Over the weekend, LollyKnitting Around turned 6-years old. There wasn’t much pomp and circumstance since 6 doesn’t command that kind of attention. That being said, 6 is still pretty good. I had no predictions and long-term strategies when I started this blog in 2004. It has grown into a project much bigger than myself, and has served as a link in meeting the most amazing people.
Many of my peers from those early days of knit blogs have stopped blogging. Some have even stopped knitting. Some have turned their creative attentions to something completely new: other craft endeavors, writing, entrepeneurial pursuits… It’s intriguing to watch these changes over time.
LollyKnitting Around has changed significantly. My posts used to be very knit-centric and very frequent. Before Ravelry and Flickr were common, we told each other about a few inches of knit progress. There was an occasional post on something else, but I felt that it would be betraying people to write about anything else at length considering that “KNITTING” was in the title of the blog. I don’t necessarily feel this way anymore, which is evidenced by the scores of non-knitting posts. Thankfully, it seems that many of you have done the same thing – the blog becomes a reflection of you, and while it includes knitting, it is also about other things.
I have noticed that blog reading seems to be on a down-swing right now. Or at least, I notice that in myself. Unfortunately, I don’t read as many blogs as I used to… but at the same time, many blogs are not as frequently updated. With my new Twitter fascination, it is mini-blog posts throughout the day… usually more opinionated and banal than the things I share here, but fun all the same. Do you notice a difference in your blog-reading/blogging habits?
After a bit of exploration, I think I have settled into a pretty happy routine. The blog is not as frequently updated – and the blog is not all about knitting. As you know, I blog about what I am interested in. Sometimes that is knitting, and sometimes it is travel and vegan food. It seems to be something related to photography for the most part. You have watched the passion grow and have seen the results. Photography is a new love, and I would love to do more of it. As before, travel remains one of my ambitions, and I hope to continue traveling to new places and sharing those details here.
Sometimes I get ambitious and think about branching out into some new avenues: writing, publishing, exhibiting photographs… and if an opportunity came my way, I wouldn’t turn it down… but the fact remains the same: this blog brings enjoyment. There were many days in the past when I considered shutting it down, and I am glad that I reconsidered.
I don’t thank you all enough ~ please know how much I value your comments and feedback! After six years I can say that I blog for myself and for my own memories… where in the beginning, I blogged more for the interactions with others and the feedback… but what a joy it is to know that you are out there reading along!
Many thanks for traveling along with me!
**Six photos of stones from my travels – a milestone marking each year of the blog: Photo 1 -The rock stacks “inuksuit” on the bank in Vancouver, BC. Photo 2 – The stone formations at Joshua Tree National Park, California. Photo 3 - Rocky Coastline The Ovens Natural Park, Nova Scotia. Photo 4 – Stones in the snow, Massanutten Mountain, Virginia. Photo 5 - Incan ashlar stones at Saqsayhuaman, Cusco, Peru. Photo 6 – Meditation garden and stone labyrinth, Shrine of St. Therese, Juneau, Alaska.
Congratulations on the 6 year mark. I have enjoyed reading your blog and watching it change over the years. I especially appreciate all the photos you share, your passion for photography really shows.
I know I haven’t been reading for all six years, but I’ve been reading for a while! I think you’re right about blog readership being down, in general. But like you, I still enjoy blogging…the connections I’ve made and continue to make are what make it all worthwhile!
Actually, come to think of it, you’re one of the few blogs that used to be about knitting, that is more about other stuff now, that I still read. You have such a positive outlook about everything, your photography is inspiring, and I love going along on your travels!
Congrats!
What a lovely reflection on the happiness this blog brings you, and a fantastic theme to the photos you chose. Thanks so much for sharing this part of your life with us all. Here’s to 6 more!
I’ve been enjoying your non-knitting posts – the beautiful pictures and the lovely writing. I am not that interested in the knitting parts – sorry , but just wanted to let you know you have a diverse audience out there.
Happy blogiversary! I like reading blogs where the personality of the blogger shows through.
My blog is ever evolving – as are my blogging habits. Even in the past 6 months I’ve gone from Twitter-hog to M.I.A. to spending more time on my blog. I guess it all depends on how much “free” time I have to spend on the computer – or so it seems.
