Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 52

Clover Weaving Sticks

Weaving Sticks in action!

Last year I was at TNNA (an industry trade show) where I spied Clover’s Weaving Sticks for the first time. I was mesmerized by these wooden tools that looked like my beloved bamboo knitting needles, but with a hole at the bottom and held together in sets of 2-6! I hovered around the booth for a bit, but for some reason felt shy about asking to use a pair. When I got home, however I went straight to the craft store and bought a pack.

I’d been crushing on some of the woven tapestries and wall hangings I’d seen a lot of on Pinterest, but didn’t have the time to sit down and learn how to use my loom. I thought, though that the mobility of these sticks (read: throw in my bag to use while on the sidelines of a kids’ activity or in a waiting room for an appointment) paired with their ease of use would work perfectly not only to make strips that would become the background of a cool wall hanging, but also with my busy, working-mom-of-3 lifestyle. Happily, I was right, which resulted in some great, affordable, stress-free wall-decor for my home. #Winning!

My DIY Wallhanging, made using Weaving Sticks. See how to make your own HERE.

 

During that time and since, I’ve posted photos of Weaving Stick, works-in-progress on Facebook and Instagram. It turns out I’m not the only one excited about them — with over 2,000 likes on one Facebook post alone, it’s clear that knitters, crocheters, and crafters alike are ready and willing to (stick) weave! Since the main question I was asked is, “How do you use them?”, I thought I’d give you an iPhone view (kind of like a bird’s eye view, but with a rectangular perspective) of the how-to basics. Click below and see!

 

 

Now that you know how to use Weaving Sticks, I bet you’re dying for some great projects to apply that newfound knowledge to, right? Well, lucky for you craft editor, Ashley Little has written a booklet packed with 12 projects that fit the crafty bill. Oh, and the extra lucky part is that Clover’s giving away three copies of said booklet: Super Simple Stick Weaving!

 

Enter to win HERE.

Grab a set of sticks and get weaving. Trust me; once you start, you won’t wanna stop.

Enjoy!

xx,

Vickie

P.S. Keep your peepers peeled for a Winter-themed, Weaving Stick wall-hanging in the premier issue of Craft.girl Magazine (Interweave) — hits newsstand this Fall!

Finger Knitting Fun!

My latest book, Finger Knitting Fun: 28 Cute, Clever and Creative Projects for Kids is officially on stands. I’m thrilled to announce that it’s also an, Amazon #1 Release in the Children’s Crafts category!

Here’s an excerpt from the Intro about why as a mom of 3, I chose to write this book:

“I want all of my kiddos to see fiber as a blank canvas for creativity as well as practicality. If they have a vision; see it through. If they want to give a gift; hand make it. If they need something to keep themselves warm; produce it themselves. Whether or not they stick with it is less important—it’s the awareness I was after. Enter finger knitting.” — (Vickie Howell, Finger Knitting Fun)

It was important to me that the projects in this book were well-balanced and with a range of degree of difficulty, materials and variety that it would be accessible for both girls and boys from abut ages 5-13. For that reason you’ll find necklaces and wristbands, a jump rope and bungee cord lanyard, a mobile and pillows, and so much more. All of which are fun, cool projects with actual usability!

You can see the full gallery of projects on Pinterest here.

What is finger knitting, you ask? Check out this segment from PBS’ Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell where I demo how easy it is to learn!

 

Want an unbiased opinion? Read an in-depth review of Finger Knitting Fun on About.com!

 

Interested in sampling instructions from a project? Make my, Bauble Blossoms on Blogher!

Bauble Blossoms from Finger Knitting Fun

Hey, Austinites! This book was written by a local author (me), photographed by a local photographer (Cory Ryan), using local kids (two of which are my own) to model and shot locally at TOMS Roasting Company on South Congress. If you’re in the area on May 3rd, bring the kids and come on down to the latter to support local business, learn to finger knit, get a book signed and enjoy some snacks! Go here for full details. Hope to see you there!

