The Knitting Fiend

I want to publicize the existence of two new email lists readers might be interested in joining. Both were established to cater to more advanced knitters, and hope to discuss Aran, Fair-Isle, and lace. The goal of both lists is to create a forum to discuss complicated knitting techniques than generally arise at the Knitlist which is a huge general purpose list catering to all knitters.

When “Knitting Beyond the Hebrides” (KBTH), vanished, Jessica, one of the subscribed established a new list to continue the knitting conversations. Knitters with intermediate and advanced skills, who are looking for a well behaved list focused on knitting might be interested in joining: Knitting: the Hebrides and Beyond.

She was only able to email former subscribers whose addresses she gleaned from the digests still in her inbox; luckily, I was one of them. I joined this new list day before yesterday. Based on the 26 posts to the list, and I can report the conversation is revolving around knitting. Currently, I’m recommending that list highly. Join now, and you will have bragging rights as an “original member”!

Meanwhile, KBTHOF is another spin-off of the KBTH email list; it was created before KBTH vanished. I joined about a week ago. I haven’t taken data or calculated the proportion posts actually discussing knitting; but overall, I’m sort of disappointed. I wish I could report the majority of posts focus on advanced knitting topics, but last week’s discussions seem to revolve around how bad other lists are and/or were; this week’s seem to be dominated by re-naming the list, insider jokes about Alice Starmore, and kicking off some sort of contests and prizes.

I’m trying to remember the current threads related to knitting, and the only two that come to mind are: 1) a discussion of hemp as a fiber, and 2) a discussion of droopy hems on skirt. (My visitors have probably guessed, I participated in the skirt discussion. The hemp discussion is also interesting.)

Many of the members of KBTHOF do knit rather well and work on interesting projects. So, there is some that list will eventually concentrate on discussing knitting. Right now, I’m finding it a bit “ZZZZZ”. However, since I’m subscribed by digest, and it’s easy to skim past the posts that don’t interest me; I’ll stay subscribed for a while. Then, if the proportion of posts about knitting don’t increase in a month or so, I’ll just unsub or go no mail.

I’ve never considered having options a problem!

With some luck, both lists will thrive, and there will be two email lists catering to intermediate and advanced knitters, each with its own special character. Meanwhile, those of you who like lists can join one, the other or both, and see if either or both suit you.

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Added Sept. 19 2005, 5:46 pm central time.
KnittingBeyondTheHebrides.org seems to be in the process of reappearing! I suspect the domain has been transfered (as Gail stated in her final post.) I also suspect the content is being loaded on a new servers. We’re watching and waiting!