June 15, 2004
All About Me
After the flurry of activity of the last few days, it was nice to relax and not worry about too much yesterday. I started the feather and fan portion of my crepe shawl but after a couple of rows realized I had misinterpreted the chart, and so I am right back at the point where I was yesterday at this time.
I spun and navajo plied a small skein (85 yards) of the beautiful tencel/baby camel that Karen Walters so thoughtfully brought last week, and it is beautiful! I'll have to weigh it and then weigh the rest of the roving to see how much I could end up with and then find some perfect project for it. Right now I just look at it admiringly, waiting for it to speak to me and tell me what it wants to be when it grows up.
This first picture is more true to color--
But the second one shows the shine better--
I was delighted to receive in the mail yesterday the pattern instructions for the Anna Zilbourg design that caused me to buy the naturally-dyed Snowstar Farms yarn at MS&W in May. It's called the Joseph Sweater, and I'll be itching to start it after the weaving workshop and whatever ensues from that.
At the soiree on Sunday we were discussing blogs in general, and many contributed their thoughts about what they like in blogs. Pictures were mentioned, good writing, and the ability to draw the reader in. I myself have noticed that there are basically three groups of bloggers: those who blog as if keeping a personal diary; open to the public but not written for it, those who include and refer to many others in the knitting community, and those who write for the public but generally just about themselves and their activities.
I've thought about this a bit over the last year. I guess I fall into the latter "all about me" category. Is this selfish? You bet! I love looking at other blogs when I have time, love being inspired by other's successes, love being entertained by the likes of Stephanie and Ryan-- but I will seldom want to take the time to research and display the links so that everyone else will love them too. Lisa does a fantastic job of this.
I've heard through the grapevine that there are some knitting blog authors who have individually decided they will each write A Book. I assume this Book is about knitting or designs or something like that. I wonder if they would have written A Book if they had not been blogging for a while. You get used to writing every day and then if you don't an empty hole gapes in the remembrance of the day.
So then I was thinking, will I ever write a book? After rolling around the floor laughing so hard I couldn't breathe, I pointed out to myself that I couldn't even finish a knitting project, how in the world could I be expected to finish a book?! In my state of heightened amusement, I considered what my subject might have been. Knitting Designs for the Unfinisher, featuring half-sweaters, shawl centers, single socks and really short scarves?
Or how about Storing Your Stash: Creative Ways to Maximize Yarn Storage, a pop-up book illustrating the storage space beneath your house, ways to pack for optimum space saving, use of that empty space behind the files in your file cabinet and between the rafters in the attic.
Or, how about The Non-Knitters Knitting Dictionary, the perfect gift for your non-knitting significant other. Includes terms like "to frog", "to tink", ATAC (Acquired Target of Aggressive Completion), and Fingering. Gives alternate ways of asking about a project: Instead of 'making holes' use 'making yarnovers'. Instead of 'start some loops' use 'Cast On'.
Self-help books are big. What about one for your spouse:
How to Cope with the Obsessive Knitter. Friendly tips.
-- "When you bring your wife her morning cup of coffee, why not delight her by bringing her knitting, too?"
-- "Well-placed questions about her knitting will make her feel more comfortable and relaxed. Comments like 'That's looking really pretty, Honey' and 'wow, you are getting so good at those braided cables' may pay off later in the bedroom."
-- "Be sure to wait until she finishes a row before you ask for her attention."
No, don't look for a book from me soon. I'll just continue writing all about me here on the blog.
Posted by Sheila at June 15, 2004 08:30 AM | TrackBackI have to disagree with you!! I do NOT take your blog as a 'selfish blog'- I believe your blog inspires, draws the reader in, and while you may not share specific sites, you ALWAYS have beautiful pictures of people and their knitting! The pictures always makes me feel as if I've just joined the group too! Your storytelling is priceless and, hey, if you get some knitting finished (or not) in the process that is great too! That is the torch we all carry! Proudly! You are hilarious!
Posted by: PJ on June 15, 2004 11:17 AMToo bad! I was hoping to buy How to Cope with the Obsessive Knitter for my husband for Christmas!
