The amount of implied knowledge in vintage patterns is insane; I’ve been sewing since I was ten, but a 1920s evening dress with a single page of instructions nearly broke me. Likewise, a 1950s duster/housecoat, though it was slightly better explained with 1.5 pages of instructions! It was an interesting snapshot of the culture of the time; of COURSE everyone knew what needed to happen between step one and step two. Today step two would be half a page from step one filling in all those knowledge gaps that have grown up in the space between sewing as a necessity and sewing as a hobby.
Even “simple” patterns offer enormous value, not just for the beginner. Sometimes I want to knit something and not have to think about it, just follow step one, step two, step three.
I LOVE how you juxtaposed vintage and modern day patterns and gave a crisp comparison. "Snapshot of the culture of the time" - indeed!! I have those days too, to have someone tell me the next steps and I just follow instead of constantly trying to figure things out.
The story of your teaching gives me such good feelings: “the unique language we three developed.” So true for nearly all things and the lovely, simple, shorthand ways we connect. Thank you for always making me think!
Along the lines of simple being subjective, I have two personal observations.
1. I have knit the same “simple“ fingerless gloves pattern many times over the past fourteen years. Each time I’m able to experiment with different colour combinations, fibre combos, and back of hand patterns because I’m familiar with the basic pattern (that I rewrote digitally to be able to easily follow and insert my own variations).
2. My fibre arts club is a social highlight of my week, so I select projects to make during our time together that I can easily follow as well as pick up and put down without losing my place.
Thank you, also, for your thoughts and observations about simple projects and the effort that goes into publishing patterns. I recently purchased two small crochet books online and am certain that they were AI generated. Terminology was different between the stitch instructions and the patterns included. There was also a mix between US and UK terminology that would be confusing to the beginner for whom I purchased the books. Yes, they were inexpensive, so it was a lesson well learned at a low cost. From now on I’ll stick to more trusted resources! 🤓
Thank you for bringing up these points.That your pattern has been serving you for fourteen years, is something truly remarkable. For a long time, I did not realize the value in repetition. I am slowly beginning to appreciate it. I have figured out sock recipes that work for each one of us in my family and I am able to knit them mostly mindlessly varying just a little each time.
I have not come across AI generated knit/crochet patterns yet. I keep hearing that children's books have become so low in quality because of the AI generated stuff. Sigh!
Loved your anecdote. Brings so much perspective. We are usually so quick to judge and assume that something simple for us should be simple for everyone else too.
Also, the Brin cowl looks beautiful! Is it already published?
Thank you Archana. I am very much guilty of that assumption too! Things take time to sink in. :) Aw, thank you. I wrote it for teaching a beginner class, hopefully sometime in August. I haven't thought of publishing deadline for it though.
Knitting the Manzil mitts is SO FUN! Such a joy and a fun mix of simple and complex. And a cool new technique for me learning the cabling without a cable needle keeping the stitches on the left needle! I’m zooming through!
Hi Kavitha, I appreciate simple knitting patterns as it’s easy for me to modify based on reading the instructions. With more complicated patterns, it can be hard for me to visualize how it all comes together, and then it’s an act of faith. Sometimes I’m okay with that, and other times I want the security of knowing. Tin Can knits has a collection of basics that is well written and endlessly modifiable.
Lol! Act of faith, it is. I try to give a lot of notes inside of my patterns, especially at the beginning of a subsection, as a way of making the knitter aware what to expect in the next section. I hope it alleviates some fear of the unknown. I ADORE Tin Can knits basic collection. The anatomy of a sock was a mystery to me until I saw their simple sketch in their Rye sock pattern.
What a lovely threesome you must have made, all learning off each other.
I really appreciate simple patterns and complex ones too - I sometimes think it’s more about the layout. Older patterns are often a mix of instruction and visually description so seem dense. If I can, I often change digital patterns into separate bullet points!
Wow! That's such a good point. I think there is a lot to be said about layouts. I have had TEs advise me on avoiding visual clutter in the patterns. A lot of it is so subtle and it takes a while to get a good grasp of it. Bullet points are a handy tool for some instant clarity, I agree. Speaking of layouts, Japanese patterns come to mind. I admire how so much information is packed in just a few pages, and those patterns have their own sort of visual aesthetic to them.
Oh I’ve never actually looked at Japanese patterns. Interesting.
I do think layout is an overlooked consideration for everyone not just to widen inclusion. I know ADHD and dyslexic knitters struggle. Visual clarity is cropping up a lot especially in recipes….. so much text to get through before you reach the ingredients and method!
Aww, thank you Louise. Oh my, cooking recipes are yet another thing, I used to struggle. I have resorted to writing down recipes in my own shorthand. 🙈
This post made me smile for various simple things 😊. First I was reminded of my mil, who when asked for a recipe would say” add this, that, some of that, boil and that’s it. So if u ask, how much of “this” or “that”, she will show four fingers and the thumb at the base of it. Though it may sound hilarious, it is frustrating to those who are new to the kitchen. Similarly, I have proficient knitters telling me keep knitting, increase here, do some shaping there, decrease towards the end, and that’s all you will be done. I’ll be flummoxed. Since these people have seen a previous knitting project by me that was decent, assume I know Knitting 😅. After about ten years of knitting, I still feel a beginner and I need a pattern that is written in a simple language without assuming that I know knitting. Sorry for the long post.
