Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 41
October 25, 2016
Hair Pin Lace Leather Bracelets
Hair Pin Lace Leather Bracelets
This week on Facebook I gave a live stream tutorial on using the new, Clover Hair Pin Lace Tool. In the video I also showed a couple of leather bracelets I made using the tool. Here’s how you can make them, too!
**Need a quick refresher course? Watch my Hair Pin Lace Tool video tutorial here.
Materials
Clover Hair Pin Lace Tool
Size J/6mm Clover Amour Crochet Hook
Leather lacing
Jewelry pliers
Beads or large stone
Nylon thread and sewing needle
Jewelry findings (2 o-rings, lobster clasp, and 2 rectangular fold-over cord ends.)
Directions
Leaving a a tail (6″/15 cm is safe) cast on leather to loom.
Using single crochet as center stitch, make 7-9 loops (depending on wrist circumference — you can always pull out loops if it’s too long.)
Fasten off, leaving another tail.
Place around your wrist to gauge length of tails required. Trim tails to accommodate that length.
FOR TAN VERSION ONLY: Use fingers or crochet hook to “chain stitch” or ladder the loops over each other on side of bracelet. Feed the respective tail through the last loop and knot into place. Repeat for opposite side.
Following the manufacturer instructions, attach findings to both tail ends.
Hand sew beads or stone to bracelet.
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October 21, 2016
How to Use the Clover Hair Pin Lace Tool
Thanks to our friends at Clover Needlecrafts, I broadcasted live on Facebook TWICE this week. The first, of course was the usual, Ask Me Monday series. The second, focused on a new tool for an old craft: the Hair Pin Lace tool.
Hair Pin Lace Tool
Hair pin lace is a method of lace-making which involved a crochet hook and a loom which traditionally consists of two parallel rods. According to Wikipedia, the original looms were “U” shaped as a hair pin is, so thus the name. Loops with a braided center are created using this method, while the real lace-like effect occurrs off the loom when pieces are connected in various ways.
Clover’s Hair Pin Lace Tool applied the exact same principle as the original loom, but with a few advances to add versatility and ease to the process for the modern crafter. The first update is the option of a 3rd rod (or pin), which can be added or removed from the center position. It’s purpose is purely to keep the braid in the center, without the crafter having to think about it. It’s kind of like a training wheel option — but one I really liked having, especially when working on a wider piece. This brings me to the second feature: movable rods, which allow for different widths of lace to be created.
The next update is the inclusion of guide thread holes on the pins. Guide threads allow loops to hang off of the loom (for longer pieces), while all staying oriented in the same direction. Unlike with knitting, there aren’t live loops (or stitches) to be held, but keeping the loops all same-faced helps with the assempbling of multiple pieces later.
The last addition to the Hair Pin Lace tool are removable, bottom and top clips which keep the working loops from sliding off the bottom of the tool while you’re working, and from the top of the tool when you’re moving length from the tool to the guide threads.
Watch & Learn How to use the Clover Hairpin Lace Tool!
The folks at Clover and I can’t wait to see what types of pieces you come up with using the Hair Pin Lace Tool. Check back on this blog tomorrow for a leather wristband project, then on Friday we’ll have (both here and on the Clover blog) a chunky, hair pin lace scarf pattern.
Enjoy!
xx,
Vickie
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October 17, 2016
Ask Me Monday #47: How to Knit a Shawl Collar + New Kit!
This week’s Ask Me Monday was sponsored by the folks at Interweave. I’ve teamed up with them to create six Yarncraft by Vickie Howell kits, which are rolling out throughout the Fall season. The latest kit to hit the Interweave Store is for my Fox Hills Toddler Cardigan, which is knit in Plymouth Galway Chunky yarn.
Get Collared
In the States, cowichan-style cardigans (bulky sweaters with bold graphics — think, “The Dude” from The Big Lebowski) have made a huge come back. What’s cuter than a tiny person donning big person garb? Not much, I say! Not much.
