It's Study Time! Stashdown, Weaving and Readers

We have a few more Specialist Study threads to visit as part of our tour.

Stashdown Accountability

On a quest to reduce your stash, or just looking for a No-Buy Buddy? This thread is the place for both. Look here for help setting stashdown goals, look for a partner to help keep you accountable and set a plan for checking in. There's plenty of support and encouragement here for any goal you're looking to achieve.

Weaving

Another Ravelry craft represented by it's own thread is Weaving. Current or would-be weavers of all skill levels gather here to discuss their craft. Whether you are looking to get started and are looking for recommendations on looms, need help with a project or pattern, or just want to show off your latest creation, this is your destination in the Tower.

Ravenclaw Readers

For many, crafting and reading go together, and the search for a new book can be as much of a thrill as new yarn. That's where this thread comes in as it's where Tower readers go to look for recommendations for both hard copy and audiobooks and to discuss recently read works. There are even personal book lists and the option for a personal recommendation upon request. Egredietur lectorum!


We're approaching the end of our tour through the Tower Specialist Study threads. Let us know if there are any ones in particular that you would like to learn more about, and stay tuned to this column for a review of the last few in coming weeks.

It's Study Time! Papercrafting, Eagles of Academia and WIP Wrangling

We're ready for another tour through some of the topic-specific specialist study threads found in the Tower. This time, we'll be taking a peek at a non-Rav craft thread, a lifestyle thread and something that most crafters need a little help with from time to time.

The Blank Canvas (Paper, Paints, Sketches, and Such)

This Tower thread is the destination for anyone who does anything crafty with paper. The question that was asked when the thread was started is what could you do with a blank canvas? The answer is painting, stamping, coloring, or drawing with any type of medium. It can also be scrapbooking, cardmaking, bookbinding or mixed media papercrafting of any kind. This study is a place to share skills, post enablers or just talk about this non-Rav craft form.

Eagles of Academia

It's no secret that Ravenclaws love to learn, and there are plenty of us that have continued this process through the pursuit of formal education. Whether you are studying for your PhD, writing your thesis or working towards a Bachelors degree, this thread is the place to go for a little support and commiseration. Others who visit also include those who work in academia or are supporting those that are pursuing these degrees. Come here when you need to cheer or need some cheering up.

WIP Wrangling

If you've been yarn crafting (or doing any type of crafting) for any length of time, chances are you have at least one or two or ten WIPs. WIP is short for work in progress, and most of us have a towering pile of these lingering in our craft spaces. That's where this thread comes in, offering support for those working on completing these WIPs, and cheering on any finished items.  Whether you have one (or an undisclosed number) of these hanging around, a quick visit here will help you feel better about wrangling them.

Thanks for taking the time to read about this week's Specialist Study featured threads. We'll be back soon with a few more to visit.

It’s Study Time! Ongoing Fiber Education, Sewing and Socks

We're here with another installment of our feature on the Tower Specialist Study threads. This time we have a bit of something for everyone whether you are into Rav crafts, other crafting, or learning more about fiber arts.

Lifelong Fiber Learning 

The newest specialist study in the Tower, this thread is home to discussions about all the different ways yarn artists can grow in our craft. From information on Master Knitting, Crochet and Spinning programs, to reviews of Craftsy classes, this is the place to go to learn and discuss all the ways we can continue to evolve and hone our art. Rav crafts aren't the only items being discussed here either; there are reviews of several sewing classes as well.

Sewing Days

Experienced and aspiring sewists have this specialty study to call their own. Visitors to this thread share tips, tricks, successes and defeats with all things related to sewing. Whether looking for a recommendation for a beginner or advanced machine, a pattern for a project bag, or discussion about creating a capsule wardrobe, this Tower destination is the place to go to find others with similar interests. 

Mad About Socks

Whether you're an experienced sock knitter, or attempting your first pair, this Tower specialist study has a ton of information for anyone making these sweaters for your feet. From conversations about sock knitting competitions such as Tour de Sock and Sock Madness to chats about KALs and favorite patterns, this is the place to go to talk socks.

We hope this exploration of our many Tower Specialist Study threads is giving you some new places to visit in our beloved House. I'll be back soon to highlight more.

It's Study Time! Spinning, the Gym and Charity Crafting

It’s time for another quick look at some of the specialty threads in the Tower. 

Spinning

One of the main Ravelry crafts allowed in the Cup, spinning is a popular craft with many adherents. Like other yarn arts, it's also a bit of a black hole with a fairly steep learning curve. Our Tower spinning specialist thread is home to wheel spinners, spindle spinners, fluff enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning more about this ancient art form. Whether you're looking for help from fellow spinners, or want to dip your toe into the spinning pool, this specialist study thread is your place to go.

