Ok, November 14th - I have been a member of Ravelry for a year!! I've been thinking back and it seems like I've been on for more than a year. I tried to see how Ravelry has changed my knitting life. I started to keep track of my stash and needles when I first joined, but I haven't really been keeping up. I used to search the net more for patterns, now I start my search and often end it on Ravelry. I used to use google as my primary go to when looking for info on yarn.. Now I click on the yarn tab. Kudo's to Casey (codemonkey) for adding the shop link to buy the yarn I look at. the forums. I belong to a handful of groups on MSN. But it is like 3 knitting groups, a NASCAR group, a Tony Stewart fan group, a Home Depot group. But the forums is cool 'cause it's NASCAR fans who knit, 49er fans who knit etc. So it starts co-mingling my interests which is nice. I mean when I comment that the race made me lose track of my pattern and caused me to tink back 17 rows, there are people who understand! There is also a LOT more activity on the Ravelry forums. And since MSN is getting rid of groups next year anyway.... I also like having my projects from start to complete in one spot.
The amount of charity knitting is awe inspiring as well. There are groups dedicated to just charity knits of one sort or another! I made 4 afghans and a whole bunch of squares for Victory Junction Gang Camp. I still don't know what the final tally will be , but I wouldn't of even known they needed the 'ghans without my Ravelry Go Fast Knit Left group!
But I think the best part of Ravelry is the people I have met through the site. Love being able to keep up with their blogs on the friends page , seeing what they are marking as fav's etc. But the absolute icing on the cake is the real life friends I have made. There is Grace and Sandy , Jacqui and Mary that I meet with at Mara's for coffee and knitting ( ok it's right after work so lunch too) and I am still going to get down to Philly to go out for sushi with Min.
Now for the contest part. Reply to this post with one thing that has made a serious impact by Ravelry. Is it a friend you made? A techinique you got support to try? A place to vent about spouse/or kids? A place to market your etsy??
Contest will run from now until November 22nd ( my birthday) All commentators will go in a hat and the winner drawn from there. Please make sure I have a way of reaching you. ( since I would assume you have a ravelry name - I can then pm you if you win) The 2 prizes will be a gift certificate to Scoutsswag and I am working on a way to get a credit at Pennyrose's etsy shop (If that doesn't work out it will be to another hand dyer for sure) 2 great dyers I would not even know existed if not for Ravelry!!
Good luck!
There are many things I love about ravelry--the first place I click on is the friends button--checking out what new projects and new blog entries. I love the library-just my clicking on the book, I can look at finished projects that other people have completed. That is also one of my favorite things to do at ravelry-look through the finished projects and just be in awe of all the wonderfully talented knitters and crocheters that are out there.
ReplyDeleteHappy Ravelversary!!! I think it is really hard to point out just one thing that has made an impact. I think Ravelry has made a major impact in the knitting/crocheting community! We now have a place to go to that we can organize ourselves, learn new things, meet new friends, etc. It has also helped me realize how many knitters/crocheters there really are in this world and how popular this craft really is!
ReplyDeleteThrough Ravelry I was able to find a bar with people knitting in it on Sunday nights less than 2 blocks from my apartment! I'd never have known (I never go in there normally) otherwise. I love Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteI've only been on Ravelry for less than a year, and it's already completely changed how I find patterns and ideas. Oddly, I've ended up designing more and more things for myself in the face of all te choices! I'm an odd one that way. I should really get around to posting some of those. Like you, I have also failed to keep up with my needle count and stash- perhaps these things should be New Year's resolutions?
ReplyDeleteIn any event, Happy Almost Birthday and Happy Ravelversary, and I apologize that it's taken me this long to post on your blog again- I have a terrible lurking problem, you see. =)
Biggest impact of Ravelry on me?? Without a doubt the people I've met there. I can't begin to tell you how touched I was this past summer when I got so much support from everyone on the NASCAR board when I did the brain tumor walk in memory of my dad. We've all been drawn there by a common interest; we likely wouldn't have met in the cyberworld otherwise, and chances are good that I won't meet a lot of you in real life, yet I consider many Ravelers close friends. And I'm privileged to be able to pay the support I got forward with some other charity efforts I've seen there.