Fox Hills Toddler Cardi
Part of what also makes the Fox Hills Toddler Cardigan so sweet is the Mr. Rogers-esque, shawl collar. Our model for the kit shot was a very active 2-year-old, so we prioritized her having a good time at the photo shoot versus fussing with the collar to fold it down as one normally would wear it. Regardless, the outcome is a unisex sweater with a purpose: cuddliness!
Watch and Learn How to Knit a Shawl Collar!
Knowing is Half the Battle!
Now that you’ve watched the video and are a pro at short-row shawl collar knitting, you’re ready to make this project. So what are you waiting for? Get your Fox Hills Toddler Cardigan Kit today!
As always I feel grateful to you for choosing to spend a little part of your week with me! Be sure to tune in again next Monday for a new episode LIVE on Facebook.
Breathe in. Craft out.,
Vickie
P.S. Don’t forget to tag @vickiehowell and @interweave with pictures of your finished, Fox Hills Toddler Cardi!
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October 15, 2016
I Love Yarn Day: New Pattern to Celebrate!
I Love Yarn Day
It’s October 15th which means, I Love Yarn Day! For the 6th year running knitters, crocheters, weavers, and crafters nationwide are celebrating our passion for fiber arts. Thanks to the Craft Yarn Council, awareness for craft is elevated by uniting hundreds of thousands of people with a material they love: yarn. Pick up some wool (or wool alternative) today and make a little something. Put something positive into the world — even it’s just a few stitches at a time.
Looking for something to make? The CYC has gathered professional bloggers and designers like myself to donate patterns to inspire you to make. My contribution is a chunky, crochet beanie made with gorgeous yarn from Knit Collage.
Free Crochet Hat Pattern to Celebrate!
The Gran Dame Hat is crocheted in granny stripes and on a large hook. It can be whipped up and made in the same day, so that it’s absolutely doable for even the busiest of people. You can nab the pattern here.
Gran Dame Hat: Crocheted using a Clover Jumbo Amour Hook and Knit Collage Spun Cloud yarn.
Why I Love Yarn
The CYC asked me to describe why I personally love yarn. Here’s what I said.
I love yarn because… it’s an object of possibility. There are very few limitations to what you can do with string, but add to it the softness, color and texture of today’s yarns and, well, it’s like a bit of magic in a ball band!
Read the rest of the interview here.
Why do you love yarn? Has working with it positively effected your life in any way? Share your story in the comments section!
Have a lovely, handmade day!
xx,
Vickie
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September 29, 2016
Crocheted Skull Coasters: Go Skull & Granny this Halloween!
The most morose month of the year is almost upon us, so let us celebrate with something sinister! This week we’re using a Clover Amour Hook and chunky yarn to make crocheted skull coasters for the dastardly drinkers among us. Granny crochet stripes take a terrifying turn when colors are changed mid-round to highlight the skeleton key that is a circle of scs and a cluster of dcs. Happy haunted hooking!
xx, Vickie
How to make: Crocheted Skull Coasters
Materials
Chunky-weight yarn in colors A.) White, B.) Black, C.) White
Size U.S. J (6 mm) Clover Amour Crochet Hook
Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle
Finished Size
4 3/4″ square/12 cm
Directions
With A, ch 4. Join rnd with a sl st.
Rnd 1: Ch 1 (does not count as sc), 6 sc in center ring. Join rnd with a sl st in beg ch-1. –6 sts
Rnd 2: Ch1, *2sc in next st; rep from * around. Join rnd with a sl st in beg ch-1. –12 sts.
Rnd 3: Ch 3 (counts as a dc), 2 dc in same st as ch. Join B; cut A. With B, ch 3 , *sk 2, 3dc in next st, ch 3; rep from * twice more. Join rnd with a sl st in top of beg ch-3.
Rnd 4: Ch 4 (counts as dc & ch 1), *[3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc] in next ch-3 sp; rep from * twice more, [3 dc, ch 3, 2 dc] in last ch-3 sp, join with a sl si in 3rd ch of beg ch-4.
Join C; cut B.
