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Evernote for Knitting: How Jennifer Lathrop Keeps Her Patterns and Needles Organized

Tips and Stories | By Jennifer Lathrop
 
Name: Jennifer Lathrop
Profession: Graphic Designer, part time student
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Hobby: Knitting
Twitter: @jennilathrop

Bio

Jennifer Lathop is a graphic designer and hobbyist knitter who lives in Minneapolis. She began knitting with her mother. Today, she uses Evernote to not only manage her patterns, but to organize her family life, do her taxes, and keep track of work projects.

I use Evernote, Everywhere

I use Evernote for…

After I had initially discovered Evernote, I really wanted to figure out how it could fit into my lifestyle. I started following the Evernote blog and also Michael Hyatt’s blog and taking note of ideas. I started using Evernote by scanning in cartoons that I kept in a desk drawer, and since, my use has evolved beyond what I ever imagined.

Evernote for Knitting

I started knitting with my mom years ago. I’ve knit hats, mittens, scarves, blankets, sweaters and socks. Right now, I’m working on a baby blanket. Here are some of the ways Evernote has become an invaluable companion for me:

  • When my mom passed away, I got all of her knitting stuff and was immediately overwhelmed. My mom never knew what needles she had, and was always buying more. I’ve taken all of her needles and organized them entirely in Evernote, noting the type (double point, circular). Now, if I’m at the craft store, I know exactly what needles I have because I can pull up my list on my phone.
  • You knit where you are, so you take your projects with you. I used to take my pattern, fold it, and stuff it in my bag; after a while, it would start to crease and rip. Now, my patterns are saved in Evernote, so I have them with me no matter where I go, and they’re protected…for life!*
  • I find a lot of free patterns online, so I clip the patterns or new knitting techniques that I come across. Recently, I came across a video about a difficult join (it’s where you stop one yarn color and start another). I clipped the screenshot to my Evernote account so that I’d have it for reference  (it’s complicated!). You can also scan in hard copies of patterns and save them in your Evernote account.
  • I love having local notebooks on my phone, so even if I don’t have an Internet connection, I’m still able to pull up my pattern. [Learn more about Offline Notebooks; this is a Premium feature]
  • One of the things I’m starting to do is chronicle my knitting projects: taking pictures of finished projects, scanning in the labels of the yarn I used, and attaching the image of the yarn type to the note.

Evernote for work and life:

These days, I use Evernote for much more than knitting:

  • I have 16 main notebooks, many of which are Notebook Stacks. I love having my notes separated into appropriate categories. I have notebooks for graphic design, health, my kids, knitting, productivity, taxes, etc. Each notebook, like my ‘kids’ notebook, has a sub-notebook (ie – each kid has their own notebook). [Learn more about Notebook Stacks]
  • I’m a graphic designer and I’ve started to collect samples of things I see and like. I’ve also been doing more social media work for my job, so I’ve been saving tips, tricks and ideas for best practices.
  • I really like being able to share notebooks. I share them with my husband, especially when they have to do with the kids, the house, or gift ideas. For example, we went school shopping this weekend and I had scanned in the supply list. We both had it, so we could both scan the list. If he needs to pick some things up when I’m not around, he can. I’ve recently started sharing project-related notes with my boss. They get updated everywhere automatically, so we’re always on the same page. [Learn more about Shared Notebooks]

User Tip:

I love the new Android widget that shows my most-recently used notes: it allows me to pull up my most-recently used pattern in a snap.

*I only scan in patterns I have purchased (or are free) and I do not share or distribute any patterns I have loaded into Evernote.

  • jewel

    I am new to evernote and as in two weeks using. I love the idea of using it for my knitting and crotchet. I am using now for school but can see the use in my internship and home life as well
    Thanks

  • http://www.huntfishguide.com/locations/?type=hunt&region=us United States Hunting guides

    evernote is helpful in organizing my stuff.

  • Ginger

    My daughter turned me on to Evernote. I have to admit I just sort of played around with it. I had no idea it could be used to organize my knitting, wonderful!

  • http://www.serenatravis.com Serena Travis

    I love Evernote! I am inspired to add a knitting section now with all your great tips. I have been doing the fold, crease, rip thing with my patterns – I have a favorite sock pattern that I knit and the pattern is in tatters…voila…enter Evernote! Whew…I may even FINISH MORE PROJECTS because of Evernote! Yay!

  • Kelly

    I’m a Knitter amongst other crafts and also a Graphic Artist/Photographer. I have only just begun using Evernote, but I love it. I can see never ending possibilities! Kel G

  • Sandie

    I love your ideas. I use Evernote to keep track of which seasons of DVD television shows I own. (I love old sitcoms.) By always having the list available, I can quickly check my phone for gaps in my collection when I run across sales. By doing this I’ve been able to buy most of my DVD’s at 40% off (or more).

  • http://absolutelysmall.com/blog Claire

    I LOVE this post! I’m not a knitter, just a rampant sewer/maker of stuff/mama/blogger/etc etc etc. This post gave me so many ideas for how to finally corral that unending stack of ideas. (And hopefully, buy less duplicates of things in the future!) Thank you very much!

  • Jennifer Vasquez

    I use two evernote accounts. One for home where I load screen clips from websites for craft ideas, I take pictures so I load great picture ideas for my next shots, and seperate folders for my kids scanned in images as well for sharing with the grandparents.

    My work one I use for all the clipping abilities instead of printing multiple pages to put into files I clip the parts of the screen I need, merge the notes together, email to my own account and then forward to the rep that I need to share the file with. I also use in conjunction with an adobe printer so I can save the PDF files into my database attachments.

    I think I may have to start adding all of my minature patterns into my evernote, I had not thought of that one. Thank you

  • http://HiddenTreasuresMQ.com Lazara

    I use Evernote to catalog my digital scrapbooking downloads – helps me find page elements, photo editing tools, and fonts easily.

    I’ve also begun cataloguing my quilting fabrics and other supplies, and keep notes of completed and in-progress projects. I scan the fabrics and note the designer/brand name, scan patterns and tips/ideas, and keep track of costs.

    Am looking forward to learning more ways to use Evernote.

  • https://www.facebook.com/wanda.parr Wanda

    I love, love, love Evernote!! It truly is an extension of my brain. I use it for everything!! Bills, hobbies, grocery lists, schedules, you name it, I’ve organized it all. The simplicity of the application reminds me of what Facebook used to be… simple and intuitive. I have photos, pdfs, voice notes all at the tip of my fingers, and with the tags feature, within seconds. It is the closest I have ever been to potentially being able to truly go paperless with my records. I originally bought it to keep track of some home decor items, and a few pictures, but now I find myself referring to it for just about everything! My favorite use for it though: gifts! I have all of my printable tags and cards organized by holiday as well as keeping my holiday to do/buy lists in order so I’m not missing anybody when birthdays/anniversaries/xmas etc. pop up.

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