Yeah... here we go, jumping on the bandwagon like so many others. All this time, when I wanted to start a blog and viewed millions of others' blogs, I thought it would feel special. Nah... nothing doing, at least yet.
But I do have some knitting to show! Yes, a new version of the Hanging Garden Stole, which some of you may remember from the Knit Picks catalog last year. It is lovely in Lorna’s Laces Helen’s Lace in cedar, with citrus green wavy leaf beads at the edges. So garden-y.
Many thanks to Yee Jee Tso for the photos, taken at Three Bags Full yarn shop in Vancouver. The new pattern should be released very soon. Now, a question for my readers... the big quandary on this designer's mind today is whether to sell downloadable pdf files from my website, or will that alienate the yarn shops, both online and brick and mortar, who already sell my printed patterns? I thought perhaps it would be best to try it with this new pattern as a get-my-feet-wet measure. I know from the members of my yahoo list that knitters who live overseas get the short end of the stick when ordering printed patterns from anywhere else, and they really appreciate having downloadable files available. And I think most knitters are getting that way too, just for convenience and the whole instant gratification thing. Any comments?
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30 comments:
What a beautiful page this first one is . . . such an entrancing header . . . there's my divine feline friend Mooshie, and my dear friend Sivia, and the most entrancing detail of the shawl with those tiny leaf beads (I love leaves as much as I love water) . . . I am so glad you now have a blog, so I can "visit" you more often. I do hope you allow let Mooshie say a few "words" now and again, perhaps about his love of paper, or boxes, or pouncing . . . not to speak of his passion for beads. Welcome to the blog world! I have time to read very few, but yours is now at the top of my list.
With love,
Cat
Thank you for so kindly leaving a first post, setting the tone for all others to come... I think Mooshie shall definitely have a voice in the blog!
What a beautiful pattern! And I definitely vote for the downloadable pattern, instant gratification and all. Welcome to the blog world!
A beautiful blog you have make. I will bee back an other day to read more.
With love Hanne Denmark
Beautiful site and beautiful pattern. And a yes vote for downloadable patterns. I like being able to download a pattern at 10 PM on a Saturday so I can cast on from my stash.
Welcome to the blogging world, Sivia :o)
Your stole looks lovely!
As for selling downloads, I think that there are knitters who like to shop online and there are knitters who like to shop in brick & mortar shops (and then there are those who don't live near a shop and HAVE to shop online). I don't think that selling your patterns online would hurt the brick & mortar business at all - so there it is. My long-winded 'yes' vote ;o)
What a great first post, Sivia! Beautiful pattern on a beautiful designer! I vote yes to the downloadable patterns as well, I'm an instant gratification kinda gal, who generally does all her shopping on line!
You know I love the pattern - now if I could only find some time to get past those first few repeats!
Very nice start to what I'm sure will be a fabulous blog.
Congratulations on your new blog, Sivia! You went right to the top of my "favorites" list!
I think selling both hard-copy patterns and downloads would cater to both styles of knitters. Perhaps you could give an incentive of some kind to shop owners vs downloads if online sales become an issue.
I am still puttering away on my DF! I got sidetracked by other things. I only have 4 rows to go and then the finish! Never thought I would be so slow!
Welcome to blogworld!
Welcome to blogdom Sivia:-) The Hanging garden version you have pictured is so beautiful. I love the leaf beads!!! We all love downloadable patterns!
what a delight to see this blog come about this morning. and the hanging garden pictures are wonderful!
pdf files...
i know i have to order many things on line if i want them and with the cost of shipping sky rocketing all the time if i can purchase a pattern download it helps me on a limited income. (and feeds that instant gratification)
without having a LYS i can't imagine my purchases of pdf downloads will put any bricks and mortar places out of business.
with so many overseas knitters i know it would certainly help them as well. plus the added benefit of saving paper since i only would print out a chart and work any other portions from my computer screen. every little bit helps the earth. ;)
i look forward to seeing more from you here. it's always nice when designers have a blog so i can get to "know" them better. 2 thumbs up! :)
Congratulations on the new blog, Sivia! I'm adding it to my Bloglines list.
The leaf beads look great on the new Hanging Garden stole.
