This year, when you talk to a knitter with any kind of online presence, they mention Ravelry. I can't remember a time when an online community developed such strength and following as quickly. I've talked with a number of crafters who speak wistfully about the hope of building a similar community that might include other activities. A site like Ravelry for quilters, jewelry makers or all those paper crafts.

Maybe it's just summertime, I think. Posting on craft blogs always slows way down in the summertime. That's the likely explanation. Except the slowdown began way before summertime. Except the slowdown includes blogs just going away. Except the slowdown includes bloggers lowering blog posts because of book deals. Except the slowdown includes a lack of interesting posts on the blogs that are there. Which makes some wonder, is the craft blog dead?

And All It Took agrees with me: Ravelry EATS Time...  But in a good way!! After reading this, I quickly emailed the webhostess and begged to be slipped near the front of the line.  So far, this has been about the only benefit of being able to say: I'm the craft editor for BlogHer.  I got my invite within hours. I've been playing a little every week since.