"how can I be sure I have not repeated someone elses
patterns" Sue
Some designs are natural evolutions or inherent within their particular forms,
such as torchon, or basic geometric patterns in knitted lace. These of
themselves aren't really copyrightable as they are so prevalent, but in
combination with other things or placement (to try to describe) may be.
Many patterns/designs were passed on ages ago, by word of mouth and
demonstration as there wasn't paper/writing & reading readily available. Then
written out instructions or printed word made laws applicable, and now charting
designs (or shorthand), such as in lace knitting has made patterns more
available for many reasons. One of which is that the design is often reflected
in the chart, and with the internet, there is suddenly an inundation of sharing
and information, etc.
If it is your design, and you created it, then ultimately it is between you and
God, IMHO. I worked and worked at a lace filling that would work for a design,
and came up with one, and much later found out that it existed in a book, as
there are only so many ways to simply work an open field/filling in lace
knitting. I didn't copyright the filling, but the design itself and writing
the thing from scratch was why I charged more for the pattern than some would.
Rarely are these kinds of things done from scratch anymore. I suppose someone
could state I stole the mesh from a book, but to my mind it is ultimately
between myself and the Divine, and I don't really care what anyone else says as
I know the truth. I also tried to write an edging and saw after much time why
it hadn't existed. It was technically impossible, but I wrote one close to my
wish and that was a lot of work too.
Please don't let fear limit your creative process. We need new and different
and perhaps more evolution in needlework. Elizabeth Zimmerman, a knitter, has
said nothing new in the world can be designed in knitting, and called all
things as "unventing." It always bothered me from the first time I heard it
and it is because it wasn't true. We have become more innovative the last ten
years or so because of the internet and resurgence in knitting (some think that
9/11 fostered the nesting/knitting in the US), similar to how the lace was
shared and modified as people became more nomadic and traveled or moved to
other countries.
Then there is the phenomena where people come up with identical (or nearly)
things at the same time, like two guys showing up at the patent office
simultaneously. Kind of like the hundredth monkey story.
There will always be those who are sheep, and those who are sheep herders,
raising their head above the maddening crowds, finding ideas and solutions and
thinking about the betterment of the whole, without selfish agenda.
Design, design girl! LOL We need more inspiration in the world! Of course
creating, and love are the essence of being here, and if the two go together
... all the better! <smile>
Best,
Susan Reishus
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