a knitting podcast from a yarn and needle junkie who just happens to be a man
Episode 4: Y Ravelry? (36:00)

Y Knit, Episode 4 - Y Ravelry? featuring Jess and Casey Join us as we sit down with Mama Rav and the Bobfather, Jess and Casey from Ravelry. They discuss the evolution of our favorite online fiber enthusiast community from an organizationer's dream to a programmer's reality.

The bead store Stephen mentioned is Beadissimo, 1051 Valencia Street, in San Francisco. Just across the street from the yummy Ritual Coffee Roasters. Mmmmmm.

In case you're wondering, Casey's answer to "Y Knit?" is a quote from Wesley Wills.

Dress like Jess and Casey contest
Michael picked up some fun RavSwag just for our listeners: a signed "Daily Fiber" tee, a signed tote, and lapel pins. To enter, leave a comment below or on the Ravelry "Y Knit" forum about how you contribute to the Ravelry community. Check out the prizes!

DEADLINE FOR ENTERING IS APRIL 11.

Y Knit? It's genetic.

We use snippets of the following songs in this episode:

  • "Goodnight, Children, Everywhere" performed by Vera Lynn from the album "The White Cliffs of Dover" (1940)
  • "People" performed by Barbra Streisand from the Sony album, "Funny Girl" (1968)
  • "People" performed by Ella Fitzgerald from the Pablo album, "In Budapest" (1999)
Trying to get on Odeo, again (odeo/6ed5c5e73738023e)
Direct download: YKNT004.mp3
Category: podcasts -- posted at: 6:41 PM
Comments[62]

    I am not sure how I contribute to Ravelry, other than posting patterns, stash, pictures and on the forums. I take away from ravelry a lot! Inspiration, ideas, friendship, etc.

    posted by: Kenyetta on Thu, 3/20 09:19 PM EDT

    I'd say I contribute to Ravelry by spending so much darn time on the site and spend so much on yarn that I make up a nice bit of the advertising base. :)

    posted by: Cobbalicious on Thu, 3/20 11:27 PM EDT

    I try to contribute to Ravelry by making helpful posts in the forums when people have questions. It's the least I can do since I've gained so much from the wealth of knowledge other people share.

    posted by: edina on Fri, 3/21 01:58 AM EDT

    I try to contribute by sharing my FOs which contain photos and my thoughts about how the project went or how I'd do it differently next time, or modifications I might have done, etc. I would hope that would help another knitter who would like to knit the same item. I also vote on the yarns and patterns I use so that others can see how that yarn or pattern compares. I use that tool SO often so I try to contribute to that wonderful aspect of Ravelry. I also think I contribute by posting in the forums...esp. to those that have questions about topics I can answer.

    posted by: Emily on Fri, 3/21 04:31 AM EDT

    I feel like the fact that I seem to be on Ravelry all the time is my contribution! Seriously, though, I try to add as much useful information as I can to the site. For instance, when I'm posting FOs, I make sure I fill out as much information as I can about yarn, pattern, needle size, etc., and if there's important info I feel others should know about, I make sure to put it in the notes section. I also like to help out other knitters by answering questions on techniques and patterns whenever I can.

    posted by: Sarah on Fri, 3/21 07:19 AM EDT

    Hmm, contributions to Ravelry. Well, the obvious stash and project photos (I was so flattered to have some of my stash photos used to represent on the yarn pages), and I donated $, of course. I try to leave comments for people on their projects whenever I find something I like, because it's so much fun to get comments on projects, and Ravelry makes it so easy to do. Oh, and I email yarn editors whenever I find little data entry errors in the main yarn entry (like yardage or weight). Trust the Virgos to find that stuff. Long live Ravelry!

    posted by: Darx on Fri, 3/21 09:25 AM EDT

    I contribute to Ravelry by posting all of my WIPs and FOs.

    posted by: Keatyn on Fri, 3/21 09:36 AM EDT

    I LOVE Ravelry and I love YKnit...the combination is sublime. Here's how I contribute to Ravelry:
    - Volunteer Editor
    - Moderate Forums
    - Donated Money
    - Pimp Ravelry on my Blog
    - Authorize use of my photos in patterns

