Well, thankfully, John and I both put the roll on the same way, but I'm finding I'm not so lucky with my knitting patterns of choice lately. I've written about the intuitive knitter/wannabe pattern designer and how they make me crazy when they write patterns as if the following of them doesn't matter. I thought I had it out of my system, but I was overly optimistic. And now I'm finding myself a magnet for them.
My latest misadventure is with the "198 Yards of Heaven", improperly named, but I don't want to get ugly. Actually, the finished product from this effort by the designer is quite pretty, and is what prompted me to attempt it in the first place. It is more than pretty!
Here's my finished piece... lovely isn't she?
But.... for all who want to do this and create their own very lovely version, DO NOT follow the written instructions!!! just Do not... You don't know how much it pains me to say that I have encountered yet another intuitive knitter who has written a pattern following the successful completion of her own project, but it's true. In this case, it's even documented how the pattern was tested by Ravelry test knitters. Alas, that can only be part of the story... they could not have used the written instructions as part of their test, only the charts. The charts are correct, with some adjustments following tester comments. The written pattern should just be deleted.
So I won't rant about how intuitive knitters need to write patterns that are correct and can be followed explicitly by someone coming behind them. I won't moan about how it cost me 2 evenings doing and undoing the 22-row repeat to figure out where the problems were arising, and I won't even comment on the fact that the pattern has this goofy switch from a 2-stitch rib to a knit pattern in the edging, which can only be interpreted as not paying attention to pattern. Why? Because, at the end of the day, this is a lovely piece when you go with the fabric flow that I'm thrilled to have worked through.
Want to make one? Follow the chart only, do not follow the written row instructions, change the lace edge stitches to follow the pattern as in 'continue in pattern', and well....
Maybe you want to forget this one, unless you like reinventing the wheel... because, you will need to do and undo many times to get this to look right. Now that I've done one, though, the second should be a piece of cake!
I hope you took good notes to use on the next one!
ReplyDeleteThe only time I absolutely hate ripping-out-and-doing-over is when I have paid for a pattern, and it turns out to not be written clearly. Usually, though, my knitting is for my own nascent designs, and the frog-and-try-again routine is normal. I patiently do it many times until I get it right, documenting along the way. This is a lot like a science experiment... real science where you're actually trying to find out something new by trying the same thing over and over again, with one or maybe two variables changed for each iteration.
I think this kind of patience would not have been possible when I was younger. How about for you, Susan? You show a lot of it on these patterns you've been blogging about.
yes, I think it's part of the process to do and undo when I'm working on my own designs...in fact, I quite enjoy playing with it to get things just the way I like.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite another to do that with another's who has thanked the academy for successfully testing her pattern and fixing all the errors.
In the first case, I probably do have infinite patience... for the later, not so much. Once I've figured out where the problems are, I'm usually pretty happy But, since I now make models for the shop with the intent that others will make the item, too, it's challenging to ask people to go through what I do just to be able to finish the project, and I don't always have time to rewrite other people's patterns.
So, yes, I have lots of patience, just not lots of time, which I guess if I were to pay attention to the dictionary definition of impatient, being 'unable to tolerate delay', that would make me impatient. :)
Have you been able to identify pattern designers or publishers that produce well-written instructions consistently?
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to only buy Vogue (sewing) patterns because there were so many mistakes in the other brands. I'm not endorsing Vogue knitting patterns, though, because I haven't really tried any.
yes, I'm aware that there are s number of designers that consistently produce well-written patterns. But we don't always want to limit ourselves to those and it's often rewarding to try out new things.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried Vogue patterns in a long time, but they seem to be well proofed and tested. Same goes for the Interweave Knits patterns. I've had good luck with those from Knitter's, too.