Saturday, August 08, 2009

why is the rainbow dress now for sale?


I don't know why, but I sort of feel like I should explain why the rainbow dress is now for sale.  Yes, it used to be a free pattern, and it was a very very popular free pattern. And now if you want it, you need to buy it.  I guess I feel the need to explain this change because I know there actually will be some people who will be miffed about this, strange as it is, as it is my pattern and how I share it really is my decision. Nevertheless, no doubt some won't be happy.  I don't really like upsetting people and I guess that's part of the reason I have been so nervous about relaunching the pattern.

I first knit the rainbow dress back in January 2008. I designed it specifically to suit some gorgeous gradient dyed rainbow yarn from the yarn cafe.  I then published it free on my blog from where literally hundreds of people have knit it.

It has been popular, far more popular than I could ever have envisaged. To be honest, I was surprised that anyone else at all knit it.  This morning the original pattern was the most popular child knit pattern on Ravelry (before I changed it to a baby pattern as I was adding the big sis version).

I've  knit plenty of rainbow dresses since then, and as I have done so I've improved and tinkered with the pattern.  I ironed out a couple of little things that weren't quite right in the first pattern,added other bits and "unvented" a technique to improve construction.  That's part of the reason I decided to re-publish the pattern.

The other reason is the pms and emails and messages. I get stacks of them asking me for variations; how do I do a hem like this or that, can you add instructions to your blog for doing that, how does the bodice actually work, can you explain the construction I don't understand how it works, how do I knit it flat, can you upsize it for me for my 5 year old daughter, how do I knit it in different weight yarn, where can I find the yarn you use, how do I knit on circular needles, etc. etc. and etc. and so on and so on. If you've contacted me with a question like this please don't feel I'm singling you out, as I literally have received so many of those type of questions that at times it has been impossible to answer them all. Some I've found in my junk box, some who've left comments on the patterns themselves I often don't find until months later.  Some simply got lost when Andy swapped my computers over .. a number of times.  But most of them I actually answered.  Very time consuming I can tell you. I often found myself writing the what seemed like the same email over and over again

It seems if you offer a free pattern you're also expected to offer free pattern support.

So then I decided if I rewrote the pattern I could add all those things that repeatedly come up and hopefully I wouldn't have to answer so many emails and messages. 

I reformatted and have now re-published the pattern, a process that has taken months and months. I've added a stack of options and pictures and information to help you with the construction of the dress itself. I've had it test knitted by a wide range of knitters, got feedback from graphic designers, and generally feel like it's been perched on my left shoulder bugging away at me.

During the process a couple of my knitting friends who I respect dearly, asked me if I was planning on selling the pattern; after all, there was a heck of a lot of work going into the rewrite. I hadn't considered it.  But after discussion with my husband, sister and other people who would listen, I decided that it was the right direction to take it.  

And so from today, the Rainbow Dress, the much improved and hugely versatile Rainbow Dress is available for sale.  

It comes in 14 different sizes from 15 - 28 inch (newborn to girls size 10).  It has 9 different hem options and a couple of different things you can try on the bodice.  There are two versions of the pattern; the baby sizes (15 - 21 inch) and the big sis version (22 - 28 inch).  the pattern is easily printed out as a 15 or 16 page booklet after you receive it in pdf format via email.

I'm really proud of how far this little pattern has come. And I'm really pleased with the finished product.  I hope you like it too. :)

oh, it still doesn't have instructions for knitting it flat; as that would be at total odds with what the dress design is all about; NO SEAMING!!!  


It's available from Ravelry or my ozebaby store for $7 per pattern, or you can purchase both together from my ozebaby store for $10.



go on buy, it you know you want to ;)


 oh oh, I forgot to add

To celebrate the launch of the new Rainbow Dress I'm having a little competition.  Leave a comment below and I'll randomly draw a name. The winner will receive hard copies of both Rainbow Dress patterns as well as some other little knitty surprises ;)

52 comments:

  1. Congrats on the new pattern, i for one will be buying it, i appreciate your pattern writing genius and the hours it takes to do this work.

    It truly is the greatest pattern EVA !!!!

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  2. Good for you selling your pattern!! I didn't realise how much extra work you were putting into the new pattern - seems only fair to try to make some money from it.

