Welcome one and all to the first official review from The Knitty Scribe. The purpose of this blog to to review written materials in regard to knitting. Not to judge, but to let you all know what's out there for knitters - you all can judge for yourself, but I guarantee that there is something for everyone - I mean it's a pretty big world and knitting is a pretty big part of that world (regardless of the crazy looks you get from people while you knit in line at the market,etc...)
The year 2010 was a real downer in many ways, but I actually did learn something that I found extremely useful - Knitting on the World Wide Web. Wowzer, the blogs and patterns and websites and online stores are amazing (and the worst possible temptation for anyone that loves instant gratification - so take it slow and you should be okay.) Two things really changed how I saw my own personal knitting - blogs and Ravelry.com. I'm thinking I was a little late to the game in regard to both, but in my defense was I writing a thesis for the past several years and that process along with an adviser seemed to think they deserved all my time kept me a bit sheltered from the online knitting world (this may have been a good thing as I would probably still be writing that thesis). However, in past year I've found a home at Ravelry for sharing my ideas, what I'm sure is considered less than funny humor, my desires, my questions - a real think tank of like minded people for an art that I have loved since childhood. And then there are the blogs......
I jumped into the fray in 2010 with my own blog -The Green Girl - now I'll admit that I don't have a following the likes some of greats like The Yarn Harlot, but that anyone takes their precious time to read something I've written is a thrill that I won't even try to describe. I'm tremendously honored. As I was considering what to review for the first installment of Knitty Scribe, I poured through books, articles, patterns and I started to get a little "a feared" as we say. There's a lot of stuff laying about to be reviewed - old, new, good, bad, and all between, but it occurred to me in the shower (this seems to be the place where I think - don't ask just go with it - I know you have an odd thinking place, too) that bloggers bring an interesting variation to our literary community. I mean there are blogs about everything and I mean that literally - you name it, you'll find a blog about it. And the one thing I find especially interesting about blogs is their diary aspects. Dear Diary, today I.... that was how we started diaries or journals when I was a girl, but today we go online and write those words (in whatever form) and let the world in on our lives. And in the case of knitting, we are let in on the creative and exceptional prowess of our fellow knitters. This posting is dedicated to the Knitting Blog....
I shall look at only two blogs that I follow on a regular basis (you'll see why only two as we go). They were picked from about 30 blogs that I follow and their inclusion should not be considered a slap in the face of any other knitting blog for each is special in their own way - I just figured it was a good place to start and that none of you would want to be reading this one post at the end 2011 as that's how long I could write about knitting blogs. Here goes (and as a reminder, no judgment - I mean how can you judge someone's personal thoughts and ideas - I cannot.)
1) The Yarn Harlot - by: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/
Many of you may know Stephanie's writing, she considers herself a writer of humor and I would agree. However, if you haven't heard of the Harlot before, take a gander, I think you'll find a blog that is both inspiring and funny. Whether you knit or not, I think you will find her writing funny. That's what keeps me coming back to her blog. Stephanie can make the dull or the disaster a little lighter and easier to take. She says the things we are too embarrassed to say about our own feelings toward knitting, life and family. Her blog is a pick-me-up and it is also instructional. The blog goes back several years and I highly suggest taking the time to read through all the postings, there is a lot of good stuff in terms of patterns, humor, life.
2) The Purling Sprite - by: Isela Phelps -http://www.purlingsprite.com/
Isela is what can only be described as an active woman. She's a mom, a wife, a designer, a knitter (both traditional and loom) and a marathon runner. For me that equals - active! Her blog is also part of her overall website. She chronicles her knitting, mothering and running adventures much to everyone's delight. I especially chose Isela's blog because she is a loom knitter. This is an old craft that is gaining new levels of acceptance in the crafting world and Isela promotes this form of knitting in grand style. Her book on loom knitting socks is the considered the bible for the art among loomers. Whether you are curious about looming or share Isela's love of marathons, I think you'll enjoy this blog.
These are just two examples of knitting blogs and I highly suggest that you go on a little search adventure of your own and find more. You'll be amazed at what you find and how they elevate your love of the art of knitting. Each week along with a book, pattern or article I will review 1-2 blogs - I doubt we'll ever get through them all, but I hope that this blog will help others find the the work of so many talented people.
It is my sincerest hope that you find the Knitty Scribe informative and fun. Please feel free to leave comments and suggestions for materials to be reviewed. Millions of eyes are obviously better than just my two (now needing glasses just to work) at finding things to share.
Knit on, Read on.....
The Knitty Scribe
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