If it Weren't for the Knitting

Overheard at the local Chili's Restaurant:

Lady says to waiter: "Is your fish farmed or caught in the wild?"

Waiter: "I'll have to check on that for you."

Three seconds later.

Waiter: "We think it's farmed."

Lady: "In that case, I'll have the sirloin chili."

Anyway. Just another weekend over here. I put some ribs in the slow cooker for my husband and his friends. His best friend from boarding school is here for a concert (he's a musician) and he comes to visit with his band-partner about twice a year. I can always count on a big party, one that I wasn't ready for, when they arrive, so I thought I'd lift my pork ban and just go along with it. Thing is, I have the fastest slow cooker known to man. I put five pounds of ribs in at 10:30 this morning and now it's just after two and the meat is falling off the bone. Sheesh. You spend 26 bucks on pork, your slow cooker shorts out, and next thing you know, you have pig-flavored jam.

But this isn't about the pork (anymore, at least). This is about knitting, as always. Because, and let's face it, if it weren't for the knitting . . . if it weren't for the knitting. Well, if it weren't for the knitting is all I have to say.

Now that I'm on the home stretch of the design-part of the book, I'm ready to burst with ideas for more patterns. I must be some sort of glutton for punishment, because now that they're done, my life feels oddly empty.

And something else: I've been seeing discussions here and there about bloggers who "just decide to write books." I wonder why bloggers are looked at differently than generic-others who write books. Many of the others who "decide" to write books happen to be people without blogs. So, what's the big deal? Don't you think that it is irrelevant whether or not one has a blog? What's the big difference? I guess it's hard for me to understand, because I happen to be someone who is writing a book and who happens to have a blog, but I didn't just "decide" to write it. I was offered a deal, and I took it.

Would it be different if a columnist for a newspaper "decided" to write a book?

I don't know. Maybe it's just that this world, even though it has become so big, it has gotten smaller, too. Maybe the windows we open up for the world to peak into give license to discrimination and criticism. I guess that's okay. I guess I understand.

Anyway. I have three skeins of Koigu. It's in a peachy-buttery-brown-y colorway (P620) and I'm in love. I bought three skeins because three skeins will give me more options than socks. But now that I only have three, I am wondering what the heck I could knit.

I suppose I could just keep it there in the skein, as is. As is, is something I could totally go for when it comes to Koigu. To me, Koigu is like an art piece, one that you don't have to dust or rub with mineral oil.

Comments

[Marti]

First?
I dont know why bloggers are looked on as "different" I think you are a great designer. There are so many books and magazines I pick up to check out and the patterns are nothing that I would knit or am capable of knitting.
I am glad for you that you are almost finished with your book. I know that I love to knit but when somseone wants me to knit something specific it seems like part of the joy of knitting is gone. Not that I mind knitting something for someone but more like I have to be in the mood to knit particular thinks and usually the best way to get me to not want to knit something is the presence of pressure.

[Carson]

I love how Girlfriend's smock waaay off in the background echoes your top.
As for the blogger discussions thing: it's quite the can o' worms isn't it?
Human nature is what it is and always has been; good, bad,indifferent, and often prone to criticism. The internet has merely enabled it to move faster in all its facets: both good and bad.
And it's hard to not let it under your skin but you for one should feel vindicated that you've been offered a great deal. You go sister!! ;)

[Natalie]

Be proud of who you are - ignore the rest!

[flutter]

I just got koigu for the first time, from a friend and now I am a koigu hooker.
*eep* That sounded awful, but honestly that stuff is amazing!

[Shannon]

I want to write a book too, but would have no idea about how to go about it. My book would be about a lot of stuff including knitting, but not a knitting book. However, I can't wait to see your book and buy it! Your Knit and Tonic is one of the first things I check each day to see if you have shared your thoughts with us again. You are fun and I say, do what you love to do and the heck with what anyone may say that distracts from that. Keep writing and sharing with us.

[Tammy]

Ugh! It's all ego really. The internet has made it a smaller world but that doesn't discredit anyone's accomplishments. Today any inventor, designer, creator can reach the whole world with their product in a way that was never before possible... But that access in no way guarantees success! Only a small minority will achieve their goals, or stumble into a great opportunity, in this way. It still comes down to the value of what they have to offer.

