So one of the reasons I wanted to start blogging is that I really wanted to learn how to use different blog features (as well as my camera and computer) more efficiently. I think that being comfortable with and knowing how to use these tools will be really important in the future, particularly when I am teaching. I think that "kids" (I suppose they're not really kids as I will be teaching college students, but hey, they're younger than me so I think they're kids) are much more used to using this kind of technology-- I love the idea of having a class blog, or a website that is easy to access and use, where we can document the process rather than just looking individually at a final product. I've felt gypped in the past when I spend a semester with my classmates, and at the end we all individually turn in papers for the teacher's eyes only, whereas the process of writing and sharing and developing ideas is the fun part, and what it's all about.
I also wanted to blog because I have been lurking around, reading other blogs, and I would just love to reach a point where people actually enjoy reading my writing, and can give me some feedback on what I am doing. For a long time I have felt pretty unsure about putting myself out there (in cyberspace, that is) because it seems so strange to share private things with anyone who happens by. But that feeling really came more from seeing how my peers were blogging about their lives, without a sort of purpose or focus. For some reason I think telling the world about who you hung out with last weekend or your latest exploits is something I wouldn't share, whereas blogging about knitting gives more direction, and in terms of inspiration and learning I have found other's blogs to be incredibly valuable. Maybe I am being too judgmental-- I suppose blogging about what interests you is fair enough, whether that be your craft or your social life, but I have thought a lot about what kind of blog I might have, and here it is.
So, as spring is nearing I am drawn back to the bright colors of my sugar n'cream collection-- all purchased with the intention of being washrags, but that would be a hell of a lot of washrags. I have long been in love with the mitered square pattern from the Mason-Dixon book, and I think it might be just the right summer project to tote around. Of course, I am resolved to finish the sweater before starting yet another project, but thinking in terms of color has me excited!