But you are to blame Kavita for triggering the thought process 😅
Lol Vidya!! Learning to cook from my MIL (as well as my mom, a few things) had been the same for me. I forced both of them to use cups and spoons and give me better estimates for recipes and I started taking notes. Only then I was able to somewhat reproduce family recipes decently. I agree how it is the same with knitting. If they had grown up with knitting in the family, they have developed their own recipes and are able to probably look at a person and estimate the number of sts to cast on for a sweater. :)))))))))
Btw, thumb at the base of four fingers has a name - virakkidai (basically how much you can hold in between your fingers)
Kavitha, what did you think of Ministry of Time? I loved it, even though it broke my heart.
And 3 cheers for Simple patterns! I return again and again to the Hitchhiker, the Barley hat, and Churchmouse's Half Square Triangle. There's such comfort there, and I love trying out different weights of yarn from my stash.
Same feelings about Ministry of Time. The book is peppered with so much perspective and food for thought throughout. Very well written. I am seeing the comfort in repeating patterns now. Hitchhiker is simply a classic. 💖
I am new to Substack -- and new to attempting to publish original knitting patterns. I will admit, your list of the necessary support staff for a professional designer (beta team, editors, etc.) gives me pause, as these are luxuries I haven't access to. Sigh. If you've time and inclination, check out my Darling Duck Hat pattern at Feather & Fiber; I gave what I thought was good advice regarding sizing it up, but maybe I was all wet.
First of all, congratulations on writing a pattern. I took a brief look, your motif is so adorable. All of us begin somewhere and it is not easy to figure out editors and testers. It gets better over time. I would say "Budding Designers" and "Designers" group on Revelry is a great place to find out about free resources. You might discover a lot of answers to your questions by searching through old discussions there. Also, there are experienced designers who regularly answer questions from newbie/wannabe designers and it is generally a great forum. All the best for your design journey!
The amount of implied knowledge in vintage patterns is insane; I’ve been sewing since I was ten, but a 1920s evening dress with a single page of instructions nearly broke me. Likewise, a 1950s duster/housecoat, though it was slightly better explained with 1.5 pages of instructions! It was an interesting snapshot of the culture of the time; of COURSE everyone knew what needed to happen between step one and step two. Today step two would be half a page from step one filling in all those knowledge gaps that have grown up in the space between sewing as a necessity and sewing as a hobby.
Even “simple” patterns offer enormous value, not just for the beginner. Sometimes I want to knit something and not have to think about it, just follow step one, step two, step three.
I LOVE how you juxtaposed vintage and modern day patterns and gave a crisp comparison. "Snapshot of the culture of the time" - indeed!! I have those days too, to have someone tell me the next steps and I just follow instead of constantly trying to figure things out.
The story of your teaching gives me such good feelings: “the unique language we three developed.” So true for nearly all things and the lovely, simple, shorthand ways we connect. Thank you for always making me think!
That's true, those genuine moments of connection leave us with such a feeling of well-being, indeed! ♥️
Along the lines of simple being subjective, I have two personal observations.
1. I have knit the same “simple“ fingerless gloves pattern many times over the past fourteen years. Each time I’m able to experiment with different colour combinations, fibre combos, and back of hand patterns because I’m familiar with the basic pattern (that I rewrote digitally to be able to easily follow and insert my own variations).
2. My fibre arts club is a social highlight of my week, so I select projects to make during our time together that I can easily follow as well as pick up and put down without losing my place.
Thank you, also, for your thoughts and observations about simple projects and the effort that goes into publishing patterns. I recently purchased two small crochet books online and am certain that they were AI generated. Terminology was different between the stitch instructions and the patterns included. There was also a mix between US and UK terminology that would be confusing to the beginner for whom I purchased the books. Yes, they were inexpensive, so it was a lesson well learned at a low cost. From now on I’ll stick to more trusted resources! 🤓
Thank you for bringing up these points.That your pattern has been serving you for fourteen years, is something truly remarkable. For a long time, I did not realize the value in repetition. I am slowly beginning to appreciate it. I have figured out sock recipes that work for each one of us in my family and I am able to knit them mostly mindlessly varying just a little each time.
I have not come across AI generated knit/crochet patterns yet. I keep hearing that children's books have become so low in quality because of the AI generated stuff. Sigh!
Loved your anecdote. Brings so much perspective. We are usually so quick to judge and assume that something simple for us should be simple for everyone else too.
Also, the Brin cowl looks beautiful! Is it already published?
Thank you Archana. I am very much guilty of that assumption too! Things take time to sink in. :) Aw, thank you. I wrote it for teaching a beginner class, hopefully sometime in August. I haven't thought of publishing deadline for it though.
