4KCBW
It's the final day of the 4th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week and although I haven't posted every single day, it's been really enjoyable and I've found some great blogs to follow. Today's post is about looking forward to next year and where my crafting may have taken me, which skills and experiences I hope to have conquered. I don't usually tend to plan things too far ahead and so far, my crafting journey has been pretty organic so a large part of my 'looking forward' is wondering what will have happened.

As I'm taking some online classes to learn new skills (Knit to Flatter and Pattern Writing for Knitters ) I would like to think that there are will be some new properly-written patterns and some flattering sweaters to come over the next few months, for starters. I'd also like to learn to spin, but haven't started on that yet and am not sure when the time will be right. There are so many things I have to try and new skills to learn that I can't even begin to guess beyond that.
So that's it for this year's KCBW. I'm still catching up with all the people who left comments on my posts, and will get around to them all eventually - thank you for taking the time to leave your kind words. Thanks also to Mimi for hosting the event again and for the lovely Monkey House Sock pattern which is free for participants.

Finally, if you missed Friday's interview post, do check it out for details of the latest giveaway which is open to anyone who leaves a comment. 

Looking forward (4KCBWday7)

It's the final day of the 4th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week and although I haven't posted every single day, it's been really enjoyable and I've found some great blogs to follow. Today's post is about looking forward to next year and where my crafting may have taken me, which skills and experiences I hope to have conquered. I don't usually tend to plan things too far ahead and so far, my crafting journey has been pretty organic so a large part of my 'looking forward' is wondering what will have happened.

As I'm taking some online classes to learn new skills (Knit to Flatter and Pattern Writing for Knitters ) I would like to think that there are will be some new properly-written patterns and some flattering sweaters to come over the next few months, for starters. I'd also like to learn to spin, but haven't started on that yet and am not sure when the time will be right. There are so many things I have to try and new skills to learn that I can't even begin to guess beyond that.
So that's it for this year's KCBW. I'm still catching up with all the people who left comments on my posts, and will get around to them all eventually - thank you for taking the time to leave your kind words. Thanks also to Mimi for hosting the event again and for the lovely Monkey House Sock pattern which is free for participants.

Finally, if you missed Friday's interview post, do check it out for details of the latest giveaway which is open to anyone who leaves a comment. 
For the fifth day of Knitting & Crochet Blog week, the task is to do "something a bit different". It is a happy co-incidence that I'd planned something different for today. I usually post FOs on a Friday but today I'm delighted to be playing host to the virtual book tour for Crochet at Play, the first book from Slugs on the Refrigerator blogger Kat Goldin. I have followed the blog for some time and took this opportunity to find out more about Kat's creative process and the realities of writing a book and managing a home and family... 


Congratulations on your book. It's everything I expected after following your blog for the last few years - lots of really cute patterns and lovely photography. Could you tell us about the process you go through when you are designing and how you get your inspiration?
Aw, thanks!! I really don't have a set process for designing. For the books, I will be working towards a sample project list, but I am lucky and able to change things if a design isn't working. About half of the time, an idea just pops into my head and I figure out how to make it.  The other half of the time, its really about hard work - looking at what has come before, what would work with the rest of the collection, the general balance of items and what colours will keep with the general palette. I spend a lot of time on the swatching stage and really think through how every piece of the project will come together. I usually start with some basic principles - I want designs to be largely seamless, they need to be at a beginner to intermediate level and they need to be exceedingly adorable - the rest just has to follow. I used to have to make everything before I wrote the pattern, but now I usually start with an excel spreadsheet and lay out the pattern and grading mathematically - which is quite funny as I once told my math teacher that I would never use Algebra in real life!

I block sites like Pinterest and Ravelry when I am designing, as I don't want to be influenced by other designer's work, so I tend to look for ideas in real life.  I have been known to follow people around town so I can get a closer look at their garments and spend ages in shops inspecting shoulder constructions. 

Which is your favourite pattern from the book and why is it your favourite?  
The hedgehogs are definitely my favourite.  I was supposed to be making bear claws to go with the Beastie Feet pattern, but I simply could not muster the enthusiasm. I was looking in my yarn stash to see if I could get any inspiration from that and I noticed 2 balls of Jamieson's Spindrift from Shetland, left over from another project.  In my previous life, I worked for one of Scotland's environmental bodies and one of their projects was the eradication of hedgehogs from the Scottish Isles.  Well, I thought "Wouldn't it be funny if I made some hedgehogs out of Shetland wool?" and the hedgehog mittens were born. Even if I am the only one who gets the inside joke, it doesn't matter as they are just so deliciously cute in their own right.


