Just recently I've had more messages than ever asking me to write up my animal patterns but it's something that I'm just not in a position to do just yet. There are several reasons for this, some personal, some financial and some to do with time and the pleasurable spending of it. All of my reasons are valid to me but are not necessarily understandable to anyone else because they are born out of my personal situation, so I'm not going to write them down here and invite public debate. I do hope though that circumstances will change for me and that I'll be able to share my patterns at some point in the future
Although thinking about writing up the patterns has put me in mind of a very, very old tale that I once heard, it's an allegory of sorts I believe.
There once was a girl who lived in a far off land (nowhere near here you understand). She loved to bake and thought a day incomplete without making at least one sweet treat to share with her friends and family.
Her friends and family were delighted by the delicacies that she made and suggested that she begin to sell her wares so that the people of the village could enjoy them too. And so the girl put up notices on nearby trees and soon there were a few people dropping by her kitchen each day to buy what she had baked. Over time news of the girl who baked spread across the land and soon there were queues of people standing outside the small cottage where the girl baked. Often many people went away with nothing as there was simply not enough to go around and sometimes people even squabbled over a particularly delicious looking cake. This made the girl feel sad. When she had been baking for just her family and friends she could keep everyone happy, but there was no way in the world that she could please all of the strangers on her doorstep.
She started to get notes through her letterbox. Some notes were from people who believed that one of her cakes would help heal a loved one or make a sad child happy. She tried her best to make cakes for everyone, wanting to bring happiness to others with her handmade treats but again she could only help a few. There were notes too from people who wanted her to write down her recipes because they believed that was all they needed to make exactly the same cakes and some people even called her selfish for not sharing her recipes with them.
When she baked the girl felt true peace in her heart and she often sang as her fingers kneaded dough or stirred batter. But when she had to face the queue of expectant people at her door she began to feel worried that she made some of them discontented and a little grain of sadness crept into the girl's life.
One day a note arrived from a book vendor who offered to publish her recipes so that others could make her cakes in their own homes. The girl thought long and hard because writing down the recipes and testing them would take a lot of time and meant there would be no time for baking for many, many weeks and baking was truly her joy in life. Still, she bowed to the pressure of the people and laid down her apron and set to work testing and writing and testing some more.
At last the day came when the book was finished and many people arrived on her doorstep to buy copies of the girl's recipes. This time everyone went away happily and the girl was happy too, for a time.
But, as is so often the way in these stories, there was not a happy ending, for many people were unable to make their cakes exactly the same as the ones the girl had made. And so the notes began to arrive again. Notes from people who had made cakes from the girl's recipes but who had not been able to reproduce the same lightness of sponge or creaminess of buttercream. To begin with the girl wrote back with suggestions and tips and tried her very hardest to help the people reproduce her cakes. She found that some people had used margarine instead of butter or stirred with a metal spoon instead of wooden and yet had still expected to make a cake exactly like those made by the girl.
Soon the postman was arriving with mail each day from people who wrote things like 'these cannot be the recipes that you use, you have lied to us'; 'this recipe is too complicated and fiddly and the results are poor'; 'I don't see how you can get decent cakes from this recipe' and other unjust and hurtful things. Because, as the girl knew from experience, people can sometimes be that way when they do not get what they want.
The girl returned to her baking, but the simple joy that she had once felt was tarnished and she no longer sang as she baked. What remaining pleasure there was in her baking slowly ebbed away with the arrival of each new note, until finally none remained at all and the girl put away her apron, never to bake another morsel for the rest of her life.
Of course this is just a story, but I can't help thinking that if only the girl had just stuck with the baking that she was good at and that brought peace to her heart well, then this story could have had a happier ending. Perhaps not for everyone who didn't manage to buy a cake from the girl, but in my experience not many people get everything that they want in life.
;)
little cotton rabbits 
Stick to your guns Julie – they are your toys and your patterns and you can do exactly what you like with them. I get a lot of pleasure from your photographs and blog.
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It should always be about you and your feelings, your family are all so important and need you, you have more to deal with then most of us, stick to baking just a few very special cakes, keep loving every ‘stitch’ that makes up your cakes, don’t change.
If people get a cake then that makes that cake so very special.