    Does this mean I have five entries in the contest?...okay, nevermind, now I'm just being greedy. Great job guys.

    posted by: QueerJoe on Fri, 3/21 11:03 AM EDT

    I contribute to Ravelry by entering my projects & books, donating, answering forum questions when I can, joining some groups, and professing my un[dye]ing love to Casey & Jess.

    posted by: Ann on Fri, 3/21 07:36 PM EDT

    I luv Ravelry. I use the term "Raveled" in equality with "Googled". I participate in this wonderful ravelled world that Jess and Casey have created for us :)

    ... and I hope this comment goes through, because your authentication words are the hardest to read ones that I've ever encountered ... here's hopin'

    posted by: osmia on Fri, 3/21 08:36 PM EDT

    I commented once already but I forgot to link my blog to my name and I also forgot to tell you that the best way to reach me is to message me on Ravelry where my screenname is knittingpanda87.

    posted by: Keatyn on Fri, 3/21 09:42 PM EDT

    I tell every knitter I meet about Ravelry. I have introduced an older group of women to it, who aren't particularly huge computer users. I think this adds to the community and makes it even more diverse.

    posted by: Mandy on Sat, 3/22 10:08 AM EDT

    Ways I contribute to Ravelry? Well, I have three photos featured in patterns now (whoda thunk it?), I\'ve made a suggestion about the needles page which has been echoed by several people (and I think will be implemented), I complimented wondermike on his willy warmer (:))...and I show everyone Stephen\'s ravatar! Love the podcast. Keep up the good work, guys.

    knittingdragon

    posted by: Eric on Sat, 3/22 10:24 AM EDT

    Great podcast, you guys!! :) I am totally smiling right now, and having fond memories of Stitches. It was so great to meet you guys there. Jess and Casey said it was a fun interview, and they weren't kidding! :)

    (Also: this probably goes without saying, but please don't enter me in the contest! That would be silly if you happened to draw my name.)

    posted by: Mary-Heather on Sat, 3/22 05:33 PM EDT

    -I try to welcome new Ravellers as an unofficial welcome wagon.
    -I get ALL my friends to start knitting and sign up to Ravelry
    -I pester my husband with 'Look how cute Bob is!!!!' comments all the time.
    PS I LOVE BOB!!! What a great icon for the site.

    posted by: Michelle on Sun, 3/23 06:16 AM EDT

    I LOVE Ravelry! I contribute to Ravelry

    - Founded/Moderate "A Gathering of Lace" Forum
    - Volunteer Editor
    - Help Forum
    - Donated Money via Amazon orders
    - Links to and projects from Ravelry on my Blog
    - Links to Ravelry on my website knitting page
    - Contributed info on how to find free patterns on Ravelry via the "Stranded" groups Page documentation
    - Help whenever I can to help others learn how to do things in Ravelry
    - Share my projects & FO on my notebook
    - Invite people (in real life) to join Ravelry
    - Help friends set up Ravelry account and how to use Flickr
    - Almost always logged into Ravelry

    posted by: dlalomia on Sun, 3/23 08:22 AM EDT

    Love the podcast - just discovered you guys via Casey's site update announcement and laughed the whole time.

    If someone put me on the spot to ask, I'd almost have said "I don't contribute to Ravelry, though I use it". However, I just remembered a few things: 1) I started a group for my geographic area, which has spawned real-life meet ups, connected a bunch of guild members who hadn't found each other amidst the huge crowd of our local guild, and brough some business to local restaurants and shops. 2) Took on yarn and pattern editing for a small and relatively still off-line design company 3) Jumped full on into the Thom's Afghan project to get Casey's Dad some Ravel-love, by starting the group, knitting a couple squares, assembling a block with a new Ravel-pal who lives down the road from me. 4) I'm a Ravel-vangelist and have recruited several more Ravelers personally, though I'm still working on my mom-in-law.

