I guess I'm too old for Ravelry, too. I'm almost 52.
Also, I have dial up and I just don't have all the time in the world to waste. I joined Ravelry, late, and have since tried to delete my membership. I don't want to knit what every one else in the universe is knitting. I don't have such a stash that I need to to take pictures of it and post the pictures online. I know what size and kind of needles I have. I spin my own yarn mostly. I knit a lot of my own designs. And my knitting isn't part of a competition, it's merely what I make it. Usually a soothing hobby.
Like you, I am a self starter, willing to Google a term or technique, rather than ask an online group.
I'm on Ravelry pretty often; it's the first (and only) social networking site I belong to. I even moderate several groups. But I don't post that frequently, even though I like to read through some of what's going on in the forums. I use Ravelry mainly as a resource for figuring out what to do with x amount of y yarn, or for looking at the way people have adapted patterns, and things like that, which I think was the basic starting premise.
I think that Ravelry can be used in a lot of different ways, and the forums are only one small part of that, even though they often seem to loom large. I suspect that our personalities in real life (far more than our ages) affect the way we use Ravelry--I tend to sit back and listen, mostly, and only chime in when I feel like I have something to add. That's basically the way I've approached Rav forums.
As for friending (and when did that become a verb, anyway?), a lot of people seem to friend people not because they want to have specific social interaction, but because they want to see what kinds of things the . . . friendee, maybe? is knitting, queuing, stashing, etc.
The internet is an interesting place, isn't is?
I've belonged to Ravelry since July 07. This is also shortly after a lot of changes in my life - including moving. I read about 4 groups regularly and a bunch once in a while.
I still go to Ravelry daily but it is more to get inspiration and enjoy the work of others. I comment most in one local forum and the 3 others I like most. Comments are usually compliments of the work of others.
I'm primarily self taught in knitting and other crafts. I've had one spinning class and one quilting class. Ravelry can provide the links that I am to lazy to hunt on my own.
I don't visit the forums much, if at all. I do belong to several groups, but only really post in a couple of them (maybe even only one now... since one was for a festival that is over for the year).
But having said that... I visit Ravelry for a lot of reasons other than social networking.
I have found the organizational databases it offers to be quite helpful. It's made keeping track of my stash and books simpler (although I still can't add all of my books... but they're working on it).
I do pattern searches on it often. Sometimes for big things like a sweater; sometimes for small things like a single leaf.
And, when I consider patterns I might want to make, I have the ability to see how other knitter's versions came out and trouble shoot before starting.
As for friending... I don't friend much because I feel like the word should mean something. But I do think it can be useful as a way to keep track of projects, blog posts, and comments made, not just by knitters you like, but by knitters whose *work* you like.
I've only once failed to friend back someone. I had no idea who she was or why she friended me... we didn't belong to any of the same groups, she wasn't doing any of the same projects as me... it was just odd... so I didn't respond. I should have written her and asked about it. Maybe I still will...
Oh, by the way... I don't think it's an age thing. I'm barely younger than the first poster and I don't feel too old for it. And my Mom who is in her 70s is a regular Raveler and loves it.
Maybe you were on target with the introvert/extrovert idea?
Ravelry is my only social networking site. I love being in awe of other's work. I like that I have a place to show my work to people who will appreciate the time and effort put into it.
I friend people (including you!) who knit the same sort of projects I do or at least what I plan to. Being able to track progress on so many lace projects is wonderful.
I don't post much. I have been on ravelry for a year and a half and have posted 23 times.
Wonderful as the site is, it does get overwhelming at times. My queue can weigh over my head and I feel that there just isn't enough time in the day to make all the lovely things I see.
I use the forums to find out about knit-alongs, new lace books and sales.
I am in my mid-30s and don't get the social part of it. But there are many things I don't get.
For me it's probably an introvert thing. I see many people most days as part of my work so my knitting (and quilting) time is for refreshment, contemplation and the pleasure of creating things, rather than social interaction. I'm not a blogger but have a list of favourite blogs which I visit once or twice a week at least. Google is my second choice for information, after the knitting (and quilting and other needlework) books on my shelves. And this would be only the third or fourth time I've ever posted a comment (second time here, by the way). I like the idea of Ravelry but would never join because it would take far too much time away from other things I enjoy. I'm 59, and have been knitting for about 51 years, largely self-taught after being shown the basics by my mother.
Hi -- I'm a lurker on your blog!
I'm a huge fan of Ravelry: I've been living overseas and Ravelry was my LYS/knitting community. I belong to a lot of groups - mostly for the info or for doing a future project. I found it hard to remember what some of the groups were called that did certain patterns, but the search function is 1000% improved so that really isn't an issue any more. That said, I really only participate in 2-4 groups because that's all I have time for.
I "friend" people when I see a lot of their projects that I like and want keep an eye on what they might do in the future. But I always send a "adding you as a friend" message saying why I "friended" someone, and so far, people seem very happy with that.
But I've made "good" friends already, sent and received some gifts, and connected with a couple of people in my "new" community where I'll be living.
I've found some LYSslook at you like "huh" when you mention Ravelry and others are excited to have it. The pattern resource and organizational abilities are another big reason why I'm online so much -- my queue is much longer than my future life span, but it reminds me of a technique/pattern that I liked or may make in the future. I also "fav" things a lot -- people do like compliments on their work, and ... it is fun to look at what is being done!
And I really like the current shawl you are working on!
Maryjo
I found you via AntiM. I'm 45 and I have been on Ravelry for over a year, but hardly ever comment. I joined a few groups, mainly just to see what they are up to. I read the forums but do not comment. I was just talking to my friend the other day about the social aspect of it. I have joined a sock KAL Club that also meets monthly at a local cafe. I've gone to the cafe only once in four months. I'm just not a social knitter. I can knit in front of non-knitters in public and at home, but get me in a group of knitters and that's the end of the knitting. I was taught several crafts by my mother and grandmother when I was 6 and have self taught most all my skills since those basics. Google and YouTube have been very helpful. I'm definitely an introvert.
Also, I don't feel the need to use the stash or queue functions, I know what I have and don't feel the need to keep everyone updated with specifics about it all. That's why I have my blog. I show pictures of the finished projects there. That's enough for me.
PS...I definitely use it to search for patterns. That has been extremely helpful.
I do like many aspects of ravelry, but there is too much 'find this for me' on the forums and in general I don't find too much info or inspiration there. I do look at patterns and yarns and see what others have done with either. I love lace and look at lots of those pics and patterns. But I am mostly disappointed with the social aspects, altho I will say that I have been corresponding with a couple of people that seem to have the same interests.
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