We get one life, live it how you feel is right, don’t bow to changing xx
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That is perfect! Please stay just as you are, providing love and care and attention for your children and not attempting to bend to the will of the rest of the world.
We all appreciate you and the brillint job(s) you do.
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you are just right…knitting your little animals is your hobby and you love it….so just keep doing that!!
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I totally agree with you.Your life is complicated enough without taking anything extra on.They are your special animals.keep it that way and enjoy doing them.
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Oh how true!! Thanks for such a gentle reminder of one of Life’s most important lessons.
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You should not feel bad about not publishing your patterns! I think your making them is what makes them absolutely precious and special. It sounds like you have a good balance right now for making batches of them as you have time and very importantly, you’re enjoying the process.
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Brilliant! We love that your talented hands make these wonderful delights. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Only greed can provoke someone to make you part with what you hold near and dear.
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I totally get your story – replace the cakes with your ADORABLE animals. I never really thought about what would happen if you did make the patterns available – good for you for thinking that thru. So far I have not been one of the lucky ones to win one of your drawings, but I will keep trying!
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They are yours you don’t have to share them. People wouldn’t dream of going into the big fashion houses and demanding they write down patterns for their garments. Your little animals are very appealing and half of that is because they are very un obtainable. I also will keep hoping to win a draw.
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Stick to your guns Julie.
if you created the patterns why should you share them?
there are other patterns available commercially that people can use and adapt.
Love the story!
Nicky
jaynicknitknacks.blogspot.com
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A very thought provoking story and so very true. I get immense pleasure just by looking at pictures of your unique creations.
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That is so true. Such a poignant tale. I say stick to your guns and if it isnt you dont try to make it you. I love that your creations are hard to get hold of and you do them in small batches and it is one of the things that first inspired me. You have cotinued to inspire me in so many other ways and I for one, would not want things others want to force you to do things not quite your way. xx
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Spot on, Julie – they’re your animals and I know from experience with your egg cosy and hedgehog patterns that I can’t knit them with the same expressions as you do – mine are cute, but not as cute as yours!
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Thank-you Julie for sharing your lovely animals with us. Everytime you make a new batch I adore looking at their photos. Please remember just how much happiness you are already sharing with the world and don’t feel that you have to justify doing what you love. Knit on if that’s what you want.
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I agree with everyone else. I love your strength Julie, I admire you so much. Hugs, xxx
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Thank you for the tale – it was a good reminder to listen to your heart – the choices we make for ourselves don’t always make sense to others. Keep your joy in your creating, because that is the most important thing you are making.
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Never mind ‘the people’, you deserve to have these pleasures and keep them pleasurable for you however you see fit! I’ll continue to enjoy and admire your pictures, you do make each one truly adorable!
S x
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Julie, you shouldn’t feel bad about not publishing your patterns! What you have is a gift for creating tiny knitted personalities for others to treasure. However … I have bought your cake pattern and made many, many little delicacies which have been very appreciated as gifts. Of course, I’d love to knit a “little cotton” of my own, but I know it wouldn’t be the same.
Much love
Tx
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Just stick with whatever makes YOU happy. This sweet story illustrates that beautifully.
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Great story, and very true. Just because you can make lovely things doesn’t mean you would enjoy writing it all out for other people. If knitting lovely things is your relaxation in a stressful life, don’t let strangers try and manipulate you into spending your precious spare time on something you don’t love doing. If you have never written a pattern you can’t understand how time consuming it is nor what a different skill set us required. You are asked to do this work from a position of ignorance and I’m sure if it were understood exactly how much work would be involved, people wouldn’t be as strident in their demands.
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I can only echo the sentiments of others here. I love simply to look at the photographs of your latest creations. You have a gift, one difficult to replicate to such high standards, which is why it is so very appealing. The fact that everyone desires one of your lovely animals is a huge complement and wonderful recognition of your talents, which should be celebrated. You have enough to worry about in life already, without worrying about whether you are satisfying a large proportion of the crafting community with your knitted animals. I hope you can continue to do what brings you (and many others) pleasure without feeling any guilt.
Becky x
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I love to just look at them! I couldn’t knit one if my life depended on it. But you do have the magic touch to create such beautiful animals! I liked your story too…so true. A few people have commented on my blog asking if I ever sold any of my crocheting. Right now I love to crochet just for me and my friends and family. I don’t want crocheting to become a “job” with deadlines. Then, just like in your story, the joy would be gone.
