Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 45

CRAFT*ish Podcast is LIVE!

My latest podcast, CRAFT*ish is officially live!, launching with three episodes with guests: Best-selling novelist, Rachael Herron, Spoonflower Co-Founder, Stephen Fraser, and Knitter’s Review Founder, Clara Parkes. Click here to listen on our website, or to subscribe through your favorite podcast app!

 

Thanks to all of you who have already subscribed and made CRAFT*ish show up on the iTunes, New & Noteworthy feed! If you like what you hear, please take a moment to rate & review on iTunes so we can get the visibility it takes to gain more listeners. I really appreciate it!

 

Special thanks to the first company to sign up to Sponsor episodes of CRAFT*ish, Kitterly. Your support means so much!

 

 

Happy listening!

 

xx,

Vickie

@vickiehowell

#CRAFTish

Sweet Succulent Stitches

I may be crafty, but the only thing in the garden I can craft is the certain demise of any foliage that meets my black-thumbed grasp. And yet, I can’t help feel smitten by the promise of Spring and all of its floral glory! Alas. Lucky for me I cam across these sweet, little succulents — more plastic than plant — that will give my office the air of wilderness without any living item getting hurt. They’re cute as is, but you know, because I’m a stitcher, I thought a little crochet adornment would add an extra dose of happy to their tiny, ceramic habitats. Sometimes, it’s the little things, people — and these little bits make my whole mouth smile. Happy Spring stitching! xx, Vickie

P.S. Don’t forget to bookmark this project for future teacher, host, and Mother’s Day gifts!

Materials

Scraps (read: stashbuster!) of sport-weight yarn

Size U.S. G/4mm Clover Amour Crochet Hook

Tapestry needle

Mini succulent pots (these are from the Dollar Spot at Target)

Finished Size

Made for 2 1/2″/6.5 cm pot

Gauge

Approx. 20 sc x 24 rows = 4″/10cm, slightly stretched

Abbreviations

Special Stitch

Picot: Ch 3, sl st in 1st ch).

Directions

Base:

Ch 4. Join with a sl st in first ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1 (doesn’t count as st), 6 sc in center ring. Join with a sl st. –6 sts.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in ea sc around. –12 sts.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next st; rep from * around. –18 sts.

Rnd 4: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next two sts; rep from * around. –24 sts.

Rnd 5: Ch 1, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 3 sts; rep from * around. — 30 sts.

Note: If working with a larger pot, continue in this manner, increasing 6 sts evenly each round until desired diameter, but taking care to finish with a multiple of 12 plus 6.

 

Body:

Rnd 1: Ch 3, dc in each st around.

Rnds 2-3: *Picot, ch 3, sk 3, sc; rep from * around, ending with a ch 3. Join with a sl st in ch-1 of picot.

Rnd 4: *Ch 3, sc in next ch-3 sp; rep from * around, ending with a ch 3. Sl st in 1st ch of beg ch-3.

Rnd 5: Ch 1 *3 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in sc; rep from * around. Join with a sl st.

Fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in ends.

This cozy with be really, well, cozy. It needs to fit snuggly to stay put, so expect a little wiggle-waggle when getting the pot in place!

Need crochet help? Check out my Get Schooled: Crochet playlist on Youtube, or ask me a question on my weekly, “Ask Me Monday”, live Q&A on Facebook (10amPT/12pmET)!

YARN: the Movie | Filmmakers SXSW Interview

Just a drive-by post from the SXSW 2016 festival to share my interview with the co-directors/producers of the new film, YARN: the Movie, Heather Milliard & Thordur Jonsson. Special thanks to Ben & Kyle from Bond/360 for setting this up, and to Dave Campbell for shooting and editing. Enjoy! –Vickie

“Paper Chain” Garland

Paper Chain Garland

Excerpted from Wee Garter Stitch (Sixth & Spring Books)

MEASUREMENTS

13-loop chain is approx 40″/101.5cm long

MATERIALS

I 1 2.4oz/70g skein

(each 282yd/258m) of Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell (cotton/acrylic) each in pop colors: #16208585734 Turquoise Terry Cloth (A), #16208585628 Cotton Harvest (B), and #16208585020 Lemon Twill (C)

OR neutral colors:

#16208585044 Grey T-shirt (A), #16208585008 Cotton Ball (B), and #16208585012

Coffee Filter (C)

I One pair size 5 (3.75mm) needles or size to obtain gauge

GAUGE

24 sts and 40 rows to

4″/10cm over garter st using size 5 (3.75mm) needles.

