Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 58

Stitch.Rock.Knit-along: "Shrug It Off" Photo Recap!

Supplies ready to go!


Another Knit Simple/Bernat Stitch.Rock.Knit-along has come an a close, and as always I left feeling inspired. This issue's project was 90% crochet, which as the "Stitch.Rock.Knit-along" title suggests, isn't of the norm for this series. I was thrilled to see that the new-to-some craft didn't scare away most of the regulars, and we even had a few knew participants because of it! I love being able to peek at everyone's progress, give tips, share tutorials and otherwise virtually commune with other stitchers. It's an honor and a joy to be the leader of these events. Without further ado, here's a photo recap of the highlights of the Shrug It Out a-long!



How-to Get Started:






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Shrug It Out WIPS:






Shrug WIPs (clockwise): Ashleigh Bronner's, Kimberly Ann's, Mary Caron's, NCSneaker's






How-to Pick Up Stitches:






I didn't this video up on my YouTube channel, because it’s quick-and-dirty, and frankly not pretty.  Click here though, to watch how to pick up stitches for this project.






Finished Shrug It Outs:




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Cora Gordon's Finished Shrug












LauraGB's Finished Shrug












VeganJilly's Finished Shrug

(See her blog post about her process making this project here!)









More FOs (clockwise): TeakKnitPurl's, AnnGreenGables (love the sleeves!), C-Three's, 

and Ann Kinderknecht's









See even more works-in-progress and finished shrugs as photos continue to come in by following the Shrug It Off Pinterest board!





Don't forget, the Stitch.Rock.Knit-along posts on Ravelry and Facebook (including diagrams, videos and other resources) stay up forever and always, so you can join in as you have time to.



Don't know how to crochet, but want to learn? Check out my how-to guides or even better, my online course, Crochet Lab on Craftsy!



Keep your peeps peeled for the next issue of Knit Simple and our next Stitch.Rock.Knit-along -- info to come!



xx,

Vickie

Bernat (Not Just for) Baby Blanket

The last time I visited the Bernat offices the Baby Blanket  Puffy Baby Blanket  was being passed around the design table. It was so ridiculously soft and comfy that I really wanted to make one for my youngest son. The challenge? Well, at 11-years-old, he's not a baby. Thankfully though, even though the word "baby" is in the yarn's name, there are a few colors in the collection that will work for any age. I chose Baby Sand and Little Sand Castles (currently available on end caps at Jo-ann stores) -- see below for results!

















I love the way that color and size can completely change the age specs and look of a project -- you'd never know this pattern was originally designed with infants in mind! For this version I chained 67 (64 + 3 which counts as the first DC), then followed the pattern as-is for the rest of the blanket. For the edging, I opted for half-double crochet.













I'm happy to report, that my kiddo digs his Puffy Pre-Teen Blanket. Oh, and even though he's not a baby anymore, he'll always be mine. :)




xx,

Vickie

Movie Monday (TV Edition): Call the Midwife

PBS (via BBC) has done it again with another must-see, period episodic. Call the Midwife --just like the network's wildly popular show, Downton Abbey -- is a well-written, finely acted, impeccably directed snapshot of the human experience. 




Set in the impoverished slums of London circa late 1950's, Call the Midwife follows the amazing nurses who delivered the babies of the community, and the mother's and father's who soldiered through bringing another life into the world (and often, into horrific conditions.) I'll tell you this, never have I been so happy to be a woman during modern times rather than 70 years ago! Three words: glass tube enema. Yikes. But I digress.




Call the Midwife is available on Netflix now, and as you see below (in addition to be a really good show) is a feast for a yarn-crafter's eyes. Enjoy!







Brioche Stitch Baby Cardigan












Crocheted Baby Blanket









Knit Sailor Hat









Amazing, Crocheted Baby Jacket












Men's Knit Cardigan











Crocheted Baby Blanket









Knitter in the clinic waiting room.