    I guess I did a bit.

    posted by: Johannab on Sun, 3/23 02:42 PM EDT

    I love Ravelry! And, I love your podcast, by the way.

    I'm a volunteer pattern editor; I'm a volunteer helper and work on the lingr chat group; and I'm a co-moderator for a group.

    I also help by posting pictures of my FOs and my WIPs; writing comments about patterns I've done to hopefully improve other peoples' experiences; and I take pictures of some of my stash.

    It's a great community to be a part of.

    posted by: Jennifer on Sun, 3/23 05:53 PM EDT

    I contribute to Ravelry by
    * donating money
    * recruiting 3 new members (so far)
    * participating in several forums
    * completing swaps via Ravelry
    * posting photos of projects and stash (thus building the database)
    * talking it up with fellow knitters
    * patronizing Ravelry LYS advertisers
    * attended Stitches West and did the Passport game
    * ordered books from Amazon by using Ravelry link

    I love Ravelry!

    posted by: Nancy on Sun, 3/23 08:27 PM EDT

    I'm at a loss as to how I contribute to Ravelry. I post WIP, FO, stash and add to the library. I spend countless hours reading the forums and contributing when appropriate, or not. Loved the podcast. Thanks Casey for pointing the way to the site. It's the first time I heard it and loved the interview.

    posted by: Annette Maggiora on Mon, 3/24 12:29 AM EDT

    I'm a Raveladdict! Love it! I contribute to Ravelry :

    - Moderate "Knitting en français" Forum
    - post in many groups
    - have some photos used to illustrate patterns
    - posted one of my pattern
    - put links to Ravelry on my Blog
    - Write about Ravelry one my blog (numbers, what's cool...) and why it is a great opportunity for french crocheters
    - partipate in the building of the cult of Bob the great ^^
    - Share my projects & FO's on my notebook
    - Put all my hooks in the Ravcart
    - Indicate all my american books in the Ravbrary
    - Invite people (in real life) to join Ravelry
    - Help friends set up Ravelry account and how to use Flickr
    - send Jess and Casey and Bob positive vibes

    posted by: La duchesse d\ on Mon, 3/24 05:26 AM EDT

    Ravelry is awesome! (and so are the YKnit guys!)
    I post my WIPs and FOs, encourage knitter friends to join, spend way too much time in the forums, and support the advertisers.

    posted by: redfish on Mon, 3/24 09:19 AM EDT

    Thanks for a great podcast! I contribute to Ravelry by donating my time as a volunteer editor.

    posted by: jeanie on Mon, 3/24 01:19 PM EDT

    I contribute by posting in forums, answering questions and recruiting any and all fiber nuts to ravelry!

    posted by: raederle on Mon, 3/24 01:30 PM EDT

    I have contributed by allowing my photos to be used to represent certain patterns. I have also given help to others when they have had a question about a pattern I have already done. I think that is the greatest thing about Ravelry.

    posted by: Karin on Tue, 3/25 01:27 PM EDT

    I enjoy your podcast!

    I've had several of my photos chosen to illustrate yarns and patterns, and three of the patterns in the database are mine. (Two entered by me... I can't remember if I was the one who entered the third or not.)

    posted by: Andrea (noricum) on Tue, 3/25 03:31 PM EDT

    Lets see, I post all of my projects, try to keep updated pictures, am still working on my stash

    I belong to A LOT of groups, try to post helpful posts in forums, talk about Ravelry to all the people that know me!

    Continously exploring and participating in Ravelry, the best site ever!!

    Monica

    posted by: Monica on Tue, 3/25 05:12 PM EDT

    As knittingnoodle on Ravelry, I contribute by:

    Doing a bit of editing
    Running the Knit Tips and Techniques group (we're up to 14 pages of 'stuff'!)
    Joining groups and posting in the forums
    Helping other Rav knitters when I can
    Giving Casey suggestions...I know he loves that
    Giving Casey and Jess kudos
    Posting my projects, stash, books, magazines...and anything else they'll let me tell them about.
    Sending invites to everyone I know who knits or crochets!

