Moving forward

Fuss Free Festival Shawl

At the time of writing we are now 2 weeks since the launch of the new Ravelry site. Apart from a very inadequate non-apology no substantial progress has been made on accessibility and a significant number of people are either unable to use the site or have to use extensive modifications (using 3rd party coded skins, browser modifications or ‘classic Ravelry’ - note that the latter still has issues and is most definitely not the true ‘old’ Ravelry.)

So, we are where we are. Ravelry have issued a readability survey to selected users and have also issued a general feedback form (the latter is available on the homepage).

That’s about it. No acknowledgment of the impact this has had, or apology to the many people for whom the site is now unusable. But at this point I’m of the view that I have expended enough energy on this. Ravelry will either listen, apologise and implement meaningful change in an appropriate timeframe or they won’t.

I, like many other small-time designers have had to make alternative provision for pattern sales for customers who can’t or won’t use the site.

All of my most popular patterns are now available on Payhip - a clean and simple web interface for buying digital or physical products. It allows for the use of coupon codes so I’ll be able to conduct pattern sales in the usual way and also for the issue of revised files in the event of errata or pattern changes. It also takes care of the EU VAT system automatically, which was always one of my main reasons for sticking with Ravelry.

In terms of my day to day activities, all of my marketing links and links within my blog will be directed to my Payhip site rather than my Ravelry store. Until such time as the site is deemed safe for people with epilepsy/migraine to use I do not want to run the risk of a link from my social media inadvertently triggering a reaction in an unsuspecting knitter.

My Ravelry store is still intact and open for use should people wish to use it. I have taken the decision to use the site purely as a commercial rather than a community-based one however. I have left the groups I was previously a member of (albeit a very inactive one) and deleted my personal projects. My projects and stash will now be cataloged on a personal Airtable page - although I will share links to this as and when appropriate.

Do I want Ravelry to fail? Absolutely not. It remains an invaluable database and repository of information. Do I want to take part in it as a community member? No, or at least not in it’s present form.

Communities should be available for everyone, especially one which proudly badges itself as inclusive. And at present, Ravelry isn’t.

Inner Zen

Inner Zen

Sometimes we all need one of those projects - one which is soothing without being too plain. A bit of detail without needing too much concentration.

Say hello to your Inner Zen - a sideways shawl designed to restore your peace and harmony.

Knit during the Covid-19 outbreak and the resulting turbulence I needed something calming to knit that wasn’t just acres of garter stitch.

This side to side shawl proved to be unexpectedly therapeutic. Starting from just a few stitches it is worked in sections - weigh your yarn first - with an increase section, a long straight section and then a final short decrease section.

The end result is a reversible, elongated crescent-ish shawl. Easy to wear and with negligible leftovers - always a bonus.

If you subscribe to my newsletter please check your inbox for a discount code.

If not, there is an early bird discount code for the next 7 days - with 25% off when you use the code InnerZenEB

Three good reasons to knit a sideways shawl

The KISS Shawl - pattern available on Payhip

Just my personal opinion but sideways shawls are vastly underrated, and I’m always surprised that there aren’t more of them available .

This is my KISS shawl (short for Keep It Simple Shawl) and I think this is the only true side to side shawl I've ever knit. I’m not quite sure why this is as there so many advantages to this way of knitting a shawl. If you’ve never knitted one before allow me to offer a few advantages to the calm, zen-like experience that is a sideways shawl.

1. There is absolutely no risk of running out of yarn making it perfect for one-off special skeins. As long as you have a reasonably accurate set of scales (ideally ones that measure to within 1g) you can weigh your yarn at the start, increase to the halfway point and then start the decreases secure in the knowledge that you won’t end up playing a fraught game of yarn chicken.

2. You can flirt with a little bit of lace patterning at the edges but there's plenty of plain garter stitch for relaxation purposes. Nothing too stressful and only a minimal bit of chart reading required.

3. It makes a perfect elongated, wrappable shape which is definitely my favourite shape to wear.

In fact, they are so much fun I think I've convinced myself that it's time to knit another one.