The Tower Gym

This term's Headmistress Challenge is focused on bettering, and our own Head of House has declared a desire for us to work towards self-care. For many people, self-care and bettering can include efforts to exercise more and eat better. The Tower Gym specialist study thread is the ideal location for anyone looking for an exercise accountability buddy, healthy eating tips/recipes or general information on nutrition. Those that frequent this thread post workout tips, discuss training programs and generally offer support for one another. It's a great place to check out if your goal includes improving in any one of these areas.

Charity Crafting - 'Claws for a Cause

Yarn crafters are a generous bunch, and members of the 'Cup are no different. While many of us began crafting primarily to make items for friends and family, most of us use our skills to craft for charities near and dear to our hearts. This specialist study thread is the place to go in the Tower to discuss charity crafting patterns, causes and to share your latest charity project. Whether you want to find a good pattern to use for charity donations, want to talk about your favorite cause or just have something to share, visit here. Don't forget: they have badges!

I hope you're enjoying this tour of the Specialist Studies in the Tower. We have plenty more to highlight, so I'll be back soon with info about others to visit.

It's Study Time! Fountain Pens & Shawls

Today, we're visiting two of the Specialist Study threads in a little more depth.


Order of the Fountain Pen

No tour through the Tower Specialist Study threads would be complete without first visiting the Order of the Fountain Pen. This unique thread is home to all lovers of fountain pens and includes discussions on pen brands, inks, handwriting practice and even some enabler alerts for great fountain pen related deals. If you've ever been curious about using fountain pens, are wanting a good recommendation for pen or ink for yourself or a fountain pen loving friend, or just want to learn more about fountain pens in general, the diehard group of fans in this Specialist Study are an excellent resource. This is also the only group of its kind in the House Cup, so this thread gets plenty of visitors from across the Castle.

Prof Trelawney's Shawl Closet

This newly resurrected Specialist Study focuses on all things shawl-related. Whether it be knit or crochet, large or small, you can find plenty of discussion about these perennial favorite projects. With posts tagged by project name, it's easy to find others who have made or are working on the same shawl pattern. There are also mini shawl-a-longs, shawl project planning and much sharing of gorgeous finished projects. Whether you're a diehard shawl maker or looking to get started, this Specialist Study is your destination in the Tower.

I hope you're enjoying this peek into our Tower Specialist Studies. I'll be back soon with a look into more of these special interest threads.

It's Study Time!

A quick glance through the The Tower reveals a sizable list of threads marked Specialist Study. What are these, and why should you spend the time to take a look?

Specialist Study is Tower-speak for any thread outside of the term threads and dorms. They are where like-minded 'Claws gather to discuss specific areas of interest in more detail...and 'Claws have A LOT of interests.

In the coming weeks, I'll be featuring some of these Specialist Studies in more detail, but here's a list for quick reference. You can click on the name to open the thread in a new tab.

Rav-Craft Related
Dyeing
Spinning
Weaving
Baby Stuff
Charity Crafting - 'Claws for a Cause
Finish or Frog
Mad About Socks
Prof Trelawney's Shawl Closet
WIP Wrangling

Non-Rav Craft Related
The Blank Canvas (Paper, Paints, Sketches and Such)
Sewing Days

General Interest/Lifestyle
Alternative Education
Eagles of Academia
Lifelong Fiber Learning
Order of the Fountain Pen
Ravenclaw Readers
Ravenclaw Recipe Book
Stashdown Accountability 2017
The Tower Gym


Take a minute to pop into one of these threads and join the conversation!

Dying to Dye

We have a relatively new Specialist Study to highlight today: Dyeing!

For a look at some beautiful roving (by mimulus),

yarn (by FrancineM),

and even some locks (by shadawyn),

head over to the Specialist Study thread, where you can also find some advice on using Kool-Aid, Wilton's, and acid dyes!

Stashdown Time!

It's January 1, 2013. Your significant other/parent/child/favorite pet would like to ring in the new year with you. S/he searches and searches and searches some more, but you're nowhere to be found. With growing trepidation, s/he checks each room in your home, wondering where you could be.

Suddenly, s/he opens a door and finds:

This, only less happy and more squashed.

You're crushed under the soft squishiness of your massive stash! Your discoverer sobs, but to no avail -- you're flatter than a pancake!

This fate could have been avoided if you had joined in the Stash Down 2012 Accountability Partners thread and figured out a way to reduce your stash!

If you're looking at your stash and wondering if skeins of yarn multiply like Tribbles, this is the Specialist Study for you. Although some of us started a bit earlier, it's still not too late to join (unless, of course, you wait until 2013). It doesn't matter if your motivations for stashing down are space, money, or the desire to knit some of the gorgeous yarns you've been stockpiling -- everyone is welcome. You'll get an accountability partner to help you make goals and stick to them, and you'll never have to worry about being crushed by yarn.

And remember: stashing down means lots of knitting. Do it for Luna!