Asking Your Opinion

I have a question for all of you...

When is a pattern no longer the pattern and becomes your own design?Remember Haley's fingerless mitts? I heavily modified Louisa Harding's pattern from Knitting Little Luxuries. From the moment they were done, they became very popular. Okay, maybe not "very" popular, I only have three Favorites on Ravelry (you can fav it too, here. Not that I'm begging). But I was asked to make a couple of more pairs for someone else.

Then one of our members of the knitting group asked me what modifications I made. I showed her where in the book that I made changes, but made her buy the book. I did see her later that week and helped her out with the pattern a little bit more. She made hers more like the pattern.

Then I got an email from a knitter in the UK. She was wondering if I would sell her my version of the pattern. Of course, I said that I wouldn't charge her. It's not my pattern, or is it? I didn't think that I could help her through the modifications like I did the first knitter the same through email. So, I wrote out the pattern as I made it and strongly urged her to buy the book.

As I wrote out the pattern, I realized that I had an almost completely different pattern. Here are all the changes I made.

1. I switched it to knit in the round, not flat and sewn up. This is relevant is knowing when to purl and when to knit. I had to write out all of the individual rows when working the lace.
   
2. I changed the stitch count. Twice actually for two sizes.
3. Because of how I changed the stitch count, there is a decrease that is left out.
   
4. I shortened the 2x2 rib and the palm. (I feel like she can't have a copyright on the ribbing because this is a common look on many patterns).
   
5. I used a completely different thumb. She uses a gusset while I did what I call an afterthought thumb.
6. Then I changed the lace on the finger end and the thumb.
7. The lace on the cuff looks the same and the picot edges are the same.
   

So, is it really still the copyrighted pattern that inspired me?

Just because I have doubts about this particular pattern, I will continue to give Louisa Harding the credit. Though next time I might choose to use the "not available - this is a heavily modified version of a design" option on Ravelry.

It is something that I need to know, as I find myself making modifications in a lot of patterns. Though few are as heavy as this one was.

Of course, xeroxing a pattern out of a book and using it is like pirating a movie. But what if you loan someone your movie? You DID buy the movie and someone is just borrowing it. Are we able to do that with pattern books in this knitting world we live in?

Is heavily modifying a pattern like when you see Julia Roberts in a beautiful dress at the Oscars and then there are about 20 rip offs of the dress in stores later that month? Cause to me, that seems legal. Or is the fact that I read the pattern first and not just saw a picture of it, make it not count?

There are some modifications that are simply that. Like making a sweater fit you better because you are long wasted or big busted. I just want to know when a pattern is no longer the pattern?

FYI No No, F MY I

A long, long time ago a friend asked me a question. Does perfume go bad because hers was smelling different? My answer was that I didn't think so. There is so much alcohol in those things how could they go bad? Plus, as long as the new smell is a good smell, who cares.

Oh, how naive I was way back when. You see, I'm the type of girl that bought a bottle of perfume and used it up before I bought another. I have a few bottles of very old perfume that my grandmother gave me, but those are more like collector's items.

Now that I am a grown up, I have a few different bottles that I use regularly. One of them is a bottle of Britany Spears, yes I know, but I don't use it too often. The little spray pump doesn't work. I exchanged it and the new pump doesn't work. So I have to unscrew the bottle to use the perfume. Because of this the bottle was buried in the drawer with my other deodorants and smelly stuff.

I dug it out this morning on only to find yucky yellow condensation in the bottle. Do you see it, right there? So gross. So today, I learned something. Yes. Perfume can go bad. I guess that I will be wearing Chanel #5 to work. I don't want to waste that bottle.

Thank You, Thank You Very Much...

It's been very difficult to keep up on the blogging front with my husband out of town for such a long while. One week gone, home for a weekend and gone again for two weeks. I have a couple of half written posts that I will get to you as soon as I can.

I did want to get this one out because some people always make my day, even when I feel like I'm not up to par.

I guess that it is that time of year again when the blog awards go around and you get to list your favorite blogs of the year. Better watch out, the memes are coming soon. I received the I Love Your Blog Award from Janet at On The House. Janet is so fun. She doesn't get to post very often, but when she does, it always sparks my interest. She gave this to me a while ago, but I hadn't decided who my five people would be that I would pass it on to, yet.

Then yesterday I got an Uber Amazing Blog award from Amy at Knit Me Pieces. Amy is so sweet. She has been reading my blog for a while, but this is the first time that she has commented. So she is one of those people that my reader counter says is out there.

Now I just have to figure out who to pass it on to. I have to think of those that I haven't given a blogger award to yet.

First would be Michelle at My Boring Life , Shawna at Lamby Knits and Vanessa at Old Souls Knits. I have started reading these blogs in the last year and I feel like they are my blogging friends. We share our progress on the latest Lego game for the Wii or jump out of our pants at the discovery of a new sock pattern, yarn or knitting technique. I have so much fun them.

Then there would have to be Tienne over at Tienne Knits. Besides the fact that she is a fabulous knitter and sock designers, I've got her Fascine Braid Socks on the needles, she is so great with her comments. She gets a lot of comments, but she has always responded to every comment I have left. I wish I could be as good as her. Unfortunately, blogger doesn't ask for email addresses, so I only get you address if you are on blogger, too. (If you ever want my email, it's on the bottom of the right had sidebar).

Then there is my best friend, Kelly. I won't leave a link to her blog because it is about her family, not knitting and etc. But honestly, I got in trouble with her last time when I didn't give her an award. And I deserved it. She had just started blogging. This year she is doing a much better job and definitely deserves an award. This has nothing to do with my wanting a Christmas present this year or having to worry about whether it is safe to answer my phone when she calls. Kelly you are awesome, the bestest friend... have an award.

Congratulations to all of you because I love you uber amazing blogs. And Thank You to those that have awarded me. Now get out there and blog.