Sometimes the system works.

Yesterday, just before lunch I received an email from a fellow Etsy user who wanted to let me know that someone on eBay was selling my pattern (and other crafters' patterns as well) as if it were her own. I checked it out and there was my pattern for Ma Cobb's Hat -- but the font, formatting, and even the photo had been edited (poorly). She was selling the pattern for 99 cents plus postage. 

I immediately reported the item to eBay for infringing on intellectual copyright (yes, I released it under a Creative Commons Attribution license -- but she hadn't even done that; she was passing it off as her own pattern along with many patterns others had posted to the Commons or elsewhere.) I also sent the user a stern warning to pull the auction. Within a couple of hours the auction for my pattern had been terminated and within 24 hours she had no listings at all. I've had run-ins with eBay in the past but I was happy with how this situation was settled.

Oh, and if you are interested in seeing how Creative Commons can be used well, check out this listing for the same pattern on AllFreeCrafts -- they give proper attribution and even link back to this blog. Well done!

Ma Cobb's Hat

OK, I know this blog has been knitting-heavy of late but so has my spare time :)

Anyway, when last we spoke of knitting, I mentioned my decision to make myself a Jayne Cobb hat from a pattern I found online. Well, there are about 6 patterns and none of them really worked right for the needles I had with the yarn in my stash. So, after studying all the patterns, I decided to just go ahead and make my own pattern. Here it is, sort of a mish-mash of other patterns plus my own counts for decreasing. If you want to use this to make your own, go ahead! If you want to sell the hats you make, have at it -- I have released this with a Creative Commons license! (A printable version of this pattern is also available)

Ma Cobb Hat

Use 6.5 mm needles with bulky/chunky yarn (gague: 12 st x 24 rows = 4"square)
Original hat uses dark orange and dark yellow for the body, and a burnt red-orange for the ear flaps. I suspect Ma Cobb was the frugal type and merely chose colours from leftover yarn in her stash, but if you really care about accuracy to the original, check out the other patterns for colour suggestions.

Beanie portion:

Cast on 60 stitches (for a slightly tighter hat, cast on 56 stitches and adjust following counts accordingly; a child's size should start with 52 stitches).
Next 4 rows *K2, P2* repeat to end
Next 10 rows stst; change to yellow yarn and continue in stst for another 6 rows
to decrease:
*K2, K2tog* repeat to end (45 stitches on needle); purl row, knit row, purl row
*K1, K2tog* repeat to end (30 stitches on needle); purl next row
*K2tog* repeat to end (leaving 15 stitches on needle)
Purl row then cut yarn and draw end back through remaining stitches. This will leave a little hole at the top which will make it easier to attach the pompom later.
Sew the seam together on the inside of the beanie.

Earflaps:

Right side: from the seam, count forward about 8 to 10 stitches then pick up 12 stitches using the red-orange yarn.
Starting with a purl row, work in stst for about 3 inches then start to reduce as follows:
K2tog, K8, K2tog.
P4, P2tog, P4
K2tog, K5, K2tog
P7
K2tog, K3, K2tog
P2tog, P, P2tog
K1, K2tog, slip first stitch through second to cast off. Cut yarn and pull through, leaving the tail hanging. Cut another length of yarn, roughly double the length of the tail and attach to bottom of earflap, making a small tassel effect.

Left side: from the seam, count forward about 8 to 10 stitches then pick up 12 stitches using the red-orange yarn. Slip all stitches on to opposite needle and work as for right ear flap.

Pompom:
Make a large pompom (use your favourite method -- finger wrapping or template) from all three shades of yarn used and attach to top of hat. In the spirit of the one worn by Jayne, the pompom should not be too full and should be roughly trimmed .





This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Canada License
by Cheryl DeWolfe.

Just in case you missed it, here's another link to the printable version of the Ma Cobb Hat.
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