A talk I gave at various Knitters Guild NSW meetings in 2009-2010 giving a basic overview of knitting related websites and social networks. Aimed at beginner users with little online experience.

1. Blogs, podcasts, Ravelry, and more!
Welcome to the
Knitternet
Knitters Guild NSW - Inner City Group

2. 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!

3. 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

4. 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

5. Worked at Tapestry Craft for 3 years
Involved in blogging, social networking, Ravelry,
Twitter...

6. Some examples...
“web-log” - articles, links, and essays in
chronological order
So what’s a blog,
anyway?

7. Yarn Harlot
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/

8. The Panopticon
http://the-panopticon.blogspot.com/

9. Wendy Knits
http://wendyknits.net

10. There are loads of knitting podcasts...
a radio show you download and listen to
on your computer or mp3 player
Then...
what’s a podcast?

12. Requires a feed reader...
a way for blogs and podcasts to notify you when
there’s something new available
RSS - "really simple
syndication"

13. Google Reader
http://www.google.com.au/reader

14. Think FaceBook, MySpace, LinkedIn...
a community website that allows users to create
and identify, define relationships, and collaborate
Social Networking Site

15. Ravelry
http://www.ravelry.com

16. Lots of knitters are tweeting...
a cross between a mini-blog and a chatroom;
like people watching at a party!
Lastly... “Twitter”?

17. Twitter
http://www.twitter.com

18. What are some useful
knitting websites?

19. 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!

20. Patterns
Free patterns are
everywhere if you look!
More and more online
knitting magazines.

21. Technical Resources
Look up tutorials and
videos for new
techniques
Get tips and tricks
delivered to your inbox
Translate new pattern
symbols and acronyms

22. Search Tips
How to find what you’re looking for...

23. 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!

24. Security
Staying safe when buying online...

25. 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

26. Where to start?
It can be overwhelming when you first get in.
Ravelry - A Guided Tour

27. Set up a
Flickr.com
account
It’s free.
This is where you’ll
store all your photos.

28. Set up your Ravelry profile
Upload an avatar.
Tell everyone who you are!

29. Now what?

30. Start filling your
notebook...

31. ...and list all the details.
Add photos. Record needles and yarn used.
Note errors and modifications.

32. Look up a pattern...
Double-check the requirements.
Maybe even download the pattern!

33. ...then see finished versions.
Compare yarns and modifications.

34. Add to your queue.
Bookmark patterns you’d like to knit later.

35. Research yarns.
Check meterage and gauge, review colours, find
suitable patterns, see where to buy.

36. Set up a friends list.
Befriend anyone you like!

37. Leave comments on their finished projects.
See what your friends are
knitting and queueing.

38. Keep track of the books you own.
Add to your virtual library.

39. You can even flag items for sale or trade.
Upload your stash.

40. There’s a group for EVERYTHING.
Join a group (or several)...

41. Swaps, events, rants, chats, everything.
...and wade into the forums.

42. Perfect for small businesses.
Advertising

43. That’s pretty much all of it!
Any Questions?
Then let’s have a play!
Special thanks to group members who sent
feedback, tips, and favourite sites.