Ravelry
Ravelry has more than 360,000 members, and if you like to knit or crochet, it’s an indispensable tool for networking. The site allows you to explore thousands of patterns, some free (download PDF’s and try them yourself) and some for sale. The ability to see other people’s versions of a pattern is amazing, especially seeing photos that show how the same pattern looks not only in different yarns but on a hundred different people.
The profile feature is helpful as well. I was in a yarn shop recently and wanted to purchase yarn but couldn’t remember exactly how much I needed. I had posted the pattern details on my Ravelry profile, so the shop owner was able to look it up for me and retrieve the information I needed. I also use the favorites feature, to keep track of patterns I see that I like and might work on in the future.
A feature I haven’t used yet is the Stash. Users catalog their spare yarn (always good to know what you have on hand), including extra yarn they’re willing to trade or sell. So, if you start a project and need just one more skein of yarn of a certain dye lot, you may be able to find someone else who has it. Otherwise you’re out of luck.
Of course, Ravelry also has groups for regional get-togethers, and forums to post questions and answers and share discoveries. It’s a great site for connecting with others who share your passion.
[Membership is free but you'll need to request an invitation. Invitation requests are typically returned within a day -- ES]
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Favorite (15)
allison
Ravelry is a fabulous site - as both a programmer and a knitter, I appreciate it on many levels. It is an absolutely indispensable knitting resource.
My favourite feature is the ability to link yarns, patterns, blog posts, forum posts, projects, etc. to each other. For example, you can "magic link" a particular pattern/yarn/project in a forum where you are discussing it, causing the forum post to be automatically linked to that pattern/yarn/project. Then anyone who views the pattern/yarn/project can click "forum posts" and see what other "ravelers" are saying about it! This feature also allows someone interested in trying a particular pattern to see how other people made out with the same pattern, any modifications they made, what kind of yarn they used, etc.
Also, just about every time I've had a knitting-related question, not only have I been able to ask the community and get helpful responses, I've generally been able to do a search of the Ravelry forums and find an existing discussion thread about it.
M.
And its never "sitting still" - new features (cool, and pertinant features) are being added all the time.
It's got unobtrusive ads (for things fiber related) that help it remain free.
Its possibly one of the most useful sites on the internet I've ever encountered - every hobbiest should have a site as wonderful as Ravelry.
Jan
In addition to everthing said above and in the article, let me add two things:
1. The site also offers help for spinners, both wheel and spindle, even though it's not set up yet to offer the same set of features that are available for knitting, crochet, and yarn. Yet.
2. The code jockey is an IU and database WHIZ!
Nanci
I have been using Raverly for a couple of months and must say I find it a very useful tool, both for giving me a place to really see what I have done, am doing and have yet to do, and for giving me ideas for new projects. I hope others may get ideas from me as well. It also gives me a source for new online suppliers etc that I may not have come across before. A really great site. Glad to know about spinning as I have wanted to know more about this.
Lindsey
Ravelry is all that you've said and more! It has the potential to be the most valuable website for fiber lovers of all ages. But it is important to note that it is definitely not suitable for children (or most mature adults actually) due to both language and images. They have been assuring users for two years that "mature content" tools were in the works, but so far nothing has been done.
Sonia
Ravelry has the potential for being a great tool for knitters, crocheters and spinners but at the present it does have its flaws. There are some very hateful and stalking types of people that frequent the site and they have a strong tendency to vulgarity and filth. The designers of the website seem to promote their disgusting behavior and even reward it. If you decide to join it I would recommend that you do so with caution and restraint.
Zelda
Ravelry does sound amazing. Too bad I can't seem to get on. All my requests for an invitation keep getting bumped off the list, and no one will answer my questions about the situation. Oh, and I have friends in the same situation. Maybe someday........
Equanine
I have also seen the vileness that Sonia talked about. And I have to agree with Lindsey with the "adult content".
It's sad that it has these flaws as they are not small ones. I think that programming problems would be better than these.
I do hope that the owners of the site will open their eyes to these problems and take care of them. The site could be wonderful, but these issues are seriously holding it back.
kate
I've been a member of Rav for over a year, and recently had it blocked from my 15 yo daughter's access. It's got way too much pornographic and other nasty on it to allow her free access to it. When she needs help finding a pattern, I do the search, filter out any bad stuff and help her find what she needs. Parents beware, it's pretty bad in there.
Lydia
Ravelry can be wonderful. If you go with the flow and never express an opinion you'll love it but it gets very vicious very quickly if you don't. The cruder and ruder you are when you discuss anything at all the better you will fit in and the more you will love it. If you just use the knitting tools there it's great. If you participate in discussions it gets old fast. Very fast. Don't let your kids on there. They have wonderful tools for knitters. It's awesome for keeping track of your yarn stash and patterns. My favorite feature is that I can add a yarn to my stash there and then click one button to see what others have done with the same yarn and then click one button to go to the pattern. It's so handy.
Anne
I would love to use the yarn and pattern search features because they are great, brilliant even, but I can't.
I was banned from the site for disagreeing with the site owner. I was publically insulted, chastized, lied about, and summarily banned. Repeated emails requesting proof of said misdeeds are ignored by site owners and their attorney. (Of course, because the proof doesn't exist.)
I am happy to tell everyone I know about my experience and similar situations that others have encountered. I openly praise the site for the good features, and warn about the not-so-pretty side. I am honest and fair in my assessment. Everyone needs to make their own assessment and conclusions about whether the site is for them. But don't get banned, because you probably won't get an honest explanation and you won't get back in.
If you stay in your own little corner and rarely use the fora, you are pretty safe. If you jump in with the dirty underbelly gurlz and play their game, you're okay, too. And make sure to donate generously and often to the site owners.
(Trolls refuting this to appear in 10...9...8...7...)
Kate
So how come refuting is automatically trolling? I just stay away from the groups that are going to annoy me or groups that indulge in un Christian behaviour, and I have never had a problem. Seems to me that Jess and Casey have been the ones acting gracefully...
ideasinca
I am another Ravelry lover. Have never been to the forums, so am completely unaware of any nasty side to the site. As other commenters have mentioned, the ability to see what a yarn or pattern looks like as worked up by, and worn by, other knitters is invaluable. For compulsive yarn collectors, the stash management system is heaven-sent, once you get in the habit of regularly entering each new yarn you buy. As yet unmentioned is another feature I find invaluable, the chart that lets you list what needles you have. It has saved me from duplicate buys numerous times.