My next project - repairing my Mom's Shetland Garden Faroese Shawl. It got caught on something and tore--luckily at the neck, and I don't think it got into the lace pattern at all, just the garter stitch rows. I'm hoping I can run a lifeline, unravel all the garter, pick up the stitches and knit the top band back up. We'll see how it goes!
And hi to Mooshie from Morgen, my Schnauzer.
Way to go Sivia. It already looks awesome. I look forward to reading many more entries.
The new blog looks fabulous!!!
I'm of two minds about downloadable patterns; yes, you have instant gratification, but I don't have a color printer and often I find myself buying the paper pattern for the picture. I'm sure I'm in the minority with that, though!
I do think downloadable patterns are a great idea, but I like it when both options are available.
Seeing your Hanging Garden makes me want to get mine finished so I can wear it!!!
Yay Sivia!! I'm so glad you finally took the plunge, I hope you enjoy it. :)
PDF please. I live in the UK so the shipping cost is always a factor. The big thing about a downloadable pattern is that you can be casting on within minutes of seeing it. I think that's a good thing anyway...
i LOVE the downloadable pdfs, as i live in a huge knitting wasteland with no lys within a 2 hour drive.
and most of them sell frou frou anyway....
I love the beads on the edging. The whole thing is really gorgeous. As for the patterns, I really do love the instant gratification that comes from purchasing a downloadable pdf.
Your new blog looks wonderful! I completely understand your quandry between offering pdf patterns and not wanting to alienate the shops carrying your paper patterns. I'm currently having that same discussion with myself. Testing the waters with a trial pattern might be just the ticket.
Welcome to blogland! I have hanging garden sitting in the (very long!) to-knit list, but love it with those leaf beads. Gorgeous!
I too love downloadable patterns - if you don't undercut the brick & mortar folks, it shouldn't be a problem. And on-line stores like Knitting Zone would probably love to be able to sell them in pdf format as well.
How exciting--your own blog! Welcome!
I've got plans for Diamond Fantasy in Sea Silk, btw. I think it'll be amazing.
Please, please, do downloadable. There are many patterns that I would like to have that are not available to me locally, but the shipping makes it ridiculous to just order a pattern. There are still millions of people that are not computer literate and will still buy at a yarn shop. I would rather have support a local store, but the availability is not always there. Plus, nothing like a middle of the night impluse purchase.
I love those beads too! I can't see them quite well enough, but they're obviously exquisite.
I am also a big fan of downloadable PDF patterns, supplemented by hard copies for the shops. I don't think it's an either/or issue, but a matter of the pattern being available in the widest array of ways.
Sivia, I love the color of your new Hanging Garden. I'm using the same leaf beads. I just love the pattern as well as the beads. But I was wondering - what's different about your "new" pattern? It looks the same as mine.
On the issue of pdf downloadable patterns: I've ordered a few downloads, but it hasn't stopped me from also ordering hard copy patterns. So I think the point is moot.
Welcome to blogging! Lovely site! The Hanging Garden shawl is gorgeous with those leaf beads...I have bead envy!!
Yes to downloadable PDF patterns. It's win-win all the way--less paper, less plastic, less fuel to drive to the LYS, no shipping cost, not to mention immediate gratification and commencement of knitting!
Looking forward to seeing what you do with all those enticing balls of yarn!!
I am a huge fan of downloadable pdf files; they satisfy both my instant gratification tendencies, and my constant fear that I will spill soda on my pattern.
And what a beautiful blog you have; an exquisite picture that makes me want to knit Hanging Garden ALL OVER AGAIN, and that says something, as I'm sure you remember.
PDF patterns: Yes!!! In additon to instant gratification, they also allow for clear enlargement of charts - a very big plus in my books. It makes the knitting experience so much more pleasant. Just a very nice compliment to great designs. Thank you!!!
A big fan.
Welcome to the blogosphere!
I vote yes for pdf patterns, too.
And your Hanging Garden has is just gorgeous. Love the cedar colorway and the beads; together they look divine.
I just got started with my blog, too, and you are doing a great job!! I just love looking at all your yarn. My mouth was watering.
Christine
Check out my sites!!
www.mastersglassart.blogspot.com
www.mastersglassart.com
I'm also a new blogger - glad to see some more knitters from Vancouver, BC. Absolutely beautiful pattern. I would vote yes for the downloadable pattern.
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