Hello Everyone I need a little help in a debate two of friends started, one which I have no clue who is right in. My friends and I have been buying cross-stitch patterns/charts/kits over the years from different stores (lie A.C. Moore and JoAnns and once upon a time from Rag Shop when it was around). One of my friend’s daughters decided that she would like to use some of the patterns to make framed cross-stitch and then sell it. (Meaning she would sell the finished product she made not the pattern or kits or charts – just to clarify). Now her mom says she can’t do that even though the patterns were purchased at craft stores but one of my other friends said that if you purchase them (such as Dimensions designs) from craft stores that they are fair game to make and sell as long as you are not selling the patterns/charts/kits? Who is right?

I, myself, would think that it is ok to do as long as you aren’t selling someone else’s designs as your own design just your own hand stitching but at the same time I’m not sure if they are considered one and the same?

Thank you for your time, help and clarification.

Actually, the ownership of the copyright is either the designer or the company who puts out the design (depending upon their agreement) even though you may have paid for a chart or kit. Check the fine print on the kit or pattern for what you are allowed to do with it as many times you are not allowed to sell even one of the finished pieces. No design is EVER fair game unless the designer has stated so – sometimes small samples are. Disney does not allow you to sell what you have made from their kits and only permits you to make 1 of each item.
If you are ever in doubt and can not find the info on the pattern/kit, drop the designer or manufacturer of the kit/pattern first.
PROTECT OUR DESIGNERS, HONOR THE COPYRIGHT

Hi!

I would like to start knitting and crocheting and would like to get the best tools. What are the best materials for crochet hook and knitting needle in your opinion and WHY? Wood, metal, bamboo, plastic, anything else?

Thanks a lot.

Having used hooks and needles of a number of materials, I prefer metal (non-aluminum) and wood, although I have some borosilicate glass needles I love, depending on the yarn I am working with. Metal needles hold up well and work well, for experienced knitters and crocheters, for nearly all yarns, but some yarns, notably cotton and other plant fibers, silk, llama and alpaca, are very slippery to work with and are easier to control on wood or bamboo needles, since these materials have rougher surface that holds on to the yarn more firmly. I don’t use aluminum needles, since I have found over time that these needles aggravate the arthritis in my hands, although other metal needles do not. I find plastic needles in combination with acrylic yarn squeak and it drives me crazy.

As for best, the suggestion that you try out various needle materials is well given. Many companies make fairly inexpensively priced needles in aluminum, plastic and bamboo. Buy or borrow a pair of straights, or circulars and practice on them to see if you are comfortable with them. Hit yard sales to get them even cheaper or thrift shops for some just to try, or borrow some from another knitter. Look at the yarn you generally plan to use. If it is acrylic or wool, you’ll likely find metal needles to your preference, but other yarns may lead you to other types of needles.

You also need to understand needle tips. Did you know there are several types of needle tips that also affect the comfort of the needle in what you are trying to knit? There are blunt tips (large rounded points), pointed tips ( not so large, but still rounded points), and sharp points (very pointy tips). For general knitting, or working with several strands or bulky yarns, blunt or pointed tips work well–usually the larger the diameter of the needle, the less sharp the tip, but for lace or cable knitting, very sharp needles are preferred to pick up the tiny yarns used in lace or to easily move through the twists in cables.

BTW, spending money for quality needles isn’t an extravagance, if you love knitting, having good tools can often make a difference.