    I'm positive it will be just as successful - if not more as there are so many different sizes!!

    It is a beautiful dress!

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  3. Good on you for now selling this pattern. I think its a great one. I love it. What a lot of work you have put into it.
    Looking forward to the licences being available too :)
    thanks

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  4. Congratulations on the release of the revised pattern & with new sizes too! Well done Tikki... I'm sure the older girls will be very happy with you now that their mum's & grandmother's or even themselves can knit such a gorgeous dress.
    xxx

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  5. Congrats Tikki on the release of the improved pattern & sizes!
    Well done. xxx

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  6. Congrats on the re-launch!

    For all the work you have put into it, you certainly deserve some rewards :)

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  7. wonderful! I hope I have a little girl one day so I can buy your pattern. I love my milo pattern too and my little boy has a super owl milo that my nan made up for us. We have a xo one too for a few years time. Well done - great insight into the wider picture too.

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  8. Totally understand -especially when people expect support along with a free pattern.
    Congrats on your progress and having such a popular pattern!

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  9. You deserve to be rewarded for all the time an effort you have spent on this pattern. I am more than happy to pay for it.
    Most other artists are rewarded financially for their creations, and you should be too :)

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  10. Congratulations on the relaunch and given the hours, energy and patience that it takes to come up with something so gorgeous, versatile and practical you deserve to get some pay back!
    ....heading off to Rav to purchase...

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  11. I think it's an excellent decision! Now maybe if I get around to knitting the Milo I purchased the pattern for ages ago I will go purchase the new Rainbow dress pattern, lol.

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  12. Yayyyyy tik!!! it's done:D I'll have a beer in celebration for you...but I don't want the pattern....just one for Tully;) lol

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  13. congrats on rereleasing the pattern, it is incredibly popular and utterly beautiful. will you be doing the same with tropical lily?

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  14. Well done on honouring your time and effort, your patterns are very well written and are well worth paying for. xoxo

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  15. Thats awsome! its very inspiring to think that a generous blog of a pattern has now developed into something that will actually beifit your family rather than taking time away from it doing all that work!!
    Your owl cale makes me want to trade crochet for knitting darn you :)!!

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  16. Even though I can't knit anything other than a scarf, I just wanted to commend you on putting all of your time into it and making it into a professional pattern. I hope you sell squillions!

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  17. Oh wow, how exicitng :) Congratulations on the success of the Rainbow dress. Its a really lovely little knit :)

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  18. hooray for you Georgie! A truly mammoth effort with what I am sure is a fantastic end result. You must be extremely happy that you have got it to this stage. Congratulations, I'm sure it will sell like hot cakes!

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  19. Congratulations!! I can't wait to buy the new pattern and give it a try :)

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  20. Well good on you I say. As I sit not even half way through my first ever tiny (not even clothing LOL) knitting project and contemplate the ins and outs of reverse writing a pattern (ie making the item, jotting the pattern as one goes) I most definately think 'well done' on yours, and on it doing so well. Maybe one day... when I am past knitting stuffed toys LOL I might just knit a something that can be worn ;) And it's nice to knwo that when I do, there's brilliant stuff (pattern-wise) out there like this to go with, with such a good rep. Good luck with it all!

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  21. congratulations Tikki, I hope your pattern continues it's great success :)

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  22. Good on ya :-) It is a lovely dress and alot of hard work has gone into it. You deserve a bit of a reward.

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  23. Have been wanting to knit this pattern since I saw it months ago. My baby is now 18 months and by the time I do get to it, I will likely need the bigger sizes. I love the dress and the yarn and wish I lived closer to where you have such fabulous yarn!gedul

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  24. your patterns are always inspiring, and while i'm still a beginner and haven't attempted the rainbow dress yet, I would never be upset to need to buy it - your effort deserves reward, and we all appreciate it :)

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  25. Of course you should be compensated for your work. I've been hoping for the larger size so I can make one for my girl! Thanks for a great pattern.

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  26. Good on you!!! I will definitely be buying your dress pattern, it looks beautiful.

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  27. Good on you! I am sure it will be a huge success.

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  28. Congrats chickee! Totally the RIGHT reasons for making the pattern a pay for jobbie. All teh best for wonderful sales hun!

