Seven Years

Next month, it will be seven years since I started this blog.

Over those years, obviously, there have been lots of changes: moving house, losing my job, starting my business, and finding a new job. Volunteering for a cat shelter, doing charity rides, and now volunteering for animal political advocacy. We've lost two sweet cats, adopted three, and have one who is still going strong at fourteen years old.

Hard to believe that Lexy's been with us a whole year already!

The one constant throughout these years has been my knitting. I've knitted at bike races, while visiting in hospitals, and for charity. I've knit alone, at weekly knit nights, or with friends over coffee. It has been a tremendous pleasure for me; at least, it has been as long as I'm not ripping out rows. :) 

Sadly, in my opinion, the knitting community has changed. When I first started my blog, I could hardly keep up with all the other knitbloggers, the fun contests like The Amazing Race, and the swaps. I looked forward every morning to reading about other knitters' projects, and hearing about new patterns. I couldn't wait to compare notes on the new issues of magazines or new yarns.

This community has all but disappeared. I know many knitters abandoned their blogs to Ravelry, and I understand their reasoning. Blogging is time-consuming, and posting projects not only on your own blog, but also on Ravelry, takes a lot of free time that you could spend on knitting itself. While I do have a Ravelry account, I've never felt the same bond there that we had through blogging. Additionally, a lot of knitters have switched their focus to sewing, embroidery, or cooking, and many have also gotten married and started families and have no more time to knit or craft.

For at least two years I've been debating about the future of my own blog, and I think it's finally time to close the door. I haven't posted in several months, between my new job and a gift project that is taking so much longer than I ever thought it would to complete. I see that Google reader is shutting down now too. So, though it pains me, I wanted to say goodbye to anyone who may still subscribe, and to let you know that you can find me occasionally on Ravelry, Twitter, Polyvore, and Pinterest as knitseashore, or at www.shorelinewriting.com if you are looking for writing and editing assistance. My business is Shoreline Writing Services on FB and ShorelineWrite on Twitter.

Elizabeth Zimmerman said, "Knit on, with confidence and hope, through all crises," and I have done that these past seven years, alone and with friends, through finished objects good and bad. I intend to keep doing that -- to knit through all joys too -- and I hope you will as well. Please keep in touch.

Comments

[2paw]

I agree Debby, so many people stopped making their blog their focus. I still do because I use mine as a kind of diary as well as documenting my craft. I can't find the same connection with The Ravelry unless it is with people I already 'know' in the real or internet world. Good luck with your new ventures and a special farewell pat to your lovely cats. Take care.

[Bridget]

I am sad to see you go, but I also understand. Ravelry is fine for what it does, but I don't find it personal at all, so I keep my blog going. Though I'm pretty sure that now no one reads it, to be honest.

I just like writing it, so I'll keep going. I started it mostly for myself anyway, so I may well end up that way again. :-)

Best of luck to you and Chris, and the kit kats. Please give the kitties a kiss from me.

[sprite]

=(

I'm sorry to see you go, although I do understand your reasoning. I always enjoyed your updates, even if they weren't frequent, and even if they had nothing to do with knitting. (I like hearing about bike rides, books acquired, beaches visited...)

I wish you and Chris and the furry family well!

[Barbara Seiver]

Thanks for the company, and some great writes. Best wishes as you go forward!

[Julia G]

Happy blogiversary, and sad to see the blog wind down! As a fellow knitter, gardener, reader, cyclist, cat rescuer and CT shoreliner, I have enjoyed checking in on your adventures and wish you the best. The blogging vs. Ravelry debate reminds me of letter-writing vs. telephone calls - they both serve different functions. Still, it's hard to find time for everything - best wishes to you and yours!

[Erika]

I'm sorry to see you go, but totally get what you mean about the knitblogging community dwindling. It's been about 3 years since I've written anything meaningful on my own blog. I'll miss your updates on knitting, the cats, cycling and Chris!

[betty]

best wishes to you--

I'm still posting on my blog, so I hope you'll drop by once in a while.

[Kristen]

Debby, I will miss your inspirational blogging. I guess this means we'll never see you modeling the finished pink skirt?!

I share 2paw's and Bridget's thoughts on blogging. Ravelry is a wonderful resource, but I don't use it for socializing. My blog is a record of my life and knitting, though I post infrequently and often seemingly to myself.
Wishing you, Chris, and the kitties the best, and hope we will still stay in touch!

[Jodi]

Debby, I know just what you're saying! I also feel like many knitting blogs now solely exist as advertisements for selling patterns or the like. : (

I'll miss your blog, though... Congrats on the new job and pet the kitties for me.

[Jodi]

Oh yes, I'd love to see the final result of the pink skirt! It was so gorgeous in the making...

[Rebecca H.]

I'm sorry to see the end of the blog, but I do understand your reasoning, and it does make sense for you to put your energy elsewhere. I've enjoyed reading your posts, though, and I'll definitely be in touch in other online places. Thanks for all the writing you've done here!

[Emily Barton]

Sorry to see you closing the door on your blog. I've been a frequent visitor here over the past 7 years (although not consistent). You are very right that the blog world has changed. I now have 3 blogs, and I don't give blogging anywhere near the attention I gave it back when I had only one. I guess we do move on and find other places to put our energy. I know I'll keep in touch, though (even occasionally by that other dying art form, the old-fashioned letter).

[Pam]

I'm sad to see your blog go away - I'm hoping not to lose track of you via Ravelry -- I have yet to start Pinterest or Twitter - the old online life vs. in person life dilemma.

[Lifesastitch]

Funny, I discovered this post when researching how many of us knitting bloggers from the old days are still around. I think your conclusion is sadly correct. All the best.