Marnie MacLean Designs: FAQs
Welcome
I do my best to answer every single email I get, in as timely a way as I can. However, with my day job, home life, design work and various other responsibilities, I cannot always respond as quickly as I like. Before you write, you might see if I can answer your question right here.
Design
- Do you sell your knitted samples?
- Can I hire you to knit something for me?
- Do you offer this pattern in crochet?
- I want to use a different yarn for this pattern, can you tell me how?
- Will you write a custom pattern for me?
- Why are your patterns so expensive?
- Can you write out the charts in a pattern for me?
- Your free pattern doesn't come in the size I need, can you help me?
Everything Else
Do you sell your knitted samples?
No, I use my samples for various knitting events and as a reference when providing support for patterns.
Can I hire you to knit something for me?
I don't do knit for hire for a few reasons. Firstly, I don't generally enjoy reknitting something I've already knit. I would rather spend my time coming up with new ideas. Secondly, knitting is time consuming and in order for it to be worth my while, I would have to charge far more than any sane person would be willing to spend. If you are interested in having someone knit a piece for you, you might want to check with your local yarn shop. Most yarn shops employ sample knitters and one might be available to assist you.
Do you offer this pattern in crochet?
I post all my available patterns here. I am not able to convert my existing knitting patterns to crochet or vice versa.
I want to use a different yarn for this pattern, can you tell me how?
The most successful yarn substitutions are generally for yarns that have the same characteristics as the yarn indicated in the pattern. Changes in gauge, fiber and spinning method, will all impact the success of the finished piece. I cannot guarantee the success of any yarn substitution but I will do my best to try to help you if you ask.
Ravelry is also a great resource for this sort of thing. Both the forums and the yarn search feature are great ways to find out if a yarn is a good match for a project.
Will you write a custom pattern for me?
While I do consider publication requests from yarn companies and publishers, I generally do not do customer design work for individuals. As with knit-for-hire, your local yarn store is a great place to get help with customization of patterns and knitting help.
Why are your patterns so expensive?
The short answer is that it takes a lot of time and quite a few resources to produce a pattern. But, I realize that not everyone can afford to pay close to $10 for a single pattern. I offer loads of free patterns and there are so many great resources online offering cheap and free patterns to the public. I hope that when you can, you will support independant designers by buying their patterns, even if you are not able in interested in buying mine. When people can earn a living wage from designing, they are more likely to put time, care, and support into their work and they are more likely to produce great patterns.
Can you write out the charts in a pattern for me?
My free patterns are offered "as-is" and while I will happily provide support to the best of my ability, I am not able to provide additional services such as writing out charts, changing gauge or adding other sizes. With my for-sale patterns, I do my best to offer you as much information up-front, as I can, so that you ca determine if a pattern will be a good match for you. If there is any information you need before buying, please contact me. I never want to sell a person a pattern they cannot use.
Your free pattern doesn't come in the size I need, can you help me?
As with the above question, all of my free patterns are offered "as-is."
Where else can I find you online?
You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, Ravelry, Goodreads, LinkedIn and Flickr
Just remember that if you have a locked twitter account and I am not following you, I won't be able to see any tweets you send me.
What kind of dogs do you have?
Both my dogs are rescues but to the best of our knowledge, they are both a mix of Border Collie and Cattle Dog, though the amount of each is unknown. The easiest way to tell them apart is to count their eye patches. Panda has one eye patch, Thea has two. Both dogs are girls and both are fantastic.
Are your dogs related to each other?
Nope, no known relation at all. We got them in different states, different years, through different rescues.
Where do I buy a k-tel knitter?
I don't have any affiliation with k-tel nor any resources for obtaining the tools, patterns or books associated with them. If you are trying to track one down, I suggest you check ebay. Sometimes they are sold alone but they can also be found amongst lots of knitting supplies. Best of luck.
I don't see my question, how can I contact you?
I contacted you but didn't hear back!
It's possible your email went to my spam folder or my reply went to you spam folder. It's also possible I haven't had a chance, yet, to reply. If you've waited a couple days with no reply, you can try me on facebook or ravelry.
