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Blogs, podcasts, Ravelry, and more!
Welcome to the Knitternet
Knitters Guild NSW - Inner City Group
How this presentation will work:
Leaflets are available with all the links, hints, tips, etc.
Information will also be emailed to the group and posted on our website.
Please leave laptops aside for now; we’ll talk first and then play!
Topics for today:
Introduction - my history with the “knitternet”
Definitions - what do all these weird words mean?
Examples of useful sites on the “knitternet”
Search tips - how to find what you’re looking for
Security - staying safe when buying online
Ravelry - a guided tour
My Knitternet History
Working in IT and blogging for 10 years
Moved to Australia in 2001
Learned to knit in 2002
Discovered crafting messageboards and went to my first SnB
Worked at Tapestry Craft for 3 years
Involved in blogging, social networking, Ravelry, Twitter...
Some examples...
“web-log” - articles, links, and essays in chronological order
So what’s a blog, anyway?
Yarn Harlothttp://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/
The Panopticonhttp://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/
There are loads of knitting podcasts...
a radio show you download and listen toon your computer or mp3 player
Then...what’s a podcast?
Requires a feed reader...
a way for blogs and podcasts to notify you when there’s something new available
RSS - "really simple syndication"
Google Readerhttp://www.google.com.au/reader
Think FaceBook, MySpace, LinkedIn...
a community website that allows users to create and identify, define relationships, and collaborate
Social Networking Site
Lots of knitters are tweeting...
a cross between a mini-blog and a chatroom;like people watching at a party!
Lastly... “Twitter”?
What are some useful knitting websites?
Retailers
Everything from big corporations to small LYSes to independent spinners/dyers
If you want it, you can probably find it.
Be careful with the exchange rate!
Patterns
Free patterns are everywhere if you look!
More and more online knitting magazines.
Technical Resources
Look up tutorials and videos for new techniques
Get tips and tricks delivered to your inbox
Translate new pattern symbols and acronyms
Search TipsHow to find what you’re looking for...
Use meaningful keywords that you think might appear on the page
Add a location or limit it to a country if necessary
Use “double-quotes” to highlight an exact phrase
Use a minus sign -before any words you want to leave out.
Use OR for words that are optional.
Remember - computers aren't as smart as people!
SecurityStaying safe when buying online...
If it’s a shop... do they have contact details listed?
If it’s a person... do they have good feedback?
What are the policies for shipping and returns?
SSL - “Secure Sockets Layer”
Look for https and a padlock on your browser
Be wary of computers you don’t own or trust
Remember to log out!
Use credit card instead of debit if you can
Sign up for a generic email address
Where to start?
It can be overwhelming when you first get in.
Ravelry - A Guided Tour
Set up a Flickr.com
accountIt’s free.
This is where you’ll store all your photos.
Set up your Ravelry profileUpload an avatar.
Tell everyone who you are!
Now what?
Start filling your notebook...
...and list all the details.Add photos. Record needles and yarn used.
Note errors and modifications.
Look up a pattern...Double-check the requirements.
Maybe even download the pattern!
...then see finished versions.Compare yarns and modifications.
Add to your queue.Bookmark patterns you’d like to knit later.
Research yarns.Check meterage and gauge, review colours, find
suitable patterns, see where to buy.
Set up a friends list.Befriend anyone you like!
Leave comments on their finished projects.
See what your friends are knitting and queueing.
Keep track of the books you own.
Add to your virtual library.
You can even flag items for sale or trade.
Upload your stash.
There’s a group for EVERYTHING.
Join a group (or several)...
Swaps, events, rants, chats, everything.
...and wade into the forums.
Perfect for small businesses.
Advertising
That’s pretty much all of it!
Any Questions?
Then let’s have a play!
Special thanks to group members who sentfeedback, tips, and favourite sites.