    Great podcast, btw...and I'm picky!

    posted by: Kathy on Wed, 3/26 10:34 AM EDT

    Ravelry.
    Seriously, what would we do without it?

    My picts are used on a couple of patterns and I've 'pushed' Ravelry to my Knitting Guild.

    Love your podcast! It's very well done. :)

    posted by: KnittyLynn on Wed, 3/26 05:21 PM EDT

    Thanks for another fun and vibrant podcast. I especially loved the snippets of Babs. You two are so fun!

    posted by: Juls on Wed, 3/26 07:58 PM EDT

    I contribute my FOs and projects and stash, and because I really, really want to see pictures of projects before I try them I'm a volunteer editor dedicated to getting pictures attached to patterns. I try to make sure the rest of the info is correct, too, of course.

    posted by: MomLes on Wed, 3/26 10:20 PM EDT

    Hurrah for Ravelry! I'd get so much work done with out it!
    I was so happy when one of my projects was featured as the pattern example. And I am totally a Ravelry pusher, too. I just *had* to sign my mom up!

    posted by: KnitSynthesis on Thu, 3/27 02:36 PM EDT

    Another terrif podcast. I'm so addicted.
    And since you both look soooo good knitting in the bath, I got no complaints about your ravatars!

    Could Jess and Casey be any more sweet and wonderful? God bless them, ravelry ROCKS. I'm more of a taker right now than a contributor. I salivate over people's patterns, I queue up the ones I might try, I favorite, I lurk, I browse... and I spend far more time on that than I do on knitting. Sigh. I love ravelry. Soon I will contrubute more: I will be updating my WIP, Finished objects and helping a friend "Ravelryze" her stash.

    LONG LIVE RAVELRY!

    posted by: Colleen on Thu, 3/27 03:50 PM EDT

    I was relatively early raveler and am currently a Sooper Editor. So...I request new pictures for projects and yarns that don't have any and fix anything that seems amiss. It's so nice that so many people are helping out, since before a bunch of us were just going through a whole slew of magazines or whatever and adding all of the info about the patterns. It was pretty intense.

    Also, that picture in your flickr pool is TOTALLY a knitting prom picture!

    posted by: lynnewio on Fri, 3/28 02:53 PM EDT

    I'm the mod for the Anthony Bourdain group over on Ravelry, active in the Cuppa Tea group, and tell everyone I know about Ravelry!

    posted by: Jen aka knitstuff on Fri, 3/28 03:57 PM EDT

    ah Ravelry. Love it! I contribute by posting thoughts and ideas on my project pages and in the forums. I've learned many things from the forums and hopefully have left a little insight there as well. Knit ON

    posted by: Kallie Young on Fri, 3/28 04:02 PM EDT

    I know I take away far more than I give to Ravelry! I do try to get everyone I know to sign up!

    posted by: Heather on Fri, 3/28 04:16 PM EDT

    Contributing to ravelry is so easy to do! Posting in the forums, posting projects, wips, stash and spreading the love to all knitters... and the occasion (though I wish it were more frequent) donation of $$!

    posted by: Becca on Fri, 3/28 04:18 PM EDT

    It's hardly original to say that Ravelry has changed my life, but ... Ravelry has changed my life. It's made me a Fearless Knitter (tm). So I try to do my bit to give back to the site that's given so much to me. I'm a member of the Ravelry Welcome Wagon, going out every day or so to welcome new members whose usernames start with G (for greeting, gorgeous, and girlwhyarentyouknitting?). Usually I click through about 34 pages of names and pictures to greet 25 or so new users. I also greet new members to the Fingerless Glove Fanatics group, where I'm a moderator as well. And I haunt the main boards trying to click in as quickly as my fellow overly-helpful Ravelers to answer questions posed on the Patterns, Yarns, and Techniques boards (with my bountiful 15 months of knitting experience) and try to deflect unproductive questions with links to other threads where the topic has been flogged to death (though it rarely works, I continue to fight the good fight). My ambition is to one day be mentioned by name in a TWIR newsletter -- but then I'll have to work three times as hard to achieve karmic balance by giving back!

