Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Austin Craft Mafia Fall News Letter!
Hey all! Austin Craft Mafia puts out a newsletter every 2-3 months. For no reason in particular, I thought I'd post it on my blog this time. If you're interested in subscribing in the future, just head on over to the ACM website. Thanks! xo, Vic
Well hello there, Mon Craftitain(s)! It's almost offically Autumn and us girls from the Austin Craft Mafia are FALLing head over platforms for new fashions! To prove it, we've done a 5-page photo spread for Jewell Magazine spoofing our shadier side but showing that even in the darkest of times, one can still be fabulously dressed. Check out the free issue out TODAY, in Austin stores throughout the city!
In other local news, Jenny Hart and Vickie Howell will be interviewed this Saturday, September 23rd on KJCE AM 1370. Tune in at 3PM, sharp!
For additional antics, type on over to the Fred Flare website to listen to their latest podcast featuring mafiosas Jennifer Perkins, Tina Sparkles and Jenny Hart.
Oh but wait, there's more! With November 11th being less than two months away, STITCH anticipation is palpable. All the amazing designers and vendors have been chosen as well as headlining bands Irving and +/- confirmed. Check out the web site for all the details.
Amet and Sasha just turned 4!!!! What does that mean for you aside from a reason to run out and buy yourself a cupcake (yes, you should all go do that to help us celebrate!)? A ton of new items and a sale of course! All throughout the month of September you'll find various goodies on sale, some soon to be discontinued, some not. But get your butt over there because the sale ends on September 30!
Sublime Stitching's Jenny Hart, interviews Anna Sui for the Venus Magazine Cover Article!
In it they chatted about DIY culture, all thing embroidered and what it was like to be in the center of punk's heyday: NYC in the 70's. Reallyn though, Jenny just wanted to ask Ms. Sui about all the embroidery and cross-stitching she covers her clothing with, where the inspiration comes from and stuff like that.
Wondering about the release of Jenny's new book, Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Patterns and How-To? Here's the deal: It appeared in stores earlier than expected but it'll be released officially on her site next month with much fanfare. If you order copies directly from her, they come signed- of course! But you don't have to wait for her, get yourself a copy any way you can! We *heart* Ms. Hart!
While Jenny was off interviewing Ana, Vickie Howell went to New York to interview another runway designer, Isaac Mizrahi! Get the scoop on Isaac's knitty little secrets in the "TV Issue" of Knit.1 Magazine, on stands now!
In other written news, Vickie just finished the manuscript for her 3rd book! Keep an eye out in 2007 when Knit Aid: A How-To Helper for the Knitter on the Go, hits shelves!
If you're in the Austin area, come take a knitting class from Vickie at Hill Country weavers! There's less than 6 weeks left until Halloween so it's about that time to start thinking about kiddie costume prep! She'll be teaching a 2-day workshop on the Wizard & Princess hats from New Knits on the Block that begins on September 26th. The class will cover knitting in the round (using circulars and double-pointed needles), basic shaping, machine felting and optional needle felting. Come with your own supplies or buy pre-made kits at the shop-either way, the child in your life will end-up with a royal head-topper, that looks magically delicious! Oh and high schoolers, she'll be teaching a beginning class for teens in October featuring Not Another Teen Knitting Book's B/F/F wristbands! For more details on either event, check out the HCW website or call: 512-707-7396.
Speaking of B/F/F's, OMG you must see Hope Perkin's new t-shirt masterpiece, over at Hot Pink Pistol! Picture this if you will, Tupac and Biggie's faces each on the side of a broken "Best Friends" charm. That's good stuff, people! Snag one now, before us ACMers buy them all first!
Naughty Secretary Club's Jennifer Perkins has gone off and gotten herself her very own TV show! Craft Lab debuts on the DIY Network at 1:30ET/12:30CT/10:30PT on September 25th and airs daily. Record it, watch it, heck, even throw a party for it. Trust us, you'll love this show! Oh, and while you're setting your Tivo's, don't forget to add Monday morning's new episodes and of Knitty Gritty and Tuesday & Thursday repeats of Stylelicious to the list!
Since woman cannot live on tees alone, Karly Hand has stocked Identity Crisis Clothing with tons of new stuff including our personal fave, the Sleeve Purse. It's a purse with a purpose! We like that.
That's it for us now. Be well. Craft Often.
xoxo,
The Mafiosa
(Karly, Jennifer, Vickie, Jenny, Hope, Jen, Susann, Tina & Jesse)
Pssst!...Don't forget to see what other Craft Mafias nationwide are up to. Check out the Craft Mafia site today!
posted by Vickie Howell @ 10:03 AM
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Taking Issue with Television
This just in. The "TV Issue" of Knit.1 Magazine hit's stands tomorrow! In it, I aim for the knitting Target in an interview with fashion mogul, Isaac Mizrahi. Also in the issue, a flashback to iconic TV sweater wearers (Bill Cosby, anyone?), a feature on Project Runway's Kara Janx and projects galore broken up into kitschtastic layouts with titles like: Basic Cable (cabled projects) After School Special (projects that are too cool for school), Couch Potato (See my felted TV caddy & slippers patterns) and ReRuns (a new take on old style.) Check it out!
