VictorianCrochet.com
Title
Crochet Patterns - Bead Crochet - Victorian & Edwardian Crochet Patterns
Description
I began to crochet in 1986. It took me almost a year to learn how to read a pattern but with the help of my loving Aunt Georgia, a very gifted crocheter, I finally learned. I should have started with a Leisure Arts pattern as they are really easy to read. My designing actually started by accident. On occasion I misread the directions and crocheted something very different from the original pattern but still ended up with something I liked. I decided to write down what I had done so I could make another one later. My first designs were written very crudely. But as time went on, I noticed patterns published by some companies were easier to follow than others and began to study what it was that made these patterns easy to follow and others impossible. I took a bit of everyone's style and put it together to create my own.
A crochet pattern is just a map, but a very special map that has to be laid out very carefully, step by step, with lots of landmarks because it's usually a map of words. When I sit down to crochet another person's pattern, I feel as if I am alone in a completely darkened room and the pattern designer is trying to get me from one side of the room to the other without tripping over anything. You should never take it for granted that someone who is working your pattern knows what you are thinking. Start by writing down your basic design, and then translate it into a more polished form. Next, put it away for several weeks or months so you forget how to work it. When you do finally work it again it should feel as if you are seeing it for the first time. You will find many things that don't sound very clear. I repeat this process dozens of times before I have a finished pattern. Then I edit, edit, edit for several months. Self-publishing is wonderful but it is a lot of work. It's not hard but it can take a year or more to develop and publish a pattern or two, and longer if it's a book. That's why designers get upset when people ignore their copyright. In my case this is how I make my living and for the last few years it has been slow getting off the ground. It takes time to get established and build a profitable business. Supporting a crocheter whose work you admire enables the designer to continue designing.
But I digress, back to telling you about writing a pattern. There is nothing more frustrating than a poorly written pattern. It's very important to gain a reputation for well-written and easy to follow instructions. I have spoken with store owners who tell me that some authors will come out with a fabulously written first book but slack off on the second and third. They have also told me that once an author comes out with a poorly written book, they will never order from that author again. Something to keep in mind.
Contact
- Synergos
-
- Port Hadlock Washington
- United States 98339
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- 360-344-3332
