This week I was honored to be able to participate in Extreme Makeover Home Edition‘s build of a local, Texas home. The efforts were to benefit a much deserving family of five who, while working as volunteer fire fighters to help relief efforts, lost their own home in the devastating fires that struck Bastrop in September.
The mother in the family is also an artist and crafter, who loves the D.I.Y aesthetic, so the producers called me (thanks to a hook-up by my former Knitty Gritty executives who now work on the show) to see if I’d be willing to help. I jumped at the chance.
Thanks to Caron, we were able to donate a bunch of Sheep(ish) for volunteers to make ornaments and these stockings for the family. They also asked if I would yarn bomb a few of the trees that although charred by the flames, will apparently triumph come Springtime. The day before the shoot, I whipped up a few pieces on my Ultimate Sweater Machine. Even though we had only minutes to put them on the trees so they look a wee bit janky, the site of the warm, bright colors–symbols of hope– on the wounded trunks is pretty beautiful.
Here are a few, iPhone shots from the experience.
Me wearing the official EMHE volunteer blue shirt, sewing a knitted piece to one of the trees.
Designer/co-host Tracy Hutson & volunteer crafter, chatting in front of the cameras.
A little lumpy, but extra cozy.
Stay tuned for this episode, so you can see the amazing home & studio the team built for this family. It’ll air next year for Christmas.
I am devastated by the loss of @hillcountryweavers founder, Susanne Middlebrooks.
I wrote a longer tribute to her on my blog and Facebook (links in bio). In short, though, she had been sick for a long time but had been a master at not letting the illness get in the way of her living. So, it was often unimaginable that she wouldn't be with us for longer. Last June during an industry convention in Chicago when Susanne came over to the bar booth I was sitting at and plopped herself next to me to chat, I had no idea that it would be the last time I'd get to see her. I'm so thankful though, that when we parted ways to go back to our respective meetings, it was with a hug. Rest in purls, my friend....
When I came across this Knitting Needle Patent greeting card by @patentpress , I couldn’t resist selecting it as one of the items for the YarnYAY! September box! (Link in @vickiehowell bio or got to YarnYAY.com)
What looks like part circular knitting needle, part Tunisian crochet hook is illustrated as the patent drawing for flexible knitting needles. This greeting card memorializes the creation of tools that we stitchers can now, not do without!...
The sample yarn for both palettes of this year’s 12 Days of YAY! Advent Box have arrived. I cannot wait for stitchers to open up a new color everyday!
I don’t want to spoil the shade surprises, but I can share just how much yarn we’re sending you this year — FIFTEEN mini hanks of beautifully hand dyed yarn, by two rad boss-lady dyers.
Historically, we have sold out of these so I’d you’re prone to FOMO, be sure to pre-order tour 12 Days of YAY!
Nineteen years into this knitting career, it’s crazy-pants that I’ve never had Learn to Knit or Learn to Crochet kits before. So, I finally made it happen. If you know someone, or ARE someone that wants to learn — while also making something wearable— check out our new hats and scarves kits in the YarnYAY! Shop!
Love this! What an awesome thing to be a part of.
that is awesome
Vickie, they look like beautiful, bright yarn bandages for those healing trees – I will definitely look for the show next December!
What a great opportunity to help others. Your yarnbombed trees look great!
Really cool, Vickie! How is the sweater machine to work with, btw?
Very good looking trees. Decked the halls!
What a great opportunity! 🙂
That’s what I’m talking about. Thanks for busting your butt. I miss you.
I miss you too, Kel. xo