Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 43
August 1, 2016
Ask Me Monday: Zoom Loom
This week on Ask Me Monday (Facebook Live video stream), I explained the process of felting wool, demonstrated how to use the Zoom Loom, and answered a few, real-time questions. Watch below and bookmark this tutorial for when you’re ready to give your pin loom a spin!
Thanks to this episode’s sponsor, Makers’ Mercantile! Get your Zoom Loom from them, and get 20% off! Use code: ASKMEMONDAY at checkout (offer valid through 8/5).
Enjoy, and see you next wee LIVE on Facebook at 10amPT/1pmPT
July 29, 2016
Take Me Back Tissue Cozy
This week I went full-flower. I reveled in retro. I grasped at granny-style. That’s right, I embraced the tissue cozy. There was something in making motifs –for my weekly, Ask Me Monday live stream –using the Hana-Ami Flower Loom that had me feeling nostalgic. The sweetness of the finished blooms, the ease of their creation which had me thinking of kid crafting sessions with my mom — I don’t know, I guess I’m a sap. A crafty sap, that is!
Jump on the Take Me Back train with me with a project that is more kitsch than chic, but guaranteed to remind you of the smile-power of flowers! Here’s how.
Watch the basics of working with flower looms in the video below!
Take Me Back Tissue Cozy
Materials
Clover Hana-Ami Flower Loom
1 ball each worsted-weight yarn, in Color A and Color B
Size U.S. H/8 (5mm) Amour Hook
Tapestry needle
4, Clover Split Ring Markers
Large box of tissue
Special Stitch
sc3tog = single crochet 3 stitches together
Directions
Large Flower Motif (Make 8):
Using Colors A & B, my videos as a guide, and the larger square and medium circle loom plates, make large flower motifs.
Edging: Using hook, join yarn to corner petal, 2sc, *sc in next 7 petals**, 3 sc in next (corner) petal; rep from* twice more, rep from * to ** once more, sc in last corner. Join with a sl st. Fasten off.
Small Flower Motif (Make 4):
Using the smallest square loom plate, Color A for the petals and Color B for the center, make small flower motifs.
Edging: Using hook, join yarn to corner petal, 2sc, *sc in next 3 petals**, 3 sc in next (corner) petal; rep from* twice more, rep from * to ** once more, sc in last corner. Join with a sl st. Fasten off.
ASSEMBLE COZY
Using tapestry needle and Color A, seam motifs together into long strip as follows: 3 large motifs on each side, and 1 large motif with 2 smaller motifs (stacked) on each end.
Seam ends together to form ring.
CROCHET TOP:
Join yarn one stitch in at any corner of piece top.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, *sc evenly across edge of top to 1 st before next corner, sk 2 corner sts (this will help initial cinching); rep from * 3 times more. Join rnd with a sl st.
Place marker on each of 4 corners (ie. on the stitch that bridges the gap between the skipped sts.)
Rnd 2: Ch1, *sc evenly across edge of top to 1 st before marker, sc3tog (replace marker on st just made); rep from * 3 times more. Join rnd with a sl st, remove marker.
From here you go from working rounds to rows.
Flap:
Row 1: Ch 1, sc to next marker, remove marker, sc in that st. Turn.
Rows 2 & 4: Ch 1, sc across. Turn.
Row 3: Ch 3, dc in next st and across. Turn.
Row 5: Ch 1, sc across.
Fasten off.
Join yarn at opposite side where marker is. Repeat Flap instructions.
Seam flap sides down.
EDGING:
Join yarn at bottom edge of piece.
Rnd 1: Ch2, hdc evenly around. Join with a sl st.
Rnd 2: *FPhdc, BPhdc; rep from * arounf. Join with a sl st.
Fasten off.
Finishing
Weave in ends. Steam to shape.
A vintage photo filter makes my current bathroom like the perfect home for this tissue cozy.
July 26, 2016
Video Tutorial: Mosaic Plaid Stitch
Yesterday’s episode of my weekly, live Facebook stream, “Ask Me Monday” focused on creating the mosaic plaid stitch perfect for on-trend, Fall accessories. Click to watch the feed below, then nab my Plaid Fad scarf pattern in the latest issue of Knit Simple Magazine!
Plaid Fad Scarf, Knit Simple (Fall ’16)
Want to see more knit, crochet & craft demos, ask your creativity-related questions live, and be inspired to get makin’? Tune in weekly to “Ask Me Monday” via @FacebookMentions. Binge watch the past 39 episodes by clicking on the playlist under the videos tab on my page, then click on the “Live Notifications” button (on any video) to be alerted when I go live.
