On following patterns

Every so often, while reading a blog or message board somewhere, a knitter says: "I never follow patterns any more since I can design my own stuff." Good for you, I think -- but not for me. My knitting reflects various moods that I find myself in. Sometimes I am energized, creative, ambitious; sometimes I am mellow, reflective, even lazy. Sometimes I can think of nothing I'd rather do with my knitting than follow a pattern.

Last week at the beach is a perfect example. I was picking up and putting down my knitting a lot. I didn't want to exert one iota of gray matter if I didn't have to. I had some design projects simmering around, but I couldn't very well tote them along to the sandy, greasy-sunscreeny beach. Instead, following a pattern, a particularly easy pattern, in fact, was exactly what I was in the mood for. I cast on for a little wrap skirt for G. and when I had a couple of spare moments, was able to follow along mindlessly while ogling lifeguards with rippling muscles who were young enough to be my son boy toy in some alternate universe.

Sometimes I follow a pattern because I think someone has already done such a good job that it seems silly to try to reinvent it. Consider this beaut by Veronik Avery, the gray alpaca jacket in the new Vogue. Now I certainly couldn't improve upon that in any way and it's a killer sweater/jacket. Instead, I can enjoy the pleasure of following a well-crafted pattern, with the end result of a beautiful garment.

In addition to occasional laziness, there are other reasons I still like to follow patterns. This'll sound hokey, but since I've been trying to do designs for other people to make, I think it's a good form of "homework" to make other people's written patterns. When I make someone else's design, even a small or easy one, I see things about pattern-writing I didn't before, and I have a new appreciation for the perspective of the knitter. I think this makes me a little bit better at pattern-writing.

But for me, the most important thing about knitting other people's patterns is that it reminds me of the pure pleasure I felt when I first came back to knitting. I remember how wonderful it felt when I managed to parse my way through a pattern and finish, and see an object that looked like it was intended to. How magical it seemed when I followed a Fiber Trends pattern for a sheep, and all the mysterious short rows and odd pieces turned into what was recognizably a sheep. Or how cool it was when cables actually turned out the way they were supposed to in a litttle baby jacket. How satisfied I felt when the sock or hat I was trying to make actually turned into something that could be worn on a foot or a head without embarrassment. (Or at least much embarrassment.)

So if you don't follow patterns, don't even buy them anymore, because you know how to design your own stuff, I say good for you. Sometimes I too will strike out and do my own thing. Other times, it's okay with me to follow for a little while.