Rolling Roadshow

I'm back from the Michael's events in Dallas (thanks to those of you who came out!)and shooting Knit Bits in L.A. The former went as smoothly as it possibly could cinsidering there was a 4 hour drive (each way) with 2 children involved. Actually, it wasn't bad at all once, in a moment of frustration & defeat, we pulled the car over at a Best Buy just as we got out of Austin City Limits and bought the little dvd player with the two screens that you can strap on the back of the front seats. The boys were enthralled with super-hero levels of entertainment for the duration of the trip. I bought the player instead of a Blackberry for myself but let me tell you, it was the best $200 I've ever spent! Seriously. Quiet children in an enclosed car=sanity. Of course, they were disappointed to hear that roadshow entertainment is not how they'll be rolling on a daily basis but were nevertheless thankful for the promise that our longer jaunts would from that day forward, be movie-action packed! But I digress.

The Knit Bit shoot was produced and directed by my friend Andrew Wollman from the improv group, Mighty McPilgrim. Although if we had it our way, the bits would be compiled of useful facts conveyed through movie parodies and sarcastic pop-culture references (our Brokeback Mountain suggestion in which I'd plead, "I wish I could knit you!", was nixed before it even reached the list of possibilities), we still had a ton of fun working together. The last two days of shooting were at the Executive Producer's house (which is where almost all of the kitchen and living room pieces have taken place over the past several seasons), but we spent the first day in or around Suss Designs in L.A., which is the most beautiful, spacious and inviting knitting store I've ever been in.
It's dangerous for me to spend any time at all in a yarn store, because I seem to be incapable of not buying something. One of the things I purchased from Suss is this quick, super-easy shawl kit. It's done in garter stitch on size 50 needles so I finished the whole thing except the fringe, on the plane ride home. I've already worn it twice and will probably bring it back to Cali with me to wear on Knitty Gritty. Good stuff.

Howz about some pictures? Ok, good.

This is me and producer Steve Bae dressed for a bit where he was supposed to be a private and I, a drill sargeant. The tip has to do with a military surplus bag.


This one is from a "quick draw" tip on using a hand mixer to make an embellishment.


These next two are from a bit that involved me drinking an entire 2 liter bottle of soda in about 1.2 seconds. The first is Dave (the art director who also did the cartoons for Not Another Teen Knitting Book) sitting below me funneling out the soda through a tube that's inserted through both the table and the bottle. I know, I'm totally ruining the TV "magic" here. ;-) The second is Dave and Andrew recycling the soda for me to re-drink (gross), after the first take went slightly awry.



This last one is Andrew's hand giving a testimonial for a bit on hand excercises (as taught by my hand). I know, and I apologize. Look though, at the wee yoga mat and weights that Dave made us!


That's it for me. HAPPY HALLOWEEN from me and my boys!

Be safe and have fun!

Slimey Smooches,
Vickie

Big Mushy Gushy Thank Yous!

Yesterday was one of those rare days when I felt like I actually was able to successfully balance most of the major things in my life. DIY needed me to shoot some promos for them and were able to accomodate my family life by coming out to Austin to shoot them. I dropped off my kids at school in the morning, went straight into makeup, shot for 4 hours and was done in time to pick them up again without them having to go into afterschool care. Good stuff.
I also found out from marketing that "Knitty Gritty" is the #1 searched for term OVERALL, on the DIY website. Considering the network has a 59% male viewership, that ain't half bad for a little knitting show! I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of you taking the time to search out and support us. Without you all, we couldn't exist and for that, I am eternally greatful. You rock!