I don't think your blog is selfish. I do think links to other bloggers sites can a useful thing when describing something found there, like a pattern, or project, etc. (A picture is worth a thousand words...)
I'm not sure why, but recently, I've noticed posts on a good number of other blogs talking about the content in their blog (and other's) and who likes/dislikes it. I say, it's your blog, you maintain it (and pay the bill if it's not free), so write about and post in a way that makes *you* happy. That's what attracted others to your blog to begin with...
Every knitter's blog I visit has it's own look and feel (much more than just the layout or colors), like going into different knitting shops. That's the attraction for me. I *love* visiting your blog - it's like going to a Ladies' Tea Parlor!
Happy blogging (and knitting)!
Posted by: Lynn on June 15, 2004 11:55 AMSheila, your blog was in part, what inspired me to get one of my own. It seemed like you were having such a good time. (I have since learned that the blog can be a cruel mistress....but I keep loving her anyway). The best blogs are the ones that are true to the lively personalities behind them. Love them or hate them, the blogs that hold my attention bar no holds. Love yours.
Do publish the storage book will you? I'd be happy to provide some illustrations if you need them.
Ah, for me it's all about the pictures. And yours, Madame, are the best out there!
Posted by: Linette on June 15, 2004 04:38 PMPerfectly put, as always. I almost stopped breathing at the sentence containing the arrival by post of AZ's pattern. Care to share where you ordered it from? I also realized I could have, should have, Would have met you at MS&W if I'd been more organized or less overwhelmed at the time. Dang. Please do write the self help books if you are so inclined, and put me on the pre-order list. Sandy and I LOVE your blog. Just the way it is.
Posted by: greta on June 16, 2004 06:40 AMYou're not selfish, you're inspirational and a kindred soul to many...i myself live in Tanbonia with a national flag, national holidays, and a jaunty little national tune i am still composing and your Mdm. Gilchbane is one of Tanbonia's heroines. In fact, there is a statue in the works for the town square where she will be immortalized, her lips positioned to whistle the j.n.t. -which reminds me, the whistling school is when i first discovered your stellar blog. All about me? I don't think so. The photos are a delight-I especially delight in seeing the vinettes (?) you set up for instance the flower arrangement on the table in front of the painting of the parisian flower market which makes the painting spill out onto reality.
And Sherlock.We have all gotten to watch him grow up from a tiny little thing when he first arrived to the handsome animal he is now. Don't change. Your blog is a wonderland.
humbly, tanya
Internally I go through that, "Is my blog worthy" stuff. But ulitmately, I hate comparing myself to someone else. What someone else does is a reflection of them, not me. So I just go through my blog doing what I want. If you build it, they will come" is my motto. I do see that my writing every day has propelled me to "write every day". I miss the oppotunity to get my thoughts out on "paper". That was an enlightening moment and I thank you for that.
Posted by: Chris on June 16, 2004 06:51 AMI'm overwhelmed... I get up grumpy- oh, wait, he's already up-- stumble in with my coffee already stressed about getting things together for the workshop and you guys make my day. Thank you for putting *your* thoughts into writing. Maybe I'll publish the part of the book(s) I finish... the Title Page and the Table of Contents. Mwah to all!
Posted by: Sheila on June 16, 2004 07:17 AMOh, Greta! Forgot to say, I got the pattern from Snowstar Farms. It's not in published form yet, Loranne of Snowstar will be getting it ready soon but wanted me to have the pattern since I had already bought the yarn. And Tanya, love love the Tanbonia World!
Posted by: Sheila on June 16, 2004 07:20 AMMy take is that blogs, like people, come in all different shapes and attitudes, and some you'll like, some you won't and all are "good" in some way. I like yours, but if you decided to do something else, I'd survive. :)
I kinda wish you would write those books, perhaps as short-length spoofs or mostly-pictures coffee-table books with entertaining captions and "instructions."
I mean, heck, if someone could get these books (http://www.powells.com/search/DTSearch/search?kw=chindogu) published, anything should be a go!
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