Gender: Female
Status: Married
Age: 34
Sign: Scorpio
City: AUSTIN
State: TEXAS
Country: US
Signup Date:
09/03/04
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Tuesday, July 01, 2008
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Knitty Gritty Knitsters!
..Well folks, it's time for the last (new) Knitty Gritty hoorah. Our one-hour specia we shot last year, Knitty Gritty Knitsters, finally airs this Thursday, July 3rd at 9:30amPT/11:30amCT/12:30pmET!
Whether you gather a group at your house for a little screening brunch, or Tivo it to watch on your own later, I hope you'll tune in because the special benefits one of my favorite charity organizations, Warm Up America.
I traveled the country collecting squares (that would be pieced together to form blankets) from Knitsters everywhere from Charleston, South Carolina to Los Angeles, California. We chatted with fellow stitchers ranging from 20-something indie musicians who knit in between gigs, to great-grandmothers who can't remember a time in their lives when they weren't holding a pair of needles. I shot the knit with Tori Spelling and Dean Mc Dermott's at their wine country Bed & Breakfast, tagged the streets of Houston with hand-knit yarn cozies, ate gourmet goodies and supply shopped with my friend Lisa Loeb, and hit the ground skating with the Naptown Roller Girls (who all knit before derby bouts).
I had a blast working on this project and hope you'll enjoy seeing the range of people in our country who have one, craftastic thing in common: a love for the knit.
As always--knit loud, knit often!
xo, Vickie
P.S. Gone for the holiday weekend already? Not to worry, here's the re-air schedule:
8:39 AM
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Friday, June 27, 2008
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Behind the Knitter Video!
A couple of old friends from Knitty Gritty and I have been working on this spoof video for a while, now. It's finally done, and uploaded. I hope it gives you a little Friday afternoon laugh...or at the very least, a smirk.
Without further ado, here's the low-budget and tumultuous tale of a knitter's rise, fall and ultimate plateau in the crafty world. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you: Vickie Howell: Behind the Knitter 
Credits: (pretend they're scrolling--it's fancier that way) Concept & Story: Dave Lowe & Vickie Howell Voice-Over Script & Image Wizardry: Dave LoweMusic: Dave Campbell Opening Guitar Riff: Scott, Andrew's friend
Have a great weekend! And remember, I'm there for you, in (knitting) good times and bad. ;)
xo, Vic
Disclaimer: The people and events portrayed in this video may or may not be based on fact. More than likely though, it's the result of a knitting host, art director and producer, missing hanging out on set together where debauchery almost always ensued. Thank you.
2:12 PM
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
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PROJECT: Sari Scrap Bangles!
Whether like me, you're desperately trying to juggle everything while the kids are out for summer (3 weeks down parents, 9 to go!), or if the heat just has you feeling large-project-non-committal--this time of year is perfect for quick, lightweight projects that help clear out your yarn stash. My top ten list, "S*T*A*S*H 4077", can be found in my book Knit Aidbut to quote the great Nigel from the movie Spinal Tap, "What we do, is if we need that extra push over the cliff...Eleven. One [more]." So, my crocheting comrades, here is an eleventh project idea that requires just a bit o' time and even less yarn!
Sari Scrap Bangles  MATERIALS:Any sport, DK or worsted weight yarn. I used recycled sari silk by Blonde Chicken.Corresponding sized crochet hook, I used a US 8 Plastic, metal or wood bangles Tapestry needle
HOW TO: To cover your bangle, single crochet around the entire bracelet. Make sure to push your stitches firmly together as you crochet, if you don't want any of the bracelet's color to show through. The only difference here than if you were using single crochet in a garment is that instead of pulling your loops through the stitch from the row below, you treat the bangle as if it were that row. Here are step-by-step photos of what I mean: ..
Once you've covered the entire surface, tie of, weave in ends and alight all of the stitches so that lay neatly in a row around the bracelet. That's all there is to it! Make some now and wear them out tonight!
xo,
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Currently
listening
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Greatest Hits
By
Bangles
Release date: 1990-04-18
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12:10 PM
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Monday, June 23, 2008
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Water Closet Re-do
Whoever built our house in the 60's, took the term "water closet" a bit too literally when designing the master bath. Small, does not begin to describe it. Tiny and ugly, perhaps does...or did, rather. Since the quickie weekend make-over we gave it a few weeks ago we now refer to it as, the "Boutique Bath".
 Before we started the walls were dingy white, there was a parchment shade that our cat tore in an unfortunate window jumping incident, and we had a pedestal sink which took up space without offering storage.  We decided to go for a dark, modern look and painted the walls a deep violet. The color would probably be a bit much for a larger room but it works nicely in this smaller space. We also found a new sink at Ikea that's perfect for our needs, offering storage without taking up as much space as its predecessor.  Lastly, I made this panel valance to hang over some plain, white Home Depot blinds.