Take time to check your gauge.

STRIP (MAKE 5 IN A,

4 EACH IN B AND C)

Cast on 12 sts.

Work in garter st (k every row) until piece measures 12″/30.5cm from beg. Bind off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

FINISHING

Sew cast-on edge to bound-off edge of first A strip, forming a loop. Place B strip through loop and sew ends tog. Cont in A, B, C color sequence, join rem strips, end with A. I

 

 

Knitting on Home & Family!

My professional passions are making and broadcasting, so any time I get to combine the two I feel like I’m pretty much winning the job lottery. Last week I had the pleasure of making a second appearance (see first here) on Hallmark’s Home & Family to spread the knitting gospel, and chat baby fashion in support of my latest book, Wee Garter Stitch: Must-have Knits for Modern Babies & Toddlers (Sixth & Spring Books). It was a blast, so I thought I’d share a couple photos, plus a behind-the-scenes video from my Facebook live stream showing the entire, H&F set. Enjoy!

Table set-up with garments from my book for the shoot.

My view, minutes before the shoot.

If you missed the original airing of the episode, check out the re-broadcast on Hallmark Channel right after the newest episode on Monday!

xx,

Vickie

Knit 4-Leave Clover Motif

With a daughter named, “Clover”, as the Yarn Arts Ambassador for Clover Needlecrafts, and with a nephew who was born on St. Patrick’s Day the shamrock is a fairly prominent symbol in my life. This time of year, though the foliage synonymous with luck, finds its way into the hearts and homes of many — especially us crafty types!

This week’s project is a 3 or 4 leaf (your choice!) clover that you can use on its own as a wash cloth, or sew it it to any number of things as an applique. Knit on Takumi straight needles, the curved tops are created with short-rows, then stitches picked up for the body of the individual petals. Sewn together (or left apart with negative space in between on a fabric surface), the stitched hearts take on a leafy look fit for the leprechaun in your life. Here’s how you can make your own!

Materials

1 ball, Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell — or any, sport-weight yarn

Size US 5 (3.75 mm) Clover Takumi Needles

Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle

Optional: Sewing needle & thread, trimming, and kid’s vest or tote bag

Note: For smaller clovers, use a light-weight yarn and size US 3 Takumi Needles. For larger clovers, go up a size or two in yarn weight and needle size.

Abbreviations

Clover Leaf Directions (Make 3-4):

Curved Top:

CO 8 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: K 7, sl 1, bring yarn to front and return sl st to LH needle, turn.

Row 3 (and all WS rows): Knit.

Row 4: K 6, sl 1, bring yarn to front and return sl st to LH needle, turn.

Row 6: K 5, sl 1, bring yarn to front and return sl st to LH needle, turn.

Row 8: K 4, sl 1, bring yarn to front and return sl st to LH needle, turn.

Row 10: K 3, sl 1, bring yarn to front and return sl st to LH needle, turn.

Row 12: K 2, sl 1, bring yarn to front and return sl st to LH needle, turn.

Row 14: K 1, sl 1, bring yarn to front and return sl st to LH needle, turn.

Row 15: Knit.

Repeat rows 2-15, three times total. One Curved Top complete.

Cut yarn, leaving live sts on hold on needle.

CO 8 sts, and repeat Curved Top Directions, for 2nd top.

Connect tops:

Next Row: K across 8 sts of Curve Top 2 on needle, pick up 8 additional sts across CO edge; k across 8 sts of Curved Top 1, pick up 8 sts across CO edge. –32 sts.

Knit one row.

Petal Body:

Row 1: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog. –2 sts decreased

Row 2: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until 4 sts remain.

Next Row: Ssk, k2tog, SKP.