Rnd 5: With C, ch 2 (counts as hdc), *hdc in next st, and every st until corner ch-sp , 3 hdc in corner st; rep from * 3 times, ending with hdc at end of rnd, join with a sl st in 2nd chain of beg ch-2.
Rnd 6: Ch 1 (doesn’t count as sc), sc in same space and in every st around. Join rnd with a sl st at beg ch.
Fasten off.
Finishing
With B and Jumbo Tapestry Needle, embroider skeleton face onto Color A center.
Weave in ends. Block, if necessary.
Hooked on Halloween crochet? Here’s some more stitch witchery to aim your (Clover ) Amour at: the Trick or Sweet Dress!
Trick or Sweet Dress: Crocheted Bodice + Fabric Skirt.
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September 27, 2016
Ask Me Monday #46: Big Knits, Macrame Fringe & Applied I-Cord Loops
This week’s Ask Me Monday was sponsored by the folks at Berroco Yarns. Their new yarn, Macro is perfect for big knits, chunky crochet projects, arm knitting, macrame fringe, and more! Check out their website to see the Macro color palette as well as all of their other, beautiful yarns!
Go Big: Macrame Fringe and Applied i-Cord Loop Edging
You’ve likely seen them in magazines, in stores, and on the runway — for the 3rd year running big knits are, well, BIG this season. With demand, brings all kinds of supply from yarn companies. There’s no longer a need to triple strand yarn to go thick with your knits. Now there are loads of category 7 (giant) yarns on the market, just waiting to be transformed almost instantaneously into a lush accessory!
With great yarn however comes, very little responsibility (see what I did there?) What I mean is, that more often than not, simple stitches work best with big fibers. Seed stitch, ribbing, and even plain ol’ garter stitch really pop on a grander scale, often making complicated stitch work seem unnecessary. Still, though…some of us are fancy, or at least like our projects to be. Enter this week’s tutorials.
Basic fringe gets a bold new look when it’s given a macrame make-over. I show how alternating square knots can bring the boho look to any scarf.
You scream, I scream, we all scream for i-cord! Ok, that didn’t really work. My point is that i-cord knit on size U.S. 19 needles — and attached in a loop-d-loop formation — is super fun. It’s very octopus chic, if you will. Will you, though?
Well, at least give the technique a try — I even show how to attache it as you knit so there’s not sewing later. Click below to watch both tutorials.
Watch & learn how to make bold embellishments!
Thanks for spending a little part of your week with me! Be sure to tune in again next Monday for a new episode LIVE on Facebook.
Breathe in. Craft out.,
Vickie
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September 25, 2016
Vickie Howell Color Collection for Valley Yarns Super Bulky!
Vickie Howell + Valley Yarns Super BulkyI’m thrilled to have partnered with my longtime industry friends at WEBS, and couldn’t be more excited to share my color collection with our yarn-y community! As a designer, getting the opportunity to delve into the world of my own color story, then apply it to an existing, beloved line of wool is nothing short of a delight. I hope you enjoy my mid-century palette of sunshine and cool, along with the totally doable D.I.Y. projects I’ve designed to go with them.
I believe that knitting and crochet should be accessible for even the busiest people — we all deserve to stitch and smile. So grab some needles or a hook, and stitch yourself happy with the Vickie Howell for Valley Yarns Superwash Super Bulky Color Collection!
Ziggy Scarf in color: Aqua Oasis
Arrow Head Hat in colors: Castaway Coral, Aqua Oasis & Grey Gardens
Upward Spiral Beanie in colors: Grey Gardens and Moontower Mustard
Curvaceous Cowl in color: Boss Byzantium
If you’re looking for supplies and patterns for quick gifts for all of your friends this holiday season, then you’ve come to the right place. Nab ’em now and enjoy!
xx,
Vickie
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September 23, 2016
A Conversation with Knitty Magazine Founder, Amy Singer
Amy Singer: Knitty Magazine Editor and Publisher
This week I talked with Amy Singer — the editor and publisher of Knitty, the longest-living, online knitting magazine. Amy’s publication gave me my first break as a designer back in 2003, and our paths have crossed many, many times since then. We talked about her guest spot on a TV show I used to host, her allergy to a material some would consider crucial in the knitting and crochet industry, what the genisis was for her launching a web zine pre-mainstream blog and social media days, how crowd funding completely changed her business, and about how some somewhat common –although not often-enough discussed — women’s health issues can really harsh a gals’ creative mellow. Amy is smart, open, and always fun to chat with.
