Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Three Rings
It's been a circus around here. My mom's in town from California and the kids are out of school. We spent our Memorial Day attempting to build one of those crazy, wooden play gyms. Special thanks to Dave who gave up his holiday for the good of the swingset cause! Even at The Ramones accompanied pace we were working at however, we still only managed to get about 1/3 of the way through. The kids have since been asking on the hour, when it will be finished. There are a lot of hours in a week. It's going to be a long one.
My next K.1 article (psst...don't forget to check out the current one featuring Lisa Loeb) will feature fashion designer, Isaac Mizrahi. Originally when I got the interview, his assistant Sam said that he would rather conduct it via e-mail. When I sent the questions over this morning however, Sam called and said that Isaac had changed his mind and would prefer chatting over the phone. This of course, was fine by me except for the fact that he was ready to get on the phone right at that moment. Now picture my face if you will, amidst the bedlam of a house that currently looks vaguely like the one on Malcom in Middle (on its worst of days), standing in my pajamas while one child spills juice all over the floor and the other runs through the house in his Ninja costume, re-enacting a scene from The Karate Kid. "Ummm, could we perhaps schedule for later in the day", I inquired. Luckily, they agreed and Isaac and I spoke, albeit briefly, this afternoon. Disaster averted.
I just started on a men's sweater for Catwalk Crochet. I have the world's shortest attention span right now however, and have already set it down to work on a pair of sandals and a necklace. Projects keep coming in and I'm soooo happy with all of them. I still however need more stuff--I'm thinking of adding more bags since in my humble opinion, a girl(or in this case, a book) can never have too many of those!
Speaking of books, my friend wrote me today saying that she bought Not Another Teen Knitting Book at a yarn store yesterday. I wasn't expecting it to be out for another couple of weeks, so that news was kinda cool. BTW, if you contributed a design to that book, I'll get you your copy just as soon as I receive them from the publisher.
Alright, I'm off to write some more text for the new website and watch a movie with the fam.
Hope you had a happy long weekend!
xo,
Vickie
posted by Vickie Howell @ 8:04 PM
Friday, May 26, 2006
A Crafty Today
Heya! A wee bit of exciting news, on June 29th I’m going to be on NBC's Today Show! They'll be checking in with me throughout an hour of the show while I'm knitting something (details tbd) and then do an interview at the end. Woo Hoooo!
I also found out yesterday that I'll be going to the Renegade Craft Fair (June 17-18) in Brooklyn to promote Not Another Teen Knitting Book at the Austin Craft Mafia booth. Will any of you be there? I'd love to meet you. :-)
Last night at the Babes in Business meeting I found out that fellow ACMer and Stylelicious co-host Susann Koehane (All dressed Up and Shy) and her boyfriend of 14 years, are finally engaged! She'll be taking the smart route and eloping so as to avoid having to tell us that no, all 8 of us cannot be in her wedding. ;-) Congrats, pretty lady!!
That's it for me now. I'm off to a photo shoot for the basics how-to section of my up and coming new and improved website.
Happy Friday!,
Vickie
posted by Vickie Howell @ 12:13 PM
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
La Femmes Fantastico
Well, it is a proven fact that indeed, the Violent Femmes are babysitter worthy. I ended up going to see their reunion show at Stubbs and my God, they rocked! I'm so glad I went! Special thanks to Paullee who hung out with the kiddos and told countless stories of hotwheel cars and their escapades. :-)
Nothing all that exciting going on here. I just got back from a super quick trip to L.A. to meet with a prospective agent. If all goes well, I will no longer be wrangling my own career.
Today I finished up a felted TV remote caddy and pair of slippers for the fall issue of Knit.1. I can't decide how I feel about how they turned out but I find that that's how I usually am about all of my own projects, so I guess I'll just let it go.
DIY sent me their revised programming schedule that shows that they're airing Knitty Gritty 21 times (twice a day on week days and once on Sundays) a week. Of course, most of them are re-runs (new eps begin in July) but maybe one day I'll be able to convince them that new episodes everyday would R-O-C-K. We'll see.
