Cyber Monday Reflections: 15 Ways the Internet Changed Knitting

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1. 

   Marybeth P November 27, 2018

   I learned to knit from a library book at age 8. For the last 15 years, I have lived in the boonies so I really appreciate blogs, Ravelry, etc on the internet to inspire me. On the other hand, internet shopping has also closed the three local yarn stores I used to frequent. I also rarely purchase yarn on line. I need to feel, see and sometimes even smell what I am purchasing. I can learn so much more about a yarn by seeing it in person than looking at a photo. I can never see my knitting life without my copies of Interweave and Vogue knitting, which I purchase locally because we need our small businesses in this little town. I enjoy some things about the internet and despise others but I can keep it all well balanced. Very well written article!

2. 

   Marybeth P November 27, 2018

   I learned to knit from a library book at age 8. For the last 15 years, I have lived in the boonies so I really appreciate blogs, Ravelry, etc on the internet to inspire me. On the other hand, internet shopping has also closed the three local yarn stores I used to frequent. I also rarely purchase yarn on line. I need to feel, see and sometimes even smell what I am purchasing. I can learn so much more about a yarn by seeing it in person than looking at a photo. I can never see my knitting life without my copies of Interweave and Vogue knitting, which I purchase locally because we need our small businesses in this little town. I enjoy some things about the internet and despise others but I can keep it all well balanced. Very well written article!

3. 

   BarbaraG November 27, 2018

   I agree with everything you’ve written and have to add – our LYS is our “favorite adult day care” and we have tee-shirts that say that! A wonderful group of women can be found Thurs-Sun during all open hours. We share knowledge and do lots of KALs. Knitting (and crochet) skill levels range from beginner to experienced/expert and on any given day informal lessons are happening. We even have a knitter who loves to ravel/unravel (which is it really?) and will gladly frog for anyone in need. When I moved cities 10 years ago, I made new friends at the LYS. We’re a family!

4. 

   BarbaraG November 27, 2018

   I agree with everything you’ve written and have to add – our LYS is our “favorite adult day care” and we have tee-shirts that say that! A wonderful group of women can be found Thurs-Sun during all open hours. We share knowledge and do lots of KALs. Knitting (and crochet) skill levels range from beginner to experienced/expert and on any given day informal lessons are happening. We even have a knitter who loves to ravel/unravel (which is it really?) and will gladly frog for anyone in need. When I moved cities 10 years ago, I made new friends at the LYS. We’re a family!

5. 

   Marybeth P November 27, 2018

   I learned to knit from a library book when I was 8. There are many things I enjoy about knitting from teaching children at our local elementary school to ‘stitch and bitch’ sessions with fellow knitters and those who crochet. I do also enjoy the internet for the vast amount of patterns that are available from my favorite and newly discovered designers. The internet gives me access to so many things I would not encounter living out in the boonies as I do. I cannot imagine never crocheting Sophie’s Universe or knitting my first round afghan. I will never give up my favorite print magazines such as Interweave or Vogue Knitting but I do enjoy the internet access as well. What I did not enjoy were my three local yarn stores that went out of business because of internet shopping. I need to feel and discover new yarns in person. That is my biggest pet peeve about the internet. Yarn needs to be held, felt and rated on sight, feel and sometimes smell. Very nice article.

6. 

   Marybeth P November 27, 2018

   I learned to knit from a library book when I was 8. There are many things I enjoy about knitting from teaching children at our local elementary school to ‘stitch and bitch’ sessions with fellow knitters and those who crochet. I do also enjoy the internet for the vast amount of patterns that are available from my favorite and newly discovered designers. The internet gives me access to so many things I would not encounter living out in the boonies as I do. I cannot imagine never crocheting Sophie’s Universe or knitting my first round afghan. I will never give up my favorite print magazines such as Interweave or Vogue Knitting but I do enjoy the internet access as well. What I did not enjoy were my three local yarn stores that went out of business because of internet shopping. I need to feel and discover new yarns in person. That is my biggest pet peeve about the internet. Yarn needs to be held, felt and rated on sight, feel and sometimes smell. Very nice article.

7. 

   Marni P November 26, 2018

   I was taught the Basic Long Tail (sling shot) Cast on and how to do the knit and purl stitch when I was 9 as a way of entertaining me one day. She never followed up or taught me about gauge, fibers, or blocking, I learned all that from borrowing books from the library and from magazines. 40 years later, I am starting to expand more, all because I can see the techniques in videos. I have managed to learn proper short row technique (no holes!!) Different cast-ons, How to join in the round with out a gap, all trough video tutorials.

8. 

   Marni P November 26, 2018

   I was taught the Basic Long Tail (sling shot) Cast on and how to do the knit and purl stitch when I was 9 as a way of entertaining me one day. She never followed up or taught me about gauge, fibers, or blocking, I learned all that from borrowing books from the library and from magazines. 40 years later, I am starting to expand more, all because I can see the techniques in videos. I have managed to learn proper short row technique (no holes!!) Different cast-ons, How to join in the round with out a gap, all trough video tutorials.

9. 

   linlal November 26, 2018

   In the “old days”, and still today for some of us, you could get help from a real human being sitting in the room with you. Your mother/grandmother/sister/aunt would walk you through the pattern as needed. One of the reasons they could help was that they knew the pattern well as it had been handed down from person to person. The wool came from sheep raised in our community or in the area so a LYS wasn’t necessary. We dyed the wool at home or at a local business using natural dyes.
   As a result of the breakdown of community in some places, you may think that substituting the internet will give you the same supports. There are still lots of places where we prefer to rely on humans instead of the computer. Yes, I’m using the internet to send this to you but, for me, it’s a supplement to what I get from the real world rather than the other way around.

10. 

    linlal November 26, 2018

    In the “old days”, and still today for some of us, you could get help from a real human being sitting in the room with you. Your mother/grandmother/sister/aunt would walk you through the pattern as needed. One of the reasons they could help was that they knew the pattern well as it had been handed down from person to person. The wool came from sheep raised in our community or in the area so a LYS wasn’t necessary. We dyed the wool at home or at a local business using natural dyes.
    As a result of the breakdown of community in some places, you may think that substituting the internet will give you the same supports. There are still lots of places where we prefer to rely on humans instead of the computer. Yes, I’m using the internet to send this to you but, for me, it’s a supplement to what I get from the real world rather than the other way around.