Some More Solidarity

In the hope of continuing to create some awareness in the internet world about the "do's and don'ts" of pattern use (free and paid for) I'm writing a wee post in support of some fellow bloggers/designers who have spoken up about said topic recently (there are others that have talked about this in the past).

Pam of flintknits, Kate of Zeitgeist and Kate of needled have all blogged about this recently and have been very clear about what aspects of the misuse of their patterns are the most displeasing. If you haven't already I recommend that you read their posts (I have linked to their blogs above).

I am not aware of having as many problems as some designers have had with their free patterns but on reading Pam's post I did do a quick search for some of my free patterns and came across a few things that made me unhappy.

I'm not a very confrontational person and I don't like having to deal with contacting persons who may be violating the copyright on my patterns. I have less of an issue about a LYS using a free pattern without asking (as long as they clearly give me credit for the pattern within the class) although I do appreciate being asked permission as a courtesy (and this has happened for the most part). Not crediting the designer and renaming the pattern is not OK though.

The thing that really does rub me the wrong way is when other people make and then sell said free pattern under a different name (whether they are selling the actual pattern or making the item and selling the finished product)!! This I don't like to see. I think that often that person may be blissfully unaware that this is a big No No and probably hasn't paid attention to the copyright. I know when I first began blogging I was not as aware as I am now of these issues.

So the point here is to educate the users of free patterns (and other free things on the internet that come with a copyright attached) so that they give credit where it is due and do not abuse the terms of the work being offered for understand, people aren't out to surreptitiously profit from the hard work put out there by so many wonderfully creative people (although some are and that's plain not nice)! FREE! A lot of hard work goes into writing up these patterns and most of the time continued pattern support is given free of charge (designers get many emails asking for help and I for one always respond).

We all want to keep seeing such awesome free patterns out there for our knitting pleasure do we not? Just be sure to keep within the parameters set out in the copyright and if you see someone else abusing these terms of use perhaps offer a friendly reminder not to do so.

I do believe that by having these online discussions we can make some kind of impact. Reading through Pam's comments it is evident that this is the case.

There will be knitting in my next post...promise!

Calico Cat

Looks like sewing will be making it's appearance here on a regular basis now!
Success with my first skirt:

This started out as the pattern for the Smocked Sundress from Weekend Sewing (with the intention of making it a skirt instead). I knew that the largest size would be too small for Maya so I added on some inches to compensate. However it was apparent after the smocking that this would in no way pass as a skirt or dress for my soon to be 10 year old!

After a bit of a panic as to what to do I realized if I just made another panel the same size and sewed the two together I would indeed have a skirt that fit.

So more fabric was ordered (it's Calico Cat -Alexander Henry)......another panel made....and then sewn together. I had left enough room above the smocking to add an elastic waistband casing (directions of which I followed from Sew What!: Skirts)........and ta da...it worked!

I spent all day yesterday admiring my handiwork while Maya pranced happily around in her new attire!

This really was a lot easier than I'd anticipated......one for me next I think!
On a side note I spoke to a dear friend of mine in Massachusetts today and shared my sewing success with her (she knows what my relationship with the sewing machine has been in the past) and she informed me that the author of Sew What!:Skirts has a fabric store in the area and teaches classes!!! I'm now even more excited about returning back East!

Other Creative Endeavours

Along with all the knitting I've been dabbling with some sewing and photography too.....thought I'd share some of that on here!

I recently purchased the much blogged about sewing book "Weekend Sewing" by Heather Ross and the above apron is my first completed project from the book. I really have no sewing background whatsoever and have actually been pretty scared of the sewing machine for a while now! After the success of the wee bag I made a few weeks back I mustered up some confidence and decided to get more adventurous.

I won't pretend that it all went smoothly......because there was plenty of profanity leaving my lips as I wrestled with various aspects of my first proper sewing project......for instance the basting stitch did not work well for me, hems are far from perfect, needles jammed a lot, I cut out the ties wrong and needed to make more (I could go on).....however despite some ugly looking stitches (on the back side) and wobbly lines I am pretty happy with the finished product.

I already have a new stash.....of the fabric kind.......so many cool ones out there!
Ultimately I'd love to be making more clothing for myself and the family......next up is a skirt for Maya...in this wonderful Calico Cat fabric.

......and a few shots of my exploration in photoshop ........most of the above have some kind of texture added.....that's my theme this week in my 365 flickr project!
(Bottom picture is us returning from an invigorating 8 mile hike in Sequoia National Park at the weekend)!

