With Independence Day on the horizon I thought I'd repost an easy, 4th of July crafts for kids: Patriotic Ric-Rac Flowers. Get how-to instructions here.
Have a safe and happy holiday!
xx,
Vickie
Friday, June 29, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
A Few Photos from TNNA
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| Tulip Booth Display |
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| Tulip gifted me Carry T, Carry C & Rose Etimo Hook sets. I'm one lucky gal! |
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| One of my all-time favorite designers and over all amazing woman, Erika Knight. |
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| Erika donated some of her new, Erika Knight Collection Maxi Wool yarn (in color: Geranium) for a cowl to be made for Purple Stitch Project. Within an hour of me telling her about the project, she'd wrapped it up and brought it to me at the booth. So sweet. |
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| Speaking of Purple Stitch Project, here's a lilac (Sheep(ish) test color) version of the Purple Ninja, hanging out to promote the charity. |
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| With Editor-in-Chief of Interweave Crochet, Marcy Smith at the Craftsy party. Love the Tammy Hildebrand tunic she's wearing! |
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| With designer, Ellen Gormley at the Craftsy party. |
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| With my buddy, Drew Emborsky (aka The Crochet Dude). Have you checked out his crochet tool empire, lately? So proud of him! |
Thursday, June 21, 2012
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 with epilepsy here.
Stitch.Rock.Give,
Vickie
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Pinterest: iamvickiehowellTuesday, June 19, 2012
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 with the Craftsy peeps at their cocktail party on Saturday at 6pm at Mouton (954 High St). We'll be handing out Magenta(ish) balls of Sheep(ish) to promote Purple Stitch Project.
Hope to see you there!
xx,
Vickie
Monday, June 18, 2012
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 kids, ages 8-18 who have seizure disorders. It'll be a wonderful experience for the 40+ kids they're expecting -- one that I'd like to make even better by supplying each kiddo with their very own handmade plushie, courtesy of Purple Stitch Project. To make this happen though, I need your help! I'm asking that you knit, crochet or sew 1 (or more) plushie to donate for the cause. Who's with me? Perhaps the PSP mascots, the Purple Ninjas will convince you?
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| Knit this ninja for a kid camper! Get the pattern here. |
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| Crochet this ninja for a kid camper! Get the pattern here. |
Here's the scoop:
WHAT: Any plushie (animal, doll, robot, etc.) made or embellished with PURPLE yarn or fabric. See the photo links within this post for pattern suggestions, see more ideas in our Craftsy pattern archive, or work from your favorite pattern. Just keep in mind that the kids at this camp aren't little-bitty, so let's try and stay away from anything that seems to babyish.
WHEN: Finished plushies are due to me by July 20th.
WHERE: Send items to:
Purple Stitch Project
9901 Brodie Ln.
Ste 160 #268
Austin, TX 78748
WHY: Because handmade = love.
More project donation ideas!
Special thanks to: Arny Hekla, Allison Hoffman, Stacy Trock, Hillary Lang, Betz White, and Noelle Corcoran for donating the above patterns.
I dig comments, so let me know if you're up to the challenge!
Please visit the Purple Stitch Project for more information on the initiative. Thank you SO much in
advance.
Stitch.Rock.Give,
Vickie
Psst...pass it on!
Psst...pass it on!
Join me on:
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Pinterest: iamvickiehowellHome 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.
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| Doll blanket I made when I was about 9-years-old. |
For the latest installation of my Home Hooking column for Interweave Crochet's Summer Issue, I share a bit of my story about learning to crochet as a child, talk about why granny squares are a great way for kids to learn to crochet, and give the pattern for a modern take on a dolly classic.
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| Hello, Dolly! blankie shown in Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) yarn |
Grab the issue on stands or at Crochetme.com today!
Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie
P.S. This blanket would make a great donation to Purple Stitch Project!
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Pinterest: iamvickiehowellFriday, June 15, 2012
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 of the date of this post, he's been seizure free and without major side effects for 9 weeks!
To celebrate my son, and support other children with epilepsy, we've launched Purple Stitch Project -- an initiative that calls knitters, crocheters and sew-ers into action to make purple (the awareness color) gifts for kids. Please take a moment to visit the Purple Stitch Project website to learn how you can get involved.
A huge, mushy-gooshy thanks to the folks at Craftsy.com who have donated their web platform, making it a cinch for stitchers to download free patterns for purple items, to Jill Zielinski for donated the designs for our great, logos, and to the craft designers who have shared their patterns. You guys are amazing!
xx, Vickie
Thursday, June 14, 2012
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 keep your kiddos entertained (and occupied), so mama can get some work done!
3. Idea Journal
Enjoy!
xx,
Vickie
Friday, June 08, 2012
New Pattern for Father's Day: Clubbed!
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| 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. Happy Father's Day! -- Vickie
Clubbed
Personalized Golf Club Cover
by Vickie Howell
Materials
1 Ball each Vickie Howell Sheep(ish) for Caron (70% Acrylic/30% Wool; 167 yds/153 m) in colors: (A) Espresso(ish) (00009), (B) Teal(ish) (00016), (C) Taupe(ish) (00011)
Set of size US 8/5 mm dpns -- or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle
Gauge
18 sts x 22 rows = 4”/10 cm in St st
Pattern
With A, CO 38 sts. Divide evenly over 3 dpns. Place marker and join, taking care not to twist.
Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * around.
Rnds 2-6: Rep Rnd 1.
Join C.
Rnds 7-10: Rep Rnd 1.
Cut C. Switch to A.
Rnds 11-14: Rep Rnd 1.
Join B.
Rnds 15-16: Rep Rnd 1.
Cut B. Switch to A.
Rnds 17-42: Rep Rnd 1.
Rnd 43: Knit, inc 10 sts evenly around. (48 sts)
Rnds 44-50: Knit.
Join B.
Rnd 51: Knit.
Cut B. Switch to A.
Rnds 52-75: Knit.
Cut A. Join C.
Rnd 76: *K2tog, k2; rep from * around. (36 sts.)
Rnds 77, 79 & 81: Knit.
Rnd 78: *K2tog, k1; rep from * around. (24 sts)
Rnd 80: *K2tog; rep from * around. (12 sts.)
Rnd 82: *K2tog; rep from * around. (6 sts)
Cut yarn, leaving a 6”/15 cm tail. Using tapestry needle, feed tail through live sts on needles; let them fall off; cinch closed.
Finishing
Pompom:
Using strands of A & B held together and 3"/7.5cm piece of cardboard, wrap yarn around cardboard approx 50 times. Slip wraps off cardboard and tie a piece of yarn tightly around the center of the wraps. Cut both ends of wraps and fluff pompom. Trim.
Using beginning and ending tails of tie, tie pompom to each end.
Weave in ends.
Embroider desired initial, using a tapestry needle, chain stitch and B.
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| Embroidered Chain Stitch |
YouTube: Vickie Howell
Pinterest: iamvickiehowellTuesday, June 05, 2012
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 Tribeza Magazine. Places like Lick are one of the many reasons I love Austin -- it's another small business with style, quality products and some heart.
See more of Jody's photography in my next book, Step it Up Knits, which is available for pre-order now.
xx,
Vickie
YouTube: Vickie Howell
Pinterest: iamvickiehowell
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