Office Space

It only took me a year and a half to (mostly) unpack, but I finally have a semi-user friendly work space in my home! It's tight quarters in here with all of the office/craft/knitting supplies that I couldn't bear to stash away in storage, crammed into 10'x12' feet of space-- but hey, at least I get to be surrounded by books & yarn, can listen to/watch npr, netflix & itunes *and* was able to fit (barely) a comfy, vintage chair to knit & crochet in during the day (it's totally psychological, but it makes me feel better to be in a space other than on my living room couch on those days that I have to knit or crochet for hours on end)!





Speaking of office space, do you have a case of the Mondays? Oh wait, it's Tuesday. Nevermind.
Do you listen to podcasts while you're working? I'm thinking about maybe doing my own-- trying to figure out if it'd be worth the work. Would any of you be interested in that? If so, what types of things would you like to hear about from me? Inquiring minds, wanna know!

Happy office cooler chatting!,
Vickie

The stage between cat and kitten should be called, "catten".

Hey there! I'm off to Houston in the morning to tag with the Knitta's for a Knitty Gritty Special segment. While I'm gone, tune in to this week's episode of Flight of the Conchords with an appearance by my friend, the lovely Will Forte (dare I say, this is the first knitter to appear on the series?)!

Now, changing subjects...

Last call for the summer of bebes! I have a new pattern up for those of us who a.) know small children, and b.) live in what seems like perpetual heat. Ladies and gentlefolk, I give you...Boy in the Bubble!

Boy in the Bubble
Baby Jumper

Yarn: VHC's CRAFT
Sizes: 0-6mos. to 24 mos.
$6.00
Snag it here!
Or as always, get it for free with purchase of Vickie Howell Collection yarn at your LYS!

Happy weekend!
xo,
Vickie

KNITTY GRITTY KNITS--Please Read!

Knitty Gritty Knits

It has come to my attention that DIY’s Knitty Gritty Knits (KGK), is filled with pattern errors. While it is common for knitting publications to have occasional errors, the number in the current printing of KGK is unacceptable. This is especially problematic since I am very aware that people rely on me, DIY and the publisher to deliver helpful and accurate information.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to anyone who has been inconvenienced due to these oversights, and to assure you that we’re working to fix all of the book’s problems. There will be a complete errata posted on both the Vickie Howell and the Sterling/Lark Publishing websites, as soon as they are produced by a technical editor. Updates will also be posted on my blog (http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/).

I would also like to respond to specific questions that I have received regarding my involvement in creating Knitty Gritty Knits. I was simply hired to write the introduction, answer general questions during manuscript development, and provide feedback on laser pages. This truly was my first and last time lending my name to a project I didn’t have a large part in creating.

I appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.

Sincerely,
Vickie Howell
Vickie Howell, Inc.

NOTE: As of 9/14/07, the Knitty Gritty Knits can be found here. Please pass the info along. Thanks!

Mailbag Deliveries

It's time again to show a few cool things that have made their way to my mailbox over the past few weeks, that you might want to check out for yourselves. :)

Amigurumi, by Elisabeth Doherty

Just as it says on the cover, the projects in this book are, "SUPER HAPPY CROCHET CUTE"!
I *heart* amiguumi crochet and this book feeds the fires of that love. With patterns for everything from cupcake to hep cat, if you're looking for crocheted cuties then this book's for you! Personal fave: Punk Bunny (2nd from left on cover).

Simple Gifts to Stitch, by Jocelyn WorrallThis is one of the books I've recently procured, that has me sniffling over my broken sewing machine. Simple Gifts has a ton of totally do-able, actually usable, sewn gift ideas. Projects range from a discotastic Spiral Change Purse, to a fairytale worthy Imp Hat. Must...start...sewing...again. Personal faves: Stitched wrapping paper and Peeps-esque terry cloth bunny.

Knit Wit Note Cards

This may be the age of e-communication but now more than ever, I'm a sucker for stationary! Hand-made and adorable, these cards make the perfect topper for all of your knitted gifts. Personal fave: knitting birdie.

Romantic Hand Knits, by Annie Modesitt

Once again Annie uses her costume designer's background to tailor knitted garments that each tell a story of their own. This book's projects range from floor-length skirts to flirty hats, with an epic tale's worth of delicate delights in between! Personal fave: Some Like it Hot opera gloves.

Comfort, by Berroco

Extra soft and worsted weight, Berroco's latest yarn is both luxurious and versatile. It's 58 colors awash a fine nylon & acrylic blend making them not only washable, but vegan friendly too!

