Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 6

Overprint Bag Kits

 

I’m so excited that my friend and YarnYAY! Design Manager, Julia Madill‘s Overprint Bag design was published in the Spring ’23 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly! We love the graphic look, and environmentally conscious purpose of this crochet tote so much, that we’ve put together two colorful kits to celebrate!

SHOP THE OVERPRINT BAG KIT

We’ve greatly discounted the Montoya Merino Light included in the kit to encourage you to spend those dollars supporting independently published Pom Pom. The pattern for this kit is just one of nine stunning, knit and crochet patterns included in the issue!

SHOP THE OVERPRINT BAG KIT

But wait, there’s more! We’ve teamed up with PPQ to offer YarnYAYers 20% off the digital issue (now available) with code: POMYAY23

 

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Meet Lapis Blue & Crystal Quartz: New Shades of Montoya Merino Light

I‘m thrilled to welcome our latest Montoya Merino Light color, Blue Lapis! Inspired by Lapis Lazuli stones, this vibrant shade is rich, bold, and has a hint of violet. We know you’re going to love it as much as we do!

SHOP BLUE LAPISStep into spring by making our Motoya Merino Light patterns and kits in this latest hue: SHOP BLUE LAPIS SHOP BLUE LAPISAlso new, Lapis Blue’s sister hue, Crystal Quartz! This hand-dyed speckled yarn is great to add a subtle pop of color and looks like a dream striped with Lapis. SHOP CRYSTAL QUARTZ            

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YarnYAY! March Box #59

YarnYAY! March Box #59

Spring is about to, well, spring, and we’re ready for it! The YarnYAY! March box #59 is filled with bright, happy, floral, and shell-inspired goodies knitters and crocheters, intended to bring a little brightness to your life. 

This month’s box supports 5 (well, 7 if you count the printer and yarn manufacturer) small businesses, including my own. Thank you so much for supporting YarnYAY! so we can support others!

Montoya Merino Light | Vickie Howell

This month we’re so happy to bring you our very first variegated shade of Vickie’s yarn, Montoya Merino Light! Desert Jasper is a self-pooling combination of 3 of the line’s solid shades (Malachite, UtopiaFest & Boulder), mixed to create a bold, Springtime palette. 

Learn more about Vickie Howell Montoya Merino Light here.

Shawlette Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Afifa Sayeed

We love accessories that can crossover from one season to another. As Spring emerges, so can our lighter-weight scarves & shawlettes. This month we’re featuring playful versions.

Scallop Shawl/Shawlette (knit), designed and modeled by Afifa Sayeed

 

The knit scarf, by Afifa, lets the yarn do the work with a simple garter stitch body, but embellished with a knit-as-you-go cable scallop edging.

Floret Shawl/Shawlette (crochet) by Vickie Howell | Model: Kat Roberts

The crochet shawlette, by Vickie, is made boomerang style with mini-floret edging, and optional full-floret embellishments.

Row Counter | Knitter’s Pride

Even with an arsenal of tech gadgets, there’s still nothing quite as useful for keeping track of our stitching progress, as a good ol’ fashioned row counter. This one is also pretty, so, bonus!

Knitter’s Pride employs more than 400 women in India. 

I Got This Sticky Notes | Knock Knock

Take note, knitters, and crocheters, you’ve got this! Use these sticky pages to help keep track of where you are in a pattern, or for anything you need a reminder for in life. 

Knock Knock is a woman-founded company. 

Embrace Kindness | Big Moods

Good motto, sweet sticker. 

Big Moods is twin-brother-owned and based in Detroit. 

 

YarnYAY! Subscription Box for Knitters and Crocheters. Join today, pause or cancel anytime!

 

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YarnYAY! February Box is HERE!

YarnYAY! February Box

It’s February box reveal time! This month we’re featuring FIVE small businesses, including one from across the pond. Watch my unboxing below, and keep scrolling for a closer look. If you’ve been looking for a knitting subscription box or a crochet subscription box, we’ve got you. Welcome!

 

 

 

Double Knit | Jamison’s of Shetland

This month we’re featuring yarn from across the pond, dk-weight, heathered, 100% wool from Shetland sheep. Shade Sunset gives a nod to Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year, and Twilight reminds us of the conversation candy hearts of the season.