I’m so glad to have crossed paths with you – and hope to meet you in person one of these days
)
Mazel tov on your blogiversary. I enjoyed the symbolism of the photos in this post. Not only have you inspired me to blog too, but over the years your posts have (heavily) influenced my knitting project decisions, my cookbook purchases, my efforts to include yoga into my week. And, of course, our San Francisco get-togethers have been SO fun and I eagerly await news of upcoming trips here.
Gosh, 6 years! So I have been reading your blog for nearly that amount of time too! I enjoy your blog for all the different things, particulary the photography, and if a knit appears I enjoy that too.
My blog is 4 years old next month and it is nice to see how it has evolved and knit blogging has changed too, I too don’t think that it is quite as popular as it was and I see many readers come and go.
I tried Tweeting and facebook and giving up blogging, none of those worked for me so I stick to my blogging and reading inspiring blogs of all sorts including yours. x
Happy blogiversary! I for one enjoy everything you have to share on this blog, knitting-related or not and am so happy you take the time to do it. Several knit-bloggers that I read have started writing about other things than knitting and I don’t mind it one bit. I find that if I thought their blog posts were interesting when they were about knitting, I think they’re interesting when they’re writing pretty much anything. And I don’t mind infrequent bloggers either. When you “miss” them a little, it makes the posts that much sweeter! Anyway, I think your blog is wonderful and that you should do it when and how you want. Thank you for sharing yourself here!
Lolly, congrats on your 6-year anniversary! it’s been so wonderful following your adventures and getting to know you both online and in real life.
i haven’t blogged in a long time — I miss it sometimes. my domain expires soon and I have to decide whether to keep it. It’s prompted a lot of reflection like what you’ve written. I love the knitterly community — it’s been far more important in my life than I expected when I picked up the craft!
I really enjoy your blog whatever it is you are posting about – you have a lovely thoughtful writing style thanks for sharing it with the world at large!
Happy 6th anniversary. It’s a big deal to have something going for that long! I always seem to be reinventing myself and my blog, and find I have trouble sticking to one name, one web address, one concept. Congrats to you and your perseverance!
I’ve actually been reading more blogs lately than I used to. Being bored at work (shhh!) will do that. Having basically no use for Twitter also keeps me on the blogging track.
As for my own blogging, I moved earlier this year to my blogger account, and I actually post there more often than I ever did at my LJ account. I think it’s largely because I gave myself a certain degree of focus with the new blog. I post reviews/reflections on the books I read, movies I watch, and theatre & concerts I attend, as well as regular updates on my crafty projects, mostly knitting these days. And some general life stuff creeps in there sometimes too. All of which hardly sounds like it could be more focused than what I had going on before, but it actually is, and it keeps me updating more or less regularly.
Anyway, thanks for your blogging, in whatever form it comes. I only started reading over the last year, but I’ve enjoyed it. Congrats on making 6 years.
Congrats on 6 years! I agree that many people aren’t posting as much as they used to. I think Flickr and Ravelry and Facebook and Twitter and and and… are taking up too much of people’s time
It’s been way too long since we got together by the way! Let’s meet for coffee sometime and catch up!
I agree with you; I think Twitter has become an outlet for the little things that may once have made a blog post for me. I do love blogging still, though, and reading blogs, especially yours! Happy blogiversary!!
Reading Lolly Knitting Around inspired me to include more than just knitting on my blog, and it has been so much more rewarding to maintain. I think that’s a big reason why I keep coming back to read your posts, regardless of the subject matter. Your posts are brimming with fabulous photography, scrumptious food, colorful knitting, inspirational themes, and such a diversity of subjects you put in writing. Thanks for keeping your blog all these years. It truly has grown and evolved beautifully. Happy 6th blogiversary, Lolly!
I think that blogging for 6 years is a great achievement -and I always enjoy reading your posts. I think that Ravelry has taken over from knitting blogs, leaving bloggers exploring other areas. if they continue at all. I’m so glad you have!
Well done, Lolly. 6 years is a long time – and blogging must change – as you probably have done too – because your blogging is personal.
I have loved – and still does – to read with you here. Looking at your beautiful pictures and I enjoy reading about your yoga, vegan, knitting, roadtrips – and you are an inspiration for me. Thank you for that.
/Julia
I’m still reading and enjoying. Recently I had to go on a quest for new blog friends, as there are many who stopped posting. I miss and remember them, as I would you.
Congrats on 6 years! I’ve only been reading for a year or so, but I’m glad you’re still blogging! Love your knitting, yoga, pics, everything!
