Where Do I Start Looking?

So, maybe you've been reading over the previous posts (or you're coming fresh to this one). All the research methods you've mentioned only work if I actually know what I'm looking for, you may be thinking.

But that doesn't always happen. You may know that there's a handicraft uses a hook and one that uses two needles, but you can't remember what each one is called. In these cases, the Internet probably works best as your search method.

To start, think of a few words that describe what you're looking for, like "two needle craft". A quick Google search has a knitting pattern as the third result. You can click on it, look at it, then do some other searches with "knitting" if you need to verify that it's the craft you want.

If that first search found nothing, think of other ways to describe it or things it's used for. Internet searches can help you quickly sift through information to track down what you want, and sometimes one article you find may have no information you need, but it may have terminology or phraseology that lets you find what you're looking for.

You've tried this and spent half an hour trying to find out what craft was used for those lace-ish placemats you have. (If it's comprised of loop or flower sections, probably tatting, but anyway…) Here's where you have to be willing to swallow your pride and risk some ridicule. Ask someone.

Find a message board (a forum) or possibly a blog about the topic you need the information on. (Or a message board you already frequent that has a diverse membership might work, if you want to try there first.) Find a general or questions section or leave a comment to ask the frequenters of that website what you need to know. Be polite about it, and you can even say you're a writer.

A number of people will kindly offer you plenty of information, and you may or may not escape ridicule from those who want you to "do your own research." (Ignore those ones; you are doing your own research.)

The site's identity isn't necessarily much of an indicator for if you'll be made fun of, either—I've had two experiences posting requests for similar information on a site for writers and once received wonderful information. The second time I was mocked (by different people than had helped me the first time.)

Don't take the ridicule personally. Smile at it and know that it's just another side effect of logic being sorely lacking in schools (among other things).