Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 59

Join met at Vogue Knitting Live in Seattle!

Hey, Seattle peeps: I'm headed your way! Come join me as I host the Beginner's Lounge (brought to you by Bernat) at Vogue Knitting Live . If you or someone you know has always wanted to knit or crochet, then we've got you covered! We'll provide Sheep(ish) and Softee Chunky yarn as well as the tools you'll need. We'll even give you instructions for your very first project, if you'd like: these cute, tissue cozies!









Not a beginner? Well, we still wanna see you! Here are a few more reasons to stop by the BL:






Free Patterns: We'll be handing out oodles of knit and crochet project sheets! (while supplies last)


Hourly Giveaways: Fill out an entry at the BL you'll have the chance to win a Shrug It Out kit ( Bernat Satin yarn and Knit Simple Spring '13 Magazine ). We'll be giving one away EVERY HOUR that the marketplace is open! Psst...this is the shrug project that we'll also be working on for the next, Stitch.Rock.Knit-along beginning April 18th!


Yarn Previews: Be in the know by sneaking a peak of all of Bernat's new yarns for Fall '13!--this includes my new, Sheep(ish) Stripes and Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell! We'll have them on display so you can see them live, before anyone else!





Get details about Vogue Knitting live on their website.




Hope to see you in Seattle!




xx,

Vickie

New Sheep(ish) Patterns from Guest Designers!

In case you missed them there are two great, new Sheep(ish) patterns available on the Bernat blog: a pair of lovely wrist warmers by designer, Brenda K.B. Anderson, and an adorable snake plushie by my buddy (and Knit & CrochetNow! host), Brett Bara. Enjoy! xx, Vickie




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Mossy Mitts, by Brenda K.B. Anderson



Finished size: One size to fit average Teen or Woman.

Approx 7 1/2”/19 cm long x 8 1/2”/21.5 cm hand circumference



Materials Needed

Bernat Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell (85 g/3 oz; 153 m/167 yds)

Olive(ish) (00019) 1 ball.



Size 5 mm (U.S. G/6) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

Yarn needle. 1 button per flower. Needle and matching thread (for button). 




Get the free pattern on the Bernat Blog !














Stripey Snake, by Brett Bara






Measurements Approx 15½”/39.5 cm around x 70”/178 cm long



Materials Needed 

Bernat Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell (85 g/3 oz; 153 m/167 yds)

Robin Egg(ish) (00018) 2 balls

Magenta(ish) (00006) 1 ball

Yellow(ish) (00012) 1 ball

Hot Pink(ish) (00007) 1 ball

Chartreuse(ish) (00020) 1 ball

Turquoise(ish) (00017) 1 ball

Pink(ish) (00008) 2 balls

Red(ish) (00015) 1 ball

Lime(ish) (00021) 1 ball

Coral(ish) (00014) 1 ball




Size 5.5 mm (U.S. I/9) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. Stuffing. Small amount of black sport-weight yarn for embroidery. 2 black beads for eyes.



Get the free pattern on the Bernat blog !

Trendspotting: Foxes

Just like colors and styles come in and out of fashion, so does the usage of certain animals in home decor, fashion and novelty items.  Cats are a classic and probably the most used pet in print, owls were EVERYWHERE a few years back, and horses can be found on the coolest of kitsch. The animal at the top of the trend list for the past year or two though, has got to be the fox. This is likely thanks in part to director Wes Anderson's cinematic version of, The Fantastic Mr. Fox (see our Movie Monday coverage here). Or maybe, it's because we're all just so darn foxy! Who knows. Regardless, those sly dogs have crept their way into every product genre possible (and also my heart.) Here are just a few of my favorite be-foxed goodies I found on the interwebs.




Click here for info on these foxy pics!



Like what you're seeing? Well you're in luck, because there's more where that came from! Check out my Foxy Pinboard for *cough* 100+ images of our furry little friends!






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Fox Pajama Bag





If you'd like to put your fox where your craft is (wait, what?), then
the Bernat Design Team has the perfect project for you: this Fox Pajama Bag !





What You Need:


Free Pattern
Bernat Super Value in colors: Redwood Heather, Natural & Black OR Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell in colors: Pumpkin(ish), White(ish) & Black(ish)
Size 5mm (US H/8) Crochet Hook



Enjoy, you foxy beasts!

xx,
Vickie

Free Pattern for Jo-Ann.com: Leggypop Warmers!

Leggypop!



Warmer weather is on the horizon, but some light-weight warmers will have legs for at least a few months. Check out my free, Leggypop pattern using Bernat Satin, on the Jo-ann blog.







Guest Designer Feature




While you're there, give my interview post a read where we talk about creative influence, finding time, and the truth about the creativity within ALL of us.



Oh, and in case you missed it on Facebook, I'm also guest pinning for Jo-Ann this month! See the board here.



xx,

Vickie

Free Pattern: Clover Hair Clips

As the mother of a child named, "Clover" I have a soft spot for shamrocks. With St. Patrick's Day coming up though, what little lass couldn't use a pair of Clover Hair Clips? Enjoy!



Materials

1 ball (or scraps) of Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell, in color: Chartreuse(ish) -- or any equivalent, worsted-weight yarn

Size US H/5 mm crochet hook

Tapestry Needle

Sewing Needle & Thread

Small hair clips














Abbreviations

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

rep = repeat

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

st(s) = stitch(es)

tr = triple (treble) crochet



Don't know how to crochet? Take my online workshop, Crochet Lab on Craftsy!



Finished Measurement

2 1/2"/6.25 cm from clover top end of stem.