I finished the manuscript for Knit Aid: A How-To Helper for the Knitter on the Go. Hooray! It's off the the publisher with it now so they can proceed with getting the the line drawing work done and hiring an artist to do some cute, cartoon-y extra stuff for the cover and interior. I'm hoping to get Leela Corman, the gal that did the illustrations for You Grow Girl, but I have a feeling we may not be able to afford her.
Alright, as usual I'm running late. Have a good weekend, everyone!
xo,
Vic
posted by Vickie Howell @ 9:29 AM
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Muppets & Mucky Muck
I love Austin. Where else could a family avoid all of the college town craziness surrounding a Texas football home game by spending a Saturday night in the park, watching a Rolling Roadshow presentation of The Muppet Movie complete with sing-along and post-movie Q&A with Paull Williams (the writer/composer of all of the film's music)? Nowhere, I tell you! ;-)
Today I spent a couple of hours at Hill Country Weavers where I signed a few books, knitted, chatted and shopped with some of the women who who where kind enough to stop by to see me. I bought a couple of hanks of hand-dyed, blue, varigated Atacama alpaca that I'm going to use to make a gift. Hanging out in that environment made me really miss being able to go to Stitch n' Bitch meetings over the past two years.
Anyway, I met a bunch of lovely people one of which, Lenise, had a knitlicious tattoo that definitely deserves props!
Tomorrow's a brand new episode of Knitty Gritty, so set your Tivo's! The guest M.K. Carrol, will show how to make a kitschy-cool sushi toilet paper cozie and bamboo-esque tank cover. The projects are really cute and utilize some intermediate techniques like, provisional cast-on and short rows. You won't wanna miss it!
Now, I have a date with some Drano. My plumbing is screwed up...again. Currently, the house smells vaguely of raw sewage sweetened by some unidentifiable mucky-muck coming up through the shower. Good times. Oh, old houses, you quirky beasts!
Nightie night,
Vickie
posted by Vickie Howell @ 4:33 PM
Friday, September 08, 2006
Austin Events
Hey all! I'm taking a quick break from book writing crunch to check in. Thanks to all of you who have offered me WIP diversions! Since we last spoke, I CO and knit a few inches of my friend Karen Baumer's Lovely Lacey socks (IK Spring 2006)in some pink, glittery Cherry Tree Hill yarn that I bought a couple of years ago at Stitches East.
In other news, if you're going to be in the Austin area this weekend, come on down to Hill Country Weavers on South Congress for their "2nd Sundays" event! I'll be there from 11am-1pm signing copies of Not Another Teen Knitting Book & New Knits on the Block.
There's less than two months left until Halloween so it's about that time to start thinking about kiddie costume prep! I'll be teaching a 2-day workshop on the Wizard & Princess hats from NKotB that begins on September 26th. The class will cover knitting in the round (using circulars and double-pointed needles), basic shaping, machine felting and optional needle felting. Come with your own supplies or buy pre-made kits at the shop-either way, the child in your life will end-up with a royal head-topper, that looks magically delicious! For more details on either event, check out the HCW website or call: 512-707-7396.
Hope to see you there!
xo,
Vickie
posted by Vickie Howell @ 9:47 AM
Friday, September 01, 2006
September Free Pattern--Teensey Capelet!
Morning! Some of you've asked me for the pattern for the green capelet that I wore in the Mixing Yarns episode from the 2nd season of Knitty Gritty. Well Knitties (or in this case, Hookers), ask and you shall receive! This is a super simple number that can be whipped up in the matter of a couple of hours. If you've never crocheted before no worries, this is a great beginner's project and my How-to section's got your back! Enjoy!, Vickie
TEENSEY CAPELET
Materials:
2 Balls Lionbrand Jiffy. Color: Grass Green.
Size US N Crochet Hook
Size:
One Size
Gauge
6 1/2 sts= 4" in trc
Finished Measurements:
38" (at widest point) x 11" long
Abbreviations:
ch= chain
hdc= half double crochet
dc= double crochet
st= stitch
sl st= slip stitch
trc= triple crochet
rnd= round
Directions
Ch 55 and join with a sl st (be careful not to twist ch). PM to indicate end of rnd. Round 1: Ch 2. Beginning in next st from ch, hdc in all stitches. Join rnd with a sl st.
Round 2: Ch 3. Dc in next st. Dc to end of rnd. Join with a sl st.
Round 3: Repeat rnd 2.
Round 4: Ch 4. Trc in next 13 sts. Increase by trc TWICE in next st. Trc in
next 27 sts. Increase in next st. Trc to end. Join rnd with a sl st.
Round 5: Ch 4. Trc in next 14 sts. Increase by trc TWICE in next st. Trc in next 28 sts. Increase in next st. Trc to end. Join rnd with a sl st.
Round 6: Ch 4. Trc in next 15 sts. Increase by trc TWICE in next st. Trc in next 29 sts. Inc in next st. Trc to end. Join with a sl st.
Round 7: Ch4. Trc in every st to end. Tie off. Weave in ends.
NOTE: FOR LONGER VERSION, REPEAT ROW 7 UNTIL DESIRED LENGTH.
Embellishments (Optional):
This caplet can of course, be worn as is but if you¹re feeling extra sassy, here are some embellishment suggestions:
* Vintage brooch
* Silk corsage pin
* Sewn-on beads or sequins
* Sewn-on ribbon trim along neckline
* Ribbon laced through neckline and tied in a bow.
Copyright Vickie Howell, Inc.
posted by Vickie Howell @ 9:13 AM
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