The recent series of questions from aspiring teachers, designers and even some shop owners led to wondering why or how to address two topics dear to my heart. Not to mention some of the discussions in several good sized “hobby” groups have made it very clear there is confusion and misunderstanding on both sides of the table.

The first, why do I consider swatching and sampling to be so important and how these swatches and tools are an essential tool for everyone involved in NeedleArts.

And of course, how the owners of our independent shops can make their shops a more welcoming place for ALL users of String, not just knitters.

During the most recent “YARN Craze”, many of those who had previously only had access to the limited selection of yarns offered in “the big chains” or thru the “bit Mail Order houses” – became exposed to a much wider variety of types and styles.

As yarn sales began to flatten and fall, those chains are now “cutting back” to the more limited selection; our yarn using NeedleArtisans have begun to venture into the Independent shops, but at least for crochet, have met with what they perceive is at best condescension and at worst hostility.

Really, what they met is more likely confusion and defensive posturing. Running a small business in an increasingly competitive environment takes a toll, and when you build your business on being helpful, but are faced with “the unknown” as crochet is for so many —

Well, they stick to what they think is true.

So here are the Myths that need busting.

To have this discussion, we need to first set aside as much as possible the complexities of intellectual property and related copyright issues.

We also need to keep me from going off on how I currently see monetized blogs taking away from the value of list like Crochet Partners. Or even the “consumer view” – important as that is, it is not germaine to the question.

And, we might even have to read and consider Jeff Lazlow’s recent Wall Street Journal columns on the irrational sense of entitlement we seem to have been breeding into our society in the last 50-60 years.

Finally, we need to recognize that wonderful as Crochet Partners is, it is not really a group for serious business discussion – that is just not why most of the 3000 members are there.

BUT SINCE YOU ASKED, and I truly did wake up this morning thinking about this issue for many reasons, (which will be on my NOT monetized blog ) not the least of which is how to properly share more information about the Grant’s One Needle Looper and the K-Tel Knitter.

Professional Pattern Designing Authors and Publishers are well aware of the plethora of patterns available on the Internet and the effect that has on their sales and other opportunities.

Many wonder daily if providing quality designs, well edited and illustrated is a viable career option. Sadly, increasingly, it is not.

Yet, many remain involved in preserving the traditions, “keeping the craft alive” – something that is not done by unethical pattern sharing.

Instead, many are using their talent and skills to create really wonderful and useful “How-To” illustrations on their websites, in thier blogs and of course You Tube and similar video sharing services.

Providing technical information that will allow each of us to continue on our journey of exploration into all the many forms of using “string”

What is upsetting and most disheartening is the when the free designs they are offer are misused, i.e., when someone chooses to copy the pattern, and distribute it without the need for the recipient to visit that Publishing Author’s website, with or without accreditation.

At the top end of abuse is when any pattern’s instructions and illustrations are also copied and distributed in any way without compensation to the publisher.

Foremost among the reasons for offering a limited free Patterns on Websites is to draw the needle worker to the website so they can see what the Publishing Author has to offer besides a free pattern.

The abuses are now causing many in all forms of needlework to withdraw those free patterns – and I would predict that eventually all that will be left are those offered without benefit of good editing. Meaning it will always be a “crap shoot” whether you will be able to enjoy the work or meet with frustration.

Of course, this particular blatant disregard of the spirit and intent of the offering will just hasten the process of high quality offerings being removed including those wonderful Tutorials – no income from pattern sales, no website to support the free information and education…

We ALL need to work to make sure we provide LINKS TO GET and not the CONTENT – keeping our use honest and our designing authors in business.

So when anyone takes the pattern and gives it always without that recipient visiting the Publisher/Author’s website, they have “stolen” an opportunity from that designer.

The Effect?

Without a viable return on investment,

-it makes it more difficult for publishers at any level (from Self-Publishing to Giants in the Industry like the major book houses) to justify the expense of producing fully tested, well edited, and complete instructions.

-it means that mass merchandisers like the Marts or even chain book and craft stores see it as less and less viable to offer patterns, books, leaflet, which means less exposure of the craft to “new” practitioners

-it means that the independents will also not be able to justify keeping a diverse inventory of instructional materials like books, patterns and leaflets.

-it means, without those new books, etc… in demand, our libraries will follow the lead of

-it means a compilation of other little things –
– most of them not good overall,
– like not making corrections if a Pattern, leaflet or book makes it to re-printing
– like making it less than economically viable to engage in a professional design or teaching in the NeedleArts except for a very lucky few.

Where is it all headed, who knows but if the current trend in publication is any example, I am sincerely concerned it may not be a really good place.

Please share your thoughts and on what we might do to ensure future generations have the same opportunities (different from entitlements) you and I have been so fortunate to share.

Wheat

Thanks to Brenda’s leads on the “other name” lots more info is emerging

I am completely enjoying all the “memories” people are sharing and will be adding them to the comments as permission is received.