BlogHer - Cara Davis - Comments

It's not a lack of quantity of blogs.

debra roby — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:39:24 -0500

ScrapHappy, Candleelady, Susanne

The arguments being made are not that there is a dramatic drop in the quantity of blogs that exist. That was not the point. New blogs spring up every day in scrapping, quilting, crafting, and knitting, everywhere!

It was rather that the number of blog posts on individual blogs have declined in number. Instead of writing 4-7 times a week, many only blog 2-3.

It was partly that the conversations do not travel from blog to blog anymore. After Cara's post Sunday, it used to be that half a dozen or more readers would take the discussion to their own blogs, writing posts responding to the original statement. Conversation. Community. As of this morning, KnitNuts post cited above and one other: Ravelry Killed the Knitting Blog Star by Expat Knitter are the only examples of the community carrying the conversation further.

It was strongly that the conversation and community that was built on these blogs (and I've seen it in knitting, quilting and crafting) has nearly disappeared. This is exhibited in declining cross-blog conversations and declining comments on blogs.

It was rather that some of the quality of the writing has declined. Instead of talking about the joys and challenges encountered while creating something, the posts tend to be drier: I finished this; it's for honey bear. I used supplies A, B, C. (BTW, if you don't explain in your side bar, or somewhere who "honey bear" is? I care less about the fact he/she/it is getting it, no matter how precious it is.)

It was rather that many "A" list bloggers have now gotten designing jobs and book deals and blog about "I'm working on project X which you will love when I can show it to you."

It was in part the monetization of the blog post:
"Here are 5 earrings I finished for my Etsy shop. Click here to buy them."
"This is my latest scrap lay-out, to download the specifics click on the paypal button at the end of the post. "
Again these are not posts that lead to community building or conversation. If they do, I'm not seeing it.

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

See? Eloquent even in responding...

debra roby — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:27:25 -0500

Grumperina,

See? You are eloquent and thoughtful even in responding to a post. Which is why you are one of my top knitting reads.

I remember that discussion back in December, and even thought I'd posted something here about it. (though i can't find it at the moment!) I think this discussion has been popping up every 6 months or so for the past 2 years. I know every summer as things slow down, someone will wonder about the future.

Are you planning on attending BlogHer ReachOut in Boston this fall?

Debra
A Stitch In Time
Deb's Daily Distractions

I don't think that it's knitting blogs alone

Susanne Fritz — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:23:31 -0500

I have found that there is a little less action on the blogs I read in general. The posts are a little less frequent, a little less eloquent, and there has been a decline in comments. I used to think that it was me, that people deserted me (in part because I started writing more about knitting) but then I really looked and saw that other people got way less comments too.

Maybe blogs have reached a critical mass, and it's not possible to be as involved as before.

I like ravelry very much and I find it marvelous to see all the projects of somebody. I do write a bit about the knitting process there but only shorthand things, things that are interesting for other knitters who might want to knit the same project. On my blog I try to write about those aspects of the knitting that non-knitters can relate to too. (Or I post pictures of my knitting as eye-candy...)

I'm creativemother on ravelry and I blog at creative.mother.thinking.

Newbie

candeelady — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:40:31 -0500

I've only been blogging for 5 months but I have no problem finding many many blogs about crafting of all kinds. Perhaps there are less individual blogs and more people joining neworks like Crafster and Etsy to share info as these sites are extremely busy with detailed posts and pictures, contests , challenges and comments I wish there were more hours in a day to visit them all.

Candeelady

Raising Tweens to be Fantastic Women and Easy Crafts

http://www.gogogluegunfun.com

a simple elixir to prevent death

grumperina — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:17:28 -0500

I can only speak for myself. But the solution is so simple to me.

I want my readers and my friends to experience my knitting through my blog. So I don't give them any other choice! I'm on Ravelry, but I don't post my projects there, or document my stash (beyond the bare minimum to destash on the forums, hehe). I'm on Flickr, but it only has the photos necessary to run Ravelry. If you want to keep up with me, you have to visit the blog! Come on in!

Similarly, I don't spend a lot of time browsing through projects on Ravelry. It's not my ideal way of communicating, and I don't give in. Maybe I'm just stubborn, digging in my heels, sticking with what got me here in the first place. And maybe one day knitting blogs will no longer exist, and mine will be the only one still regularly updated and I'll be old and crochety and backwards.

Has there been a general decline in blogging? I don't know. I come home every day and have 150 new posts to read, so my eyes and mind are plenty busy. I myself have declined in blogging frequency, but that has to do with a new job (not Ravelry, Flickr, a book deal, or anything else). Well, during February and March I was knitting on commission because I was unemployed, but that's behind me now. I've reluctantly resorted to "FO posts" as of late, but hope to correct that soon. Because there's nothing more I love than a juicy process post!!! (thanks for your compliment!)

I wrote a little post about this topic 6 months ago here. Apparently this was up for discussion back in December!

There hasn't been any

ScrapHappyUtah — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:46:38 -0500

There hasn't been any decline in the craft blogs. Perhaps if the Knitting circuit has fallen off, it may be due to the hotter weather. But if you look at all crafts as a whole (sewing, scrapbooking, etc.) I think they are as strong as ever. The eclectic mix of crafts seems to be not only a hobby, but in visiting blogs they are more and more leading to avenues of income for mothers who are trying to stay home with families. Those sites like Etsy.com are bringing women together and revitalizing the "handmade craft" appeal. There is a new-placed value on creative and handmade items, not only for those who aren't so crafty, but those who are to busy to make them on their own. Kudos to those who stay strong and use today's technology to reach out and find homes for their crafts. The competition is growing, almost as quick as the list of items available. Apron swaps are back! And women are inspiring one another to tap their inner creative abilities and join in the fun. Most importantly they are challenging each other to hold dear the value we bring to our families, our communities and our world.