Yippee! One Year of Blogging and Why I’m Surprised

Easy Crochet Twist - Headband Free Pattern
A year later this mama is still always in a stitch! You all have rocked my little stitching world.
Dear friends,
My next post will be a pattern (there’s a sneak peek in the picture above), but today I’m celebrating.  This blog has officially been going for a whopping one year! This is so exciting (and kind of shocking) to me, and I’ll tell ya why.  When I started my wee blog, I thought it would be a nice way to keep track of my projects and potentially share with others.  I think I wrote about this in another post, but my brother and his hip friends encouraged me to do my best because maybe more than just my mom and brother would read it.  Well, I figured I didn’t want to be embarrassed with how it looks if people would actually use my patterns. Starting then, I wanted to post what I create while making it as “good” (visually and content wise) as I could.
Tapestry Fair Isle Crochet Bag
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite project from this year. It was really cool to see how the snowflakes turned out on this bag. The “Favorite Slouch” hat has been one of my most clicked on patterns.
So, in order to make it “good”, I started trying to “google” how to have a blog. The amount of information made me want to curl up into the fetal position next to my laptop.  One site said only something like 15% of blogs that are started are still going a year later. I guess people get tired of posting, writing, picture taking, project making.  I looked at that statistic and realized that most likely I too wouldn’t have a blog within a year.  Between kids, schedules, husband’s eye rolls (about crazy yarn purchases of course), and life, maybe it’s too hard to run a blog and enjoy my knitting and crocheting at the same time.  I read about how bloggers have Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. Twitter scared me and still kind of does! I didn’t really know what Instagram was. Hashtags – what? Should I even have a blog?
Then I stepped back. Stepped WAY back.  No.  This hobby is a passion of mine. This knitting, crocheting, designing, creating, sharing easy patterns is a passion. An aspect of my life.  Maybe I don’t know everything about what these google searches are telling me to do.  I am just going to do what I enjoy. Maybe it’s the right thing, maybe it’s not. I will do what I love, share it with others, and see if it’s fun.
Oh, it’s fun friends. And it’s fun because of you. It’s fun because I love knitting and crocheting and coming up with designs.  It’s fun because of all of the great people, readers and bloggers that I’ve met, read comments from, read emails from, seen pictures from.  It’s fun because I get to share this cool yarn hobby that we have.  Is it work? Sometimes.  If I was just making my projects and not blogging them, I might get to bed before 1 AM most nights. I take an insane amount of time taking and editing photos, writing about them, and fixing things on the blog.  But it’s fun work.  And if work is fun, is it really work at all?  Ahh – philosophy!  For my second year of blogging I am hoping to find a better balance.  I’d also love to do more with charity, and hopefully get a page up where I can finally post YOUR pictures of finished projects.
DSC_4936
The road to one of my FAVE places here in Colorado. I love sharing my little outdoorsy pictures with you when I can sneak them in. I think yarn crafts and nature go so well together – both beautiful and peaceful. As long as toddler is occupied!
Beginner Crochet Lamb Hat Pattern
It’s crazy how much my daughter has changed over just this one year.
My little blog now has 4800 Facebook page fans, 2000 Pinterest followers, 1100, Instagram followers and I even have some twitter followers. My subscribers are also in the thousands. It was all fine and dandy to hit the “PUBLISH” button when just my mom read the blog. Now I get a little nervous each time I hit that button! There are over 1200 comments on the blog. WHAT?! Yes. I’ve tried to respond to all of you, because it’s my favorite part of this whole thing.  You all have been so kind.  It even seems as though I’ve gotten to know some of you, and that’s the best! You have inspired me with your pictures, visits and comments and pattern requests. Even if I haven’t heard from you, I see how many of you stop by through my little “stats page” and it means a lot to me.  I am so very grateful for the encouragement along the way. Encouragement from you, fellow bloggers, and even amazing yarn companies like Lion Brand, who shared some of my very first projects to my utter surprise.  I’ve had projects printed in magazines, shared on several large websites and blogs, even had published patterns.
All this, from a little thought of tracking my projects and sharing with others on a blog.  This blog, to my surprise, is here. A year later, and hopefully for years and years to come – and as long as it’s fun. This mama in a stitch is still stitch’n! Thank YOU for being a part of it!

 

Easy Crochet Twist - Headband Free Pattern
Here’s a sneak peek at my next pattern. One of the most requested patterns after posting my last headband.

I love hearing what patterns you have liked, or what you want to see more of this second year of blogging.

Feel free to let me know in the comments below. Remember, I love hearing from you. 🙂

[jetpack_subscription_form]

Similar Posts

24 Comments

  1. Love the patterns you have included in your blog. We have similar taste in knits, so find them adorable. Keep up the awesome work!

    1. Great Brenda! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and let me know. Love hearing that we have similar taste in knits. I will definitely keep the knitting patterns coming. I really appreciate your sweet words!