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Very well said, Julie. These beautiful animals are your creations and they are all made extra special because they’re made by you.
I love making things, sometimes to sell, but when someone asks me to make them something specific I find it hard to feel the same inspiration and enthusiasm. It’s that whole creative thing of coming up with the idea and then bringing it to life that really feeds your soul.
xxx
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Lovely story. You have to do what feels right to you and not what others want you to do (within limits, of course). Yes, it would be nice to have a pattern or several, but if you can’t do it for one reason or another (and I understand very well the reasons you mentioned on FB) then it’s the right decision for you. After all, you have to live with yourself and your decisions. And, BTW, family should come first, anyway.
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This is exactly why I don’t like selling things I’ve made or taking custom orders… I don’t want knitting to feel like it is a job for me. I want it to be something relaxing and selfish, just for me!
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I LOVE your blog and so ADMIRE your creative genius!! You have a gift and I love enjoying it through your blog…somebody I might be lucky enough to get one of your creations on ETSY…and if I don’t, it’s OK..I’ll just keep admiring your work via the blog from across the pond!
Cheers – Kathy (Hillsboro, Oregon, USA)
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Such a perfect story. Do what makes you happy. You shouldn’t have to explain your choices to the masses. Some selfish people will complain, but the majority will understand.
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Wonderful story Julie but also very true. Like Val I have tried to knit one of your patterns… for a cupcake. But my cakes are never as beautiful as yours. The pleasure comes in seeing your gorgeous creations. Stay true to yourself. x
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Love the story , love all your animals and I also love to knit but your story is soooo true. Even if you did write up a pattern and publish it there is no way that I could make anything as gorgeous as you do. All your talent and love goes into your knitting and each little animal , being able to make one yourself just wouldn’t be the same . They are Little Cotton Rabbits not everyone else’s rabbits xx
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Great story – very apropos! I admire your creations because you put so much life and love into them – would never be the same if created by others. I just need to know how to use ETSY so I can try to purchase them when they appear there! 😉
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Julie– continue to be true to yourself and follow your heart. I was that baker girl…really I have books to prove it. But my heart sings when I’m home stitching like never before. so—knit on!!
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What a wonderful story, you do exactly what you want with your animals, as anyone who reads your blog knows, they are works of art and although I would love to own one – and try very hard too – I work on the theory that if I am meant to have one I will. Life still goes on without me owning one of your animals, but maybe one day I will… who knows xx
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I like your story Julie. Commerce is a hard taskmistress.
I used to covet one of your darling animals. But these days, I don’t feel I need to own one at all cost. It is enough that they make me smile when I see one pop up (I’ll never forget the electric jolt of recognition and total pleasure when I spied one in Anita Kaushal’s ‘Home’). I like to think of you sitting in the sunshine with your basket of bits breathing life into them.
Some things are too important to lose by trying to please everybody else.
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I agree with Kathy in Oregon, USA – I love your blog and would love a bunny, bear or critter but I don’t enter contests and am VERY content to enjoy what you are willing to share without asking for more. Forget about the people with bad manners. Think of Jon Bon Jovi singing that chorus in one of his popular songs ‘Like Frankie said, I did it my way, it’s my life.’
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What a brilliant story Julie. Unfortunately we now live in a society where people believe they can get everything they want, when they want it. What this is teaching the next generation, I don’t know! You do what’s best for you and what makes you happy. I don’t believe for one minute anyone could make those little creatures as cute as you do anyway!!
Vivienne x
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Oh Julie, that story is just so perfect , for your situation and for many of us making ‘in demand’ hand crafted lovelies that bring us joy from start to finish.
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I love the story!! It reminded me of my favourite poem by Yeats and the ending lines:
I have spread my dreams under your feet
Tread softly, because you tread on my dreams
x
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Oh dear Julie, sadly this story has been seen in my neck of the woods too, and a lot of my baking friends as well. It seems so hard to try to please, when you know that what you create makes you so happy and brings so much joy and peace, and when others feel it too, you cannot help but try to spread the joy…to the point that sometimes you ended up tarnished and depleted. I do wish for you to keep knitting, and coming to terms with the crazyness.
