December 26th, 2018 at 10:11 am » Comments (0)

One of those sayings that is all too true is that one does not get a second chance at a first impression, do overs maybe, but not first impressions.

Pattern Editors may or may not be exposed to the photo of the project, but often their first impression is entirely based on the text.

A lot about the likely quality of the pattern instructions can be determined in Tools, Materials and Supplies listing. Just the presence or absence of it being followed by a “Stitches Used” listing.

it is my strongly held opinion that in today’s world those who do not list Metric are doing their potential customers a severe dis-service.

Any pattern author or even pattern user can easily see that “just letters” or just “numbers” don’t work if they actually look at:
https://wheatcarr.com/crochet/wheats-aluminum-crochet-hook-cross-reference.php
this chart is only a starting point, as due to some recent changes in sizing by several manufacturer it is in need of updating for purposes of “currently available”.

It is even more vital that metric sizing be included when referring to “thread” hooks since there are several standards (although I prefer the Japanese) Yet, even that can change of the years.

The meaning of D is not only subject to the Manufacturer whim, but even within the same manufacturer, may change suddenly. I have some BOYE size N that are 9.00mm and some that are 10.00mm –

I remember one particular author who had no idea (and we were unable to explain) how to use a caliper

In fact, a Pattern Author who wishes to “skimp” on the details, should, IMNHO, give metric diameter – since it is more universal and not subjectively based on the manufacturer other than for accuracy

Someday I need to finish this.

March 21st, 2015 at 09:24 am » Comments (0)

Because I like the way she writes and her videos, building a list of Books by Kim Guzman with links either to ItsAllJustString form some and to the publisher websites for others.
–

July 15th, 2014 at 17:59 pm » Comments (0)

Got a really good start “publishing” what has turned out to be much more of a project than I had hoped.

Although much more work to be done, and a number of “refinements” planned (better color, home town information, etc)

It was supposed to be an easy project – It really started as a project to cross reference the different color names used by SLon & CLon since they are made in the same mill, but marketed under two different brand names. ( and that is a story for another day )

The post it note had been hanging out for quite awhile, but Adrienne Gaskell’s sharing of her “professional crafter” cord and thread recommendations, kicked it up the “get it done” list considerably.

Even though I do sell SLON, after growing up in Yonkers and spending many a day riding my bike to and up one of the more impressive hills of Yonkers, Odell Ave to visit the nice folks at Consumers Union all sorts of questions – generally I try to buy things I want to review. Just seems more polite than to ask a supplier to give you something and then if you don’t like it – you might have to repay their generosity with a less than happy review.

So what is the process? First getting comparable samples, next to compare them using a true color light sources.

For textiles, I also like to use at least one or more manufacturer color cards – and generally for nylon and Polyester – Robison Anton Super Brite Poly is helpful.
The Robison Anton Rayon color card works well for Rayon and Silk. And last but not least, sometimes their J-Metallic.
Robison Anton threads are among my favorites for traditional Japanese Braiding, silk is just not very often in the budget.

It would be remiss of me not to also thank E L Wood and Franklin Braid – both samples for all the cord colors.

Okay, so with samples and color cards in hand, next up is
wait for a nice day, get out on the deck and compare again. If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region of the East Coast – you don’t need me to tell you that those kinds of days have been in short supply. Especially during the window of time needed when the light is “right” (11am to 1pm and then again about 4pm to 6pm during the summer)

Because I am using some commercially produces cords with a braided sheath/cover the surprisingly easiest colors samples were generously provided by E L Wood Braiding and Bart at eXtremePara.com.

In the middle of all the information gathering was a “gift request” from a family member – so sport team colors has been added to the project and this is the current focus in how to present this. Of course, that also meant finding a way to provide information to crafters without having to discuss the issue with the intellectual property folks at the NFL or any other professional sport just because I want to help you (and myself) make affordable gifts for our family and friends.