I admit that I often find it quite a struggle to stay on top of things at home, run the house, a husband and two kids! Crafting and writing a blog is my relief, my down-time. I don't really know how you managed to write the book/ design all those patterns while at the same time running your blog, your other projects, AND look after three young children. How do you manage to do it all? Is there a secret you can share with us? 
There is no secret — the last year has been brutal. Last summer, at the peak of designing Crochet at Play, I had all 3 children at home, all day. Looking back, I don't know how we survived. We were able to just about keep everyone fed and clothed, but no housework was done and we did tag team parenting for months. We now have decided that sanity is vital for all of us and have invested in 3 full days of childcare a week. It still isn't enough time and I fill every crevice of time with work. My day often starts at 5am, working for a few hours before my husband goes off to work, working at soft play, at the park, at toddler group…in essence, I have become a huge bore!! For us, it comes down to what we prioritise - We value creativity and spending quality time with the kids over housework and grocery shopping.  Laundry is piled 2 children high and I frequently forget to make dinner. Popcorn counts as one of your 5 a day, right?


For many craft bloggers, getting a book published seems like an unobtainable dream. You've been quite open with your blog readers in admitting that it hasn't all been plain sailing. How long did the process take, what has it been like for you, and how do you feel now that the book is published? 
Crochet at Play was published almost exactly one year after I signed the contract. It is not an exaggeration to say it was thousands of hours of work - from sourcing yarn support, to grading and writing patterns, to making almost everything in the book.  It is wonderful and fulfilling work, but very time consuming.  There was a huge learning curve as well - I'd only designed hats before, so there was a lot of learning on the job about how to size and grade patterns, how to keep to a style sheet and how to design garments. I really have enjoyed it - I love throwing myself into one task, but have really found the juggling of kids, book writing and other work very hard. I also have worried a lot - that I have done things "the right way" and that people will like it.   

Now that it is out in the world, I am really proud of it.  I set out to design a book of children's crochet that was whimsical and wearable - and looking at it now, I think I have done that.  And while I had been so nervous about people making things in the book, seeing my designs on other people's children has been THE BEST THING EVER.  


In the acknowledgements you talked about people giving you the belief that what you have to offer is worth reading. I think many new designers and bloggers must feel this way (I know I do!) What advice would you give to anyone who has plenty of ideas but worries they may not have anything to offer which will be of interest to others? 
Hahaha, well, I still don't have it all together !!  I think ultimately, you will never know if you don't try.  I am a person who would rather regret what I do than all of the things I haven't done, so I just jumped in and made a commitment to doing the best I could and working to improve on areas where I struggled. It can take a long time to find your voice, but you will get there with time.   

And don't dismiss the importance of a great cheering squad.  I have close friends, my mother and my husband who all act as sounding boards when I need help.  I jokingly call them my "Dream Team" - from business advisors to my wonderful technical editor to people with style - I have an excellent resource of people who help keep me right.  I am a terrible terrible worrier and at different points in the process they were all there to cheer me on or tell me when I have done something stupid.  I think everyone needs people like that in their lives.  Being creative makes you intensely vulnerable - and while ultimately it is a good thing, it helps to have people holding your hand and having your back when you need it. 

What's next for you? (Please tell me your plans include adult sized versions of some of the patterns in the book!!! )
Sadly, no adult sized versions are planned, but I will be doing more designing for adults.  Book 2 will contain patterns for the whole family and I have already started designing many of them.  Plus, I am currently designing a range of designs for magazines and we are currently working on Issue 2 of The Crochet Project, plus its exciting new sister publication, out in January. 2013 is going to be busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Kat has kindly offered a copy of 'Crochet at Play' for one lucky CftC reader. 
If that wasn't enough,  she will also include the original (discontinued) yarn to make a lion hat!
TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment below including an email address/Ravelry username. 
The giveaway is open to international readers, and the winner will be randomly selected on
SUNDAY MAY 12th 2013.   Entry is now closed! 

You can find Kat at her Blog (also on Facebook). Follow the virtual book tour below: 

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Crochet at Play (4KCWBday5)

For the fifth day of Knitting & Crochet Blog week, the task is to do "something a bit different". It is a happy co-incidence that I'd planned something different for today. I usually post FOs on a Friday but today I'm delighted to be playing host to the virtual book tour for Crochet at Play, the first book from Slugs on the Refrigerator blogger Kat Goldin. I have followed the blog for some time and took this opportunity to find out more about Kat's creative process and the realities of writing a book and managing a home and family... 


