the knitting community & me.

I have been apart of the online knitting community for, at least, three years. When I started knitting almost four years ago, I didn’t know there was any type of community where knitters could gather to exchange knowledge, techniques, stories or company. Once I started looking for free online patterns and advice, I instantly came to one of the most famous online knitting magazines, Knitty. I was so grateful a site like that existed! As time went on and I wanted to learn new techniques beyond those needed for a garter stitch scarf, I began to notice the large amount of blogs dedicated to knitting. One of the first blogs I started visiting regularly was BrainyLady. The way she photographed her items and displayed her crafting (and educational) life helped me notice the large online knitting community. Eventually, I found blogs like the Yarn Harlot’s and became addicted to reading them and seeing their photos.

It wasn’t until my boyfriend, Charles, started heavily listening to podcasts that I decided, more as a joke than in all seriousness, to search for knitting podcasts. To both our surprises, they existed. At the time, there weren’t many, but more than enough to have something to listen to. The first knitting podcast I listened to was Cast On. It had the highest rating on iTunes and the most positive feed back. I decided to start from the very beginning and it took me almost eight months to get caught up. Like the blogs, I eventually listened to other podcasts and now I have a slew I listen to regularly, or at least when I have the time.

From Cast On, I learned about the online knitting community website that was still in beta, Ravelry. When I signed up, I thought I’d receive a confirmation email within a few days. Turns out, the list was so long, that it took a few months. I signed up in April 2007 and was accepted on September 12 of that year. I was on that website non-stop for several weeks. Soon, I was able to upload all my projects onto Ravlery. I joined a few groups and I’ve made several friends.

I have really enjoyed actively participating in the knitting community that has formed, in only a few short years, online. But, I’ve decided to go a little deeper and immerse myself in this community more. I have recently started a podcast, The College Knitter, in which I talk about being a young college-aged knitter in New Jersey. I’ve been overwhelmed by the number of people that have requested to listen to my podcast. I don’t know how many have subscribed and I’m not sure what they think about it, but I’m am so happy people are listening!

If you’re interested in listening to The College Knitter, you can search iTunes or check me out at Mevio.com.

continuation into procrastination

Yup! I said that I post more FO’s about a week ago. And here we are, well into July and, while I have thought about post, I have not actually shown the initiative. But, its a new day (a very new day, please consider the time), and I am having trouble falling asleep (is that what it takes people?) so I will publish (sounds so professional) a post. On knitting. I am too tried and cranky to do much else at the moment.

The Birthday Gifts:

Pattern: Sunday Market Shawl - Vannessa Carter

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Solid - Seaspray – 2 skeins

Particulars: Too thick and to slippery to keep the dropped yarn overs in place. Rolled too much.

I made this shawl for my best friend, Katie, for her 21st birthday party. She likes to sit out on her back porch and drink tea or eat grapes on summer nights. Actually, I just assumes she does these things because I do and that’s what we do together. Sit outside and drink tea. But I’m not actually sure she does this when I’m not around. Anyway, I thought she could wrap this around her several times (note the word “several”) and keep warm.

Though simple, it is so simple that I zoned out several times while knitting it. This could be a benefit but other project had my attention at the same time and it was hard to work on stockinette stitch with lace on the needles! But I persevered (go Lauren) and I finished the damnable thing. The best part was tearing out all the YO’s. Though I was a little nervous I’d drop the wrong stitch and wouldn’t figure it out until the end, I like the excitement and god knows this was the only time this project was “exciting”. Eventually, due to the thick and slippery nature of the yarn, pulling all those knit stitches out was useless and it just rolled up. I was frustrated but it still looked okay while being over 80 inches long. Yep, when I said Katie (who bare reaches 5′1″) could wrap this around her several times, I meant she could make a cocoon to live in it was so big! But she loved it and I loved her for loving it.

Pattern: Saturday Market Bag – Jodie Danenberg

Yarn: Lily Sugar and Cream – Blues, Greens and Yellows

Particulars: Left over yarn “donated” to me though school. Needed to get it out of my stash.

Do you see a pattern here? Apparently I was going for a market theme. Not much to really say. Took me about a day and a half to knit. Simple and easy! I knit in the round so there wouldn’t be any seaming of lace work and I figured it would make it look bigger and more together.

In all, she liked it. Though I’m afraid it was a bit small.

Pattern: Cable Ribbed Socks – Erica Alexander

Yarn: Knit Picks’ Palette – Forest Green – 2 skeins

Particulars: Love the length! Took me forever to get through the first one but finished the second one rather quickly. Lovely color, with specks of blue, red and purple.

Though I was not necessarily pleased that the socks took me so long and they were kind of boring at times, I love the end result. Their nice and long, I can wear them with boots and they will keep me warm. The second sock flew off my needles rather quickly (only a few days) and that might be because of the “product” knitter in me. When I have one sock finished, I have to finish the next so that they are useful! This may be why I don’t suffer from Second Sock Syndrome (SSS).

Alright! Well I’m off to drink some iced tea and read on the porch. Leave comments! Please! Check out my new podcast “The College Knitter” and its website!

Finish up the FO’s next post. You can also visit me on Ravelry.com, my user name is “LaureateKnits”.