crochet ettiquette

Tatyana1 wrote

on Feb 11, 2009 2:58 PM

Also, I'm wondering about the unwritten rules about tweaking someone else's crochet pattern, and then what about telling others about your revisions? Case in point: I bought the book Crochetme ages ago - absolutely LOVE it, and had to wait until now to make the great babydoll dress, as I'm a second-hand-store-and-ebay-yarn crocheter, and only now did I find a suitable yarn. (Candy pink fine chenille! $3 for 5 balls, Salvation Army!) Anyway, I did have to make additional adjustments to fit my "ample bosom", and I did modify the arms to avoid the uncomfortable lump of fabric that I ended up with under my arms. I'd like to pass these tips on, but would be horrified to offend the designer, as I really love the pattern! So what is appropriate? As a multi-media artist myself, I'd like to think I'd be flattered by someone making my design, and altering it to suit their needs, on the other hand, my paintings are very personal and I'd likely inflict bodily harm on someone who suggested alterations. So, opinions, please.

PaulineL wrote

on Feb 11, 2009 5:50 PM

Garments are made to be worn by real people, not the statistical sizes designers design for, so alter away.

Interweave has an on-line email/forum where the editor takes one or more sweaters from the current issue, has office staff model them to show how they look on real people, and then goes into great detail if alterations are needed - shorter or wider shoulders, longer or shorter arms, short rows for bust shaping, more length above the waist, less below the waist, and so on. The lesson I derive from this is the designer should expect and welcome fitting alterations. If Sandi Wiseheart can do it, so can you.

MsBusyFingers wrote

on Feb 12, 2009 5:25 AM

I agree with Pauline, I think alterations are encouraged, even expected, by designers. As long as you don't turn around and call it your own design. I can't wait to see your babydoll, by the way!

Boupie2 wrote

on Feb 14, 2009 11:40 PM

First yah on the yarn purchase! That is a steal!!!

The pp are right about the patterns. As long as you don't call it your own (unless you seriously changed the pattern so much it is no longer recongizable as the original)but you can post on message boards about it (Interweave is the place to go for that but you can mention it here when you show your finished product). When you mention it don't call out the designer, just mention you didn't fit the design so you altered it a bit. I alter all of the time and mention it to designers (on boards mostly) so they can alter the pattern if they want to.

I can't wait to see your babydoll.

Tatyana1 wrote

on Feb 18, 2009 3:53 PM

Tatyana

thanks for the advice, all! I'm just redoing the belt (I crocheted one with matching yarn, to avoid drawing the eye to my already-fairly-obvious bust) and then I'll post a pic of the finished product!