About a month ago, I took the Dinosaur Hoodie off my site because it was time to fix it. Some lovely people have written to ask where it has gone.
I had originally posted it as a favor to a few friends who had asked for it, and then forgot about it. It did have a few math errors, which is understandable since this was before I ever heard of such a thing as a technical editor. Since it was free and had a note declaring that I am clearly not a designer, it might not be perfect, I thought people would understand the risk if they wanted to try it anyway.
Knitters being knitters, and the internet being the internet, all of my good intentions were for naught, and there were a lot of complaints about the pattern and my lazy ass all over the public forums. I have had emails over the years demanding that I fix the thing (the difference between 99 and 100 stitches seems to have really messed up some people's lives) and I had always responded with apologies and the assurance that really, it was just a kid's dress up hat, one extra stitch wasn't going be minded by anyone. I tried to patch in a few corrections, but the problem never went away.
So I took it down to run through it again with a wiser eye, and probaby knit it myself after all this time. I will have it back up in a week or two, after I finish my taxes and fulfill some article deadlines I have looming. Those come first, but a very close second is the Dinosaur Hoodie. Promise.
How very gracious of you, considering all the hub-bub.
Posted by: Lynn in Tucson | April 08, 2011 at 08:09 PM
Wow, that's.... just wow. People never cease to amaze me, both the good and the bad. If you need a hand with the editing or would like a test knitter (for free, without complaints, even!!), drop me a line. I've not designed *that* many patterns, but I could help you tweak things a bit if necessary. (Note: I didn't get your original pattern, btw, so if you take me up on my offer, could you email it to me?)
Posted by: Vicky | April 08, 2011 at 08:21 PM
I think you should charge for it this time around!!
Posted by: carolyn | April 08, 2011 at 08:37 PM
You are a gem!
Posted by: Kathy | April 08, 2011 at 09:17 PM
i usually don't comment (i'm a lurker), but i just had to say i am sorry that you have had so much grief over this. i agree with all the above posters- you are gracious, patient and a gem. And, maybe you should consider charging for it after doing so much work on it.
there are always a few rotten apples.
Posted by: april | April 08, 2011 at 09:36 PM
julia, I'm so sorry to hear people have been so unkind. I like to think we have this happy smiley community of knitters, but every now & then something like this happens that makes me realize we do not.
Posted by: Martha | April 08, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Here is another lurker to say WTH --- it was free folks! get over yourself! This nice knitter shared and you complained. I never understand how people can be so mean when someone has been kind to them. Even though I may never, ever knit that cute hat, I appreciate each and every one of you that have the creative gene and share it with us.
Posted by: Rebecca | April 08, 2011 at 10:02 PM
How annoying that you would have gotten any grief for a free pattern. I started reading your blog several years ago, and I wished so badly that I had an excuse to knit your cute little hats, but my teenage children probably wouldn't have appreciated me knitting them a pirate hat. You're great, and I agree with a few other commenters that you should just charge this time!
Posted by: Caroline | April 08, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Another Lurker chiming in. You are a very good person, and you should charge this time, if just to compensate for the previous aggravation. (And if (when) people complain, post a couple of these comments!
Posted by: Melanie | April 09, 2011 at 06:09 AM
Unfortunately I'm not surprised- there's plenty of that going around on Rav. A short while ago Twist was ripped a new one over a few tech edit issues by some miserable people. I'm sorry people have been nasty to you too.
Posted by: Manise | April 09, 2011 at 08:17 AM
I read this in complete amazement, and apparently, after reading the comments I realize I am not alone. Re-write the pattern and charge 30.00 for the new pattern! That will get the tongues wagging even more, but some apparently deserve it. I tend to think of knitters as a warm bunch of helpful people and then get cautioned by stories like this. I truly hope you have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Debbie B | April 09, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Maybe you could just redirect the complainers to your dinosaur sweater pattern instead -- that should keep them busy for a while.
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport | April 11, 2011 at 10:51 AM
what ever happen to (Dont look a GIFT horse in the mouth)
No one ever heard that one?
Posted by: Mary E.Dadds | April 13, 2011 at 10:13 AM
Very sorry to hear that people were very unkind to you.. Take it easy and star up your next project..http://www.vivamagonline.com/index.php I like your projects and method of knitting.. Good writing.. Thank you!!!
Posted by: Hat knitting | April 14, 2011 at 01:04 AM