sts.

Backward: Ch 1, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to end.

Row 1 (Purl edging):

Forward: With yarn forward, insert hook into vertical bar, YO, scoop yarn to create purl bump. Repeat this process across.

Backward: Ch 1, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to end.

Need a refresher on the Foundation Row and Purl Stitch Techniques? Watch the last episode of Ask Me Monday here.

Row 2 (Simple Lace Stitch):

Forward: With yarn backward, insert hook into vertical bar, pull through loop to create stitch. Repeat across.

Backward: Ch 2, *YO, pull through FOUR loops, ch 2; repeat to last 2 sts, ch 1, YO, pull through 2.

Rows 3:

Forward: With yarn backward, insert hook into 2nd ch from hook, pull through loop to create stitch. From here, *pick up stitches in the ch before, the loop created from stitch bunch, and the chain after; repeat to last st, pick up stitch in first ch of beginning ch-2.

Backward: Ch 2, *YO, pull through FOUR loops, ch 2; repeat to last 2 sts, ch 1, YO, pull through 2.– 209 sts.

Rows 4-6: Repeat Row 3.

Row 7: Picking up sts in the same manner as previous rows, repeat Row 1.

Binding off Purl-wise

This row DOES NOT have a Backward pass.

Pick up first purl stitch as for row before, YO, pull through two loops, *pick up next purl stitch, pull through two loops; repeat to last st. Fasten off, leaving tail for seaming.

FINISHING

Using tail and tapestry needle, seam two short ends.

Weave in ends.

Block piece.

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How-to: Ribbon Backed Button Bands + c2c Rectangles

Ribbon Backed Button Bands and more!

I’ve teamed up with Makers’ Mercantile to produce monthly Facebook Live videos for a series called, Makers’ with Vickie.

In each episode, we focus on a different aspect of mixed fiber media — meaning using crafts and materials across the textile genre. For the latest installment, I showed how to use gorgeous ribbons as both stabilizers and a pop of interest on any knit or crochet button band. We also chatted button types and how to crochet a rectangle in the popular corner to corner crochet (c2c) method. We rounded off the segment with a punchy pillow that puts all of the skills to use. Watch the video below, then head on over to Makers’Mercantile.com to nab supplies. 

Watch and learn: Ribbon Backed Button Bands & c2c Rectangles

Get the Pillow Pattern

Get the free crochet pattern,  HiKoo Zumie yarn, Tula Pink ribbon and ceramic buttons to make this project, by going here. Oh, and don’t forget to use code VICKIE10 at checkout for 10 % off!

To see past episodes of Makers’ with Vickie, check out the playlist on Facebook.

xx,

Vickie

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Garter Stitch Intarsia: How to Strand, Use Bobbins & Read Charts

Garter Stitch Intarsia on Ask Me Monday

Today on my weekly, Facebook Live video series, “Ask Me Monday” we delved deep into the colorwork technique of Garter Stitch Intarsia, using ever-so-handy tools by Clover. Watch the rebroadcast of the episode in which you can expect tips and tutorials on:

Stranding yarn using one or both hands.
Avoiding a gap when changing colors.
Carry yarn across back.
Knitting in ends (to carry.)
Trick for getting a loose strand to prevent bunching.
Using knitting bobbins.
Duplicate stitch on both Stockinette and Garter backgrounds.

Even if Garter Stitch isn’t your game, all of the skills taught in this video are applicable to regular, ol’ Intarsia, too. Give it a watch, then check out the tools and chart you’ll need to get started!

Garter Stitch Intarsia: Watch and Learn 
 
 
The Tools


Clover Takumi Bamboo Single Pointed Needles (I used U.S. Size 11/8 mm)
Clover Knitting Bobbin Set
Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle
Chart (see below for pdf)

 
Get the Coyote Practice Swatch

 
 

Are you hooked on Garter Stitch Intarsia? Then give my Coyote Kid Cardigan pattern a spin. You can find in my book, Wee Garter Stitch: Must-have Knits for Modern Babies & Toddlers!

