How do you know when it's YOUR pattern?

[Shanaynay]

Hi everyone :wave:

When you start off making MCN's from a pattern, and you make lots of changes along the way, at what point does it become your own pattern?

[HoopDeeDoo]

I guess when you draw it completely without starting out with someone else' pattern? It's really hard isn't it

[stellarella]

I want to know this too but in regards to knitting....

I have knitted from quite a few different patterns but now I am making up my own pattern, except all the knitting elements/techniques are taken from somewhere else (and I have discovered them from patterns) because they are common techniques ykwim?

[M&M'sMummy]

My pattern really is MY pattern, I found a site that gives you pictures and instruction how to make your own pattern from scratch then I changed it after almost every nappy untill the fit was just right.

Then when they grew I had to change it again and again!:o :p

[Shanaynay]

My pattern really is MY pattern, I found a site that gives you pictures and instruction how to make your own pattern from scratch then I changed it after almost every nappy untill the fit was just right.

Then when they grew I had to change it again and again!:o :p
Hmmm what is the name of that site? Sounds good!
It would take quite a few goes to get a good one developed though wouldn't it?

[Zada]

took me ages to play around with mine too. i just decided what i wanted in a nappy and went from there

[M&M'sMummy]

Trying to find it for you Phineas.....

[mum33]

even if you start out with someone elses pattern, once you start altering it to suit you, i believe it becomes your pattern :yes:

[M&M'sMummy]

Still trying.....

It was in my Fav's but DH formatted the laptop about 2mths ago grrrr

I found it when we first started with MCN's when I spent hr after hr sifting thru nappy sites:laughing:


Basically it said,

Measure your childs rise from belly button thru the legs to their back where their bely button would be

Measure around their waist

Draw a T using these measurements

Halve the waist measurements and then draw a line at the bottom of the T with the half waist measurement

Using the rise line measure halfway down then mark 1 inch down from half way, Put a 5inch line thru at the mark (This the crotch)

Its hard to tell you the rest without the pictures but she used bowls to make rounded tabs and then the round legs to match it all up.

Like I said, this is a really basic way and once you have made it you mught need to adjust it a fair bit to suit.

Sorry for rambling! its late now off to bed I go!!

[cheezelkat]

I'm a knitter too and in the middle of my own pattern. In the end, I'm writing the pattern with no reference to other works, except for knowledge behind basic stitches, but the basic shape is going to be the same. Any similarity to another soaker is not going to be intentional but it's probably going to happen.

In the end, I think to make your own pattern original is not only about the pattern shape, but also behind the techniques in making it, materials chosen etc. As long as you're not blatantly copying someone else's pattern you should be fine.

[bekkyboo]

I believe that 'altering' someone elses pattern will never make it your own, the base is still someone elses...

IMO, your pattern is when you start from scratch, free hand or what ever - EVERY line.

Of course every nappy (knitted or sewen) would be basically the same, they all have the same elements and are for the same purpose, but when you've done your own from scratch you'll see the differences.

Stella, if you have made your own - but incorporated elements from other patterns - that arent unqiue to them but are really just another knitting skill, than i think it would be your own. But if you've just altered things from another pattern, than IMO its YOUR verison of their pattern - iykwim....?

[cheezelkat]

This site - http://www.geocities.com/jbtocker/copyright/copyrfaq7.html gives a lot of info on knitting copyright.

Basically you cannot copyright a knitted utilitarian item (eg a piece of clothing). But you can copyright a unique design feature that would not be found in the public domain. So a pair of longies with a unique cabled stitch pattern on them would be protected, but a plain pair of longies with a ribbed waist and long legs cannot be.

When it comes down to it though, all own patterns should not be derivative from another persons work. Well, thats how I understand it.