There is still a lot of work to be done, more materials like threads and beads and findings to compare and report
Would welcome your feedback – here is how the “chart” started – scribbled on paper with a pen (yes, people do still use those kinds of tools)

HomeTown	PMC-C	RA-Poly	SLon	E L Wood	CLon	Web-Safe
All Football	White	White Snow	White	White	White	Web-Safe
15+	Black	Black	Black	Black	Black	Web-Safe

It is planned to add to the blog with more about the process but the specific information will be elsewhere. Click here to see is where it is headed.
or cut and past in an new window:
http://itsalljuststring.com/pages/sport-team-color-suggestion-pv-c0-30.html

Let me know what you think

January 1st, 2014 at 08:45 am » Comments (1)

Sooner or later everything reaches a tipping point.Edited 2021-02-13: Some dreams don’t work out as hoped – this was one.
Still it does include some strongly held beliefs about our responsibility for the good of the craft (whichever one(s) you enjoy)

We are finally launching a “dream project” AllJustString is intended to provide a place for personal development of our skills and knowledge, keep the information accessible and organized in a manner that will allow those who follow to find and benefit in a way not currently possible in other venues.

It is also a founding principle that many of us don’t have craft-tunnel-vision – meaning that we enjoy many forms of craft and there is great diversity in how we each choose to bend our string. We can admire and respect those who practice a technique whether we choose to participate,

Our goal is help each other build on skills and knowledge and derivations – while giving our undying respect and support to those offering the opportunity to expand our knowledge and skill from the quick picture or video tutorials, to (at least in my home) a whole bookcase of others who have “done the research” and codified technique, and in many cases, the history of their chosen craft.

It is our obligation as an artisan (someone who works with their hands and their heart) to acknowledge as much as possible those who made our development possible. It is our ethical obligation to respect their copyrights and never feel we “need” to get attention by sharing that which is not ours to share.

At the end of the day, other than for marketing purposes, the only thing likely to be truly original is how you present it. And that work should be judged on your competence and vision.

Our goal is to help you find the knowledge and information you need, in a manner respectful to you, and to your sources of inspiration.

I hope you will join us and bring along some friends to show and share our love of our crafts and our fiber artistic adventures (remember, beads are lumps string so they count too)

Always Take Time To Enjoy The Making
Wheat

July 10th, 2013 at 12:22 pm » Comments (5)

This day started with a lively telephone conversation with a lovely lady wanting me to accept a pattern return. Her request was based because it required her to have skills she did not. Turns out she had a good case for why I should accept the return.

The Craft Yarn Council’s Yarn Standards for Crochet Skill levels is located at:
http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/skill.html

Skill levels have always seemed to be the red-haired step child and for Crochet, One almost needs to be a psychic to figure out what they mean.

Vague descriptions like “using basic stitches” without saying what basic stitches might be is useless.

Thankfully most publishers now make a point of listing the “Stitches Used” and maybe even some instructions – certainly for “special” or “pattern” stitches” – I am quite willing to pretty much go along with the CYC when it comes to using its Crochet Chart Symbols to define Basic Stitches (in you want to know more about where we part company, it is covered in the post for tomorrow BasicStitches-Crochet .

It is my controversial opinion, that IF the Pattern Author gives a SKILL level, and has made it clear what they mean, then it is not reasonable to expect them to change/rewrite a pattern to a lower skill level.

And, if they have failed to make clear what the crocheter must be able to do, then they need to fix their publication format. This is especially true if they self-publish downloadable PDFs.

I also think that beginner patterns should include more instruction (basic stitch illustrations) and thus might need to cost more for printed versions. Again, with Downloads, the printing costs are not a factor for the Pattern Author/Publisher. The Crocheter can choose which if any pages need to be printed out.