Congratulations on your book. It's everything I expected after following your blog for the last few years - lots of really cute patterns and lovely photography. Could you tell us about the process you go through when you are designing and how you get your inspiration?
Aw, thanks!! I really don't have a set process for designing. For the books, I will be working towards a sample project list, but I am lucky and able to change things if a design isn't working. About half of the time, an idea just pops into my head and I figure out how to make it.  The other half of the time, its really about hard work - looking at what has come before, what would work with the rest of the collection, the general balance of items and what colours will keep with the general palette. I spend a lot of time on the swatching stage and really think through how every piece of the project will come together. I usually start with some basic principles - I want designs to be largely seamless, they need to be at a beginner to intermediate level and they need to be exceedingly adorable - the rest just has to follow. I used to have to make everything before I wrote the pattern, but now I usually start with an excel spreadsheet and lay out the pattern and grading mathematically - which is quite funny as I once told my math teacher that I would never use Algebra in real life!

I block sites like Pinterest and Ravelry when I am designing, as I don't want to be influenced by other designer's work, so I tend to look for ideas in real life.  I have been known to follow people around town so I can get a closer look at their garments and spend ages in shops inspecting shoulder constructions. 

Which is your favourite pattern from the book and why is it your favourite?  
The hedgehogs are definitely my favourite.  I was supposed to be making bear claws to go with the Beastie Feet pattern, but I simply could not muster the enthusiasm. I was looking in my yarn stash to see if I could get any inspiration from that and I noticed 2 balls of Jamieson's Spindrift from Shetland, left over from another project.  In my previous life, I worked for one of Scotland's environmental bodies and one of their projects was the eradication of hedgehogs from the Scottish Isles.  Well, I thought "Wouldn't it be funny if I made some hedgehogs out of Shetland wool?" and the hedgehog mittens were born. Even if I am the only one who gets the inside joke, it doesn't matter as they are just so deliciously cute in their own right.


I admit that I often find it quite a struggle to stay on top of things at home, run the house, a husband and two kids! Crafting and writing a blog is my relief, my down-time. I don't really know how you managed to write the book/ design all those patterns while at the same time running your blog, your other projects, AND look after three young children. How do you manage to do it all? Is there a secret you can share with us? 
There is no secret — the last year has been brutal. Last summer, at the peak of designing Crochet at Play, I had all 3 children at home, all day. Looking back, I don't know how we survived. We were able to just about keep everyone fed and clothed, but no housework was done and we did tag team parenting for months. We now have decided that sanity is vital for all of us and have invested in 3 full days of childcare a week. It still isn't enough time and I fill every crevice of time with work. My day often starts at 5am, working for a few hours before my husband goes off to work, working at soft play, at the park, at toddler group…in essence, I have become a huge bore!! For us, it comes down to what we prioritise - We value creativity and spending quality time with the kids over housework and grocery shopping.  Laundry is piled 2 children high and I frequently forget to make dinner. Popcorn counts as one of your 5 a day, right?


For many craft bloggers, getting a book published seems like an unobtainable dream. You've been quite open with your blog readers in admitting that it hasn't all been plain sailing. How long did the process take, what has it been like for you, and how do you feel now that the book is published? 
Crochet at Play was published almost exactly one year after I signed the contract. It is not an exaggeration to say it was thousands of hours of work - from sourcing yarn support, to grading and writing patterns, to making almost everything in the book.  It is wonderful and fulfilling work, but very time consuming.  There was a huge learning curve as well - I'd only designed hats before, so there was a lot of learning on the job about how to size and grade patterns, how to keep to a style sheet and how to design garments. I really have enjoyed it - I love throwing myself into one task, but have really found the juggling of kids, book writing and other work very hard. I also have worried a lot - that I have done things "the right way" and that people will like it.   

Now that it is out in the world, I am really proud of it.  I set out to design a book of children's crochet that was whimsical and wearable - and looking at it now, I think I have done that.  And while I had been so nervous about people making things in the book, seeing my designs on other people's children has been THE BEST THING EVER.  


