Pinterest, Ravelry, Google, and Youtube!
When I first started crocheting 23 years
ago (I was 8), there was no such thing as the internet as we know it today.
Computers were expensive, huge, and the screens were either black and white or
black and green! There were no pictures, and forget videos. Just writing this
makes me feel old! I learned how to crochet by playing with my grandmother's
crochet hooks, buying $1 skeins of yarn at Walmart, and reading library
books.
A few years ago, when I endeavored to
learn to knit from patterns I was in awe of all of the technology available on
the subject. I could look up easy, beginner patterns on Ravelry or Pinterest,
then I would Google the abbreviations in the pattern if they weren't explained.
Once I knew which stitch I was looking for, I would then look up a tutorial on
Youtube! I love the options we have today!
Each of the above mentioned websites have
their own perks:
1. Pinterest - www.pinterest.com
This is by far one of my favorite websites
for inspiration! Pinterest is a website where people "Pin" pages and
websites in which they located something that piques their interest onto
"Boards" for future reference and to share with others who have a
common interest. It is a virtual Pin Board! To find almost anything, just type
the search term or keyword in the lovely search box at the top center of your
screen. Below is a screen shot from a search for "knitting." If you
want too view the website the pin came from just click on it, wait for the page
to load, and then click on it again and you will be taken to the website where
you can find out more about the pin. :D
As you can see, you will get a variety of
images. If you want to look at boards of knitting that a single person has
pinned, you can click on the "Boards" button. You can also search for
a specific Pinner if you like.
2. Ravelry - www.ravelry.com
This is by far my favorite website for
locating patterns. Members can contribute their patterns as well for free or to
sell. You can search for patterns and narrow your results by your craft
(crochet, knitting, machine knitting, and loom knitting), whether the pattern
is online or in print, whether the pattern is free or for purchase...you get
the point. I love to search for ideas for a single ball of yarn in a certain
yardage. Also, if you purchase a ball of yarn, you can add it to your stash or
search for the yarn under the yarn button and get ideas on what other people
are making with it.
The above screenshot was a simple search
of knitting patterns and they are sorted by what is "hot right now."
People contribute every day so this seems to change on a daily basis.
3. Google - www.google.com
Who doesn't love Google? I think all of
you have seen what Google can do, but if you get stuck on a term (or anything
really), this website will give you the answer. Simple, straight to the point,
and beautiful!
4. Youtube - www.youtube.com
Youtube became my best friend when I was
learning to knit. It is hard to learn some methods without visually seeing the
hook or needles in action. If I want to learn a new stitch, all I have to do is
search the stitch and it pops up! In the screenshot below, I searched for
"knit stitch" and it came up with knitting for beginners and the
actual knit stitch.
The cool thing about this is when you see
a pattern that you want to try that is beyond your current skill level, you can
look up and practice the actual stitches prior to starting the pattern. I have
yet to come across a knitting or crochet stitch that was not on Youtube, and
therefore, could expand my knitting skills by watching and practicing :D
