After some necessary brain manipulation, tape-measure-stretching, and copious note-taking, I’ve made a plan! And I am happy to report that a lot of progress has been made!  Now, my bed is OUT of the craft room, and set up in the smallest room of my home.

The craft room is still waiting to be reconfigured.  In the meantime, I’ve been making sure all the vagrant craft supplies are located, then policed back to the craft room where they belong. My house sure is looking better! I can actually have visitors in my living room!

Now, I’m tackling the bathroom, even though it didn’t have any craft supplies. I just don’t want it to feel left out. Ha! Next, will be the kitchen and laundry room. Then I will FINALLY be completely focused on making my craft room into a lovely haven of yarn and other artsy fulfillment.

Meanwhile, my Bernat projects have been crying for attention.  Sometimes, I walk over, and lovingly caress them. “Soon, my lovelies,” I promise,”Very soon”…..

There are some others in the Bernat Forum who are talking about their craft rooms as well.  Read their stories HERE.

For those of you who have been following my progress on the Bernat Bamboo Crochet Vest CAL, be informed that I am still working on the seaming!  I’m also in the midst of doing a craft room remodel, and some spring cleaning all over my house, which has been stealing a lot of my time lately!  Do any of you have a craft room in your home?  Is anyone else doing some Spring Cleaning or remodeling like me?

Karental made a precious baby sacque, using Bernat Baby yarn.  Adorable!

You will also find several beautiful Temperature Projects on Bernat’s Pinterest page. We are reaching the midpoint of the year, so our scarves, wraps, and blankets have grown a lot!

Here’s one of the brighter Temperature Scarves, which is being handknit by Laynie from New Zealand.  Such happy colors! If you are making a Temperature Project with us this year, please share your story in the Bernat Forum!

You can make this vest yourself, by using delicious Bernat Bamboo yarn, and following the instructions on Bernat’s free pattern. If you’d like, you can watch my Step-By-Step Videos, which will walk you through the entire project. Right now, I’m uploading the videos for crocheting the back, so they should be available for viewing soon.

This week, I will be weaving in all those loose ends, and seaming the vest together. Stay tuned for a photo of me wearing it next time! I got my haircut this week, so I’d be ready for my “modeling session”. Ha!

I can’t wait to see photos of YOUR completed vest as well. So, join in the Crochet-Along, and tell us all about your project.

After just a couple weeks, I am halfway finished!  Take a look at this gorgeous Right and Left Front.  Awesome!  I am really going to love wearing this vest.  The eco-friendly, cool, moisture-wicking yarn will be perfect for summer.  And this vest will work for all kinds of wardrobe needs – formal and casual.  So wonderful.

My Step by Step Video Tutorial will always be available, so you are free to join in the Crochet-Along (CAL) at any time.  Be sure to let us know how your Bamboo Crochet Vest is coming along!

While making my vest, I’ve been capturing every single stitch with my video camera, then uploading the videos to YouTube.  So, if you want to follow along, you can just watch the videos and make your vest at exactly the same time! This would work very well for those of you who are still learning to crochet. If you already know basic crochet stitches, the videos will walk you through the construction of the vest – one stitch at a time.

Here’s how my vest looks right now. I’ve finished the Left Front, and the center band. It sure is going quickly! I should be wearing this gorgeous vest in no time at all!

Now, I am starting the Right Front, and still making videos as I work. So, be sure to check the Forum for updates. If you are just deciding to make the vest, and want to join in the CAL, go to the CAL in the Bernat Forum, and let us know you are participating. There is no deadline, so you can join in at any time. We hope to hear from you soon!

I’m so excited to announce that it’s finally time to “officially” announce the latest, co-branded yarn in my line: Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell! You can buy it now on Bernat.com and beginning this week (anytime between now and 5/11), you’ll also be able to find it on encaps (that shelving on the end of the aisle) at select, Jo-ann Stores.