This one is in Turbillium from @theuncommonthread and I've worn it a lot, but I'm thinking I'd like one in a lighter colour for spring/summer.

The right time?

Wishing and Hoping - baby blanket pattern on Ravelry

Confession time.

I have had this baby blanket finished and wrapped, sitting in my wardrobe for weeks now. The baby it was intended for is already 8 weeks old and under normal circumstances it would have been gifted along, hopefully to start its journey of being a much loved companion.

And yet, there it sits. Still in my wardrobe. I can’t put my finger on the reason why I haven’t given it away yet. I’ve pondered and asked myself repeatedly why not and the answer is a disappointingly vague “It just doesn’t feel right”.

Logically I know there is no risk. It has been washed, dried, carefully wrapped in tissue and then in wrapping paper. It’s been untouched by human hands in my wardrobe for at least 3 or 4 weeks. And yet, it just doesn’t feel like the right time to gift it.

Normally a new baby into our circle is a time where we come together, where we greet the new arrival, support the new parents and generally do that whole ‘global village’ thing. Plus we get to have newborn baby cuddles which are, of course, just the absolute best. But right now we can’t do any of those things. We can’t be there to help the new parents - we can’t even make them a cup of tea or hold the baby for a few precious minutes of peace and quiet.

I could force it of course. I could write a breezy note and send it off it in the post. But it just seems like too much of a burden to place on new parents right now. I’m sure if I had just brought a tiny human into the world I would be overwhelmed with all kinds of feelings. I’m bad enough now and my kids are both well into their teens. In years past I probably would forced it. I would have sent the gift because it’s the ‘done thing’. But now I tend to wait and listen to my gut instinct a little more.

And my gut instinct is telling me to wait. The blanket isn’t going anywhere and yes, the baby might be a little (or a lot) bigger by the time I get a cuddle but the blanket will find it’s new home eventually.

When the time is right.

PIN FOR LATER

Boundaries Blanket

Boundaries Blanket on Ravelry

I feel as though the alternative title for this should be “How to photograph a blanket”.

No matter how much I try for ‘artfully draped’ I always seem to end up with ‘randomly dropped’. No one wants to see a blanket stiffly stretched out like a body on a slab but equally, it’s hard to show ‘casually rumpled’.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that although the Boundaries KAL is now at an end, the whole pattern in a condensed version is now available to purchase through Ravelry. There are 12 squares in total which are knit separately and then seamed together. I would normally at this point say that the squares are handy portable projects - ideal for keeping in your handbag - but if you are anything like me you haven’t used your handbag for weeks.

For the next few days - until May 1st - there will be an early bird discount of 25% on this design. Just use code Boundaries at the checkout.

And, although the KAL has ended, the Facebook group we set up for it is still running. If you would like to join - to see what the squares looked like in progress or just to hang out there as you knit - please PM me on Ravelry with the email address you used to purchase the pattern and I’ll add you in.

Wishing and Hoping

Wishing and Hoping

I hope you are well.

It's such a simple statement isn't it. One which, up until recently we said almost casually, without thinking. Now of course those few words bring up so many feelings and emotions.

Expressing a sincere hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well as we navigate through these difficult, emotional times.

I usually find solace in my knitting but I have to confess that there have been times during this past week where I couldn't bring myself to pick up the needles at all. 

At other times, it has been a wrench to put it away, so desperately have I needed something to focus my mind on. I decided to carry on with my planned projects and at times when I was feeling calm and in control I picked up this baby blanket and knit on it, trying my hardest to put good karma and good thoughts into the stitches.

In a few short months a good friend will be wrapping her much anticipated, precious baby in this blanket (hopefully) and I wanted it to capture all of my good wishes and hope for this beautiful new life. The world it is welcomed into might be a scary place right now, but this will pass (although it might not feel like it right now). Eventually we will be able to celebrate the baby's birth, have a wild party, hug each other and celebrate life.

For now, we can't do those things. But a warm and comforting blanket might just be the next best thing.

If you are on my mailing list please do check your email for a special discount on this pattern which goes on sale this weekend. Or, if not please use code WISHINGEB for a 25% early bird discount (until March 31st)