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

Knitting Daily TV Next Season Shoot: Photo Recap!

Earlier this month I flew to Cleveland, OH to shoot my first season as the host and co-executive producer of Knitting Daily TV. It's been 6 years since the last season of Knitty Gritty was shot, but walking onto a craft-show set again felt like coming home. I had a blast spending on-camera time with several of the industry's smartest and most talented people, and am so excited for viewers to watch and learn from them! Here's a quick, photo recap of the 4 days we spent shooting 13 episodes!








The set!




We wanted to give the new season and format a fresh look by giving the set a mini-makeover. We opted for mid-century modern-inspired, coral walls, clean white furniture for a loft-look, vintage knitting posters, and a Yarnspirations.com , shades-of-teal yarn wall. 












Mugging for the Camera




I had a great time with every single one of my guests (seriously), but here are just a few of them posing with me after their respective segment shoots (clockwise: Kelbourne Woolens' Courtney Kelley & Kate Gagnon Osbourne; Designer, Rebecca Danger; Designer, Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark; Spinrite's Julia Madill.)











Tanis Gray







Amazing designer and former Yarn Editor for Vogue Knitting, Tanis Gray also joined the show this year as the product review correspondent for her regular segment, Tools of the Trade.








Behind the Scenes




Clockwise: Last minute blocking on the studio office floor; producer and guest pizza-party in my room; Tanis going over swatches for her segments; audio-guy, Kevin mic-ing sock designer, Andi Smith.












New Web Segment Feature!




This season of KDTV I'm thrilled to bring you 13 web-cam guests from around the world! From my home studio to theirs, we talk space-to-space about knitting, crochet, design and inspiration. Look for Stolen Stitches' Carol Feller on the first episode!









Make-do Moment



Living in a hotel, albeit briefly, has it's challenges. One of which was discovered during an after-shoot hangout: there was a serious lack of wine bottle opener. Thankfully we had a cable needle, some elbow grease and the will to drink. The result was messy, but fruitful!



So there's a peek. See more photos on Flickr, or by searching #kdtv on instagram!





Stay tuned for more scoop on guest line-ups, pattern links and of course, full episodes of the show which begins airing in January on your local PBS station!



xx,

Vickie

Hexapop Blanket in Interweave Crochet!

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The Fall issue of Interweave Crochet Magazine is out which includes my regular column, Parenthook. As always, I talk about my own efforts of juggling life with creativity, but this time the focus is on the blessing/curse of back to school time. The project included is a cool, hexagon motif throw that's perfect for sending your kids of to college, or cuddling with them when they get home from elementary. Hexapop is made with Bernat Softee Chunky which means it's also washable, affordable and quick to make!





xx,

Vickie

New Self-Striping Yarn: Sheep(ish) Stripes!

I've been talking about it for months, but now it's time to officially announce the extension of my original line: Bernat Sheep(ish) Stripes by Vickie Howell ! "Stripes" is a super-soft, self-striping yarn in rich, saturated colors.




To learn how the striping works, checkout this video!






















See Stripes in action!





Kids' Slouchy Beanie, Pullover & Wristwarmers from
Creative Knitting, Fall '13












1 Ball Project: Spyro Gyro Cowl!









Here are the six colorways of Sheep(ish) Stripes


Clockwise: Earth(ish), Night(ish), Punk(ish), Homme(ish), Femme(ish) & Citrus(ish)







Sheep(ish) Stripes is available online, and at select JoAnn and A.C. Moore Stores. Stay tuned for more pattern inspiration -- coming soon!




Enjoy!




xx,

Vickie

Video How-To: Attach Crochet edgings to Fabric Items!

Looking for a quick project this weekend? How about simply adding sweet, crochet edgings -- like the ones on my Kitschy Coo set or Little Skirt -- to existing fabric items? My latest video for JoAnn.com shows you how!




Have a great, holiday weekend!




xx,

Vickie

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!