In the acknowledgements you talked about people giving you the belief that what you have to offer is worth reading. I think many new designers and bloggers must feel this way (I know I do!) What advice would you give to anyone who has plenty of ideas but worries they may not have anything to offer which will be of interest to others? 
Hahaha, well, I still don't have it all together !!  I think ultimately, you will never know if you don't try.  I am a person who would rather regret what I do than all of the things I haven't done, so I just jumped in and made a commitment to doing the best I could and working to improve on areas where I struggled. It can take a long time to find your voice, but you will get there with time.   

And don't dismiss the importance of a great cheering squad.  I have close friends, my mother and my husband who all act as sounding boards when I need help.  I jokingly call them my "Dream Team" - from business advisors to my wonderful technical editor to people with style - I have an excellent resource of people who help keep me right.  I am a terrible terrible worrier and at different points in the process they were all there to cheer me on or tell me when I have done something stupid.  I think everyone needs people like that in their lives.  Being creative makes you intensely vulnerable - and while ultimately it is a good thing, it helps to have people holding your hand and having your back when you need it. 

What's next for you? (Please tell me your plans include adult sized versions of some of the patterns in the book!!! )
Sadly, no adult sized versions are planned, but I will be doing more designing for adults.  Book 2 will contain patterns for the whole family and I have already started designing many of them.  Plus, I am currently designing a range of designs for magazines and we are currently working on Issue 2 of The Crochet Project, plus its exciting new sister publication, out in January. 2013 is going to be busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Kat has kindly offered a copy of 'Crochet at Play' for one lucky CftC reader. 
If that wasn't enough,  she will also include the original (discontinued) yarn to make a lion hat!
TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment below including an email address/Ravelry username. 
The giveaway is open to international readers, and the winner will be randomly selected on
SUNDAY MAY 12th 2013.   Entry is now closed! 

You can find Kat at her Blog (also on Facebook). Follow the virtual book tour below: 
After recently publishing an infographic about secret stashes, and another about my own knitting evolution, today's Knitting & Crochet Blog Week prompt did not seem entirely out of the ordinary. As is often the case with my doodles, inspiration for this came from my Mum who is a "regular knitter" and often looks at me like I'm completely mad. If you're visiting from KCBW, I'm sure you'll understand. 

KCBW day 3 - info graphic comparing a regular knitter with a knitting blogger.

If you're a regular Wednesday visitor looking for my WIPs and books update, you can find a summary of current projects on Monday's post. This coming Friday I'll be hosting the Crochet at Play book tour, and will have an interview with author and designer Kat Goldin, which I'm sure you won't want to miss. Next Wednesday I'll be reviewing The Great British Sewing Bee book and the Amy Herzog Class "Knit to Flatter" (which I'm half way through and absolutely loving) so stay tuned!

Do you know the difference? ( 4KCBWday3 )

After recently publishing an infographic about secret stashes, and another about my own knitting evolution, today's Knitting & Crochet Blog Week prompt did not seem entirely out of the ordinary. As is often the case with my doodles, inspiration for this came from my Mum who is a "regular knitter" and often looks at me like I'm completely mad. If you're visiting from KCBW, I'm sure you'll understand. 

KCBW day 3 - info graphic comparing a regular knitter with a knitting blogger.

If you're a regular Wednesday visitor looking for my WIPs and books update, you can find a summary of current projects on Monday's post. This coming Friday I'll be hosting the Crochet at Play book tour, and will have an interview with author and designer Kat Goldin, which I'm sure you won't want to miss. Next Wednesday I'll be reviewing The Great British Sewing Bee book and the Amy Herzog Class "Knit to Flatter" (which I'm half way through and absolutely loving) so stay tuned!

Welcome to the second day of Knitting & Crochet Blog Week. Today's prompt includes this instruction: "Your task today is to either think of or research a project that embodies that house/animal."

I wrote yesterday that my 'house' for the week is "The House of Bee" and while preparing this post I became totally sidetracked by this 3 minute video which, for me, shows the awesomeness of nature (which I strive to understand) and mathematics (which I really don't understand at all). I am completely fascinated by things like this.



It should come as little surprise that my "mascot project" is The Beekeeper's Quilt (by Tiny Owl Knits). Not only is this project directly related to bees and made up of hexagons, but it is the project I have been buzzing back to for almost 18 months as we have a very 'on-again-off-again' relationship.

