Vickie Howell

By Janice Zlendich -- Library Journal, 12/15/2005

Vickie Howell, knitwear designer and host of Knitty Gritty, the DIY Network's popular learn-to-knit series, has been called a “rock star of knitting” and certainly is representative of a new generation of hip young knitters who have taken up the craft: an estimated 6.5 million in the age category 25–34. New Knits on the Block (for a review, see p. 124), a collection of playful knitting designs for clothing, costumes, and toys kids really want, is her first book.

The book's cover of you brandishing crossed knitting needles like swords and laughing at a massive tangle of yarns shows a refreshing, in-your-face attitude toward knitting.

I actually believe that a sense of humor makes any type of art more accessible and relevant.

Did you make a conscious effort to feature currently popular techniques like shadow knitting and needle felting, or did you concentrate first on coming up with child-pleasing projects?

The idea came from my own kids. Their lukewarm reactions when I'd knit them a pair of socks or a sweater were similar to my own reactions as a child when a well-meaning aunt would give me socks or underwear for Christmas. Since a lot of time and care goes into a knitted item, I wanted to create a collection of projects that were as fun for children to receive as they were for adults to knit.

I started putting New Knits together after shooting the first season of Knitty Gritty. I put out a call for designers and approached a hand-full of guests from the show, explaining what I was going for. The result was a collection of wonderfully imaginative sketches that ultimately made up half of the book. The other half I designed myself. The whole process was fairly organic. I was interested in including specialty techniques like needle felting and shadow knitting, but only in a way that wouldn't sacrifice the playfulness of the book.

More and more young women are taking up the craft, not learning from their mothers or grandmothers but from videos downloaded from the web, friends in Internet knitting groups, or local Stitch 'n Bitch groups. What is knitting's appeal to this new generation?

I believe that this generation is about finding balance and outreaching for community. Knitting helps satisfy both of those goals by providing a relaxing, creative, and tactile outlet that also offers socialization via groups like Stitch 'n Bitch.

My mother first taught me how to knit when I was eight, but I hated it. I found the needles to be cumbersome and the process frustrating. At that age, I much preferred the ease of crocheting. It wasn't until I reached my mid-twenties that a friend convinced me to go with her to a yarn shop in L.A. She said that I was the craftiest person she knew and it was crazy that I wasn't knitting. The owner of the store retaught me, and I was immediately hooked.

If you were stranded alone on a desert island where an unlimited supply and variety of yarns grew on trees, what knitting book would you like to have with you?

If I were stranded on an island that might mean that I'd actually have time to knit for myself. Hooray! Right now my favorite book is Teva Durham's Loop-d-Loop: More than 40 Novel Designs for Knitters. Over the past few years Teva has become one of my favorite designers not only in knitting but in overall fashion. Her sense of shape, style, and structure juxtaposed with her funky artist sensibilities make her designs standouts in the industry. I was thrilled when she finally published a book, and it definitely did not disappoint.

What about other fiber crafts? Can we expect to see Crochet Moi on DIY next season?

I do pretty much anything that involves being crafty. Although DIY isn't planning on making a show specifically centered around crochet, they have produced a new show, Uncommon Threads, that will cover every non–knitting related needle art. The show will air next year and be hosted by the lovely and talented Allison Whitlock. I should add here that I am just gearing up to write a book on crochet, which I'm really excited about. I don't have any more details but will keep you posted.

Any other publishing plans in the future?

My second book, Not Another Teen Knitting Book, will hit shelves in June 2006. It will offer projects representing different social groups, events, and milestones. Readers can expect to see patterns inspired by punks, brains, the prom, school elections, etc.