Voilà, you’ve now finished one, heart-shaped petal!

 

Assemble Petals:

Using yarn and Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle, seam together 3-4 petals (your choice) together at the side edges.

Weave in ends.



Optional Finishing

Now that you’ve got your clover, you can sew it to the back of a child’s vest, or onto a tote bag or pillow. To do that, you’ll just need sewing thread & needle. Decorate with an initial or other trimmings.

 

Have a lucky, knitting session. Happy St. Paddy’s Day!

xx,

Vickie

Psst! Can’t get enough Clover making? Give these additional knit and crochet options a whirl, using Clover Takumi Double-Pointed Needles or Amour Hooks!

Oscar Worthy Knits

With moments until the 2016 Oscar Awards, I found myself reflecting upon some of the wonderful movies I was fortunate to see this year, as well the knitwear that appeared as quiet co-stars to a few magnificent characters. Here’s a quick, photo ode to knitting moments in film.

45 Years: Honeycomb stitch pullover.

 

Anomalisa: Simple cardigan with embroidered embellishment.

Brooklyn: Stockinette Stitch cardigan and pullover.

Inside Out: Turtleneck sweater.

Hateful Eight: Double knit scarf.

Room: Sock monkey mittens and raccoon hat.

Trumbo: Cabled men’s collared shirt.

Carol: Mohair, plaid tam.

If anyone reading this knows any of the designers who contributed to tonight’s nominated films, please post in the comments section so we can properly tribute them with awe.

Enjoy the show!

xx,

Vickie

New Project: Knit Project Bag

Like most busy people, I’m always on the go — and when I go places, I rarely leave without some kind of project to work on whenever the opportunity might present itself. Waiting rooms, grocery store lines, sidelines of  kids’ activities; these are all great places to sneak a few stitches in throughout an otherwise jam-packed day!

My favorite types of projects to carry along are ones that aren’t difficult to, well, carry. I already feel bogged down enough by my (albeit oversized) handbag, so I’m uninterested in lugging another large thing around. Mittens, socks, a lightweight Summer scarf, or baby items all make great portable projects, so I’m all about petite project bags to hold (and protect) them. Which brings me to this week’s project: Stripegeist a mod, metallic-and-striped pouch for your walk-about-WIPs!

Thanks to some gold, quilted fabric, lightweight yarn, and an array of Clover tools this project makes-up fast…and chic. Make it this weekend, then use it to take your (next) knits to work on Monday! Have I mentioned, lunch hour is another great time to get some stitching time in? Enjoy!

 

Stripegeist Project Bag

Materials

1 ball each, Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell in colors: (A) Cotton Ball, and (B) Cotton Club — or equivelant, sport-weight yarn

1, 9 1/2″ x 7 1/2″/24 cm x 19 cm piece of Fairfield Aluminor, or other quilted fabric

Size US 6 (4 mm), 16″ Clover Takumi Circular Needle

2, US size 5 (3.75 mm) Clover Takumi Needle Double-Pointed Needles

Clover Gold Eye (Sharp) Tapestry Needle

Clover Jumbo Tapestry Needle

Marking pen

Clover Wonder Clips

Sewing thread, & either needle or sewing machine

Measuring tape

Optional: Fine point hole punch

Finished Measurements

Approx 9″/23 cm tall

Directions

Sew bag bottom:

With right-sides together, fold fabric piece in half length-wise; using 1/4″/6mm allowance, sew sides.
Using picture (below) as a guide, fold piece so triangle is made by bag bottom “sides”; sew, an inch/2.5 cm or so from tip, across to create boxed corners.

 

Turn piece right sides out.

Create foundation edging:

Using marking pen and measuring tape, draw dots around the perimeter of the top edge of the piece, 1/4″/6 mm apart.



Optional step: Punch holes where dots indicate.
Using color A, the sharper tapestry needle, blanket stitch, and holes (or dots — the sharp needle will be able to puncture the fabric) as guide, embroider an edging around piece. You’ll want a multiple of 3 of spaces for stitches (each “bar” created by the Blanket Stitch across the top edge of the fabric, equals 1 stitch spot) to make the eyelet row work later; I had 66. Note: For my demo on how to create the Blanket Stitch on a fabric edge, see this week’s live stream recording of, Ask Me Monday here.

