I probably don't have a lot of readers to my crochet blog because I work very hard to keep it strictly crochet related. There may be the occasional non-crochet post (like my engagement photos) but for the most part, I'd rather skip a few days of posting rather than post about general stuff. I've seen a few blogs where it starts as crochet content and now talks about everything but crochet. It's likely a personal choice and all that and I know I'm rambling now so I'll stop. :)
Megan
· 9 months ago
I would love to see more crochet blogs! I unfortunately do not have my finger on the pulse of the industry, but would definitely read those who do. I also like to hear about design processes and that sort of thing as well. I am woefully undermotivated when it comes to blogging myself, though, and I'm not sure why. I suppose part of it is that I don't take the time to sit down and DO it.
Vera
· 9 months ago
I knit and crochet and I blog. Most likely, my problem is that I don't blog often enough since I tweet, plurk, and facebook too. Still, I decided long ago to just simply love my crochet--not to apologize for it or go into any knit of "knit vs crochet" stuff. I do good work that pleases me and others and that's all I need.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
Vera, yes! That's it -- do what pleases you. It's not about *how often* you blog (unless you're looking to rock search-engine rankings, and what kind of motivation is that?), it's about what you blog and what you get out of it.
polgara
· 9 months ago
My blog is mostly about crochet and what happens in the crochet world. I try to keep a regular pace at blogging and also not talk about crochet on an other media such as FB. I try to give my readers something to think about and often ask them what's their opinion. I also try to share a lot on what I'm crocheting (work in progress, tutorials, ...) But that's difficult. I mean, I havn't got enough time nor space in my publication agenda to write about everything I'd like. Plus, my readers have developped an habit of commenting with great insight and point of views (which I am happy about) and that pushes me to keep up the level which requires a lot of work . Don't get me wrong, I LOVE blogging, all I'm saying is that getting people interested in a crochet blog is a LOT of work.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
Yes, it sure is a lot of work. It sounds like you get a lot out of it, too.
Julia
· 9 months ago
Well, my first thought was "oh my god, she thinks my blog is boring!". I really just blog what I want to share and what I would want to see, I am not trying too hard to be interesting. Maybe I should? I don't know. My blog ist not a hundred percent crochet, but I try to keep it craft related.
As for twitter and Facebook, I am still not on either, but I am starting to feel left out. But I have no idea how and when I could handle another couple of sites to keep up with and update. I don't know how you do it.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
Oh no! I didn't write with any specific blogs in mind. I just wrote with the assumption that bloggers want to reach people and that some bloggers want to reach as many people as possible.
In no way do I keep up with "it all." On Twitter, I follow people very selectively, and I don't actually read many blogs. Once I got comfortable giving myself permission to only keep track of sites and people I find very engaging, thought-provoking, inspiring, or personally gratifying, I stopped being stressed out about my involvement online. It took years.
m.k.
· 9 months ago
I started blogging after another designer pointed out to me that I was hard to find online (that was about 4 years ago; with Ravelry and Etsy I'm now much easier to find!). I haven't noticed much of a difference in traffic to my blog for crochet-related posts vs. knitting-related posts - but for comments, you know what really wins? Photos of my dogs. :D
I can't speak to other people's choices. My blog is about what I happen to be doing that I want to share, whether it's crocheting, knitting, sewing, baking, sorting shell midden, or admiring my dogs. I'd say I'm unlikely to try to turn my blog into a fabulous, crochet-focused blog mainly because I'm not really that into blogging, honestly. I've been doing it for years but I get much more interaction and feedback on forums and social networking sites. I've even been considering dropping the blog in favor of directing that time and energy towards getting more design work done.
Mary Beth Temple
· 9 months ago
Blogging recently is a chore - designs I can't talk about let alone show, industry things I pull back on lest the blog read like a commercial for all my new work, family stuff that I don't post lest it intrudes on someone's privacy. Doesn't leave me a lot of subjects.
Now the podcast I love - and I figure if people really want to know what I think they can tune in there, since I do a new one every week.
Kiba
· 9 months ago
I would love to be part of a community of crochet blogs. While my craft interests are more diverse than just crochet, it is the one I do the most. Just today I was talking to my fiance and trying to figure out exactly what it is I do with my evenings when I'm not rehearsing for a play, and the verdict came down internet and crochet.
I have trouble sustaining my own interest in my blog (evident, as my last post is from January, and my average posting rate is probably about once every two months). It's not that I don't love to crochet and to read about crochet - those are two of my favorite things - or that I don't want to write about it. I just don't know what to say.
The operetta I'm in is consuming my life right now but I hope in April to re-commit to kibathediva.net and make it a blog worth following. (I have multiple blogs, and March is the month I'm spending recommitting to my reading one, though it hasn't been as strong a commitment as I hoped because again, operetta.) I have lots of inspiration and am getting more all the time. I have designed a whole two things ever, which I think is part of why I struggle to feel like I have something valuable to say.
I do love to read your blog, as well as Robyn's, Vashti's, and Doris's.
Lara
· 9 months ago
I am interested in lots of crafts, so read a range of craft-related blogs - sewing (clothes, bags), quilting, crochet. I blog myself too, but because my interests are broad, the content of my blog is too. I started to blog as a form of "show and tell", and that is mostly how it has stayed. I'm not a designer or particularly creative person, but I do love to crochet, so there is always quite a lot of it on my blog. One of my favourite crochet blogs is Attic24 - evocative writing combined with glorious colour - but if I'm looking for crochet inspiration I spend more time on Ravelry than on blogs. It all depends on why people are blogging I think - and on how much available time they have to be online! Sorry if this is a bit incoherent - typing with toddler on my lap.
