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Vickie Howell to Host “Knitting Daily TV”

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vickie howell knitting dailyI’m sure you all know about “Knitting Daily TV,” the fiber-arts-focused show produced by Interweave for PBS. The show is in its 11th season and has been hosted all that time by Eunny Jang, who was editor of Interweave Knits until earlier this year.

The word is out that Vickie Howell will be taking over the hosting job and getting her name in the title of the show, which will be called “Knitting Daily TV with Vickie Howell.”

Vickie, of course, is well-versed in the world of crafty TV, having hosted “Knitty Gritty” for eight seasons, as well as being the co-host of “Styleicious,” among other projects.

“Knitting Daily TV” is considered the longest continuously running fiber arts show in production (counting some time as “Needle Arts Studio with Shay Pendray”; it became “Knitting Daily TV” in 2010). The show’s format has changed some through the years but it focuses on knitting and crochet instruction, learning about yarn and project tutorials.

In a press release, Vickie said she “can’t wait to be back in fellow stitchers’ living rooms sharing my passion for yarn-crafts and the vibrant community surrounding it.” The feeling is mutual!

[Photo courtesy of Bernat via VickieHowell.com]

Comments

  1. I was really sad to hear Eunny was leaving IW and KDTV, and this news makes it worse. Vickie’s site and patterns always seemed to me to be aimed at pre-teens. I hope the standard of KDTV doesn’t sink that low.

  2. I agree. While I don’t dislike Vickie Howell, I have not seen even one single pattern of hers that I would ever consider making. I also really dislike the fact that her name is in the title. It would be different if Eunny’s name had been in the title before. This seems egotistical. On the screen shots I have seen, I have seen no mention of other people I love, like Kristen Omdahl, Laura Bryant and Barry Klein, Shay Pendray, and Clara Parkes. All I have read is Vickie saying, “I, I, I,” and “my, my, my.” Why did Eunny leave? I truly hope Kristen Omdahl did not leave, too. And I hope the show doesn’t start featuring those childish, clunky, unsophisticated type patterns I associate with Vickie Howell.

  3. Vickie turns me off. Her facial expressions look like she is so bored with her guests. Its like she’s being put upon to have the guest there and would rather do the whole show by herself.

Have you read?

Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern – A Cozy Little Gift Project With Old-Fashioned Charm

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.