Who should join Ravelry?

General Knitting
1

Not sure if this best fits here or in the pattern section but oh well.

I know many of you are members of this site so maybe you can help me decide if it would be useful for me or not. Didn’t see a thread addressing this but it could have be buried in my search results.

I’m a casual knitter and I will go long periods of time without knitting (which I know I won’t be knitting for 4 months later this year). I am explanding to more interesting patterns and projects but I don’t think that many should be blogged or shown. I use patterns for inspiration but I often get bored and do my own thing. The patterns part might be useful but the blog not so much. I likely can’t tell you what row I changed my mind ect. Is blogging that big of a thing there? And do you find it easier to find patterns or inspriation there opposed to a simple google search?

Sure it’s the community but I hate being an unnoticed noob so is it easy to get lost in the shuffle? Would someone who doesn’t plan on going to deep in yarns, patterns, project find it useful?

2

I don’t read blogs much anyway, does Ravelry even have them? I thought only links. You can participate as much or as little as you wish. I do post in some of the forums, but a lot of it is to check out pattern suggestions to adapt. I use the pattern finder a lot to see what people have made different patterns with and their modifications, or the yarn finder to see what people have made with their yarns. It’s much easier to find things than using google; you never know if what google turns up is going to have a picture, whereas most of them on Ravelry do.

3

I don’t have any blog except for the semblance of one here, but I belong to Ravelry. I have posted my FO’s, but not my yarn. I don’t post there much in the forums, but I have used the site to search for patterns or get ideas for yarns, like Suzee does.

There are so, so many groups there, that I don’t particularly feel a sense of community as there is here, but that may be because I don’t hang out in any one of them.

I don’t see any drawbacks in joining, though. It is a good resource.

4

I belong to several groups and I’ve been answered quickly when I asked a question, but I much, much prefer KH for the community. I use Ravelry for research and keeping track of my own stuff most. I find the pattern/yarn search capabilities incredible so I think it’s worth it.

5

I’m a member of Ravelry, but spend all my time here because I like this group of people. I may check on a yarn or pattern there, but for hanging out KH is the best place.

6

So it’s basically a site with some patterns in one place (and visible opposed to some site) with some features that most people don’t care to use. That bites getting on a wait list just to see patterns.

I could care less about the different color schemes others have used or what type of yarn some one used. I may be a “beginner” knitter but I have a good sense of what colors I like and the yarn I want to use. I really don’t care what yarn is used most often. I’ll use whatever yarn I have available and I’m not anal like some knitters about getting the yarn the creater intended. If I like the feel and color I’ll use it. I have a good sense of what I want and it’s for inspiration anyway.

As for knitting books, I just don’t think I would buy knitting books just for a pattern that I’m using for inspiration. I can get that online elsewhere.

7

Hi! I think saying it’s just a pattern site with other stuff is a bit
over simplifying it :slight_smile: What I like about the pattern part is you can
see what other people have done with a pattern you are interested
in…mods, corrections, color choices, yarn choices, etc which is nice.
I also like it that you can find patterns that are in books and see
what they look like made up. I don’t have access to many knitting
books in English so always have to order and I hate ordering
"blind" and I love that I can go put in a book title and pull up
patterns from that book. I have decided based on that whether
or not to buy a book :slight_smile:

I also use the yarn search feature because a lot of patterns I like I
don’t have access to the yarn used in the pattern so I can find
substitutions by searching for the same weight of yarn in brands
I have easier access to. I don’t use the groups or forum there
really but it has been an amazing resource for pattern/yarn research.
And, from what I understand, the wait is only like 2 days now so
not like back when I joined and it took months to get in! :slight_smile:

I would advise you to just sign up and check it out…not like you
have to use it if you don’t like it! :slight_smile:

Libbie

8

My favorite two parts of Ravelry are “groups” and “yarn”. In groups, I belong to about 20 groups, everything from baby blanket knitters to charity knitters to tall knitters. And it’s nice to have that common connection. There’s groups for a lot of cities and even yarn stores–I belong to a group for both my state and my city, so I keep up with what’s going on.