Ellen Bloom
· 9 months ago
I blog at least 5 days a week. I crochet and knit and blog about both often. I also blog about art, architecture and interesting things going on in the Los Angeles area. I try to read as many crochet and knit blogs as possible. I agree with you about photos!!!! Take that item OUTDOORS and take as many shots as you need to get a decent one. Cropping your photo works wonders too!
Vashtirama
· 9 months ago
I've been blogging about crochet and reading blogs for years. Crochet designing was personal for me--a beloved hobby--and became my profession organically. I wanted people to be able to find me online but I didn't want a commercial website. I figured with a blog I could be my complete crocheting self online (boy was I wrong for awhile, see below), but I knew I didn't want to do the personal diary type. There were so many and I don't read those much. I'm not a consistently witty/entertaining writer, so I decided from the start to make *content* the top priority--that I stay on topic and post when & if I have something to say.
When I look back, the profession aspect of it was hugely inhibiting! A designer's professionalism pivoted on how secretive s/he could be, yet I'm at my most gregarious as an online crocheter! I want there to be nothing left unsaid about every facet of crochet. In professional crochet world back then (about 2-4 yrs ago) there was this suppressive climate about how crochet designers should comport themselves as professionals and in public. It has not been a good fit with the blossoming web 2.0, and the conflict basically fried my inner blogger. This climate has been relaxing into something more reasonable and does remain a practical requirement of freelance designers to a certain degree. In my case though, I think I was always more cut out for self-publishing. It's so freeing I can't get over it! I don't have to be crazy-secretive anymore. I define what makes this 21st century crochet designer professional! (My own pattern lines coming soon.)
Around the same time I became a director of CGOA--another layer of being 'presentable' and another batch of stuff in my life that I had to be careful of how I blogged about it, if at all. My favorite content is the in-depth reviews of '70's crochet books I did, and very few people left comments. I did see some talk about them in forums but I came to feel like I was blogging into empty, lonely space. When I went to a crochet conference and was surrounded by fans of my blog anxious for the next '70's book review, I began to wonder about the comments thing--why don't people comment more? Commenters feed a blogger and I think most people don't know that. A few blogs I visit get tons of comments about anything; is the reason the same for each of those blogs? Luckily I installed a stat counter so that I could see visitors.
The next blog development is that I wrote some articles about crochet for print publications and got paid the same amount, for less effort, than I've been paid for some crochet designs! This is also when professional writers, photographers, and business commentators were complaining about writers giving away too much for free on the internet, and I wondered why I was blogging for free. Yet I love the blog medium, so I guess it's its own reward.
More recently, Ravelry happened and I saw about 3 of my original blogging goals met by my Ravelry pages simply and elegantly. Twitter is actually a great Blogger's Tonic. I can blurt and be responsive to the moment without it having to be a polished (professional, literary, etc) blog post with amazing photos.
Amy
· 9 months ago
Vashti, I understand how you feel about balancing professionalism with the desire to maintain an open and creatively honest blog. One of the things I struggle with most is maintaining the energy of inquisitive inspiration that my blog began with. When I was a new designer, I was constantly figuring things out and writing about them. Now that I'm a bit more seasoned, I'm still creatively stimulated in my work, but I'm not necessarily problem-solving as much, but I'd still like to have that spirit in my blog.
Regarding comments, I'm not sure why some blogs get millions of comments and others don't. Like you, I no longer worry about that because know my readership is there. Also, I feel privileged that my commenters are thoughtful and insightful when they do leave messages.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
Oh, Vashti, I know exactly what you mean. If you go back through the archives of this blog, you'll probably notice a fairly sharp change in tone and content. This past fall, I decided I'd had enough of being "professional." Even before I started working at Interweave Crochet, I felt I needed to be professional as the representative of CrochetMe.com. Then as an author. Last spring I realized I was exhausted from trying to play all the roles I'd assumed I needed to play. So in the fall I gave it up. Although I'm rarely compelled to write about my personal life, I did slowly out my opinions about politics and social issues, and I started writing about things I'm interested in beyond crochet. I had no idea what would happen, but I did know I'd end up hating being online if I had to continue to self-censor. No one ever told me I had to, I created that expectation all on my own.
Anyway, I agree that comments are the lifeblood of a blog, and I'm fascinated both by which posts of my own inspire people to comment, and by which posts on other blogs inspire me to comment.
I loved your reviews of '70s crochet books, but you're right -- I rarely commented on your blog. I don't know why. I likely didn't think I had anything to add. I spout off comfortably in my own space, but often think I don't have much to add in someone else's. I hadn't really thought of that before. It's great food for thought.
I'm excited to see what you're getting up to!
Vashtirama
· 9 months ago
Blogging can be such a mirror because I'm an avid reader of them, so I watch myself as a reader/commenter. Like you, there are many where I don't spontaneously comment either, yet enjoy what I read. Sometimes I stop at a blog on my way to somewhere else and am too preoccupied to notice that I have a reaction to what I've read. Other times I'm just sated and there's nothing to say. I do comment more when I decide that I'm going to, and I've made great new connections with people because of it. A flip side is responding to comments on one's own blog. I stopped doing that early on--the blog architecture didn't really support a 2-sided conversation feeling--but things have improved there.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
I can't say strongly enough how much using Disqus has helped to improve conversation on this blog -- not only because I can easily reply publicly to comments if I want to, but because *all* commenters can participate easily in actual back-and-forth conversation here.
