Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 50

Guide to Yarn Put Ups

Guide to Yarn Put Ups (aka How yarn’s wound.)

Walking through the aisle of your favorite yarn or craft store, you may’ve noticed that the way yarn is wound, packaged and/or displayed varies. The reason may also vary — from brand, yarn weight, or fiber type. The general term for the actual way the yarn is presented (assuming it’s not in an unwound pile) is called, “put up”. Yarn can be put up in different ways. The above image gives you a visual guide to put up types and names, but I thought I’d also give a little explanation for each.

Hank: A hank is created but looping yarn (think, wrapping around your palm and elbow), then loosely twisting it into itself. Generally this is the choice for higher-end yarns which consist (at least in part) of a natural fiber, because it allows for the fiber to “breathe”. This is the only put up of the bunch that cannot be knit or crocheted directly from, as their isn’t enough structure to keep the strands from becoming tangled as it’s pulled from.

Cake: If a yarn store employee has ever asked you if you want your yarn (hanks) wound before you leave, the result is most likely a cake. A cake is the satisfying little bundle that’s created when yarn is wound by a winder and swift. It can be made center or outer pull. In my opinion, it’s the cutest of the put-ups, because you can stack multiple cakes and take pretty pictures for Pinterest or Instagram. But I digress.

Skein:  This is the most tightly wound version of the bunch, and is great for high-yardage yarns. This is also the easiest put up to get uniformity from, so it’s great for craft stores with limited real estate for each yarn line.

Ball: This is the term that’s up for the most interpretation. With the exception of a hank, you could use “ball” to describe any of the other put ups, and even though not technically be right, still not be wrong in the general sense. A basic ball, is the sphere-version that you probably associate with string. If you were winding by hand, without any special technique, this is what you’d get. The fancier version is a center-pull ball (high-end yarns when not in hanks, are in this put up), that’s loose(ish), and not very spherical. They often resemble more of a donut shape, in which the brand’s label is folded through the center.

**Cone: This one isn’t on my info-graphic, but should at least get a mention. This put up is when yarn is wound around a cone. You’ll see this packaging method most often (but not exclusively) with yarn intended for weavers or machine knitters.

So there’s the scoop. Everything you need to know should you ever be in a name-that-yarn-presentation death match! You’re welcome.

xx,

Vickie

@vickiehowell

 

Project: DPN Stocking Ornament!

I’m loving the new, sharper tips on the Takumi double-pointed needles so much that I’ve been thinking about gifting them to some of the knitters in my life. I know I’d love receiving a set either by themselves, or bundled with some luscious yarn! Well, here we are barely into mid-summer, and I’m already pondering holidays — so this week, I thought I’d post a little (literally), “Christmas in July” gift idea that you can either start churning out in advance, or else bookmark for later. Stitch a wee stocking for a set of DPNs for the perfect, parcel topper or tree ornament. Not only is a sweet sock sure to put a smile on any stitcher’s face, but it’ll also keep the needles together when they’re not in use. Bonus: you can use the same needles to knit the stocking that will later keep them all Christmas-cozy. Enjoy! xx, Vickie

MATERIALS

Scraps (about .2 ounces), DK weight yarn

Set, size U.S. 6 (4 mm) Takumi Bamboo Premium Double-Pointed Needles

Waste yarn

Clover Tapestry Needle

Optional: size U.S. E (3.5 mm) Takumi Bamboo Crochet Hook

FINISHED SIZE

Fits one set of up to size U.S. 6 (4 mm), double-pointed needles

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approx 6″/15 cm (from cuff to toe)

GAUGE

22 sts x 28 rows = 4″/10 cm in Stockinette Stitch

STANDARD ABBREVIATIONS (Click here.)

DIRECTIONS

CO 10 sts; divide evenly onto dpns; join, taking care not to twist.

Cuff:

Rnds 1-3: *K1, p1; rep from * around.

Rnd 4: Knit.

Repeat Rnd 4 until piece measures 4″/10 cm from CO edge.

Next Rnd (Heel prep): K 5 sts with waste yarn; slide sts back onto LH needle, k sts again with working yarn; k around.

