Somehow I missed the grand re-launch of one of my favorite, online, indy, knitting and crocheting magazines. How? I have no idea! Today I was taking a look at this beautiful shawl that someone had started knitting in one of my many knitting and crocheting groups only to find out it was a pattern from Knotions.com! Wow. I erased the blog post I was doing in favor of a quick intro to my favorite new/old magazine. Knotions re-imagined magazine sports some fantastic features for your browsing and reading pleasure.
The re-launch of Knotions is a real asset to knitters and crocheters because you can reach the site from all your devices! The idea is to learn to knit and crochet smarter. This is an idea we can appreciate. :) First the facts: This online magazine is free but doesn't scrimp on design. They do not cut back on pictures or design features. The magazine has a clean look, no clutter, no excess pictures, or clipart. Navigating the page couldn't be easier. With an accessible navigation bar and search box one can find exactly what they need quickly. As a person with dyslexia this clean/clear look is highly valued. Knotions is responsive to questions or to comments on the magazine. Jody Richards, the kind founder of Knotions, "Jody’s mission for knotions is to make crafters better" I will not take the time to rehash everything at Knotions because it's MUCH better to check it out yourself. However, allow me to highlight some great features of the magazine for you. First, of course the current issue is prominently featured on the front page of the desktop version along with the latest tutorials. Who doesn't love a good tutorial? The current issue has some fabulous patterns including my favorite, the Little Gardener's Pinafore. There is something for every skill level of knitter/crocheter. Including very unique and beautiful creations like the Forest Shawl which, as it happens, doesn't seem so hard to create! I look at color color changes in shawls like the Forest Shawl and cringe a little. However, reading the description that precedes the pattern, I'm not quite so intimidated. (a minor miracle LOL) The next feature that I thought was super useful is the pattern archive. Instead of plowing through all the pages of every magazine to find a pattern you might want to create, the "Pattern" button in the toolbar sends you directly to a list of all the pattern links with photos of each. The Archives go all the way back to 2008. (one of the very versatile shawls is "False Modesty" stole/scarf/shawl published 2008) This feature makes the magazine much more user friendly! (Whew! Right?) There is a direct link on Knotions to the techniques covered in the magazine. Another user friendly feature. I do not like having to pick through a page to try to find the search box or an index to the website/magazine's contents. Make it clear and easy. The tutorials page contains very cool tutorials for things like a Magic Knot . This is a way to join yarns that does NOT require a darning needle. (Score!) Additionally there are tutorials for "Cables Without a Cable Needle" (that got my attention) and also a tutorial for yarn substitution "Ready, Set, Sub". Intrigued yet? Readers will find links to some of their most popular subjects, socks and shawls along with the extremely useful ebooks! The ebooks include "Sockstar" written by Jody Richards. Sockstar sells for $5.95 on the Knotions.com webpage. The second ebook is entitled "Hatstar" by Elizabeth Felgate and retails at $12.95 on Knotions. There is a free preview available so check it out! Knotions is also a blog! Yes, you can read book reviews, the latest on knit-a-longs, and even give-a-ways! One of my favorite articles is "Another Way to Look at Failure". We all have those projects that we look at and wonder what we did wrong... or if we should have taken that commission. Yes I wonder that a lot myself. (especially this time of year!) The whole process of designing is one I've thought about several times however, I do not design patterns for others to use. I usually design a project and then other knitters/crocheters wonder how the heck I managed it LOL! However, there is a very useful article for those wondering about whether to go down the road of designing patterns; "To Be or Not To Be a Designer" by Kristel Nyberg. These are great articles to encourage all of us who are looking to be "Better Crafters". Well I won't take any more of the fun out of surfing through "Knotions" magazine. Please tell them hello and thank you for all their hard work. It is not easy to put out a high quality magazine on the internet, the competition is stiff. I want to thank Jody Richardson for all her tenacity and skill. She has done an excellent job with Knotions. Find Knotions on Facebook.
2 Comments
10/28/2017 04:34:15 pm
WOW! I don't know what to say other than THANK YOU! This is an incredible review and summary and everything I hoped Knotions would provide.
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10/28/2017 04:42:54 pm
You are most welcome Jody. It was very much my pleasure. I'm overjoyed Knotions is BACK!
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Author**Opinions expressed on blogs about which I write are the opinion of the blog authors and DO NOT necessarily reflect my own opinion. |