Pattern Copyright Info

Everyone knows that copying a pattern is a no-no. Designers who create these awesome fashions deserve to be paid for their time and their efforts in the form of crafters buying their products. When a pattern is copied, the designer is cheated out of that money.

But, did you know that every individual designer has a slightly different take on just exactly what pattern copyright means?

For example, some designers are basic and simple as in: “Don’t copy my pattern in any way shape or form, but after you make it, you can do whatever you want with it”. These patterns are widely used as bazaar items, for charity… you can make and sell, make and give away, make and distribute anything you create from this pattern as long as you don’t copy the pattern itself.
Some are a bit more finicky, “Not only can you not copy the pattern, you also are restricted in what you do with the finished items”. The best course of action? Email and ask.

The Girl From Auntie has an excellent guide to copyright laws, you can find that here: http://www.girlfromauntie.com/copyright/index-guide.asp . Another great resource is Purple Kitty Yarns, here: http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/info/copyright.html

For a more complete guide, you can go to the US Copyright Office here: http://www.copyright.gov/

If your family is the sort to do a turkey trot for Thanksgiving, or even just to take family pictures, you’ll want to get started knitting up some Turkey Sack Hats with this pattern from Underground Crafter.

The pattern uses super bulky yarn and is rated easy. It’s knit flat but there are a few skills in here around the shaping of the eyes, which includes changing colors, working bobbles and doing a wicked purl 3 together decrease. Twice.

But that’s all in one row, and the rest of it is pretty simple. The beak is worked separately and sewn on, and the side of the hat is stitched up to make it into a hat.

What’s great about this one is that it comes in 10 sizes, ranging from newborn to adult large, so you really can make one for everyone in the family. And because it uses super bulky yarn you can knit a bunch pretty quickly if that’s a thing you’d like to do.

It’s also fun because you could use this base pattern to make different animals or for different holidays. Make it all in orange and stitch on a jack o’lantern face for Halloween, or make a white one that’s a snowman, for example.

In any style this would also be a fun gag gift for that person in your life who has everything or doesn’t want gifts, or if you do a secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange at work or elsewhere.

And make sure whether you’re making it a turkey or some other character that you include the pom poms at the top! They’re just so cure and a great way to add a bit more color to the project, and they’re easy to make. (See also: ways to make a pompom with yarn.)

You can grab the free pattern at the Underground Crafter website.

[Photo: Underground Crafter]

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