Lavalette

My apologies for taking so long to get this pattern published.  Life has been pretty hectic since school ended for the year.  Three kids with jobs, two kids with band rehearsals in NYC, golf with DH (hey it's practically the only time we get together these days) & other summer activities keep me running in a million directions.  Another reason for the delay is explained below, please read on.

The Problem
Just as I was getting final revisions from my trusty test knitters a comment on Ravelry alerted me to another, very similar shawl - the Show Your Colors Shawl by the talented Amy King of Spunky Eclectic fame.  When designing I try my best to avoid creating projects that are too close to those that are already out there.  I check the Ravelry pattern databases, but with close to 4,000 shawl patterns listed on Ravelry it is difficult to check every one.  Somehow I missed Show Your Colors. 

By this time a lot of work had already gone into creating the pattern for Lavalette and a number of you were asking when it would be ready.  After a few days of angst and emails to trusted friends I came up with what I thought was a good solution.  I felt there were enough differences between the two patterns that there is room for both Show Your Colors and Lavalette, but wanted to make sure Amy agreed.  So I wrote to Amy explaining the situtation and proposing my solution.  Amy was very gracious in her repy and agreed to my idea.

The Solution
As you may know from my efforts with Dr. G's Memory Vest, raising money for Alzheimer's and dementia research is a cause I really believe in.  I am very proud of the amount we have raised so far - a little over $4000.  My father would have been 80 years old on July 22 and I would very much like to hit $5000 by that date.

I will offer Lavalette for free but would like to suggest that you make a voluntary donation to Alzheimer's and dementia research.  You can make your donation by clicking the "donate" button over there at the top of the left side bar.   The download link is at the bottom of this post, no need to email me to get the pattern.  If you make a donation and want Dr. G's too you'll need to send me an email - go to the Dr. G's Memory Vest post for details.

Heartfelt Thank Yous
A huge thank you to Amy King for her understanding and kindness.
Thank you also to my test knitters - Melissa, Andrea, Mai, Elizabeth and Julia for being thorough, patient and most of all volunteering their time and energy to help me make my patterns the best they can be.

Lavalette

Sizes:  One size

Finished Measurements: 64” across top edge, 28” from center back to bottom point, blocked.

Needles:  US 7 (4.5mm) or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge: 14 stitches and 26 rows = 4”(10cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked.

Yarn: Jade Sapphire Cashmere-Silk; 45% Mongolian Cashmere, 55% Silk; 400 yards per 55g. Skein; Colorway #19 Robin’s Egg, 1 skein.  (The coral shawl in the photo above is Lacey Lamb in colorway NY214.)

Additional Materials: 
Crochet Hook Size 4mm
Tapestry needle
Scrap yarn
Place Markers

Lavalette on Ravelry

Download Lavalette.pdf (1966.1K)

Comments

[Vivian]

love this pattern - i'm so glad it's finally published. and i think your solution to the situation is perfect and thoughtful; i'll definitely make a donation soon!

[beverly]

What a good solution. I've donated and will cast on this week!

[Hannahbelle]

It was good of you to check - I know a lot of designers who haven't bothered to see if their patterns are the same as someone else's before just putting them up - even though it is pretty tough to go through everything in the Ravelry database!

I think that your solution is an excellent one, and even better for me, because I'm planning on making a Dr. G's coming up pretty soon, and I was going to be donating anyway :D So you'll be hearing from me, for sure.

[mai]

i'm glad you and amy were able to come up with a solution that makes you both happy. it's such a beautiful pattern. i'm hope many of your readers will be happy to donate to the cause. in fact, i'm off to donate now!

[Cathy]

Hi Kirsten
Thanks for the great pattern. A good friend of mine just died last Monday with Alzheimer's-she was only 62..it probably began about 10 years ago. So anyway, I was very pleased to make a donation.
Thanks again.

[Debbie]

It must be difficult to not design a pattern that hasn't been matched in some way. I would think it would almost be impossible. The shawl is lovely, and as always,your girls. I think your solution is a win-win for well, everyone!

[Carole]

I know Amy personally and I'm not surprised at all that this solution was agreeable to her. It's a beautiful shawl. Dale's mom had Alzheimer's so I know first hand that it is a horrible and devastating disease. Your work on the behalf of Alzheimer's research is admirable.

[margaux]

Wonderful idea. I truly love this pattern. My grandmother died recently due to Alzheimer's so I will absolutely be dedicating this knit (and some $$) in honor of her.

Thank you so much for being so creative and generous, Kirsten!

[Steph]

So glad to see it published! I would imagine that Amy would be okay with something like this. :)

PS - I have that same Nat. Geo magazine!

[Heather]

Great pattern, once again. You are such a thoughtful designer--I can well imagine some people wouldn't have a second thought about releasing a pattern that was similar to another person's work. You win the Miss Manners award, Kirsten!:)

[AnnieSue]

What a wonderful and selfless idea! Thank you very much.

[Kathy]

What a considered and thoughtful solution. Thank you for your beautiful pattern and for Amy's amicability.

[Gina]

Thank you so much for the pattern. I did make a donation....we took care of my mother in law here in our home a few years back while she suffered with alzheimer's. It wasn't always easy but we all learned a great deal.

[Milly]

I, too would think it very difficult to design something that wasn't similar to something else in some way. I mean you can try and research other patterns to make sure, but I'd think it very hard not to be similar on some level.
Both shawls are quite beautiful!

[maryse]

amy's great and i think this is a perfect solution. good luck getting to your goal!

[Minh]

Thank you for the pattern, I just made a donation!

[nova]

It's a beautiful pattern, and I have to say, you are a beautiful person. I think that was so concientous of you to check with Amy, I am glad you guys were able to come to a happy solution.

[Petrina]

beautiful pattern! Thank you so much - will definitely be making a donation :)

[mel]

You are a classy lady Kirsten, I admire the way you've handled this - and I do think both are lovely. Good luck meeting your goal (and thinking of you!)

[Brenda]

If the ticker is right on your donate box, I put you over your $5000 goal, but I wasn't sure it would get credited to your total. No matter what, they got the money. My FIL has Parkinson's and now possibly Alzheimer's on top of that. We need as much research as we can get on these diseases.

Very kind of you to give away the pattern. It's very pretty.

[Sasha]

I know this was a little while ago, but isn't there a Berroco free pattern that is also very similar? See: http://www.berroco.com/194/194_zeta.html (Personally, I like your take on it better!)

[marisa]

I donated to a Canadian Alzheimer's society (figured all research is good research!) I hope you don't think it counterproductive :) Just finished spinning the perfect yarn for this pattern, can't wait to get started...as soon as I post this comment! :D