What I didn't mention was that I had submitted the pattern to a publication in hopes they would publish. Alas, they passed. But, they gave me an interesting note. They said that the pattern would have been better if it had been more of a formula so that anyone could cover any size bottle.
Well, that's something I can work with.
I sat with the idea for a while. How could I come up with such a formula? I knew what I had done to figure out how to make my knitting fit my water bottle. How could I put that in pattern form?
This is why I'm only putting this pattern out now, in July, when it was initially completed before January.
The solution I came up with was to create a worksheet-style addition. And by self-publishing a PDF, I could make the pattern as long as needed. (Publications have space considerations.)
The pattern is now in three parts. Part one contains the basics of construction. Part two has the instructions on how to complete the math to figure out how many stitches are needed. And part three is a fill-in-the-blank worksheet where the math can be done. Oh, and then there's the stitch pattern and such.
Whichever parts someone needs can be printed out, and the unneeded sections can be ignored.
I think it's a rather elegant solution. But time will tell if I'm alone in that opinion.
I created a Pinterest-type photo to make pinning the link easier...
Here are the links on where the pattern can be purchased:
Very pretty pattern. Good for you for getting it out there for sale. I would wear it as a sweater, btw. :D
ReplyDeleteThe stitch pattern could totally be used in a sweater.
DeleteWell done Liz ... certainly changes things up for various water bottles - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteIt's a good idea to make the pattern adaptable to different sizes. I've seen some crazy-sized water bottles recently. 1.5 Liters, can you imagine the cover you'd have to knit for that?
ReplyDeleteA lovely solution to covering the bottles.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteSuch a pretty pattern :)
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI've shared this several places and wish you luck with selling the pattern. It is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThat's a pretty design, Liz. My desire to want to learn something more than a basic knitting stitch is long gone, but that does not stop me from appreciating an awesomely formulated pattern. You go!
ReplyDeletePretty!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteThat's great that they gave you some useful feedback instead of just declining to publish it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was helpful :)
DeleteGood for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI can see a lot of possiblity for this pattern. Like a carigan.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
It is a pretty pattern.
ReplyDeletebetty
I like it. I'm going to make one for my daughter!
ReplyDeleteCool!
DeleteLovely pattern.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteYou're too clever by far. That's a lovely design.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine figuring that out in the first place! It's really sweet!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have a weird imagination.
DeleteIt is pretty :) Sounds like a good solution for making it work for everyone :)
ReplyDeleteI like the pattern...it looks like leaves. Kudos to you for sending it out and getting feedback.
ReplyDelete