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Because sometimes I don't feel worthy.

You all are so complimentary about my knitting.  So lovely and I love visiting your blogs too, but do you all ever wonder why?  I mean there are so many blogs out there now -- every time I surf I find someone I've never heard of knitting away on something lovely or waxing poetic about fiber or a spinning wheel.   Why do you come here when there are so many choices? 

When I read Fred's The Slacktivist, I feel shallow.  I feel that my political views could be so much more well-informed and insightful.  And witty, don't forget witty.  I mean that guy draws on factoids and impressions gleaned from folks all over the globe.  And I know... he works for a paper, it's his job.  But that website's not his job.  No, he's got this witty, intelligent, right-thinking pundit (not 'right' as in right-wing, 'right' as in correct, moral, upstanding) inside and that's more than just a job or a  persona, that's an avocation that is. 

And when I read ladies like Wendy or Eunny, I feel like a small knitter.  Of small little things.  That make my heart sing, don't get me wrong, but I'm no Wendy.  Eunny is a genius designer with the patience of Job with the rest of us half-thumbed knitting Neanderthals.  ("Speak for yourself" I hear -- smile)  And Wendy's Wendy.  The first knitblog I read on a regular basis.  And love her or not (I'm enthralled) you've got to admire the sheer volume of lovely, and yes, often green, stuff she knits.

Of course, the Harlot is witty.  Well, beyond witty.  She's the Jon Stewart of knitting.  Knitting's own stand-up act.  And another grand dame of blogging.  Knitting talent, humor, low key sarcasm -- what more could you want?  She's who my mom is talking about when she asks whether I can make any money out of blogging.  'Cause if your Stephanie Pearl-McPhee you can make money from blogging.  Even if it kills you (were you reading about her recent book travails?)

The Go Fug Yourself girls aren't knitters, but they are on the top of my must-read-blog list.  Prolific (of course they don't have to knit everything they talk about, it's handed to them on a red-carpeted plate) and hilarious.  I live for their blog.  Heck, I've been known to quote their blog.  And talk about making money... they've got advertisers.  And hate mail.  And they got a gig at fashion week just for being catty.  Gotta love that.

Franklin's Panopticon is another blog I don't miss.  I told you how much I love that sheep.  And no one can keep a gag going like that guy.  The road-trip this summer was must read stuff.  Oh, and did I tell you that he knits?  And he's a newly baptized socker?  Who's balls of sock yarn are currently being wrangled by the sheep Dolores.  Personality plus that guy.  Must be a hoot at parties.  Ooooo, maybe I'll meet him at Rhinebeck.

Judy's pictures are fabulous, aren't they?  Macro, Micro -- such beauty and serenity in every shot.  Mine are usually just on the black kitchen table which I forget to wipe off half the time... Judy should be making notecards, don't you think?  And if you think she's good behind a camera lens, you should see what she can do with a dye pot!

For sheer cheek and blue language?  Rabbitch (of colorswap fame) and JenLa.  Some days you've got to scrub your eyeballs with Clorox and a toothbrush after you read them, but hey -- that's half the fun.  Edited to ad:  Hey -- those girls can knit too, but that's the very tasty icing on the cake if you ask me.  The fact that they can knit and tell really great stories made their blogs some of my favorites, even before they gave me presents and let me test knit their patterns.  And Margene -- well Zen is the word.  Equanimity, beautiful knitting, prolific and consistent posting (something I've yet to master) and a knack for bringing folks together. 

Aren't we lucky to be included in the lives of all these talented folks?

Anyway... I didn't write this post to get your sympathy and your Hey, we love you too's but to examine our little world aloud for myself.  It's a rich, freaking huge place, isn't it?  Really.  I mean there were more than 6000 participants in the Harlot's Olympics,bloggers and bloggless.  I saw just as many participant blogs as not I think.  And for every one of us that takes the plunge and blogs regularly, there are tons who come and read and contribute through comments.  Every day you can learn something new, see some new pattern, buy some unique yarn... I can hardly believe I get to be part of it sometimes. 

And that you all keep coming back and back and back again.  God love ya.  It's fun isn't it? 

And it keeps me off the streets. 

Comments

[Zarah]

Thanks for all the links - surprisingly enough I don't read all of them - yet!

[Carole]

It IS fun. Loads of fun!

[Ruth]

I have (almost) all of the blogs you listed bookmarked ... another must-read is Kerstin's "Whoopsy Daisy!" (http://whoopsydaisy.my-expressions.com/index.html). Not only does she knit beautifully and take incredible pictures, her commentary about the current political mess says the things I want to say, but for which I can't seem to find the words. So I just read her, nod, and say "RIGHT!"

[Lucia]

Well, OK, but we *do* love you too, so there. I know what you mean, but there are many, many most excellent blogs out there that, for whatever reason, aren't especially popular. I wish I had time to visit all of them every day.

Sadly, Franklin won't be at Rhinebeck, because he has to work some reunion thingy over that weekend. Even incredibly brilliant bloggers gotta eat.

[Rachel]

It is a huge place, but still has that small community feel. I know I've made connections at the store simply by mentioning a blog name we both read or recognizing a St. Louis Knits blogger.

I read nearly all of the ones you listed. sockpr0n.blogspot.com is another must read for me.

[margene]

This Blogland, which we all create, is a very fun and unique place. It amazes me that you can make friends across the miles and feel as connected as if the were next door. It's quite a time we live in. It takes all kinds of vegetables to make a soup and we're all in the larger pot. I for one am very glad you're here.

[La]

Looks like we've got similar tastes! Glad we could be of service in the potty-mouth category ;-)

Seriously, glad to be read, even if it's for the unique uses of 4-letter-words.

[La]

P.S. I read you too, can you tell?

[Paula]

Although I found you when I was your swap pal, I come back to look at the Chevron Socks and think, "I'm gonna make those one day." Oooh, I have yet to tackle entrelac.

[Rabbitch]

Darlin', the only thing I can knit is washcloths and I spin like total ass. If I didn't keep inventing new cusswords they'd all run away ...

[Lucinda (That other Cindy)]

I read knit blogs to see what other people are knitting. It helps get my own creative juices flowing, & it's good to see what patterns & yarns people are enjoying. (Or to hear which things they found disappointing or troublesome, on the other hand.)

I always enjoy seeing new ideas & new perspectives, both on knitting & on other things. I also find reading the St. Louis blogs a good way to connect with other local knitters, as Rachel said.