Jamison’s is a family-owned business, based in the Shetland Isles in Scotland.

 

Boot Topper Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Afifa Sayeed
Add some frills (not to mention a layer of warmth) to your favorite pair of boots with this month’s flared boot cuffs! The knit toppers, by Afifa, combine Stockinette Stitch with a widening rib.

Support & follow our Spring/Summer Designer-in-Residence, Afifa Sayeed on Instagram @fifknits 

The crochet cuffs, by Vickie, are worked in a bell shape using half-double crochet and front and back post ribbing. Both are as cozy as they are cute!

 

Sweater Care Bag | Cocoknits

 

This eco-friendly nylon mesh cylinder bag keeps your knitted and crocheted pieces, or any delicate washables, from stretching or snagging in the wash.

Cocoknits is a California-based, woman-owned business. 

 

Heart Flowers Card | Illustrating Amy

We flowers. We you. This beautifully illustrated greeting card says it all!

Amy Curefield-Clark is the artist behind Illustrating Amy. 

 

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YarnYAY! January Box #57

YarnYAY! January Box #57

It’s time for the reveal of the YarnYAY! January Box #57, the first of 2023! We kick off the year with Universal Yarns, Fisherman’s Rib, a new Designer in Residence, a wiish kit, and more. Happy New Year!

 

Wool Pop | Universal Yarns

This month we teamed up with friends at Universal Yarns to bring you a lovely blend of bamboo, wool, and a splash of polyimide, in two shades of icy blue. We love how the dye takes differently on the respective fibers, delivering a two-tone effect. Oh, and the drape is dreamy!

Universal Yarns is based in North Carolina. Learn more at: universalyarns.com

 

Cold Shoulder Knit Dickie by Afifa Sayeed for YarnYAY! Cardigan courtesy of The Mercantile at Mill & Grain

Warmers Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Afifa Sayeed

Add a layer, and curb the chill with this month’s layering pieces! The knit shoulder warmer, by Afifa, is made with cozy, Fisherman’s Rib.

Neck and Neck Crochet cowl by Vickie Howell. Cardigan provided by The Mercantile at Mill & Grain

The crochet neck warmer, by Vickie, is worked in front and back post double crochet stitches. Both pieces are worked from the top down and could be made larger with more yarn, by continuing in the established pattern.

Introducing our Spring/Summer Designer-in-Residence, Afifa Sayeed! Support & follow her on Instagram @fifknits

 

 

Knot Project Bag | YARNYAY!

Knot bags, with one handle slightly longer than the other, so that they act as a clever closure when overlapped, are all the rage right now. Ours is perfect to take a small project on the go, plus, it acts as the canvas for the debut of our new logo!

 

Flying Wish Paper Mini Kit | Flying Wish Paper
What better way to kick off a new year, than by setting positive intentions and releasing them to the universe? This magical kit will put your wishes in flight!

Flying Wish Paper is a woman-owned business. Learn more at: flyingwishpaper.com

 

Become a YarnYAY! Box subscriber today!

 

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2023 YarnYAY! Designers in Residence

2023 YarnYAY! Designers in Residence

In an effort to support designers in a meaningful way and breathe fresh air into our monthly box pattern selections, each year we team up with a couple of talented folks to be our Designers in Residence. Each will be featured every month for six of our cornerstone boxes. We’re excited to announce who we’ll work with in 2023 —  let’s say, hello!

 

Spring/Summer 2023 Designer In Residence: Afifa Sayeed

Born in Pakistan and educated in Asia, Europe, and the United States, Afifa’s work is influenced by her multi-national upbringing. Passionate about bringing together elements of classic design from a variety of sources to create something new and original, she brings a modern sensibility and love of construction to the art of knitting. Follow her on Instagram.

   Subscribers will receive a pattern for a design by Affifa in every monthly box from January-June!  

Fall/Winter Designer In Residence: Gavriella

Gavriella is a knit and crochet designer based in Texas. She enjoys all the cozy things and is a true homebody. She enjoys creating aesthetically pleasing content and transfers these joys into her inclusive designs. Follow her on Instagram.

Subscribers will receive a pattern for a design by Gavriella in every monthly box from July-December!

 Not a YarnYAY! Monthly Box subscriber? Let’s fix that!

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Ask Me Monday 250+ Episode Round-Up | Series Finale

Ask Me Monday Series Round-up

Since Facebook Live launched in Beta in 2015, I’ve had the pleasure at joining my virtual community live on most Mondays. What started out as a casual Q&A series (hence the name), turned into a more planned-out episodic tutorial, tips, and project-sharing adventure. During the course of the near 8 years I’ve hosted As Me Monday, I’ve had kids graduate from elementary school, middle school, and high school, then off to college and life; I’ve gone from being a spokeperson for a major yarn conglomerate to branching out on my own, writing my 7-13th books, crowd-funded, produced and launched The Knit Show, and started and grew a retail business. The one constant in the Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that is my career, over these past years, has been bringing you episodes of Ask Me Monday. I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of a community that spans the globe, and feel so grateful to those who have, and will continue, to follow and support my projects. Although it’s time for this iteration of my video tutorials to come to an end, I am by no means going anywhere. I will continue to teach and offer tutorials through this blog, on YouTube, and of course, through my business, YarnYAY! I also plan on bringing back a more intimate variation of the studio-quality series, that The Knit Show viewers know and love. So, stay tuned, and feel loved. I appreciate you.

In the meantime, I’ve put links to every episode, tutorial, tip, trick, and free pattern from the entirety of Ask Me Monday’s run, here for you. I hope the resources continue to be useful, and maybe even put an occassional, crafty smile on your face. Enjoy!

Much love,

Vickie

P.S. As a thank you to viewers for their support, get a free pattern of your choice from my YarnYAY! Shop. Offer is good through 12/31/22, for all patterns priced at $6 and under. Use code LASTAMM22 at checkout.

A huge shout-out to our sponsor for the past 4 Years

Knitter’s Pride employs over 400 women in India and continues to support independent designers like myself, here in the states and beyond. Please support them by shopping their products online or at your favorite LYS!



 ASK ME MONDAY EPISODES 249-200

Episode #249: Few Hours (Crochet) Cowl Episode #248: Wednesday’s Snood Episode #247: Knitting Under Loose Strand & Zippered Crochet Seaming Episode #246: Seam as-you-go Mitered Squares Episode #245: Knit & Crochet Checkered Patterns E pisode #244: Skull Mug Rug Episode #243: Halloween Hangers Episode #242: Bargello Knit Stitch In-the-Round Episode #241: Stretches & Mindfulness for Knitters Episode #240: Knit & Crochet Lace Panels Episode #239: Mosaic Knit Stitch with guest, Becky Joiner Episode #238: Santa’s Sleigh Beret Episode #237: Knit Eyelet Card Holder Episode #236: How to Attach Handles to Knit & Crochet Bags Episode #235: Five Tips for Knitters Episode #234: Crochet Ball Fringe Episode #233: Tunisian Bamboo Stitch + Pincushion Pattern Episode #232: Knit & Crochet Ladder Stitches   Episode #231: Lavender Lace Eye Pillow Episode #230: Knit Smocking Stitch Episode #229: Self-Striping Mistake Rib Scarf Episode #228: Granny Stripe Bandit Scarf Episode #227: Introducing Montoya Merino Light Episode #226: Cat’s Eye Lace Episode #225: 2-Square Cowl Episode #224: Feather Stitch Coffee Cozies (Knit & Crochet) Episode #223: February Morning Scarf Episode #222: Sock Yarn Heart Earrings Episode #221:  Knit Cable Demystified Episode #220: Last-Minute Holiday Projects Episode #219: Tips for Picking Up Stitches for Ribbing Episode #218: Knit Gift Card Baggie Episode #217: Brioche Stitch Super Scarf Episode #216: Knit Mosaic Chevron Stitch Episode #215: Mock Turtleneck Shoulder Warmer [image error] Episode #214: How to Wind Yarn Into a Ball Episode #213: Felted Pumpkin Hot Pad Episode #212: Textured Rib Wrist Warmers Episode #211: Tiny Shells Tunisian Crochet Pillow Episode #210: Textured Rib Knit & Crochet Stitches Episode #209: 2-Square Scrunchie Episode #208: Crochet Flip Flops Episode #207: Macrame Necklace Episode #206: Wine Cork Trees Episode #205: Granny Square Scrunchie Episode #204: Checkered Lace Stitches Episode #203: Rainbow Heart Pillow Episode #202: I-cord Variation Knit Rope Bracelets Episode #201: Crochet Wide Herringbone Stitch Episode #200: 2-Row Knit Lace Patterns

