Monday, March 14, 2011

The demise of the knit blog?

When Ravelry was brilliantly created back in 2006 (I think that was the year), many knitters probably began to wonder what additional value their knit blogs would contribute that couldn't be encompassed on their Ravelry project pages.  I know I did.  I've noticed over the years that many bloggers I used to follow no longer publish and the ones that still do publish are doing so less frequently.  It's not that we aren't interested in seeing everyone's WIPs and reading about their stash additions.  It's that we can get it instantaneously on Ravelry.  I love that.  But, at the same time, it is sad to see this era of knitting start to dissolve.  It is the blog, after all, that partly inspired Jess and Casey to create Ravelry.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that.  It's something I've been thinking about and noticing: that the "successful" bloggers out there are the ones who have sponsors and ads and have enough interesting content that they are able to post multiple times per week.  I know I don't have that much stuff to show you to keep you coming back.  BUT!  I have been doing lots of crafty stuff over the past few months and I plan to make this knit blog thing evolve into more of a craft journal for me.  I have a monthly craft night with 2 of my best friends and they have encouraged me to document all the stuff I am doing.  So, this is where I will do that.  I've been embellishing sweaters, making flower necklaces and sewing some things.  Fun stuff.  Hip stuff (I think).

I have also been knitting, a little.  I have to admit I've realized that I only need so many sweaters and that so many of the ones I have knit I don't really wear.  Here's a summary of my knitting progress since the fall.  It's not much, but it is something!

Sock Giraffe, for our friend's baby who is due to arrive in May.  The construction of this little fellow is very smart.  No seaming, and stuff as you knit.  I learned how to do a Turkish Cast On and a new way to knit short rows.  There is a Hippo and Pig variation, but if you got creative you could make any animal with this pattern.  I am going to try a cow.  MOO.
 
I started the Blackberry Cabled Cardigan in the fall.  It's coming along, but I won't finish in time to wear it this season.  That's OK. 

A pair of white Gansey Gloves.  I started these in the fall of 2008.  Seriously.  Over two years to make a pair of gloves?  Well, yes, and that's OK.  I finally finished them, they fit and they keep my hands warm.  Hoorah.

I've already taken photos of at least 5 other craft (NOT knitting) projects I've finished.  I will show you the oldest (and probably my favorite) one this week.  It is my knock-off of this Anthropologie sweater that I swooned over last year.
 
I also can't leave without showing you how my little girl is growing . . . so FAST.  She's 19 months old today, and she loves whole grain Goldfish.  YUM.

9 comments:

  1. I think Ravelry is a faster way to post progress without needing all of the content.

    I still enjoy following knit blogs, however. I am glad you are adapting it to fit your current needs. I will still be reading your posts - that's for sure!

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  2. I love the giraffe! And I can't wait to see your version of the Anthropologie sweater. I've had a knockoff of another Anthro sweater in my plans for a long time now but never got around to it!

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  3. I'm glad you are not throwing in the towel! As always your knitting is beautiful ~

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  4. So glad to see you're back! Your daughter looks great. Can't wait to see your craftiness :o)

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  5. Thanks for sharing the great photos of your FO and of course, the little one. Fun to look at this morning! :)

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  6. Looking forward to more inspirational, crafty adventures.

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  7. I love your giraffe he's so cute!
    I still read knitting blogs almost everyday, although I'm only subscribed to 5 or 6 right now. Glad to have found yours via Grosgrain this morning.

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  8. Ahh, I have to come out of lurking in regards to this post. I agree that Ravelry has been the demise of knit blogging. I started watching blogs when I was new to knitting and was searching for cool patterns, figuring out what yarn to use, what needle size, what mods to do....now you can find it all on Ravelry. I personally have not blogged because I am engrossed in nuring school, but I do check in on my fav blogs from time to time and have noticed people just are not blogging as much. The problem is, I didn't just enjoy reading about the knitting....I enjoyed reading about the lives of the people I followed and Ravelry does not provide that.

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  9. I agree with Lara. There really is something more personal about blogging that draws me to it. I use ravelry as a resource all the time, but I don't "follow" people there. While I have shifted directions just a bit the past year or so, I still love blogging about my knitting, sewing and home projects...and reading about others. I'm just glad to see you are going to stick with it for now because you are such an inspirtation to me, Amanda!

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