another lapghan, squares and new policies at the Cabana

I finished the second lapghan for the Alzheimer center. I am really pleased with the way it turned out. Because of all the tails I weaved in, I decided to wash this one first.

As I said previously, the pattern I used is from Mile-A-Minute Afghans (Leisure Arts #108200) (Crochet Treasury Series). It is called Restful Rainbows. I have used this pattern over and over and over again and it is so easy. For the lapghan I used 75 rows. The actual pattern uses 103, which is perfect for scarves. I just join 2 together for a scarf.

I've also done afghans with this pattern using the colors of the wordless book giving the story of salvation. In fact, I have several preemie patterns on my wordless page at Crochet Cabana (not mile-a-minute patterns).

In addition to finishing the above lapghan, I also finished a number of 6" squares to send to Share a Square. These are squares that I made a while back and weren't 6" so I added or removed a round to get it to the requested size. For the purple ones, I had a bunch of those, so I ripped one back so I could use the same color yarn to add a round of sc or sl st to each. It worked out perfectly and I had enough yarn from one square to finish all the others.

One square was 7" so I removed one round and redid the round in hdc. When I frogged it, I had to cut at various points because the tails had been woven in and it was impossible to get a good length, so I had to use a different color yarn on that one, to finish it. Any cream I had would not have matched. I was disappointed to have to do that, but I don't think it looks bad since different colors are used in the square itself. As you can see on the pink and brown, I used a cream color to add a round.

In other news, I have decided to change my rules on making items using my patterns. I had hoped to make some of the items to sell in my shop and may still do that at some point, but it doesn't look like it will be soon. Unless the time comes when I have a financial need to do so, I prefer to make my items for charity efforts. I am blessed to be able to do that right now. I am going to allow single sales - IOW not bulk sales but individual sales - of items made with my patterns, free or purchased.

Some people still do not get that designers and publishers have control over what is done with items made using their patterns. They insist on passing on the idea that it doesn't matter what the designer wants. Only a copyright lawyer can advise you on legal matters. Not your good friend or someone you meet on a crochet list.

Some designers are trying to live off what they make, through sales of their patterns and making the actual items. I would say that is probably not the case for the majority, but for some it might mean the difference between being able to buy a few skeins of yarn or just having enough money for necessities.

Someone recently said that it doesn't matter if you break copyright law because odds are you won't get caught, and even if you get caught the designer probably can't afford to prosecute. The fact that you might not get caught or would not be prosecuted even if you do doesn't make it less of a crime. If someone steals something from your home and is not caught, does that mean it's fine that they stole? That is physical property. Designs are intellectual property.

Anyway, you know this is a hot button for me so I won't go on. I don't want to stop folks from making the additional income they need through legal means and I know that I have many visitors on limited income. So if you are one, go for it. I wish you success. Remember to give credit to the designer, and never, ever sell the pattern. Only the item you make from it. (This goes for my patterns only, not those on my site by other designers unless it says so.)

Now back to crocheting - I'll be making some amethyst 12" squares for Heartmade Blessings, then more scarves for Special Olympics. I was excited to get an e-mail from the Louisiana office letting me know my scarves arrived at their office and they were the FIRST ones they received. :-) For some reason, that makes me excited. I hope it was just the first of many.


Happy crocheting!