Webrings and Knitting

What are web rings or netrings you ask? A web ring is a social network. The ring is a way of linking web sites that have a similar theme, like [tag]knitting[/tag], [tag]crafts[/tag], [tag]textiles[/tag], – any topic that you can imagine probably has a webring. Links on each page permit you to go from site to site, to travel the entire webring, eventually returning to the page from which you started. Links also permit you to access the list of member sites and to join the [tag]webring[/tag].

Each member of the [tag]netring[/tag] displays a netring link on their page which allows visitors to link directly to other pages with the same topic. This guarantees that the next site they visit will be of interest to them and will have valuable content. It also eliminates the more annoying aspects of many search engines, that is, slow response times and the many unrelated sites that they come up with.

Netrings also generate more traffic for the page owners and cut down on the time they might spend updating their links pages as new members can join the ring at any time and their site is automatically reachable from any page that is already in the ring.

There are several ring sites that host thousands of websites with just as many topics. Two in particular are [tag]WebRing[/tag] and [tag]Ring Surf[/tag].

At the search box at either site you can search for knitting rings, free pattern rings, yarn rings, swap rings â€“ anything you might need to find. Once you have found the ring topic of your choice, just click on the “next” button to look at all the sites in the ring. Or you may click on “list” and it will take you to the ring site home and list all sites in that ring.

Ring surfing is a good way to find many websites that pertain to your interest, however, they also take up a lot of your knitting time, LOL!

Next Pattern:

Blankets are a great blank slate project that you can change up in a million different ways. From color to stitch pattern to size, the possibilities are almost endless.

Jared Flood, the designer behind Brooklyn Tweed, was inspired by a log cabin quilt his mother made in 1995 to re-create that design in knitting, which led to more blankets and ultimate Brooklyn Tweed’s Knit and Crochet Blankets, which includes 25 patterns from an array of designers using different skills and techniques to make cozy, pretty blankets.

The patterns are divided into three aesthetic themes: traditions, minimalism and colorplay. The patterns are rated on a scale of one to five, with one being the easiest, and there aren’t any pieces rated five. Two blankets are rated one, 14 are two, eight are three and one is four.

In addition, three of the 25 patterns are crocheted, but they either use single crochet or granny stitch, so they are pretty easy even if you don’t do a lot of crochet. You can see all the patterns on Ravelry.

Some of my favorites include Rattan by Rastus Hsu, a chunky blanket worked in knits and purls with simple crossing stitches to make a raised woven look; Homewood by Seth Richardson, covers in dramatic, loopy cables; Ainur Berkimbayeva’s Tessellate, one of the beginner projects that doesn’t really look beginner but is totally worked in knit and purl stitches; Warp + Weft by Aist? Butkevi?ien?, which is mostly knits and purls but makes a fun woven look fabric that blew my mind a little bit; and the same designer’s Canyonland, a multicolored blanket with wavy stripes.

The patterns tell you how to resize them for different dimensions and include information on pattern repeats where it is possible to make a totally custom size.

Many different techniques are included here such as cables, lace, shadow knitting, intarsia and other colorwork techniques, as well as modular knitting and lots of sewing pieces together. The patterns are all presented with charts, but there are line by line written instructions available on the Brooklyn Tweed website if you need them.

The book ends with a deep dive into log cabin knitting, telling the story of the quilt Jared’s mom made and how he made it in knitting, as well as the multitude of variations you can make if you want your own log cabin style design.

The back of the book includes a little written information about some of the special techniques needed, but there are no photos.

This is a lovely book full of inspiration for knitting and crochet blankets for any skill level. If you like to make blankets as gifts or aspire to have a handmade blanket in every room of the house, these designs would be a great place to start.

About the book: 192 pages, paperback, 25 patterns. Published 2024 by Abrams Books, suggested retail price $24.99.

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

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