We’ll be off next week for Memorial Day, but tune in to Ask Me Monday on Facebook, weekly at its regularly scheduled time: Mondays at 12pm CT. See you there!

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Two Ways How-to: Corner to Corner Crochet

Corner to Corner Crochet

On the latest installment of my weekly Facebook Live series, “Ask Me Monday” I showed TWO methods for the popular craft method du jour, corner to corner crochet. Watch how to work from tip-to-tip, to create a square using either blocks of stitches or granny stripe clusters. Once you’re ready, scroll down for practice swatch instructions!

Watch the tutorial on Ask Me Monday below!

 

Practice Swatches

Supplies

Desired yarn and corresponding crochet hook.

ABBREVIATION CONVERSION

Double crochet/dc (U.S.) = Treble crochet/tr (U.K.)

Corner to Corner Block Crochet Method

For this method you’ll begin a block of dcs (double crochet stitches), adding a block every row to increase, then reversing the process to decrease.

Ch 6.

Increase section:

Row 1: Dc in 4th (counts as dc) ch from hook, and in next two chs. Turn. –1 block (4 dcs)

Row 2: Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as dc), and in next two chs, sk 3 dcs, sl st in space between 3rd and 4th dc, ch 3 (counts as dc), 3 dc in same space as ch 3. Turn. — 2 blocks

Row 3: Ch 6, dc in 4th ch from hook (counts as dc), and in next two chs, *sk 3 dcs, sl st in space between 3rd and 4th dc, ch 3 (counts as dc), 3 dc in same space as ch 3; rep from * to end. Turn. — 3 blocks

Repeat Row 3 until piece is desired width.

Decrease section:

Row 1: Sl st in first 3 dcs, sl sin in space between 3rd and 4th dc (first block decreased), ch 3 (counts as dc), 3 dc in same space as ch 3; rep from * to end. Turn.

Repeat Row 1 until 1 block remains. Fasten off.

Corner to Corner Crochet Granny Stripe Method

For this method you’ll begin creating on cluster, adding a cluster every row to increase, then reversing the process to decrease.

Ch 4.

Increase section:

Row 1: 2 dc in 4th ch from hook. Turn. (1 cluster)

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in 1st st (counts as first cluster), ch 1, sk 1, 3 dc in last st. Turn. (2 clusters, 1 ch-sp)

Row 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in 1st st, *ch 1, sk 2, 3 dc in ch-sp, ch 1, sk 2, 3dc, in last st; rep from * to end. Turn. (3 clusters, 2 ch-sp)

Repeat Row 3 until piece is desired width.

Decrease section:

(You’ll now start having 1 more ch-sp than clusters):

Row 1: Ch 4 (counts 1st dc and ch st), sk 3, 3 dc in ch-sp, *ch 1, sk 3, 3 dc in ch-sp; rep from *to last 3 sts, sk 2, dc in last st. 

Row 2: Ch 4, sk next 3 sts. *3 dc in ch-sp, ch 1, sk 3; rep from * to last ch-sp, dc.

Row 3: Ch 5, sk 5 (2 ch & dc). *3 dc in ch-sp, ch 2, sk 3; rep from * to last ch-sp, dc

Repeat Row 3 until you have 1 cluster and 2 -ch sps left.

Fasten off.

 

 Trying this method? Share a picture, tagging @vickiehowell , so I can see it! 

Tune in on Facebook every Monday at 12pmCT to Ask Me Monday, or watch anytime at: facebook.com/vickiehowell/videos

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Stitch Away Stress: A Mindful Approach to 3 Knit & Crochet Patterns

Stitch Away Stress: A mindful approach to 3 stitch patterns.

This week on Ask Me Monday, I teamed up with my friends at Clover Needlecrafts in support of the Craft Yarn Council‘s #StitchAwayStress initiative. Our focus is how by approaching a few simple stitch patterns in a more mindful way, you’ll be able to reap the benefits of the meditative state of knitting and crochet. Here are 3 exercises for mindful stitching.

Materials

Any yarn 

Clover Takumi Bamboo Needles (for #1 & #2) — Warming bamboo is good for the soul!