Speaking of DIY, don't forget to to tune into tomorrow's episode of Stylelicious! I'll be co-hosting this one with the fabulous and talented Susanne Koehane and Tina Sparkles. The topic is "High School Revisited"--projects are: cheerleading-type skirt, ghetto prom dress top and spray painted shoes and a cootie-catcher corsage. My project is the latter but before you start posting about its randomness on the DIY boards keep in mind two things: 1.) my original tuxedo pants project with school portrait headshots down the seams where ribbon would normally be, was cut at the last minute because we couldn't get photo clearance from the photographer for pictures of my friends taken in 1992 and 2.) I was feeling really nostalgic and wanted to make something that would make for a great conversation piece at a reunion. Okgoodthanksbye.
So, as we're less than a month away from the release of Not Another Teen Knitting Book, I'm starting to look for e-places to do another blog tour. If any of you (especially if you're a teenager) have favorite blogs that you think I should approach about the possibility of being a part of said tour, I'd really appreciate it if you'd point 'em out to me. Thanks!!
That's it for me tonight. Have a good one!
xo,
Vickie
posted by Vickie Howell @ 11:34 PM
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Ask Crafty
Morning! We'll soon be launching a new and improved version of my website that will include a few new sections, one of which will be called "Ask Crafty". To get this up and running though, I'll need a few craft-related (doesn't have to be about knitting) questions to post answers to. Anyone, anyone? If you've got one, please send it to: ask@vickiehowell.com . Thanks!
I'll also be starting a "Vic's Picks" section where I show my favorite crafty tools, accessories, books,etc. If you're interested in submitting one of your products for consideration, please mail it/them to:
Attn: Vic's Picks
Vickie Howell, Inc
P.O. Box 246
Manchaca, TX 78652
Not much else new around here. I'm finishing up a couple of projects for the next Knit.1 and am slowly receiving the crocheted FOs from Catwalk Crochet contributors--I am THRILLED with the way everything is turning out. Oh amazing designers, how I *heart* you!
Other than that, I'm debating whether or not tonight's Violent Femmes concert is babysitter worthy. The jury is out.
Byeeeeee!,
Vickie
posted by Vickie Howell @ 9:01 AM
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Art Issue
I was wandering around Barnes & Noble today looking for a copy of a book that was mentioned on Oprah, when I randomly came across the new issue of Knit.1! After I got over being annoyed that I hadn't gotten my copy in the mail yet, I "ooohed and ahhhhed" over all of the issue's technicolor goodness! This edition, an ode to Art, is filled with great projects inspired by the kitschy masters that we can't help but love--oh, how I *heart* the tribute to Frida Kahlo & the "Confessions of a Pop Art Heroine" sections! Give the issue a gander next time you're at your local news stand and don't forget to check out my interview in it, with #1 Single's Lisa Loeb!
Some of you have e-mailed requesting an errata for a couple of patterns in my kids book. Just wanted to let you know that I'm not ignoring you and that I am working on it. I'm hoping to hear back by the end of the week, from the technical editor I worked with on the book. Thanks for your patience!
Vickie
P.S. Don't forget tomorrow's another new episode of Stylelicious! Tune in or set your DVRs for the DIY Network at 11:30am PT/2:30pm ET.
posted by Vickie Howell @ 10:00 PM
Friday, May 05, 2006
Force Majeure
Not 12 hours after me, Jennifer, Hope and our respective husband and boyfriends were hanging out on my patio debating Twin Peaks vs. Carnivale, an old school bus--curtains drawn and bogged down by various luggage and bicycles tethered to the powder blue, painted roof--pulled up across the street from my house. Its riders deboarded; randomness ensued. It's not often that you have to tell your children, "Sweeties, watch out for the guy juggling on a unicycle" before exiting your driveway. I'm just saying.
The evening ended with storm of biblical proportions that seemly came out of nowhere, resulting in a lightening bolt striking the 40-year-old tree in my front yard and thereby breaking off the entire top of the 30ft. beauty. The piece, along with its lower-tiered brothers and sisters, came crashing down just inches from my bedroom window. There's nothing like waking up to the smell of burnt bark and the need for a chainsaw in the morning. Good times. Now, if I can just find an arborist who will also fix my toilet and dishwasher at the same time, I'll be a happy homeowner.
