Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 55

Quick Gifts Class at Jo-Ann Stores!

This morning I dropped off my two eldest kiddos for the first day of school (I officially have TWO middle schoolers now! *gulp*), so it seems like an appropriate time for me to encourage you readers to get back to class, too! Starting in September, I'm kicking off "crafting season" by launching a new class offered nationwide! I'm excited to have teamed up with Bernat and Jo-ann to create a class based on my designs, tips and instructions, and taught by talented teachers in Jo-ann Stores across the U.S. 












Vickie Howell for Bernat: Quick Crochet Gifts will teach you how to crochet a puff stitch, then incorporate it into a scarf, cowl or headband in any of three different weights and textures of yarns. This will mean that once you learn the skill, you'll be able to churn out those holiday gifts quickly and easily, but without any two of them looking the same (unless of course, you want them too!) Here's a quick video in which I explain a little more:


















Just because we're all extraordinarily busy, doesn't mean we have to opt out of handmade gift giving. The trick to success (without insanity) is being smart about the projects you choose.




Next time you're at Jo-ann, just ask for a class catalogue. Dates and times will vary based on location.




Oh, and as always, don't forget to tag @vickiehowell on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram if you post pictures of your finished projects from this class or any of my patterns and projects.




Enjoy!




xx,

Vickie

The Mothercraft: Back-to-School Cloth Napkins!

For a while now I've been otherwise distracted by the knitting and crochet portion of my job, so it's been a long time since posting The Mothercraft feature. Recently however, my youngest started pre-k which required a little crafty prep that I thought I'd share with you. The school she's attending follows the Montessori program which requests that lunches be packed in a manner that creates little to no waste -- this means the replacement of (our usual) paper towels with small, reusable cloth napkins. I'm all for this rule but, unfortunately most of the cloths available in stores are too large for a wee lunch box. No worries though, napkins are super simple to make, and are a great way to use up some of those fabric scraps. Here's how!















Supplies

Approx. 1/3 yd of cotton or cotton blend fabric

12"/30.5 cm quilter's square & rotary cutter OR 

12"/30.5 cm square paper bag pattern & scissors

Straight pins

Needle & thread

Sewing machine




Finished Measurements:

11 1/2"/29 cm square







How-to:
















Cut out two, 12"/30.5 cm pieces of fabric.


OPTIONAL: Machine or hand embroider child's name on one piece of fabric, taking care to leave room for seam allowances.




















With right-sides together and using a 1/4"/6.25 mm seam allowance, sew pieces together; leave an opening for turning.


Snip corners with scissors.















Turn right-sides out.


Press seams, turning raw edges of opening under to match line.
















Using a 1/4"/6.25 mm seam allowance, top stitch to close opening and around the entire perimeter of the napkin.


Press again if necessary.







That's all there is to it -- easy as the organic, whole grain and locally sourced fruit pie your kiddos may need to wipe from their mouths! ;-)




xx,

Vickie



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New Video: How to Make a Triangle Scarf Using Center-Out Method

Over the past year or so, I've been thinking/talking a bit about the Top-Center Out method of knitting a triangle shawl. It's the technique I used when designing the Shawl We wrap for Knit Simple Magazine, the  Tri-light scarf for Bernat, and the Raindrop Wrap for my book, Step It Up Knits.















The Top-Center Out approach uses a series of increases at the center and sides of the piece to create two small triangles which ultimately open out into a larger triangle. Recently, the folks at Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts invited me to their studios to shoot a video demo-ing this, which is now live on their YouTube Channel. Give it a watch and let me know what you think -- do you have a preferred triangle shawl method?




Enjoy!




xx,

Vickie

@vickiehowell

New Cotton-ish Pattern: Pretty In Pink Girl's Dress!