It is an aspect of this life, that everybody wants a piece of the cake or to bake the cake themselves, and sometimes we all have to sit down and understand that it takes time and a lot of experience to create things such as you. That creative individuals are so giving, not just of their talents, but of their time.
I hope this doesnt make you stop creating ever…I know of others that have stopped.
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Great story and I don’t blame you keeping your friends close to you. Just coming here and seeing what you have created puts a smile on my face so keep things they way they are if you are happy you do not need to justify it to anyone.
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Julie,
I think the fact that you share your talent through the little cotton knits is amazing. It is also amazing that you share your life through your tales. Amazing still that you took the time to explain why you are not yet ready to sell your patterns. They are yours, take the joy and peace they give you in the creating and relish in it knowing the delight those little creations give others.
Continue to curate your own contentment!
Patty
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Oh I totally agree! I’ve thought many times I don’t see how knitters can stand writing down their patterns. The technicality of it would drive me mad~don’t see a THING enjoyable about that! Knit those adorable animals to your heart’s content and be happy!
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I totally agree with your reasoning – mass production takes the magic out of everything these days, and your little animals deserve better. Their charm is in their individuality, and having patterns available will be on a par with cloning – they’ll be the same but not have the soul! I’m put in mind of a certain group of people at my art society who think that if they buy each ‘magic’ brush or paint used by visiting artists they will automatically be able to paint a masterpiece – creativity just doesn’t work that way, it comes from within. I couldn’t even knit one of your egg patterns successfully and I’m a fairly competent knitter!
So I am very proud to be the owner of little Grace rabbit, who rides a giraffe (made by another talented lady) in my living room!
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I completely agree with everyone, your animals are unique because you are. The story beautifully describes all you need to say. That you share as much as you do should be enough but some people are never happy, will always want more and are pushy about asking for it.
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I think your patterns are very personal to you and we should all keep some things personal . If a lot of people had patterns for your lovely little friends they would somehow not be so special . Resist all these requests and keep what is yours only unto yourself [that was a bit biblical lol ].
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I hate to think of your enjoyment disappearing because of the pressure. 😦 Perhaps you could lay low for a while and just knit to your hearts content without thinking of selling or trying to satisfy people’s cravings for your bunnies and other animals.
I also think many people are only suggesting the pattern option as something that might take the pressure off, not realising it would add more!
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True (and good for you for keeping true to yourself). x
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I agree with you totally, for me it would be far more magical to have one of your beautiful creations arrive in the post than to attempt one myself! Stick to what you believe in, and have a very happy summer holiday.
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I think you should stick to what you feel in your heart Julie. You have created these beautiful little toys with so much love and care, your creativity and expression shines from every little character. Don’t let it go, in an attempt to make others happy.
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I’m sure you know that the request to publish your patterns was born out of sheer admiration for your work. I suspect that there’s a lot more to pattern publishing than meets the eye (copyright stuff, for example)so your fable sums it up perfectly.
Thank you for all the things you share with us.
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that story was perfect in summing it all up. 🙂
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Dear Julie
Just reading the comments here show that your genuine “cyber friends” appreciate you for being you and totally accept the way that you do things. You have so much on your plate already, and just reading your blog and looking at your beautiful creations is good enough for us. Obviously I would love to own one of your gorgeous animals at some point, but what will be will be, and if i’m not lucky enough I would never even think of being as hurtful as those people in the village. We love you for who you are and the cheer you bring us Julie xx
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I agree. You make your little bunnies, monkeys, elephants, etc out of love. I agree, I wouldn’t want you to share your patterns because it wouldn’t be the same. I can’t knit, probably never will. But, if I were to get one of your little lovelies, be assured I would give it a good home and smile each time I gazed upon it and knew that it was a special thing just from you. Don’t bow to pressure. Please. Thank you for sharing.
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You know, I often look at pictures of knitted stuffed animals on Ravelry project pages and can scarcely recognize them in comparison to the original pattern/design. There’s a certain artistry needed in creating 3-dimensional knitting and it’s more than just following the knitted pattern. It’s in the seaming, the stuffing, the embelllishing and you are absolutely right that most people will not blame themselves when their animal looks nothing like yours — they’ll blame you. There may come a day when you want to knit something different and you’ll decide to sell patterns for things already knit but until that day — relax and just enjoy what you do.