Janet
· 9 months ago
I blog but am kinda new at it. Sometimes it's yarn related, sometimes not. Just depends on what bubbles in my brain.
Vashtirama
· 9 months ago
Why do you figure forum participation is a different breed of online activity? It's looking like you're right but why?
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
For the most part (and there are certainly exceptions), forums aren't the go-to place to share big ideas. There are very specific expectations of members of a forum: You're expected to converse, to chime in, to participate, to ask questions, possibly to answer questions. In many cases it's like a long-term, long-form, public IM conversation between lots of people. In no way do I mean to denigrate them, I'm just trying to contrast them with blogs and Twitter.
On a blog or on Twitter, you're expected to share some big ideas. Not "big" as in life-changing, but "big" as in original, uniquely your own. You set the rules on your own blog. It's up to you to start a conversation, and it's up to you to try to keep that conversation going. On a forum, it's collective. All of it. There's a different responsibility. I lump Twitter in with blogs because the same expectation applies -- people follow you so they can hear from you specifically.
I don't think I'm being very clear about this; when I wrote the post I thought I had a very concise and clear designation in mind, and it turns out I've either lost it or hadn't actually thought it through fully.
What do you think?
Vashtirama
· 9 months ago
Yes--I think your emphasis on the differing responsibilities is key. Twitter is very stats-based among many users (how many follow, the ratio of following to follow, proportion of @ replies to not, etc) which amps up the sense of responsibility for the conversations one starts. In a forum, the moderator/listmom feels a kind of responsibility that no other member of it does.
Woowork
· 9 months ago
I particularly agree with #6 and #10 on your list, about applying your own varied experiences & life stories into what you write and crochet. Interested people are interesting.
As someone new to both crochet and blogging, the audience I aim to attract is the person who was like me a year ago: someone not interested in crochet or crochet blogs. However, crochet blogs like the ones listed below were successful at transforming me into a crochet blog reader and, eventually, a person who blogs and crochets amigurumi.
Thanks for your Top Ten Ways to Be More Interesting, which can be smartly applied to every blog! :)
Ok I hardly ever crochet so that rukes me out as a crochet blogger, but...just wanted to say what an excellent list. Especially number 5. And, of course, number seven.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
Hi Gale,
I dropped the ball in our discussion, didn't I? I apologize! How are things going?
Cheers, Kim
juliet.....
· 9 months ago
I've blogged about crochet but the word that drew readers in was "scrumbling". You should see how many hits I've received from the US, Australia and NZ when scrumbling has been a topic. I'm sure there have been a few hits due to mentioning Prudence Mapstone and Sylvia Cosh, but scrumbling is something people are eager to read about. I guess that means, when you post, just toss in a scrumble or scrumbling here and there and watch your comments and hit build! Whooo Hooo! Scrumble, scrumble, scrumble.....
Jennifer/Jaybird
· 9 months ago
I HOPE I have an interesting crochet blog! LOL!! I try to talk about crochet related items mostly, but I do add in personal info too. I think my readers like to know a little more about the designer, even if I am new to the designing world. I also use it as a promotional tool since most of my patterns are self-published and I like to make sales, LOL!!
Dora
· 9 months ago
Hope I'm not too late chiming in here. Personally, I don't have enough time to read blogs, though when I do I find them interesting. When I decided to go on line, I went for the ezine idea, hence Crochet Insider. Sometimes I wonder, though, if I should have a blog instead, or as well? I mean, I get lots and lots of readers, so does it matter? What I really want to do is help change the crochet world, but not sure of the best way.
SbutterAMfly
· 9 months ago
Thank you for this post, and for all these great comments! Reading all this has really inspired me to pay more attention to the quality of words, etc that are posted in my blog.
I too have often been torn between being professional and expressing myself fully. I almost feel obligated to keep it professional because of my relationship with a certain yarn company... like what I put forward as my personal opinions could reflect how people view this company. It's been requested, that I not rant and rave about yarns from other companies, despite how much I really love the yarn.
When I'm wrapped up in things that don't involve this yarn company, sometimes I just don't post at all. I'd rather just not post than say things that are restricting the way I really feel. Anyway, that's frustrating... but I'm inspired now to be more creative with what I post about. It doesn't always have to be about the yarn! Thanks everyone.
marikka
· 9 months ago
I guess I'm trying to figure out what exactly one means by an "interesting crochet blog." Are we looking for a crochet tech blog? A crochet photo blog? Something akin to Yarn Harlot, but focused on crochet? A blog about designing? And also, what makes a crochet blog?
I'll be honest, I always wondered why crochet didn't have a Stephanie Pearl-McPhee or an Elizabeth Zimmerman. Is it because we tend to keep it all in the family? Is it because there aren't really that many of us? Is it because of a residual stigma? Or is it more that we might not need it? I've always held EZ as more of a teacher, and I wonder if there is as definite a role for a iconic teacher in crochet. I do think there's a place ready for a crocheter to become a sort of SPM for crochet, but you need someone willing to be that open, that intimate, and that familiar with a crew of strangers, and then those strangers have to find him or her.
