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Hi - just a quick note to let folks know that I am in the process of moving my blog over to a Wordpress platform. I've been using the blog software from my hosting company, and I'm not completely satified with it. I've been testing out Wordpress and decided to make the switch.
Also, I've changed my plans for www.virtualknitter.com. Instead of building out a site, I'm just going to move my new and improved blog to that site. I've started the transition already. See you there in a few days! |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Well, my good intentions of keeping on top of my Blog have fallen by the wayside once again! Anyway, lots of updates are long overdue, so I'll attempt to catch up now.
First of all, I really owe everyone an update on www.virtualknitter.com. As it stands now, I've come to the realization that I just can't do as much
as I had hoped with that site. In typical Capricorn fashion, I set my ambitions very high! But I've reached a point in my life where I'm wise enough to know that sometimes I have to scale
back on what ... |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Hello! Yes, I know - I'm not keeping up with my blogging! I always pledge to do better, but then things get crazy and I wait too long. But I'm back!
Anyway, I mostly wanted to give a little update on the Virtual Knitter . First of all, I still have to do the drawing for the free ball of yarn - thanks to all of your who gave great suggestions for the content of my site. I'll get that drawing done in the next few days and notify the lucky winner. But now for the update...
I'm still a long ways off from coming up with a concrete plan - or a site design for that matter. I had envisioned using this as a vehicle for learning more HTML skills and building the site from scratch. Well, I decided to put that idea aside for the time being in order to start working on some of the content first and worrying about that later. So I signed up for Go Daddy's Website Tonight service in order to use a site template that's pretty customizable yet allows me to publish things much more quickly. At some time in the future I'll likely transition over to a more homegrown design as that's much more versatile in the long run, but for now, this allows me to concentrate on other aspect of the site.
Based on suggestions and my own desires, I have decided that one of the fist elements I want to concentrate on is creating a database of LYS and other fiber arts suppliers and resources. The lack of a really good place to go on the net and find geographic lists of LYS has really frustrated me over the years. So, I've pieced created a secure online form where LYS owners can submit their information in order to be included. Now I've just got to get the word out that it's there. It can be accessed by visiting my site at www.VirtualKnitter.com and navigating to the "LYS Database Form" or directly here: Virtual Knitter LYS Database Submission Form. Please pass this on to anyone you know who operates either a brick & mortar LYS or an online store. I'd love to get their info as soon as possible. Creating this database will be an ambitious project so don't expect to see it posted right away. However, I'll try to keep people who submit their information updated on the timing as best as I can.
You'll notice when you visit my site that it's still the same old ugly header that I threw up there to get started. I have some concepts in mind for what I want the final design to look like. I feel that rather than make something that's a little better than what I've got now, and then replacing it again when I decide on a final look, that it's more important to keep things consistent so people recognize that they're back at the same site until I introduce the real deal. You'll also notice on the form page, I've got a security icon down that the bottom of the page. Since I'm asking people to submit their contact information to me, I went ahead and purchased a security certificate for my site. You can be assured that your data is safely encrypted and I'm the only one able to access it once you submit it to me.
Well, that's all for now. Please submit your information if you're a shop owner. Or if not, please pass the link on to anyone you know who is, and request that they submit their information. Thanks!
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Disclaimer - This is my first review so be easy on me! Since I'm a very knew sock knitter, you may wonder what business I have evaluating sock yarn. Well, keep in mind that even though I've only recently started knitting socks, I've been wearing them for decades! Also, I hope that my experience spinning and my familiarity with the qualities of different fibers will lend me some credibility!
Review – Noro Kureyon Sock
I wanted to love the new Noro Kureyon Sock yarn, but alas, I do not. I like it very much, but I do not love it – at least not as sock ... |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Good morning! This quick message is simply to serve as advance notice that I've got a mini-review of the new Noro Kureyon Sock yarn in the works. I completed one swatch on size 0
needles, but have decided that I need to also do one on smaller needles as I was not completely satisfied with the fabric density after washing and blocking. I don't have any size 00 needles so
I'll attempt to pick some up today at lunch time so I may be able to wrap this up by end of day tomorrow.
