A couple of weeks ago J and I sat at the desk here muddling around a chart format that made sense for the upcoming shawl club release. Eight charts to be exact. Our friend L had stopped by for a knit afternoon with us and after listening to a few rounds of “I don’t think so” and “you’ve got to be kidding right?” she interjected with “How the H*&^ does any pattern get written?” I think she was commenting on the craziness of getting through what I thought was a fairly easy pattern onto the paper that made any kind of sense.
J dug in with the test knit and sure enough easy was anything but. I have redone the math, she has redone the math and then we are re-doing the math again. Deciding if the ssk, k2tog decreases in the line or after the line? Does the center panel move left or right with the decrease? If I add another ssk on the right side in the border, does the decrease appear before or after the center panel?
I think you get my point. Hours later, I know we will get it and even more hours later in consultation with the test knit we will make more changes. We will do our best to make it right but know in our hearts that there is likely one more ssk that was missed or added. It disappoints me when I think I got it right only to find out I didn’t. But when I think about the big picture, I realize that most knitters understand. Many will fudge, but a few who I appreciate all the more, take a moment to let me know that perhaps I need to re-think something.
When you see that pattern on Ravelry that you want but your friend has it so you just copy hers, take a moment and think about the work that has gone into making it. Did the designer slap it together? or did she and her team take hours to make it as perfect as they could? I know that dollars are few and given the opportunity to spend them we must make choices but I hope you’ll support those designers that are working hard to make the very best knitting experience for you and that you will forgive us when we don’t always get it right the first time.
I so agree with the process of making up a pattern as well as writing it down for others to enjoy.
It’s hard work!!
That’s why I try to support my knit designers and wool spinners.
It’s hard work and to not get paid for all that effort,is just not okay with me. After all,it’s the knitter that actually benefits so why not give a few dollars or pounds etc. it’s not like to pay for a pattern is going break the bank. Love you!
Thank you as always Lisa Marie for your support and love.