Vickie Howell, a Texas-based designer, is an author, on-air personality, founder of the Purple Stitch Project charity initiative, and International Spokesperson for Bernat Yarns. Sounds busy, right?!Creativity Made Simple is all about finding the time do what you love when life gets busy. As part of the campaign, Vickie selected questions from fans on our Facebook post, and took time to answer, below. Find her answers to our questions, here.
Don't forget to check out a free, cute craft project from Vickie, too!
1. Patty Davis: What a great scarf! Care to share the pattern?
Of course! I'm wearing the Color Card scarf, aptly named because it has stripes in every color of Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell yarn. You can find patterns for both knit and crochet versions here: http://vickiehowell.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-sheepish-pattern-color-card-scarf.html
2. Angelica Escalera: Do you ever free form Knit? And if yes, what do you knit?
Angelica, It's funny you should ask that. I was just looking at a post by NonaKnits on improvisational knitting, and wishing that I had more time to experiment. Since several years ago when I had Myra Wood as a guest on my show, Knitty Gritty I've been really interested in freeform knitting and crochet. I've played around a little with it, but unfortunately have not yet been able to really focus on a project using the technique. Someday, though!
Angelica, It's funny you should ask that. I was just looking at a post by NonaKnits on improvisational knitting, and wishing that I had more time to experiment. Since several years ago when I had Myra Wood as a guest on my show, Knitty Gritty I've been really interested in freeform knitting and crochet. I've played around a little with it, but unfortunately have not yet been able to really focus on a project using the technique. Someday, though!
3. Gudrun Krause: Love the show. Have my tivo set to record it lol. My question is if you ever have a phase when you don't feel like doing any crafts or knitting /crocheting or anything like it but you have to get something done. How do you get over this phase?
Yes, crafter's block happens to the best of us. Usually it just means that I need to take a little time to clear my head -- maybe go for a bike ride or just otherwise get out of the house. Sometimes, just getting inspired by perusing some of the amazing projects spotlighted on blogs, Facebook and Pinterest is enough to get me motivated. Other times, simply moving from one craft to another for a short period of time is enough to re-set my interest in the project at hand. I've learned that it's important to listen to myself and know when it will be more productive for me to take a few hours off and come back productive, than it would be to sit ruminating on the hiccup.
4. Jo Whitesell Fisher: Do you ever use a knitting machine? I do not have one but have heard of them. Is it considered cheating?
The most knitting machine work I've done has been with the Ultimate Sweater Machine. I tend to use that mostly when I have large pieces that require extensive rows of Stockinette Stitch. I personally don't think that the tools you choose to use ever constitute cheating, especially if the process still allows you to create something.
5. Christina Naylor: I have a question for Vickie! What has been her most rewarding project thus far?
4. Jo Whitesell Fisher: Do you ever use a knitting machine? I do not have one but have heard of them. Is it considered cheating?
The most knitting machine work I've done has been with the Ultimate Sweater Machine. I tend to use that mostly when I have large pieces that require extensive rows of Stockinette Stitch. I personally don't think that the tools you choose to use ever constitute cheating, especially if the process still allows you to create something.
5. Christina Naylor: I have a question for Vickie! What has been her most rewarding project thus far?
Hmmm, that's a tough one. Well, writing the book, Craft Corps was a really great experience. Sharing in-depth conversations with designers of all genres was really interesting for me (and I hope, for the readers). It also makes me really happy to read the crafter profiles on the Craft Corps page. Nurturing the community that's rooted in craftiness is one of my favorite things about being in the industry.
Probably the most gratifying project lately though, has been founding the charity, Purple Stitch Project (PSP). PSP provides hand-stitched, purple (awareness color) items to kids with seizure disorders as reminders that they are not alone. Seeing how knitters, crocheters and sewists continue to give their time and skill to make us toys, beanies and scarves they've made is really heart-warming. The feeling of seeing the effect that receiving handmade purple items has on some of the kids is well, indescribable.
Vickie Howell is a designer, author, on-air personality, founder of the Purple Stitch Project charity initiative, and International Spokesperson for Bernat Yarns. Her latest knitting book, Step It Up Knits is currently an About.com Reader's Choice Award finalist (vote here!), and her booklet, Top 10 Crochet Hats is available now exclusively at Joann stores. Her co-branded yarn line, Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell is available online and in stores. Keep an eye out for her newest product, Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell which will be on end caps of select Jo-Ann Stores in May! For more information on Vickie and all of her projects, go to: www.vickiehowell.com, and www.bernat.com/
Check out Vickie's pinboard on our page!
Probably the most gratifying project lately though, has been founding the charity, Purple Stitch Project (PSP). PSP provides hand-stitched, purple (awareness color) items to kids with seizure disorders as reminders that they are not alone. Seeing how knitters, crocheters and sewists continue to give their time and skill to make us toys, beanies and scarves they've made is really heart-warming. The feeling of seeing the effect that receiving handmade purple items has on some of the kids is well, indescribable.
Vickie Howell is a designer, author, on-air personality, founder of the Purple Stitch Project charity initiative, and International Spokesperson for Bernat Yarns. Her latest knitting book, Step It Up Knits is currently an About.com Reader's Choice Award finalist (vote here!), and her booklet, Top 10 Crochet Hats is available now exclusively at Joann stores. Her co-branded yarn line, Sheep(ish) by Vickie Howell is available online and in stores. Keep an eye out for her newest product, Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell which will be on end caps of select Jo-Ann Stores in May! For more information on Vickie and all of her projects, go to: www.vickiehowell.com, and www.bernat.com/
Check out Vickie's pinboard on our page!
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