ReplyDeleteI start my day by checking my Ravelry forums and close the day by doing the same. It's become an integral part of how I live now to keep in touch with my friends. :)
Happy ravelversary!! There are so many things I love about ravelry. But I think making connections with people that you would never have made a connection with otherwise has been the big part. If you are having a bad day you can always find someone on ravelry to chat with and cheer you up!
ReplyDeleteHey there - congratulations on 1 year with the Ravelry family :)
ReplyDeleteI'm actually posting just because I wanted to share in the celebration of Raveling but I'm not trying to win anything because I am just happy to be a part of a cool group of knitters & crocheters. You are a way cool person & I'm very happy we connected. I guess you can say that Ravelry has expanded my circle of friends and ideas... I realize that we are all different & that everyone brings something to the table but in the end I think the goal is to make friends, celebrate our differences & be happy. That's mine, at the very least :)
I don't spend a lot of time online posting - usually just a lurker these days, but blogs & forums like your make me smile :)
The hubby approves of the prominence of Smoke by the way *woo*
Hugs,
~A
The thing I love most about Ravelry is the knitting inspiration I get from it every day. The best part is to see how pattern meets yarn BEFORE deciding to knit either.
ReplyDeleteHappy Ravelversary! Happy Birthday!
Happy Ravelversary! I just had mine not to long ago also. But I can't thing of just one thing, there are soooo many! When I joined Ravelry, I was new to knitting and had no clue what I was doing or knew anyone to help me. Now thanks to Ravelry, I'm an adventurous (and somewhat fearless) beginner who can now make cables and even 2-in-1 socks! I've also fallen back in love with crochet after connecting with other crocheters through Ravelry. I've begun designing things and in general trying things I would have never thought of pre-Ravelry! And the people are just amazing! I've made many friends and I'm sure if we can ever meet IRL we'll be friends then too! See, I told you I couldn't think of just one. ;)
ReplyDelete-share32006 (on Rav)
Well the highest point has been meeting you and Sandy and Mary---ii haven't met Jacqui yet, the other is the swaps, the stash enhancement and the pattern enhancement and having a place to showcase my own designs!!! Happy Ravelversary and next week we will celebrate your birthday!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've met so many amazing people on Ravelry, particularly in the generous swap groups! My stash is now enormous and my family thinks I'm obsessed. (Not that they're wrong.)
ReplyDeleteFirst off I wanted to say Happy Birthday and Happy Ravelversary!!! Your birthday is the day before mine wheee!
ReplyDeleteRavelry has changed my life because I am actually knitting now. For the longest time I was only a crocheter. I picked up the stitch n Bitch book to learn to knit and was also taught by a blind friend of mine and it never stuck. After getting on Ravelry I found the courage to start knitting. Right now I'm at the scarf stage of my knitucation but I have big plans for sweaters, hats and...maybe just maybe SOCKS!
For sure Ravelry has changed my life forever !!! I love the pattern search and looking for yarn to try and what other does with the yarn I just bought. Wonderful !
ReplyDeleteBut the best part is new knitting friendship I develop trought the network in Ravelry. I meet with a few of them and I always love to help people with pattern and techniques. I wish I could spend more time on the internet to browse the site all day long.. :)
Sophie
Happy Ravelversary!
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick just one way that Ravelry changed my life, it would have to be introducing me to the women I now can knit with every Sunday - I've made online and in-person friends through Ravelry, I've learned about techniques I never would have tried, so many things! But my knitting friends are the best.
teabird / ravelry
I didn't start or learn to knit until December 2007 when a good friend at work taught me the knit and purl stitch. Once I learned, I was hooked and determined to master knitting. I had spent my time browsing the web for patterns, info on knitting but never really felt satisfied. Then one day my friend at work mentioned to be about Ravelry, but said I'd have to wait on the waiting list to join. So I figured, why not? Once I got my membership, I was once again hooked. I just had no clue no idea of this mini-world Ravelry was. For someone like me that never even came close to any hobbie similar to knitting, fiber or textile arts, this was as if I was blind, and suddenly gained my eyesight. I don't think I would be where I am with knitting had it not been for Ravelry and the wealth of friends and people I've met there. It is satisfying to know there are many many others out there that share the same love of this ancient craft. Because of Ravelry I've learned so many things, it's truly immeasurable. I logon everyday, and spend a good 2 hours a day just chatting, browsing, you name it.
ReplyDeleteRavelry truly has become the hallmark of the knitting community and I'm ever so thankful to have it in my life.
