Stuff that helps my world keep rocking

I have a wide variety of interests. They will not all make it here. I will add links to things I love or that have made a difference in my life. That should do.

Electronics

When I was young, before there were personal computers, there were Heath Kits. Though they were declared too expensive for regular purchase by my parents, I was fasinated. Now, the maker and hacker communities are huge, and I can learn on my own! The video channels are amazing with the depth and breadth of content. My current favs are below:

Adafruit Industries – I got drawn to them first for their wearables and tiny color-change LEDs.  I am loving their “Women in Hardware” series of videos. I am also subscribed to their periodic “AdaBox” which takes me all over the place, many times over my head. If I follow along carefully enough though, I can succeed on their projects, which is very fun.

Arduino – They really cut this maker business loose with their open-source software and micro-controllers. I am slowly learning a bit more about writing code.

SparkFun – Their learning kits are fun, with a great variety of different toys. They will be a great resource when I get past beginner.

Hackster.io – I just have learned about these folks, and are starting to watch their videos. Alex Glow’s enthusiasm is infectious, and all the stuff she plays with is inspiring. It will probably be a bit before I post anything, but I can use the fun to keep the fire stoked.

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories – These are the first folks I got stuff from. A few kits to get my soldering chops back.With a name like “Evil Mad Scientist” I pretty much had to buy from them.

Tiny Circuits – I love their almost microscopic LEDS, and they have the micorcontrollers to go with them. Some of their other kits are very tempting.

Hackerboxes – A monthly subscription service, full of toys to build! Most are a bit beyond me, so I got their beginner box. Some the kits are pretty tempting though.

HumbleBundle – It might be odd to list these guys here, but they had a few bundles full of books useful to this hobby. Electronics, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and others. Good stuff to fill out my learning. They regularily come up with new tempting bundles.

Fiber

Yarn Harbor – my “alma mater” in fiberland. I worked here many happy years and this is where I cut my teeth in pattern-making. I visit and shop there as often as is reasonable.

Knitty.com – For over ten years Knitty has been rocking the knitting world with great free patterns. they have helped to launch numerous careers, and they have published me!

Ravelry – database of all things fiber, plus a great community. I’ve got a handful of patterns here.

Patternfish – a lovely purveyor of fine patterns. They were kind enough to add me as a designer. I love their sense of humor, which peeks through once and a while.

Blueprint – Formerly Craftsy. They are a huge learning clearinghouse. They have videos for just about anything you want to do in the world of craft as well as a great pattern database.

Esthetic Stuff

Upstate MN – A tasty shop of delicious things, none of which you can eat, but all of which can feed you. My lovely water pot came from there, and I stop in regularly to chat and get my hugs from Kristopher.