Congratulations on 6 years of blogging, I still love reading your posts. I think the range of options for people to make contact on the interwebs has grown in recent years so blogging is not the only outlet. However I still love coming home of an evening and reading the variety of inspirational posts out there, even if sometimes I just skip through to the photos.
I love that your blog is a reflection of who you are, and not just what you knit. I’m glad I’m having this chance to get to know you through what you share here. I hope you’ll keep finding enjoyment in publishing your blog, and I wish that exciting opportunities to branch out and explore new avenues will come your way.
Congratulations on your 6th anniversary!
I know that my blogging and blog reading habits have changed. I read about half as many blogs as I used to and a lot of the ones I used to read have closed up shop. Between Flickr and Ravelry ad Twitter, I think people have moved on over time.
Happy 6th! I agree with you about the way that blogging (especially knit blogs) have taken a turn in the six years + that we’ve both been around. Admittedly it is really nice to see how people’s blogs have changed and grown! I’m glad you’re still around!
Congrats on turning 6! I’ve loved watching your blog grow and change and am glad to have gotten to know you. Keep blogging about what you want to blog about! We’re still reading =)
Happy sixth, Lolly. i’ve been enjoying reading you for a few years now, and am with you all the way about letting the blog change over time. Hope it’s fun for many years to come.
I enjoy reading your blog and others. I think I read blogs more often than I used to, and I’ve pretty much avoided the twitter bug. I do spend my share of time on flickr and ravelry, however.
Inspiration is everywhere!
That last photo is awesome, by the way.
Happy 6th blogaversary!! I’ve been reading for at least 3-4 years and I have to say that I love your knitting and photography content. I think it’s true that blog reading has gone down – for me, it’s not been by choice, but rather most of the blogs I read don’t get updated that often or all get updated at once so I read them all and have a dry spell for a month. My own blog has lagged a little bit, mostly because of my long work commute, lack of motivation, and very little knitting. I think I too will have to re-evaluate and see what I can come up with to keep it fun for me.
Congratulations on this milestone! And what a beautiful photographic way to celebrate it.
It’s interesting to hear you write about the state of knit-blogging. When I started my blog four and a half years ago, it still seemed like a much smaller world, but with a lot more conversation. I felt like I used to get many more comments than I do now, for example, even though I had many fewer readers. It does feel like something has been lost in that regard.
On the other hand, I do like to see how blogs evolve as the people who write them evolve.
I too find it interesting to see how things evolve. Personally, I’m not into Twitter, and I do still read blogs, but mostly within Google Reader. Happy anniversary!
I also agree what you said about things changing. I love your blog and love looking at your travels, food etc along with knitting. I knit and spin but at times its nice to sit back and watch something beautiful to relax you while you knit/spin etc. Your blog is one of 3 that I check on every week. Keep it up…we love it.
Happy 6th anniversary! And I just discovered your blog a few days ago. I love your photography! I have just started blogging regularly, and I do blog about knitting, but I also like to blog about my daily life. Many of my posts involve my 2.5 year old. I know that I will consider whatever I blog about his childhood years a treasure when he gets older, and I hope he enjoys it too.
6 years of blogging – what a treasure for you to have!
I have never had a blog of my own but I always enjoy reading others. I never miss a new entry. I read possibly 45 or so right now. I find it very interesting what others are doing, knitting and otherwise. And then there are the pics. Oh my, some of them are so beautiful. I would miss it if any of you stop blogging at least occasionally. Besides your knitting is so lovely to look at.
6 years, well done!
I know what you mean about blogs changing, mine started as a ‘show and tell’ blog for my sewing, then it included knitting and a little crochet, and more and more posts about my life. My baby arriving changed the dynamics of lots of things, including blog reading and writing, and I hardly do any knitting now, but more cooking and baking than I used to. And cutesy baby photos, of course! I think blogs should do that, change with the author, it’s the only way for them to be real! Unless you have the time to start seperate new blogs for each new interest/passion in your life. That would keep each group of readers very happy but that would leave you very little time for those passions!
I like the way some blogs start as little peek at somebody’s interest, but over time you learn more and more about the person, their other interests, their lives, their homes, their thoughts! you feel you get to know them a little, just like in real life, where you might meet through your knitting, and over time you keep in contact with some people, but loose sight of others, as you get to know each other better and see who you get on with and who doesn’t click with you.
