Cover Cowl Knit-Along Starts Today!

Hey there! I’m thrilled to announce that the first, Stitch.Rock.Knit-Along for Sheep(ish) yarn starts today on both Ravelry and Facebook! We're all casting-on for the Cover Cowl (pictured) from the holiday issue of Knit Simple Magazine. Wontcha join in the fun? This cowl was designed with busy people like you in mind. It’s lush, beautiful, but quick to knit. Make one for yourself to fight off the upcoming winter chill, or knit a few for holiday gifts. Either way, we’ll do it together starting next week. All you need to do is chime in that you’re “in”, and get knitting! It's a virtual event, so you can participate at your leisure. Log on to Ravelry OR Facebook today!

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

New Sheep(ish) Pattern: Pea-Wee Coat

The Pea-Wee Coat pattern is now available on Caron.com! Get the pattern, Sheep(ish) yarn and Tulip crochet hook in a select JoAnn  & Michaels or online.

Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie

Robyn Chachula's Crochet Stitches: Visual Encyclopedia

Stitch patterns are to knit & crochet wear designers, are what fabric is to traditional fashion designers. The repeats that create the open-weave of mesh, dips and pulls of a spike, the bunches of bobbles--the directions and math involved to obtain these effects are the gateway to any garment's drape and design. Whether we "plug-and-play" a stitch pattern into our own concept (think: using an existing fabric to cut and sew into an original garment), or simply use the information as a jumping-off point (think: heavily tweaking a graphic to use as the print on your own fabric design), stitch treasuries are an invaluable resource for designers. They're like our bibles. For hobbiests, they offer an absolutely attainable blueprint to altering an existing project to make it their own.

Double Crochet Group, crocheted with Sheep(ish).

Behold, my friends: the inspiration well just got deeper! My friend, brilliant designer and engineer, Robyn Chachula has a new book out that offers a mind-blowing 300 stitch patterns. Crochet Stitches: Visual Encyclopedia will have you feeling like a crocheter in a candy store (hush, you know what I mean), when you flip through its pages! Whether you're looking for a kicky little edging, a cute applique, or a sophisticated stitch--this book is one you'll want in your hands now and on your bookshelves forever!

Madena Lace, p. 108

Lorena Motif, p. 223

Crochet Stitches: Visual Encyclopedia is available now in stores and online. For more information on the book and Robyn's other projects, go to: CrochetbyFaye.com.

To follow along with Robyn's full, blog tour chek out:

Oct 10- Getting Loopy, http://gettingloopy.com/

Oct 11- Yarn Thing, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/yarnthing

Oct 12- Go Crochet, http://www.gocrochet.com/

Oct 13- Hook and I, http://www.thehookandi.com/

Oct 17- Vickie Howell, http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/

Oct 18- Modeknit, http://modeknit.com/

Oct 19- Knitgrrl, http://www.knitgrrl.com/

Oct 20- NexStitch, http://www.nexstitch.com/blog/

Oct 24- Styled by Kristin, http://www.styledbykristin.com/

Oct 25- Yarn Craft, http://yarncraft.lionbrand.com/

Oct 26- Crochet Doctor, http://thecrochetdoctor.blogspot.com/

Oct 27- Lindamade, http://www.lindamade.com/wordpress/

Oct 31- Manhattan Craft Room, http://www.brettbara.com/

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Happy I Love Yarn Day!

Wishing you a happy "I Love Yarn Day"! I hope you've spent it surrounded by the needlecraft, tools and crafty people you love. If you haven't done so already, check out the Craft Yarn Council tribute page for a bunch of free projects--from myself, Debbie Stoller, Brett Bara, Linda Permann, and more--to celebrate the day!

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Sheep(ish) Pattern: Spooky Frutti Poncho!

You know how I loves me the Halloween, so I couldn't resist adapting the toddler, Toodee Frutti poncho that I originally designed into a spookier version.

Spooky Frutti is make in Sheep(ish) colors: Black(ish), White(ish) and appropriately, Pumpkin(ish). To make one for your own little ghoul, simply extend the TooDee Frutti pattern by a few inches by repeating Row 17 (before adding the picot edging), and replace the pom poms with ghost tassels!

To make a ghost tassel: wrap White(ish) around your palm several times; slide off and cut the loops at one edge; wrap and tie an additional piece of yarn about 1 1/2"/4 cm from the top (uncut) end to create the head; use Black(ish) to embroider eyes onto tassel head. Repeat for 2nd tassel. Tie tassels to crochet chain (after weaving it through cowl neck).

Stitch.Rock.Boo!,
Vickie

Knit Simple Holiday on Sale Today!

I'm honored to announce that the holiday 2011 issue of Knit Simple that I'm on the cover of officially hits stands today! On it, I'm wearing a Sheep(ish) cowl I designed using a double-strand of yarn. I wanted a project that was luscious, stylish and quick-to-knit, so it can be made for loved ones for gifts.

I hope you'll check out the issue at your local craft, grocery or bookstore. Nab it today, see where to get the yarn here, and then stay tuned for the Facebook & Ravelry Knit-along that will happen later this month. Details soon!

Cover Cowl, shown in colors: Turquoise(ish) and Magenta(ish).

Get a sneak peak inside of the issue and enter to win a cover kit at KnitSimple.com!

A huge thanks to Art, Trisha, Carla, Joe and the rest of the gang at SoHo publishing for making this cover, project and the feature story within the issue happen. You guys have always been so supportive, and I can't tell you how much that means to me!

Stitch.Rock.Love,

Vickie

Drive-by VK Live Recap

As much as I'd love to wax poetic about the fantatic-ness that was Vogue Knitting Live, L.A., I have a manuscript due in 4 days. I guess you'll (read: I'll) just have to settle for a few iPhone pictures with captions. Enjoy!

Entrance sign

My very 1st student of the weekend was a 10-year-old boy who said he wanted to "learn to knit so I can do it with my dad". *Swoon* His dad is a cement truck driver who taught himself so he could stay occupied during his down time.

The Chevy blanket in action on the Beginner's Lounge floor!

A volunteer teaches one of the male attendees how to knit.

My friend Kristin (with baby Junie), stopped by to work on a Sheep(ish) baby vest.

This attendee stopped by to learn how to crochet in the round.

Fanboys knit too.

Love the Namaste mesh bags and Buddy Tote I snagged at the Marketplace!

   

Day 2; another new knitter in the making!

This adorable, Loyola-Marymount student came to learn to knit and left with a finished phone cozy!

   

A heartfelt thanks to the people at Soho who put on such a great event, and to the wonderful volunteers that were with me the whole weekend at the Beginner's Lounge!  I also really appreciate those of you who took the time to come by to say "hello", check out Sheep(ish), and show support for everything from the old Knitty Gritty episodes to the cover of the upcoming Knit Simple magazine (see tomorrow's post). I get all gushy inside when I think about your kindness.

Stitch.Rock.Love,
Vickie