In yarn, I can plug in a yarn and see what everyone else has done with it, or what comments they’ve made. I can often see how the yarn looks in stockinette stitch, in garter stitch or in pattern, not only without swatching, but without buying. With an unfamiliar yarn, or an expensive one, it can be helpful. I was considering a yarn for a project, and the main comment seemed to be “unable to get stated gauge”.

9

I think everybody that is interested in knitting, should join Ravelry. If you are easily bored with a project, I think it is inspiring and refreshing to see peoples use of yarn and how they alter patterns that I never thought of.

When I started knitting, I used to buy a pattern, buy the yarn specified and the needles. then get completely bored and stop. With the help of KH and Ravelry knitting and yarn have become a bit of an obsession. I think the more you join in both here and on ravelry the more you would enjoy it and see its benefits

10

The funny thing is the more comments you guys make the less I want to join. It seems like a bunch of features that I could care less that boggle things down (especially the groups, yarn, and books). I’m sure it’s hit or miss like searching google. Maybe I would find it useful if knitting was my life or I loved making sweaters and kids clothes. From how you guys describe it, I like a beginner like me would find it more frustrating than useful. Might be enough to make to drop the hobby all together.

Sorry I bought this up. I just think it would be pointless to put my name on the waiting list in hopes that I find a pattern that inspires me that is challenging but doable.

11

I’ve been a member of Rav for some time and don’t use it for books or yarn and belong to a few groups that are of interest to me. My favorite aspect of Rav is being able to view the creative efforts of others. I’m presently working on a cardi of my own design, using yarn I harvested from recycled thrift sweaters. If nothing else, Rav inspires me and, if I recall, there are groups that are geared to those who opt for freeform knitting (and crochet), modular work, etc. It’s not uncommon for someone to post a project that isn’t based on a specific pattern. (One of my all-time faves on Rav is a cardi by a woman in Germany…her own design… that I hope to replicate at some point.)

It’s not a ‘hit or miss’ site of searching…you can be as specific as you want to be when looking for a certain project or idea. Rav has such a vast array of offerings you’re only limited by what you want to do with it. Utilize it as much or as little as you like. If something’s been knit, or crocheted…virtually anywhere on the planet…you’ll most likely find it pictured on Rav and, except for those pieces that are not based on a pattern, there’s usually a reference or link for a pattern or further information. Fifty ppl can all make a seemingly similar tank top but no two are alike and the various posters will usually make note of modifications they made, what they liked/didn’t like about the yarn they used or the shape of the garment, what changes they’d make if they did the item again, etc. (I recently completed my version of a tote bag I’d seen on Rav and realized from comments what NOT to do in the one I made.)

When I design sweaters or other items I make notes for myself but when I post projects on Rav my notations are extremely limited because I don’t recall the specifics on what I did when. I just note overall impressions. Many knitters, and crocheters, find Rav a very viable source for sometimes avoiding mistakes, learning from others as to how to best utilize certain techniques, and it’s an invaluable tool for growing one’s abilities. Plus, it’s a great place to ask questions, gain insight and exchange info with fellow crafters who share your interest(s). If you feel compelled to connect with certain members, be it in the groups or outside of Rav, that’s an option, just as it is on virtually any other knitting forum.

As noted, Rav doesn’t have blogs. If an individual member has a blog, a link will be tied to their profile, as it is here on KH. Rav is still in beta mode so signing up, at this point, is just a matter of a few day’s wait (I think) as they filter new members in.

I’ve yet to see or hear any ‘downside’ to joining Rav. Worst case scenario, if you choose to join and find, after checking out what it has to offer, that it’s not for you, you’ll have made the decision not to participate based on your personal observation, not what others might’ve said.

cam

12

What could I lose if I try it, my passion to knit. That might seem like nothing to you, but it’s a reality. Sorry I would much rather shy away from a community based upon what people said (not their opinions) and keep on knitting. I already belong to too many pointless online communities and don’t want to be bored and disappointed with another. I have several concerns and it does seem like you guys blow them off. That’s part of the reason I just don’t think it’s the best thing for my knitting.