ASK ME MONDAY EPISODES 199-150

Episode #199: Sunburst Granny Square Can Cozy Episode #198: Tunisian Brick Stitch Episode #197: Wallpaper Journals with Knit Edgings Episode #196: Chain Stitch Coasters Episode #195: Scrap Yarn Knit Flowers Episode #194: How to Block Knitting & Crochet Episode #193: Crochet Egg Cozy Episode #192: Guide to Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks Episode #191: Wave Stitches Episode #190: How to Knit a Faux Fur Collar Episode #189: Tips for Knitting & Crocheting with Bouclé Yarn Episode #188: Tunisian Coffee Cozy Episode #187: Knit & Crochet Heart Stitches Episode #186: Single Color Brioche Stitch Episode #185: Peppermint Plaid Crochet Cowl Episode #183: Knitter’s Pride Mindful Collection Episode #182: 10-Row Crochet Scarf Episode #181: Verticle Stripe Slip Stitch Episode #180: Knit & Crochet Shell Stitches Episode #179: Knit Center-Out Shawl Primer Episode #178: Tunisian Crochet Pumpkins Episode #177: Knit Owl Cowl Episode #175: To Ways to Close Beanies without Shaping Episode #174: Knit & Crochet Mock Cables

 

Episode #173: School Supplies for Craft Supplies Organization Episode #172: Grand Eyelet Lattice Stitch Scarf Episode #171: Linen Broomstick Lace Pillow Episode #170: Tunisian Loopy Knot Stitch Episode #168: Knit & Crochet Net Stitches
Episode #167: Crochet Romanian Cord Episode #166: Great Bind-offs for Shawls & Shawlettes Episode #165: Knit a Necktie Episode #164: Chain Plying Episode #163: Lemon Peel Stitch Glasses Case Episode #162: Singles Summer Scarf Episode #161: May Flowers Stitches Episode #160: Scrap Bin Scrunchies Episode # 159: Mitered & Granny Squares Episode # 158: Organize Needles & Hooks with 5 Household Items Episode # 157: 4 Great Washcloth Stitches Episode # 156: Log Cabin Knit Squares Episode # 155: Travelling with Knitting Needles Episode # 154: Crochet Seed Stitch Episode # 153: Cup o’ Love Coffee Cozy Episode # 152: Tips for Stranded Knitting Episode # 151: Heart Stitch Cowl Episode # 150: Crochet Spiral Rib

 

ASK ME MONDAY EPISODES 149-100

 

