Oh the joys of pattern writing! I seem to have spent most of the last week fiddling around with these Crochet Christmas Baubles.
I know a lot of you out there do the most wonderful tutorials and patterns on your blogs, but for those who have never tried I’ll give you a little flavour of it.
First, as you sit playing around with yarn and hook you have an idea, and you make a ‘thing’ that you quite like. So, after a bit more fiddling it turns into a ‘thing’ that you really like…. Hooray!
Then, trying to remember what happened the first time round, you make it again, this time jotting down the process as you go.
And then you make it again, this time from the pattern, scribbled on the back of an envelope, correcting the mistakes.
To the computer to type it out…
Print it…
Make it again, to pick up typos.
Back to the computer for corrections. Then go through with a fine-tooth comb trying to put yourself in the shoes of someone who has never seen the pattern before. Is it explained it simply enough?
Decide some bits need pictures. Make it again, taking pictures.
Photoshop next, cropping and balancing to make the pics as good as possible.
Put the pattern together on screen. How does it look?
Print it.
Panic… Have I looked at it for so long that I’ve missed some howling error?
Have some down time on the Facebook Page and discover that someone has left a comment on a picture shared of a beautiful original piece of work with a link to the Ravelry pattern and find someone has said, and I quote,
“It is BEAUTIFUL! but $5 is too much for a pattern!”
Aaaaaah!
And so this pattern was sent out to some lovely volunteers to try out, and having been thoroughly tested by a textile artist, a crochet newbie and an old hand at crochet, the Crochet Christmas Baubles pattern is now available, FREE! Find it here!
November 2014 UPDATE:
You will also find it as one of Attic24 Lucy’s picks in the Christmas 2014 edition of Simply Crochet Magazine just here…
Have fun…!
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OMGoddess!!! I would so love to be your pattern tester!!
I’ve been crocheting since I was 3 when I first learned to ‘finger crochet’, around age 5 I got to learn with a hook. ==¡==
I would really like to test your pattern! I write and sell my own crochet patterns on Etsy, so I’m experienced with pattern writing and know the importance of letting someone test the patterns.
Love to hear from you!
Eline
Hi Penny, your baubles are truly beautiful and I would love to be your tester. I have the PP rainbow and itchy fingers ready to go. Thanks for doing the pattern – I know it is going to be hugely popular and I would certainly buy it! 🙂
I would love to have a go at testing your pattern! Anyone who makes a comment like that about the cost of a pattern has clearly never had a go at writing one!
I would be very happy to test your pattern. I am fairly critical of patterns other people write and notice how different people have different styles and some are easier to understand than others. I have also written my own patterns and know the process you were taking about. I certainly love your baubles and woould love to make them.
I would love to give your pattern a go. I’m fairly new to crochet but absolutely love things that are bright and stand out. I’m always looking for new things to try. If you would like to take a look at a few of the projects I have completed then you can find me on Ravelry as Luminesence.
Many thanks and good luck with getting the pattern right.
Faye
Hi Penny, They look great and I would willingly try a pattern out for you. I am fairly new at the pattern reading but cope with other patterns I have read.
Alison
I would love to test this. I have a feeling you will have lots of people offering.
I’m a relative Newbie at crocheting but I’d love the chance to help
And it would give the excuse to buy some of your gorgeous yarn
I’d love to test out your patterns. My mum used to do the same with knitting patterns. Still found time to teach me when I was knee high!
Jen
Hi Penny, it’s the phantom PP wedding mice and PP wedding heart maker here! I am just finishing 6 cushion covers in PP yarn, so have some time to test these fabulous Xmas decs! (I was a business analyst in my previous life so am fairly picky and can feed back reasonably well too!
Hello, I’m French and I like your idea…
I think I have all understand…
I don’t know if I could be a tester but I’m very interested.
Have a nice day.
Oh……me me me pretty please!!!!!! xxx
Would love to help out, my Facebook page is princess and the bear, if you want to look at my work xxx
I would love to be your pattern tester. Only recently tried crochet. I just love it. Quilting doesn’t do it for me at the moment. I.m busy crocheting an elephant at the moment.
Hi Penny
Well done for managing to try and work it all out, my goodness it is hard work. I wish I could help you out but I might not be as swift as you would like, I seem to be rather busy at the moment. Good luck and I hope it all works out soon. It truly is a beautiful pattern x P
I will happily test it for you Penny… and as someone who has been through that pattern writing process and sold a total of two patterns (at under $5) I would happily pay $5 for the pattern too! They are beautiful. Unfortunately I think we are the victim of too many free tutorials on the internet and as a result people expect something for nothing.
Hi Penny,
At risk of swamping you with another offer, I would be glad to test crochet your patterns.
Hope its not too wet in Norfolk.
=^.^=
Be very happy to test your pattern. Have enjoyed being a member of Janie Crow’s crochet club this year and have tackled some complex patterns.Have written one pattern myself for a shawl and appreciate the challenges you faced.
Hi Penny! These are the best Christmas decorations i have seen! Love love love! x Teje
PS. May I pin to my Christmas boeard?
would also love to test any of your patterns for you….just let me know