You say there isn’t downsides but every positive you point out seems like a negative to a beginner. Patterns say they are for beginners but these are often done by advanced knitters who forgot what it’s like for a beginner. Realistically if one can’t point out some cons, they must think everyone is at their level.

Sure people may say they liked this and they disliked that, but often times people use it as a soap box to say how they hate this and put yarn. I don’t care. It still seems like it’s people saying they like this color combo and this yarn they love (and refuse to use). I just want patterns but how it looks with yarn I don’t want to use or a color I don’t like. It just seems like these links or photos would bog the searcher down from finding anything different. Another problem I can see is what people name things. I don’t think there would be a code that all things that look like this are in one catagory ect. It seems like a waste of time from your descriptions.

Still seems like the it’s a bunch of things I don’t care about blocking any positives.

There’s no need for this thread anymore (since I got my answer) so please lock or leave it to die.

13

I tend to buy piles of yarn with no project in mind, and I mostly use Ravelry to search the 5 bazillion patterns they have there. The experimental search rocks!

14

Didn’t read through all the posts, but here’s my take on it.

Back when it was over a month to get your invitation, people were raving over how wonderful it was. From what I could see on the screen shots and so forth, it didn’t look like any big deal to me.

However, I was finally overcome with curiosity, and so I signed up. What could it hurt, right?

Once I finally got on, I found myself totally overwhelmed. I did set up a profile and added some of my stuff. I joined a couple of groups.

But really, IMHO, it’s too big for a “community.” There’s just way too much going on. But I like it for a resource. It’s nice if I have a ball of yarn, to be able to type that in and get ideas for patterns (whereas on Google, you don’t get much that way).

In the end, though, it’s free and signing up only takes a moment. Getting on there and seeing what it’s about is the only way you’ll know if you like it or not. If you get on and it’s not what you want, well, nobody forces you to use it. But you won’t know till you try.

BTW…I agree with the others. I don’t spend a huge amount of time here at KH, as some do–but the sense of community and the friendliness here is much better than on Ravelry. I feel I fit in here better, even though I’m not sure anybody else even “knows” me!

[oops! Should have read them all first. :(]

15

The simple answer is: don’t join.
You seem to have your mind made up, which is fine. Everyone can stop spouting the greatness of Ravelry since it is clear she doesn’t care.
It seems you had your mind made up before you even posted.

16

I agree with this completely. The OP was determined to NOT like rav before she even posted.

17

I LOVE Ravelry (and I’m really still a newbie knitter). I use it for helpful info on patterns, yarn, and online shops that I’d never heard of. I do post to a few groups and am the moderator of a group called, “Moving Beyond Rectangles.” I much prefer KH for a more ‘small community’ feel. But I think Ravelry is a terrific resource and that everyone should check it out. I started using the stash and needle areas - but my stash deminishes and grows TOO quickly to keep up with it. But I do enjoy keep a journal of my projects, viewing patterns (and seeing everyone on Ravelry who is knitting that pattern and pics of their projects for the patterns), and discovering yarns. It’s very interesting. Think of it as a library for knitting.

18

You won’t know if it’s useful unless you try. It only take a second to join. It can’t hurt. I use it for patterns and they have a “notebook” where I can keep track of every project I do. Which is A LOT. Those are the only 2 things I use from them.

19

It isn’t nearly as hit or miss as using Google. It’s not just looking at the different colors/yarns people use to make a pattern, but also getting a closeup of the item to see the stitch or how it’s put together. Something that can’t be done with a single picture on a site. And you can be very specific with searches, it’s a very powerful program in that respect.

But if you don’t think you’d like it, don’t sign up. Perhaps someone else reading this thread who’s curious about the site will have gained some information about it.

20

Perhaps someone else reading this thread who’s curious about the site will have gained some information about it.

Me!!! LOL, I think I’ll be joining sometime soon. (When I have a little more time.) :slight_smile: :slight_smile: