Thank you so much for the thoughtful comments you all have left on yesterday's post. I will get back to you all individually within the coming days, but generating thoughtful responses can take me a moment sometimes. Obviously I'm coming at this whole critique issue from the perspective of an academic. As a PhD student I'm pretty accustomed to being interrogated about my work, and while it can sometimes sting, especially at first, through questions and conversations and challenges from opposing viewpoints my own work has only gotten better. That is obviously something that takes place within the academic context, where we all share many common vocabularies, assumptions, goals, etc, but I think there is much to be said about how critique may or may not work similarly in a crafty context. At any rate, this issue is something I'll continue to wonder about, so I'll check back when I have something else interesting to say. But for now, I'd like to thank you for sticking around through all the nablopomo posts, reading and commenting as you were able (minus the one day I missed!). I'll bit you farewell at least for a few days to give myself a blo-break. (har)
wow that sweater is lookin’ worn, girl. I MEAN THAT IN A GOOD WAY.
carolyn recently posted..NaBloPoMo 30
Aw, congrats on making it through nablopomo! I think that people were more upfront in critique on patterns in the days before Ravelry. Now we’re just so connected — it’s much more “in your face.” Also, we posted more about progress, how to fix problems, where we had trouble while we were knitting away, etc.
I think that you may see more critique of patterns in the actual project pages on Ravelry, especially since some people update them as they’re working.
Also, I point to Wry Punster’s recent critique of a Brooklyn Tweed pattern as an example of how some manage to be “fair and balanced” (to steal the phrase from dreadful old Fox News), highlighting the good points and low points of Jared Flood’s work. As much as I love his patterns, projects, and photography, I think that he gets perhaps more kudos due to being, well, a dude. But would I post that on my blog? Probably not…
Jodi recently posted..Thanksgiving training
Thoughtful post yesterday. I went to grad school for art where vigorous crits were de riguer, I think they’re a useful tool. But, flaming someone anonymously on the web is not a critique. I’ve gotten to a point in my life when I’m less critical of others creations and feel that creativity should be praised because love and effort has been put into it. That said, if you don’t like it, move on. Criticism of patterns is another matter, if you see a glaring error or something that is confusing, PM the designer, don’t go dragging their name all over the internet.
misa recently posted..the wedding shawl
You totally deserve a blo break. Go do some stripin’! btw, I’m so so addicted to that shawl.
Jacey recently posted..Eep!