Sparky’s View

I’m a little behind on my 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge. The second assignment is to create a list post. I had a hard time thinking of a topic to write about, then it dawned on me that I have tons of knitting resources that I love, why not share them!

1. Social Networking sites
   My favorite resource is Ravelry. You have to become a member to use the site. It’s free and totally worth it. There are tons of patterns, projects and pictures of knitting. There is lots of info on independent spinners and dyers. And a great community with tons of groups for all different interests. I’ve also found a lot of knitters on Facebook by posting status updates about my projects or frustrations.
2. Online Help sites
   KnittingHelp.com has been another great resource for me. This site offers videos on how to do certain techniques, from the basic knit stitch and purl stitch to more complex procedures like cabling, knitting in the round and finishing. The videos are brief, but clearly show the process. And there are videos are for both Continental knitters and English knitters.
3. Manufacturer Websites
   Yarn companies have very in depth websites offering tutorials, patterns, yarn sales, swatch cards, blogs and much more. I have spent lots of time on Lion Brand’s website and am working on a big project from one of their patterns right now. I also like the Berroco site for design ideas, great giveaways and videos.
4. Online Stores
   Many online stores offer free knitting patterns, knitting information and, of course yarns and patterns for sale. There are online stores like KnitPicks, which offers a wide variety of yarns, patterns, pattern books, even their own needles and eat.sleep.knit which offers many beautiful handpainted yarns.
5. Brick and Mortar stores with websites
   Some small, local yarn shops have an online presence as well. There are some that have information about yarns, class times and details, and shop hours, like my local yarn shop, Yarn It All. Other shops have ecommerce sites that offer many items for sale including yarns, patterns, books, needles and notions, like Kaleidoscope Yarns in Vermont.

So that’s a list of my favorite knitting sites. What are yours?

Drew just told me that Darren Rowse of Problogger.com has started a 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge. We’re both doing it. I think it will be a good way to encourage me to blog more. I want to blog more, I’m just often not sure what to say or I can’t find the time. I am hopeful that the daily emails will serve as a reminder for me to sit down and write.

The first assignment is to write an elevator pitch for your blog. An elevator pitch is a brief description, essentially short enough to relay the information in the time it takes for an elevator ride. The tagline for my blog is “Family, Knitting and Everyday Life.” Seems pretty accurate to me, that’s what I want this blog to be about.

To expand upon that I suppose that I would say:

Sparkysocial.com is a personal blog about my daily life. I’m a mother, knitter and friend trying to find my way in the world.