If you're bored and looking for something to listen to, check out the AM radio interview that Jenny Hart and I did for a local station on their "The Ladies Room with Lolis" show:
AM Talk 1370
Track 1
Track 2

Have a great day!

xo,
Vickie

Jewell of the Style

Hi all! I'm back from L.A. We hammered out what most of the next seasons' episodes will likely be, with only a few "maybes" to juggle. So far, everything's looking great! We also shot a few Knit Bits at Rather B. Knitting in Encino (randomly in the same strip mall that 40 Year Old Virgin was shot in) and Stitches from the Heart in Santa Monica. As I mentioned in my last post, some of the bits included the lovely, Annette O'Toole, who couln't possibly have been more gracious or sweet. It was a pleasure working with her. She had a great sense of humor which helped when I mistakenly introduced her on camera as "Annette Benning" to which she replied, "You wish!". I'm such an idiot sometimes. The only reason I can think of for the mistake (which btw happened way into the shoot after I'd introduced her correctly several times)is that we were in Santa Monica which is where I took pre-natal yoga when I was pregnant with my oldest. In that class one time, Annette B. was my partner for one of the excercises. I guess that could've been it. More likely however, my brain just gave out on me. Anyway, here's a picture of me and A.O. who's wearing an ascot I gave her that I knit out of a sample ball of LOVE (aka the silk/bamboo variety of my new yarn).



In case you're wondering why an obvious polaroid-quality photo is cropped so tightly, it's because from the waist down I looked pregnant in the shot. Since I AM NOT in fact with child, you can imagine how undesireable that outcome was for me. See this is what happens when I'm in a fantastic relationship (with my BF, not A.O. ;-))--I put on 10-15 pounds from yummy dinners and wine. Skinny Vickie= unhappy Vickie; Curvy Vickie=happy Vickie. Ok, I will now stop speaking of myself in 3rd person. Thanks for listening.



Jewell Magazine, a local shopping publication, did an 8-page Austin Craft Mafia layout in the current issue. It's a whole, darkly funny take on the juxtaposition of partnering the word "Mafia" with crafts. It was soooo much fun! Since a lot of you don't live here in Austin, I thought I'd share it with you here.

That's all for now. It's time to go back to work on a poncho I'm making to wear on KG.

Have a nice weekend!

xo,
Vic

Vickie Does Dallas

Ok, I know I've been sucktastic at posting lately, but this is the time of year when things get crazy busy for me. I'm heading out to L.A. tomorrow for a marathon Knitty Gritty meeting where we'll flesh out what the 26 episodes that we're shooting this year will be. I'll also start shooting Knit Bits--for this batch I'll be joined by Smallville's Annette O'Toole (Clark Kent's mom in the series), who's apparently a passionate knitter. I'm really looking forward to that! The rest of the Knit Bits will be shot later this month, also in L.A. Finally, at the end of November, we'll shoot seasons 7& 8 of the show--hopefully, I'll get to see some of you then as guests and Knitsters! If you're in the L.A. area and would like to be a Knitster, go to the Knitty Gritty website to find out how.
Oh, and another cool thing I recently found out (and hopefully am allowed to make public), DIY will be airing a Knitty Gritty marathon on Superbowl Sunday! More info to come!

Also this month, I'll be making a couple of appearances at Michael's stores. If you're in the Dallas area, please stop on by. Here are the locations:

Saturday, Oct 21 11-1

4921 Overton Ridge Blvd
Ridge Rock Plaza
Fort Worth, TX
76132-1910
(817) 423-1727

Sunday, Oct 22 12-2pm

5500 Greenville Ave, Ste 700
Old Town Village
Dallas, TX
75206-2931
(214) 461-9491

They're putting on events to benifit Warm Up America, so it'll definitely be worth checking it out!

Ok, that's it for now. I've put off packing for long enough. Have a nice evening!

xo,
Vickie

Announcing... the Vickie Howell Collection!

I'm thrilled to announce that I have joined forces with the innovative & incomparable SWTC (Southwest Trading Company) to create The Vickie Howell Collection! In January at both TNNA and CHA, we will preview CRAFT, ROCK & LOVE, my 3 new yarns that will be available in stores and on-line in Spring 2007. **insert happy dance followed by grand, dramatic curtsey**

I don't have pictures available of the actual yarn but here's the scoop on what you can expect:

CRAFT is 35% Milk Fiber and 65% Organic Cotton.
Let me tell you, I'm not normally a fan of cotton blends but HOLY CREAMY GOODNESS, people--this yarn is super soft and dare I say, delightful?! We've chosen, vibrant colors in retro-chic gradient shades that will all be named after some of my favorite crafty peeps including: Members of the Austin Craft Mafia, Martha (well, duh), Kathy (aka Crafty Chica, and Libby (my mom).

