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Well howdy there! 25. books. art. makeup. video games. history. animals. knitting. my nose is flexible. all the things. safe place for lgbtq+.

[classicalsongbirdknits]

Whether you have a mental illness battling for your attention, struggle with brain fog, deal with chronic fatigue, have a limited number of spoons, or are simply just a little bit distractible, here are my top tips for keeping your knitting brain fog-proof and stress free.

More tips and tricks on my blog.

(Text for infographic below the cut)

Tips for Knitting with Brain Fog

01 - invest in a row counter: To this day, my row counter is my best friend. With my OCD, I often doubt which row I’m on, and whether I remember completing the last row or not, so having a row counter to remind me is life saving. I have multiple row counters, so they can each live on their respective projects and I always have one on hand when I need it.

02 - avoid dark colours: Dark colours make it harder to see your stitches, and if you’re likely to lose your train of thought, being able to easily read your knitting and count your rows will be invaluable (especially if you have cause to doubt the accuracy of your row counter). Plus, straining your eyes to read your knitting isn’t going to help on the fatigue side of things.

03 - use a ruler while knitting charts: Line up your ruler so it underlines the row you’re working, and as you finish each row, slide the ruler up to the next one. Easy to locate where you’re at and no fuss trying to find the same row over and over again as you look back between the chart and your work = less strain and less fatigue for your brain.

04 - have a hard project and a break project: Sometimes you want to knit that incredibly difficult cardigan pattern with all the cables and bobbles and fiddly bits. Sometimes you just want to knit something little in the round while you watch TV in bed. Having a complex project and an easy project ready to be picked up means you can knit whatever you have the spoons/mental capacity to knit.

[knit-me-a-blanket]

Unlocking the Magic of Ravelry: A Guide to the Biggest Online Fiber Arts Community

If you're a knitter, crocheter, spinner, or fiber arts enthusiast, chances are you've heard whispers of a place called Ravelry. For those new to the scene or just dipping their toes into the yarn-filled waters, Ravelry is more than just a website—it's a treasure trove of inspiration, organization, and community. Here’s what you need to know to get started and make the most of this fiber-lover’s paradise.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for your first scarf pattern or a seasoned designer managing dozens of published works, Ravelry is an incredible tool. It helps you organize your craft, discover new ideas, and join a global community that understands the thrill of finishing that last sleeve or unraveling an entire sweater (we’ve all been there).

What is Ravelry?

Ravelry is a free social networking site and database designed specifically for fiber artists. Launched in 2007, it quickly became the go-to platform for tracking projects, discovering patterns, and connecting with fellow crafters from around the world. Think of it as a combination of Pinterest, Goodreads, and a really helpful knitting circle—all wrapped up in one cozy interface.

Let's Get Started

1. Create a Free Account Visit www.ravelry.com and sign up. You’ll just need a username, email, and password. Once you're in, you’ll have access to thousands of free and paid patterns, forums, yarn databases, and tools. Please add me as a friend once you've created you're account! I'd love to see what all of you are up to!

Once your account is set up, you can take this time to set up your profile. Mind is linked with a couple of projects I'm working on, my blog, and I'm currently working on building out my yarn stash database.

Explore Patterns

One of Ravelry’s biggest draws is its massive pattern library. You can search by:

Craft (knitting, crochet, weaving, etc.)

Yarn weight

Project type (socks, sweaters, shawls, etc.)

Free vs. paid

Difficulty level

Each pattern includes notes from the designer, photos, and—best of all—user-submitted projects so you can see how the pattern works up in different yarns or sizes. Ravelry has a really great set of filters, so I suggest playing around with it and seeing what works best for you!

Log Your Projects

Want to remember what size needles you used for that hat last winter? Or which yarn didn’t work out so well? The “Projects” tab lets you document every detail:

Pattern used

Yarn and yardage

Hook or needle size

Notes and modifications

Progress photos

This not only helps you stay organized, but also contributes to the collective wisdom of the Ravelry community.