When I bought the pattern and decided to cast on, I had no idea how much this one project would teach me, including:
  • how to use DPNs 
  • Judy's magic cast on
  • various different ways of binding off
  • how to reduce laddering when using magic loop
  • and perhaps most of all, patience, as it'll probably be a few more years before there are enough hexipuffs for a quilt, and I'm perfectly happy with that. 
I'm not sure how much more there is to learn from this quilt but I'm still applying new techniques to it, such as knitting 3 or 4 at a time. Most of all, I love looking at it - the different yarns, textures and colours. Several of the yarns came from other projects and some are 'scraps' sent by friends I've met here on the blog which is also very special. So yes, this is my mascot project for the week but also probably for life.
Hexipuffs!!!! KCBW day 2

A Mascot Project ( 4KCBWday2 )

Welcome to the second day of Knitting & Crochet Blog Week. Today's prompt includes this instruction: "Your task today is to either think of or research a project that embodies that house/animal."

I wrote yesterday that my 'house' for the week is "The House of Bee" and while preparing this post I became totally sidetracked by this 3 minute video which, for me, shows the awesomeness of nature (which I strive to understand) and mathematics (which I really don't understand at all). I am completely fascinated by things like this.



It should come as little surprise that my "mascot project" is The Beekeeper's Quilt (by Tiny Owl Knits). Not only is this project directly related to bees and made up of hexagons, but it is the project I have been buzzing back to for almost 18 months as we have a very 'on-again-off-again' relationship.

When I bought the pattern and decided to cast on, I had no idea how much this one project would teach me, including:
  • how to use DPNs 
  • Judy's magic cast on
  • various different ways of binding off
  • how to reduce laddering when using magic loop
  • and perhaps most of all, patience, as it'll probably be a few more years before there are enough hexipuffs for a quilt, and I'm perfectly happy with that. 
I'm not sure how much more there is to learn from this quilt but I'm still applying new techniques to it, such as knitting 3 or 4 at a time. Most of all, I love looking at it - the different yarns, textures and colours. Several of the yarns came from other projects and some are 'scraps' sent by friends I've met here on the blog which is also very special. So yes, this is my mascot project for the week but also probably for life.
Hexipuffs!!!! KCBW day 2

Before I get onto the first topic for Knitting & Crochet Blog Week, I'd like to extend a huge welcome to anyone visiting for the first time. It's great to have you here, and of course to have the opportunity to hook up with so many other crafty bloggers over the next seven days. I hope that you like what you find here, and that you'll have time to leave a quick message in the comments so I can pop over and see you too - I'm really looking forward to it.


This week I'll be blogging as part of The House of Bee. You see, of the four houses this really is the only one for me....

When I started knitting, I had really good intentions. My aim was to finish each project before starting the next (and not to buy more yarn than I needed for the current project, but that's another story). Over the last couple of years, I realised this is not only impossible (for me), but highly impractical. Different projects most definitely fit different moods and crafting opportunities. Let me show you my current projects by way of explanation. 
KCBW day 1
Yes, I have five active WIPs, plus a long-term project I'll be telling you about tomorrow. Whippoorwill is "TV knitting" - simple enough to not need too much attention, and nice long rows. Sounds good, huh? Yes, until a couple of weeks ago I was watching a TV programme (that my husband worked on and so he was chatting about it at the same time) while knitting happily along until I realised I had veered off the pattern. The second time this has happened with this 'simple' knit - so simple, I get complacent. It'll get finished, but not this week.

Saturday is someone's fourth birthday and two of my projects need to be ready before her party. With the deadline looming these are my focus for the week - the rest will have to wait. 

The Deja Vu socks (which I really didn't want to photograph again until finished, but we already established what happens to my best-laid plans) are "waiting outside ballet/karate/swimming knitting". Easily transported and with just the ribbing to finish, these are very easy to pick up and put down. This project lives in my handbag and will be replaced by another pair of socks once finished. 

Which brings me onto the final WIP - the crochet bag I started making and writing up during the school holidays. For those with children I probably need say no more. If you don't have children, let me just say that it's almost impossible to concentrate enough to write a pattern/recipe when they are both here, and I somehow managed to delete everything I'd written so far! Luckily I have notes in my Traveler's Notebook, but there hasn't been time to go back to it yet. 

So you see, if I only had one project I'd be scuppered. And as much as I'd like to think myself a 'monkey' who can tackle ambitious patterns to develop my skills with each new thing, it would be totally impractical. Being a busy buzzy bee suits me perfectly... for now. 

You can find more information about KCBW here and today's other posts by clicking this link. Have a great day - hope to see you tomorrow! 