David Lynch, where are you?
--Vickie
posted by Vickie Howell @ 7:36 PM
Monday, May 01, 2006
Brimster--Free Pattern of the Month!
Hi all! I've decided to make the free pattern thing that I posted on April 1st a monthly tradition of sorts. That said, it's May 1st and time for something new. Enjoy! xx, Vickie
BRIMSTER BEANIE
by Vickie Howell
(Originally designed for and published Knit.1 Magazine Fall 2005. All rights reserved.)
STUFF
4 balls in Dark Grey of Cashmere Blend by Lion Brand, 1.75 oz/40g balls, each approx 84 yds/77m
US size 7 (4.5mm) 20" circular needle OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
1 set of 5 US size 7 (4.5mm) dpns OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
Tapestry Needle
1 sheet of clear plastic canvas (available at craft stores)
SIZE
One Size
THE MEASUREMENTS
To fit up to a 23" head.
THE GAUGE
28sts and 24 rows to 4"/10cm over 2x2 rib pattern.
MAKE THE BACK
Cast on 98 sts. Work in 2x2 rib for 5". Place piece on stitch holder.
MAKE THE FRONT
Cast on 34 sts. Work in 2x2 rib for 6 rows.
Next RS row: K2tog, P2tog, work in 2x2 rib to end.
Next row: P1, K1, work in 2x2 to end.
Continue in this manner until piece measures 6".
Next RS row: P1, inc1, K1, inc1, work in rib to end.
Keeping in pattern, work in rib until piece measures 7". Bind off.
MAKE THE BODY
Transfer back piece from holder onto circular needle. With same needle, pick up 50 sts along side edge of front piece. Join round (so that back and front pieces form a circle) and place marker. Work in 2x2 rib for 1.5".
**Note: You can either seem the front and back pieces together now, or wait until you're finished knitting. Your choice.
Begin Shaping
Next round: *K2tog, p2. Repeat from * to end.
Next round: Knit all knit sts, purl all purl sts (K1xP2 rib) to end.
Next round: *K1, P2tog. Repeat from * to end.
Next round: K1, P1 to end.
Next round: K2tog to end.
**Note: Transfer stitches over to dpns at this point or whenever you feel it becomes necessary.
Next round: K2tog to last st, K1. (19 sts)
Next round: Next round: K all sts.
Next round: K2 tog to last st, K1. (12 sts)
Next round: Knit all sts.
Next round: K2tog to end.
Break yarn and draw through remaining live sts to close.
MAKE THE BRIM
Pick-up and knit 32 sts along the bottom edge of the front piece.
Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts.
Row 3: Knit all sts
Row 4: Purl all sts.
Row 5: K2tog, K to last 2 sts, SSK.
Row 6: P2tog, P to last to sts SSP
Row 7: Knit all sts.
Row 8: Purl all sts.
Row 9: Repeat Row 5
Row 10: Repeat Row 6
Row 11: K2tog (twice), K to last 4 sts, SSK (twice)
Row 12: P2tog (twice), P to last 4 sts, SSP (twice)
Row 13: Repeat Row 11
Row 14 (turning ridge): Knit all sts.
Row 15: (K1, inc1) twice, K to last 2 sts, (inc1, K1) twice.
Row 16: (P1, inc1) twice, P to last 2 sts, (inc1, P1) twice.
Row 17: Repeat Row 15
Row 18: Purl all sts.
Row 19: K1, inc1, K to last st, inc1, K1.
Row 20: P1, inc1, P to last st, inc1, P1.
Row 21: Knit all sts.
Row 22: Purl all sts.
Row 23: Repeat Row 19
Row 24: Repeat Row 20
Rows 25-28: Repeat rows 21-22 (twice)
Bind off.
Using template cut out plastic canvas brim piece. Fold hat brim in half at the turning ridge, creating brim pocket. Place plastic canvas piece inside pocket and with tapestry needle, seam closed. Block if necessary.
posted by Vickie Howell @ 8:32 AM
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