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.

Believe or not, I cleaned this up to be as gentle as possible.

I am almost positive it will, at best upset a few people and at worst really T-off some others.

So why write it? because sometimes it is needed to give a strong opinion even when it may be an unpleasant truth instead of what people want to hear.

CAN Crochet be CONVERTED To KNIT?

IMNHO – the best information about this can be found in the
Lion Brand FAQ

>>>
Question:
How do I convert a crochet pattern to knit?
Question: How do I convert a knit pattern to crochet?

Lion’s Answer to BOTH:

Knitting and crochet use stitches that are different sizes and shapes.

You can’t “convert” a pattern from one to the other.

Each pattern must be totally redesigned and even then, it’s not always possssible.

With all due respect to various authors, every book I have seen on this topic was not worth the investment either of money to buy it or time to read it.

Could you learn this in a class, maybe if the instructor was extremely well grounded technically and made it very clear that you are NOT converting, you are RE WRITING IN A DIFFERENT Discipline. And if you already possess the basic skills your your preferred craft, be it knit or crochet.

Otherwise, these books are not really helpful. Most of what I have read on the web about how to convert a pattern is so entirely simplistic and totally ignores the nuances of the differences in the finished fabric that at best, be it book or web “how to” are a nearly fool proof recipe for disappointment – your disappointment that is.

Just as “designing” for different size ranges often requires a nearly complete re-write of a pattern (unless you want really ugly fitting garments) Creating a similar look in another technique requires you have reasonable basic skills in BOTH techniques.

The truth is you can, IF you are technical enough to write your own patterns – and many experienced crocheters are, create a similar looking garment but you cannot convert “stitch for stitch” no matter what is says on all those websites.

If converting patterns is your goal, then you need to build your library of stitch instructions, and learn all the basic skills, including shaping, increases and decreases, shaping and oh yeah, that most dreaded of words, SWATCHING and not just a single swatch, if you want to create crochet instructions from knit, you need to plan to make several swatches.

Nancy Nehring is teaching a series of classes at CGOA this summer on designing simple garments and progressing into shaping – There are few people more qualified, as a technician and as a teacher to learn these skills from.

But IF the look and feel of knitting is desirable, then you need to get into Tunisian/Afghan crochet and learn those stitches. I believe there was still some seats in Darla Fanton’s Beginning Tunisian class is place to get grounded in that crochet technique.

Once you have learned these basic skills, you will be able to CREATE the look you want instead of being disappointed by the result attempting to “convert” without adequate skills and experience.

Wheat

P.S. my favorite “tool” for converting – sewing patterns but that is a blog-a-mentry for another day.

P.S. Jr, if you want to send me any website that you think has instructions that will really work, I am more than willing to look and give them a fair try.

What’s in a name …
and would it really smell so sweet by any other name …

I don’t think so, although it is kinda cool to refer to ourselves as designers, more and more lately I have been questioning that self-designation.

If there is one particular black hole (did I ever mention my life long fascination with all things cosmic?)
in cyberspace where I can easily get lost for hours, it would be Style.com’s fashion show collections

I always emerge wondering, not only am I really qualified to claim the title, and what about all the submission that cross my desk?

So what is design? Design, according to Wikipedia,

is usually considered in the context of the applied arts, engineering, architecture, and other such creative endeavours, is used as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, “to design” refers to the process of originating and developing a plan for a product, structure, or component.

and then goes on to say:

As a noun, “a design” is used for both the final (solution) plan (e.g. proposal, drawing, model, description) or the result of implementing that plan (e.g. object produced, result of the process). …

Wikipedia defines Designer as
a broad term for a person who designs any of a variety of things. That usually implies the task of creating or of being creative in a particular area of expertise. It is frequently used to reference someone who draws or in some ways uses visual cues to organize their work. Designers are usually responsible for making a model that takes into consideration each step in a product’s development, including not only how a product will be used but also how it will be made.

Which leads to the final paragraph under Designer:

Designing normally requires a designer considering aesthetic, functional, and many other aspects of an object or process, which usually requires considerable research, thought, modeling, interactive adjustment, and re-design.

Which now has me asking, almost daily and sometimes hourly, not only of every piece I do “for me” but of any that “will be published”

It that pattern or project the work of a Designer or an Alteration Specialist?

Or something else?

Just something to think about – I certainly will be – and who knows, maybe writing more about it.

Wheat

P.S. Am I the only one who thinks the folks at Alexander McQueen may have over reacted just a bit to either Phantom of the Opera, or the current controversy over the responsiblity of the Fashion Designers to discourage eating disorders. I mean several of those dresses are perfect examples of why I don’t wear dancercise clothes out side my own home or backyard (and not very often in the back yard either)

Have you ever seen that kids game – the one where the moles pop up out of the hole and the player is supposed to smack it back into its hole?

There are a lot of days when that is exactly what running a small business feels like – except somehow our customers have the hammer and we are moles.

Earlier this week I was sent a copy of a message from a Retailer. After two days of thinking, I agree that other retailers “need to know” about a potential “situation” but do not believe it can even remotely be applied to any single yarn. And BETTER YET, yarn buyers might need to know too

So here’s the situation as I understand it:

The Retailer apparently has a wonderful customer who is an avid sewist as well as a knitter. Many who sew are in the habit of pre-washing fabrics – so she also pre-washes her yarn.

As a spinner, I am not unfamiliar with the idea of fulling a yarn and other techniques for setting twist and yes, I do use the soak and spin cycles of my washer to do this sort of thing. And a gentle SOAK, rolling in a towel or even a spin cycle in one of Dawn Stone’s Fiber Washing Bags has been known to happen in this house especially with hand dyes where I am concerned about dye bleeding.

NOT THE CASE HERE: It seems this person actually follows the label instructions, instructions until now I always thought were tested and intended to be used on “finished garments” so am really not all that surprised when a yarn “in the skein” felted into a tangled mess.

I don;t yet have all the details, but my first thought was how unreliable “temperature settings” on a washing machine can be-I have a bunch of others, but that is what topped the list.

Then I thought about it ‘some more’ and realized it certainly an opportunity for a LYS to use their unique position to educate the consumer and like Marcy Simms says, an educated consumer is our best customer

I honestly do not see how any manufacturer or distributor could have foreseen this one
Who would have thought yarn sellers would need to explain that the care instructions “assume”
“finished garment” or at the very least a swatch to test the “fabric” .

See you in San Diego, where I hope to get a first hand look at the result of this “interesting” experiment and find out the details.

Travel Safe

Wheat

Visit Preview Promenade

And for the curious – here are product contact details for the Fiber Washings Bags
Suggested Retail $19.95 plus Priority Flat Rate $4.10 postage
Check or Money order.

Dawn Stone – Little Hollow
he Fiber Washing Bag
RR 5 – Box 1003
Ava MO 65608

417-683-2060

email: lilhollow@getgoing.com

PDF of Instructions