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Well said x
It brings me (and obviously lots of other people, reading all of the lovely comments here) so much pleasure just reading your blog and looking at your creations
take care of yourself x
j x
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Your patterns are just that Julie – yours. Never feel you have to share anything with us lot or in deed, that you have to explain any reasons why you feel the way you do. We must respect that your passion for the gorgeous little creations you make are for very persoanl reasons. As long as you are happy to knit and share, we are happy to read your blog. Happy knitting x
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I just found your blog a few days ago but have already fallen in love with Fairley and Bryn. Of course you needn’t publish patterns, it is in their completed form that you share them with people. Try not to let strangers infiltrate your peace of mind and apply unwanted pressure. Stay well, I’ll try as I might to give a couple of your knitties a home here in the US.
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why should you publish your patterns-it would be like selling your family on e-bay! The animals are your talent, your idea-and what fun would we have if you weren’t making them any more? I love reading your blog, and trying to be lucky enough to purchase one (it’s taken a while, but wow, the feeling now I’m waiting for an adorable addition to my family). Keep your passion-if ever you get tired of knitting them, then that will be the time to publish the patterns. I knit a lot, but I know I could never recreate one of your gorgeous woodland creatures! Liz x
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You cannot please the world Julie! I come to your site knowing there is not enough stuffed critters to go around. The wonderful and whimsical pictures are enough to please my eye and keep me coming back! You are doing a fine job!!
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Julie, follow your heart!
If it doesn’t feel right to you, don’t do it!!! There is just so much going on in your life, and these animals are your ART!
They are so beautiful and magical and YOUR patterns.
You don’t have to share!
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A perfect allegory Julie – stay true to yourself and your reasons for knitting your beautiful creations. We’d all love to own one of your delightful animals but never at the cost of your enjoyment. Lucy xxx
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I am not going to lie. If you published a book of your patterns I would not hesitate to press the buy button. I have made the egg cosy pattern 8 times for my family and they have loved every one. On the other hand I agree with all the posts here that you should do what makes you happy. After all life is too short to worry about what other people want you to do. And I know that my animals would never look as cute as yours! x
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Fantastic post Julie. A story that we all need to be reminded of once in a while. It is so important that you do what you love, otherwise you might regret it forever. I am so inspired every time I visit your blog, and I bet I’m not the only one.
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I remember my grannie offering to crochet an afghan for a friend. It was an easy, quick, pretty pattern, and my grannie liked to keep her hands busy. But the friend didn’t want that pattern for the afghan, she wanted that OTHER pattern for the afghan, and the friend couldn’t understand why my very talented grannie didn’t want to make her the afghan that she wanted.
Just because you could write out and publish the patterns, doesn’t mean you should. The pleasure of creating is a gift to yourself, and one you should continue to give yourself!
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I love this story and as much as I would like to try making one of your little animals I know they just wouldn”t look the same. Stay true to yourself and I’ll keep trying to get one of your lovley critters whenever they are available.
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So sorry I asked if you would ever write down your patterns. I do hope that someday you are able to, but please don’t feel any pressure from me. I think a book by you would be one of the best knitting books ever and that it would be a best seller. Yours is the only knitting blog I read. It brings me great happiness. Don’t stop knitting, please:-)
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My Daddy used to tell us “you’re old enough for your wants not to hurt you.” And you know, he’s right. I do want one of your beautiful critters… but it is something that I know I can go on without. (doesn’t stop me from trying though when I have the extra money…) Keep “baking” and singing and making yourself happy…
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Sometimes when we venture out of the creative zone and into the money zone something gets lost in the translation…the joy can disappear because it becomes a job with limits and expectations. Even though I would LOVE to have one of your patterns..I love more the gift that God blessed “YOU” with to make them in order to bring pleasure to others.
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That story could not have been more poignant than if you had made it up yourself. I have always been aware that you were not keen, for all sorts of personal and justifiable reasons, to publish your patterns and I totally respect that decision. I don’t think we should have everything all the time just when we want it. As the story suggests the magic often lies in us not having what we want. I don’t think the sort of people who read your blog are people with an ounce of greed but you are right to withhold your patterns and preserve the magic you have created for yourself and for us. It is enough that you share such personal and insightful moments of your life and your talents. And anyway I can’t knit for toffee so a pattern would be useless to me!
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Years ago, when my daughter was little I made a little patchwork quilt for her beloved dollie. I love to quilt and sew. Everyone said to make them and sell them. So I made a dozen for a shop. AND I HATED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. You see, the joy of creating something special for someone I love was replaced with commercialism. It did not work for me. Therefore I chose to earn a living in other ways and to keep my love of sewing a labor of love. Follow your muse so you do not chase her off.
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Beautiful allegory and perfectly to the point!
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You are an amazing person Julie! When I read your posts the person you are really shines through.. and this post shows what a genuine, loving heart you have. You know that old saying: ‘Don’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes’ – Keep doing whatever makes you happy. Jill :)x
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Thanks for this thought-provoking post. In a sense, you do already share your lovely creations with us by posting the charming photos for us to enjoy. I think we all need to learn that we can appreciate and admire beautiful things without necessarily always needing to own them. And the rarity value must make your lovely animals so special to those who are lucky enough to recieve one.
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Wise words. I think your creations are lovely and would love you to bring out a book of patterns. However, it’s an awful lot of work and you have a lot on your plate already and sometimes it’s better just to go with your gut instinct on this. I tried to do it all and ended up unwell as a result. I now no longer do events because I just can’t. Anyway, I think you’re doing the right thing. Maybe some time in the future you’ll want to publish your patterns. Maybe you’ll not. What I would say is please keep blogging because I really enjoy your tales of family life and crafting. Dawn xx
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Well said. You and your beautiful family are the most important. Do what’s right for you and enjoy your creativity and freedom. You are an inspiration to us all. (((((HUGS))))))
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The story is absolutely accurate. You worked so hard to give your animals personality (and as the proud owner of a little cotton rabbit) that personality comes from your nimble fingers. There is no debate, there is simply knit when you want or can, enjoy the creation of treasured animals. This is for you! The world can wait.
Jill
x
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You know I sympathise with you on this one Julie. I am so sorry for the pain you’ve been caused when all you’ve ever done is use your talent to create beauty and to give happiness. That talent was given to YOU and I believe you should use it as you see fit – it certainly wasn’t given to you to cause you pain.
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You go Girl! You and your lovely little creations should stay as unique as you have made them. I’m happy just to have the pleasure of looking at the photos of them, and it’s even better knowing they’ve brought you such peace and contentment. I’ve purchased your Egg Cozy pattern and it gives me joy, too. Keep up the lovely work, and Best Wishes from Phoenix, Arizona !
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Great story!
I love your stuffed animals and I especially love the way you´re using colour. First I thought I should ask you what yarn and what color you´re using and then i realize I just have a wooden spoon…
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I knitted one of your cupcakes using that pattern that you were kind enough to share and I followed the instructions and used the right yarn. It made up of one of several dozen knitted food items in a knitted picnic that I gave to my god daughter for her second birthday in a beautiful lined wicker picnic basket. I was delighted as she searched deep down in the picnic basket and threw out the knitted sandwiches and biscuits and the crocheted fruit………..she had not uttered a word till the moment she saw the cupcake and shouted out at top of her voice “CAKE!!!!!!” and she clutched it and her face lit up the room.
Marvellous it was – the 20 or so people sat round the room all watching her enjoy it clapped in delight……a very fond memory for me.
You know the score – other people need to take responsibility for their mistakes – how dare they criticise you??? Look at what you create????
XXXX
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cant tell you how irritated I am by this – if you want to attempt a michelin star recipie – get the right ingredients and follow the recipie very very carefully…….or accept you just don’t have the skills and stick to something simpler and less tasty…….grrrrrrrr
Sorry – just needed to get that off my chest…….feel better now
will try to find you a photo of the “CAKE” – it rocked :-)XXX
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Well said Julie! You need to have an escape. Something that brings you pleasure to help fill up your pitcher. You give and give and give each day to Toby and the rest of your family.
You’re right. We don’t always get what we want! God has given you this gift in the midst of hard things to bring you joy and pleasure. Don’t feel bad about your gift.
Hugs!!