Enjoy!,
Vickie

Model Citizens

It's so much fun seeing my yarn and/or patterns brought into FO fruition! Check these out:

Yesterday, Annette O. e-mailed me that she'd given her daughter Nell some VHC LOVE to play with who in turn designed this hot little number. Yowza! This particular top is being donated to benefit an AIDS awareness program but I love it so much (pun intended), that I'm trying to get her to write out the pattern and submit it to a magazine. (*Note to self: work on abs.)

Designer/Model: Nell G.
Yarn: Vickie Howell Collection's LOVE in colors,
Joel and Clementine and Andi & Blane

In June while friends & family were here for our post-elopement part, my mom whipped up a Mae Day out of her namesake color in, VHC CRAFT. Fortunately the model, my best friend's son, is too young to notice the anarchy in dressing a boy in a sun dress. (*Note between mothers: If necessary, this photo will be used to blackmail a future, surely teenager. ;-))

Model: Owen I.
Pattern: Mae Day, by moi.
Yarn: Vickie Howell Collection's CRAFTin color, Libby.

Mom's here again and I've put her to work. This week between the two of us, we've churned out 3 scarves, 3/4 of a market bag and 1/3 of a baby sweater. I'm still totally behind but man, it helps having Libbs (aka my mom) around!

Happy weekend knitting, everyone!

xo,
Vickie

Get CRAFT-y!

Yesterday, I popped into a book store for my bi-weekly magazine fix. I picked up the new Interweave Knits, Vegetarian Times and Craft. To my delight, knitting takes center-stage in this issue of the latter, including: a cover with a killer, crime-scene-scarf clad model (damn, I wish I'd thought of that!), instructions for natural yarn dying, a loom-knitted rug (Isela & Denyse, are you out there?), a knitted rain cloud AND, mention of my very own "Craft" yarn. Yippee!

CRAFT Magazine: available on newsstands.
"Craft" Yarn: available in yarn stores or online at www.yarn.com.

Ok now, back to my regularly scheduled knitting.

xo,
Vickie

Weekend Art Project

The art installation on the cover of the current ReadyMade Magazine got me to to thinking, "hey, we've got a blank wall and about $50-- it's time for a weekend art project!"
Using their fancy (and arguably, classier) table box idea as a jumping off point, we opted instead for a quick-fix version to fit our own schedules, budget and the space in the kitchen. Scouring the internet for graphic art, nostalgia (and my limited drawing abilities) dictated an ode to the mixed tape era.



To make your own version, here's what you need:
6, 24"x 24"x 1/2" plywood squares (found pre-cut at Home Depot for under $4 ea.)
Base color paint (we used leftovers from when we painted our living room)
Primary color (mini, "sample" can was just enough and was only about $3 )
1 can clear enamel spray
Medium paint brushes
Small, artist brush for detail work
Pencil
Straight edge
Hanging eye-hooks and wire
Rubber or felt feet (optional, to protect walls)
Graphic picture to copy

Paint all six squares with base color and let dry for a few hours. Meanwhile, print out desired picture from your computer and using a straight edge, draw grid over picture to break it up as it will be in (in larger form) on your wood pieced.

Using a pencil, straight edge and the grid you've just made as a general guide, free-hand design on all squares. *Tip: if you choose a design that includes circles, tracing around dinner plates, cups and water bottles makes the process easy and consistent!


Using primary color, paint in your design taking care to leave the negative space in the base color. Use small artist brush to do detail work (and if you're like me and hate detail work, also get a husband--or friend, or whomever--to do that part). Let dry.

Spray paint a couple of coats of clear enamel over all of the finished pieces. Let dry for about 20 minutes.

Following directions on package, screw in eye-hooks and attach wire. Stick rubber or felt feet on all four corners of each piece.



Install, step back and admire. Viva las pop art!

xo,
Vickie

3 Completely Unrelated Topics

We got back over the weekend from taking the kids on a quick road trip to visit some family and go to Six Flags (hot, but fun--Tanner & I went on the roller coasters and my cautious little Tristan enjoyed the mellower rides with his motion-sickened step-dad), Wax Museum(creepy)/Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum (interesting in a car crash kind of way)/Mirror Maze (pretty fun except for when Tanner ran full speed into a mirror--actually, that was a wee bit funny) and the Science Museum to see the Star Wars Exhibit (really cool--included original costumes, puppets models, a hover craft kids could ride, etc.).

Waxing Poetic with the big O.

"Why yes, Oprah, knitting *does* in fact have a place in modern feminism. Thank you for pointing that out!"

During the trip I knit a felted scarf out of Vegas (which just needs some embellishing before it's finished) as well as 1/3 of another Vegas scarf for a possible kit I'm putting together for a gig next year. I also cast-on for a purple, ribbed sock for Dave which I'm quite confident I'll get the time to finish knitting at some point before we retire. ;-)

Now, it's time for a musical interlude. Check out my son on drums, who taught himself part of a The White Stripes song (sorry about the crappy, dark video--apparently the electronics in my life inly have a year in them before they start to give out):



Now back to programming...

