Library vs Ravelry....

This one really makes me happy....

 

A different, interesting construction...the grey triangle is knit first and blocked.  You then pick up about 300+ stitches, double them, and add the maroon tier.  When this is completed, you block again, and again pick up in the same 300+ (doubled) stitches for the under-tiered black layer.  Yes, there is a lot of knitting that 'doesn't show', but will add that extra layer of warmth come winter.

 

I already had some colors (in the stash) that worked well together...and the shawl actually matches a dress I own! 

 

This is probably one of the nicest shawls I've ever made, but I find it rather sad that only 9 of us have it listed as a Ravelry project. IF I had come across it on Rav, I wouldn't have given it a second glance:

    a) you had to order the pattern, you couldn't just download it

    b) the photos online are not very good.

Lucky me.  I saw it made up, had a chance to try it on and give it a twirl, and (of course) had bought the pattern.  

I own a rather embarrassingly extensive knitting library; I bought each and every pattern, pamphlet, and book for at least one (usually more) pattern that I thought I NEEDED to cast on right-this-very-minute (but which I have yet to even acquire yarn for).  I KNOW there are a lot of great projects-to-be lurking in there.  This is just a reminder to myself to spend a little browsing time checking out some of those patterns.  (For some reason when I 'search' my library on Rav many patterns don't show up.  Probably user error here.)

 

Lazy Lizzy that I am, though---I can always find something I like on Rav, download it (even if I've previously downloaded it and have it filed somewhere) and plunge ahead. SO. I. CAN. START. KNITTING. IMMEDIATELY! 

There is also the bonus of knowing that 1223 people can't be wrong.....

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, that many people have made (or are making) Wool Leaves.  2546 have it queued.  Almost 4000 people --this MUST be a dynamite knit, and not just because it's readily available.  

The pattern truly is lovely, yet very easy---and in spite of the fact that I hate bulky yarn, the end result was so nice that I will probably knit this again. I was afraid it might be a little too small, even for a newborn, but I think the blocked size is pretty darn perfect.  And Biggo couldn't be a softer yarn.  Win-Win.

 

So my question to you is this....how often do you actually USE the knitting library that I know (like me!) you have acquired over the years?  I know I just said I'm reminding myself to check mine out more often, but I know me pretty well.  I really am lazy. And, I'm a Rav junkie. 

Maybe I should just purge my book collection and make more room for yarn.

 

 

Comments

[Iris]

Gorgeous projects, both of them. I really like the construction of that tiered scarf, but all those hundreds of little stitches make me nervous, so I suspect this might not be a project for me. The Wool Leaves looks so cozy, I kind of want to snuggle up with it. ;)

As for the knitting library - I have lots and lots of knitting and crochet books and I hardly ever use them. Occasionally I look through them and oh and ah at the pretty pictures and patterns and swear that I'll change my ways, but downloading a pattern from the internet seems just so easy. I have actually occasionally found my way back to a book pattern by way of Ravelry. I'll 'find' a pattern on Ravelry, then see that I can't download it, before I realist that I actually own it already in one of my knitting books.

[Tracey]

I have got to knit that shawl, I love it.

As a kind of newish knitter [four years now] I don't have a large library so just about everything in it I knit or it's on my list to knit. My down fall is I keep adding to my list!

[Erin @ Wild Whispers]

These are stunning, Steph. I LOVE the shawl.

[karen]

Wool leaves is in my queue. I plan on making a baby blanket size for my cousin as well as a baby hat that has leaf motif in the front - leafy newborn beanie. Yours is beautiful!

[Debra]

Your shawl came out beautifully! I love it.
And Wool Leaves is such a nice baby blanket. I have the pattern and need to make it.

When I started to knit in 2008, I bought many knitting books and magazines. But I have found for years now that I mainly get my new patterns from Rav. Thanks for reminding me to look through that library and my own physical one.

And thanks for a wonderfully charming blog. I just discovered it a few weeks ago and am enjoying my backward read through your posts.
Great photos!

Debra

[karen]

I love the knits! the first one is just spectacular and the colors are my colors. I try very hard to use what I have in my library. Honestly. But then there are times I'm on a blog and see a shawl and then I have to cast on. Sometimes I am looking for something specific and do a search then I buy. It all comes down to inspiration.

[Donna]

Rav junkie all the way. The only way I refer to my knitting books is when I find a pattern on Rav that I like and I just happen to have the book already. Nothing makes me happier than pressing the "download" button on a pattern. And that shawl is gorgeous! Just sayin..

[Jenna K]

Gorgeous work! I love seeing beautifully done finished projects. When I'm reading blogs about knitting I usually also have a Ravelry tab open so I can check out the patterns bloggers are talking about. This often results in my queue growing.

When I'm feeling the knitting bug, I try to start with my physical books, but more often than not, I just skip right to my Ravelry queue, or worse, I click on a yarn in my stash and then browse pattern suggestions. I've tried to log what books I have in my pattern library so if I do come across a pattern online that I like and it's in a book, I can at least check it against the books I have. Best of luck!!

[Cordelia]

GORGEOUS WORK!
WOW!
And I have to say it's nice to see you on Instagram! Thanks for finding me!
XO

[[email protected]]

can you tell i'm really (REALLY!!) and instagram newbie!???  :)

[Tracy]

WOW...this is GORGEOUS, Steph! I love the layering idea, this is so frothy and lovely and can see it being so cozy for colder days. But I'm not sure about all the 1000s of stitches in the end... and such fine yarn...whoa... LOL! I can't seem to knit with less than a 4 of 5 size needle anymore... LOVE the chunky Leaves--that's more my speed now. ;o) I got rid of my library and queue at Ravelry. I wasn't really using 'em. I don't stock pile a of patterns now, that somehow most never materialize into real project. I just pick and make as I go now. The relief is wonderful! ;o) ((HUGS))

[Annie @ knitsofacto]

What a stunning shawl!

I'm definitely going to cast on a Rill with the yarn you sent me Steph, I just need to sort my dodgy shoulder out first as it's been playing up again. The darn thing really limits the amount of knitting I can do.