Busy Buzzy Bee! ( 4KCBWday1 )

Before I get onto the first topic for Knitting & Crochet Blog Week, I'd like to extend a huge welcome to anyone visiting for the first time. It's great to have you here, and of course to have the opportunity to hook up with so many other crafty bloggers over the next seven days. I hope that you like what you find here, and that you'll have time to leave a quick message in the comments so I can pop over and see you too - I'm really looking forward to it.


This week I'll be blogging as part of The House of Bee. You see, of the four houses this really is the only one for me....

When I started knitting, I had really good intentions. My aim was to finish each project before starting the next (and not to buy more yarn than I needed for the current project, but that's another story). Over the last couple of years, I realised this is not only impossible (for me), but highly impractical. Different projects most definitely fit different moods and crafting opportunities. Let me show you my current projects by way of explanation. 
KCBW day 1
Yes, I have five active WIPs, plus a long-term project I'll be telling you about tomorrow. Whippoorwill is "TV knitting" - simple enough to not need too much attention, and nice long rows. Sounds good, huh? Yes, until a couple of weeks ago I was watching a TV programme (that my husband worked on and so he was chatting about it at the same time) while knitting happily along until I realised I had veered off the pattern. The second time this has happened with this 'simple' knit - so simple, I get complacent. It'll get finished, but not this week.

Saturday is someone's fourth birthday and two of my projects need to be ready before her party. With the deadline looming these are my focus for the week - the rest will have to wait. 

The Deja Vu socks (which I really didn't want to photograph again until finished, but we already established what happens to my best-laid plans) are "waiting outside ballet/karate/swimming knitting". Easily transported and with just the ribbing to finish, these are very easy to pick up and put down. This project lives in my handbag and will be replaced by another pair of socks once finished. 

Which brings me onto the final WIP - the crochet bag I started making and writing up during the school holidays. For those with children I probably need say no more. If you don't have children, let me just say that it's almost impossible to concentrate enough to write a pattern/recipe when they are both here, and I somehow managed to delete everything I'd written so far! Luckily I have notes in my Traveler's Notebook, but there hasn't been time to go back to it yet. 

So you see, if I only had one project I'd be scuppered. And as much as I'd like to think myself a 'monkey' who can tackle ambitious patterns to develop my skills with each new thing, it would be totally impractical. Being a busy buzzy bee suits me perfectly... for now. 

You can find more information about KCBW here and today's other posts by clicking this link. Have a great day - hope to see you tomorrow! 
Blogging Tips (in preparation for KCBW)

The sun was shining and I actually used the clothesline today, which means it finally feels like Spring! There are many obvious benefits to the longer brighter days but two quite unfortunate downsides which have occured to me. Firstly it's too warm for the wool hat I made at the weekend. The second, and most disturbing, is that I find myself compelled to do what can ony be described as "Spring cleaning". I know. It's not usually something I would do with enthusiasm but the sun showing up dust and fingerprints had me cleaning windows at 7am yesterday and 'being domestic' for much of today. It's not just the house that has been having a blitz. I've been busy with a little behind-the-scenes work on the blog in advance of the 4th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week (my third - last time I won a prize!).

When I first joined in I had been blogging for just a few weeks and it was a great way to plan and structure posts, reach new readers and find inspirational bloggers - I am still following some of them. If you don't know about KCBW, please read the details here. Essentially all you need to do to take part is blog along next week using the daily prompts and tag your posts so others can find you.

After speaking to a few other bloggers, I thought it might be worth posting some tips on preparing for the event so that newer participants can make the most of it.

1. MAKE THE DECISION 

KCBW is something for anyone who knits/crochets and writes about it on their blog, or would like to start blogging about it. No specific experience is necessary and the daily tags mean there will be a ready-made audience for your posts - if they like what they find, they may visit again, so it's a really great opportunity. In my opinion it's also a perfect time to re-start a blog that you have let go for one reason or another. If it's something you want to do, you have the rest of this week to get ready.

2. PLAN YOUR POSTS

The topics and prompts have already been published (here) and with almost a week to write and schedule some (or all) of the posts in advance, it's possible to take part even if you will be on holiday/ too busy/ anything else that usually prevents you from doing what you want to do. I generally set up a draft for the seven prompts, a few days before KCBW. Familiar with the topics, I can then add to them when I think of something relevant. In this way the posts take very little time on the day of publication.