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Hi Julie
Just to say i totally get your story and understand. I admit i did ask if you were going to sell your patterns of your animals, but will never ask again. They are all beautiful and wish to be lucky to buy one, one day. Will ask you one thing how do you come up with all there names?
Fiona x
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I smile at the number of responses. Hurrah for friends! What we are talking to about here is a matter of what is called, in cold terms, intellectual property. A thing that comes out of your mind, heart, soul, hands, imagination – it’s like a child born of the body. You are connected to it; it is infused with you. On one hand, your work makes you unique, gives you a cachet, is your own – and you deserve accolades and admiration for the design and the craft involved. On the other hand, it’s not about you at all, but that emotional connection you have with something that is what I described above –
Ultimately, you have absolutely no obligation of any kind to furnish anybody else in the world with the work of your hands. Or to share the techniques or formulas you’ve developed in order to produce what is a child of your mind. It is WONDERFUL of you to do these so that other people can take joy in them. But it isn’t your JOB unless you want to make it your job. No selfishness involved.
In this world, people love to shout “selfish” when they want something that somebody else has. It’s an irony that our desires are somehow righteous, as long as we get what we want – and anyone else’s desire or time or peace of mind not only doesn’t count, but counts against them.
As a tiny knitter myself, there are things I wish I could learn from you – how to do this little thing or that. But I don’t ask. We make a living running a recording studio, and my husband has worked for decades, learning how to get just this sound or that, how to use this or that piece of equipment to get this or that effect. And we’ve had rival studios call, asking him to tell them how he does things.
As if they didn’t understand that our “way” is what makes us unique, what brings business to our door – business that supports our children’s lives, puts food on the table, saves us from poverty. We want to say to them, “If you want that sound, you’ll have to come here and make an appointment and we’ll get it for you.” It sounds so cold to refuse to share our “way.” But that way was hard won and developed over time – and we can’t afford just to give it away.
This is why there is so much law involved in intellectual property cases – it becomes so personal, and so emotional – that outside judges have to be called in to consider the rights and wrongs.
For you, knitting characters is a pure joy. And it’s a relief. And a satisfaction of the drive to create. You don’t owe doing it to anybody. Not even to loving friends. Anymore than a bird owes its song to people. I do NOT want you put into a cage of any kind. I just want you to smile serenely and do what comes to you to do – having as much peace as you can, and sharing your energies with your family and friends as gives you joy. The people who ask, or beg, or cajole – they are wrong to do it. And rude. You will be kind to them, because you always are kind, but only pat them on the head in your own mind and send them gently on their way – and don’t think about them again. Only God can answer every prayer.
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Spot on – and I say that as one who continually tries to make her creations look like those on the patterns I follow and fails miserably!! Somehow I don’t even have the skill to draw a straight line with a ruler…..x
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Tis very true. Mass production does take the joy out of crafting.
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You have a gift for creating beautiful things. You also have a natural story-telling rhythm. Have you ever thought of writing for children? Pick a pseudonym for privacy, and keep singing girl!!!
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Your story says it all!
I have lived your tale as I am a baker and pastry chef, it is called
“becoming a victim of your own success”! It applies to anything that makes you happy.
Thank-you so much for reminding me.
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Hi Julie
What an enchanting and totally appropriate story.
I adore what you do and can see the logic behind your reasons for not publishing. When I first came across your blog (a good while ago) I too asked the question, desperate to get my hands on your patterns but as I have got to know you I know why this isn’t possible for you, and good for you for keeping your little folk precious.
Your work is beautiful and you are a truly talented and amazing lady.
Have a wonderful summer.
Davina xx
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Just stick to what you believe in.
Many a times, people just don’t realize the amount of time and effort to get something “print-ready”.
I love to knit garments and have people requesting for patterns but to make it a “pattern for sale” is just not as easy since I tend to go on a whim and everything’s knitted to fit me.
I don’t think I’ll be able to size the design in several standard sizes just to fit my audiences as there’s way too much maths and testing involved — which will probably take the fun of doing the pattern writing ultimately!
Just keep sharing your lovely FO photos!
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Julie, just do what you enjoy doing. And what you do brings pleasure to so many others too. Keep doing it without worrying about patterns and testing. The skill is in your hands – it’s a gift. Delight in it – we do too!
