Blog Love

Since all I have to show you today is the Crystal Palace yarn sweater in pieces, how’s about a list of cool knitting blogs?

I’m forever in search of great blogs. I love following along with other knitters and seeing their projects and how they do things day by day. It makes me feel like we’re all in this whole figure-out-the-world thing together. Plus, on days when I’m uninspired or need a fresh perspective, I can always count on a knitter to deliver.

I’ve mentioned Jean’s Knitting lots of times. I check in there every single day. I thought it might be fun to share a list of some of the blogs that are new to me, though. Some of these bloggers have quite a following, but for whatever reason, I’ve just discovered them in the last few months. All of the blogs are currently being updated at least fairly regularly (a must for me), and each one has something about it that makes it unique or especially interesting. I’m going to present my list in alphabetical order with one exception. The exception is Yards of Happiness.

If you enjoy seeing lots of finished projects and following along with someone who is constantly pushing herself to learn new things about knitting, then Yards of Happiness is for you. Dana usually posts about three times a week, and in addition to the knitting, you get to see quite a bit of her fabulous dog, Cher. I read every post, and I’m never disappointed.

The following are blogs that I’m just getting to know but that have been compelling enough to make me actually sign up for email alerts about new posts or at least bookmark them so I can check back regularly.

• alexand knits The “about” page says that she is a “queer, married mom of a toddler and two stripey kitties” and that, like a lot of us, she has a stash problem. The toddler and the kitties are all seriously cute, and she’s a particularly engaging writer. Her blog posts talk a lot about the nitty, gritty details of knitting (she knits a bunch!) and feature excellent pictures. Plus, she just went to Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, so you can get your festival fix if you head over there right now.
• Knitting in France The Knitting in France blog is written by an Icelandic knitter who currently lives in Normandy. That would be enough of a draw for me right there, given my fascination with all things beyond the U.S., but she also chronicles all of her fiber exploits, which are extensive. She knits, spins, dyes, and she has an Etsy shop. It looks like she also does contests and giveaways periodically which is kind of cool.
• FogKnits If you hurry over to FogKnits right now, you’ll immediately see why I’m recommending it. Enough said. (If you come across this post sometime in the future, here is the specific post I’m loving at the moment. It’s called “Stuff on my Cat.”)
• Knitters and Hookers Aileen from Glasgow, Scotland, writes the Knitters and Hookers blog. Aside from having what we all know is the best obsession ever and living in a super cool place, she’s a clinical psychologist in real life. This is relevant because sometimes her professional insights carry over. I found this post and this post about depression especially worthwhile reading. At the moment Aileen has a new baby, so she isn’t posting as regularly as usual. Here’s hoping she’ll be back before too long.
• Spin a Yarn Paula says on her “about” page that although by day she is an Instructional Designer, by night, she is “an obsessed knitter, crocheter, cook, baker, and reader.” Those are the things she writes about. She doesn’t post a ton, but when she does it’s often about sock knitting . . . which, of course, is excellent. And she has a terrific blog roll! Don’t peek until you have about three hours to be lost in blog exploration.
• The Shameful Sheep The subtitle of this blog is “Shit Storms, Shame, and Stories That Make You Cringe.” If that doesn’t pique your interest, I can’t imagine what would. Blair is hilarious. Go see for yourself.
• The Sock Monkey Here is the beginning of The Sock Monkey “about” page: “Hi! My name is Josiah Bain. I’m a junior in high school, blogger at this blog that you’re reading, and knit designer under the label, The Sock Monkey. There isn’t much to say about myself besides the fact that I’m an introvert who will talk to people only if I’m forced to or if they are knitting.” I don’t know about you, but I can totally relate. Josh only posts a couple of times a month, but what he does post is unusually thought-provoking, and it’s always accompanied by incredible photographs. He has an amazing eye. Josh’s blog is a departure from run-of-the-mill knitting blogs because he’s thinking about the big issues—creativity, boundaries, beginnings and endings . . . I’m looking forward to following along as he continues his knitting and philosophical explorations.
• Unsophisticated and Jejune Hannah is a knitter as well as a sewer and quilter. And she’s been to art school. That combination says something about her sensibility and the general vibe you get from her posts. One day she’s talking about how grafting sock toes is “a load of bollocks.” Another day she’s exploring fabric design. And yet another day she’s telling you about the time that she and her mother volunteered to help with archiving at the 18th-century home of Lord de Tabley. There are tons of great pictures, and you learn a lot. What’s not to love?
• Yarn, Books & Roses One of the best things about Yarn, Books & Roses (besides the knitting and the cats) is that Marilyn seems like such a great person. When I’m reading her posts, I think: Wow, we should hit the local yarn shops and then have lunch while we talk about all the great stuff we found! She knits and spins and weaves and cooks and gardens and just seems to do all the stuff that’s fun to hear about. Oh, and she’s also managing a chronic disease. Check out her blog. I bet you’ll like it.

So that’s my list. Let me know what you think! And let me know what I’m missing. Which knitting blogs do you follow?

Oh, and I do have one more picture. The 2016 garden is underway. Woohooo!!