Continue knitting until piece measures 5 1/2″/14 cm

Toe:

Rnd 1: K2, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1. –8 sts.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rnd 3: [K2tog] 4 times. –4 sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a tail. Using tapestry needle, weave tail through live sts, letting them drop off of needles; cinch shut. If any gaps show, sew together using tail. Feed tail end through toe.

Heel:

Carefully remove waste yarn; place sts on dnps. –9 sts.

Set-up Rnd: Knit sts, picking up 1 additional st at each gap. — 11 sts.

Redistribute sts on needles as follows: Needle #1 (back of “leg”), 5 sts; Needle #2, 3 sts; Needle #3, 3 sts.

Rnd 1: Needle 1: ssk, k1, k2tog. Needle 2: ssk, k1. Needle 3: k1, k2tog — 7 sts

Rnd 2: K4, k2tog, k1 — 6 sts.

Place 3 sts each on two needles; hold parallel. Bind-of using the 3-needle BO method.

Use tail to sew together any gaps.

FINISHING

Create hanging loop by either braiding 3-strands of yarn and attaching, or crocheting as follows:

Join yarn at top edge of stocking; place slip knot on hook. Chain 12; slip stitch in same place as yarn joined.

Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

#NotJustforChristmasPresents

Hey, Austin locals! Join me this weekend as I take part...

Hey, Austin locals! Join me this weekend as I take part in the Library Craft Crawl. Every day for a long weekend, a different library in the area will host a craft-along led by local designers like myself,  Jennifer Perkins, Jamie Dorobek, and more! My session takes place on Sunday, July 12th at the Faulk Center branch. We’ll be making Metallic Leather Wristbands fro my book, Finger Knitting Fun. No experience necessary, and all materials provided. Event is FREE!

Hope to see you there!

xx,

Vickie

Love is Love

Today is a big day in U.S., civil rights history. As of June 26, 2015 a sect of our population can no longer be discriminated against when it comes to being in committed, loving relationships. Federal law now permits legal, same sex marriage. It is now, as it always should’ve been.

There is significant LGBT representation in the knitting, crochet, and craft industry, so I feel especially moved to publicly show my support. When I have no words, I often go to my needles, which is what I did today. Regardless of whether or not you knit this swatch to frame, stitch it onto a pillow, or make the above photo your Facebook profile picture — it’s my hope that you hold the sentiment in your heart. Love is love, my fellow humans. Be kind to one another.

With love,

Vickie

#062515

#lovewins

 

 

6 Tools That Make a Knitter’s Life Easier

You already love it: choosing your favorite fiber in colors that speak to you; deciding on a project that expresses your vision; casting on a string of possibilities; working individual stitches which ultimately become something beautiful. If you read this blog, then chances are that knitting is your passion. That doesn’t mean, however that it’s not work. It is, and arguably the best kind. Even so, though we knitter’s can occasionally use a helping hand (or two) in the form of tools which make the intricacies of our craft a little less, fussy — handy little items, that add even more “happy” to our hand-making. Here are six of my favorites that I use on a daily basis. They make my knitting life easier, and they will yours, too!

 

1. Wonder Clips. I don’t know what I did before I discovered these little… well, wonders! Using them is like have extra sets of tiny hands to hold pieces in place. They worked perfectly for me the the other day while I was grafting two, knit pieces together — easily grasping the fabric while arching over the needle cords at the same time!

2. Latch Hook Darning Needle.  Bulky yarns are fun to knit with, but can be persnickety when it comes to weaving in the ends of projects made out of them. Shoving a super-plush fiber through a needle-eye is often frustrating, which leads to a bad, project experience. We don’t want that! Replace the eye with a latch hook however, and your yarn will slide in seamlessly– brilliant!

 

3. Double Ended Stitch Holder. This tool is my favorite of the sort because unlike their latching counterparts, you don’t have to worry about which end you “load” the stitches on; you can work off of either end. They’re also a great alternative to waste yarn, because you can knit right off of them, versus needing to place your stitches back on a needle before working with them again. It may only save you a minute but hey, that’s an extra minute you get to be knitting!

