Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 53
February 3, 2015
Knitting Daily TV: Mega Big Yarn!
As I mentioned in my last post, the newest season of Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell is now airing on PBS (check your local listings for when it airs in you ‘hood!) In the second episode we really get into the Thick of It; that is we focus on the trend, application and art of using REALLY big yarns to knit with. Here’s the gist of what you can expect:
Studio Guests: Yarnspirations Designer, Nicole Weiner & BagSmith‘s, Becca Smith.
Virtual Guest: Fiber Artist, Kait Brink.
Projects/Techniques: Learn to make a cool, Mega Bulky hat in just 30 minutes, plus chat the magic and scale of using REALLY big needles to create your next project!
Bernat Mega Bulky, Acorn Hat
Stitch Sampler: Co-host, Tanis Gray shows a Loop Stitch using chunky yarn.
My favorite moment or thing I learned from the episode: For years I’d seen the BagSmith booth at trade shows and wanted to learn how use the ginormous needles that Becca’s mom is always demonstrating. I finally got to sit down for a lesson, then (post TV shoot) get started on the smocked blanket Becca shares the pattern for!
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
January 26, 2015
Knitting Daily TV: Great Beginnings!
Here in Austin, TX the new season of Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell begins tomorrow on PBS (check your local listings for when it airs in you ‘hood!) The first episode, appropriately enough, focuses on Great Beginnings — interesting ways to begin your next knitting project. Here’s the gist of what you can expect:
Studio Guests:
Designer/Teacher, Patty Lyons (read about the segment in her own words here.), & Designer, Stephannie Tallent.
Virtual Guest: Author of Homebodies & Nomads, Cirilia Rose
Projects/Techniques: Choosing the right yarn for your project, using the right technique to create the fabric you want, and a Provisional cast-on.
Stitch Sampler: Co-host, Tanis Gray shows the Vertical Slit Cable.
Loose Ends: Quick tip for working this Glam Stripes triangle scarf from tip-to-tip.
My favorite moment or thing I learned from the episode: Patty Lyon’s tutorial of the Portuguese Purl, kind of blew my mind with its effectiveness. Here’s a behind-the-scenes shot of her teaching KDTV executive, Karin Strom the method (check out how the yarn’s wrapped behind her neck!)
Patty Lyons showing Karin Strom the Portuguese Purl on the set of Knitting Daily TV.
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
January 23, 2015
Knitting v. Crochet: It’s all in the numbers.
Generated via Google Trends
I wouldn’t call myself a numbers gal. I’m less motivated by tests and data than I am by personal communication, and the “experience” that a project, event, or product provides. I’m comfortable with making go-with-your-gut decisions, and see the immense value that reading the room (literally or virtually) can offer for both personal and professional ventures. That said, while the designer/craft evangelist in me will always keep one foot pointing and flexing in the creative world, the businesswoman in me must keep that other foot firmly planted in the land of charts and statistics. Le sigh. It’s in the spirit of that 2nd foot (and as suggested by a couple of marketing books I’m currently reading) that I decided to look into some analytics related to knitting and crochet, and I’ll be damned if some of the graphs and charts I came across aren’t actually interesting! Here’s some of what I learned.
Let’s start with the graph above. As you can see, over the past decade the popularity of knitting hit a peak in 2005. Incidentally, this was back when TV networks like DIY and HGTV (although not accessible by all) were a great source for programming (i.e. Knitty Gritty & Uncommon Threads) in that genre. I find it interesting that now, though with video programming (offering the ability to learn from and be inspired by both professionals and hobbyists alike) literally at the fingertips of anyone who can get their hands on a computer or mobile device that interest in knitting has slowly, ebbed and flowed downward. Also intriguing is that crochet has experienced the exact opposite with its popularity being at it’s peak now, in 2015! This posits the question: are you, dear reader a knitter, crocheter, both, or neither?
Next, let’s chat craft popularity by region.
KNITTING BY REGION
In talking with friends and colleagues across the pond, in the U.S. there are more knitting groups; more events; more genre “celebs” than in the U.K. The perception is that the States reign supreme for knitting popularity and passion. The numbers however, say otherwise. In fact according to Google, we Americans (with a concentration of fans in Spokane, Reno [Really?], and Boise) are in 4th place when it comes to knitting population! (Although arguably, we are the loudest — it’s plausible that we post/share/photograph our projects more.)