    posted by: Donna Bowman on Fri, 3/28 04:20 PM EDT

    I contribute to the Ravelry community by keeping my notebook up-to-date and being a friendly Raveler. And after hearing your interview with Jess and Casey, I'm ready to throw a few dollars at them.

    posted by: Andy B on Fri, 3/28 06:58 PM EDT

    I contribute to the ravelry community by being part of the CPAAGG... and we all love ravelry like it was our own!

    posted by: Cheryl on Sat, 3/29 01:49 PM EDT

    Loved the podcast! It's nice to be able to put voices with the faces of Ravelry's Casey & Jess. I contribute to Ravelry by donating, keeping my personal pages up to date, and being a positive person when posting in the forums.

    posted by: Carol on Sat, 3/29 01:56 PM EDT

    So far I've contributed in the forums, added a handful of finished objects with a few comments on the yarn I've used, and I've added a free pattern. I hope to be adding more patterns in the near future! The Ravelry community is so great. :) I learn something every time I go into the forums.

    posted by: Trina on Sat, 3/29 02:44 PM EDT

    I contribute! I moderate two groups (Baby Cakes & Tank-Top-Aholics) and I also will be publishing my first ever pattern for sale in the rav shop that is in the works and being tested now!

    I would eat yarn for a lapel pin!!

    posted by: pixie on Sat, 3/29 08:18 PM EDT

    I get so much out of Ravelry but I still wish I could do more. I am a volunteer editor and I spread the word about Ravelry every chance I get. I also update my notebook as often as my newborn will allow.

    Thanks for the great interview with Jess and Casey.

    posted by: Rosie on Sun, 3/30 01:30 AM EDT

    I love Ravelry and try to contribute in any way I can including:
    -Being an editor (I love this job - this allows you to help in so many ways!
    -Starting a Ravelry group for knitters in my area of England - we now have 84 members, all mainly based in my hometown!
    -Posting all my wip's and finished projects (I love being able to share patterns with people!)
    -Taking pics of all of my stashed yarn and adding it (very big job but worth it!)
    -Making friends (I've met so many interesting people!) and commenting on people's projects, offering advice whenever I can and generally chatting in groups and on boards. People have been nice enough to comment on my projects and help me so I do the same in return whenever I can.
    -Supporting fellow ravellers through difficult projects and knitalongs!
    -Purchasing patterns from extremely talented designers!
    -Promoting Ravelry on my blog, on other message boards I post on and to my friends/co workers!

    That's it really! Ravelry has even inspired me to start designing which I never would have done before!

    We all contribute to Ravelry in whatever way we can because we love it and finally someone has found us a home on the internet where we can all get together and share our common interest!

    Thank you Ravelry for helping me make friends all around the world, discover new designers, spinners and yarns I've never even heard of! And also for helping me feel part of the larger community!

    posted by: Sarah on Sun, 3/30 10:38 AM EDT

    What did we all do before Ravelry?!

    I like answering the questions that I know the answers to, but I bet my bigger contribution to Ravelry is by asking the questions that other people are too embarrassed to ask for fear of being looked as as stupid. I have MANY stupid questions to ask.

    posted by: AmyJ on Sun, 3/30 06:09 PM EDT

    In addition to being active in some forums, I've also had several of my stash yarn photos and one of my project photos used as the lead photo for that yarn. Yeah, my Nikon ;-)

    Thanks for the podcast - I just discovered you guys!

    posted by: Jan Smiley on Sun, 3/30 07:15 PM EDT

    I am a super trade and swapper. I participate in the forums and have begun to organize a local knit group through one of the forums. All very exciting stuff!

    posted by: Melly on Sun, 3/30 08:51 PM EDT

    First, let me say that if it weren't for knitting podcasts like yours, I would weigh a ton. They keep me on/in that treadmill/elliptical/weight room.
    I have been a Ravelrist since June? of last year. One of the first things I did was to post ALL my yarn and ALL my projects. I love pics! Then I offered to moderate the Sockknitters Anonymous and then decided to form the Florida Knits Too group. I spread the Gospel of Ravelry whenever possible.
    I'm not sure that I would ever want to be without Ravelry...or knitting podcasts!

    posted by: Patricia on Mon, 3/31 10:18 AM EDT

    I love the podcast - it\'s so great hearing the story from Jess & Casey\'s own mouths! Ravelry is the best thing to happen to the net ever! Ravelry has inspired me to write down patterns for some of the things I knit, so I put them out there for free as my contribution.