Or maybe, what is a cool knitting blog? It might be that I don't know what I'm missing because I don't know what others have.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
I'd love to know what others find an "interesting" blog to be. For me, it's one that provides the things I mentioned already. If it's tech-oriented, the techniques are explained well and they're useful. If it's a photography blog, the photos are outstanding. If it's a blog that relies on writing, that writing is high-quality, the stories and anecdotes are entertaining, informative, moving.
What inspires you subscribe to a blog?
marikka
· 9 months ago
See, I don't really subscribe to blogs. I poke around and my taste in blogs changes. Right now, I love reading the comic bits. A couple of months ago, I was back to the book blogs that were brutally honest and never apologized. Before that I was into the craft blogs with beautiful pictures (and Alicia Paulson's because of her food pictures).
I have a blog for a long-lost reason. Back when I had a LJ account, it was to be able to say the brutally honest things I couldn't say out loud, but then when people found me, I self-censored. And now, I self-censor because I have a life outside of what I put on my blog that needs to be tended and protected. I can't be brutally honest anymore because employers look at Facebook and MySpace accounts and blogs. I'm okay with the self-censoring because it helps one know reasonable boundaries, but I wonder how interesting a blog can be if there are these recognized boundaries.
Annette
· 9 months ago
Most interesting thread since the one on Sarah Palin, Kim! Seriously!
I don't blog often enough. This is particularly true in winter, since I believe that a good post on my blog must have a nice photo, and the light is so crappy here in the winter.
That being said, I think that my best blog posts have nothing to do with the photos. They come when I stop thinking about what I should write, and just sit down and, well, write.
I think it's very interesting to see how new social media, like community sites, Twitter etc. affect blogging. Personally, I can't keep up with it all, but I've noticed a new focus on blogs in my own case. And definitely more quality than quantity - I follow just a few blogs regularly, but I read them all the time. A very good blog is about a million times as interesting as any forum on the Internet, IMHO.
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
You nailed it, Annette, and I've experienced the same thing: When I stop thinking about what I should (and shouldn't) write and just sit down and write, I do my best work.
I'm surprised by how common the perception of the need to self-censor is. I don't see being professional and being honest and true to self as being mutually exclusive. I'm going to write more about that once I send these book proofs in...
Sharon
· 9 months ago
I see everyone saying they have a blog, but don't list their blog address. Please post your blog url :) I just started mine, www.the-fish-cube.blogspot.com
Also is there a list of twitters who tweet about crochet? I am fishcube on twitter!
Sharonkay
Sharon
· 9 months ago
sorry forgot to add my webpage to my profile.
mkcarroll
· 9 months ago
Oops! I'm moving my blog to www.mkcarroll.com; everything *should* be there now. Back in February I wrote a long post about crochet symbolcraft and how I'm trying to bring a more user-friendly charting into my self-published patterns, and I got exactly zero comments and emails regarding it. It was kind of the last straw for me. If I really want traffic, I should post more free patterns. If I really want comments, I should post more photos of my dogs. *shrug* As I said earlier, with the other networking options out there, blogging may be something I choose to stop doing in favor of other activities.
m.k.
Michelle
· 9 months ago
There are several interesting topics here. Thanks for hosting the discussion.
I was with a group of knitters the other day and the hostess had a couple complaints about crochet: one, that it was difficult to work the first row, and, second, that she had been told to "just increase wherever you want to." It was too loose-y goose-y for her. I do think a certain personality type is attracted to crochet, me included -- maybe the type doesn't really like a bunch of rules, is more willing to take risks, is rebellious and won't be put to such mundane tasks as using stitch markers or editing a post? I like how free-form crochet can be. I can refer to a stitch book, do a little swatching if I feel like it, and then make a custom garment. To tie this back into the topic, I guess I think that knitters make better bloggers. Knitters probably read their camera instruction book, too. ;)
mollymade
· 9 months ago
This has seriously got me thinking. I've been crocheting for over 10 years now. This has been a great year of selling items to friends/coworkers, and random people through my facebook group - Molly Made. I promised myself that this year I would actually start posting things on Etsy and set up a blog (http://mollymade.blogspot.com). I have a few very good friends who are great crocheters/knitters/actors, but I've not really known how to get involved in the fiber arts community. I've had a lot of success as a musical theatre actress, which is great, but also keeps me on the road. Living all over North America makes it hard to establish a connection with a local community, and I'm unable to attend classes or regular group meetings. I thought a blog might be a great way to motivate me, and help me to stay invovled. HOWEVER... after reading this, I think the way I have approached my blog has been all wrong. First of all, I know I don't write enough - that is something on which I will definitely work. And, I find myself apologizing. Even if I don't apologize in print, I do in my own head. I worry about the fact that I am a much better crocheter that a knitter. In fact, I enjoy crocheting more than I enjoy knitting. Why do I feel the need to hide that fact. (I think I know why and I'll soon address it in my blog) I started knitting a year ago, and I find so many things that I love about knitting. I love combining the two, and I wish everyone could appreciate the beauty of both crafts. But, I don't need to hide the fact that crocheting is really where I do my best work, and where I am able to really express myself. I decided to use my blog as a list of the yarn shops I've been able to visit on tour. How boring! I have loved each and every LYS I have visited and I've loved writing about what I have found in each shop. BUT... I know I have much more I could be writing about, and asking about with my blog. I'm vowing to stop apologizing (even if it's just in my own head) and to start conversing. This post has been so helpful. I know this will not only make my blog more interesting to read. It will make it more interesting to write. Thanks for the inspiration and advice! Molly
kristi
· 9 months ago
I'm posting sort of as an outsider as I have never blogged about crochet... I don't blog much about knitting anymore either though! But I'm thinking about blogging in general... is it still as vital as it was now that there's twitter and facebook and ravelry and various other fora for discussion? Maybe it's just too diffuse?
