Freebie Friday

Colorblock Hand Warmers

These hand warmers come to us from the Purl Soho website, the website for the wonderful yarn shop in Manhattan. 

Why do we like this pattern?  Lots of reasons.  The long length of the sleeves is a great start.  It means they'll never come untucked from under your sweater or jacket.  Also, this pattern was designed to please the beginner and the experienced knitter alike.  Thirdly, there are instructions for a light weight version and a heavier version.  What's not to like about that?

This is a terrific "first" pattern to knit in the round, as it's big on satisfaction and low on complexity.  You will need needles in US 2 and US 3.  Like all "pair" patterns (mittens, gloves, socks) there is a slight risk of UFO if you don't stay committed, but you'd never let that happen, would you?

First Freebie of 2014

It's been a long time since I brought you another great, free pattern.  Sorry!  I will return to Freebie Fridays at least once a month for the next year.

I've searched high and low, and found one that is well written, and adorable!  If you're a fan of the Scottie dog, knitting a toy for a child, or allergic to dogs and this is the only way you'll be able to own one, this pattern is for you.  It's called Radley Dog.  Make it on US Size 4 needles with DK or light worsted wool.  It comes to us from UK Hand Knitting, alongside over a dozen other charming free patterns.  Enjoy!

 

Effiloche, Montreal Que - Free Pattern

Great Pricing on Cashmere!

As I mentioned previously, I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Montreal recently.  Although it wasn't exclusively a knitting trip, I can't imagine visiting a city and skipping a yarn tour, so I tried to fit in a few.

I'll be honest - like so many things in my life, finding Effiloche (French for tattered, frayed, unraveling) was an accident.  My DH looked up a few knitting stores on his iPad, and had me hold the iPad map navigating to him where to go.  At some point I got confused over which little red dot was which, and we ended up at the "wrong" shop.  A professional photographer, he insisted we stop anyway as it is across the street from a camera store.  And into Effiloche I went.

Celine, Julie, and Ginette

They are located in a very Francophone part of town, and are off the tourism track, so I expected everything to be in French, including the conversation.  I'm delighted to tell you that everyone speaks English well, too, so if your French is poor or non-existent, you and the staff will understand each other.  The owner, Ginette's English was perfect! 



Zephyr Sweater

The shop is devoted to a broad base of needle arts, with sewing, embroidery, and knitting  supplies, and lessons are available.  Sewing and knitting supplies are displayed together, which is more charming and less confusing than you might think.  There is a cozy "circle" of couches and furniture to sit and work while socializing and learning.  Many yarn manufacturers were available, and I was surprised to see how good the prices were!  (Montreal is not an inexpensive city.  Not as bad as NYC, but not usually known for bargains, either.)  The everyday prices were attractive, and the sale prices were excellent.  I shopped happily and without guilt.  As is always the case with me, I wanted things I couldn't find, and Ginette guided me around until I had collected all I needed.

Cute Baby Pants!

The women were remarkably personable, the designs represented throughout the store were beautiful (primarily Celine's), and the knitted samples beautifully executed.  I was particularly taken with their consistent ability to match the perfect yarn to a project, so that sample by sample, I didn't imagine making the pattern any other way.  We were offered beverages, cookies, gluten-free foods, and serene smiles.  Click here for the link to the free pattern for the Zephyr Sweater  above.  (Thanks, Celine!)

If you visit Montreal, drop in.  (Not Monday, as they are closed, like many shops and boutiques in the city.)  I'll definitely be back.

Me, Celine, Julie, and Ginette

Thoughts on Pattern "Sharing"

Have you ever worked a pattern and had a friend want to borrow it?  Did you loan it to them?  Have you ever borrowed a written pattern?

Have you ever asked your LYS to photocopy a pattern from a book for you?  Did they do it?

Have you ever distributed a pattern to a group of people?  Did they pay the author for the pattern?

Who does it really hurt to copy a pattern for a friend?

It hurts me.  Please try to understand.  I'm thrilled that folks like my work enough to want to use it, don't get me wrong. But how many people would work without pay? And do good work without pay? And be patient while they were stolen from? Even when it's "just a pattern"? This is how I feed my kids...

Many designers, myself included, have a variety of both free and for-purchase patterns out there in the world.  We get paid very little for patterns published in magazines ($50 -$200 is standard) and get no royalties.  We make our money in very small chunks at a time.

Why do we publish free patterns?  Because we are knitters, and we know that budget is often a big consideration.  And if you try a free pattern of ours and like it, you're more likely to buy one from us later.  What keeps the lights on is the patterns we are paid for.  How do you decide when it goes from sharing to stealing?  You might be surprised at the answer.

Patterns in books and magazines are not supposed to be photocopied and shared or distributed based on copyright laws.  What if you photocopy the pattern for yourself so there's a more portable copy?  No problem if you are the owner of the book.  Legal sharing of the pattern with another person means loaning out your book or magazine.  Or it means directing them to the bookstore or LYS.  Ask if your local library has the book.  Any giving away or selling the pattern without consent of the author is stealing.

It sounds a little severe, doesn't it?  Consider this.  Most patterns available online or as print singles cost between 2-6 US dollars.  Imagine your rent or mortgage payment.  How many patterns would you have to sell to make that work? 

Don't misunderstand me.  I love my work.  I went into this knowing that it doesn't come with a guaranteed salary and a 401k.  It's just that for some reason, everyone wants beautiful patterns that are perfectly written, and don't want to pay for the time and expertise it takes to make that happen.

It takes me, on average, 10-40 hours to make a pattern that is charted, written, photographed, technically correct, and uploaded.  At maximum speed, I'm turning out about 8 patterns per month, and that's rare.  I teach 1-8 classes per month.  I usually get 1/2 the class fee, and have to cover my own travel, lodging, and food expenses.

I'm told that I shouldn't worry, because "everybody else" is paying for my patterns.  Just a reminder: you and your friends are "everybody else" to everybody else.