For those of you who haven't seen the 25th Anniversary Issue of Vogue Knitting yet, I highly recommend picking it up. It's Ms. Adina Klein's debut issue as official Editor-in-Chief of VK and she did a fantastic job! There are some beautiful patterns, memorabilia and articles on "Knitting's Old Guard" and "Knitting's New Guard". I was very honored to be included in the latter, and thought I'd post it here for you to read (warning; it's looooooooong, so grab your coffee, first!).
I find it really interesting that the "Old Guard" is compiled of amazing designers & industry pioneers ( Kaffe fassett, Alice Starmore, Mari Lynn Patrick and Meg Swansen), who possess comprehensive knowledge about the technical, design and application aspects of knitting whereas the "New Guard" is compiled more so (not to negate anyone's abilities) of women who contribute in perpetuating the current popularity of the craft (Debbie Stoller, Stephanie Pearl-Mcphee, Clara Parkes, Shannon Okey & myself). I suppose that speaks a bit about what drives society (and in this case, the industry) in our media generation. Regardless, I appreciate how the differences between the two groups enhance each other, rather than canceling one another out. I also think that Teva Durham and Erika Knight deserve shout-outs for their contributions to the high-fashion realm of the knit-world. Nobody does it like they do!

In funnier news, all this time I thought that Clara Parkes was this wee, bespectacled, gray-haired woman in her 50's or 60's. I didn't know until I saw her picture in this article that, for the past couple of years, at every TNNA & Knit Out, I've been waving and smiling at a woman who I *thought* was Clara, but clearly is not. Comedy. I need to drop her an e-mail and explain that *if* I ever didn't greet the real her with open arms, it was totally my mistake and not a shun. I'm so lame sometimes.

Ok, I can no longer avoid the gym. I'm off--the Freshman 15 I'm carry around (I call it that because I'm still in the freshman stage of marriage that includes a lot of going out to nice dinners and drinking wine), isn't going to lose itself!

xo,
Vickie

All Felt Up!

Hey there! Just a quick note before I go out of town for a couple of days.
This week I got my shipment of Vegas in the mail and have been fooling around with it a bit. Other than being absolutely beautiful, shimmery and soft...it also felts!!! I love, love, love being able to see a bit of glitter strung through the felted fabric. A bag and holiday neck piece are 3rd and 4th on my list of must-dos this month but in the meantime, I couldn't resist showing you a little sample of what felted Vegas looks like.

Felted Votive Cozie

(Picture doesn't show shimmer, but it's there, I promise!)

For a gauzy look that would allow light to poke through, I went with size US 15 (10mm) needles. To make the votive cozy, CO 30 sts. Work in straight stockinette stitch (knit all right sides, purl all wrong sides) for 6 1/2" . BO.
Hand felt in the sink with hot water and mild soap or shampoo. Pull up edges with your fingers to create an imperfect, wavy edge along the top. Lay flat on a towel to dry.
Trim if necessary and using yarn and a tapestry needle, seam short edges together to for cylinder. Slide cozie over votive candle holder.

* Note--I recommend using the short, flat votive candles only and watching the flame carefully just to be safe.

Cat tested, mother approved.

Our new kitten Guinness, sleeps covered in pre-felted Vegas luxury.

I *think* (Vickie Howell Collection) Vegas is available now in yarn stores all over and online at, yarn.com.

Until next time, happy felting!

xo,
Vickie
Until

Preemie donna--Free Pattern of the Month!!

There's no reason why a preemie can't rock the sass while in the NICU! Knit up one of these baby hats for your little preemie donna or preemie donno (substitute LOVE's Harold & Maude brown instead of pink for a more masculine look), to show that Life & Style, ain't just a magazine.
Here's to your little peanut growing out of this cap faster than you can knit it! xoxo, Vic

MATERIALS
1 Ball Vickie Howell Collection's LOVE (will make 3-4 hats) in color: Clarence & Alabama
Scraps Vickie Howell Collection's VEGAS in colors: Blue Hawaiian & Martini
Size US 5 (3.5mm) dpns
Size US 6 (4.0mm) dpns
Large-eyed embroidery needle

SIZE
Way Wee (Wee)
Stretches to fit up to 10"(12") head
25-30 week delivery (31-36 week delivery)

DIRECTIONS
With Smaller needles and LOVE, CO 40(48 sts). Join, taking care not to twist.
Knit 1 round.
Purl 1 round.
Repeat last 2 rows, 2 more times.
Switch to larger needles. Knit every round until piece measures 3"(3 1/2").
Next round: *K3, k2tog. Repeat from * to end. 30(36)sts.
Knit 1(2) rounds.
Next round: *K2, k2tog. Repeat from * to end. 20(24)sts.
Knit 1 round.
Next round: K2tog. Repeat to end. 10(12) sts.
Repeat last row. 5 (6)sts.
Cut yarn leaving a 6" in tail. Using embroidery needle, weave tail through live stitches on needles, set aside needles and cinch shut. Poke embroidery needle through top of hat, drawing the yarn inside. Weave in all ends.