Breath in. Craft out.
–Vickie
July 18, 2016
Hippie Headband + Mini Flower Loom Tutorial
This week I thought we could all use a little flower power, so that’s the theme of this week’s live video on Facebook. Thanks to sponsorship by Clover Needlecrafts, I’m able to offer you a tutorial and giveaways for their Flower Looms. Watch the video to get the scoop, then make a hippy headband like the one my daughter is sporting in the photo above. Enjoy! xx, Vickie
MAKE the Hippy Headband:
MATERIALS
Clover Mini Flower Loom (flower shaped version)
Small amounts of white & yellow yarn
Approx 43″/109 cm velvet ribbon
Sewing needle & thread
HOW-TO
Following the tutorial on my Ask Me Monday video as a guide, make 5 little flowers.
Hand-sew each flower to center of ribbon.
Trim ribbon & tie for headband
WATCH the flower loom tutorial + get info on how to win a set of looms!
July 5, 2016
Podcast Extra: Co-Directors of Yarn: the Movie!
This week we have a special, CRAFT*ish Extra for you! In honor of YARN: the Movie making it’s New York Debut this month, we thought we’d share the audio portion of a short-form interview I did with the film’s co-directors, Thor Jonnson and Heather Millard. Listen on iTunes, Soundcloud or Stitcher, and/or click here for a direct link and more info on the film. Enjoy!
June 22, 2016
Weaving Sticks Place Mat
I’ve got picnics on the brain which means both portable projects (you didn’t think that I’d have an outing without crafting involved, right?), and pleasing place settings. This week’s project plays into both of my whims: a denim-look place mat made using Clover Weaving Sticks. Enjoy! –Vickie
Materials
Clover Takumi Weaving Sticks Fine
1 Ball (approx 100 yds) of Cotton or Denim, Worsted Weight Yarn. I used this.
Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle
Jumbo Knitting & Crochet Wonder Clip
Optional: Pointy beads, sewing needle & thread
Finished Measurements
12″ x 9″/30.5 cm x 23 cm (excluding fringe)
Directions
PLACEMAT
Weave Strips (Make 3)
Cut 6, approx. 44″/112 cm strands of yarn.
Thread piece of yarn through hole of one weaving stick until it’s folded evenly in half. Repeat for remaining five sticks.
Hold all six sticks parallel in your non-dominant hand; make a slip knot with yarn from ball and place it on the first weaving stick, then *weave over and under remaining sticks. Weave back in opposite direction. Repeat from * until piece measures 12″/30.5 cm.
*Note: once your sticks are “full”, slide woven yarn down onto hanging strands.
Slide piece off of weaving sticks so that there is an even amount of “tail” yarn on both ends, and tie the tails of the two neighboring pieces together to keep woven loops in place. Repeat until all loops are secure on both ends of piece.
Finishing
Lay strips side-by-side on a flat surface. Using a tapestry needle and strand of yarn, sew pieces together by coming up through 2-4 loops on one strip, then zig-zag over to the next to do the same.
Pro Tip: Use Knitting & Crochet Jumbo Wonder Clips to hold strips together while you sew!
Trim fringe edges.
Using sewing needle & thread, sew bead embellishments to placemat edges.
Repeat process for a set (or more) of place mats!
Psst! Love your Weaving Sticks? Ready to go bigger for your next project? Check out my Wall Hanging tutorial!
June 21, 2016
Crafty Chica on CRAFT-ish!
This week on the show is Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo. Vickie sits down with her to chat about her journey from local reporter to internationally renown artist, how following your passion trumps any nay-sayers of your work, and how they were technically O.G. mommy bloggers before that was even a thing. Click here to learn more!
June 13, 2016
Knit Rainbow Heart for Orlando
I was in Washington, D.C. over the weekend for the National Needle Arts convention. While I was there it also happened to be Pride weekend. The city was alight with rainbows worn on people, draped over buildings, flying in the sky.
Meanwhile the worst gun massacre of our nation’s history was occurring in Orlando, Florida — each bullet killing or wounding over 100 of our fellow citizens, but also aimed at splintering the reflection of light that creates the rainbow symbol. However, we as a human society have not gone dark — we WILL NOT lose the light.
My whole heart goes out to the people of Orlando, to the family members of those slain, and to the LGBT community.
