earning my stripes

I've been writing yarnstorm for three years now. I know there is no official timing for these things, but I do feel as though I have earned my blogging stripes.

When I started in February 2005 I had absolutely no idea where I would go with the blog or where the blog would take me. There was no plan; I didn't even know if I would enjoy it, so I just took it one day at a time. I knew I wanted to write about knitting, but apart from that there was no master-plan. In fact, yarnstorm grew organically, with one thing leading to the next, until I had a blog which encompassed all the things I love and which I was delighted to be writing.

But the blogging experience would not have been the same without you. These three years of taking photographs and putting my thoughts into words have been enriched by the ongoing conversations and discussions that have been woven into the blog through your comments. As a result of creating yarnstorm I have met many amazing people - some in person and some via email correspondence - and I count myself very fortunate to have such lovely readers.

So, with my stripes on my feet, I now wonder what the fourth year will bring. I don't like to look too far into the future, but I think and hope that there are plenty of good things to come. 

Thank you for visiting. Thank you especially to anyone who was here from the start. We've come a long way, us veterans. You, too, have earned your yarnstorm stripes.                         

                                   *** 

These are my pebble beach socks. I love this beach, especially when it has rained in the night and all the stones glisten in the morning sunlight. There are plants and little tufts of grass here and there which match the colours in the yarn, and while I was knitting the socks at home I kept thinking of this lovely stretch of Suffolk coastline.

The socks are knitted on 3.5dpns with Opal Crazy #1901 from Modern Knitting, a recent discovery and a brilliant source of sock yarn. Their service is great, too. The pattern is very basic and came free with a ball of yarn.

The pictures were taken on the beach early in the morning when only dog-walkers and sock-photographers were out.

Comments

[Jessica]

Congratulations on your 3 year blogoversary! This has to be my favourite blog - I never know what I will find when I load up this page, but so far it has always inspired me.

I've only been here reading for about one 1 year - so I can I claim yarnstorm stripes for that?

[lavendergreen]

Congratulations Jane! I read that entry with trepidation though, thinking you were about to give it all up. Perish the thought!

I've just done an interview for a piece a magazine I used to work for is doing on gals who like to sew, knit and bake and I made sure to get mention of the blog, Gentle Arts and your upcoming book in there, so I'll make sure your publisher's publicity department gets a copy. Just spreading the love!

x

[Kai]

Happy Blogiversary!

I'm a newbie to your blog. I'll be sticking around from now on! :)

Love the socks.

[kristina]

Thank you so much for three wonderful years. I've been reading your blog from the beginning and have enjoyed every minute :) And thank you so much for the link to Modern Knitting.

[Helen Owen]

Well done-I was worried that you were going to stop your blog Jane which would be very sad as I so enjoy your blog even though I don't always respond but I find your blog such an inspiration. I was nursing my terminally ill father in the Western Isles until last month and your blog was always my first stop when I got near a computer. Here's to the next 3 years!
Helen

[tona]

Happy bloggiversary. You are one of the best, and one of the best things about your blog is you're not trying to imitate anyone else, you're just being yourself.

You have probably posted this somewhere, but if not: I am so curious about how you get the stripes to line up if you're working off a single ball of yarn. Do you divide it by winding it & guessing at the stripes, or weighing it, or some other technique? I'd love to get mine to look like these.

[Margaret Powling]

Well done! Onwards and upwards, as the saying goes! Love the socks, by the way! But where is the beach ...

[Ühltje]

Happy blogiversary and I hope to be able to enjoy your entries for many years to come. You have a way with colour and words that many a blogger should be jealous of.

[GingerSquirrel]

I've been reading your blog for about 6 months now and I'm completely in love with it. Whenever I feel a bit on edge, I have a flick through your book, and pay a visit to Yarnstorm. Perfect for cold winter nights - and crafty inspiration!

TGS

[Sarah R]

Happy blogiversary...boy, that's a wretched word. Happy three years! I've enjoyed your writing and pictures so much for the time I've been reading it.

But I think your stripes have measles! ;^)

[carol Frederick]

Congrats on this accomplishment! Yours is the first place I go each morning. Love the flowers, knitting, cooking, quilting, stories of your children, etc., etc., etc.
Best wishes for many more posts!

[carol Frederick]

Hi there - long time lurker, first time poster.

Congrats on this accomplishment! Yours is the first place I go each morning. Love the flowers, knitting, cooking, quilting, stories of your children, etc., etc., etc. - not to mention the writing.
Best wishes for many more posts!

[Janice]

For one awful moment, I thought you were going to write that yarnstorm was going to stop! Like so many others, I look every day and enjoy all the things you share with us. I, too, was drawn to blogging through knitting and am now feeling that I need to sort out my blog (as well as everything else!). Yours is an inspiration to keep going. Who knows what will happen, indeed?!

[Elina]

Have known your blog for about 1-2 years, and every time I visit I enjoy your photos, your sharings. So thanks, Jane!

[Tammy]

Congratulations on 3 years! I think I've been reading for the past 2 + years, I am not sure when I started reading your blog!

I love that sock yarn! It makes very pretty socks. Thanks for posting the link, I'm going now to check it out.

[dottycookie]

Congrats on three years - that's quite an achievement. And thank you for the woolly link; your socks are some of the prettiest I've seen in a while.

[Marsha]

Congratulations on reaching three years! And best wishes for many more years of happy blogging.

[emily]

i'm so glad you've been here these three years. and that i found you just more than a year ago. and that you're here, still, sharing your craft, sharing new and different ways of seeing beauty in the world.

(and those socks! fantastic.)

[Daisy]

Congratulations! I've just moved to your part of the world so am looking forward to seeing more of the places you've visited. I think I went to the Savill Garden at virtually the same time as you!

[Elizabeth D]

Jane, I made socks from that same yarn last summer! Another reader of your blog now owns them (hi, Lisa!). . . it was fun to open up your blog and see their cousins. I started reading your blog the day you introduced one of your ladies, Beatrice Emerald, to the world, and I've been devoted ever since.

[Rosa]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your blog-iversary. The socks on the pebbles are lovely. One of the reasons I love your blog is your combination of post and pictures. Over the years, I've changed my blog to reflect that same style. It is like looking through a magazine; the summary doesn't come alive without an amazing photo. Thank you!

[Bobbi]

Hello Jane, let me add to all the good wishes. You're the first place my eyes go every morning. The light in your photos is so refreshing and different from what we have in Southern California. As one who's tried her hand at a few scarves, I marvel at your knitting ability. You're a true inspiration to the creative in all of us. Bobbi

[Cindy]

Love your stripes! Thank you.

[Teresa]

Can it really be three years? It is so hard to imagine life without Yarnstorm now. Congratulations, Jane. I can't think of a better pair of socks or a better beach on which to celebrate. Long may your enjoyment of blogging last.

[Debbie from Illinois]

Congratulations on 3 wonderful blogging years. Is that green grass I see in your sock photos? I haven't seen grass in months! We are having a VERY snowy winter here in Chicagoland.

Have a great day!