Pretty In Pink Dress






Some of you may remember me posting WIP shots on Facebook of a dress I knit for my daughter for Easter.  I promised to write up the pattern to share, and although it took a few months it's finally available for download! The Pretty In Pink dress is knit in one piece from the top down (I'm all about minimal seaming for us busy mamas), so you can try it on your little wiggle worm as you work!













I'd originally planned on knitting just the bodice, then using a printed fabric for the skirt. That plan however, didn't meet Miss Clover's "all-pink" demand nor did my suggestion to stripe the knitted skirt with another color. Thankfully though, Cotton-ish shade, "Cotton Candy" met her approval!







Shown in Size 4
Yarn: Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell
Needles: Size US 5 & 7 (3.75 & 4.5mm) circs & dpns





The result was a sweet, lightweight, easy-to-wear frock that could be worn as-is, or as a tunic with some leggings. I love my little gal in her drape-y dress! Get the pattern here.



xx,

Vickie



P.S. I love seeing pictures of your finished projects. If you make this dress, please tag @vickiehowell on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Thanks!

Happy 70th Anniversary, Jo-Ann Stores!

Jo-ann Fabric & Craft Stores turn 70 this year. To celebrate, they've asked crafters to share a personal Jo-ann memory. Here's mine. Happy anniversary, Jo-ann!




xx, Vickie

New Free Cotton-ish Patterns: Knit & Crochet Baby Blankets!

It's hot outside, but sometimes it's still nice for a baby to have a lovie to cuddle up with. The Bernat Design team put together these knit & crochet blankets that are made with Cotton-ish yarn, so they're both cuddly and cool...well, and adorable. 







Summer Breeze


Shown in Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell, in color: Coffee Filter









Light and Lovie


Shown in Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell, in color: Spinning Jenny





Get the free patterns on Bernat.com and for a limited time, buy Cotton-ish for 25% off using promo code: COTTONISH13.







Enjoy!

3 Days Only: 25% off of Cotton-ish!

This just in! 3 days. Big discount. Grab yarn now!

New Free Pattern: Easy Crochet Skirt Edging

Using an abbreviated version of the same edging from my Kitschy Coo towel set, you can easily add a personalized touch on your favorite gal's fabric skirt!  xx, Vickie









MATERIALS:

Bernat® Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell (55% Cotton/45% Acrylic; 282 yds): 1 ball Cotton Candy
Size US G/6 hook or size needed to obtain gauge.
Tapestry needle
Fine tip hole punch
Measuring tape
Pen or pencil
Wee Skirt 























HOW-TO:

Using measuring tape, pen and fine-tip hole punch, mark and make an even number of holes approx 1/2" apart and 1/4" up from skirt hem edge.

With tapestry needle and yarn, Blanket Stitch through holes across. 

Row 1: Join yarn by pulling loop through top of 1st blanket stitch. Ch 3, sc in next to, *ch 2, sc; rep from * to end. Join rnd with a sl st.

Row 2: Ch 3, *dc in ch-2 sp, 3 dc around post of dc just made (makes 3 dc group), sc in next ch-2 sp; rep from * ending with sc around post of beg ch-3. Fasten off.

Weave in ends.

Step It Up Knits Workshops at RISD!

I'm honored to be teaching two workshops in September at the renown, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)! As part of their Continuing Education program in Hand Knitting Design, they've invited me to teach next level techniques from my book, Step It Up Knits. See above for full description of the classes.



If you're interested in signing up for Step It Up Knits I, click here. For Step It Up Knits II, click here.

You do not need to one to take the other, so pick the skill set you'd like to learn and choose from there -- or even better, spend the whole day with me and take both!



Hope to see you there!



xx,

Vickie

New Free Project: Kitschy Coo Set!

Yarn: Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell in color: Lemon Twill








Looking for a quick hostess gift for that Labor Day BBQ or a teacher gift for the upcoming school year? Well crocheters, I've got you covered! Check out my Kitschy Coo kitchen set pattern on Joann.com -- grab it for free now for the perfect, weekend project. Enjoy!