Knitting the Manzil mitts is SO FUN! Such a joy and a fun mix of simple and complex. And a cool new technique for me learning the cabling without a cable needle keeping the stitches on the left needle! I’m zooming through!
I am so glad to hear that Alexa! 💃💃💃💃 I can't wait to catch up this week.
I’ve even finished one mitt!!!
💖💖💖💖
Hi Kavitha, I appreciate simple knitting patterns as it’s easy for me to modify based on reading the instructions. With more complicated patterns, it can be hard for me to visualize how it all comes together, and then it’s an act of faith. Sometimes I’m okay with that, and other times I want the security of knowing. Tin Can knits has a collection of basics that is well written and endlessly modifiable.
Lol! Act of faith, it is. I try to give a lot of notes inside of my patterns, especially at the beginning of a subsection, as a way of making the knitter aware what to expect in the next section. I hope it alleviates some fear of the unknown. I ADORE Tin Can knits basic collection. The anatomy of a sock was a mystery to me until I saw their simple sketch in their Rye sock pattern.
What a lovely threesome you must have made, all learning off each other.
I really appreciate simple patterns and complex ones too - I sometimes think it’s more about the layout. Older patterns are often a mix of instruction and visually description so seem dense. If I can, I often change digital patterns into separate bullet points!
Wow! That's such a good point. I think there is a lot to be said about layouts. I have had TEs advise me on avoiding visual clutter in the patterns. A lot of it is so subtle and it takes a while to get a good grasp of it. Bullet points are a handy tool for some instant clarity, I agree. Speaking of layouts, Japanese patterns come to mind. I admire how so much information is packed in just a few pages, and those patterns have their own sort of visual aesthetic to them.
Oh I’ve never actually looked at Japanese patterns. Interesting.
I do think layout is an overlooked consideration for everyone not just to widen inclusion. I know ADHD and dyslexic knitters struggle. Visual clarity is cropping up a lot especially in recipes….. so much text to get through before you reach the ingredients and method!
Meanwhile keep up the good work! X
Aww, thank you Louise. Oh my, cooking recipes are yet another thing, I used to struggle. I have resorted to writing down recipes in my own shorthand. 🙈
This post made me smile for various simple things 😊. First I was reminded of my mil, who when asked for a recipe would say” add this, that, some of that, boil and that’s it. So if u ask, how much of “this” or “that”, she will show four fingers and the thumb at the base of it. Though it may sound hilarious, it is frustrating to those who are new to the kitchen. Similarly, I have proficient knitters telling me keep knitting, increase here, do some shaping there, decrease towards the end, and that’s all you will be done. I’ll be flummoxed. Since these people have seen a previous knitting project by me that was decent, assume I know Knitting 😅. After about ten years of knitting, I still feel a beginner and I need a pattern that is written in a simple language without assuming that I know knitting. Sorry for the long post.
But you are to blame Kavita for triggering the thought process 😅
Lol Vidya!! Learning to cook from my MIL (as well as my mom, a few things) had been the same for me. I forced both of them to use cups and spoons and give me better estimates for recipes and I started taking notes. Only then I was able to somewhat reproduce family recipes decently. I agree how it is the same with knitting. If they had grown up with knitting in the family, they have developed their own recipes and are able to probably look at a person and estimate the number of sts to cast on for a sweater. :)))))))))
Btw, thumb at the base of four fingers has a name - virakkidai (basically how much you can hold in between your fingers)
I know “virakkidai”, since the audience may not know Tamil, I “englished” it :))
Of course, my bad!! And loved your English description, it makes a precise picture in one’s mind.
That’s ok! That word will trigger a memory, in case a Tamil person reads.:)
Signed up for the Manzil Mitts KAL! Yay!
Yayyyyyyyy!!!!! That's great news. Hope to see you soon Alexa.
Kavitha, what did you think of Ministry of Time? I loved it, even though it broke my heart.
And 3 cheers for Simple patterns! I return again and again to the Hitchhiker, the Barley hat, and Churchmouse's Half Square Triangle. There's such comfort there, and I love trying out different weights of yarn from my stash.
Same feelings about Ministry of Time. The book is peppered with so much perspective and food for thought throughout. Very well written. I am seeing the comfort in repeating patterns now. Hitchhiker is simply a classic. 💖
I am new to Substack -- and new to attempting to publish original knitting patterns. I will admit, your list of the necessary support staff for a professional designer (beta team, editors, etc.) gives me pause, as these are luxuries I haven't access to. Sigh. If you've time and inclination, check out my Darling Duck Hat pattern at Feather & Fiber; I gave what I thought was good advice regarding sizing it up, but maybe I was all wet.
First of all, congratulations on writing a pattern. I took a brief look, your motif is so adorable. All of us begin somewhere and it is not easy to figure out editors and testers. It gets better over time. I would say "Budding Designers" and "Designers" group on Revelry is a great place to find out about free resources. You might discover a lot of answers to your questions by searching through old discussions there. Also, there are experienced designers who regularly answer questions from newbie/wannabe designers and it is generally a great forum. All the best for your design journey!