Listeners can find CRAFT-ish on iTunes, Soundcloud, or Stitcher. Then go to the Show Notes page to see photos of some of the designs from the issue, and for info on Amy’s Patreon campaign.
A Special Deal for CRAFT*ish Listeners
Thanks to our sponsor, Makers’ Mercantile who would like to celebrate Amy Singer by offering CRAFT-ish listeners a great deal on HiKoo yarns. Buy 4 balls, get one FREE! Just use code VickieMakes at checkout.
Enjoy!
–Vickie
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September 19, 2016
Home Studio Tour
I love seeing people’s workspaces. You can learn a lot about the way people create by getting a glimpse into where they do so. Franky, up until now, my space was mostly a hot mess. The time and effort hadn’t been made to create the light, open, and relatively organized home studio that I’ve always wanted. I think in the back of my mind I was holding out for a huge, warehouse space that made both geographic in fiscal sense for my life and business. You know the kind — with loads of natural light, exposed brick and overlooking the city, but was also close enough to walk to? (Note, I live in Texas. Most things aren’t close enough to walk to.) Alas, though handmade home is where the heart is, and thusly so is my workspace. Recently, we gave the room I use for an office a makeover including ditching carpet in favor of Pergo floors, bright white paint in lieu of dark teal (which is a color I love, but not so great for shooting photo and video around), and bringing in as much shelving as could fit in the space. The result: a great compromise. A cool space that looks a like a small, New York City apartment, but in the comfort of my own home located on 1.5 acres of land in Austin. Watch the video above for a peek, then head on over to Facebook to post a picture of your creative space — I’d love to see it!
Breathe in. Craft out.,
Vickie
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September 15, 2016
A Conversation with Alabama Chanin Founder, Natalie Chanin
This week I sat down with Natalie Chanin, a pioneer in the slow design movement and the creative force behind the sustainably-made goods lifestyle company, Alabama Chanin. I first learned about the company (and its design leader) during a visit to the Makers’ Mercantile shop in Kent, Washington. The latest Alabama Chanin fabrics had just been delivered and Education Manager, Rhonda Fargnoli gave me a sneak peak while we fawned over their beauty. I was fascinated by the artisanship of the product, but even more so, the feeling that the Alabama Chanin ethos seemed to evoke in entire Makers’ Mercantile staff. I wanted to know more. Thankfully, Natalie agreed to come on the podcast.
Due to a scheduling conflict our conversation was unfortunately cut short, so I was unable to squeeze in all of the questions I’d intended to ask her. During the time we did have, though Natalie filled me in on the slow-fashion philosophy, her signature, piece-work design style, and the importance of knowing where the origin materials for what you put in and on your body come from. Someday, I’d love to continue our conversation. Only, instead of talking over Skype, perhaps our chat can happen while sitting across from each other at a farmhouse table, eating organic tomatoes from her crops in her Alabama factory.
Listeners can find CRAFT-ish on iTunes, Soundcloud, or Stitcher. Then go to the Show Notes page to see photos of a few pieces from the latest, Alabama Chanin Collection and get links to all of their projects.
Thanks to our sponsor, Makers’ Mercantile who would like to celebrate Natalie Chanin by giving CRAFT-ish listeners who spend $75 or more on any Alabama Chanin products at Makers’ Mercantile, will receive an Alabama Chanin 100% Organic Cotton Zipper bag and pencil FREE. Just use code VickieMakes at checkout (while supplies last.)
Enjoy!
–Vickie
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