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I completely love my Barney bunny and know that my knitting skills could never produce something as precious and lovely as the bunny you made.
Stick to your guns! Owning a little cotton rabbit is much more pleasurable because they are in such short supply!
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This story rings so true. Publishing a book was a dream of mine, and after I did, I was very happy. But yes, the notes and emails do come in non-stop, mostly good, but some bad. And while I do hope to keep writing, it’s a shift, taking knitting from a way of finding inner peace to well…a job. There’s nothing I’d rather do for a living, but it does change things, and I do have to work really hard at finding a balance between family and knitting. I can definitely respect your desire to not publish the patterns. Your toys are so special, and that much more special to the few who are lucky enough to have one.
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I say, don’t sell your patterns. These are your special animals, and those few that are fortunate enough to be able to purchase them are just that – lucky. You are quite right, nobody will be able to make theirs look just like yours.
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Julie your little babies would not be the same made by anyone else because your love shines thru and that is what makes them so special. We can see and feel that these are a passion of yours and also your outlet. Making more will only become a chore and they will lose that special character and selling the pattern won’t help as no one will be able to recreate the uniqueness of your work. It is not just knitting that makes the babies come alive. Stick to your guns and don’t stifle your creativity, I waited 2 1/2 yrs for my baby (who is still travelling) and I would have waited another 2 1/2 if I had to. Half the fun is waiting to see who is arriving next time and what they will be wearing. I will still eagerly await the arrival of new babies just for that reason. They are all special whether we own one or not, the boys and I often trail back thru your archives to look at and admire your little family. They always bring a smile to our faces as I am sure that is why you make them xx
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you answered something for me thankyou..
i work hard as a carer .. i bake cakes as a hobby and fun for friends and family and their friends, i constantly get told you should do this as a business .. i dont want to i like to pleasure i get not wanting any pressure .. financially it would make a lot of difference i know , but some things are more precious .. but thankyou for your story it helped me and i will tell that story too. thankyou keep Happy … sue x
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it’s so true that doing what you love on someone elses terms can soon turn from a dream to a nightmare.
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Julie, this post is so moving! I love that the story covers the many aspects of creating from heart and hand with the struggles of public pressures. If crafting is ever a struggle, if it is ever a task, if it is ever not from within the heart then how can we be happy?
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hello,
I’m coming de to visit your blog for the first time… your blanket is so lovely et the rabbits too.. I’m French.. from Alsace exactly and hope the best for you and your family… the sun has coming out this morning… Read you soon… Bye
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Julie,
I love your story! Anyone who gets one of your treasures is so lucky!!! I repect you so much!! The best to your family.
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They are yours and only yours. Of course I would like to knit some myself (I would be lying saying otherwise) but they are not mine … and I can always admire your’s on your blog and that make’s me happy.
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they are wonderful !
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Although I think the Internet is a brilliant place for sharing ideas and spreading inspiration I do think it has a downside too. Many people are just far too demanding and seem to want actual personal attention. ‘Oh can you just email me with how you made your scarf’, that kind of thing – from perfect strangers. And yes some people are very silly indeed and will get a pattern and then ask for separate instructions on how to do the craft as they can not actually do it and are too lazy to find out for themselves.
I also think that blogs can limit creativity with everyone copying everyone else. A well known blogger isn’t doing so much these days and instead of slavishly copying her, they have to look around instead for other sources of inspiration or God forbid, put their own creative thinking caps on. Sometimes I despair – as soon as something appears on a blog everyone starts clamouring for how to tutorials. It is greedy and demanding in my view – nothing is ever enough for some people. Do they not ever think that they might like to keep their item unique and special and not have copies everywhere and questions questions questions. You can buy patterns, you can get thousands of them free but it doesn’t stop people wanting all the time.
You must feel free to do absolutely as you wish regarding your patterns, your little story spelt it out exactly!
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It is so true that what often gives us joy is than turned into something tinged with wistfulness or sorrow once exposed to the light of the outside world.
Do what makes you feel right, not what anyone else thinks. And if you do try to put things out there, and they do come back a tad dented dreamwise, it’s not you, important to remember that, just as in your story – there are a lot of sad discontented people out there who are eager to shift blame on someone else. Their failings do not reflect on you.
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