  2. well congrats, I to want too want to start a blog but im so afraid, I guess I just need to jump in and just do it but I really want to learn how to write my own patterns and share them with everyone. everyone is telling me to just go for it, so I guess that’s what will happen. I cant do anything right at the moment because there is way to much going on at my house right now, but maybe you can give me some pointers…. thanks for listening to my rambles

    thanks

    susanne

    1. Hi Susanne! Sorry to hear you have so much going on at your house. If blogging is something you’d like to do, there is no harm in giving it a try! Just like I said above, I wanted to do it and figured I’d see if it was fun. For me it’s great fu, and maybe for you too! There’s no harm in trying and if it’s not as you imagined, well that’s fine. There are easy ways and more complicated ways to start a blog. One of the easiest is through blogspot. Depending on your wants thought out can look into other sites too – just google how to start a blog. Try not to get overwhelmed! Take your time. If you try it, I hope you enjoy.

  3. I love your blog and your patterns are always so nice. So far I’ve only knit one (I sent you a photo and you were kind to respond). That hairband looks pretty cool. Might be my next “mama” project! All the best.

    1. Hi dear Wendy. You’ve been one of those kind people I’ve talked about in this post. Thanks for the support. I remember quite well the scarf you made. It looked so cool on you! I hope you and yours are well and thanks again for the kind words.

  4. I love your patterns and designs, I only crochet so look forward to chrichet patterns, although I have purchased knitting needles and have attempted previously to learn, I may have to give it another whirl with some of your must have patterns!!

    1. Hi Joan! Thanks for taking the time to comment and for letting me know you look forward to my crochet patterns. I try to do about half crochet and half knitting patterns to keep all of us happy. If you try out knitting, I do hope you like it! A whole new reason to buy more yarn. Ha ha! Thanks again for your kind words Joan.

  5. Congratulations Jessica!!! I love seeing what you are up to and seeing your nature photos. It’s fun that our girls are close in age too! You have inspired me in so many ways and I am so happy that I have my little Facebook page with my hooking, cooping and my cooking! I’m not sure I would have it if it wasn’t for you and seeing your posts and talking with you. Thank you and keep it up!! Congrats!!!!

    1. Hi Amy! You’re so sweet, and thanks again for all of your kind words over the year. You’ve inspired me – so it’s mutual! I’m so excited for you to have your new Facebook group with the cutest name ever “Hooking, Cooping and Cooking.” It is super cool that our girls are the same age for sure. Thanks so much again, and we’ll be in touch here in Internet land!

  6. Hi Jessica,
    I have been knitting for years but have never found a blog I enjoy ’til yours. Your spirit is so upbeat, and you have a wonderful way of instilling in your readers the glee you derive from each new pattern. And I like your patterns very much. I made your bulky-knit mits for my 98 year old aunt in Oregon; I made them in a charcoal grey with a glittery strand in it (Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick ‘n’ Quick). They came out great, and she loves them! So thanks a LOT, Jessica, congratulations on your anniversary, and please, keep it all coming!

    1. Hi Jill,
      It sounds like I could learn a thing or two from you with your knitting experience! I’m honored that you enjoy my blog, and wow – thank you so much for the sweet words! I’m so glad that you think my excitement comes through the posts. How wonderful that your 98 year old aunt is enjoying the “bulky mitts” gloves that you made her. Those are so cozy and comfortable. Thanks again Jill for taking the time to comment and for the encouragement! It really makes me smile. Happy New Year to you and yours.

    1. Hi Silvia!
      Thanks for the congratulations. You’re welcome of course! Thanks for taking the time to comment with your kind words, and I’m so glad you like my patterns.

  7. Hi Brenda,
    First let me say your goodness is reflected in your words and patterns. I am grateful that you are a leader and friend. Keep up the good work. Second, could some day a doll pattern be knitted? I am wondering here what pretty doll we can all make.
    Thanks!
    Elsa

    1. Hi Elsa,
      Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a sweet comment for me! It’s so kind! I love your idea to knit a doll. That would be so cute. I don’t know if I’m a good enough knitter to do it, but maybe someday. Wouldn’t that be great? Thanks for the idea Elsa. Happy New Year to you and your family!

      -Jessica

  8. Way to go girl! You do exude such pleasantness in all you present! Keep up the good work!

    1. Thanks Esther! You are always so kind. I’m waiting for you to start your blog with all of your amazing creations that I see on Instagram. 😉

  9. Jessica,
    Congratulations on your first, very successful year! I just know your blog will continue stronger than ever this year because it’s such a lovely, peaceful place to visit for ideas and inspiration. I subscribed as soon as I saw your photos because I live in very similar surroundings in Wyoming and I figured we were likely kindred spirits. I enjoy your blog and will continue to visit for your patterns and your photos and to cheer you on in all your endeavors, which you are so generous to share with us. Here’s to many more years!

    1. Hi Judy,
      Thanks so much for your kind words, and I am especially happy to hear from you since you are another “western gal”. 😉 It makes me so happy that you think this is a peaceful place to visit for ideas and inspiration! 🙂 I love driving through Wyoming, though I haven’t gotten to do it too much. My most memorable was on a drive to Yellowstone. Thanks again Judy for taking the time to comment and for the sweet words. Stay warm this winter!

  10. Congratulations on your first year. First of many to come, no doubt. Thank you for being here with wonderful ideas and patterns . I wish you the very best in 2016.

Comments are closed.