Everything that needs to be said about these acts of terror, hate and gun violence, I feel, has already been said. As long as we as people –members of the same human collective — use ANY belief system or ANY religion as license to be vile towards one another then, we will not be able to evolve into a more advanced society. We’ll remain stuck in a HOLDING PATTERN OF HATE; in an endless loop of fear, dread, and violence. I believe, though that we are better than this. I believe that we have a capacity to love that far exceeds the capacity to hate.
What does that mean for us in the craft community? I also believe that creative people swell with the ability to make good. We can MAKE positivity. We can MAKE gestures of love. Through our craft, we can MAKE our voices sing to reach to the highest rainbow.
So today we’re going to knit hearts, because we as makers feel better when are hands are creating. So create a little spot of happiness. Do it for yourself, or make one (or some) for others as a gesture of good will.
Click on image to watch video tutorial from this week’s, Ask Me Monday on Facebook.
Mitered Rainbow Heart
MATERIALS
Any type, worsted weight yarn in colors: (A) Red, (B) Orange, (C) Yellow, (D) Green & (E) Blue
US Size 8 needle
Tapestry needle
Optional: Small piece of felt + sewing needle & thread or hot glue gun
GAUGE
1 heart= 3 1/4” at widest point.
Note for bigger or smaller hearts, simply choose a lighter or heavier weight yarn.
DIRECTIONS
With A, CO 20 sts.
Row 1: K8, ssk, k2tog, k8.
Rows 2,4,6,8: Knit
Join next color.
Row 3: With B, k7, ssk, k2tog, k7.
Row 5: With C, k6, ssk, k2tog, k6.
Row 7: With D, k5, ssk, k2tog, k5.
Row 9: With E, k4, ssk, k2tog, k4
Row 10: Ssk, BO to last 2 sts (you’ll still have one st on the RH needle as well), ssk, BO remaining sts.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Block in heart shape.
Optional: Cut felt piece in same shape and hot glue or hand sew to back for stability and/or so you can add a pin to make this heart an adornment.
Pass it on, love it on.
Looking for another project of the same ilk? Here’s the link to the Love is Love chart for sweaters, beanies, or whatever!
Sending so much love and peace to you all!
xx,
Vickie
June 8, 2016
15 Minute Bohemian Necklace
It’s Summertime, which means beach parties, bbqs…and bohemian baubles! Flip through this season’s catalogues — for places like Free People, House of Harlow, and Anthropologie — and you’ll find oodles of odes to gypsy-chic style. It’s hard not to get lured into the easy-breezy look of the bejeweled beatnik, and thanks to the raw stone charm trend at craft stores and the Handy Thread Twister (necklace strands have never been so easy to make!) you can stop trying. With just a few supplies and about 15 minutes of time, you can create a personalized piece thats fit for anywhere from Burning Man to brunch. Here’s how:
Materials
Clover Handy Thread Twister
Large stone charm
Thin strands of leather, cotton and/or metallic thread
8″/20.5 cm piece of chain
Jewelry findings (o-rings, endcaps, and clasps)
Jewelry Pliers
Finished Length
15″/38 cm (from clasp to bottom of chain)
Directions
Make Necklace Strands:
Cut 2, 12″/30.5 cm lengths of leather, cotton and/or thread to desired necklace length.
Create twisted cord as follows:
Tie thread piece to each hook on Handy Thread Twister, taking care that knot ends are short so they don’t tangle.
Lay the Handy Thread Twister on a table; pull threads perpendicularly and know ends together so the two pieces are even.
With the index and middle finger of your non-dominant hand, stretch the thread so it’s taught.
With your dominant hand, turn gear from top to bottom, 40-50 times, ending with the hooks facing down.
Pinch the knot at the end of the two threads; gently release hand holding the Handy Thread Twister; let spin. Thread will be twisted once spinning is complete.
Remove threads from the hooks; tie loose knot to hold in place for later. Necklace Strand made.
Repeat this process to make two more Necklace Strands.
And now for a break for an old-timey, tool-in-action flicker!
A video posted by Vickie Howell (@vickiehowell) on Jun 7, 2016 at 2:19pm PDT
Assemble Necklace:
Gently unknot ends of Necklace Strands. Lay pieces with one end off all strands so they’re even.
Using jewelry pliers, attach endcap finding to one end. Loosely braid Necklace Strands; attach endcap to opposite end.
Attach o-rings and clasp to endcaps.
Attach stone pendant by folding strands in half, sliding loop through pendant ring, and feeding strand ends through loop; pull taught.
Attach chain to onto Necklace Strands on either side of pendant.Wear it!
