I don’t think it’s ever to late to say thanks. So after spending many hours, weeks, and even months on one pattern, my hat is off to all those before me who have done yoman’s work in producing patterns for knitting. Like many, I have formed the habit of looking for the “free” stuff-but no more. I realize now, that unless you have done it, it is hard to appreciate the work that goes into producing a pattern; but once you have attempted it, believe me, just like mine, your attitude will change.
Having written instructions materials before, i.e. handbells music instructions,plays, musicals and craft tutorials, etc., I thought this would be a snap – wrong. Nothing had prepared me for the demands of this project.
First, like in everything, we assume to much, and quite often don’t communicate well. The first thing I encountered was knitting terminology. In my “knitting backwards” tutorial, I had about 40 responses, some telling me I was right in my use of the term, some telling me I was wrong; conclusion- it depends on where you live, and who you learned your knitting from, or, if your are lefthanded or not. The bottom line was that people in different parts of the world often use different terms to describe a move or a stitch. “It’s the way Grandma showed me.”
Secondly, it is a flaw in our present culture that we seem to want everything given to us-we want it free and easy. But, that not exactly new, as the artisans of Rome in Cicero’s day, suffered the same fate as the creatives minds of today.
So, the next time you cringe at the price of a pattern, take a deep breath, and consider the hours of work that went into it (by the way, that includes sleepless nights, missed lunches, aching backs, from sitting at the computer, charting one stitch at a time- you get the picture). There is no way to caluate an hourly wage on the creative process, and even if you could, I assure you, none of us could afford it.
Something to think about-
Knit-tweaker
Creative Knitting - Beyond Knit and Purl 
Amen! I’m the same way. While I do still appreciate and use free patterns, I no longer skip past the pay-for patterns (or wince at the cost!) Getting your idea to work and to shape up just right, getting your process written down and/or typed up, refining it and testing it to make sure it’s correct and that it’s written in a way that’s understandable…all of this takes time, patience and alot of work! And, you’re right; until you have gone through the process yourself it’s harder to appreciate just how much does go into it.
Great post!
Blessings,
Anita ♥
http://aseknc.blogspot.com/
http://asesaj.blogspot.com/
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Thank you, Judy. This is the truest of statements. I spend far more time putting a design into a nice format, and making sure the chart is flawless and contains adequate illustration and explanations for instructions, than I ever do thinking up the design.
Deb in Idaho
Hear, hear! You are so right! I designed a simple little bathroom rug (so easy, no worries about fitting as in cardigans) and tried to publish it to my blog. I edited my instructions three times before I finally took it down because I just couldn’t seem to get it right, the way I had knit it. So, from that little experience I became, like you, MUCH more appreciative of those who toil (and I do mean toil) so diligently to give us the beautiful patterns we are lucky enough to find!
So true! Designing takes time and lots of thought! I’m currently knit!ting a lace vest, my design, and changing the neck line. I write everything down, as I go, but you still have to figure out what you are going to do before you do it! My directions get very detailed with the why this way, and which technique to use. At least that way I can duplicate it!