CROCHET BY REGION
Don’t knit for me, Argentina the truth is you always crochet (I apologize for that. My son’s working tech crew on his school’s production of, Evita so I couldn’t resist.) Seriously, though — Argentinians hold the hook prize in crochet at an unbelievable (seriously, can we believe this stat?), 100%! At 53 %, the United States (not shown on the above image) are a lowly, 8th on the crochet pop-scale (with the largest group of *ahem* hookers in Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles.) Our Canadian neighbors (who took 2nd place for knitting interest), and our friends in England aren’t even on the chart!
Lastly, lets examine web searches. What are we looking for when we type that stitching inquiry into our favorite search engine? I’ll skip sharing the images of the top topic search charts for both “knitting” and “crochet” as the results were the same: Patterns (Duh — we’ve got this beautiful yarn, and amazing needles, so now we need inspiration and instruction!) I will however, share a more surprising (well, at least to me) list of knit-related queries on the rise over the past ten years Side note: Crochet stays consistent with a rise in pattern searches leading the way.
KNITTING QUERIES RISING
Look at the loom knitting stat — up by 450%! This is astonishing since looms seem fringe within the industry. If you go to live shows (consumer or trade), look at boutique and craft store class schedules, or check out some of the largest yarn companies’ websites — loom knitting is rarely given more than a polite nod. If we believe ‘ol Google, though we in the industry are clearly missing out on an obvious demand. Show of hands: who reading this has ever knit with a loom?
As someone who considers herself the personified equivalent of “jazz hands” for the yarn (and general) craft industry, the second rising number looks pretty great to me. The amount of new people becoming interested in knitting is up 190%, which means folks are feeling inspired to get creative — this bodes well for us craft enablers! (One would assume however, that since overall interest in the craft has decreased that seasoned knitters have taken a long break from their needles. Did you used to be a knitter, but stopped? If so, why?)
Also of note: casting on, double knitting, and working with circular needles are queries of growing interest amongst our community.
Although overall most of these numbers won’t change how I approach my job (or love of craft) — I will continue to spread the yarn-y gospel regardless of the ups and downs — they do offer some insight on the topics I may want to touch on while preaching the stitching love.
Alright, now back to the touch-feely stuff. Go make something pretty! 
xx,
Vickie
@vickiehowell
January 13, 2015
Blogger Event + Finger Knit Bangle = Mega Fun
This year at CHA (Crafts & Hobbies Association’s convention) we were all about the bulk, ’bout the bulk, ’bout the Bernat-Mega-Bulk-y. Ouch, that one even hurt me as I typed it. I apologize.
Big knits are on-trend right now with a huge presence on the runway, Pinterest, and fashion blogs alike. Bernat‘s super-sized yarn, Mega Bulky is like a ball of BOLD — for you, dear knitter, crocheter and crafter — to create something that’s both en vogue, and uniquely you. This was the gospel that Yarnspirations.com (via Web Marketing dude, Rob Aoki and yours truly) brought to share with the room full of designers who attended Prime Publishing’s (parent company of FaveCrafts.com, AllFreeKnitting.com, and AllFreeCroche.com to name a few) annual Blogger Networking Event. We came armed to the teeth with a bevvy of finger-knit, Mega Bulky bangles to hand out. Our message was simple: creative types think big! Wear it with pride.
Here are some of the many faces of designers we chatted with about what they might do with Mega Bulky yarn — knit, crochet, macrame, yarn-wrap, latch hook? I can’t wait to see what these crafty minds come up with!
A few of my buddies stopped by (clockwise): Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo; Yarnthing’s Marly Bird; The Impatient Crafter, Margot Potter; The Crochet Dude, Drew Emborsky; Modern Surrealist’s Marisa Pawelko; Prime Publishing gals; Craft Gossip & Craftside’s Stefanie Girard; Rad Megan, Megan Andersen-Read; Terri O.
