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February 23, 2010

The Joy of a Well Written Pattern

I am one of the 966 Ravelry knitters who has experienced the sheer joy of knitting Brooklyn Tweed's Girasole pattern. Part of this joy stems from the uninterrupted rhythm of knitting in the round. Another portion of said joy can be attributed to the Malabrigo yarn I'm knitting with -- if they made eggplant colored butter, this yarn would be it. While nostalgic memories of past doily knitting accounts for another smidgen of my joy. But really, when you peel away the layers, the heart of my Girasole joy comes from a well written pattern.


Girasole is a bit of a blob on the needles -- Chart F, Row 5

Each of us -- based on our experience, knitting style, and brain quirkiness -- have qualities we consider essential to a well written pattern. Here are my reasons for declaring Girasole to be one:

  • The designer, Jared Flood, respects the intelligence of his knitting audience. His instructions are concise and precise and he includes links to additional resources for the curious or those seeking further explanation.
  • Girasole is a potentially daunting project filled with many rounds of 600+ stitches, but the pattern is divided into managagable sections allowing for a sense of accomplishment and movement through the project.

  • The Lace charts are large, clear, accurate,and accompanied by a detailed legend.

  • The pattern itself is aesthetically beautiful and well designed -- from the layout, to the color scheme, to the gorgeous photos.

  • And last, but not least -- the pattern is error free.

If you're one of the 2069 knitters who has this project in their Ravelry queue, I have but one thing to say: What are you waiting for? Cast on!


I love how the sections flow into each other!

February 23, 2010 in nonaReviews, Project - 2010 | Permalink

Comments

I whole heartedly endorse every word you have said about this pattern - I just wish the rest of my yarn would get here! It's supposed to be my Ravelympics project, but I'm stuck 2 repeats into chart E with no way to continue :-) Still I know I will finish this pattern even after the deadline has passed, because it is so much darned fun!

Posted by: janine | Feb 24, 2010 11:35:35 AM

Hmm. lots of Malabrigo in my stash. Once I get moved, this may be the pattern.

I am so happy to see you back-
Kimmen

Posted by: Kimmen | Feb 24, 2010 2:34:56 PM

Once again - I have to tell you how happy I am that you are back and posting!!! You make my day!

Posted by: Lisa See | Feb 25, 2010 1:28:22 PM

I'll repeat the above Nona - since somehow I got an author's name instead of my own in the posted by: section. . . I am thrilled that you are back and posting! You really do make my day!

Posted by: Ruthanne (in Seattle) | Feb 25, 2010 1:30:20 PM

I completely agree! In all ways! I knit my (first) Girasole last summer to fall from Malabrigo Sock in Ochre, and it was a sensual pleasure from start to finish. The pattern, likewise.

You'll notice I said, 'first'. This is the only pattern of its kind that I have knit twice (I went on to knit it in a slow-color-change hand-dyed merino-silk blend, so a very different look, but still a pleasure to knit). My mother has the first Girasole and I kept the second!

The way so many aspects of the pattern have been thought out really have earned Jared Flood my utter respect as a designer. Such attention to detail. Color me impressed!

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