knitters we have got to get ourselves together

 Dear knitters, 

let's talk about some things. 

I am privileged enough to be able to afford expensive yarn. I make no apologize for my yarn snobbery but I don't turn my nose up at lesser more affordable yarns or the people who knit with them. 

I have worked for pattern designers. It's not as much fun as it sounds. Writing a pattern is hard as fuck. And being the person who knits that pattern for the first time is hard as fuck. 

So the other day I was reading about how knitters were complaining about the price of patterns and pricing patterns out of their range and using yarn that was on the more expensive side of things. Here's the thing. Designing a pattern is hard as fuck. I've said that twice now. There's a lot of effort and time and testing and such that go into that process. Do i think patterns need to cost as much as a book? No? but I don't think 6 bucks is unreasonable. To that end, if I'm paying a ridiculous price for a pattern, It should come with some basic help. ESPECIALLY if it's a new pattern. I should be able to reach a designer when I'm having some problems and say hey, i'm doing this it's not making sense. We're not talking about a "how to knit through the back loop" lesson we're talking about some real challenges you are having. Do I think a pattern designer should be your first go to when you are having issues? no. you've got friends, a yarn store etc to go to. But if they can't make sense of that then yes, go to the designer. I've had designers not email me back and I sure as heck have not bought another pattern from them. ** Cough Cough ** sweaterfreak. that's right. First sweater I attempted to knit. three emails and 9 years later I still haven't heard a thing. I'm not going to buy another pattern for them. I'm an advanced knitter. I can knit most of everything now, but a lack of customer service is enough to make me run. 

I also heard some complaints about yarn designers use in their patterns being too expensive. Listen guys, hard fact. There's a reason gauge is listed in this. Not just so you can check how you knit but you can check your yarn. I rarely use the recommended yarn.  1. My yarn stash is legit to die for. 2. some of that yarn is hard to find. Do I complain about it? No, I just substitute. Guys, we have to stop this I need you to make everything easier for me stuff in this world. Let designers design and knitters just gotta knit ya'll. Why the hell would someone comment on the yarn someone is using that isn't expensive is beyond me. Can't things just be beautifully knit? I can't imagine how much hate you have in your heart to comment that someone was using cheap yarn. Ya'll have got to get this hate out of your heart. 

Listen, I just want us all to go back to the days when if we saw something we didn't like we just ignored it. Like idiot comments on the internet. And just knit all the things in all the yarn designed by all the patterns with all the models.