Clover Amour Hook (for #3) — Cushioned handles makes for a comfortable experience.

Exercise 1:Breath in, knit out.

Rib Stitch (Knitting)

CO a multiple of 2 + 1.

Sitting comfortably and focusing on breathing in and out with each stitch, begin knitting while chanting (either in your head or out loud) as follows:

Knit 1, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1, knit 1…

Repeat until the end of the row, turn piece and resume meditation. Since we added that +1 stitch, there won’t be a break in your “knit 1, purl 1” mantra as you’ll end the right-side row with a “knit 1” and resume on the wrong-side with a “purl one”.

Exercise 2: Open Stitch, open heart.

Lace (Knitting) 

CO a multiple of 3.

Sitting comfortably and focusing on breath and an open heart, begin knitting while chanting (either in your head or out loud) as follows:

Knit 1, yarn-over, knit two together; knit 1, yarn-over, knit two together…

Repeat until the end of the row, turn piece and resume meditation.

Exercise 3: 

Half-double Crochet (U.S. term)

Chain any number + 2. 

Set-up row: Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook and across. Turn.

Since the construction of crochet stitches is more complex than a knit stitch, it’s helpful to focus on the individual moves within the stitch for purposes of meditation. For that purpose, I’ve written out the half-double crochet (hdc) stitch mantra in moves.

Sitting comfortably and focusing on breath, begin knitting while chanting (either in your head or out loud) as follows:

Chain 2, in next stitch: [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through 1, yarn-over pull through 3], [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through 1, yarn-over pull through 3]…

VARIATION:  [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through loop, yarn-over pull through loops], [yarn-over insert hook, yarn-over pull through loop, yarn-over pull through loops]

Watch the mindfulness approach to these patterns explained in this episode of Ask Me Monday!

 

Breath in; craft out.

xx, Vickie

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Conversation with Badass Author, Jen Sincero

“You Are a Badass at Making Money” Author, Jen Sincero: A Conversation

Recently I spoke with the New York Times Best-Selling Author of You Are Bad-Ass, Jen Sincerco. She’s in the middle of a whirlwind book tour for her latest book, You Are a Bad-Ass at Making Money — including live appearances, major publication interviews, and an appearance on Dr. Oz — so I was thrilled that she made time to be on this podcast.

Jen and I talked about her road from struggling writer and musician to life-coach guru, the role that gratitude can play in success, why we as creative types are so reticent to embrace an openness to mastering wealth, and how Universal Intelligence provides all we need to know about flourishing to our fullest extent. I found Jen to be a candid, straight-shooter with a wealth of knowledge and life experience under her belt for which she doles out generously. Click here to “meet” her now, then head on over to her Show Notes Page to comment to win a copy of her latest book. Enjoy!

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Global Crafting Community Funds Vickie Howell’s “The Knit Show”

Global Crafting Community Funds Vickie 
Howell’s “The Knit Show” – Kickstarter 
Campaign in Stretch Goal Phase through April 19
The First Community-Funded & Internationally Accessible Episodic How-To Knitting & Crochet Series Begins Production This Summer

AUSTIN, Texas – The first studio-quality, community-funded and internationally accessible episodic how-to knitting web series, “The Knit Show with Vickie Howell,” has been greenlit by the global crafting community, which fully funded the Kickstarter campaign ahead of schedule, allowing extra days of stretch goals crowdfunding. The campaign ends Wednesday, April 19. 

Produced by the award-winning Austin-based production company ProductionFor, “The Knit Show with Vickie Howell” will start as a web-based series combining all the popular segments from Howell’s DIY, HGTV and PBS TV shows: industry experts and superstar guests; knitting & crochet tips and techniques, and modern, totally make-able, high-quality projects in a range of levels sure to satisfy the global craft community. Howell, who brings more than 20 years of broadcasting experience to the table and will also executive produce the project, will be joined by yarn industry leader Karin Strom, who will help develop the show content. Production begins this summer.

