I will be the first to admit it: the older I get, the crankier I get. I try to keep a positive attitude about life in general, and about my beloved crochet in particular, but there are a few things that get me fuming. So please excuse me while I vent a little bit.
Of course, we all get asked "What are you knitting?" I try to look on this as a chance to introduce the lovely art of crochet to a person who is simply uninformed. And I actually consider it a compliment when someone says to me "You crochet? My grandmother did that!" It is a little more irritating to be told "Oh, wow, you crochet? That is a dying art!" But still, I tell myself, it is an opportunity for me to educate others about the art I love.
But I HATE it when an editor or copy writer thinks they are making a book or pattern sound cool or hip by saying "This is not your Grandma's Crochet!" I have found this usually means that the patterns in question are about as ugly as a mud fence, and most grandmas would just be embarrassed or confused by them. I almost called my company "Grandma's Crochet," when I was trying to come up with a name for BellaCrochet back in the 90's, which tells you how long some people have been using this aggravating phrase.
As a pattern seller, it bugs me when I get a request like this:
"I like your doily pattern, but I really just want the pattern for the hummingbird. Can you sell me just that part of the pattern? And how much would you charge me for it?"
The answer? I do not break up my patterns. It would take way too much time to do so. First, I would have to make copies of all of the pieces of the specific part of the pattern that is wanted and start a new document. Then I would have to edit the Materials list, Special Stitches and Finishing instructions and add them to the new document, then create a new pdf and then do a special listing for the new pattern. I have spent many hours getting the complete pattern just right in the first place, and it only costs $7.95. So, no, I will not sell just a part of a pattern. Unless you are willing to pay me $25.00 for it.
The answer? I do not break up my patterns. It would take way too much time to do so. First, I would have to make copies of all of the pieces of the specific part of the pattern that is wanted and start a new document. Then I would have to edit the Materials list, Special Stitches and Finishing instructions and add them to the new document, then create a new pdf and then do a special listing for the new pattern. I have spent many hours getting the complete pattern just right in the first place, and it only costs $7.95. So, no, I will not sell just a part of a pattern. Unless you are willing to pay me $25.00 for it.
The second thing that really bothers me as a seller is getting a message that says "Oh, please cancel this sale and refund my money. I thought I was buying a finished doily, not just the pattern." Each one of my designs is clearly listed as "PDF Pattern" and takes many, many hours to complete. And they think they are getting a finished doily for $7.95? With free shipping? Please!!!!!!
And then there is Ebay.
I love to look at old crochet work on Ebay, but I quickly learned that many sellers have no clue what they are selling. It is not just the "antique" items that I recognize as being made from one of my patterns (hey, I admit I have been designing for a while, but I am not an antique yet!) or the "hand crocheted tablecloths" that are actually machine made lace that bother me. What really gets to me every time is this:
I cannot tell you how many Irish roses I have seen that were photographed upside down. I always want to send the seller a message saying "turn it over, Dummy!" But I never do. 
Isn't it obvious that it is upside down? I guess not.
But anyway, thanks for letting me vent, I feel better now.
Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to crochet?
