Updated patterns!

I'm in the process of updating my old patterns, particularly the bibs, to include charts. I'm rewriting some of the directions to make the patterns even easier and including alternative methods for beginning the bibs and for making the ties. Look for these patterns in the sidebar to see which ones have been added. It's a slow process, but eventually, they'll all be there!



Friday, September 4, 2015

A Sweet Surprise

I have had the worst week.  Monday, I had to put my precious cat to sleep.  He wasn't feeling very well, but I didn't realize quite how ill he really was.  I wasn't prepared for the diagnosis the vet delivered, nor was I prepared to say goodbye to him so abruptly.  It was obvious that he would never be well and  I just couldn't bear to have him in any pain.  We had named him "Wyatt Earp" because as a kitten he was brave, courageous and bold!  Such a sweet cat and I miss him terribly.

I also had to spend time battling with the moderators of a group on Ravelry who decided to use one of my patterns without asking for my permission to reprint it.  Normally, if someone asks, I'm happy to work with them. The copyright on all my patterns states they can't "reproduce the actual pattern, or post it, or distribute it, without my express permission".  Just because a pattern is free, doesn't mean that I give up my rights to it.  As you all know, I never charge for my patterns and, obviously, I don't mind sharing, just look how many patterns I have!!  What irritates me is that they should have known better and they clearly decided to take advantage of my good nature!

Just to top things off nicely, I've been having terrible knee pain and the doctor thinks I might have torn "something".  He's sending me to an orthopedic surgeon for a definitive diagnosis, but this news didn't do much to improve my disposition!

In any event, I was really down in the dumps, when I got the sweetest email from a reader, who sent me some pictures of her recent project.
Charlotte, who is 15 years old, told me that she had knit these squares, but wasn't sure what to do with them.  Her mom helped her out by providing a pillow in need of a cover, so she sewed the squares together and covered it.  Didn't it come out great?  I haven't seen any pillows made from my patterns, so I was delighted to see these.

Charlotte tells me that she used a skein of Red Heart acrylic for the squares, so I'm sure they'll hold up nicely.

It's always fun to see other knitter's projects, but I especially enjoy seeing young knitters' creations.  It bodes well for the future of our craft!  Thank you Charlotte for the lovely email and for letting me share your project and pictures with everyone!