Episode #149: Top 5 Ask Me Mondays of 2019 Episode #148: Gift Card Sweaters Episode #147: Sock Yarn Snowflakes Episode #145: Go-to Gift Cable Mittens Episode #144: Go-to Gift Slouchy Beanie Episode #143: Go-to Gifts Chunky Beanie Episode #142: Crochet Ball Fringe Coasters Episode #142a (Bonus episode): Cable Cuff Stitches Episode #141: Fiber-Inspired Halloween Decor Room Tour E pisode #140: Russian Grafting Episode #139: Introducing Smart Stix Needles Episode #138: Brioche Rib Decrease Episode #137: Crochet Earbud Taco Episode #136: Lacy Herringbone Stitch Episode #135: Tunisian Honeycomb Stitch Pillow Episode #134: Honeycomb Stitch for Home Decor Episode #133: Broomstick Lace Tree Wall Hanging Episode #132: Great Cast-Ons for Ribbing Episode #131: Basic Boomerang Shawl Recipe E pisode #130: Rope Coasters Episode #129: Mosaic Stitch Sunglass Case Episode #128: Brioche Stitch Potholder Episode #127:  Knit & Crochet Linen Stitch Episode #126: Knit & Crochet Herringbone Stitch: Warm Up America Squares Episode #126a (Bonus episode): Basic Top-Center-Out Shawl Recipe Episode #125: Warmest Knit & Crochet Stitches for Winter Episode #124: How to Crochet a Heart Episode #123: Scrap Bin Knit Heart Plushie Episode #122: How to Make Fabric Yarn Episode #121: Portuguese Style Knit & Purl E pisode #120: Best of Ask Me Monday 2018 Episode #119: Make in Under 2-Hour Cowls Episode #117: Crochet Poinsettias Episode #116: Scrap Bin Knit Stockings Episode #115: Knit Pumpkin Plush Episode #114: Rope & Crochet Blanket Episode #113: Wearable Tools from Knitter’s Pride Episode #112: Basic Blanket Recipe Episode #111: How to Knit Trimmings Episode #110: How to Make Crochet Curl, Puff & Point Episode #109: How to Use a Nostepinne Episode #108: 10 Tips for Caring for Knitting Needles Episode #107: How to Knit Afterthought Heel (Part 2 of Two-at-a-Time Socks) Episode #106: How to Knit Socks Two-at-a-Time (Part 1) Episode #105: How to Knit a Flower Episode #104: Crochet Buttons Episode #103: Chain Plying (formerly known as Navajo Knitting) Episode #102: Basic Crochet Sock Recipe (How to Crochet Socks) Episode #101: Knit & Crochet Wire Rings Episode #100: Basic Knit Sock Recipe (How to Knit Socks)

ASK ME MONDAY EPISODES 99-50

Episode #99: How to Crochet Beaded Bracelets Episode #98: How to KNIT Crochet Stitches Episode #97: Knitting with Beads + Ascot Pattern Episode #96: Knit & Crochet Sachets Episode #95: Crochet Openwork Stitches Episode #94: Three Openwork Knit Stitches for Spring Episode #93: How to Make Plarn (Plastic Bag Yarn) + Charity Mats Episode #92: Extended Crochet Stitches Episode #91: Three Bind-off Solutions for Knitting Episode #90: Three Ways: Provisional Cast-ons Episode #89: Two-Color Brioche in-the-Round Episode #88: Tips for Starting & Maintaining a Knitting Group Episode #87: Knitting in-the-Round with 2 Circular Needles Episode #86: How to Knit a Latvian Braid Episode #85: Crochet Wreath Napkin Rings Episode #84: Yarn Crush Tour + Crochet Cables & Judy’s Magic Cast-On Episode #83: How to Cast-On in Stockinette & Rib Stitch Episode #82: How to Finger Knit Pumpkin Decorations Episode #81: Five Tips for Organizing Your Craft Supplies Episode #80: Honeycomb Knit Stitch Episode #79: 10 Days, 10 Giveaways Episode #78: How to Flat Tapestry Crochet Episode #77: Pompom & Flower Loom Earrings Episode #76: How to Knit Tuck Stitches Episode #75: Dimensional Fabric Piece Bowl Episode #74: Tunisian Crochet Summer Scarf Episode #73: Tunisian Crochet Knit and Purl Stitches Episode #72: New Mexico Yarn Craft Show & Tell Episode #71: Garter Stitch Intarsia Episode #70: View Questions + Granny Square Refresher Episode #69: Corner to Corner Crochet Episode #68: Three Stitches for Mindful Knitting & Crochet Episode #67: How to Block Lace with Wires Episode #66: To Ways to Knit Joggless Stripes in-the-Round Episode #65: How to Needlefelt a Wool Buddy Owl Episode #64: Organizing Your Needles, Projects & More! Episode #63: Two-Color Brioche Knitting (flat) Episode #62: How to Unravel Knitting & Add Beads for Fringe (AKA Knit Fringe) Episode #61: How to Knit the Doodle Stitch Episode #60: Paper & Crochet Galentines Episode #59: How to USe Clover Mini Loom Episode #58: How to Attach Linings and Leather Handles to Knit & Crochet Bags Episode #57: A Story Episode #56: Next Level Cables

 