I'll leave you with a couple of teaser comments though. First ... |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Confession - I've only just completed my first pair of hand knit socks. Although I first picked up the needles over 4 years ago, I don't have a lot of time to knit big projects, so spend
much of my time experimenting on small simple items where I can try out new techniques or stitches without making a big commitment. It would seem then that socks would be a natural
fit, but no, they have intimidated my until recently. In fact, I've only just completed my first full pair of socks within the last month, and I'm now working on my second pair. But now ... |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Never, and I mean NEVER, underestimate the importance of proofreading! Why do I say this? Well, I've just experienced the results of poor proofreading first hand, but fortunately in a
very amusing way.
If you've read any of my other posts, you'll know that I just created a rather ugly placeholder page for my future site, www.VirtualKnitter.com. I've actually already updated the page several times, adding a link back to this blog, updating with some key info about subscribing to my e-mail updates,
and adding a meta description for search engines. It's that last one - the meta description ... |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Good morning readers! I just wanted to quickly say thanks to those of you who have offered awesome suggestions for the Virtual Knitter already and encourage the rest of you to submit
your own suggestions.
One thing I forgot to mention is that my e-mail signup form at the Virtual Knitter uses the "double opt-in" process for extra security, so you'll be getting a message from me asking you to verify
your registration. When I signed myself up on the form using one of my other e-mail addresses, the verification message went straight into a junk e-mail folder. So, please check your ... |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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Hello! Once again it's been eons since I've posted an entry on my blog. There are a multitude of excuses I could make, but the truth is that I've just been lazy. OK, sure, I've been very busy with other things, but given the fact that I can put a post up here in a matter of just a few minutes, that's just not a good excuse. Once again, I'm trying to kick myself in the old rear end to commit to posting at least once per week, but ideally more often - perhaps two times per week.
I wonder if I really have enough to talk about twice a week. I guess time will tell. I've been knitting and spinning more and more lately so I should have things to write about (and less time to do it - here we go with the silly excuses again!) I've even become actively involved in a spinning group for the first time, learning some really exciting things from the other members, so even more topics to choose from!
But now for the newest thing I've got up my sleeve - VirtualKnitter.com! I bought this domain just a couple of days ago and am starting to plan out what I picture as a great resource for knitters, spinners and other fiber artists. Sort of a turnkey resource where they can go to get all kinds of content such as geographical lists of stores, tips & techniques, patterns, etc. I know there are things like this out there, but I want to put them in one easy to navigate place - sort of a knitter's portal, if you will. It may sound like I'm dreaming, considering my track record with blogging, but I'm going to give it my best shot!
What I don't want it to be is an online magazine (that's what Knitty.com is, and nobody can compete with Knitty, IMHO) or a forum (I'm loyal to Knitter's Review - no need for another KR!) It's going to need to be a little different than both of these - something that can complement them rather than compete with them. Maybe one day we'll even be advertising on each other's sites!
I have actually already launched a placeholder site for VirtualKnitter.com where I've explained a little bit about my plans and invited people to submit their e-mail address to be on my mailing list. It's my hope that I can build up some anticipation as well as use my subscriber base for some "market research" and beta testers. So, feel free to hop on over and fill out the form. I'm using a very reputable e-mail vendor (Vertical Response) that complies with all the anti-spam regulations so you don't have to worry about anyone besides me being able to use the list. And I certainly won't be using it for anything other than disseminating information about VirtualKnitter.com and getting site development feedback.
I'd also love to get comments from my readers on what you think should be included in the perfect Knitting resource site. Keep in mind what I've described - no forums, and not a "magazine," but other than that, I'm open to ideas! In fact, just to give you some incentive, I'll randomly select one reader who comments between now and January 10th as a winner of a skein of the brand new Noro Kureyon Sock yarn. So, put on your thinking caps and start sending those suggestions!
Kristi |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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I've come to the conclusion that I suck at blogging! Look how long it's been since my last entry. That's appalling! Other folks are adding entries weekly - some even
daily. And here I am, lucky to get one in every few months. Granted, it's not like I'm using my blog to keep my family informed of what's going on in my life from day to day, but I do
want my online friends to see what's up. And that's not happening with this blog schedule.
I think I need to just set myself up on some sort of schedule for ... |
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| Posted by Kitty Knitter at | | | |
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