Knit bag body:

With Color A and circular needle, pick up stitches all the way around.

Rnds 1 & 3: Knit.

Rnd 2 & 4: Purl.

Join B.

Rnd 5: With B, knit.

Rnd 6: With B, Purl.

Rnd 7: With A, Knit.

Rnd 8: With A, Purl.

Continued in established (in Rnds 5-8) garter stitch in-the-round, stripe pattern until piece measures 4 1/2″/11.5 cm from embroidered edge, and ending with a Color B round.

Cut B.

With A, knit 3 rnds.

Next Rnd (eyelet): *YO, k2tog, k1; rep from * around.

Knit 3 rnds.

Next Rnd (hemline): Purl.

Knit 3 rnds.

BO.

Finishing

Fold top-edge over at hemline. Hold in place using Wonder Clips.
Using blunt tapestry needle and Color A, seam hem down.

Ties (Make 2):

With Color B and double-pointed needles, CO 3 sts.

Work i-cord over these sts until piece measures 12″/30.5 cm.

Note: for a demo on i-cord see my video on YouTube here.

BO.

 

Weave each tie piece through half of the eyelet holes; knot on either side.

Weave in ends.

Enjoy your new, small project bag!

xx,

Vickie

Join Me at SXSW Interactive!

Will you be heading to Austin next month for SXSW — or as us locals call it, “South By”? Yes? Awesome; then come pay me a visit during the Interactive portion of the conference! For the second year running I’ll be available for mentor sessions (free with badge) for anyone who wants to chat creative entrepreneurship, grass-roots/social media marketing, or the art of the creative hustle.

If you’re an artist, crafter, writer, blogger, aspiring influencer, or artisan looking for some brain-storming partnership on growing the monetization of your passion or even, just how to get your name out there– then sign up for a short session with me on Tuesday March 15th between 11am-12pm.

Here’s what people are saying about my recent online workshop, Monetize Your Craft:

“Wow! Vickie is succinct, clear and thorough. She knows her subject in depth and generously shares.” –CreativeLive Student

“Today, [Vickie] took crafting inspiration to a whole new level, with in depth professional insight into all the facets of making money doing what we love… crafting! She is organized, experience [sic], on point and completely invigorated the entire room to ACTION! Our lunch conversations were lively, immediately following this course, on all the exciting things we felt called to action to begin immediately to develop the crafting career of our dreams.”

–Kristin McDonnell

So come on, let’s talk. At best, you’ll leave with tactical tips tailored to your needs; at worst, you’ll feel like you have one more person on your side. What are you waiting for? Go here to sign up today!

Hope to see you there!

xx,

Vickie

COMING SOON: CRAFT-ish Podcast!

It’s been almost 8 years since producing my limited series podcast, CRL (aka Craft.Rock.Listen). So much has happened since then technology-wise, so now people don’t bat an eye when you reference “podcasts”. Thanks to smart phones and the availability of pushing audio (via Airplay or the like) at home, and Blue Tooth in the car the ability to listen to programs on topics of tailored (to you!) interest anywhere or anytime, are literally at our fingertips. What a wonderful opportunity that presents to continue what I love most about my job; the nurturing and promoting of the creative community! With that said, I’m excited to announce that coming late March/early April we’ll be launching my new podcast, CRAFT-ish, an audio space for the gathering of great conversations with creative types spanning all genres — from knitters & crafters, to writers & musicians, to creative entrepreneurs — about the stories surrounding their craft.

In the meantime, give this little piece we (my husband, Dave Campbell is the editor) recorded from my home studio in Austin, Texas. It’s a quick promo for what to expect from CRAFT-ish in the future.

If you like what you hear, please take a moment to subscribe on iTunes. The more subscribers we have, the easier it will be for us to gain sponsors and launch quicker. Plus, you’ll be notified directly every time a new episode goes live!

Thanks for the support — I’ll speak to you soon, on CRAFT-ish!

xx,

Vickie