in my 'spare' time ...

Don't you love that title?! I thought this week, that I would write about something else that eventuated after I left my position in the Retail Yarn Industry - before I started designing in earnest. I went home after my last day, and actually felt a bit lost! I was not expecting that! Yes, I had chosen to resign and was totally at peace with my decision. But I also kind of felt like maybe a part of me was gone, never to return .... and that I really should get on with the next chapter!

I ended up browsing through Pinterest. I thought about the fact that I could no longer administrate the facebook page for the store I had worked in. I rather enjoyed doing that, and since I had also started the page, it had really become my thing! My boss decided she didn't want to take it over when I left, so reluctantly the page was closed down. I found out later that a new page was started up after another staff member came on board, so that was good to hear!

It came to me as I was browsing Pinterest and lamenting the fact that I had saved so many things there I could never find them when I wanted them, that maybe there was another way of looking at this 'problem'! Perhaps I could start a facebook group! I could use it to save my online finds - and then I would know where everything was! You see, unlike facebook pages, groups have Files! And in Files - you can sort things in alphabetical order!

I was convinced!

I 'invited' some of my facebook friends to join the group, because I decided that if I was going to share and save things there, then I might as well offer this resource to like minded people. I got a bit carried away in the beginning and I was sharing and saving so many things to the Files, that I had some wondering at the speed at which I was doing so! After I informed those concerned, that there are settings on facebook which make it possible for them NOT to receive email notifications of everything that is being done, things settled down, they seemed to relax - and I think they are still on my friend list!

Knitting and Crochet Knowledge Bank is the name of the group.

I wanted the name to reflect the purpose of the group, that of sharing knowledge on the one hand - and depositing it for 'withdrawal' at a later date, on the other. Just like a bank - where I happened to start my working life, once upon a very long time ago! Although in this case when you withdraw, the resources stay put - for another rainy day! This group is different to many others, in that it is not really a 'show and tell' environment. It was not to set up to operate that way, but sometimes we have people eager to share their projects or wanting to ask questions, and this is not discouraged. Everything is considered, and all shares must first be approved, so as to make sure they are encouraging, helpful and inspiring to others.

The group has been running for 19 months as I write, and to date we have 1290 members. It is a closed group - in that you have to join to see what is offered there. Although aimed first and foremost at Kiwis (New Zealanders) the group is not exclusive. All that is required is an interest in knitting and crochet. Because a lot of what I share is sourced from sources outside New Zealand I thought it only fair to include others who might benefit. The group exists as a reference resource for anyone who wants to know there is somewhere they can come to find linked shares and be taken directly to the site concerned when they click on that link. I know a lot of people are frustrated with other reference sites because many of the links turn out to be totally unrelated or even non existent. I check everything works properly before I share. And ... if any site has so many advertisements that you cannot see the information content easily then I stay well away from it.

No matter how good the 'content' might look!

There are over 40 FILES - covering various topics relating back to knitting or crochet. Tutorials are shared, videos, pattern links, news, history, travel options - you name it! When I share something with the group I mention the FILE it is saved to. Sadly, although I can save things alphabetically within the FILES there is no provision (that I know of) to make the FILE LIST itself alphabetical. That irks me - a lot! I am really hoping one day, that Facebook administrators will decide this is a favourable option and should be offered! Some days, nothing is shared - and that's ok. Other days, a few things might be shared. The ultimate purpose is to store info, for future reference . The Files are always there - and it's like any library - if you don't use it, you don't know what's there and the wealth of information therein.

So if you are not a member already, and think you might like to be, all you need to do now is submit a join request, answer a couple of questions - and pass the test! Just kidding - if you're reading this, I have it on good authority that you will probably pass with flying colours!