Spike Stitch Cardigan








Recommended Stitching:



Pretty Kiddy Cardigan



Textured Grid Baby Blanket



Baby M Blanket



Feather and Fan Baby Blanket



Baby Sailor Suit



Pea Wee Coat



Kimono Sleeve Cardigan



His & Her Fair Isle Cardigan















Happy viewing; happy stitching!



xx,

Vickie

My Half Hexagon Skirt in Vogue Knitting Crochet Issue!

I've never designed for Vogue before. I guess that I've gotten so caught up with championing the beginner/intermediate stitchers via magazines like, Knit Simple , that I'd never thought to submit to a mag that caters to the more advanced set. When editor-in-chief, Trisha Malcolm called to ask me to design a skirt in Bernat Handicrafter Crochet Thread for the Summer 2013 Vogue Knitting Crochet issue though, I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I'm happy to announce that the issue is out, and included in it is my Half Hexagon Skirt!




 

Vogue Knitting Crochet 2013, photo by Rose Callahan 



For this design I played with making the hard angles of geometric shapes look soft by using a larger hook and periodic openwork. My shape-crush du jour (is that a thing?) is hexagon (they're totally the new circles ;-)) so for this garment I used both 1/2 and 2/3 version panels. From there, I filled in the rest of the piece with the shapes I needed to create the fit I wanted. Voila!




I love Vogue's rock-a-billy take on styling for the magazine shot. The skirt would also look great though, over a vintage half-slip worn with a t-shirt and boots or flip-flops. Make it, then make it your own!




Here are the specs:




Half Hexagon Skirt 

Designer: Vickie Howell 

For sizes: Small, Medium, Large, 1X, 2X 

Yarn information: Bernat Handicrafter Crochet Thread
Amounts: 3 (3, 4, 4, 5) balls in #31011 warm tan
1 ball in #31008 crisp linen







I may be biased, but man, this is of VKC is amazeballs! I'm humbled and honored to have a project included amongst ridiculously talented designers like: Mari Lynn Patrick, Robyn Chachula, Laura Zukaite and Kazekobo. You can see (and "Fave") all of the projects from the issue on Ravelry.













Oh, and don't forget to tag me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram with your Half Hexagon Skirt WIPS and FOs!




xx,

Vickie

Happy Earth Day!: Alternative Materials Knit & Crochet Projects

Happy Earth Day, everyone! In honor of the day we pay homage to our planet here a few, knit and crochet projects using alternative materials!











Blueberry Dyed Wool Yarn




Sari Scrap Crochet Bangles




Knit Twine Vase Cozies




Hot-tee Recycled T-shirt, Knit Pot Holder
















Every project in our book, Awareknits is eco-conscious in some way, but here are a few that use upcycled materials as yarn.













Crochet Plastic Bag Lunch Tote from AwareKnits




Crochet Save the Tees, T-Shirt Basket from AwareKnits




Crocheted Jute Rug from AwareKnits




Happy eco-stitching!



xx,

Vickie

Movie Monday (TV Edition): Game of Thrones

Are any of you watching HBO's epic series, Game of Thrones? It's not for the faint of heart, but oh, it is a feast for the eyes! Picture this: a dark, dirty pub that likely stinks of alcohol, body stench and urine. Scarred soldiers and beastly vagrants litter the place, all ready to kill or die during the next bar brawl. Then, one of the most despicable of the bunch, a background character without an ounce of moral standing, rises to threaten a young, lady Arya. He's donning the usual leather and cloth of the time period, but what's this I see? A garter stitch, flow-y cape/vest draped from his ruffian shoulders! I suppose even cretins need to stay cozy. Behold, a couple of iPhone screen shots for your viewing enjoyment!


















Alas, neither Bernat nor I have any designs fit for battle. However, we do have flow-y ponchos and wraps!



Recommended Stitching:

Satin Sparkle Chevron Shawl, by Bernat Design Team

Sheep(ish) Bohemian Shawl, by Doris Chan

Bamboo Shoulder Shrug, by Bernat Design Team

Capelet Crusader, from AwareKnits





Just for fun, here's a shot of the Knit Rider, knit chain mail from my very first book, New Knits on the Block.











Happy knitting; happy viewing!



xx,

Vickie

Creative Knitting Review of Step It Up Knits!

