Raveling
Reverie is when ideas float in our mind without
reflection or regard of the understanding.
-John Locke
reflection or regard of the understanding.
-John Locke
It's Day 2 of November and I'm already seriously questioning the whole
NaBloPoMo. At any rate, I have been planning this post for a while, so perhaps it is a good motivation.
Thoughts on Ravelry:
I love Ravelry. I do. I got all sorts of great tips yesterday for my new February Sweater (one of 370+ posted). Yarns. Needles. Modifications. Things to watch out for. It was fabulous. Until I realized that I myself was not really interested in posting my own project.
Am I just a leech? I use the queue feature, the extensive research functions available, and I did once post some of my stash. But I'm just not inspired to put up all my own projects, even my own stash, or any of that useful stuff. Why not?
For one, I don't usually use Flickr, so that creates an extra step. And then there's that I'm blogging. And if I blog something, I'm not inspired to upload it onto another site. And then there's that I already have a good way of managing my stash (a spreadsheet - we'll discuss how the stash has grown at another time . . .), and my WIPs (a legal pad. Sometimes low-tech is good.).
So is it wrong to get so much out of Ravelry without contributing much of my own? How do you use Ravelry? Any other thoughts?
Labels: Blogosphere, Ravelry
posted by Theresa at 8:52 PM/Permalink
15 Comments:
I use Ravelry much like you do. I don't use the stash feature except for things I want to destash. I like to post my projects because I like to see the trends in the projects I knit and I like the feedback I get. I don't post all my WIPs. I make a point of commenting on the projects of others that inspire me. Mostly I use it to research projects and get new ideas. I learn a lot through the forums and contribute where I can. All that to say that I think there are many ways to participate.
-punkin
I use Ravelry a lot to research new projects, get info on spinning, and track my stash. I haven't posted in the forums (fora?) that much because I keep thinking someone has already asked my questions and I just can't find them.
I do post WPI and finished projects there--I use Flickr for blogging anyway, and often find Ravelry pictures to be quicker than writing a blog entry about projects.
PS--the stash tracking came in handy a couple of weeks ago when I was in a LYS and wanted to check if a ball of yarn in the store was from the same dyelot as one I had at home.
Who said there were rules or even guide lines? No one! Do what works for you...keep it fun and simple.
I'm with Margene - there are no rules. You use it and get out of it exactly what you want. I love using it to record and keep track of my WIP's. I haven't put all of my stash in, but have my sock yarn in. I'll probably put the rest in eventually because Ravelry will print out an Excel spreadsheet for you. I also use it to research projects and see what others are doing. So - use it and enjoy it and get out of it exactly what YOU want. What is your user name?
I just got my invite and am psyched about it. I'm only working on 2 projects right now, and I put them both up. That's all I've done, but when I have a break at the end of the semester I plan to take stock of my stash and my needles, which I've never done before. For me, right now, it's hard enough to find the time just to knit with all my schoolwork and applications, and then to find the time to write, let alone to find the time to upload images of yarn. But I'm hoping that will change eventually
When I first got in, I uploaded 1 or 2 projects a day so it wouldn't be overwhelming.(I had nothing on flickr, so it took awhile, but I got faster and faster at it) I've never put any stash up there and I can't imagine that I ever will - I have it all right here to see in real life!
I use Ravelry when I'm deciding on a new project - I love to just click and see how everyone else's turned out - and it's an awesome resource for pattern inspiration (I've never had so many things I want to knit!)I also am loving the Sock Knitter's Anonymous group's Sockdown Challenge.
What's cool about Ravelry is that anyone can use it anyway they want to.
It's not wrong -- like others said above, there are no rules -- but I do think that there is something to be said for contributing to a resource that you get a lot out of (when it's built on user contributions, that is). On the other hand, there is no chance that there will ever be a shortage of people eager to post their projects, so I don't think there's any reason for you to overcome your personal lack of interest in doing so.
I am using Ravelry the same way you are. I initially started loading pics of my stash and projects and, like you, was not a Flickr user and stopped.
I enjoy being able to look up other uses of the yarn I have and I REALLY like seeing how a particular pattern turns out when others knit it.
I think it is a great resource and tend to think of it as an encyclopedia....you don't really sit down and read an encyclopedia from A to Z, you just tap in to it when you need it :-)
I use Ravelry pretty much the way you do. I don't have a digital camera, so that severely cuts down on my ability to contribute to the site.
Well...not to be too huffy but if everyone just looked and didn't contribute there would be nothing to look at. I know not everyone can add all their projects, stash, etc. but the more you contribute the better the experience is for everyone.
I love Ravelry! I think Jess and Casey said that it will soon be available to the public - even to just look around. No need for an account unless you want your own notebook. Use it as you will!
I haven't joined, but I'm bet I would use it about the same as you.
The OCD in me, loves the organizational tools. I was using a spreadsheet and also documenting all of my stash with digital pictures on Flickr. So before I got my invite, I just tried to make sure I had pictures of all of my stash and it was easy to upload a few pics, rather than all.
I put up all my projects, as well as my stash there, because I like seeing it visually and having an Excel spreadsheet of my projects and stash. I'd never kept a compiled list of projects, so it's nice to go back and review that info.
I don't spend as much time browsing forums. I use Ravelry to search through patterns and see what others are working on.
I say use it for whatever you feel is the most useful. If you had tips for a project, you could enter it so that it would be available to someone who searched, without photos. If your own stash organization works better for you, go for it!
Hah, I'm a total leech myself! :) I don't think you're obligated to post tons yourself if you don't feel like it. That's the beauty of it! Other people's posts would still be there, whether you used them or not. I think there are enough people out there who are eager to post their projects that it all works out. Besides, how many blogless, anonymous readers have benefitted from reading your blog? Do you begrudge them for reading without giving anything back? If not, then I say you should feel fine about using Ravelry however you choose.
Also, I agree about you about flickr. I don't use flickr for my blog, so I have to post things to two different sites.
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