Backup Your Knitting Patterns Online
December 10th, 2008 | View Comments
‘Tis the season for traveling with your knitting. Like most people I know, I always travel with a laptop. The problem is, I mostly use my desktop when I’m at home and a different desktop when I’m at work. And so my downloaded knitting patterns get scattered across three computers and inevitably the one I want is not where I can get at it.
In addition to the access problem, there is also the backup problem. How much would it suck to lose all the patterns you’ve acquired over the years?
I would love for Ravelry to build in the ability to upload patterns you’ve purchased or downloaded elsewhere to Ravelry for storage. It’s on the list, but I’ve found a workaround in the meantime: Google Docs!
I already use Google Docs for a lot of things; I don’t know why it took me this long to see it as a way to store and organize my digital patterns. I created a folder called “Craft Patterns” in my main directory, and then a bunch of subfolders for different crafts and pattern types.
Then I started uploading my pattern pdfs. In a few cases where there was no pdf to begin with, I went to the original pattern web site and copied the pattern text and charts into a new document. I figured it would be good insurance in case the original site ever disappeared.
You will not be able to upload pdfs that have security restrictions (e.g., Rogue or the Brother Amos socks). This is a known issue and Google is working on it.
Now I hope this goes without saying for my readers, but this should only be used as a way to store and organize digital patterns for your personal use. Sharing patterns you’ve uploaded is a no-no.
It’s not an ideal solution (no thumbnails, for one) and I still eagerly await the knitter-friendly, pattern-specific version that will hopefully someday appear on Ravelry. Please go vote for it if you do too!
CogKnition posted this on December 10th, 2008 @ 4:32pm in Knitting on the Web | Permalink to "Backup Your Knitting Patterns Online"
cogknition
That’s a great idea! I wish I’d thought of it.
What a wonderful idea! I will put all my patterns from every where there.
/Medeas at Ravelry