ROCK is 40% SOYSILK/ 30% fine wool/ 30% HEMP.
Smooth, strong and awesome to work with. This one is what I like to call a yarn staple, because it's great for any number of versatile, quick, kick-ass projects. The colors will all be extra bold and named after rock stars like: Gwen (Red), Kim & Kelley (Turquoise), Dave (Purple) and Billy Joe (Green). I've said it before and I'll say it again: knitting rocks!

LOVE is 70% Bamboo /30% Silk .
This one classes up the proverbial joint. It's so beautiful and luxurious that you won't want to put it down...ever. Seriously, I'm in love with LOVE! The colors are a mix of elegant variegated colors and complimentary solids all named after movie couples like: Harold & Maude, Buttercup & Roberts, Peter & Mary Jane and Ennis & Jack.

I'm hard at work creating designs for the new yarn that we will be putting into a small booklet that will also be available at your LYS. Look for garments and accessories for the busy knitter with an emphasis on quick and simple in both Knit and Crochet!

I'll post more info as I get it but in the meantime, I'll *heart* you forever and always if you spread the word that there'll soon be a new yarn in town!

Knitlicious Kisses,
Vickie

October's Free Pattern--Blush & Bashful Scarf!

In support of Breast Caner Awareness Month, I thought I'd post my scarf pattern from Celebrity Scarves 2. A percentage of proceeds from the book go to the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help find a cure for breast cancer. This pattern is dedicated to my grandma, Aunt Cherie and the rest of you beautiful, amazing warrior women out there.



Blush & Bashful (aka Vickie's Scarf)
I used delicate pink nylon mixed with a more vibrant rose wool for this scarf, to represent both the softness and the strength of woman.

Materials:
2 balls (MC) Berroco Quest (100% Nylon; 82 yds./76m)
1 ball (CC) Koigu
Approx. 165 Beads

Size 9 US Needles
Size 3 US Needles
Beading Needle


Gauge: 4.25 sts. per inch in garter stitch with MC and size 9 needles.

Finished size: 86 1/2" Long (including tassels)

Directions

With MC and size 9 needles, CO 26 sts. K2 rows. Start pattern blocks as follows:

Pattern Section #1 (using MC and size 9 needles)
Rows 1-2: K all sts.
Row 3: * K1, YO 3 times. Repeat from * to end.
Row 4: P all knit sts., drop all YOs.
Row 5: K1, * K3tog, YO twice. Repeat from * to last st, K1.
Row 6: K all knit sts., K 1st YO, P 2nd YO (in other words, K2, P1)
Rows 7-8: K all sts.
Repeat these 8 rows 4 times.

Switch needles and yarn.
Pattern Section #2 (using CC and size 3 needles)
With beads pre-strung onto yarn work this section as follows:
Row 1: Work in seed stitch (K1, P1 every row), adding beads every other P st., beginning with 1st P.
Row 2: Work whole row in seed stitch.
Row 3: Continuing in seed stitch, start beading on the SECOND P. STITCH, and repeating every other purl.
Row 4: Work whole row in seed stitch.
Repeat these 4 rows twice more.

Continue alternating these pattern sections (remembering to change needle sizes when switching to the next section) until scarf measures approximately 66 1/2" and ending with a Pattern Section #1.
K2 rows. BO.


Finishing:

Weave in ends and block.
Make a total of six tassels, to your desired length (I used 20" strands folded in half). Attach 3 tassels to each end of the scarf and voila, you’re finished!

Dig this project? Get more great knit & crochet patterns and kits like it, here!

This pattern was reprinted with permission from SoHo Publishing. All rights reserved.