"Melancholy". The gloomy state of mind here at the Pigtails Palace after I failed to decipher a pattern that is described as problematic on Ravelry.
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Image created with the Intuos Pen and Touch and computer by The Teen who recently turned 15 years old. She reminds everybody that copyright belongs to her.
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Pattern: The beautiful Barcelona Jacket.
Bodice: King Cole Bamboo Cotton DK
Hook Size: 4mm
Problem: Pattern riddled with mistakes and perhaps also a project best suited to advanced crocheters rather than the intermediate level mentioned. Some Ravelry members either frogged or hibernated this project. Others commented that they heavily modified the pattern, found it frustrating or even undecipherable. I am thinking that the few who enjoyed the pattern are experienced hookers! To quote a member on Ravelry:
Nice yarn + completely undecipherable pattern instructions + approx. 4 months wasted on this bad boy = crappy, frustrating project ==> unhappy crocheter (me!) UGH!!!PS -- Dear Caron pattern editors: this is the second Caron crochet pattern that has driven me nuts and according to both designers it is because you apparently change/alter/edit their original instructions. PLEASE reconsider your editing strategy!!! Thank you.
Personally, I am stuck on row 3 of the sleeves and cannot proceed until I understand what needs to be done. My frustration levels hit red on the "frustratometer". The Teen is most disappointed too. She needs something pretty to wear with a long sleeved velvet top that leaves her shoulders bare since the official dress code in Qatar demands shoulders be covered.
The pattern reads like an Escher staircase as I also mentioned on Instagram e.g. (not actual pattern) rows 118-129 (6 pattern repeats) repeat rows 58-69 (6 pattern repeats) and when I get to those rows, it says to repeat rows 8-19 (5 pattern repeats) except for row 10 (increase) and rows 8-19 is in fact a repeat of rows 2-5 which forms the base of the pattern . . .
Last night I started hooking a pretty wrap instead and decided to use a sock yarn in silk, mohair and wool with hook size 5 to create a lacy effect. As soon as she saw it, The Teen demanded to know who that was for. I said whoever wants it. Turns out she wants it. The mood is a happy one once again!
Have a great week and do let me know whether you have hibernated or frogged an item before due to poorly written patterns rather than personal preferences!
There is nothing as frustrating as a badly written pattern !! I can imagine how you feel - and the Teen...
ReplyDeleteCrocheting is not rocket science, in my opinion. If you master the techniques, everything is (should be) feasible. If you get stuck in a pattern, it is not that you're not experienced enough, it is simply the fault of the pattern/writer of the pattern.
That is why I prefer crocheting with a diagram, and not with a written text. With a diagram, I never encounter any misinterpretations due to bad writing, translation errors, etc.! Too bad most patterns are in text...
I too prefer crocheting from diagrams and also do not think that it is difficult - this pattern is simply very badly written and frustrating to work from. Grrr!
DeletePS - congratulate the Teen on her artwork ! I think she has great artistic talents !!
ReplyDeleteI will tell her, coming from an artist such as yourself, this is a lovely compliment!
DeleteBuon Compleanno to your Teen !!!!! How lucky is she having a brilliant mum in solving crochet problems (even if it implies a radical change of pattern to follow) ? You are a good mum and yes I understand your frustration ….
ReplyDeleteHow is your back? The house is all unpacked???? I'm still recovering and some posters are waiting to be nailed, but the home is cosy!!!!! ;oD
happy week, xxxxxx Ale
Hells bells I am starting to survive in this house but can confirm with embarrassment that not a single curtain is hanging yet. I had 12 white drops washed and ironed and bought 4 new drops in a lovely grey - now I need to pin down a company to instal curtain rails for us as their are none above any of the windows! I am also kicking off my Qatar corporate career on Wednesday and will have little time to play hooky (pun intended!) Hope you are having lots of help at your palace too!
Delete~ ♥ ~ Beautiful art work ... Love it! Hope all is wonderful with you ~ ♥ ~
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteBeautiful artwork! Love the colors.
ReplyDeleteAnd how very very frustrating, this badly written pattern.
But you've created something beautiful!
I dislike badly written patterns, I have one that has been sitting, part of it crochet. Going to have to take it apart and figure out it myself in the future.
ReplyDeleteFiguring out is the way to overcome these patterns but first I must get over the initial ftustration and re-energise!
DeleteUgh, I'm so sorry to hear this!! I've always loved this design. Diagrams would be perfect for it, so would a video for the seaming part. Or an online class. I wonder if I could get the rights back to it.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that your pattern was rewritten Vashti. Thank you for replying, it is such a beatiful bolero, but I might still use the oattern repeat to make a scarf at least!
DeleteOops, very belated congratulations on your daughter's 15th! She is very talented, amazing drawing. Wonder where she got her talents from. ;-)) Love the cat stockings BTW.
ReplyDeleteWhat a pity the pattern didn't work out. Coincidently I read an article on Escher's stairs last week: it appeared they are inspired on the stairs in his secondary school in the Netherlands. There was a picture of those stairs too and it was a striking resemblance indeed. (Though the real life stairs are more 'doable' ;-) )
Pretty wrap!
Happy day, xhaafner
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ReplyDeletenevermind she is way to young lol
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