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  29. Ohhh, I've never knitted the rainbow dress before :) Might have to get the pattern and give it a go!

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  30. congratulations on the re release, I haven't knit the original, but I bought and loved your Milo design, the amount of work you put into your pattern is worth more than I paid and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one of your patterns, it was definately value for money...

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  31. Loved the original and look forward to making the revised pattern.

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  32. This is next in my queue of projects and i cant wait to start!!

    Congrats on making the decision to charge for it, you should be rewarded for all your genious :)

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  33. I don't think you need to explain yourself at all Tik. Good on you for making some $ off the time and effort you take to do the patterns :)

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  34. Hooray!!! I'll be buying the pattern, in the hope of one day knitting it ;)
    Well done Tik, you are an amazing inspiration!

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  35. Sounds like a tonne of work! It'll be great for you to see what people do with the new pattern! I'll be buying it asap so my little one can always be a rainbow! Thanks for sharing so much of your talent with us. Kat.

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  36. Such a beautiful dress is worth paying for! Congratulations and also thanks for all the other lovely patterns.

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  37. It is SO cute. I'm skint just now but will add it to my wish list!

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  38. Was so looking forward to this being upsized! With three girls I'll be getting more than my money's worth out of it! No one should complain they have to pay as how many dresses have already been knit for free??? Keep up the great work!

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  39. Of course you should sell it!! I know how hard it is to write out a pattern from start to finish.. a LOT of time and effort goes into it indeed!

    Hope you sell hundreds more!

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  40. Congratulations on the re-release! It's a beautiful dress - I am hoping to have another girl next time around just so I have the excuse to buy both versions!

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  41. Congrats on the release fo the new version of hte gorgeous Rainbow Dress. It saddens me a bit that people will not appreciate the time and effort that goes into producing a pattern enough to 'complain' about having to pay for it. I will definitely be buying it just as soon as I decide what wee girl to knit one for ;-)

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  42. Good stuff Tikki!! I'll be buying it when I get through my massive list of projects already on the needles. Wahhhh.

    The Devily Kid would look awesome in a rainbow dress :D

    xo

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  43. Congrats on the sucess Tikki!

    I cant wait to knit it for my lil pink bundle

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  44. Congratulations on the success of your patterns - I agree to you selling it - it is your design and hours upon hours of work - I have seen some patterns that offer a free version - so maybe you could still do that for the size two and if people want the other sizes then they just have to pay for it.

    Well done - it looks great. Off to favour the new patterns.

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  45. Having knitted pretty much every one of your patterns a couple of times, I'm so delighted to see the Rainbow Dress all grown up! I can't wait until I can take my tax return shopping - yarn, a new Rainbow Dress pattern and some holidays coming up will make me very happy :) Congratulations, and yay for making the decision to sell it. You deserve to get some rewards for all your hardwork :D

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  46. Good for you babe. This is a fantastic little design and I hope that selling it will keep you well stocked in yarny goodness. I'm really happy to see this post - you certainly deserve every penny xx

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  47. congrats on the new pattern, and also on deciding to earn some $ for all the hard work you've obviously put into it. I for one think it's a good thing that you'll be paid for your creativity :)

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  48. Yay congratulations on your new pattern release :) I am glad youre selling together lol was about to PM and ask if you were going too :) once I have some money I will be buying a copy. Thanks heaps for all your hard work :)

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  49. Thank you everyone for your lovely lovely comments :D *breathes a sigh of relief*

    I forgot to say that I will draw my competition tomorrow night (Wednesday night).

    Amy, both Tropical Lily and Oriental Lily will remain free patterns :)

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  50. I was just stocked to see this fabulous pattern for sale! I have knitted the original but have very happily purchased the big sis pattern so I can try all those lovely variations. Well done!

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  51. Good on you - you're still offering some free patterns too! And I'll be buying both sizes, I knitted it for the first time a month or so ago and love it - but would love to see the latest improved version too!

    Everyone's got to make a living don't they :) Some of us aren't as skilled at all with pattern writing and are happy to pay a few bucks for the right pattern

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  52. well shoot...I started on this project years ago and never finished it. I came across it last night and decided to try to finish the last half of the skirt. I'm sure I'll be buying your pattern soon, it seems sad to leave it half finished. :) Great idea charging for it, it's a beautiful dress!

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