Yarn provided by Yarnspirations.com!

Not in Austin? No problem. You can Enter to Win a signed copy of Finger Knitting Fun! Go here for full details. Hurry, though. Contest ends on April 23rd!

Happy crafting, kids!

xx,

Vickie

Egg Pompom + Clover News!

For years now (seriously, over a decade), I’ve used Clover brand tools more than any other for my knitting, crochet, and general notions needs. Their bamboo, Takumi needles are a staple item in my studio (I love the way wool sliding off bamboo feels), and 9 times out of 10 if I need a large-eyed yarn needle or a stitch holder, Clover’s going to be the name on the one I grab from the shelves. That said, I’m thrilled to announce that I am now their, Yarn Arts Ambassador! In conjunction with my role as the International Spokesperson for Yarnspirations (in which I get to share all kinds of yarn-y goodness with knitter’s and crocheters), I’m excited to provide scoop on new products, as well as create new projects using Clover tools –or sometimes, just share a new way to use a notion that’s been around for awhile; like the one I’m showing today. Let’s dig in!

(Side note: I also have a daughter named, Clover. No relation. Just coincidence. It may get confusing. ;-))

I don’t know about you, but I’m perpetually decorating for holidays at the 11th hour. A lot of that has to do with being a working mom of 3, and juggling career, home, and family. Some of it, though truly happens because I love crafting in theme of whatever day it is on or around the actual day it’s happening. I’m one to cast-on for a red knitting project on Valentine’s Day, or start a little crocheted, Fall-colored something on Thanksgiving. It’s part of the way I celebrate!

Well, folks here we are just a couple days away from Easter which means time to craft in a water colored palette  — and since I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to pom-poms, I decided this was the route I’d go. What’s cuter than pastel pom-poms, you ask? Egg-shaped versions, of course! They’re easy to shape as long as you have a firm, evenly-wound pom foundation to start with. To get this, I highly recommend forgoing the fork, hand, or cardboard method. Instead, opt for a pom-pom maker (trust me, I tried without one and my finished, trimmed, egg-pom looked more like a sad, under-watered topiary.)

Make one for fun or to hang from the kidlet’s basket, or more to make a garland. Here’s how!

Materials

Bernat Sheep(ish) Stripes by Vickie Howell, in color: Homme(ish)Large, Clover Pom-pom Maker

Scissors

 

How-to:

Once you’ve followed the above steps, it’s time to give your pom an eggcut! The trick is to trim in arcs. As long as you cut more of on the ends than you do in the middle, you’ll be golden (like a gold egg for Easter!)

Here’s a quickie, time-lapse video to show what I did.

 

Simple, fast, and frankly, smile-inducing. Grab your Clover Pom-pom Maker, and get eggy with it this weekend!

Happy Easter, Ostara, Bunny Day, Spring, or whatever!

xx,

Vickie

@VickieHowell

Knitting Daily TV: Accessorize It!

 

Episode 1406 of Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell is all about those bonus pieces in our wardrobe! Here’s what to expect on the Accessorize It show:

With Dorinda Balenecki

 

Studio Guests: Dorinda Balenecki, and Knitscene Assistant Editor, Louisa Demmitt

Virtual Guest: Crochet Jewelry Designer, Stitch Story’s Shelby Allaho (from her studio in Kuwait!)

Projects/Techniques: How to incorporate Crystaletts into a razzley-dazzley headband; Sienna Mittens Pattern from Knitscene Magazine.

Stitch Sampler: Co-host, Tanis Gray shows the puffy, Canterbury Bells stitch.

Loose Ends: I show how stranded colorwork on the public side of a cowl gives a cool, textural effect..

Strand-Tastic Cowl, by Patons Design Team

 

My favorite moment or thing I learned from the episode: I really loved learning about the popularity of crochet in Kuwait from my my virtual interview with Shelby Allaho!

Check your local listing for airing times, or get the whole season on DVD or digital download here!