I do remember way back when in 2002 when I started knitblogging, there was a webring and the membership was small enough you could really surf the whole ring on a good day. There was such a sense of community to it! I remember feeling compelled to keep up with it, seeing what everyone was doing and doing my part to comment and keep the conversations going and i think that feeling was very much shared at the time. I think people discovered it and really did sense that there was a community and wanted it, wanted to be part of it. And that's what caused the explosion in the number of knitblogs. Sure there was great content, but I think the sense of community and discovery of like-minded souls was really the driver. Knowing that people I admired and was learning from would be reading me too inspired me both to blog and to be creative in very powerful ways. Maybe the fact that there are relatively few crochet blogs makes the potential for community building at this moment stronger?
Kim Werker
· 9 months ago
I hope the potential really is there. Note that you mentioned that you found like-minded people -- this ties into sharing your thoughts about the craft in your blog. To get to know other bloggers, you have to open up a little. I haven't seen much in the way of that on crochet blogs, with some wonderful, notable exceptions.
Mia
· 9 months ago
Hi Kim,
I've kept meaning to chime in, and then have been distracted. I did want to say that I also quite frequently wondered about the lack of crochet blogs. When I got back into crocheting I searched high and low and was frustrated that there weren't many substantial crochet blogs.
I think offline more so than online I've been a lot more vocal about discussing crochet, even though probably 90+ percent of my posts are about what I've crocheted. Feelings of inadequacy also creep into the back of my mind when calling myself a crochet designer, because I make dolls/amigurumi, not necessarily garments, so I sometimes feel like I shouldn't always speak authoritatively on the subject. I think especially because I tend to be very blunt in real life, and been accused of putting on airs often enough to feel as though I should tread lightly with people who don't exactly *know* me online.
And, as witnessed, I also tend to get somewhat tangential, and have to reel it back in. I do try to discuss crochet, and I've been meaning to show more about how I do things, because even though the things I do to make my dolls seem commonplace to me, I forget that it would be helpful to others who don't think the way that I do to get an idea of how I crochet.
I've just gotten too busy, and I've been trying to do too many things at once- new patterns, embroidery, picking up knitting, figuring out the book proposal thing, being a mom to 2 maniac (major time vortex there), reading and being intimidated by way too many other blogs, etc. Then it's been 5 days between posts! Twitter is something I've been trying to figure out lately as well. I signed up, but I'm trying to negotiate a balance between talking about what I'm doing in my personal life with talking about my craft. It's all very thought provoking though, and your post, as well as all the comments after it have been rather interesting.
Jessica
· 9 months ago
It is very rare to find a crochet only dedicated blog - there are a few and they are very good but mostly I get my crochet blog kick from reading a selection of craft blogs that also do the occasional crochet post. Crochet still isn't as big as knitting and perhaps it never will be, because of this there just isn't the volume of patterns, books and events for the avid crocheter to blog about.
I love crochet - it's definitely my number one thing to do when I have a rare spare minute, but when I decided to join the blogging community I did it as a crafter and not solely as a crocheter. Why? Well maybe because crochet fills the gaps so nicely, quick easy projects that can be done to embellish and add interest to other crafts. I didn't want to limit myself to just crochet and in a way that gives me the chance to experiment more and feed that back into the crochet I do.
tintocktap
· 7 months ago
Great post - and the comments make a fascinating read too! When I started crocheting more about a year ago, I looked around for crochet blogs and was disappointed not to find anything much. I've been blogging as a stitcher for almost 3 years and we have a wonderful community of stitching bloggers. Bloggers need to blog about what they find interesting and inspirational as it all feeds in to what and how we make things whether crochet or otherwise. And the internet is such a wonderful resource for this kind of thing.
monika
· 7 months ago
This is so interesting! But, sorry if I'm being a bit dense here but I'm not totally clear from your article whether you want more crochet blogs with other elements of life included in it, or not? It seems you want more crochet blogs, but think crochet blogs that blog ONLY about crochet might be boring? I agree with your point about not wanting to look at 'endless lists of projects, badly photographed and badly written, but I really wish there were more crochet blogs that blog ONLY about crochet!
As someone who is relatively new to crochet (but not to blogging) I am constantly seeking out other crochet blogs. I'm not always looking for patterns or tutorials (though they are v. useful of course), i find just looking at other people's WIPS and FOs inspiring and exciting in itself (and discussions about crochet such as this one are very compelling to me).
For me personally, crochet bloggers (in particular) definitely do not need to bring in other elements of their lives (e.g. recipes etc) to keep it interesting. If anything, i get turned off if someone blogs too much about their cooking/church etc. I guess I'm pretty 'narrow focused' in that respect! And in my own blog, so far I've kept it solely crochet crochet crochet, as that is what I want to read myself. (rule no.1 of your list!) But I admit that so far, it does follow mostly a 'list of things I made' format, so I intend to add more writing eventually.