Bernat Cotton-ish by Vickie Howell (just Cotton-ish, for short), is a lightweight, 55% cotton/45% acrylic blend with a tight twist to give it a sproing-y hand. It’s lovely, airy drape is perfect for a variety of items including baby layette, toddler clothing, women’s tops, lacy shawls, summer beanies, cafe curtains and place mats.

Cotton-ish comes in the rich, saturated colors that are signature to my modern-meets-retro-chic aesthetic. While creating this line, I took to heart the frequent requests I get from mom stitchers who are sick of traditional pastels for babies. Whether you’re making something for infant, adult or home, the palette of this line speaks to the trend of mixing bold color with cool neutrals. Each color was hand-picked by me — using everything from fabric to found objects as inspiration — and named after something cotton-related (you know how I love a theme!)

Gauge & Washing Info

If you’re a fan of my other yarn, Sheep(ish) but prefer not to work with wool during the warmer months, then Cotton-ish is for you! Throughout the Spring and Summer keep your eyes open for new, season-appropriate patterns, blog giveaways, Pinterest galleries, a crochet-along, and more!

In the meantime, here’s a look at the free patterns that come on the yarn ball labels.

Free pattern on the yarn label: Tri-Light Kerchief Shown in color: Cotton Gin

Free pattern on the yarn label: Mai Tie Shown in colors: Cotton Field & Grey T-shirt

Free pattern on the yarn label: Market Bag Shown in color: Lemon Twill

To find a store near you that carries Vickie Howell for Bernat yarns, check out my store locator app.

Are you a LYS owner who will be carrying Cotton-ish in your store? Post your info so I can add the shop to the finder list!

Psst! I haven’t seen it in stores, yet. First three people to snap a picture of the Cotton-ish display at your local Jo-ann or indie store, gets a free bag (3 balls) of Cotton-ish! Just post a link in the comments section of this blog or share a photo on my Facebook wall!

xx,
Vickie

Our Bamboo Crochet Crochet-Along (CAL) got started this past week!  The first step is making the Left Front, and we have videos to walk you through every single step of the process.

So, get your scrumptious Bernat Bamboo yarn, a size J hook (6 mm), and come join us!

Our Bernat Temperature KAL/CAL projects are changing colors now – It’s so nice to use different colors for the warmer Spring and Summer temperatures!  My Temperature Project was going to be a wrap, but after just a few months, it has reached GARGANTUAN proportions!  So, I’ve decided to make strips and squares for a blanket instead.  You can see Bernat’s Pinterest Board for our lovely scarves, wraps, and blankets right here: Bernat Temperature Projects on Pinterest  

You’ll find other Bernat events by following Bernat on their Facebook page, Twitter page, Pinterest boards, YouTube Channel, the Bernat Forums, and right here in the Bernat Blog.  And don’t forget to subscribe to Bernat’s Newsletter!

Another Knit Simple/Bernat Stitch.Rock.Knit-along has come an a close, and as always I am left feeling inspired. This issue’s project was 90% crochet, which as the “Stitch.Rock.Knit-along” title suggests, isn’t of the norm for this series. I was thrilled to see that the new-to-some craft didn’t scare away most of the regulars, and we even had a few new participants because of it! I love being able to peek at everyone’s progress, give tips, share tutorials and otherwise virtually commune with other stitchers. It’s an honor and a joy to be the leader of these events. Without further ado, here’s a photo recap of the highlights of the Shrug It Out a-long!

How-to Get Started:

How-to Pick Up Stitches:

Finished Shrug It Outs:

See even more works-in-progress and finished shrugs as photos continue to come in by following the Shrug It Off Pinterest board!
Don’t forget, the Stitch.Rock.Knit-along posts on Ravelry and Facebook (including diagrams, videos and other resources) stay up forever and always, so you can join in as you have time to.

Don’t know how to crochet, but want to learn? Check out the Bernat Video Library or my online course, Crochet Lab on Craftsy!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next issue of Knit Simple and our next Stitch.Rock.Knit-along — info to come!

xx,
Vickie