I'm
so excited! I joined The Knitting Guild
Association last month and have enrolled in the Masters
program!
I know...what the heck is a master's in knitting?
Well, mostly it's a program designed to help you learn 'beyond the basics' of
knitting. There are 3 levels, complete with reports due, swatches, projects,
etc. I've already order a book on the history of knitting and have been reading
up on other knitter's experience with the program on
Ravelry.
Oh! Ravelry...do you know about Ravelry?! If you are a knitter or crocheter, you will LOVE Ravelry. (You have to sign up for an invitation, but it doesn't take long to get yours...this is just their way of adding users for now.) I've heard it described as the 'MySpace' for yarn enthusiasts, but, really, it's nothing like that. There is a social component...topic groups, forums galore...but the notebook is the exciting thing to me. Keep track of your stash, your projects (no more trying to remember to hang on to a yarn band and write everything down for future reference..it's all in Rav!) You can 'queue' projects for later and have quick access to the pdf (if it's a free pattern) and easily scroll through the queue to pick your next project.
Even better is this: search for the pattern you're making, then look at what other Ravelr's have done with the project, what yarns they used, how they modified it, their notes about the pattern...
You can even search for the yarn you want and see if someone is willing to sell or trade theirs. I've already swapped with several people and gotten rid of stash I'll never use in exchange for stash that I've (mostly) already used up!
Recently an addition allows you to buy/sell patterns directly through Ravelry. Oh...and there is a library...keep track of the books and mags you own and, if you've queued a project that you don't own the book or mag for, the library keeps track of what you need to purchase.
Casey and Jess, who thought up and created Ravelry are geniuses! Seriously...check it out!
Oh! Ravelry...do you know about Ravelry?! If you are a knitter or crocheter, you will LOVE Ravelry. (You have to sign up for an invitation, but it doesn't take long to get yours...this is just their way of adding users for now.) I've heard it described as the 'MySpace' for yarn enthusiasts, but, really, it's nothing like that. There is a social component...topic groups, forums galore...but the notebook is the exciting thing to me. Keep track of your stash, your projects (no more trying to remember to hang on to a yarn band and write everything down for future reference..it's all in Rav!) You can 'queue' projects for later and have quick access to the pdf (if it's a free pattern) and easily scroll through the queue to pick your next project.
Even better is this: search for the pattern you're making, then look at what other Ravelr's have done with the project, what yarns they used, how they modified it, their notes about the pattern...
You can even search for the yarn you want and see if someone is willing to sell or trade theirs. I've already swapped with several people and gotten rid of stash I'll never use in exchange for stash that I've (mostly) already used up!
Recently an addition allows you to buy/sell patterns directly through Ravelry. Oh...and there is a library...keep track of the books and mags you own and, if you've queued a project that you don't own the book or mag for, the library keeps track of what you need to purchase.
Casey and Jess, who thought up and created Ravelry are geniuses! Seriously...check it out!
list!