Moch....

.......is ready!

An 'aafil boanny' cardigan with flattering lines and an easy Shetland lace featured at the yoke, hem and cuffs.
‘Moch’ means moth and ‘aafil boanny’ very beautiful in Shetland dialect.

This cardigan is worked seamlessly from the bottom up starting with the hem. Sleeves are worked in the rnd separately and then joined to the body at the yoke. The buttonband is worked at the same time as the yoke. Underarm sts are grafted together at the end.

Also included in this pattern:
Table format where you fill in the appropriate numbers for your size.
Notes on sizing and modifications.
Written and charted instructions for the lace yoke.
Detailed instructions on how to work a One Row Buttonhole.

Please note:
As there are 10 sizes in total in this pattern I chose to write the pattern using a table format. I believe this will allow for easier reading of the pattern and avoid long brackets packed with numbers. When you begin the pattern you will fill in the appropriate numbers from the table for your size. Spaces have been provided next to each bold letter in the pattern for your convenience.
I was prompted to implement this after reading a timely discussion about it on Ysolda’s blog. Thanks Ysolda!

Materials:
v 850(950, 1000, 1075, 1150, 1250, 1300, 1380, 1460, 1530) yrds of DK weight yarn. Shown in Jaggerspun Zephyr-Silk (50% Merino wool/ 50% Tussah Silk), DK weight, 1120 yrds per cone. This yarn can be ordered by the cone and also by 140yrd balls from sarahsyarns.com. This is not the laceweight version of this yarn.
v US#6 (or size needed to obtain correct gauge) 32-inch or longer circular needle.
v US#6 set of DPN’s or two US#6 circular needles if you prefer working with two circulars for knitting in the rnd.
v A spare circular needle or set of dpns (US#6 or smaller), stitch holder or waste yarn (for sleeve sts to sit on while working second sleeve).
v US#7 24-inch or 32-inch circular needle (Optional- See under technical notes)
v Row Counter
v Markers
v Tapestry needle
v 4 buttons of 3/4 inch diameter and matching thread.

Suggestions for yarn substitutions:
Wool/silk blends or Alpaca/silk blends in a similar weight and with good stitch definition and drape.

Sizes:
Chest:29.5(32.25, 35, 37.5, 40.25, 43, 45.5, 48.25, 51, 53.5) inches
75(82, 89, 95, 102, 109, 115.5, 122.5, 129.5, 136) cms
Shown in size 35 inch with 1.5 inches of negative ease.

Gauge:
21 sts and 28 rows = 4inches in stockinette st on US#6
5.25 sts per inch, 7 rows per inch

$6.00

Amusing Interlude

A couple of things to make you chuckle (hopefully) while I finish up my pattern!

This was aired on the news in Britain last April 1st!



I came across this yesterday after picking up the latest Yoga Journal magazine:

The Whole Shebang!

The pattern isn't ready yet but I thought I'd share the finished product because I'm so happy with how it turned out!
......I Promise to work really hard getting this written up and ready for purchase soon!
Meanwhile here are some of the specs:

Pattern: Moch Cardi (moch means moth in Shetland dialect) A bottom up, seamless yoked cardigan with 3/4 length sleeves and body. Features a well known Shetland Lace pattern at the yoke with a hint also in the hem and cuffs.

Size: The above size is 35 inch chest shown with 1 inch of negative ease. I will be supplying a broad range of sizes.

Yarn: Jaggerspun Zephyr Silk (50% wool Merino wool/ 50% Tussah Silk), DK weight, 1120 yrds per cone. Approx 910 yrds used for this size.
This yarn is on the heavier side of DK than some out there. Some suggestions for substitutes:
Malabrigo Silky Merino
Jo Sharp Silk Road DK
Louisa Harding Grace silk and Wool
Rowan RYC Silk Wool DK
There are lots of others but I would recommend something with silk in it or something with good drape and stitch definition.

Gauge: 5.25 sts per inch on US#6 in Stockinette st

A Wee Teaser....

.....just so you know I am being productive with my own designs too........sharing a little glimpse of what will be an original Shetland Trader design self published here in the not too distant future.....

It's a cropped length yoked cardigan worked in Jaggerspun Zephyr Silk DK weight.....and yes, as you can see from the top photo, I'm still attached but almsot ready to cast off and I love how it's coming together!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes.......what made it all the more special is that it has been week chock full of lots of lovely knitting/design related news......more to come on that later!