For Cynthia

Note: Apparently, "Cynthia" isn't who she says she is, and her asking this info is more likely market research, as opposed to some poor college student doing an article. I'm not going to alter this post, as I don't think I've provided any info "Cynthia" couldn't find by 1) searching my blog, 2) searching the internet, or 3) freely joining ravelry.com herself and getting the info first hand.

Thanks for asking, I hope I can help...

Thing is, I am writing a piece on Ravelry for my college magazine. Topic is WHY Ravelry is such a huge success. I need opinions from fellow Ravelers like you to back up this claim I am making.

These are the questions:

1) Why did you choose to join Ravelry?

2) How did you learn about Ravelry?

3) What does Ravelry give you that other sites don’t?

4) Absolutely anything else you’d like to share with me on this subject.

My quandary is this: I love the site and come here almost every week to look for knitting tips and ideas. (I haven’t joined yet, as I am too shy to talk of my own work…)

I want to understand why others do the same. Each person must have his or her own reason and I am very curious to understand this trend.

Once I write the piece, I intend to send it across to Bob the dog. Maybe, he will post it on the site to encourage newcomers or even use it for other promotion purposes.

Thank you in advance


Keep writing, keep sharing, keep creating
Warmest regards
Cynthia

Interesting questions! I'd be happy to help :)

1. I decided to join ravelry because the pattern and yarn database seemed like a wonderful tool as a knitter. I had not planned on becoming immersed in the forums, as I am a member of knittinghelp.com as well. However, I prefer the forums on ravelry for a couple of reasons. First, being the ability to directly reply to a person, and them being automatically alerted about your replies. Second, the agree/disagree/education/interesting/funny/love buttons on the bottom of every post enable a person to 'reply' without having to type "Oh ME TOO!" I also like the ease of linking to patterns, yarns and people when posting in the forums.

2. I first heard about ravelry on knittinghelp.com. The owners of that site have always been supportive and helpful, even of ravelry, when some might view them as a competitor. To me, they serve different functions. Ravelry is a database and personal notebook and happens to have a great forum attached :) KH is a site that is awesome for videos to learn techniques as well as a great place to get help when you need it.

3. For me, I have found ravelry to be a great way to keep track of my projects, my yarn and fiber stash, as well as have a chance to see what others have done with pattern and yarns. I've connected with a lot of really wonderful people and it's massive forums, with an outstanding array of specialised groups, makes it easy to find just about any info regarding knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and just about anything you can think of. It has been a great way for me to interact with others, as well as advance my abilities in knitting and spinning. With out ravelry, I probably wouldn't have joined my local Spinning and Weaving Guild (Moonspinners) or been so fearless in my spinning and knitting.

4. I never thought a hobby could expand and become such a big part of my life. I have always been drawn to creative arts. I used to draw constantly, and paint. However, painting takes up space, and with dogs and a little kid, it just doesn't seem reasonable to have an easel set up with a canvas on it taking up so much space. Someday, when we have our own place again, I'll get back into it! I love the portability of knitting projects, the texture and color. I love spinning for the same reasons. The incredible potential in each skein, roving and batt.

Overall, I think ravelry is such a huge success because of the way it allows its users to search projects, yarns, and forums. It provides SO MUCH information. The way Casey and Jess have set it up to be used in so many infinite ways. The way they are accessible and open to suggestions. The way a user can choose to participate in every facet, or none.

I do love ravelry. <3