Anyway thanks for a good read, it made me think :)
jd
· 7 months ago
i'm a blogger! i'm a crocheter! i'm a crochet blogger! check me out at http://crochet.craftgossip.com. i'm probably a bit older than you who tweet and text and such. but, i can write and i love to crochet, so writing about crochet just seems like a natural to me. jd in st louis
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blog (unless you're looking to rock search-engine rankings, and what kind of
motivation is that?), it's about what you blog and what you get out of it.
I really just blog what I want to share and what I would want to see, I am not trying too hard to be interesting. Maybe I should? I don't know.
My blog ist not a hundred percent crochet, but I try to keep it craft related.
As for twitter and Facebook, I am still not on either, but I am starting to feel left out. But I have no idea how and when I could handle another couple of sites to keep up with and update. I don't know how you do it.
assumption that bloggers want to reach people and that some bloggers want to
reach as many people as possible.
In no way do I keep up with "it all." On Twitter, I follow people very
selectively, and I don't actually read many blogs. Once I got comfortable
giving myself permission to only keep track of sites and people I find very
engaging, thought-provoking, inspiring, or personally gratifying, I stopped
being stressed out about my involvement online. It took years.
I can't speak to other people's choices. My blog is about what I happen to be doing that I want to share, whether it's crocheting, knitting, sewing, baking, sorting shell midden, or admiring my dogs. I'd say I'm unlikely to try to turn my blog into a fabulous, crochet-focused blog mainly because I'm not really that into blogging, honestly. I've been doing it for years but I get much more interaction and feedback on forums and social networking sites. I've even been considering dropping the blog in favor of directing that time and energy towards getting more design work done.
Now the podcast I love - and I figure if people really want to know what I think they can tune in there, since I do a new one every week.
I have trouble sustaining my own interest in my blog (evident, as my last post is from January, and my average posting rate is probably about once every two months). It's not that I don't love to crochet and to read about crochet - those are two of my favorite things - or that I don't want to write about it. I just don't know what to say.
The operetta I'm in is consuming my life right now but I hope in April to re-commit to kibathediva.net and make it a blog worth following. (I have multiple blogs, and March is the month I'm spending recommitting to my reading one, though it hasn't been as strong a commitment as I hoped because again, operetta.) I have lots of inspiration and am getting more all the time. I have designed a whole two things ever, which I think is part of why I struggle to feel like I have something valuable to say.
I do love to read your blog, as well as Robyn's, Vashti's, and Doris's.
When I look back, the profession aspect of it was hugely inhibiting! A designer's professionalism pivoted on how secretive s/he could be, yet I'm at my most gregarious as an online crocheter! I want there to be nothing left unsaid about every facet of crochet. In professional crochet world back then (about 2-4 yrs ago) there was this suppressive climate about how crochet designers should comport themselves as professionals and in public. It has not been a good fit with the blossoming web 2.0, and the conflict basically fried my inner blogger. This climate has been relaxing into something more reasonable and does remain a practical requirement of freelance designers to a certain degree. In my case though, I think I was always more cut out for self-publishing. It's so freeing I can't get over it! I don't have to be crazy-secretive anymore. I define what makes this 21st century crochet designer professional! (My own pattern lines coming soon.)
Around the same time I became a director of CGOA--another layer of being 'presentable' and another batch of stuff in my life that I had to be careful of how I blogged about it, if at all. My favorite content is the in-depth reviews of '70's crochet books I did, and very few people left comments. I did see some talk about them in forums but I came to feel like I was blogging into empty, lonely space. When I went to a crochet conference and was surrounded by fans of my blog anxious for the next '70's book review, I began to wonder about the comments thing--why don't people comment more? Commenters feed a blogger and I think most people don't know that. A few blogs I visit get tons of comments about anything; is the reason the same for each of those blogs? Luckily I installed a stat counter so that I could see visitors.
The next blog development is that I wrote some articles about crochet for print publications and got paid the same amount, for less effort, than I've been paid for some crochet designs! This is also when professional writers, photographers, and business commentators were complaining about writers giving away too much for free on the internet, and I wondered why I was blogging for free. Yet I love the blog medium, so I guess it's its own reward.
More recently, Ravelry happened and I saw about 3 of my original blogging goals met by my Ravelry pages simply and elegantly. Twitter is actually a great Blogger's Tonic. I can blurt and be responsive to the moment without it having to be a polished (professional, literary, etc) blog post with amazing photos.
Regarding comments, I'm not sure why some blogs get millions of comments and others don't. Like you, I no longer worry about that because know my readership is there. Also, I feel privileged that my commenters are thoughtful and insightful when they do leave messages.
archives of this blog, you'll probably notice a fairly sharp change in tone
and content. This past fall, I decided I'd had enough of being
"professional." Even before I started working at Interweave Crochet, I felt
I needed to be professional as the representative of CrochetMe.com. Then as
an author. Last spring I realized I was exhausted from trying to play all
the roles I'd assumed I needed to play. So in the fall I gave it up.
Although I'm rarely compelled to write about my personal life, I did slowly
out my opinions about politics and social issues, and I started writing
about things I'm interested in beyond crochet. I had no idea what would
happen, but I did know I'd end up hating being online if I had to continue
to self-censor. No one ever told me I had to, I created that expectation all
on my own.
