sophy's knits, notes, etc.

the most disheartening email or blog comment that a fledgeling designer can receive is one requesting a copy of another designer's patterns.

i usually ignore these requests, but, i'm getting lots of emails (for serious, not just blog comments) for these braided cable socks. i feel that i should respond and discourage any further and similar requests. this is not my pattern to distribute and i do not appreciate solicitations for copies of patterns and designs that are not my own.

i don't mind when i am asked to help locate back issues of magazines in my local yarn store. i understand that some magazines just aren't distributed all over the globe. but there are other ways to get patterns. email or call different yarn stores and ask them for help. search online; a quick search just told me that there are at least 2 copies of Interweave Knits Summer 2005 available on ebay.

if you can't find it online, please contact the designer or the publisher (in this case, Interweave Press) with these requests. a designer deserves to know when his/her patterns are in high demand. and, i'm sure that the more interest a publisher receives for any design, the greater the likelihood that they will re-release it or distribute it more widely.

another recommendation i have for anyone who reads this: search for an interesting stitch pattern and make it your own. for these socks, it's just a panel of braided cables... so, if you've knit the other better-than-booties baby socks that are available for free, use that as the blue-print and be creative... have fun with it!

i hope this doesn't piss off my readers and that you will find these recommendations helpful.

happy knitting!

p.s. have you seen Stella's sock pack? Adrienne, RavID Asappa, modified 5 adult sock patterns and used a stitch pattern from a lace top to make this beautiful set of 6 baby socks.

p.p.s. if you're interested, i'm currently knitting another pair of the cabled rib baby socks with some quick mods... i'm being lazy with it because it's for a baby shower this weekend and i want to make matching baby mitts.

p.p.p.s hilary, i think you started a trend with your post-scripts. ♥