Episode #55: Two-Handed Stranding Corrugated Rib Episode #54: How to Convert Any Hat Pattern to Messy Bun Beanie Episode #53: Five Ways to Knit, Crochet & Macrame Yarn Ribbons Episode #52: Addi Express King Knitting Machine Tutorial Episode #51: Crochet Color Work Episode #50: MISSING EPISODE

ASK ME MONDAY EPISODES 49-1

Episode #49: Needle Felting With AddiTurbo Tool Episode #48: Five Ways to Embellish Gifts with Yarn Episode #47: How to Knit a Shawl Collar Episode #46: Three Types of Fringe for Big Knits Episode #45: How to Crochet a Top Center Out Shawl Episode #44: How to Use Curved Double-Pointed Needles Episode #43: Little Crown Stitch Episode #42: Magic Loop Knitting Episode #41: Provisional Cast On & Crochet Cables Episode #40: Zoom Loom Episode #39: Mosaic Knitting Plaid Stitch Episode #38: Flower Looms Episode #37: Shibori Dyeing Fabric Episode #36: Mitered Rainbow Heart Episode #35: Embroidered Running Stitch, Back Stitch & Satin Stitch Episode #34: Short Row Circles Tote + How to Block Acrylic Yarn Episode #32: Grafting with Garter Kitchener Stitch Episode #31: Q & A + Wee Garter Stitch Episode #30: How to Find Podcasts + P2tog Tutorial Episode #29: Oval Loom Ankle Socks Episode #28: Q & A Episode #27: How to Knit Ruching Episode #26: Unboxing Crafty Mail Episode #25: Tunisian Simple Stitch with guest, Marcy Smith Episode #24: Preventing Gap When Knitting-in-the-Round Episode #23: Embroidered Blanket Stitch + Adding Knit or Crochet to Fabric Episode #22: Announcing the CRAFT*ish Podcast Episode #21: HDC in the 3rd Loop Episode #20: Wrist Stretches and Photo Tips Episode #19: What Is a Lucet + More Episode #18: Q&A Episode #17: Interview with Vickie’s Mom, Libby. Episode #16: Q&A Episode #15: Knit Increases (YO, Lifted Increase, M1) Episode #14: 3-Needle Bind-Off + Pompom Maker Episode #13: Where’s the End of a Crochet Row + Yarn length Solutions! Episode #12: Double Knitting & DPN Storage Episode #11: How to Cable without a Needle Episode 11a (Bonus Episode): How to Duplicate Stitch (aka Swiss Darning) Episode #10: Three Tips for Holiday Gift Making Episode #09: Five Ways to Knit & Crochet the Blues Away Episode #08: Q&A Episode #07: Chat + Preventing the Gap When Knitting in-the-Round Episode #06: Five Ways to Monetize Your Crafts Episode #05: Picking Yourself Up After Creative Rejection Episode #04: DPN Basics + Chat Episode #03: MISSING  Episode #02: Traveling with Projects Episode #01: Welcome to Ask Me Monday (Sideways out of the gate, lol!)  The video tutorials aren’t going away, they just won’t be episodic. See you here, on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. And don’t forget to shop YarnYAY!

 

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5 Knit Tree Ornaments

5 Knit Tree Ornaments

Around the holidays I love working on quick, thematic projects, and tiny tree ornaments are a personal fave during wintertime. Here’s a round-up of 5 Knit Tree Ornaments that I love, and links to the patterns so you can knit them, too, this holiday season!

 

Scrap Bin Tree Ornaments

I designed Scrap Bin Tree Ornaments as an eclectic option for mixing and matching scrap yarn, especially those special novelty yarns that you can’t bear to throw away even a few yards of. They’re puffy, unique, and adorable!

Probably my favorite of the ornaments I’ve designed.

Nicky’s Glorious Tennenbaum

My colleague, veteran designer Nicky Epstein mixed beads with the loop stitch to create a cleverly fluffy fir!

by Nicky Epstein

Get the pattern.

Jingle Bells Tree Ornament

This stripy ornament from BooBiloo, adorned by a pompom and jingle bells, is both classic and whimsical.

by BooBiloo

Get the pattern.

 

Wine Cork Trees

Deck the halls … or bottles, as the case may be, with my cork tree patterns! The make sweet toppers, and add a personal touch to that host-gift bottle of wine.

by Vickie Howell

Get the pattern.

