So you think you are or want to be a “Designer”…,

Then you should be reading the Fashion Incubator blog

She made my day today with today’s “guest entry”

Calipers are a measuring tool which I find indispensable for measuring Aluminum and Plastic and Wood Crochet Hooks and Knit Needles. That is why I love these little 4 inch,

Brass Calipers

click for larger image

It is my experience that most of the “4 inch” (which have an overall length of about 4.5 inches) will fit into most any “tool kit” even one as compact as Clover Knit YARN Mate has enough room to include this and a few other “Hooking Necessities“.

For many reasons, none of the handy dandy devices measuring Knitting Needles really work well for Crochet hooks and all to often “stop” at the most common sizes at either end of the size range.

This particularly true for those of use who prefer the type of Crochet hook end found on Clover & Pony Hooks (slightly larger diameter than the barrel).

Obviously you cannot get an accurate measurement of the shaft’s diameter, using the little devices sold for knitting, because you have to be able to get the end thru. If the head of your hook is larger than the hole (unlike knitting needles with tapered points) it just does not work.

Nor, can you use the existing knitting measuring devices for our Double Ended tools, never mind needed into know estoreric details like the Diameter of Grant’s One Needle Looper vs, the K-Tel Knitter or the various sizes of Locker Hooks

For a designer, who needs to include accurate “gauge using x size hook and such and so yarn”

Add to that my need to have the enlarged handles such as Clover’s Soft Touch – so you can’t just poke the butt end thru… well you get the idea.

At just over 4.5 inch long, they easily fit into your pocket or hook pouch and at $7.99 (Sears) to $16 (Duluth Trading) or on average in your local Bead Shop – $11 – they are a worthwhile investment.

Okay too much for the occasional need to measure a Crochet Hook or Knit Needle? but what about gauge? As you can see in the picture, it is really easy to lay the caliper open as much as four inches (although I suggest no more than three and usually am happy with 2 inches) to check your gauge stitches or rows per inch and inch or two to quickly determine wraps per inch for weaving.

Just one small caveat – these are accurate to 1mm, and you can, with practice “eyeball” to .5mm, but I do not recommend using this device to accurately measure your steel hooks under 1mm or any hooks over 1mm to less than .5mm (ie, easy to see 3.5, hard to see 3.75 and certainly no way to be sure of 2.25 vs 2.3) When I need to measure those, either I just hand the box over to the inhouse engineer and his fancy dancy electronic caliper or I use a round wire measuring tool.

or, if you require tools that can measure that small for jewelry purposes I would ask at a reputable jeweler’s supply like the folks at Metalliferious in NYC.

I also find these very useful when making changes to a flat pattern – but that may be because they are there

Hope This Helps

Wheat

P.S. Yes there are cheaper plastic Calipers sold in craft and hobby stores. I was so dissatisfied with their quality and accuracy that I trashed them and consider it dollars down the tubes.

Added 8/23: I am told the quality has improved, so will be looking into these less expensive – small plastic versions.

P.S. Jr, I “reduced so it would fit” the picture of the “still in the package” calipers so you would know what to look for in Sears or woodworking stores (or the tool box of someone who might not miss them immediately if you are discreet about their appropriation for better use)

© MyMarkDesigns

I have no problem with those who make the decision to share their own intellectual property, aka/Complimentary Patterns as a sampling for those interested in their patterns, charts and instructions. Nor is there any reason, why, if these gifts suit your needs – artisitic or budgetary, should not continue to use and enjoy legitimately acquired patterns, charts or instructions…

So why am I in such a Snit and Tizzy?

Cumulative effect, including a recent comment that showed how little the work of serious Pattern Authors is appreciated
“… after all, how tough can it be to be a designer, seems there are new ones every week….”

But even worse is when members of the Publishing community enable these thefts.

How does that occur?

In a in hobby groups, someone asked for a pattern. Several folks provided information on where to buy the instructions. Others point to home domains of various Design Authors and Self Publishers for Complimentary and Patterns for Sale.

Others also provide a link to a site that has copied that copyrighted pattern and was “sharing it” on the internet. It is this form of THEFT, that is a problem.

The problem is made worse when that person has a very recognizable name, a person with a recognizable name such as an officer of a group dedicated to a particular craft, or a teacher an an event or what really makes me crazy, is published, and “known” as a “professional” in the industry but is helping to steal from her peers.

BUT I still try to give’em the benefit of the doubt so try to “write off the list”

“Did you realize that the site you recommended is one of the worst on the Internet for wholesale “sharing” of copyrighted information?

The replies included :
“I was just trying to help…
…besides it is already done, so I did not do anything wrong…
…well maybe they cannot afford to buy the book…
…I know, but if they read my message maybe they will go to my website and buy one of my patterns….”

Obviously it is not going to do much good with these folks to try to explain that each time someone with “Professional” standing aids and abets in improper use of Intellectual property they are giving their blessing.

But I am even an optimist, maybe I should be a bit more blunt, but still trying to keep the response sub-atomic and I reply…

“okay, so if I take your pattern called “whatever” and post it as a free pattern, and then provide the link to every hobby group I can find – that is okay with you? Thanks for letting me know so I can let people know you don’t mind your work being stolen and misused”

Since no one has ever answered that email, let me be clear

It is NOT, because each time someone rationalizes that helping other to steal is not the same as stealing; I would remind them about that those who “aid and abet” are just as guilty.

It does not matter if you drive the get-away car, or go into the bank and remove the money by force, you still get charged with bank robbery.

It’s sort of like keeping the money when a clerk gives you too much change. Sure it was thier mistake but if you know the truth, it is still stealing – even if you don’t get caught.

So do a designing author a favor, the next time you find yourself rationalizing you are not doing anything wrong by copying, sharing, or providing a link to stolen property –

When you are tempted to rationalize your behavior as something you are ENTITLED to have simply because you cannot afford to buy and obtain it properly.

Are you really entitled to have something simply because you “want it” – does that exempt you from the law – whether you are caught or not. Do you really want to be the kind of person who knowingly steal or helps another to do so?

Stop and ask yourself, are you aiding and abeting?

And if you are helping other to steal, what kind of an example are you setting?

May the publishing community needs to create a Domain Of Shame
listing the name, real or screen of those know to engage in

Stealing & Distributing the Intellectual Property of Others.

Wheat

* Imagine Logo courtesy Monique Keylon,
You can read the story of its origins at My Mark Designs

Trackback URI:
https://wheatcarr.com/it-is-all-just-business/are-you-entitled-to-you-aid-abet.php/trackback

Too much fun to save for Saturday Silliness:

Come back & let me know:

Quiz What Kind Of Yarn Are You ?