Wednesday, November 28, 2007

One of the nicest surprises I got this past week was a visit from Suzanne. Like all sensible knitters, she spent a goodly part of her vacation in a yarn store (in this case, the Web), so we got to hang out a little and have some good knitters' chat. She showed me her dementedly beautiful Striped Scarf (which of course got me casting on TWO) and we had a nicely esoteric discussion of sleeve caps and armsyces and such. One of the most interesting points she raised was the effect that Ravelry would have on knitters' blogs.

Does the need to maniacally document everything on Ravelry mitigate the need to post on your blog? I've found it does. This blog started as a place for me to write about what I was knitting. I loved reading other knitters' blogs and getting inspired by what they were doing. But it quickly evolved into a place to muse about the Phillies and Gus and Halloween costumes and whatever ding-dang thing came into my head. I've been knitting up a storm recently, but I've found I have to remind myself to post it here because I've already put it on Ravelry.

The other effect that Ravelry has had on me is that I've been jumping on "popular pattern" bandwagons all over the place. I always missed the boat (or bandwagon) deliberately or by accident on the projects everyone was making - I think I made my Clapotis three years after everyone else did. But the Pattern Browser on Ravelry lets you search by most popular and then you can see 200 examples of the pattern that everyone's making. And I've been having fun sitting at the popular kids table, for a while.

So I've been having fun making these:

The famous Striped Scarf. This is great, mindless, why-did-I-never-do-this-before pattern. Two rows each of self-striping yarns. Everyone's been doing this in Noro Kureyon, but I have none and the Web doesn't sell it. Instead I chose Plymouth Boku (which is exactly the same as Silk Garden) as the striper and Rowan Cashsoft Aran as a soft solid-colored yarn. The first one I tried was a yellow-brown-green-purple Boku and a plum Cashsoft Aran. I didn't love the combination, but the scarf is so fun to knit that I just kept going.

Then I chose a pink-purple-green-yellow Boku and brown Cashsoft Aran. This color combo I liked much more. I think I'll rip out the other one and keep going on this one instead. One thing I've notice is that though their yardage is only 4 yards apart, the Cashsoft runs out WAY before the Boku. It's happened on both colors I've used. I have a sneaky suspicion Rowan is lacking on quality control.

The other "popular" project I made recently was the Pirate Hat from helloyarn.com. It's for Gus. Here it is on the recipient.

Lana Grossa Merino 2000, one of my favorite all-time yarns.

5 Comments:

Blogger Liz K. said...

I had the same concerns about Ravelry, since my blog began simply as a way to document my knitting, but the blog has brought me so much more -- like friends like you!

And besides, there's no place for Waffle Man on Ravelry!

8:51 AM  
Blogger Marfa's Mewsings said...

Divine One,
As a blog reader, infrequent blogger, BIG Knitter's Review fan & new to Ravelry, I read your comments w/ interest. While R. & KR are different, I use both for different reasons.
And I'll keep coming back to your blog, my dear.
XOXO

4:17 PM  
Blogger diana said...

liz k - right back at ya. And yes, Waffle Man needs a forum.

martha - glad you keep coming back!

10:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i've pondered that scarf for some time now. eh, i may make a smaller lady eleanor. it was fun and i kinda miss it now.

that hat is awesome, and so is cool wool. it's the best.

12:11 PM  
Blogger Lauren said...

I stopped by Tangled Web today but missed you to tell you that YOU WERE RIGHT and i only needed one skein of berroco jasper to finish a pair of 7 inch warmers. I should have never doubted you. Thanks!

3:19 PM  

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