Monday, June 2, 2008

The Hanks Question of the Week

Let's talk modifications! When you follow a pattern, do you follow the pattern exactly (excluding changing hook or needle sizes to adjust gauge) word for word? Or do you change things as you go, substituting your favorite heel, changing a turtleneck to a boatneck, etc.? I'm not saying that one way is better than the other way, just curious as to whether more people are into following a pattern exactly, or more into making one's own modifications.

5 comments:

Eclectic Spinner said...

Patterns are like recipes: suggestions to be followed as closely as you like. You just need to be ready the final result to not be quite what you were expecting! I generally follow a pattern fairly closely the first time and then deviate as I see fit!
Ginger

Betharoopie said...

I'm with Ginger - much like baking, I follow a "recipe" pretty closely the first time, just so I know how it turns out.

With socks, particularly, I've found toes and heels that I *love* and some not so much. If the pattern suggests a certain method that I don't prefer (and it doesn't seem to make a difference in the outcome), I'll use another method. If it's something I haven't tried before, I'll give it a go.

Unknown said...

I havn't made too many garment patterns to be able to tweek patterns to my liking, hoever when it comes to socks, I love to use my favorite toe decrease as well as my favorite heel. I am open to try new things but I like my own.

glimmerite said...

Generally speaking, I will follow a pattern the first time. There are a few patterns that I've made more than once. (Hello Rose's Mitts & Crosshatch Lace! I'm talking to you!) Once I know what it is I'll have I'm more apt to experiment.

But all bets are off when it comes to socks. I have my standard cuff length and standard heel (which I do different than I've seen written anywhere - eye of partridge meets not so fussy) and standard toe. Then there is that gusset thing that I love. I don't think I could make a pair of socks without double decreasing. :D

This is probably why I don't try shawls/sweaters/whatnot. Things have a way of morphing when I knit them. LOL.

Lorena said...

If it's a complicated sweater/cardigan pattern (ahem, Rogue, I'm looking at you!) I will follow it pretty much to the letter the first time I make it, with the possible exception of making it a bit longer, or something easy like that. If I make something a second time, I might deviate more, switching out some cables, adding stitches to make something wider-- I especially with socks. Also, I have my favorite heels and toes and will tend to use them no matter what the sock pattern calls for. I agree with pretty much everything that's been said, in that patterns are like recipes. If you don't like onions/bobbles and the recipe/pattern calls for onions/bobbles, leave out the onions/bobbles!