See the rest of this post (Did you go to the event? See if your pictured!) and get the free instructions for the finger knit, Mega Bangle by going to the Yarnspiration blog!
xx,
Vickie
@vickiehowell
January 2, 2015
2015 Year of the Sheep…ish!
2015 is the the year of the sheep…so I’m hoping my little yarn that could, Sheep(ish) can revel in the celebration with its less “ish”, fiber friends. Join me all year long in knitting, crocheting, and crafting with an affordable, washable, super-soft yarn in rich, saturated colors. Happy New Year! xx, Vickie
(Psst…don’t forget, Sheep(ish) Stripes, too!)
Get Sheep(ish) patterns here.
December 30, 2014
Pre-Order the Next Season of KDTV!
Join Vickie Howell for a holistic approach to knitting in this NEW season!
Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell, Series 1400, Episodes 1-13
is available as a 4-DVD set
Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell Series 1400
airs on PBS on January 15th!
This season Vickie Howell and her guests take a holistic approach to yarn crafting! From spinning to knitting and crochet, Knitting Daily TV covers the whole spectrum.
Join designers Patty Lyons, Andi Smith, Barry Klein, Marcy Smith, Leslye Solomon, Laura Nelkin, and more on this exciting new season of Knitting Daily TV. Learn new stitches each episode from instructor Tanis Gray. Get into the thick and thin of yarn as expert guests explore scale by spinning super fine fibers and working with on-trend mega-bulky yarns.
In addition, we head overseas to get inspiration from traditional Norwegian knitting. Closer to home, it’s all the best—Made in North America. Enjoy sweater weather by learning what style is best for your shape, and discover clever cast-ons and special sleeve treatments. Then whip up some fun accessories, knit with beads, and make projects for your kids’ playtime.
You’ll see why, no matter how busy you are each day, it’s essential to knit daily!
Pre-Order Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell, Series 1400 today!
Download individual episodes of Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell from Series 1400:
Knitting Daily TV
Episode 1408 – Playful Knits
Knitting Daily TV
Episode 1402 – Thick of It
Knitting Daily TV
Episode 1404 – Norwegian Knits
download now
download now
download now
December 24, 2014
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
From me and mine to you and yours: wishing you a cozy, comfy holiday season filled with love!
xx, Vickie
December 9, 2014
Video Tutorial from Home & Family Show!
I had such a fun time as a guest last week on Hallmark’s Home & Family Show. I was lucky enough to get to hang out with the host of Survivor, taste food from a NY Times, best-selling food author, make a boy-band singer laugh while he performed (by throwing out, behind-the-scenes jazz-hands), and demonstrate how to make a holiday garland out of Patons Classic Wool Bulky yarn. It was a good day.
Missed it? No worries. You can see my segment here!
Felted Ball Garland
Get the supply list and written instructions for this project here.
Felted yarn balls can be used to make ornaments, jewelry, and wreaths, too!
A huge thanks to producer, Jill Hess, hosts Cristina Ferrare and Mark Steines, and the entire cast and crew for being so gracious and welcoming!
Happy holidays!,
Vickie
December 2, 2014
Home & Family Show: Tune in Tomorrow!
You’ve probably seen felt beads at the yarn store, and maybe you’ve even felted your own with unspun roving. Did you know though, that you it’s easy to make these balls with regular, ol’ wool roving, yarn?
Join me tomorrow, December 3rd at 10am/9CT on the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family show to learn how to make a festive, holiday decoration using felted balls that the whole family can create together!
Happy, handmade holidays!
xx,
Vickie
November 19, 2014
My Gift Picks
The Yarnspirations Christmas Gift Guide is out, and is filled with a plethora of ideas to inspire you to make this one a handmade holiday — no matter what you’re budget! My friends over at Yarnspirations.com asked me to choose one pick from each category (which, admittedly was hard, because I dig so many more than that!) to recommend to you, dear stitcher. So here are my choices for: Women, Men, Teens, Kids, Babies and Pets! (Side note: one choice may or may not have been swayed by the fact that my younger son is modeling. I’m admittedly biased, but the project’s great, too!)
(Click on image above to get the patterns and/or yarn for each project.)
Bonus Pick: Ok, this one didn’t make it on my list, but I love it so I have to mention it here. The Twisted Sister Headband is made out of my Sheep(ish) yarn and would make a GREAT present for a teacher, office mate, babysitter, or any gal on your list!
Happy holiday hand-making!
xx,
Vickie
