Design a hat pattern advice

Pattern Central
1

I finally entered my knitting hats phase! I ran across a new to me technique that makes knitting hats alot easier on my hands.

So i am writing down what I am doing step by step for my personal use so I will have it handy.

This got me to thinking, because hats are so easy to make and most people unlike me can make one without a pattern, my question is this:

What makes a hat pattern ok to sell?

For example: the hat pattern I am using to make baby gifts for twins was created by someone else. The hat I am making now is based on that pattern as far as stitch count goes but is made another way and I am using more than 1 color.

How/ can I turn a revised pattern into my own? I dont want to break any laws or offend anyone in any way.

Thanks in advance

2

Copyright Laws very by location (country) and can be confusing as they are open to a bit of interpretation.

However, in this scenario, simplying making the same hat via a different technique is NOT enough to call the pattern your own and re-sell it.

Seeing a hat, but not the pattern, that “inspires” you to write your own set of directions, could be considered writing your own pattern. However, in this case, “seeing” does NOT mean holding a hat in your hands, counting the stitches/rows and therby reconstructing the original pattern.

In general, ALL patterns have some source of inspiration. The question is, are you taking that inspiration and then doing enough work on your own to call it your own design/creation.

3

Thanks! In my own opinion, I really don’t think I have done enough to call it my own that’s why I am writing it down for personal use.

I am taking a written pattern and simply Making it another way that is easier on my hands.

I was asking a general question but used the hat I am currently making as an example because I was at a loss for words.

But in the future I would love to design my own hat patterns…just don’t know how to come up with proper stitch counts for different head sizes.

Thanks again for your help.

4

I have run across a cell phone app that allows one to design their own hats. I’ll see if I can find a link.

5

Here’s a link for an iphone app:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knit-hat-designer/id421691095?mt=8

6

Thanks. I checked out the link but I can’t use it because I dont have an up to date phone but surely someone will find it helpful.

7

There’s a book out called Teach Yourself Visually: Knitting Design. It’s available on Amazon. Sometimes you can save money by buying it used or as an ebook. This has master patterns of things such as sweaters, vests, mittens/gloves, and hats. It shows you different types of yarn, different size needles, and gives you gauges for them all. There’s master patterns where you pick the numbers for your gauge with your choice. They also show you how to customize them.

I rarely work from a pattern in either knitting or crochet. I go by my type of yarn, gauge, and measurements of the person I’m making them for. You can also find sizing charts and measurements on the internet by the Yarn Council. Knitting on the Net also has a sizing chart for making mittens.

I started out by working through Youtube tutorials for various items like hats. I experimented with sizing and gauge. It taught me basic construction and I was able to make up my own patterns from that. Many times, I will fast forward through those tutorials just enough to see how something is constructed and then strike out on my own. I find it easy, but then I’ve been doing it awhile. You can replay the tutorials, back them up, and fast forward them. Some of the teachers are pokey and geared for a beginner. I get the info I need from the tutorial and move on. Hope this helps.

8

Another thing that works is to find a hat that fits you well. Measure it. Find your gauge with your chosen yarn. Cast on that number of stitches. Use the hat to figure out where to place the decreases. I will tell you that a stretchy hat made with all ribbing is or adaptable and forgiving as far as fit than a hat with a ribbed cuff where the body is done in all stockinette. Many times you can do this with a child’s garment that fits also. Knit to the size of the child’s sweater that fits. The simplest sweater is basically a front, back, and two sleeve rectangles sewn together.