4. Double-Pointed Needle Protectors.  I’m a big proponent of taking your knitting time when you can get it, which often means on-the-go. Who wants to spend those precious, few stitching moments snuck while waiting in line at the grocery store, digging around the bottom of your bag-abyss looking for that loose dpn? Or even worse, trying to salvage the dropped-stitch mess you pull out of your purse? Not me. Get yourself a set of these. You’ll thank me later.

 

5. Pattern Chart Marker. Perhaps your eagle-eye sight is such that you can glance back and forth from your work to tiny, explanatory symbols with great precision. If you’re like me, though nothing will drive you to drink quicker, than following a lace chart without marking it as you go along. Clover’s Pattern Chart Marker does the trick with it’s flexible construction (so it easily curves over book pages) and magnetic backing!

 

6. Pom-Pom Makers. In a pinch, a piece of cardboard, a fork, or even your fingers can whip up a pom-pom with relative ease. More than likely, though the result will be a wee bit scraggly (not that there’s anything wrong with that.) If pom-pom perfection is something you strive for — which may be the case if you’re working on a project that requires more than one, so you’d want them to be uniform — then, a pom-pom maker is a yarny’s best friend. In just a few simple steps, you can make picture-perfect poms for that knit pillow, scarf or garland!

 

What are the tools that make your knitting life easier? We’d love to hear about them!

xx,

Vickie

@VickieHowell

Jute Pot Cozy

Planter Perfect (Excerpted from Amazon #1 Release, Finger Knitting Fun)

Let your imagination bloom while you decorate a simple terra-cotta pot. Each little added detail will surely plant the seeds for your very own creatively cool garden!

Supplies

• ball chunky, jute rope

• terra-cotta pot, any size

• gold-leaf paint

• paintbrush

• decorative ribbon, long enough to fit the circumference of the pot top

• hot-glue sticks and glue gun

• large-eye yarn needle

How-to

Step 1. Yarn-wrap around three fingers—3 stitches.

Step 2. Finger knit until the piece measures long enough to fit around the circumference of the pot’s widest point, which is just below the lip.

Step 3. Fasten off and set aside.

Step 4. Paint the lip of the pot. Let dry.

Finishing

Step 1. Weave in ends.

Step 2. Use hot glue to secure the cozy to the pot.

Step 3. Glue the ribbon to the pot lip.

Get more, great projects in my book, Finger Knitting Fun! For a LIMITED TIME ONLY, you can get personalized and signed copies on Etsy! Nab one here.

xx,

Vickie

@VickieHowell

Crocheted T-Shirt Potholder

It’s official: school’s out for Summer. For those of us with kids, that means a loooong few months of taxiing, playdating, and otherwise looking for something, anything to keep our offspring occupied. Well, my parental friends, there’s no time like the present to get them crafting — and what says, Summer Camp crafts more than making a pot holder? Well, perhaps a lanyard, but humor me.

This week I thought I’d post a project that had a little something for most ages of children. Thrifting for t-shirts can be done with baby in-tow. Optional coloring on tees, is great for the toddler and pre-schooler set. Cutting the t-shirts and winding into yarn, is great for the kinder and early elementary schoolers. Finally, crocheting that t-shirt yarn into a pot holder will keep a tween and teen busy for a day. You’re welcome.

So grab your jumbo, Amour hook and get ready to think outside the yarn-box, because today kids, we’re crocheting with clothing. Enjoy! — Vickie

Make T-shirt Yarn

Gather 2-3, old t-shirts. I found these at a Goodwill for around $2 each. If you want to add a little flair, use fabric paints and markers to give color to the shirts. This is a great time to get younger kids involved spraying and splattering!

Tip: These Fabric Spray Paints work great!

1. Fold t-shirt in half length-wise, leaving about an 1″-2″/2.5 cm-5 cm between folded edges. Cut off hem.

2. Cut approx 1″ (doesn’t need to be perfect) strips, STOPPING after the first folded edge (leaving the second uncut.) Cut off sleeve & shoulder section.