Stash and Library Features

Stash – Catalog all the yarn you own. This can help when you’re out shopping and wondering, “Do I already have something like this at home?”

Library – Keep track of all the patterns you’ve downloaded or favorited. It’s especially useful for managing PDF files and ensuring you don’t accidentally buy the same pattern twice.

Connect with the Community

Ravelry is also home to thousands of groups based on location, interests, fandoms, yarn brands, designers, and more. You can ask for advice, join knit-alongs, or just chat with fellow fiber nerds.

The forums are active and full of helpful threads on techniques, troubleshooting, and yarn recommendations.

Marketplace and Indie Designers

Ravelry supports thousands of indie designers who sell their patterns directly through the site. You can often message designers with questions, follow your favorites, and even leave tips. Supporting small creators has never been so seamless.

So grab your yarn, your needles, and a cup of tea—Ravelry is waiting.

Have you used Ravelry before? What’s your favorite feature? Drop a comment or share your profile—I’d love to follow your fiber adventures!

[knitspix]

Original free pattern of EAT THE RICH on Ravelry by Lanja Khon-Engheim

My variation with TAX THE RICH also on Ravelry

[woundworship]

i desperately want to make these wrist warmers but the pattern (tudor rose by regina hoppel) has been discontinued<\3 if anyone still owns a file for the pattern, could you please send it to me???

[pxsieszn]

Crochet Flowers

[melissarousseauknits]

Hype because I just got this back from my tech editor and the test call goes out tomorrow!

The Isadora Sweater is a showstopper with delicate and distinguished bishop sleeves. The lace is a six stitch repeat that makes for easy kni

[zableye]

something i knitted for fun that took way too long

ig

[ancientknitter]

Sweaters from Knitted Masterpieces (1987) by Ruth Herring

L to R: Achilles / Mona Lisa / Michelangelo Standing Bison / Bayeux Tapestry / Water Lilies The Pharaoh's Tomb / Cherubs / Poppy Fields

[smittenknitten]

The Very Hungry Cardigan!!!!

This is a test knit! I’m not sure when the pattern will be released yet, but I am so obsessed with it!

Pattern by KatieAliceMakes on Instagram

[knithacker]

Knit Grandma and Grandpa’s Cottage, A Fun Pattern From Fluff & Fuzz's Amanda Berry: 👉 https://buff.ly/mlcwDmx 💜

[possiblythembo]

If I had a nickel for every time someone who doesn’t knit told me I should start selling my work I’d make a hell of a lot more money than I would selling hats, I’ll tell you that

[prinz-myshkin]

Lighthouse and seagulls

This is a study of a real lighthouse called Aniva. It's quite picturesque

[liberalsarecool]

First Felon is building a concentration camp at Guantanamo, Cuba.

It had a previous capacity of 800, but First Felon wants to increase to 30,000.

This is a call to action.

[critical-quoter]

December Books

Here we are, the end of 2023. When I first got back into reading, I was not expecting to be so hyper-fixated on it. I was just looking for something to help with the brain fog and mental slump that I was struggling with.