Anyway, I agree that comments are the lifeblood of a blog, and I'm
fascinated both by which posts of my own inspire people to comment, and by
which posts on other blogs inspire me to comment.
I loved your reviews of '70s crochet books, but you're right -- I rarely
commented on your blog. I don't know why. I likely didn't think I had
anything to add. I spout off comfortably in my own space, but often think I
don't have much to add in someone else's. I hadn't really thought of that
before. It's great food for thought.
I'm excited to see what you're getting up to!
I do comment more when I decide that I'm going to, and I've made great new connections with people because of it.
A flip side is responding to comments on one's own blog. I stopped doing that early on--the blog architecture didn't really support a 2-sided conversation feeling--but things have improved there.
go-to place to share big ideas. There are very specific expectations of
members of a forum: You're expected to converse, to chime in, to
participate, to ask questions, possibly to answer questions. In many cases
it's like a long-term, long-form, public IM conversation between lots of
people. In no way do I mean to denigrate them, I'm just trying to contrast
them with blogs and Twitter.
On a blog or on Twitter, you're expected to share some big ideas. Not "big"
as in life-changing, but "big" as in original, uniquely your own. You set
the rules on your own blog. It's up to you to start a conversation, and it's
up to you to try to keep that conversation going. On a forum, it's
collective. All of it. There's a different responsibility. I lump Twitter in
with blogs because the same expectation applies -- people follow you so they
can hear from you specifically.
I don't think I'm being very clear about this; when I wrote the post I
thought I had a very concise and clear designation in mind, and it turns out
I've either lost it or hadn't actually thought it through fully.
What do you think?
As someone new to both crochet and blogging, the audience I aim to attract is the person who was like me a year ago: someone not interested in crochet or crochet blogs. However, crochet blogs like the ones listed below were successful at transforming me into a crochet blog reader and, eventually, a person who blogs and crochets amigurumi.
Thanks for your Top Ten Ways to Be More Interesting, which can be smartly applied to every blog! :)
~ Howie
www.woowork.com
yummypancake.blogspot.com
mygurumi.blogspot.com
blog.livedoor.jp/m203gow/
berrysprite.blogspot.com
owlishly.typepad.com
littlegreen.typepad.com
www.planetjune.com/blog/
craftingcreatures.wordpress.com
geekcentralstation.blogspot.com
monstercrochet.blogspot.com
I dropped the ball in our discussion, didn't I? I apologize! How are things
going?
Cheers,
Kim
I too have often been torn between being professional and expressing myself fully. I almost feel obligated to keep it professional because of my relationship with a certain yarn company... like what I put forward as my personal opinions could reflect how people view this company. It's been requested, that I not rant and rave about yarns from other companies, despite how much I really love the yarn.
When I'm wrapped up in things that don't involve this yarn company, sometimes I just don't post at all. I'd rather just not post than say things that are restricting the way I really feel. Anyway, that's frustrating... but I'm inspired now to be more creative with what I post about. It doesn't always have to be about the yarn! Thanks everyone.
I'll be honest, I always wondered why crochet didn't have a Stephanie Pearl-McPhee or an Elizabeth Zimmerman. Is it because we tend to keep it all in the family? Is it because there aren't really that many of us? Is it because of a residual stigma? Or is it more that we might not need it? I've always held EZ as more of a teacher, and I wonder if there is as definite a role for a iconic teacher in crochet. I do think there's a place ready for a crocheter to become a sort of SPM for crochet, but you need someone willing to be that open, that intimate, and that familiar with a crew of strangers, and then those strangers have to find him or her.
Or maybe, what is a cool knitting blog? It might be that I don't know what I'm missing because I don't know what others have.
one that provides the things I mentioned already. If it's tech-oriented, the
techniques are explained well and they're useful. If it's a photography
blog, the photos are outstanding. If it's a blog that relies on writing,
that writing is high-quality, the stories and anecdotes are entertaining,
informative, moving.
What inspires you subscribe to a blog?
I have a blog for a long-lost reason. Back when I had a LJ account, it was to be able to say the brutally honest things I couldn't say out loud, but then when people found me, I self-censored. And now, I self-censor because I have a life outside of what I put on my blog that needs to be tended and protected. I can't be brutally honest anymore because employers look at Facebook and MySpace accounts and blogs. I'm okay with the self-censoring because it helps one know reasonable boundaries, but I wonder how interesting a blog can be if there are these recognized boundaries.
I don't blog often enough. This is particularly true in winter, since I believe that a good post on my blog must have a nice photo, and the light is so crappy here in the winter.
That being said, I think that my best blog posts have nothing to do with the photos. They come when I stop thinking about what I should write, and just sit down and, well, write.
I think it's very interesting to see how new social media, like community sites, Twitter etc. affect blogging. Personally, I can't keep up with it all, but I've noticed a new focus on blogs in my own case. And definitely more quality than quantity - I follow just a few blogs regularly, but I read them all the time.
A very good blog is about a million times as interesting as any forum on the Internet, IMHO.
thinking about what I should (and shouldn't) write and just sit down and
write, I do my best work.
I'm surprised by how common the perception of the need to self-censor is. I
don't see being professional and being honest and true to self as being
mutually exclusive. I'm going to write more about that once I send these
book proofs in...
Also is there a list of twitters who tweet about crochet? I am fishcube on twitter!
Sharonkay
m.k.