3. BLOW AWAY THE COBWEBS

Ok, this is a huge topic in itself but here are a few things I have already done or am in the process of doing to make CftC appealing to visitors old and new, and which might prompt you to start your own revamp:

  • How does your blog look? What would you think if you were visiting it for the first time? Do you think it will portray what you'd like it to, in terms of your style/content etc?
  • Fussy fonts and busy backgrounds can be instant turn-offs. Do you have clear font(s) and a background that works well with the layout of your posts and that is easy on the eye? If you're not sure, ask for feedback. 
  • How long ago did you decide on the header and layout? Are they still relevant? Would they benefit from a makeover? 
  • Is it easy to read your blog on a mobile/tablet?  If not, should you enable the mobile version? (Blogger 'how-to' here.)
  • Is the formatting consistent and easy to read? My old posts aren't, as a previous theme had less room for images - I am going back and changing the formatting when I spot something that doesn't look right in the new template. 
  • Is there anything to entice visitors  to read other posts? (Link-within widget, lists of popular posts, etc)
  • Can visitors 'like', 'follow', or 'pin' you? If not, would you like them to? 

4. MAKE COMMENTING EASY

Presumably you blog because you want people to read what you have written and give feedback. If you didn't you'd probably be writing a diary. My opinion on captcha /word verification is well documented, but I feel it bears repeating. Please make it easy to comment on your posts. I read lots of blogs and love to leave comments but it's getting increasingly difficult. As a reader I find this frustrating for both myself and the people who will never know I stopped by and felt sufficiently interested to leave them a few words.

During the next week I'm hoping to leave as many comments as possible and if you are using various methods of spam prevention I'd love you to consider it from this perspective which I share with many others too:
  • Firstly, it's often really tricky to leave comments from an iPhone or iPad. I don't know about other devices but it is especially difficult if the word verification image is unclear on a small screen and the first attempt is wrong or it requires spaces/deletions. It's often completely impossible to go back and retype the word. 
  • If clicking through to a blog via twitter/facebook/instagram apps on devices the same problems  can occur via the in-app browsers. If you are using social media to promote your posts, the chances are people are accessing your posts in this way and may have difficulty passing all the verification checks. 
  • If I can't leave a comment on the first attempt I have to decide to either spend lots of time attempting to retype and resubmit the comment, or I can go ahead and read a few more blogs instead. My time is limited and there are lots of blogs I want to read, so the latter usually wins. 
  • This one drives me really mad. I call it 'the belt and braces approach'. Let's say I've decided to go back and try again (sometimes more than once, but I've read a really good post or seen an awesome project and feel compelled to say something about it). Eventually I might be able to verify the word in order to post the comment, perhaps I've switched on a computer just to comment, only to find... comment moderation is also on and the comment needs approval. ARGH! By this point I usually vow never to comment on the blog again, perhaps to never read it for fear of wanting to comment, because frankly my blood pressure can't take much more.
  • How about switching word verification off for KCBW and seeing how you get on? It may take less time to deal with the odd spam comment than approving everything and it'll leave you with more time to visit other blogs and spread a bit of love. You may just end up with some nice comments :) 

5. PREPARE TO SHARE

Allow some time during the week to find other participant blogs and tell them you have visited. When someone has spent time writing a post and they can see (from their stats) that people have visited it, it's great to have feedback, especially when it's positive and encouraging. As well as making them happy, bloggers are more likely to visit your blog if you have left them a comment. Which is the perfect time to say that if you have managed to make it all the way through this mammoth post, thank you and it would be lovely to hear from you!

Spring, Tips & Preparations (for KCBW)

Blogging Tips (in preparation for KCBW)

The sun was shining and I actually used the clothesline today, which means it finally feels like Spring! There are many obvious benefits to the longer brighter days but two quite unfortunate downsides which have occured to me. Firstly it's too warm for the wool hat I made at the weekend. The second, and most disturbing, is that I find myself compelled to do what can ony be described as "Spring cleaning". I know. It's not usually something I would do with enthusiasm but the sun showing up dust and fingerprints had me cleaning windows at 7am yesterday and 'being domestic' for much of today. It's not just the house that has been having a blitz. I've been busy with a little behind-the-scenes work on the blog in advance of the 4th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week (my third - last time I won a prize!).

When I first joined in I had been blogging for just a few weeks and it was a great way to plan and structure posts, reach new readers and find inspirational bloggers - I am still following some of them. If you don't know about KCBW, please read the details here. Essentially all you need to do to take part is blog along next week using the daily prompts and tag your posts so others can find you.

