A little while ago I had to go to Ravelry to check on the meterage of some yarn. I visit less and less these days, though it is still a very useful site. Sometimes, though, the sight of knitting makes me sad. (Which is a bit unfortunate when well-meaning friends send me pics or links to articles about knitting, not realising that it can feel like rubbing salt in the wound.)
Looking at my queue, I decided to delete all the projects I’d lined up for knitting machines. Then I culled the favourites back to patterns I’d made or projects I’d seen that I still thought were amazing. Then I trimmed the friends list – some I no longer recognised, some I only followed for the knitting, and some whose blogs I now follow in Bloglovin’ instead. The forums were next – down to a handful of weaving and machine knitting ones. Finally I took out all the books I’d given away from the library.
Basically, I had a big mental cull.
At the same time, I marvelled, as I always do, at how great Ravelry is. It’s still a useful and fun place to be even though I’m only weaving now. I really admire how user-friendly and intuitive the interface is. The creators did – and are still doing – a brilliant job.
Test results came through a few days ago and I’m immensely relieved to learn I don’t have rheumatoid arthritis. I don’t have the symptoms for carpal tunnel, either. But the RSI is bad enough all on its own. I’m supposed to be back at work next week, and I don’t feel I’ve recovered nearly enough for it. It’s going to be… interesting.
Very glad you don’t have rheumatoid arthritis!
I’ve just flicked back over your other recent posts and confess that I made the mistake of sorting my stash of stranded cotton embroidery thread. Lots of lovely Semco thread from decades ago (not the recent reinvention by Spotlight); lots of Anchor thread of varying vintages in at least three incompatible numbering systems; a few odds and ends of other brands; a fair bit of DMC. Since DMC is now obtainable everywhere, and they keep their numbering system constant, I’ve decided that any new thread purchases will be DMC but that I should do my best to use the other odd threads first. So what do I do? I go out and plug all the gaps in my DMC collection.
I recently took my embroidery thread off the pegs I had it wound onto and wrapped it on the more conventional style card storage. Most of it was an Ebay buy – plenty of old Semco and Anchor as well as DMC. I, too, am buying DMC only, but mainly because it’s all the local Lincraft carries aside from Sullivans.
I have not so much ‘gaps’ in my collection as vast and empty voids.
Ah, a mental cull. Very fine idea. I think it must be catching, as I’ve done a garage cull ( much nicer now) and am working on a WIPs cull. Maybe a ravelry cleanup would be good for me too. I agree with you regarding ravelry – a cornucopia of inspiration.
I think it’s the time of year. Clear out the old, bring in the new.
I have never used Ravelry, I’ve been a member or follower or whatever for quiet some time, but I didn’t find it that user friendly. Maybe I’ll look for some kind of online tutorial in how to use it. I’m sure it has loads of useful info.
Some parts are less intuitive than others. It’s the database that is the most useful ongoing resource – like looking up yarns to see what people have to say about them, or what they used them for. And I reckon there’s a group for any interest. I still laugh at the unfortunate grammer of the “Knitting Military Partners” group.