3. You’ll now have what looks like ribs. Cut first strip from top right to bottom left of first strip. Disregard excess piece.

4. From here, you’ll cut each rib at a diagonal. See the dotted lines in Image 4 as a guide.  You’ll end up with a long strip.

5. Gently pull on strip to create rolled “yarn”.

6. Knot strips together from subsequent t-shirt strips.

Wind t-shirt yarn into ball.

 

Crochet Pot Holder

SUPPLIES

T-shirt Yarn (Approx. 4 oz., or 2, XL Men’s shirt’s worth)

Size US N/P (10 mm) Clover Amour Hook

Tapestry Needle

FINISHED SIZE

9 1/2″/24 cm square

GAUGE

7 sts x 8 rows = 4″/10 cm in single crochet

DIRECTIONS

Ch 17.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and every ch to end. Turn. — 16 sts.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st to end.

 

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 9 1/2″ / 24 cm. Do not Fasten off.

Hanging loop:

Ch 10, sl st in base of first ch.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

Weave in ends, including those from knotted areas.

 

Psst! Looking for a knit version of this project? Go here.

Summer Beach Bag Stitch-Along

Join me, and The Crochet Crowd as we stitch along beach bags with Yarnspirations. Beginning June 29th, we’ll spend 3 weeks making one (or all!) of 6, great bags for Summer. I’ll be hosting the knit-along, and TCC with host the crochet-along.  You can get more info on joining either, as well as getting discounts on yarn, and entering our photo contest here.

Here’s a peek at the bags for the knit-along made up in my color picks. Grab the supplies to make these versions, or come up with your own color combo. You can get everything you need on Yarnspirations.com.

Week 1

Week 2



Week 3 

Hope to knit-along with you soon!

xx,

Vickie

Wallpaper Covered Buttons

Last fall we had an accent wall in our bedroom with a wallpaper I found through Pinterest. I love it so much, I feel like the designer made it specifically with me and mind. He or she (why doe we not have a gender neutral pronoun in the English language?) didn’t of course, but I still couldn’t fathom getting rid of even the tiniest of scraps of it. I knew I could spread lit bits of happy, throughout other projects besides our home. Fortunately, wallpaper makes for a great, crafting medium. Stronger than most scrap booking paper, wallpaper takes glue without tearing or bubbling, which lends itself well to decoupage work.

I never seem to have the right buttons on hand when I’m ready to embellish a project. Unfortunately here in Austin, TX the waited-’til-the-last-minute-button pickin’s are slim. Thank the sweet, crafty gods, though because in just a few minutes — and with supplies you may have in your own house — you can DIY a set of fasteners that are totally unique. Here’s how I used scraps of that beloved, bedroom wallpaper to create just the pop of color that a crochet project of mine needed!

 

MATERIALS

Plain, wooden buttons (found at craft store — any size)

Wallpaper scraps

Pencil

Scissors

Glue/sealant

Paint Brush

Pin or needle

1. Trace around button onto wallpaper.

2. Cut out traced shape (does not need to be perfect.)

3. Place piece on button; use nail to create creases along button indendations.

4. Trim along creased lines.

5. Apply a thin coat of glue/sealer to button surface; place wallpaper piece on top.

6. Seal with an additional, thin coat of glue/sealer; let dry.

7. Poke through paper to reveal button holes.

8. Attach to any project that needs a little, POW!

(Look for the reveal of the project these buttons adorn in the Fall 2015 issue of, Interweave Crochet Magazine!)

xx,

Vickie

@VickieHowell

Good Morning Texas!

That’s a wrap! (In front of News 8 HQ.)

Today I made an appearance on Dallas news show, Good Morning Texas to chat getting kids creative, and knitting & crocheting for a good cause. Not in the area or missed it? No problem! You can watch the segment below.

Have a great weekend!

xx,

Vickie

P.S. If you’re coming to the Rangers vs. Red Sox game on Sunday, please be sure to stop by the Caron United booth. I’ll be there collecting charity blankets, and giving out yarn, needles and hooks to those who want to stitch during the game. Hope to see you there!