 

Tune in; knit on!

xx,

Vickie

@vickiehowell

5 Social Media Tips Every (craft) Blogger Should Know!

Bernat Tizzy Yarn Recall

As you may know, Bernat is the company who produces my yarn lines (Sheep(ish), Sheep(ish) Stripes, and Cotton-ish), and is also one of the Yarnspirations.com brands for which I’m the International Spokesperson. I have never been so proud of either of those facts as I have been since finding out about this socially responsible decision. Instead of choosing what was right for their bottom line, they simply chose to do what is right.

Click here for more info.

xx,

Vickie

Dollar Bin, Travel Knit Kit!

I’m a sucker for the dollar section at…really, any store. There are so many, (probably unnecessary) trinkets to be had, and who am I to show restraint by not purchasing them? It was the other day at Target, though that I came across an item that was not only a bargain, but also (stylishly with its turquoise, geometric print!) screamed possibility of being really useful to my profession/passion: knitting (and crochet.) At it’s core, it’s simply a plastic toiletries travel set. With a little imagination, it became an affordable answer to a busy crafter-on-the-go’s disorganization. Walk with me, wontcha, while I show you how a $3 find is a must-have item for your project bag!

 

Think small: This kit fits the tiny-tools bill! Shampoo and conditioner bottles aren’t long enough to hold dpns or larger accessories, but make for the perfect, little keepers for smaller cable needles, stitch holders, and T-pins! Cream pots contain those easy-to-lose bits that every stitcher needs to have on hand!

 

Get a clip: My current favorite notions for finishing work on knitted garments aren’t actually meant for knitwear at all. The above pictured,  Clover Wonder Clips are designed to help sewists with hemming, but I’ve found they’re also perfect for holding smaller pieces (think: baby garments) in place while seaming them together. Bonus: they’re just the right size to fit several in a travel kit container!

 

Mark the spot: I don’t know about you, but I’m perpetually looking for stitch markers. Like most of you (presumably), I’m always running out of the house to pick up a kid (or 3) from various activities or rushing to get to an event. Inevitably (if I remember at all) I end up grabbing a couple of markers to go, and just throwing them in the pocket of my project bag — or worse, into the pit of despair that is my purse. Not anymore, my crafty compadres! Now they sit pretty in a travel pot, just ripe for the takin’.

 

Hold on: Tapestry and cable needles measuring shorter than 4 1/2″/11.5 cm will slide right into a travel-sized bottle!

 

So there you go: a cheap and easy (just like I like ‘em) solution that you won’t want to leave home without.

Happy travels; happy stitches!

xx,

Vickie

@VickieHowell

Knitting Daily TV: Sweater Weather

This week-ish (airing times vary from market to market–check your local listings) on,  Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell we focus on Sweater Weather because man, is it ever right now! Here’s what to expect:

With Barry Klein

 

Studio Guests: Trendsetter Yarn’s, Barry Klein, and Knitscene Assistant Editor, Louisa Demmitt

Virtual Guest: Crochet Designer, Rhon Strong

Projects/Techniques: How to pick the perfect sweater for your next project; Hoodie Pattern from Corrina Ferguson.

Stitch Sampler: Co-host, Tanis Gray shows 2-colored corrugated ribbing.

Loose Ends: I show to cross-stitch a graphic rose onto crocheted fabric.

My favorite moment or thing I learned from the episode: Upon news of Corrina Ferguson’s flu, and with only a night to prepare KDTV production assistant (and Knitscene Asst. Editor) stepped up to the studio guest plate to teach the project — she did a fantastic job!

With Knitscene’s, Lousia Demmitt

 

Check your local listing for airing times, or get the whole season on DVD or digital download here!

 

Tune in; knit on!

xx,

Vickie

@vickiehowell

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Happy President’s Day!

From first, First Lady, Martha Washington to America’s “First Knitter”, Eleanor Roosevelt: we salute you women leaders who worked with your hands. Happy President’s Day!