Vickie Howell's Blog: Vickie Howell's Website, page 66

A Few Photos from TNNA

Tulip Booth Display



I just got back from spending a couple of days at TNNA (The National Needle Arts convention) in Columbus, OH. This is the bi-annual trade show where yarn stores come to order new products and designers meet with yarn companies and magazines about future gigs. This year, I went on behalf of Tulip needles and hooks to hang out and demonstrate their products. It was a good

New Plushie Pattern: Purple Ninja (sewn version)

For those of you who've been following the launch of Purple Stitch Project, you know that a purple version of one of my son's favorite things -- ninjas -- is the official mascot. I designed knit and crochet plushie versions a couple of weeks ago, and have now added the 3rd version: one to be sewn.










Get the pattern pdf here and information on donating finished plushies to children

Come see me at TNNA in Columbus!

I'll be zipping out to Columbus, OH this weekend to attend the TNNA convention on Sunday and Monday. I'd love it if you'd visit me at the Tulip Needles booth, where I'll be demo-ing my favorite brand of crochet hooks and some amazing, interchangeable knitting needle sets. Stop by and say, "Hi!"





In the mood for a bevie and a little craftiness (in that order)? I'll also be hanging out

Plushie Drive for Epilepsy Camp!

Alright, I know I just launched Purple Stitch Project a couple of days ago, but I'm already coming to you guys with a need. Next month in Bastrop (you know, where the HUGE fires wiped out 4,000 homes last year) there's going to be this great camp hosted by The Epilepsy Foundation of Central & South Texas in partnership with Texas Parks & Wildlife. Camp Brainstorm is a 5-day experience for

Home Hooking: Granny Square Doll Blanket

After my dad passed away in 2010, I came across a few of my very first crochet projects while cleaning out his attic. One of which, was the multi-colored, granny square doll blanket pictured below. This finding reinforces the fact that handmade items are a representation of history -- this blanket sharing a bit of mine.






Doll blanket I made when I was about 9-years-old.


For the

Announcing: Purple Stitch Project!

Last August my now 10-year-old son, Tristan was diagnosed with epilepsy. Since then it's been an emotional roller-coaster of anti-seizure drug side-effects, alternative treatment options, academic challenges, and dealing with the emotional strife a child feels when he's not in control of his own body. Tristan is a brave kid, though, and I'm happy to report is getting better every day -- as

The Mothercraft: 5 Crafts to Keep Kids Busy

We're only a couple of weeks into summer vacation here in Austin, and I'm already getting the "I'm boreds" from my boys. I am not a cruise director with a schedule of field trips and follies--I'm a work-at-home mom who's happy to be with her kids, but unavailable to be their 24/7 entertainment. Well, my fellow parental pals, that's where crafting comes to the rescue!

Here are 5 projects to

New Pattern for Father's Day: Clubbed!

Golf Club Cozy




With dad's day coming up I thought I'd share the pattern for a golf club cover I made for my father-in-law a couple of years ago. Admittedly, I don't know anything about golf, but this cozy was a special request so I did my best. I'm happy to say that Mr. Wayne Campbell was quite pleased with the finished product, and I'm hoping that the golfer in your life will be, too.

Takes a Lick-ing

When one of your good buddy's a photographer, a dinner meet-up can sometimes sidecar one of his gigs. In our case, we joined Jody Horton for a bite to eat and ended up at new, gourmet ice cream joint, Lick. If you can tear yourself away from the abs shot on the cover, you'll see my daughter (upper left) and my hubby & me (lower right) included in a sweet shop feature in the June issue of

Compliments Collection, by Kristin Omdahl!

I'm a big fan of Kristin Omdahl. Her patterns are feminine and flirty with a whisper of architectural design. Her latest booklet, Compliments Collection offers 10 knit and crochet projects which speak to her signature aesthetic while offering the perfect inspiration for summertime stitching.





My favorite design in the book is the Aster-tiered Knit Cowl (shown above) for its delicate