One of the reasons the onus is on the Pattern Author is because, in my cluttered mind, Skill level should be defining what you need to be able to do to complete a project that includes various techniques. This does not seem to be the case in the CYC Skill Level definions. And so far, the CYC does not. For example

BEGINNER: CYC says: Projects for first time crocheters using basic stitches – minimal shaping.
Instead I would submit that the BEGINNER Crocheter needs to know how to:
• the SYMBOL and ABBREVIATION for each of the Basic Stitches as well as how to form/make these stitches.
• Basic Stitches about include: ch, sl st, sc, hdc, dc, tc,
• Basic Terminology includes: inc, dec, turn, join, rep and the symbols (if any) associated with them
• Nominal finishing such as at least one method for adding yarn and weaving in ends should be a part of the New/Beginner Crochet Skill level
• Along with Basic Pattern instructional abbreviations such as parenthesis, star/asterisks, daggers, and the symbols (if any associated with them)

EASY CYC says: Projects using yarn with basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple color changes, and simple shaping and finishing.
• I have long suspected the use of EASY was more about marketing than a level of competency.
  I think this would/could be better called “Advanced Beginner” and I find I have used “Enthusiastic or Adventurous Beginner” qute often, because it is someone who has become competent in the Beginner/Basics and want to add to those skills – still relatively simple, but building on the basics.
• Using a repetitive stitch pattern is certainly one of the most important second step basic skills. Most, could easily accomplish this if they take the time to do an “in pattern” swatch using the “special stitches” or “pattern repeats” contained within the pattern. This swatch allows them to begin the muscle memory building and working out issues such as tension within the motif or repeat.
• The SYMBOL and ABBREVIATION for each of the Basic Stitches, plus, the ability to read and insert a repetitive stitch pattern into a project (what the +# means in a stitch guide), Color changes (building on the adding yarn), simple shaping – someone needs to define shaping – what is minimal (I would say inc/dec) and what is simple – what additional skill/knowledge is needed. and finishing.
• Finishing needs to be defined, I would say basic finishing need to include more than just weaving in ends. It might/should include adding edging – picking up stitches around the pieces that will be combined to finish the project. Easy finishing also should include some methods for putting the pieces.

INTERMEDIATE CYC: Projects using a variety of techniques, such as basic lace patterns or color patterns, mid-level shaping and finishing.
• Intermediate seems to imply that one is able to combine techniques in order to create different textures and appearance within a single project.
• Mid-Level Techniques: particularly “in the round” and at least two of its variations – spiraling and stepping up. Anyone care to suggest some others that would fit here.
• Mid-Level shaping – The only thing that comes to mind is perhaps some ‘entry’ level free forming or the use of a sewing pattern for overall shape but fitting various stitches or stitch motifs into the shape could certain take some intricate shaping.
• Mid-Level Finishing – one word pops up immediately ZIPPERS & Button Plackets. Additionally perhaps including wet finishing, fulling, felting and other techniques that effect the texture and hand of the completed fabric.

EXPERIENCED CYC: Projects with intricate stitch patterns, techniques and dimension, such as non-repeating patterns, multi-color techniques, fine threads, small hooks, detailed shaping and refined
finishing.
• Frankly, I find placing fine threads and small hooks to be unacceptable as only something that can/should be done by an “experienced” crocheter. Historically, fine thread crochet to make laces was really where it all started. Yes, it takes a true love of the craft to work small, but skill levels are still varied.
• Moving on, once one has become competent and comfortable with all the skills need through the Intermediate level you are an experienced crochet and with care and thought should not be afraid to tackle any well written pattern.

Bottom line here, I really welcome and want to hear your ideas about Skill levels as I work toward including them in my Glossary aka/What Wheat MEANT when she said…..

Enjoy The Making

Wheat

CAVEAT: I may not rule the universe, but I reserve the right to disagree, even when “overall” something is valuable. In some cases, my reasons for disagreeing with the Craft Yarn Council is its underwriters are, t quite rightfully, not historically as concerned with many of the qualities (kinds) of yarns most often offered by an independent retailer like me.

That they even attempted to create voluntary standards is certainly to their credit – You might rightfully as this point mention “Pots and Kettles” and oh yes, I do know an Expert is just a drip under pressure… so – always feel free to let me know – publically or privately where I need to fix something and if/why you disagree.