It's funny when you consider that Mark Twain wrote what he considered his greatest work, "Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc" under a pseudonym and published it as a serialization over 2 years in Harper's Magazine. Since it was out of his typical genre, he felt that such a work would never be accepted or appreciated from his own hand. Imagine that... Mark Twain seeking the anonymity of a magazine to express himself. The series was loved but, of course, when his true identity was revealed it was criticized by his peers. Peers who would've had nothing to say about it otherwise.

Jealousy and ego. Let it roll off you back!

[elizabooth]

I have no clue why anyone would begrudge a person who happens to write a blog the opportunity to publish a book. It's hard to get a book published. If publishers have a daily (or weekly, or whatever) example of your work, they're going to have more faith in you as an author. I think it's awesome that so many people are getting deals and I think its un-awesome that others feel the need to be snarky and jealous.

[knittingnurse]

About the book: it goes along with how knitters aren't taken seriously as a community (and then knitters without borders or the knitting olympics happen) or, for me personally, how I hear things about me being "just a nurse" or being asked "now, why did you change from pre-med to nursing again?". UGH!

There are occupations and/or activities that aren't given the "respect" that others might get (doctor vs. nurse, blogger vs. columnist) and so people automatically look down on them as "lesser". Quite daffy actually. F*** 'em I say. I always get a kick when I get the last laugh over some 'doctor loving, nursing bashing' visitor anyhow. Tee hee. It's my sick sense of humor really. Just wait until you get the last laugh when your book that you just "decided" to write is wildly popular! (oh, and it WILL be).

BTW, the koigu? I would suggest a *blasphemy* shawl but I know how you feel about those so how about some lovely little lace top or better yet some knee high socks? You could always make a matching set of mother:daughter socks also. . . . .

Can't wait to see what you decide to do with it. . . . it is a beautiful colorway.

[Saun]

Unfortunately you will be caught up in these opinions about "bloggers getting books" because of timing and the sudden surge of the books coming out. Fortunately for you, it has always been evident that you have the skills of a good-storyteller and writer with the fashion sense worthy of getting a book.

Where I think the stigma comes from is that you all are being marketed as "bloggers with books" and not "designers with books". Because blogging is a new trend with a growing audience, the focus is being put on your blogging and not on your designing skills. Kim Hargreaves, Erika Knight, etc. are designers without blogs and are given the status of being "designers that have studied the craft" while you all are just being marketed as "bloggers". As long as the book companies market you that way, you will continue to hear these types of remarks.

[Lori]

What kind of idiot asks at a Chili's if the fish is farmed? Duh, Chili's is not a seafood restaurant! hee hee!
And if the waitress "thinks" it's farmed, it's probably not safe to eat!

I love the blog and who better to write a book than someone who writes on an almost daily basis! Not to mention you already have a built-in fan base, which means more books sold! Yay for you!

The Koigu is lovely!

[becky]

You and the book are proof positive of the success and quality that blogging has brought to the medium. Instead of declaring a world of "experts and their followers" you are the designer and author that caught the attention of so many looking for places to "be" with their knitting.

It is no accident that you have so many readers. It is not blind luck that you were offered a deal. Your writing and sense of design brought the rest of us flocking and blogging.

I've made "blog friends" with some who leave comments with you. I don't want to write a book but I like that I am sharing what I love with others who love the same.

That you remain so "accessible" to your fanbase is also a way in which the rules have changed. I'm sure glad I didn't have to call your agent when I couldn't get a pattern downloaded. I'm celebrating the fact that I don't have to visit a bookstore/stand in line/take a number/make an appointment to communicate with the author. There you are and here I am.

Maybe it's like young magicians giving away their "tricks" and now the older magicians are mad.

[dris]

Here's what I think about the blogger-to-book thingy -- I think that Some bloggers position their blogs with a schtick so as to get attention, which random book agents latch onto -- whatever the trend of the season is, they're there -- that's where the blogger/author gets a bad rap.

However, I do believe that most folks who blog are wholeheartedly into whatever they're going on about, and its not about the book deal. It happens to be a trendy source of creative inspiration for the literary agents who no longer receive hard copy pitches in the mail . . .