I love that there are so many different kinds of prople on Ravelry from all over the world- People in my line of work tend to socialize and work in the same group- and Ravelry helps me clue into the rest of the world- and I love the pattern, yarn, and help resources. Jess and Casey Rock!
ReplyDeleteHappy Ravelversary and Happy Birthday coming up! The biggest impact Ravelry has had on me is that now I am a much more adventurous knitter. There are so many patterns that I would have avoided in the past. I had never heard of EZ before Ravelry and now I have finished my first BSJ! And I started my blog in January as an offshoot of Ravelry! Not to mention all the friends I have made and the $$ I have spent. Ooops, I failed to mention spindling which I started as a direct result of Ravelry. I guess it has totally altered my free time and budget!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Ravelrysary! I met my best friend on Ravelry!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first heard of Ravelry, I couldn't understand the big deal but I was talked into joining! I am so glad I did, I met my best friend and many others, made so many patterns that I would have never came across otherwise. I have since talked 3 people into joining!
Yea for Ravelry!!!!!! If it wasn't for RAVELRY I would've had a difficult time finding knitting blogs. I love to see that I am not the only obsessed knitter in this world. Through ravelry I was inspired to design my own knitted bracelets, make new friends, and organize just how many FO I have. I have made a lot of things. Thank you Ravelry!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Ravelversary!
ReplyDeleteRavelry has, interestingly enough, given me a cleaner house! I joined a group called Reclaiming the Home, and it's inspired me to take care of my house. I still knit alot, but now I take the time to get some housework done, too.
I finally made it over to your blog. Happy Ravelversary! and B-Day. I love that you are a devils fan. Me too!
ReplyDeleteRhonda(wissota)
Oops I was totally into telling you I was Devils fan I forgot to tell you what I like about ravelry and it's impact. The first thing I like is the groups. Where I can share my intrests with like minded people. Also I found a local group when I moved and made a new best friend by attending the local meet up I found on Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteRavelry has provided me a lifeline to other knitters. I live in a remote inaccessible area. No knit-nights for me, just me alone. I am able to connect with other knitters at any time of day, every day. I don't know what I ever did without it!! I also started a blog because of Ravelry and have made many, many friends, whom I also cannot do without. Truly life-altering.
ReplyDeleteI met you and all our fellow knitting NASCAR fans! :-) Actually, I think the biggest influence Ravelry has had is on the greatly expanded knitting horizons. I never would have learned about the great variety of yarns I own, gathered the huge number of patterns (even hard ones!) that I have, or had the guts to try my hand at my own designs, had it not been for Ravelry.
ReplyDeleteJen (jinniver)
The forums always seem to have a great question or two that I also need answered. Ravelry is also something I can do at 2 a.m. when i get home from a serious night at work at the hospital. I like to watch the Radar!
ReplyDeleteGreat contest. Great prizes
Happy Ravelversary:)Is it a friend you made?Yes Grace has touched my life and so many others because of ravelry I wish I could knit with Grace lovin comfort knits sheis a wonderful person. I came from her blog.Hugs Darcy knottyknitter40 on ravelry
ReplyDeleteHappy Ravelversary!!!
ReplyDeleteFor me, I use up more of my stash yarn by being on Ravelry. I love to go on and see what other people have made with the extra ball(s)of yarn I have left over, or bought without a project in mind. Then it also gives me so many options to look at if I don't have the yarn a patter calls for. It's amazing. I guess to sum it up, Ravelry has taught me to expand my ideas of what can work for a pattern/yarn. Love it. love it. love it.
Happy Ravelversary!
ReplyDeleteTHe best thing that has come out of my Ravelry experience is meeting Grace (lovincomfortkints.blogspot.com). She not only has given me ideas, instructions and funny and sweet stories about herelf, but she has knit a shawl for my mother when she went into the nursing home this year. And she knit ME a shawl--just because I was ME--and believe me--this me ain't much--but I sure felt like a queen when I put that shawl on--why, even when I took it out of the box. She's the best thing for me from Ravelry--and there are other super-duper thing. it's just that Grace has been so much more than nice to me and Mama!
Like you I have found that I am keeping up with my projects and making sure I take photos of them all. Then I also find wonderful inspiration for projects just by looking at everyones projects and I love going to everyone's blog and reading them when I am thru with what I have to do for the day.
ReplyDelete