A friend sent me a link to a news a story from yesterday because she knows I enjoy it when these sorts of information sources support concepts I have been proposing for months in this case about two year, but ego aside….

Sites like MSNBC include surveys. Taking the surveys can tell you a great deal about the survey taker.

If there was any doubt in my mind about the driving forces behind so called News Stories, this survey relieved that doubt.

How ugly is it that the TWO of the three stories offered for my opinion on their coverage were the Don Imus Firing and the Parentage of Anna Nicole’s baby. Are those really the such important issues?

Exactly when did the News become ENTERTAINMENT,

SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WTF THEY WERE THINKING

To ask If MSNBC Coverage of Virginia Tech was FUN TO READ

I may not have agreed with his Politics, but I sure miss the likes of Walter Cronkite

Thank goodness for the Wall Street Journal

Wheat

I have been thinking about a question asked in a “designer group” over the last day or so while engaged in a number of mindless activities made necessary by caffeine withdrawal (this is worse than when I quit smoking all those years ago.)

What makes someone a “DESIGNER” can be such Hot Topic, I wanted to find my nomex gear and be sure it still fit before responding

Everytime I read something “asking” for an opinion, I always stop and wonder if they really want an answer, or if they want to hear all sugar and spice.

In most Internet groups, I “assume” they want music to their ears.

In a group such as DesignerBiz, you might think that is different, but all to often it is not.

It is both sad and worrisome that so many like to assume hateful intent, assuming that any straight answer is intended to hurt. Well sometimes honesty does hurt – although I find that it hurts least when we are honest with our selves. I cannot help but wonder if they are so devastated by a mentor’s comment whatever are they going to do when they get out in the real world of business and commerce.

In a recent act of personal Internet Idiocy (I was the idiot) I tried to explain why some behavior is not professional and harms the image of “Professionals” in an industry or Craft.

Declaring yourself to be a Professional IS the first step. Writing rambling incoherent letters over some imagined slight is not.

This, of course, got me suspended from a group who felt severely insulted (which probably says the mirror being held up was not one they were prepared to look in)

So, enough of the caveats, IF the context of your CONTEXT is really the BUSINESS of DESIGN

Then here is just a partial answer.

Those who are simply “looking for pin money” or to “support their habit” are NEVER in the opinion of me or the IRS for that matter, are not in the BUSINESS,

They may be WONDERFUL, Talented and highly proficient, but they are hobbyist.

There are many many aspects of Professionalism and being a professional in a particular field of endeavor. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

But I truly believe for far too many business reasons, that the days of being less than Professional, or presenting a product that unfavorably compares with what is offered commercially “by the big guys” ( who in the grand scheme of things are really very tiny) is not longer even remotely acceptable and to do so harms the industry significantly.

You might be a talented, highly proficient and wonderful Hobbyist, truly dedicated to the art of your craft, and you even might be a Designer, but you are NOT a Designer unless you sincerely intend to act a business person with an intent to make a profit.

There is a whole lot more to being a Design Professional – THere are some earlier entries in this series, (athough I seem to be on a Crochet Kick this month.) I think the first entry in that series was titled: Designer Resources

Remember if you will,

I do not just ART, only PRESENTATION – so don’t take it personally

The buying public will decide if you are worth it, not me.

Please feel free to add your thoughts, I publish any comment where the writer is willing to include their name when they register.

Wheat

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.

Since beginning the crochet series, several have asked for a similar chart for Miniature Punch embroidery.

What brand do you use most often?

This table is “current sizes” based on information provided at the manufacturer web sites and (added September 2007) for the corresponding US Knitting Needles, as shown at the yarnstandards.com resource website

Speaking of size, If Size Matters for your finished project, be sure to make a gauge swatch (I recommend TWO, one for reference and one to wash and dry as the project will be)

Shameless self promotion – my online store, ItsAllJustString.com offers all Crochet hooks offered by either Clover or Pony.

If you find any errors, be sure to let me know.

* Based on Data Current as of February 2007.
* ALWAYS MAKE A GAUGE SWATCH
* ALWAYS check/measure the diameter of your hook
– Older Hooks often do NOT have the same Diameter as those made today.
–
* If you find an error, please do comment or email with the correction.
2007-05-03: Thanks to Kim Guzman for catching the typo for the Clover H-I-J

2011-06-08: Thanks to Sarah for catching the “size N” glitch