[becky]

You and the book are proof positive of the success and quality that blogging has brought to the medium. Instead of declaring a world of "experts and their followers" you are the designer and author that caught the attention of so many looking for places to "be" with their knitting.

It is no accident that you have so many readers. It is not blind luck that you were offered a deal. Your writing and sense of design brought the rest of us flocking and blogging.

I've made "blog friends" with some who leave comments with you. I don't want to write a book but I like that I am sharing what I love with others who love the same.

That you remain so "accessible" to your fanbase is also a way in which the rules have changed. I'm sure glad I didn't have to call your agent when I couldn't get a pattern downloaded. I'm celebrating the fact that I don't have to visit a bookstore/stand in line/take a number/make an appointment to communicate with the author. There you are and here I am.

Maybe it's like young magicians giving away their "tricks" and now the older magicians are mad.

[gina L]

I think the only relevance blogging has to writing a book is that if a blog has high traffic and is well liked it does indicate that there is an interest. Ratings and popularity in the knitting
blog network is a good place for publishers to look for what knitters like. A blog is a test run. I was thinking the other day while reading blogs how many are similar to magazines. There is a tremendous amount of talent out there so many blogs are really well done with superb creativity & beautiful photographs.

[Kris]

When folks start tossing around the stuff about "bloggers who do this" and "bloggers who do that" just remember, those posts and comments are most likely written by bloggers who are quite jealous and envious of your success. They need to grow up just a little bit and celebrate your accomplishments.

[Melanie]

Well I, for one, am thrilled that you will have a book coming out! (I may not have commented before, so I may have just outed myself as a reader, but I am a loyal reader & I think it's high time we become friends) :)

I just wanted to say that I love how you include overheard snippets from your everyday...and there's so much more but I don't want to be accused of gushing.

[Mary]

So on a completely different thought process from everyone else...when you wrote "husband" in today's post instead of HWWV, I was totally thrown off. Are you still miffed about his last suggestion? (Back when I was married I'd call my X the "h" word only when I was truly pissed.)

Back to the rest: I don't understand the big deal with bloggers and books...Would it somehow be "better" to first be an author and then start a blog? I mean, really, what better way to be "discovered" than through a blog? Obviously if you're posting you LIKE to write and such....

Humanity reverts to the worst part of being 12 years old, sometimes...

[Rev. Linda]

...next they are going to say "Blondes who write books..." It's always something! You go girl...you write, we'll buy and knit 'em up.

[trudi]

Oh, no! I'm a writer who just decided to blog. Does this criticism work both ways?

But to be serious, I think if you ask around, bloggers and non-bloggers, you'd be amazed how many people would like to write a book one day. Most don't have the motivation, talent, or a good AND saleable idea. If you do have any of the above, go for it - and don't let stupid remarks bother you. (Because I'm afraid in this business, you will hear a lot of them.)

[Wendy]

Oops! I called HWWV "my husband." They are one and the same. I guess I could go back and re-read the post and figure out why I refered to him differently, but ugh, it's late!

[Estee]

Good luck for writing your book. And, I think if opportunity knocks, one should take it. I'm looking forward to your book coming out, thank you.

[Gina]

I didn't even realize that there was a backlash, but just the other day I was in the bookstore to pick up Stefanie Japel's book and thinking about how excited I was for yours. I also have Yarnplay, Domiknitrix, the Yarn Harlot books, Mason Dixon Knitting...all books that I love by "bloggers" that might not have ever come about had it not been for the internet. Every now and then I think about how much the internet has changed things and I'm just amazed. And really grateful, too. It's because of bloggers that I love knitting so much. I might have tossed it aside early on had I not seen what was possible and had the support and people to answer my questions while I was learning.

[Diane]

I don't think blogging influenced my original decision to write a book, but I do know that my blogging (and interaction with other bloggers) is constantly shaping and reshaping my ideas. I also see my blog as a forum where I can try out thoughts on readers before I set them into publishing concrete.

Oh, and the sirloin, was it farmed or caught in the wild?

[anna]

thankfully i've missed those comments. But IF ONLY it were that simple to 'just decide'!

[Miss Scarlett]

They serve wild sirloin at Chili's?
You know there just could be a market for pork jam.
The Koigu is lush!