How-To



Crochet clover applique: (make 2 for clip set)



Ch 4; join round with a sl st to create center loop.




Leaves: *[Ch 2, hdc, dc, tr, dc, hdc, sl st] all in center loop; rep from * three times more (it'll be a snug fit, but that's ok.)


Stem: Ch 6, sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 4 sts, sl st in center loop. Fasten off.









Hand-sewn clip to applique.






Using tapestry needle, weave in yarn ends.


Using needle & thread, hand-sew hair clip to back of clover.








Finished Clover Clips.







5 More Ways to Use Clover Appliques



Make a bunch and string together for a St. Paddy's Day garland.
Adorn a package with one for your favorite lad or lassie.
Sew a few on a wee denim skirt.
Hot glue onto heavy weight paper for a shramrock-sweet greeting card.
Attach earring findings for a kitschy pair of ear baubles.





All patterns are meant for non-commercial use only. Copyright Craft.Rock.Love Media, LLC 2013. All rights reserved.

Step It Up Knits + Yarn Market News

It's pretty cool to get a copy of industry mag, Yarn Market News in the mail and see the cover emblazoned with the title of my latest book! Ok, that's not entirely accurate. Their call to action for the yarn business-types isn't related to my book at all...but, there IS a review of Step It Up Knits in the same issue. Check it out, wontcha! Thanks!--Vic

Photo Recap: Ikea Textile Event

Yesterday our local Ikea store held a Textile Event to get Austin crafters excited about this season's looks. Since I'd been needing to take a trip out there (it's about 45 minutes from home) anyway, I was more than happy to accept the invitation.




When I got there I was expecting a crowd, and possibly craft tables set up with an activity using the fabrics. It turned out though, to really just be more of a living catalogue showcasing several ways to utilize fabric in home decor and make the most of any space. Since I'm kind of a lookie loo, this was fine by me! Here's some of what me and my mini-sidekick (aka my 3 1/2-year-old daughter) saw.









In this room, they've used fabric as art by stretching one of their prints over canvas stretchers. The cabinet doors are lined with a contrasting fabric, which can be swapped out at your every whim!








Their red room shows how to have high-impact in a small space.








This room plays to a modern esthetic with it's graphic prints and cool colors. 











Their rustic room includes raw-looking, wooden furniture with heavy hardware, and traditional Swedish prints.









One of the rooms doubled as both dining and craft room. I love the fabrics hanging on a garment rack and the ruler painted on the wall! The most adorable thing though, is the sewing machine they now sell. It's compact with a decent amount of stitches, and affordably priced. This would be a great starter machine for any DIY-er.














Of course, I love the doily print of this bedding set. I've had a grey version of it at home for a couple of years that I still haven't opened. I keep thinking I'll pull a Maria Von Trapp, and make myself a skirt out of it. Said mythical skirt would be perfect paired with a crocheted top designed out of yarn from my line. It's good to have crafty pipe dreams.















Clover and I were ladies who lunch, courtesy of the in-store cafe.












The best part of the event, though? The parting gift. The Ikea folks gave me what appeared to be a little textile bundle, but turned out to be 2 yards of home dec fabric! I suddenly want to buy a cabin so I have a place to put some homemade, tree stump-print pillows! Again: crafty pipe dreams.




You can see the current line of Ikea textiles here. Enjoy!







xx,

Vickie

New Booklet: Top Ten Crochet Hats

My 8th book(ish) (does a booklet count as a book?), Top Ten Crocheted Hats is out now exclusively at Joann stores. Here's a glimpse at a handful of the projects inside!





























Make any of these hats in a weekend (or evening) --adding a pop of color (using my Sheep(ish) yarn, of course) to your winter wardrobe has never been so easy.




Happy hat-making, crocheters!




xx,

Vickie

Love Crochet this Valentine's Day!

'Tis the season to nurture your love of crafty learning! Beginning today, Craftsy gifts you up to 75% off of ALL of their online classes, include Crochet Lab . Join the 6,000+ students who've already taken my course, but for a limited time for only $10!  Click here  to nab it, and see all of the classes on sale.




Love crochet this Valentine's Day!




xo,

Vickie

Valentine's Day Pinsperation

How is it only February, and I already feel really behind this year? Back when I had my I Love to Create or PBS Parents column, I would've had a couple of heart inspired how-tos for you by now. Alas, though I've been focused on behind-the-scene promo stuff for my other gigs, so we'll have to settle for staring longingly at some of the beautiful projects created by others, and pinned by me. Here's a glimpse at some of the projects inspiring me this month.







Click to enlarge.








Click to enlarge.





My 3 1/2 year-old daughter and I have put a couple of the pre-schooler friendly DIYdeas into action, by making out own versions. The first one was this magnet experiment.  My version uses an empty peanut butter container, some glitter tape, and a bunch of Valentine-inspired items. Most items had metal in them (pipe cleaners, bells, paper clips, etc.), but others (pom poms, sequin, etc.) did not. Clover had fun seeing how the magnet worked to attract the metal items, while leaving the other items alone.





V-Day Magnet Experiment



Clover had fun seeing how the magnet worked to attract the metal items, while leaving the other items alone. Admittedly though, she's had more fun shaking the jar at the cat while chasing him around.














The second activity we played with came from this pin. This is one of those, "why didn't I think of that" ideas: use a smooshed toilet paper roll to paint heart stamps on paper. Here's our version.





T.P. Heart Stamp



Sweet, simple and makes great wrapping for those Valentine's gifts!



Looking for more Love Day inspiration? Check out my V-Day Pinterest board for the items shown in this post and more!




xx,

Vickie