One of the JOYS of knowing how to crochet is realizing that, once we understand and can apply the basics, we have most of the tools we need to create and write out our own crochet recipes (patterns).
Anyone who can crochet; is able to read and follow patterns and who is familiar with crochet terminology can create (design) her or his own original crochet projects.
An original project is not an exact copy of some one else's pattern where you have simply changed the hook size or type of yarn used. It needs to be your own idea or your own version or revision of a basic pattern or idea.
An original pattern can contain elements found in other patterns and combined in such a way as to produce an original version. For example you might take a basic cardigan pattern and add worked in pockets, a fancy stitch pattern and a collar of your own design.
Which brings me to the subject of good, plain basic patterns or styles. These are what new designs are based on. Using crochet ( and knitting ) patterns can be compared to cooking with recipes. A good basic recipe gets passed around and many cooks make thier own changes and substitutions - which results in new versions. Just think .. over the years hundreds of versions of meatloaf, tuna casserole and oatmeal cookies have evolved. And, as with crochet or knitting some of the versions, by pure chance, are nearly the same as some one else's tuna casserole, meatloaf or oatmeal cookie. This is because we are all working with and recombining most of the same ingredients. The morale of this story is do not ever assume that because some one else's tuna casserole, meatloaf or oatmeal cookie tastes a lot like your Auntie Myrtle's special version that some one has stolen her recipe.
I challenge you to find a crochet pattern, design or idea that is purely, entirely, completely in every detail never done before new.
Crochet is a useful skill. Let's enjoy it. Let's create. Let's share. And let's not become posessive of what belongs to all.