Thanks for being there and taking us into your trips and interests!!! I like your photography, the way you write, learning new things, everything. Congratulations!!
Happy Bloggy Birthday! Thank you for inviting us along for the journey.
Lolly,
Congrats on the six years. I don’t read knitting blogs just for the knitting — I enjoy knowing the whole person. I have you on my Google Reader so I get a notice everytime you post and I am there. I just don’t have a lot to say and don’t often leave a comment. I even hesitate to leave my own url. I am trying to be more regular in my posting, but struggle as well.
Best wishes for another good blog year!
I can’t remember when I first started reading you. I think it was year one of Project Spectrum? Anyhoo, I don’t really read blogs as much as I used to, even my friends I follow on livejournal. I can’t focus anymore on reading large pieces of text. I do try to keep up on my friends at least.
I’m so glad to have met you through this blog, and so happy that you’ve kept at it. It’s one of a few that lift me up, slow me down, make me a stronger person. Thank you, and happy 6th!
Happy blogoversary!
Your photographs are beautiful!
Hi Lolly;
I became a blog reader in general and of you in particular about 5 or 6 years ago to help me get through a rotten time in my family, when I just needed to be at home from work as a presence to help someone else. Reading about people who loved the same things that I did has helped me grow in my knitting, but also let me in on the lives of people such as yourself, who are constantly growing and evolving…this helped keep me sane when I needed it and has reminded me that we all continue to grow. (rotten issue that kept me home has grown up and matured and seems to be turning into a pretty decent adult!
)
I subscribe to just a many blogs as I used to–maybe even more–but it’s true that they’re just not being updated as often. I don’t get as many visitors or comments as I used to, either, which kind of saddens me. (Not the “me feeling less popular” part so much as that this feels kind of like the end of an era, and I really LIKED this era.) But, still … I’m reading, I’m blogging, and I’m not alone. That’s what matters, right?
Thanks for posting! I love your blog, as always.
Congratulations Lolly on blogging for 6 years. I knew it was quite some time as that was when I think I first discovered blogs. I know that quite a few people have stopped blogging which is sad but I guess time is a thing we should cherish and people get busy. I have loved reading your blog and your adventures and travels and of course knitting. I have to say that I still love reading blogs as it gives you a sense of visiting with a friend far away whom you can keep in touch with!
Six years, wow! That means we’ve been friends for 6 years, too! thank you for sharing your lovely reflections. I think for any of us who were/are involved with blogging quickly learned that knitting is part of life, so it’s hard not to express other parts of ourselves. I feel like I’ve learned so much from what you’ve shared, the conversations you’ve opened, the images you’ve shared. Especially being so far away, I’m glad that you’re still active here and I can follow you. Continue to express your voice through this medium, there will be many of us here waiting for your next post. xoxo
Congratulations! I have truly benefited from and enjoyed your blogging
— knitting projects, recipes, photos, yoga, your enthusiasm for what’s that sport team’s name LOL and even your posts about your unfortunate “getting” of Lyme disease. I bring that up because I’ve been able to direct a person to it for some suggestions for getting through it.
Also, I’ve lived in your area, so it is nice to see photos of Rock Creek Parkway – it is truly a lovely area.
So please keep going, and many thanks!
and … forgot to mention it’s been fun to follow what books you are reading, too, and Project Spectrum …. and …
(I could go on and on!)
congrats, again!
Happy bloggiversary!
I think the world is evolving at a much faster rate than it used to…at least in the web-world. Email lists, home pages, blogs, twitter, facebook…we’re all way more connected in many different ways than we were when we started blogging. It’s a fascinating way to view the world. And thank you for sharing it with us!
I only discovered your blog a few months ago, but I’m now a subscriber and read it all the time. Thanks for all the great pictures you share. (BTW, we visited that labyrinth in Juneau a few years ago — wasn’t that a nice place?)
I’ve struggled with the same concern as you about blog content — my blog also has “knitting” in the title, but I’ve started writing more about other things too. I like to share my wildlife pictures and talk about interesting things that happen in daily life. And I just went back to check how long I’ve been blogging and I’ll have my sixth anniversary in January next year — how cool is that? Thanks for giving me something to celebrate!
Congrats on the milestone! I have enjoyed reading your blog over the years. I think that a lot of knitters have begun to pursue other creative outlets, which completely makes sense, because most of us started knitting because of a desire to be creative. The more we all share, the more the world opens up to us, so thanks!