 

Bitty Beady Christmas Tree

Lace and i-cord mixed with beads, make Heartstrings Fiber Arts Bitty Beady trees light, airy, and happy!

by Heartstrings FiberArts

Get the pattern.

 

The post appeared first on Vickie Howell.

Few Hours Crochet Cowl

Few Hours Crochet Cowl

Being busy doesn’t have to mean that you can’t give handmade gifts. It’s possible to knit and crochet, beautiful accessories that work for many on your list, in just one evening. I recently designed an ASAP Gifts Collection, using gorgeously hand-dyed yarns, that includes 5 projects that can be knit in a matter of hours. I’m not one to leave out crocheters, though, so I wanted to make sure to have an option for the hookers among us, too. Enter, the Few Hours Crochet Cowl. I made this one, in the time it took to watch a movie. Made flat using back loop and front loop double crochet stitches, this squishy neck warmer looks rich and ribbed. 

Spring for an artisanal, hand-dyed yarn and you get a one-of-kind gift — and for under $30-35! I ask you, what other piece of special can you give someone for that price point? Huzzah!

Don’t forget to tag @vickiehowell with your finished Few Hour Cowls. I love seeing what you make!

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Symfonie Dreamz, Waves, and Zing! Hooks



Few Hours Crochet Cowl: Make it!

MATERIALS

1 hank Madeline Tosh ASAP (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 90 yds/130g)

Size US L/ 8mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Tapestry needle

 

ONE SIZE

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

9″  tall x 20″ circumference

 

GAUGE

10 dcs x 4 rows = 4″/10 cm

Note: gauge is important for this project if you’d like for it to take only one hank to complete.

SPECIAL STITCHES

BLDC= back loop DC

Work double crochet stitch in the back loop only.

FLDC= front loop DC

Work double crochet stitch in the front loop only.

 

DIRECTIONS

Ch 24.

Row 1 (WS): Dc in 4th ch from hook and every ch across. — 22 sts.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 3, BLDC in next st and every st to end.

Row 3 (WS): Ch 3, FLDC in next st and every st to end.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until the piece measures 20″/8 cm, or until you run out of yarn.

Don’t fasten off.

 

FINISHING

With WS facing, slip stitch ends together.

Weave in ends.

 

Looking for ASAP Knit Projects? I’ve got you!

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YarnYAY! December Box #56

YarnYAY! December Box #56

It’s time for the reveal of the final YarnYAY! box of 2022, our December, Holiday Edition! Here’s what’s inside.

 

Vickie Howell Montoya Merino, in December Box exclusive color: Feliz

Montoya Merino | Vickie Howell
As a special treat this month our usually-solid Montoya Merino gets a splash of speckles across a festive red and lovely grey background. The shade Feliz means “happy” in Spanish. We hope it puts a smile on your face! 

Ribboning Knit Beanie

Beanies & Headband Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Toni Lipsey
Beanies are some of our favorite gifts to make, and this month we’re focused on staple ribbed versions. The knit hat is worked in a twisted spiral rib.

Ribbing Crochet Beanie

The crochet beanie is worked in a slip-stitch rib that looks deceptively like it’s knit. Both hats are designed by Vickie.

Head Over Holidays (Tunisian Crochet) Headband, by Toni Lipsey

This is Toni Lipsey‘s last month as our Designer in Residence. She’s known for her Tunisian crochet designs so as a holiday bonus she designed an ear warmer in the craft. We love it and have loved working with Toni!

Gold Maker’s Sack | DellaQ x Yarnyay!
We love Maker’s Sacks as small project bags! This month, to add a little sparkle to your stitching experience, we teamed up DellaQ to make an exclusive gold version just for you!

DellaQ is owned by Laura Zander, and based in Reno, NV. Learn more at dellaq.com

Hot Cocoa Pack | Mike & Jen’s
As you cuddle up with your knitting or crochet, enjoy a warm cup of cocoa! Mike & Jen’s recipe is made from just 5 simple ingredients and made in the hot cocoa capital of the world!

Mike & Jen’s is a woman-owned business, based in Duluth, MN. 

Learn more at mikeandjens.com

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