There's nothing nicer for an author than to read a nice review of one of her books over a good cup of coffee in the morning. Today, thanks to the folks at Creative Knitting , I was lucky enough to do just that. Take a moment if you will, to see what they had to say about the projects, tutorials and overall style of Step It Up Knits. Enjoy!




xx,

Vickie




Psst!...for a limited time the Step It Up Knits Kindle edition is only $2.51 on Amazon!

Photo Recap: Vogue Knitting Live, Seattle!

I'm back from Vogue Knitting Live, Seattle -- and as usual, I had a blast at this show! I got to see a bunch of friends, be inspired by a wealth of talented designers, teach crafty recruits how to knit & crochet at the Bernat Beginner Lounge, giveaway yarn to a bunch of knitters, do a little shopping, show attendees my upcoming yarns, and otherwise just wallow in the goodness that is this knitting show! Here, for your viewing pleasure is a photo recap of my 3 days at VK Live. Enjoy! --Vickie









Visiting the Jo-Ann store in Bellevue with my childhood friend, Heather.

(Psst...my hat is made with Sheep(ish) Stripes, coming in August!)












Spotted a Seattle antique store: vintage Ken set with hand knit cardigan!












Showtime!












Volunteer, Holly teaching the 1st student of the show.









Me coaching 8-year-old, Hazel how to cast-on.












Knitters learning to crochet.












Hooray for men who learn how to knit!












Bernat's Marketing Director gifting prize to giveaway winner.












Knitters milling around before show floor opened.












Marketplace floor.









"So You Want to Work in the Knitting Industry?" Panel

(Panelists R-L: Steven B [Yarn Garage], Cirilia Rose [Skacel], Me [Bernat], 

Carol Sulcoski [Black Bunny Yarns])









I'm in love with these, owl-topped hexagonal needles that the folks at 

Indian Lake Artisans gave me! 

(You have to check 'em out  -- each size has a different topper. 

I'm definitely going to order the Log Cabin-topped US 15s!)












Hanging knit art installation, by Suzanne Tidwell.












Yarn Installation












Gala Dinner Centerpieces by event sponsor, Skacel 

(This would work too, in Bernat Roving!)












Just one of the amazing gifts in the Addi/Skacel Gala gift bags! I'm a lucky gal.












At the Gala with Editor of Vogue Knitting, Trisha Malcolm












One of my knitting besties, Karen Baumer competing in the fastest 

knitter competition at the Gala!












I love this Dolman Sleeve Sweater from the Skacel fashion show!












Crowd lined up for the Cascade 220, end-of-show yarn drop.

(I got to be one of the people cutting the ribbons--so fun!)

Step It Up Knits eBook for Only $2.99!--Limited

Chronicle Books has launched a new ebook promotion program, called Chronicle Eye Candy. Each month selected digital titles will be offered at a discounted rate -- this month, Step It Up Knits has been selected. During April only, you can nab this ebook for only $2.99!



Get my ebook! Now available from your favorite ebook retailers for your favorite device at a special sale price for a limited time only from  http://www.chroniclebooks.com/ebook-deals



Enjoy!



xx,

Vickie



Psst!  See all of the projects from the book on Pinterest .

New Pattern: Apron Strings for Interweave Crochet

The Spring '13 issue of Interweave Crochet is out and includes my newly re-named column: Parenthook!  The focus of the articles and accompanying projects will now be not general "for the home", but more specifically on different aspects parenting of parenting. First up: cooking! 








Spend a little time in the kitchen this season, looking extra cute in my Apron Strings, half-hexigon apron!












Apron Info:

Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton (100% cotton; 80 yd [73 m]/1¾ oz [50 g]): Robin's egg #13215 (A), 4 balls; hot green # 13712 (B), 2 balls.
Hook Size: G/7 (4.5 mm) Adjust hook size if necessary to obtain correct gauge.
Gauge: 12 dc and 7 rows = 4".







In addition, we've added a lifestyle web component  which will include a companion blog post for each project's theme. Up on the CrochetMe blog right now, is my family recipe for Super Yummy, Vegetarian "Beef" Crockpot Chili!

















Enjoy!




xx,

Vickie