THE WHOLE BALL OF YARN 

Vickie Howell, well-known host of the wildly popular DIY & HGTV series “Knitty Gritty” and PBS’ “Knitting Daily with Vickie Howell,” is also an internationally recognized podcaster, blogger, magazine columnist and best-selling author for the knitting & crochet community. While TV and cable networks replaced niche, how-to programming with reality shows and scripted series, Howell saw opportunity in new media, building a global online audience by producing thousands of hours of craft-based programming through a variety of social media channels. She was the first personality in the genre to embrace Facebook Live when it was in beta, starting a weekly live stream Ask Me Monday, where views are already up more than 230% for 2017. Over the years, Howell’s audience continued to send her messages daily saying how they missed having a television show that speaks directly to them. Easily accessible craft-based TV shows have all but disappeared, but the web was also evolving and Howell had an idea. 

“Thanks to today’s technology, we can literally DIY our own DIY programming on the web and reach a worldwide audience. We want ‘The Knit Show’ to be at the forefront of the next wave of craft programming and we wanted the crafting community to help us do it. When we decided to run a Kickstarter campaign to crowdfund the show, we knew reaching our goal would be more than challenging. Film & Video is the leading category for unsuccessful campaigns and the overall success rate in any category hovers just under 36%. But then something amazing happened,” Howell says. “We reached $10,000 in the first 24 hours with backers from all over the world pledging support and then Kickstarter made us a ‘Project We Love’ and we were off to the races. I have been floored by the international support from more than 1,000+ backers around the world – United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Japan, New Zealand, India, everywhere. They donated, they spread the word, THEY made this happen.” 

In return for backer support, Howell continually offered special incentives, flash rewards, add-on goodies and shareables like QR codes and web badges. Throughout the campaign, she and her producing partner ProductionFor created several social media-friendly video spoofs – yarn-centric takes on Flash Dance, the Netflix phenom Stranger Things and Star Wars (see below) – as well as knitted animation of the show logo and a companion how-we-did-it video. 

“Vickie’s connection with the knitting & crochet community runs deep and her various social media channels give her one-on-one direct communication that you just can’t pay for. Along with all the cool rewards for our backers, she was in constant contact providing updates, unveiling new incentives and fun videos to them first and even went on Facebook Live to explain crowdfunding and how it works. Her street teams at craft shows, yarn shops and knitting groups around the world propelled this campaign to success,” said Clint Howell, co-founder ProductionFor. “Reaching our funding goal took a village – a village of backers, family members, teammates and collaborators who rallied around the energy Vickie cast into the project. It was motivating and we all wanted to take the leap of faith with her. Vickie’s followers have waited long enough – ‘The Knit Show’ has been given the greenlight by the community and we won’t let them down.” 

THE RIGHT STITCH

“The Knit Show” campaign wants to especially thank …

* Karin Skacel, the only female CEO of a major-player company in the industry, who never fails to support other women-driven projects. In true form, she was the first to support at the highest of business levels.

* Kathy and Steve Elkins, owners of WEBS – Americas Yarn Store and visionaries when it comes to successful models in the knitting and crochet industry, who are amongst the top-tier pledgers.

* Knitter’s Pride/KnitPro, known for its initiative to create sustainable jobs and education for women in India, brought “The Knit Show” campaign goal to 100% with its generous backing and commitment to support the “Vic’s Tips” (a technique and tip-specific segment with most episodes) feature of the series.

“The global knitting and crochet community has put their money where their collective mouth is with the successful finding of ‘The Knit Show’ campaign! Thanks to pledges from individual enthusiasts, the faith in the project from small businesses, and the endorsement by a few major players in the industry, we were able to work together to bring this project to fruition. Aside from the funding, this campaign couldn’t have been successful without the extraordinary resourcefulness and talents of the entire team at ProductionFor, along with the help of the countless supporters who shared ‘The Knit Show’ initiative on social media, included it in their business newsletters and hosted me as a guest on their shows and podcasts. ‘The Knit Show’ is truly a project for the community, by the community and I’m so honored to be a part of it!”

Find out more about Vickie’s campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theknitshow/the-knit-show-with-vickie-howell

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Howell’s “The Knit Show” appeared first on Vickie Howell.