Step-By-Step Hotpads And Other Riveting Discussions

It's always interesting to cruise the 'net for patterns. Actually, I should say it's interesting to see what people are copyrighting as their own.

Jillian asked yesterday in my comments where I found the round dishcloth pattern I was making:

I'd actually found the pattern in a 1994 Workbasket magazine and I was concerned about sharing the pattern on the web because of copyright issues. (Isn't copyright in magazines measured in years? 20? 30? 40? 50?) So I went searching and found this: Round Dishcloth Pattern. It's exactly the same pattern, with just the execution of the rows written differently. You even cast on the same # of stitches. The pattern page doesn't mention copyright, but go to the free patterns page and they are all said to be copyrighted.

Uh-huh.

Here's  another version, only the cast on # has been changed. I think she wraps her short row stitches too, whereas the other patterns leave holes.

This one is different enough to be copyrighted, in my opinion. In fact, I think I might make this version next!

I'm not going to start a discussion about copyright - too many firm opinions out there - but I will say that sometimes it seems pretty pointless. Like this next story:

I said yesterday that I remembered a potholder I used to make years ago and would share the pattern today. Curious, I also searched the web for this little gem and found this. Copyright 1999. On something I saw in a magazine at least 20 years ago and keeps cropping up time after time. Honestly, this pattern is so simple it's kind of like copyrighting a granny square. Here someone has the actual potholder for sale (scroll down a tad) so doesn't that violate copyright? Hmmmm.

I'm goin' out on a limb, here, and will share the instructions for my potholder. Hopefully I won't be arrested. (Is the ironic tone a bit heavy, do you think? ::wink::)

1 ball worsted kitchen cotton
Size I crochet hook

Your beginning chain will determine the size of your potholder. I chained 33 and finished up at 6" X 7" (I stopped my rounds a little early and got a rectangle instead of a square.) But really - size is relative and chaining anywhere in the 30's will get you a nice sized hotpad. :)

Turn, sc in each ch across, do not turn at end of row. Working in free loop of beginning chain, sc in each ch loop across. Do not sc extra stitches at the ends to keep this flat. You want it to start drawing up immediately:

Continue with sc around in back loops only. There's no joining - just 'round & 'round you go. :) Pretty soon you'll have something that looks like this:

Keep going - that's perfect! Here it is a little farther along:

Once you complete all the rounds to make a square, you'll turn it right side out like this:

Once I've sewn the center seam, I weave in the end, then I make sure I put the needle through to the center of the piece, bringing the needle back out a couple inches away and pulling a bit to gather the material before cutting the yarn. That way the end pops into the center of the hotpad, invisible on the outside:

And just because you need one more picture (ha!) here's the finished item:

And Emma? She really couldn't care less:

After all, she can't eat it!

To prove that coincidence is alive & well (or else it's just that great minds think alike ::wink::) Annette emailed me yesterday about my favorite dishcloth stitch, which happens to be a favorite of hers too. In fact, she just published a newsletter about it (which you can read here.) She calls it "granite stitch" and I've seen it called "seed stitch." But whatever the name, it's easy and versatile. I like it because the resulting fabric is much lighter and drapes better than plain single crochet. In fact, waaaay back when I designed a couple of sweaters using that stitch. Here's one I made Doug circa 1990:

I winged it, start to finish and never even wrote down the pattern. Here's a closeup of the stitch:

I'm particularly proud of the placket - my first:

It occurs to me that I should make this again, out of something nicer than Red Heart and maybe write up the pattern this time. It's really too heavy for him to wear very often so I guess I'd need to find a nice cotton. Wonder if I have any on my shelves??? ::wink::

Happy President's Day. :)

Comments

[Linda]

I've made a few of these hot pads myself using the same pattern. I haven't managed to make a square yet. A lady I used to work with gave these with her Christmas cards, and I always thought they were the neatest things ever. Annie's Attic did a variation of this pattern called a magic square.

[jillian]

Thanks Bron! I can see where you are coming from on the copyright issue! It is a touchy one. Well, I won't be making any of these for $, so even if it is copyrighted, I won't be in violation :)

[Robbyn]

Oh good! Myria's pot holders are getting pretty ratty looking and these look like just the thing! Gosh - I'll be getting through all that cotton in no time now what with washcloths, dish towels *and* hot pads :)

Time to go looking for more maybe?

Yeah, like I need an excuse. Heheh...

[Deneen]

With patterns, if the copyright states that items can be sold for profit from the finished item, it's okay to sell it.

I believe patterns before 1974 are free rein on copyright issues and any copyright after that is the lifetime of the copyright holder plus 20 years.

Each copyright is different and for my patterns, I have that you can sell the finished items for a profit.

[Cara]

Hooray for gratuitous sleepy corgi pictures!

[Terri]

Thanks for the pattern and for sharing the links Bron. The Jo Sharp Knit2 book has a lacey circular heatpad/pot holder thingy in it too. Hope the following link works for you. http://www.thewoolshack.com.au/jo_sharp.htm?action=display&PatternID=3052&BackText=Knit%20-%20Issue%202

[Bron]

Linda - I think they are just about the perfect hotpad. Easy to make and attractive. :) That's why a copyright on them seemed a little silly to me.

Jillian - I swear, there's nothing new under the sun, so copyrighting really IS a touchy issue!

Robbyn - It's ALWAYS time to get more dish cotton. hehehe And they've got so many different colors out now from the last time I went nuts with this stuff!

Deneen - Unfortunately, there are so many different copyrights out there on the same pattern, I don't think anyone's allowed to do anything with it! LOL That's where things get too silly for me. Thanks for the info on "lifetime + 20" I knew it was some really long amount of time. :)

Cara - Gotta love those Corgi pics!

Terri - I love that! Now I need to see if I love enough of the other patterns to warrant getting the book! Thanks for enabling. ::grin::

[Samantha]

Just wanna thank you for this amazing information. This is kind of a thing I was looking for