Space Princesses and Dragons

Publishing patterns is scary. Some people might find writing up an ear warmer pattern less frightening than planning a year long KAL, but not me. I’m weird. Apparently, the more elaborate and extensive organization required, the more comfortable I am.

Earlier this week when I added two new patterns to the Lattes and Llamas Ravelry store, I must have stared at that publish button for a solid fifteen minutes before clicking it. My palms were sweaty. I had developed a slight tremor, which I told myself was obviously just a caffeine deficiency. When I told my husband about it later, he laughed at me. I’ve been crocheting for ten years. I used to sell my original crocheted items on Etsy and at craft shows. How was that different than selling the patterns?

Being the mature adult that I am, I called him a butt and stomped away.

My grace and sophistication aside, there is something about publishing patterns that is intrinsically more emotional of an experience than selling finished objects (FOs). I think it’s because, as an artist, it’s difficult to deal with the notion that someone else is going to get a look behind the curtain. When I sold an FO, that was what you got. It was done and you could do what you wanted with it. Ultimately, you were stuck with how I imagined it would look. A pattern, on the other hand, means the buyer gets to be part of the process. They get to see my creation when it’s just math and yarn and they get to customize it however they want.

Don’t take me the wrong way, I LOVE seeing the finished projects that people make from our patterns. One of the chief joys of me and Megan-Anne’s existence is watching the GAL square pics roll in on Ravelry.

All the same though, it’s tough to give up control of the project. Even more than that is the fear that no one will want to make it. Right up until I hit the publish button, I can sit at home wrapped up in my certainty that my art is good art. But then I set a price, hit “activate pattern,” and suddenly I don’t get to wallow in delusions. What was art five minutes ago is now merchandise until some other artist decides it has value.

My FO’s sold to non-knitters and crocheters. It’s much harder to be judged by your own people.

In light of my neuroses, you can have the Space Princess Ear Warmer and Dragon Nintendo 2DS crochet pattern for free through February 24, 2014 with the coupon code “crochet time”. Or you can download the PDF’s for 50% off February 25  – March 11, 2014 with the coupon code “crochet master”.

Get the Space Princess Ear Warmer for $3.99 here: 

Get the Dragon Nintendo 2DS case for $3.99 here: 

A PDF will be emailed to you by Ravelry. You don’t need to be a Ravelry member to order, but if you are, the PDF will show up in your library.

~ Jac
Now download my pattern and tell me I’m pretty.