Do you like to get/win free patterns?
Yes - Everyone loves FREE patterns lol. Before I started designing I used to look for free patterns as well. I did also purchase A LOT of crochet patterns, more than I will ever make in my life time lol. I'm sure many of you are in the same situation.
When I started designing and realized how much work went into one pattern I understood why not all patterns are free.
For example - a beanie pattern:
Needs to be 4 sizes, so I need to make 4 of them to get all the measurements and number of rounds per hat. Start with the largest hat and an idea. Get about 1/2 done and realize I don't like something about the stitch pattern so unravel and start again. Second or third try (and hopefully last), finally happy with the stitches and how the beanie looks. Finish beanie. First 2 hours done. Then I have to make another 3 beanies and write down all the row counts etc. So let's say another 2 hours for the 3 beanies. Next is finishing writing out the pattern and getting a test document made, a draft on Ravelry, and the tester application form done. Another 1 - 1.5 hours. So for 1 beanie pattern I have now spent at least 5 - 5.5 hours and I haven't published the pattern or spent time promoting it. Oh wait! Photos! Another 45 minutes taking and editing photos. We won't including testing time and the time it takes to make corrections to the pattern. So let's say a beanie pattern takes at least 6 hours to get ready to publish.
You can triple or quadruple that time for a shawl pattern, and a blanket pattern is even more time because of how long it takes to make the blanket.
I do like to do fun games in the Canoe Mtn Designs VIP FB Group so people can win patterns. Every month in the VIP group someone wins all of the patterns for the month! We play scavenger hunt games in the group, as well as a few other games I have thought up. There is a special weekend coming up at the end of the month with lots of ways to win patterns! It will happen in the VIP Group.
On the website I have patterns that are free all of the time. But it might be nice for people to get a chance to win a brand new pattern once in a while! So once a month I will pick one pattern that is being published and give away 5 - 10 copies of the pattern to people who comment on the blog post about the pattern. It will say in the blog post that patterns are being given away & how you could win a copy.
Every other month I will still do "Find the Gnome", and every other month there will be a Weekend CAL. More ways to get free patterns! Now all I have to do is decide which patterns to use in the Find the Gnome, what types of patterns to do for the CALS, and which new releases to have people comment on. So many decisions lol
What types of projects for Weekend CALS would you like to see?
Here are a few patterns that I have just finished. Some haven't been tested yet, but will be in a few months and released later this year. If you think testing patterns might be fun, you can join my group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1176343532496176
Just a quick note about my 2 FB groups in case someone's confused.
Canoe Mtn Designs Crochet & Friends : This is where I promote my designer friends, have "WIP Wednesday" and other posts where you can show off your crochet creations.
Canoe Mtn Designs VIPS : This group is all about my own designs, games to win patterns, sneak peaks etc.
I hope everyone has an amazing week!
You can find all of my links here:
Love hearing a designer’s take on pattern writing, etc. this was a great read!
I love getting info on how things work in crochet, designing, etc. I’ve been crocheting long enough that I can make a hat, scarf, cowl, etc., on my own. But I’ve tried writing down HOW I came up with a design and it is NO EASY TASK!!! I’m lucky to even be able to read my scribblings back to make a second item that matches!
Thanks!
Say…I knew a lot goes into designing new projects, but I never really dreamed actually all that goes into creating new patterns. Thank you for sharing this info to us! Very insightful! Have a great Sunday afternoon. Sharron
Thanks for the insight into what it takes to write and publish patterns.
Thank you giving us a peak into the process of creating a pattern for us. I’ve enjoyed testing some of your patterns.