After speaking to a few other bloggers, I thought it might be worth posting some tips on preparing for the event so that newer participants can make the most of it.

1. MAKE THE DECISION 

KCBW is something for anyone who knits/crochets and writes about it on their blog, or would like to start blogging about it. No specific experience is necessary and the daily tags mean there will be a ready-made audience for your posts - if they like what they find, they may visit again, so it's a really great opportunity. In my opinion it's also a perfect time to re-start a blog that you have let go for one reason or another. If it's something you want to do, you have the rest of this week to get ready.

2. PLAN YOUR POSTS

The topics and prompts have already been published (here) and with almost a week to write and schedule some (or all) of the posts in advance, it's possible to take part even if you will be on holiday/ too busy/ anything else that usually prevents you from doing what you want to do. I generally set up a draft for the seven prompts, a few days before KCBW. Familiar with the topics, I can then add to them when I think of something relevant. In this way the posts take very little time on the day of publication.

3. BLOW AWAY THE COBWEBS

Ok, this is a huge topic in itself but here are a few things I have already done or am in the process of doing to make CftC appealing to visitors old and new, and which might prompt you to start your own revamp:

  • How does your blog look? What would you think if you were visiting it for the first time? Do you think it will portray what you'd like it to, in terms of your style/content etc?
  • Fussy fonts and busy backgrounds can be instant turn-offs. Do you have clear font(s) and a background that works well with the layout of your posts and that is easy on the eye? If you're not sure, ask for feedback. 
  • How long ago did you decide on the header and layout? Are they still relevant? Would they benefit from a makeover? 
  • Is it easy to read your blog on a mobile/tablet?  If not, should you enable the mobile version? (Blogger 'how-to' here.)
  • Is the formatting consistent and easy to read? My old posts aren't, as a previous theme had less room for images - I am going back and changing the formatting when I spot something that doesn't look right in the new template. 
  • Is there anything to entice visitors  to read other posts? (Link-within widget, lists of popular posts, etc)
  • Can visitors 'like', 'follow', or 'pin' you? If not, would you like them to? 

4. MAKE COMMENTING EASY

Presumably you blog because you want people to read what you have written and give feedback. If you didn't you'd probably be writing a diary. My opinion on captcha /word verification is well documented, but I feel it bears repeating. Please make it easy to comment on your posts. I read lots of blogs and love to leave comments but it's getting increasingly difficult. As a reader I find this frustrating for both myself and the people who will never know I stopped by and felt sufficiently interested to leave them a few words.

During the next week I'm hoping to leave as many comments as possible and if you are using various methods of spam prevention I'd love you to consider it from this perspective which I share with many others too:
  • Firstly, it's often really tricky to leave comments from an iPhone or iPad. I don't know about other devices but it is especially difficult if the word verification image is unclear on a small screen and the first attempt is wrong or it requires spaces/deletions. It's often completely impossible to go back and retype the word. 
  • If clicking through to a blog via twitter/facebook/instagram apps on devices the same problems  can occur via the in-app browsers. If you are using social media to promote your posts, the chances are people are accessing your posts in this way and may have difficulty passing all the verification checks. 
  • If I can't leave a comment on the first attempt I have to decide to either spend lots of time attempting to retype and resubmit the comment, or I can go ahead and read a few more blogs instead. My time is limited and there are lots of blogs I want to read, so the latter usually wins. 
  • This one drives me really mad. I call it 'the belt and braces approach'. Let's say I've decided to go back and try again (sometimes more than once, but I've read a really good post or seen an awesome project and feel compelled to say something about it). Eventually I might be able to verify the word in order to post the comment, perhaps I've switched on a computer just to comment, only to find... comment moderation is also on and the comment needs approval. ARGH! By this point I usually vow never to comment on the blog again, perhaps to never read it for fear of wanting to comment, because frankly my blood pressure can't take much more.
  • How about switching word verification off for KCBW and seeing how you get on? It may take less time to deal with the odd spam comment than approving everything and it'll leave you with more time to visit other blogs and spread a bit of love. You may just end up with some nice comments :) 

5. PREPARE TO SHARE

Allow some time during the week to find other participant blogs and tell them you have visited. When someone has spent time writing a post and they can see (from their stats) that people have visited it, it's great to have feedback, especially when it's positive and encouraging. As well as making them happy, bloggers are more likely to visit your blog if you have left them a comment. Which is the perfect time to say that if you have managed to make it all the way through this mammoth post, thank you and it would be lovely to hear from you!

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