    Keep up the good work!

    posted by: teresaknits on Mon, 3/31 11:00 AM EDT

    I contribute by keeping all my projects and yarns up to date, and by starting the University of Texas group. Hook em'.

    Great interview guys! Had a hard time not laughing too loud in my cube.

    posted by: Abbe on Tue, 4/1 06:24 PM EDT

    I've been on Ravelry since July, and donated money as soon as they had the donation button up. I've also posted a lot of pictures on Flickr of finished projects, which several people have asked if they could use on the database for patterns, and I've agreed. Same with stash photos. Plus I have talked about Ravelry and passed out cards to tons of people wherever I go. Love the Ravelry!

    posted by: Claire on Tue, 4/1 09:06 PM EDT

    I'm a mod on the SKA group and the At Home Moms group. I've posted a few patterns, made a donation to Jess and Casey, bought a "I swatched Ravelry" shirt. I've posted pics for almost all of my stash, except the newest stuff. Enjoyed my self thoroughly and try to help whenever I can and I spread the word of Ravelry to all I meet.

    posted by: Sarah O G on Thu, 4/3 12:50 PM EDT

    It's hard to give back to Ravelry in proportion to what it gives us, but I personally contribute as much knitting/baking/scientific(insert other groups here) expertise as I can. Oh, and one of the most predominantly yellow avatars on the site, too.

    posted by: gibsongirl on Thu, 4/3 04:28 PM EDT

    I try to give back to Ravelry by beeing an editor, putting in weird German yarn into my stash, telling people on German sewing boards about ravelry.... I hope to get a t-shirt at some point :)

    posted by: tini on Sat, 4/5 03:57 PM EDT

    I *AM* a RavaTart!

    I also have some stash pictures being used on the Yarn pages.

    posted by: Sara on Sat, 4/5 11:55 PM EDT

    I contribute by posting pics and details of my lowly little projects (one which has been used on a pattern page!), also by posting in the forums. OH I also tell everyone I know about Ravelry.

    posted by: kim on Sun, 4/6 07:28 PM EDT

    I guess I contribute to ravelry by answering questions when I can, pointing people in the right direction when I can't and contributing money when I can. I also tell other fiber enthusiasts I know how to find Ravelry and what and what a great place it is.

    posted by: Danielle on Tue, 4/8 10:46 PM EDT

    Love the podcast! Now, Ravelry. What would my life be without it? I've exchanged stash with other members so we don't have to be enslaved to ebay. I've answered questions about modifications to patterns. I've added one design. Is that enough yet?

    posted by: Carol on Wed, 4/9 01:53 PM EDT

    I let people know about modifications I've made to patterns (since that's something I always want to know) & I try to give lots of ravelry love & (of course) cold hard cash b/c Casey & Jess deserve it.

    posted by: yarnopfile on Wed, 4/9 10:26 PM EDT

    Hi, I try to contribute to Ravelry by adding my own FO with as much info for other knitters as I possibly can so when they attempt a pattern I've knitted already -- more of the kinks ar out for them, and they have an easier time, either in making it or choosing the yarn to use for it. I also joined the Welcome Wagon so I can personally help say 'Hi' to all newbies out there that need a little intro to Ravlery and ALL its Ravy goodness. I am also helping to throw our honetown Bobmas Party at the local yarn shop to get all the Ravelrers together face to face so we know who we are when we meet in public herevin beautiful San Diego!! Love, juliblue

    posted by: juli on Thu, 4/10 05:50 PM EDT


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