That's really it. Small changes to small spaces. It's the little things that count, right? ;)
xo, Vickie
6:17 AM
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Thursday, June 19, 2008
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NEW CRL UP, Featuring The Crochet Dude!
Hey, CRL listeners! Still there? If so, you're awfully patient...and I dig you for that. We just uploaded the first episode of the 2nd season! This one was impromptu, so not on the original list, but seems apropos since I just got back from yarn market last week. Here's the scoop!  Designer, Drew Emborsky
Episode: Conventional (Live from TNNA!)
 Giveaway Goodness:
What was Drew's former profession, before becoming a crochet designer?
(Winners will be chosen at random from the entries containing the correct answer only.)
Click on button, visit the CRL page OR, visit iTunes to hear it!
Show Notes: (Links to things mentioned during this episode)
Enjoy...and, pass it on!
12:30 PM
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Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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Son of a Stitch!
http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2008/06/son-of-st...
Join forces with kid, to make an embroidered Summer journal cover!
1:30 PM
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Monday, June 09, 2008
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My Design in Crochet Today!
Whip-up, my cover-up--featured in the Summer issue of Crochet Today magazine (out on stands this month)! It's cool, it's cotton, it's crochet. That's THREE Cs, people! Happy hooking! xo, Vickie
7:56 PM
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Wednesday, June 04, 2008
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CRAFTED on Lifetime!
Lifetime's new web series, CRAFTED, went live today! Starting now, each holiday season will be webdazzled (the internet's version of "jazz hands") by 5 new craft segments hosted by 5, very different designers (yours truly, Kathy Cano-Murillo, Pattie Donham, Leah Fung, and the O'Neil Sisters)--hopefully providing a little creative somethin'-somethin' for everyone! First up: Summer Crafts!
I'll be your needle arts gal, covering everything from knitting to punch embroidery. This first project combines my love for thrifting, felting & sewing: a Fourth of July Picnic Blanket, made from recycled sweaters!
1:06 PM
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Tuesday, June 03, 2008
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Crocheted Neck Garland!
I took a bit o' a hiatus from monthly free pattern offering but ladies (and gentlemen?), this feature's back! After all, with the economy the way that it is right now we could all use a little crafty break, right? Can I hear a holla'?! Ok, then.
This month's pattern is a crocheted neck garland that I'm basing my Crochet 101 class on. The project calls for chain, single crochet, double crochet and triple crochet stitches--so for you newbies, it's a great way to learn all of the basics (see How2 instructions for these stitches & abbreviations HERE)! For you more experienced hookers, this is a lovely accessory that makes a quickie gift in a pinch!
Wear it with a summer dress & heels or with a tank top, skirt & flip-flops! Uh...or, if like me you're still in your jammies sans make-up, just throw it on a tree like I did here . ;) xo, Vic
Fleur D'-Ease Easy Crochet Neck Garland  MATERIALS Size US K Hook Tapestry Needle
DIRECTIONS Neck String: Ch 175. Tie off. Set aside.
Flowers (Make 5) Round 1: Ch1, 5sc in center ring. Join with a sl st. (5 sts.) Round 2: Ch3, 5dc in base of ch, 6dc in every st around. Join. (30 sts.) Round 3: Ch4, 3tr in base of ch, sc in next st, *4tr in next st, sc in next st. Repeat from * to end of round. Join. Tie off, leaving a 6" tail. (54 sts.)
FINISHING Using tapestry needle and yarn tails, sew on flowers, evenly around neck string.
That's all there is to it!
This pattern is meant for non-commercial use only. All rights reserved.
7:25 AM
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Monday, June 02, 2008
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Craft Gossip!
As if my chair arse wasn't big enough already, I'll now be spending even more time sitting at my computer. I just signed-on as the knitting editor for CraftGossip.com. You know, 'cause I loves me the knitting and just can't get enough of talking about it! ;)
Seriously though, I'm excited to be a part of such a great network of crafty scoop! Speaking of, if you've got any, spill it! You know my gig: knitting is all about community, so I want to promote your stuff by mentioning it when it's appropriate. Designers, authors, publishers, artists, mag editors, etc--e-mail me with any exciting knit-news. Got a new book out? I might review it! Is your yarn-tastic sculpture exhibiting at a local museum? Do tell! Just discover how to spin yarn out of potting soil? Fantastic! Just give me the skinny at: gossip@vickiehowell.com, and I'll post it if time/space/relevance all align.
I'll be posting about 5 times a week over there, so stop on by!
xo,
8:01 AM
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