EMBELLISHMENTS
Leaves (Make 12)
With crochet hook and one color of VEGAS, ch 6.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch, hdc in next ch, sc in next ch. Tie off. Weave in one of the tails.
Pair 2 leaves together, alternating which direction they face around perimeter of hat. The Wee version will have a bit more space between each set than the Way Wee version. Pin in place first, to be safe. Use 2nd tail and embroidery needle to hand-sew each leaf into place.


Berries (Embroider 18)
Using 2nd color of VEGAS and embroidery needle, stitch 3 French knots per leaf pair.

Baby Ava, 2 weeks sassy & strong!

(For knitting How-to instructions and Abbreviations List, click here.)

Get more great knit & crochet patterns and kits here!

Patterns are intended for non-commercial usage. Copyright Vickie Howell, Inc. All rights reserved.

Rollergirl

Last night I got back from a quick trip to Indianapolis for another Knitty Gritty special shoot, this one featuring the Naptown Roller Girls. Once again, I have the most random job ever although arguably I've been preparing for it my whole life--and not just for the obvious reasons like being raised crafty, a brief stint in the school drama club, or spending a few years working in the entertainment industry. Sure, those things helped but really for this particular shoot, it was my time spent from ages 6-8 as a demonstrator at the local roller skating rink in Broomfield, Colorado that got me through the night. Well that, and the fact that Amy Goeglein and I used to pretend that we were born on wheels. But I digress.

(My duties during the lesson that broke up the Saturday open-skate session included: demonstrating the T-stop, demonstrating the "sitting duck", leading the Hokie Pokie and bringing out the free, be-candled hostess cupcake to any skaters with birthdays. I was compensated with free admission to the rink. Notice the fancy pom-poms my mom made for my skates. ;-))

I first met-up with 1/2 of the team at the Strange Brew coffee house (owned by derby member Toni--aka Joan of Dark-- and her husband), for an informal interview and Stitch N' Bitch session. They all knit together almost as often as they skate together. That's good stuff, people!

(With Alice in Rollerland, Joan of Dark, J Roller, Strawberry Jam, 4-Leaf Cleaver & Sweet C)

After the interview, the girls headed off to practice where the crew and I met up with them later. The practice space is not air conditioned and was at least 85 degrees with 90 percent humidity. When we arrived, a woman was being carried out of the rink and taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. This did not bode well with me. I should also mention that I like to pretend I'm small but mighty really, I'm out of shape and semi-pitiful when it comes to athletics.
I should also mention that when the director wanted to shoot me walking into the bathroom to change into my skating garb, I fell OFF OF MY SHOES. That's right. Not my skates, my shoes. Yes, it was in front of everyone...and yes, they got it on camera. Kill me.

(Strawberry Jam helping me with my wrist guards. Behind me is their coach "Mr. Whip", who was unamused with the Knitty Gritty crew disrupting his practice. This guy's tough, and doesn't appear to ever smile.)

(Me--aka Erin Go Bragh-less--geared up. My camera sucks.)

Needless to say between my lack of skills (other than skating on the strand in high school, I really haven't done much skating since the demonstrator days) and the heat, all glamor and vanity were lost for me at that point. I only fell once, but they totally (thankfully) babied me during our faux scrimmage. At my full speed (they're walking speed) and only 4-6 laps, I was toast. Strawberry Jam was kind enough to tell me that I'm being modest about my suckage, because she saw me doing some hockey stops but really, I haven't felt like that big of a dork since 5th grade P.E. when I was last to get picked for the Dodge Ball team. I totally have the roller bug though, and was pissed at myself for not training beforehand so I could've actually participated in a non-staged way. All in all though, it was a lot of fun and everyone was really nice.

On a different subject, if you're looking for some sweet deals on beautifully made clothing, fellow ACMer Jesse is closing out all of her Amet & Sasha stuff so that she can go back to school. Check it out before the site's gone in two weeks!

I'm off to watch The Zodiac Killer with my husband and knit an ipod cozie for a Michael's ad I'm participating in. Oh and speaking of cozies, check a different version of mine out (along w/ a Q&A interview) in the current Creative Knitting Magazine.



Have a good night!

xo,
Vickie