Kay's Korner - A Knitters Notes

December 10, 2007

Hey, we're e-friends, right? E-friends don't let bad patterns happen to e-friends. Yes, I know we are in the final two weeks of the holiday knitting frenzy and in the scramble for a last minute gift, patterns on the internet, especially free patterns on the internet, are very tempting. I mean, they're right there. And in many cases, they're free! But please, read on and perhaps learn enough to avoid the scenario I see repeated so often, getting halfway through a pattern and discovering the pattern just will not work.

It is not your bad karma. I review many patterns every week and just a few days ago I received a pattern that was sent to yarn shops as a little holiday thank you. Pictured was a nice cardigan that looked a good fit on the model. As I read the pattern, the 1 X 1 ribbing pictured on the sleeves and at the bottom of the back and both fronts had been replaced with garter stitch. Garter stitch rows have more vertical stretch than either stockinette or ribbing. Also, a good ribbed cuff or bottom band are usually worked in a slightly smaller needle than the body and this was not the case in the pattern. The wrists in this cardigan will be loose, unlike the way the sweater is pictured. Many knitters will love the sweater pictured, buy the yarn, begin knitting and at some point realize "Oh, no! It doesn't look like the picture." And many knitters will try to figure out what they did wrong instead of seeing that it is actually the pattern that is incorrect.

Sadly, this happens so much more often than it should. Free patterns on many websites do not go through an editor, pattern checker, or sample knitter, as is required when a pattern is submitted to a magazine. An exception to my free pattern caution are those on the websites of major yarn companies. These are offered to promote their yarns and are often written by prominent designers. But beware the numerous websites where very creative individuals are trying to share something that worked for them. Patterns, especially those in multiple sizes, can be difficult to put into clear instructions and can be open to interpretation.

A free pattern isn't much of a bargain if it costs you valuable time. Read through the pattern. Do a gauge swatch. If you need help, go by your local yarn shop. But if you want a well written, reliable pattern, a book or designer pattern is money well spent.

On Kay's needles this week is an alpaca collar. I am using Maggi's Alpaca from Maggi Knits Irish Collection, a bulky weight !00% alpaca yarn knit on US #10 1/2 needles for a quick knit gift. It will work alone and later I intend to incorporate the design into a men's pullover.

Also this week, I have had the opportunity to see many new warm weather yarns. I can hardly wait to share with you all of the cotton, bamboo, hemp, silk, and viscose blends that are new to the market. New colors have been added to our favorite lines, as well. Naturally, the designers have come up with tempting new patterns in their latest books to help us explore next season's fibers.

Copyright 2007 Karen Mather