Sweet, Sexy Heart - Melissa Foster ⭐⭐⭐⭐ King of Greed - Ana Huang ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Serendipity - Carly Phillips ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Forever My Girl - Heidi McLaughlin ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Real - Katy Evans ⭐ Bratva Knight - T. J. Maguire ⭐⭐⭐⭐ If I Break - Portia Moore ⭐ Found by You - Victoria H. Smith ⭐⭐⭐ Always Been Mine - Victoria Paige ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Daughter of Smoke and Bone - Laini Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Days of Blood and Starlight - Laini Taylor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Savage - Michelle St. James ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Quick Trick - Skye Jordan ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Captive - Jex Lane ⭐⭐⭐ Forged by Malice - Elizabeth Helen ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gold - Raven Kennedy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Where Good Girls Go to Die - Holly Renee ⭐⭐⭐ Baby Baby: Chicago - Victoria H. Smith ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Risk - S. T. Abby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sidetracked - S. T. Abby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Scarlet Angel - S. T. Abby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All the Lies - S. T. Abby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Paint It Red - S. T. Abby ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bought - Lauren Landish ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Keeping Lily - Izzy Sweet ⭐⭐⭐ Love and Other Words - Christina Lauren ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful Revenge - Sienna Blake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Born, Darkly - Trisha Wolfe ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beg, Borrow or Steal - Susie Tate ⭐⭐⭐ The Kiss Quotient - Helen Hoang ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Breakaway - Heather M. Orgeron ⭐⭐⭐⭐ From Lukov with Love - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Sweetet Oblivion - Danielle Lori ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hero - Lauren Rowe ⭐️⭐️ Wait With Me - Amy Daws ⭐️⭐️ Trick Play - Eden Finley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ His Sweetest Song - Victoria H. Smith ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Gent - Harloe Rae ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Taking It Easy - Erin Nicholas ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Chance - Louise Rose ⭐️ Beyond Repair - Susie Tate ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pestilence - Laura Thalassa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ War - Laura Thalassa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Famine - Laura Thalassa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Death - Laura Thalassa ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Marriage Effect - Karla Sorensen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hidden Miles - Claire Kingsley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Let Me Burn - Carrie Elks ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Deep in the Pocket - Lainey Davis ⭐️⭐️ Secrets of the Sea Lord - Starla Night ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hate to Love You - Jennifer Sucevic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Going Down Easy - Carly Phillips ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Remember When - Judith McNaught ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One for My Enemy - Olivie Blake ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Maddest Obsession - Danielle Lori ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Desperate Measures - Katie Robert ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Serenade to the Elf Queen - Niro J. Halle ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Crow - Erin Trejo ⭐️⭐️ From Now Until Forever - Alexa Rivers ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Taking Meghan - Izzy Sweet ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ruthless Vows - Rebecca Ross ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Breaker - Harloe Rae ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Silenced by Sin - Ashley Lane ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Wild for You - Kendall Ryan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Haunted by Regret - Ashley Lane ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hungry Like a Wolf - Jessica Lynch ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Phantom - Greer Rivers ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Deal Breaker - Melissa McClone ⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Vampire Bewitched - L. E. Wilson ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Beautiful Savage - Caroline Peckham ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Devil Wears Black - L. J. Shen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

71 total books read in December.

[tinyclove]

they're done!! my dreams of stardew valley chicken socks have been fulfilled. what a time to be alive

[merpancake]

SDV feels like it could so easily become a fairy story.

You move to a little coastal town where you begin recovering a plot of land, some of the locals take a shine to you and you to them. It's nice, homey. Everyone is welcoming except for the established town grumps.

Suddenly you realize you never leave town. Everything you want is obtainable at the little mom'n'pop general store, or from some of the locals themselves. You never go into the city to sell goods because the mayor does it for you- right? You never really see him do it. You just lie down in bed and wake up in the morning. When was the last time you dreamed?

You need new shoes and the adventurers club sells you handmade leather boots that fit perfectly despite never asking for a shoe size. Your clothes sew themselves when you lay a bolt of fabric and a random item onto the sewing machine- you blink and it's done.

The general store sells fertilizers that turn your garden plot into a verdant field. You spend all day harvesting crops with tools that gleam silver, gold, purple. Saplings grow over a month into fully productive fruit trees, your beehives drop jars of honey into your hands.

The blacksmith cracks open geodes full of polished gemstones. There's a man in the woods who says he found you in the mines but you were 80 levels deep. The elevator works but the minecarts don't. You gave a diamond to a local girl and she ate it like a plum.

And suddenly everyone is drinking mayonnaise.

[liberalsarecool]

Oh, look. Another conservative white religious man.