MKG Cable Gram - Volume 22, Number 1

Knitblogs -- short for "knitting weblogs" -- have exploded in popularity on the Internet. Blogs are personal websites which can be used as personal diaries, opinion pages, how-to sites -- in short, they can be used in any context the author wishes. For knitters, that context ranges from an online register of knitting work begun and finished to providing how-to help for other knitters to opinions about trends in the world of knitting. Knitblogs are a creative outlet not just for knitting information, but for personal and creative urges of any kind.

Possibly the most famous knitblog is Yarn Harlot (www.yarnharlot.ca), Canadian Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s ongoing, often humorous, exploration of her knitting life. Author of two books with a third on the way, the Yarn Harlot is followed by so many loyal readers that her recent proposal to have a Knitting Olympics drew over 4000 registrants -- more than the number of actual Olympic athletes.

Beyond the Yarn Harlot, there is an entire universe of knitting chat, lore, help, and friendship. The knitblog world is as diverse as the real-world of knitters, comprising young and old, newbie and long- time knitters, women and men, local and international, dog lovers and cat lovers. Knitters have lots of opinions, both on knitting and on other topics, including popular culture, food, politics, and occasionally, the knitblog world itself. Here are just a very few examples of the blogs that I subscribe to via Bloglines (www.bloglines.com) in order not to miss a single entry (and please note that I don’t necessarily endorse the opinions expressed on these blogs, but I do recommend them for fun reading):

Crazy Aunt Purl (http://www.crazyauntpurl.com): Her tagline ("Because nothing is sexier than a divorced woman with four cats") sets the tone for this newbie-knitter's site. Usually funny, this part knitting fun, part personal diary of her rough year of divorce is well worth a visit. Don’t miss the monthly horoscopes.

Knit and Tonic (knitandtonic.typepad.com): An obsessed knitter and mother, Wendy’s writing is both ironic and reflective, plus she sells her self-designed patterns through her site.

Yarnstorm (yarnstorm.blogs.com): This Brit has a delightful site not just of knitting, but of quilting and baking. Her food photography is beautiful, but don't visit her site on an empty stomach -- you'll be running off to your local bakery in no time.

Will Pillage For Yarn (yarnpirate.blogspot.com): This self-described goth girl reflects not just on knitting, but on home schooling her two daughters, her political beliefs, and helping her raver husband develop his arts career.

Dan Vera (danvera.typepad.com): His tagline also tells the story: "poems * knits & politix." Besides covering a wide range of topics, Dan's Blog is a great example of the growing world of male knitters.

Stitchy McYarnpants (yarnpants.blogspot.com): An infrequent blogger -- unfortunately -- Stitchy is also very funny, and her site includes the uproarious "Museum of Kitschy Stitches."

January One (www.januaryone.com): Named for the birth date of the author, this blog is a stream-of-consciousness reverie of the joys and sorrows of the knitting process. The author is a professional photographer; consequently, this blog has better-than-average photography.

The Knitting Curmudgeon (www.knittingcurmudgeon.com): Definitely not everyone's cuppa, the Knitting Curmudgeon is possibly one of the most opinionated knitters out there in blogland (her tagline is "Shut up, I'm counting"). Love her or hate her, she's never dull -- and she's a star knitter.

Now Norma Knits (nownormaknits2.typepad.com): Freelance court reporter by trade, Norma is also obsessed with knitting, gardening, holistic medicine, and cooking -- all reported with a wry (and sometimes bawdy) sense of humor.

You Knit What?? (youknitwhat.blogspot.com): Speaking of opinionated, this site -- not for the faint of heart or those who disapprove of profanity -- blogs about knitting patterns and designs that are, at least to them, questionable in taste.

Amy C. Rea is a Twin Cities freelance writer, relatively new knitter, and even newer blogger. Visit her at www.knitthink.typepad.com to read about her knitting successes (rare) and failures (frequent), and enjoy the nice doggy pictures, too.