Name: Amber
Site: Twitchyknit!
Review completed on: 18/12/05

SPLASH PAGE

No splash n/a

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

A site dedicated to knitting, with a killer layout to boot. Oh, and your site name is simply charming! I'm looking forward to reading all you have to yarn on about! Excuse the pun, of course. 10/10

LAYOUT

This has to be one of the best layouts I've seen in a while - very pleasing on the eyes and contains a well thought out choice of colours. Very "citrusy" - as in oranges, lemons, and limes. These colours, along with the polka dot background, gives your layout a kitschy, retro appeal. The image of the two balls of yarn give a good indication as to what your site is about. The navigation is placed in a prime location, with links to the respective categories placed under hard-to-miss headers. The only qualm I have concerning your navigation is the link to your site at the very top of the navigation table, under the title "Twitchyknit". The link reads "a blog. with knitting. and other fun artsy things", and when clicked it loads your site all over again. Is there a reason why this link needs to be here, it seems useless because the link goes to the exact same page. The synposis itself is good, and provides a clear indication as to what your site is about, but I don't think making this a hyperlink is necessary. Other than that, it's all good. I have to admit, my knowledge of knitting isn't exactly broad. I am hoping to become more enlightened as I go through your site - with that in mind, let's move on to your content section. 19/20

CONTENT

The first page of content you have, titled "About Twitchyknit", provides visitors with the more intricate details of Twitchyknits' beginnings. You've included a link to your personal site on this page too, which I enjoyed visiting. The layout at Slow-Down is, like Twitchyknit, very well done. Fresh, with a great choice of colours. I'd be happy to review that site as well, if you wanted me to. The "About Twitchyknit" page also contains a detailed list of those who have helped Twitchyknit in one way or another. I like the way in which you've chosen to display these credits - usually a credits page merely consists of some links, but you've chosen a more personal approach by giving a commentary about each person/organisation you've credited. The second page is about 'the twitcher herself'- you! You've summarised who you are and what you like to do in the form of several paragraphs, and overall it was a twitchingly good read. Oops - sorry again. I really have to stop this, but I can't help it! A cheesy review is not what you're wanting, I know that. Eight packets of cigarettes in a week, that beats my record by three! You say at the end of this summary that you've probably left something out - I'd have to agree with you there. Favourite music, for example. Since this is not a personal website, it's understandable that the amount of information about yourself isn't exactly concise. You could therefore perhaps provide a link to your personal site at the bottom, saying something along the lines of "For more detailed information check out my personal site". You can get away with having a minimum amount of information about yourself at Twitchyknit, but it would be good to provide a link to your personal site on this page anyway, in case people want to find out more. Moving on now to the "Favourite Knitting Patterns" page, which is a collection of external links to the sites that provide the respective patterns that you use/have used. Although these links are external, they are NOT opening in a new window. When clicked, they load in the same window as your site, therefore your site is replaced by the knitting pattern sites. The reason this is happening is because you have not set a target attribute in your html coding. Here is an example of the code to use, I've used a real example from the Knitting Patterns page and added a target attribute:

If you add the target attribute to your links they'll now open in new pages, and your site will stay in the same window. There's certainly enough knitting patterns here, that should keep you busy for a long time! "Finished Projects" - a page containing pictures of things you've knitted with comments on each. I wish I could knit, and this website is definitely refuelling my desire to learn. I see the Jayne Cobb hat was partially made with New Zealand wool! I would insert some kind of statement about New Zealand pride here, but I'm not exactly a big fan of the country I unfortunately live in. Seriously, the ratio of sheep to humans here is 16:1...worrying. My favourite item on this page would have to be the Ribbed Keyhole Scarf...it's hott! I could see myself wearing that, knitted with either black or pink wool. Your second to last page, titled "Links and Other Exits", contains a list of links that have been categorised by way of a drop down menu. This is a great way of being able to distinguish all the different links. The last page explains what you're working on at the moment, and what you're knitting for your friends for christmas. There's no doubt they'll be pleased with what you're making for them! 18/20

SUMMARY

Anyone who associates knitting with old ladies and regards it as boring obviously has not visited Twitchy Knit. I myself do not knit, although many people I know do. This includes two past and present boyfriends of mine, but apparently this fact is supposed to be a "secret" because they don't want to "come across as gay". It was a pleasure to review Twitchyknit, and to gain a detailed insight into your favourite hobby. The majority of your content is, appropriately, largely knitting related, but in my opinion you don't necessarily have to be a knitter to be able to enjoy it. Having said that, I think one does have to at least be interested in knitting in order to enjoy Twitchyknit to its full potential. Your layouts are well co-ordinated and skillfully designed, right down to the colour choices. The issues I had with your site were few and minor, just the case of the unnecessary link under the site title and all of the external links failing to open in a new window. With the code I have provided you will be able to rectify this problem, and will definitely optimise your site making it more user-friendly. Keep up the great work!

OVERALL SCORE: 47/50