I was with a group of knitters the other day and the hostess had a couple complaints about crochet: one, that it was difficult to work the first row, and, second, that she had been told to "just increase wherever you want to." It was too loose-y goose-y for her. I do think a certain personality type is attracted to crochet, me included -- maybe the type doesn't really like a bunch of rules, is more willing to take risks, is rebellious and won't be put to such mundane tasks as using stitch markers or editing a post? I like how free-form crochet can be. I can refer to a stitch book, do a little swatching if I feel like it, and then make a custom garment. To tie this back into the topic, I guess I think that knitters make better bloggers. Knitters probably read their camera instruction book, too. ;)
I thought a blog might be a great way to motivate me, and help me to stay invovled. HOWEVER... after reading this, I think the way I have approached my blog has been all wrong. First of all, I know I don't write enough - that is something on which I will definitely work. And, I find myself apologizing. Even if I don't apologize in print, I do in my own head. I worry about the fact that I am a much better crocheter that a knitter. In fact, I enjoy crocheting more than I enjoy knitting. Why do I feel the need to hide that fact. (I think I know why and I'll soon address it in my blog) I started knitting a year ago, and I find so many things that I love about knitting. I love combining the two, and I wish everyone could appreciate the beauty of both crafts. But, I don't need to hide the fact that crocheting is really where I do my best work, and where I am able to really express myself.
I decided to use my blog as a list of the yarn shops I've been able to visit on tour. How boring! I have loved each and every LYS I have visited and I've loved writing about what I have found in each shop. BUT... I know I have much more I could be writing about, and asking about with my blog.
I'm vowing to stop apologizing (even if it's just in my own head) and to start conversing. This post has been so helpful. I know this will not only make my blog more interesting to read. It will make it more interesting to write.
Thanks for the inspiration and advice!
Molly
I do remember way back when in 2002 when I started knitblogging, there was a webring and the membership was small enough you could really surf the whole ring on a good day. There was such a sense of community to it! I remember feeling compelled to keep up with it, seeing what everyone was doing and doing my part to comment and keep the conversations going and i think that feeling was very much shared at the time. I think people discovered it and really did sense that there was a community and wanted it, wanted to be part of it. And that's what caused the explosion in the number of knitblogs. Sure there was great content, but I think the sense of community and discovery of like-minded souls was really the driver. Knowing that people I admired and was learning from would be reading me too inspired me both to blog and to be creative in very powerful ways. Maybe the fact that there are relatively few crochet blogs makes the potential for community building at this moment stronger?
like-minded people -- this ties into sharing your thoughts about the craft
in your blog. To get to know other bloggers, you have to open up a little. I
haven't seen much in the way of that on crochet blogs, with some wonderful,
notable exceptions.
I've kept meaning to chime in, and then have been distracted. I did want to say that I also quite frequently wondered about the lack of crochet blogs. When I got back into crocheting I searched high and low and was frustrated that there weren't many substantial crochet blogs.
I think offline more so than online I've been a lot more vocal about discussing crochet, even though probably 90+ percent of my posts are about what I've crocheted. Feelings of inadequacy also creep into the back of my mind when calling myself a crochet designer, because I make dolls/amigurumi, not necessarily garments, so I sometimes feel like I shouldn't always speak authoritatively on the subject. I think especially because I tend to be very blunt in real life, and been accused of putting on airs often enough to feel as though I should tread lightly with people who don't exactly *know* me online.
And, as witnessed, I also tend to get somewhat tangential, and have to reel it back in. I do try to discuss crochet, and I've been meaning to show more about how I do things, because even though the things I do to make my dolls seem commonplace to me, I forget that it would be helpful to others who don't think the way that I do to get an idea of how I crochet.
I've just gotten too busy, and I've been trying to do too many things at once- new patterns, embroidery, picking up knitting, figuring out the book proposal thing, being a mom to 2 maniac (major time vortex there), reading and being intimidated by way too many other blogs, etc. Then it's been 5 days between posts! Twitter is something I've been trying to figure out lately as well. I signed up, but I'm trying to negotiate a balance between talking about what I'm doing in my personal life with talking about my craft. It's all very thought provoking though, and your post, as well as all the comments after it have been rather interesting.
I love crochet - it's definitely my number one thing to do when I have a rare spare minute, but when I decided to join the blogging community I did it as a crafter and not solely as a crocheter. Why? Well maybe because crochet fills the gaps so nicely, quick easy projects that can be done to embellish and add interest to other crafts. I didn't want to limit myself to just crochet and in a way that gives me the chance to experiment more and feed that back into the crochet I do.
As someone who is relatively new to crochet (but not to blogging) I am constantly seeking out other crochet blogs. I'm not always looking for patterns or tutorials (though they are v. useful of course), i find just looking at other people's WIPS and FOs inspiring and exciting in itself (and discussions about crochet such as this one are very compelling to me).
For me personally, crochet bloggers (in particular) definitely do not need to bring in other elements of their lives (e.g. recipes etc) to keep it interesting. If anything, i get turned off if someone blogs too much about their cooking/church etc. I guess I'm pretty 'narrow focused' in that respect! And in my own blog, so far I've kept it solely crochet crochet crochet, as that is what I want to read myself. (rule no.1 of your list!) But I admit that so far, it does follow mostly a 'list of things I made' format, so I intend to add more writing eventually.
Anyway thanks for a good read, it made me think :)
jd in st louis