Are you a pattern snob?
Now that everyone has packed Christmas away, celebrated New Years, cleaned their homes, realised how big their house actually is and how many toys their children own, its time to get back to normality and to return to work. So January is here and so is the time of year to fill out our tax return. Even though my accounts are well kept and its quite easy it is one of those jobs that's just a bore. I'd prefer to be designing my next pattern or even crocheting it.
This time of year people are thinking about their future and changes they might make to achieve them, I of course did that too. Just the usual stuff, get healthy, stop binge watching Netflix but I know by February I'll be well in to my third boxset while eating my weight in chocolate reminding myself that I'm not going on holiday this year so don't need that beach bod.
But what I also thought about what crochet patterns and the snobbery that goes with them.
When I design a pattern and type it up I'm very aware of the person that will be using this pattern and their needs for it. Each pattern usually comes with a grade easy, advanced etc. Over time I have collected many different types of patterns, some I've paid a lot of money for and some I have got free from a magazine. They are very different in their style, photos and the way they are typed up. There are also the branded patterns, the ones written by our favourite designers.
Crochet patterns are a lot like fashion. We have our everyday generic items which we love but are not really special and our designer black dress patterns. Our special handbag which we get out to impress. Of course we need a target audience for these, someone who knows the difference between luxury alpaca wool and market acrylic wool, someone who knows the difference will applicate the quality of the design the advanced nature of the pattern. All these things do not make us a better crocheter but it in some small way makes us happier that we own a pattern from a well known designer that we are able to recreate the item in the pattern.
Are you a pattern snob? Will you turn your nose up at a poorly displayed pattern, a pattern that has bad quality photos, one that clearly has been written by a novice. I certainly think I am. I realised this when I was looking to purchase a new pattern and one was so cheap I made a judgment before even looking at it. I actually shocked myself that I would do this. I re looked and as it turned out I was right in my pre judgement it was a pile of rubbish.
I do prefer a pattern that doesn't have too many photos as printing and storing these long winded patterns are a pain and they have an air of patronisation, almost like the designer thought the person reading this doesn't know what a hook is. To me a pattern should be quick to read. To the point. Have a list of needed items, stitch abbreviations and if necessary a small explanation in to the stich type. A photo of the end product and maybe a photo of a tricky bit that is hard to explain in words. A chart is helpful for those who don't like words. The designers name and website or email address. But that's it. Not a photo of each step. Certainly not instructions into every single stitch and a long winded bio of the designer. Its like giving a child a toy and explaining every part of the toy before allowing them to play with it and not letting them figure it out for themselves. The sense of achievement I've had from finishing a complicated item was amazing. I felt very proud that not only did I finish it but I leant something from it.
In conclusion if you like a long winded pattern that coaches you through every single stitch and hundreds of photos, my patterns are not for you. If you like to learn how to read a pattern I will of course help you and there are plenty of resources at your disposal via the internet and in books. My patterns are well informed in what you need and are quick to read. I'm on stand by if you do come across a section you need help with, as we all need help and we all are still learning new ways of doing things. 2017 will bring you lots of patterns from me. I'm already in the process of designing a whole range of animals and science fiction characters. Because this takes time I will be releasing a coupe of patterns I designed last year. I will be attempting to release charts with every pattern and lots of free items and patterns too.
I hope your new year is great and that 2017 brings you all you hope for. Now go away I have Netflix to watch and chocolate to eat.
Its been a while since I posted and I'd like to say I've been so busy that I haven't sat in front of the computer in a looong time but this wouldn't be true. I did sit in front of the computer to do my tax return, to do some shopping but thinking of what to write for the next blog took time. I go through phases where I find thinking of new ideas so hard and I start doubting myself and over thinking everything. Writing is not a skill that comes easily to me. 
I've designed a few new items that I need to type up the patterns for. I've started volunteering for Young epilepsy and I am teaching an art class soon at a YE event. Having never taught art before I'm looking forward to the challenge and hoping I have nice bunch of students which will make the process easier. 
