Customer Reviews

Crochet Pattern-a-Day: 2008 Day-to-Day Calendar

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I received this calendar for a gift, and was really excited, because crochet calendars are few and far between. After opening it though, I was disappointed. Quite a few of the patterns are actually free patterns from yarn companies, mainly Bernat and Patons, that are available on their websites. Many of the remainder of the patterns were not professionally photographed, rather they were photos sent in by the individual pattern designers, so many of the pictures were poor quality. I also agree with the previous reviewer who said the paper is thin as well. The concept for the calendar is great, but it needs more editorial oversight, and more original patterns. I'm glad I didn't buy this calendar myself, because I would have felt ripped off seeing how many patterns are just free ones from yarn company websites.

I have gotten this calender for the last few years. I miss Annie Modesitt as the editor, but this year's calender is still good. The patterns range from the silly (like "Jellyfish Scrubby" and "Crocheted Fortune Cookie")to the beautiful (like "Long and Lacey Scarf" and "Mohair Triangular Shawl"). There are also several good patterns you can use for charity crocheting--hats that that would make a great chemo caps (especially "Hip Cap" and "Child's Ladybug Hat & Purse") and many blankets and scarves.
As other reviewers have noted, there are many patterns from yarn companies--more and more each year, it seems. However, most contributions are from individuals--many of whom have websites you can check out for more great patterns.
The biggest complaint I have always had for this calender is that the yarns listed for each pattern are usually name brands, rather than the size/gauge (bulky, worsted, dk, or whatever) of the yarn. This makes it a pain to substitute yarn--I often have to look the listed yarn up on-line to find what type it is. On the whole, though, I'm glad I got this calender and will look for it next year, as well.

the patterns in this calendar are great mostly...however, the construction of the presentation doesn't lead to an easy display of the calendar itself. 2 stars from me

I got the 2007 crochet calendar as a gift and I can't wait to order the 2008 (I can't find it in my local store this year). The patterns are easy, quick and fun. I've made tons of stuff to give as gifts and friends love to receive my handmade projects! The patterns are so easy and fun that it's nothing to whip out some fun surprises for my kids! This was totally worth the money!
My mom is also in love with the knitting pattern a day calendar. She also makes gifts for holidays, birthdays, etc.

I really like this calendar. I got it for 2007 and have made a few nifty things out of it. Not all the patterns are things I would use or like but you get some neat ideas and a few of the patterns I've used several times. All in all, it's cool enough that I'm getting another one for 2008. :-)

Everyone I show this item to fall in love with it. The patterns are simple and quick. I plan to use it in my crochet class once I start teaching again. The index cards are very thin so you have to be careful once you select you choice. You can not go wrong with this item. Happy crocheting

I was severely disappointed in this calendar.


A pattern a day, implies just that, 365 patterns.

Instead there were around 100 if memory serves me right.

It had three days for one pattern as simple as a bottle holder.

Saturdays and Sundays shared the same pattern, both years. So you can automatically subtract 52 from the 365 you would be expecting. 2008 and 2009. I belong to many crochet groups and many others were just giving these worthless pieces of paper away.



The patterns were mostly freebies found on the internet, and some were just a wast of precious trees.

I saw the invitation to have a pattern printed in one of these calendars. The maker/designer receives nothing.

The calendar company on the other hand receives some pretty hefty bucks for the calendar, if being sold at retail cost. The quality is less than fair, and better than worthless.

The 2009 calendar was a bigger disappointment than the 2008 one was. One simple pattern took five days for the pattern of those days, yet the item could take less than ten hours to crochet, for a mediocre crocheter.

I may purchase the 2010 calendar, but after seeing the way they ask for patterns and do not pay the makers/designers for the 2011 calendar, it makes me think that my money will be wasted buying that one.

Good designers can get at least two dollars, per sale, or more for a good pattern if sold online. And they retain the copyrights. If it is sent to this company, the company keeps all copy rights. Except for the freebies they get from the yarn companies, which are already online anyhow.

My advice, keep your money, buy a book of patterns or afghans of the year instead, they are much nicer, can cost less and you know are better designs.

This is an awesome idea, and it sounds like the company is taking this downhill and getting less taste and good patterns, because they do not want to pay for the patters, they make us pay for.

I can Download 365 free patterns in about three days. many, many, many are much nicer that the ones in either calendar that I had bought.

Please, please, do not make this a gift, unless that person knows what they are getting ahead of time. I would be embarrassed to give a gift of such low quality. I would rather make a nice item or buy some vintage books, or get a new book on Amazon for the cost of the calendar, and give that to my friends.

One commenter said a lot were poor quality photos, besides the ones taken from the yarn company web sites, this is true. There seemed to be no quality control, nor proof reading to the patterns.

I would hope that less people buy these calendars, until the company realizes crocheters are not so stupid after all.

I have just looked up the 2010 calendar, and it has a total of 110 patterns.

These are made with thin, easy to tear paper. I can truthfully say very little good about these pattern a day (cough, cough) calendars.



Unless you have the money to waste, I would recommend buying another means of patterns. For the cost of these calendars, you can find many good quality pattern books, that have the same variety of items, and the quality of patterns are better yet.

I love this calendar so much that i had to order a new one when i lost some of my pages of the old one. i would recommend this calendar. i never would have thought that i could make some of these items without this calendar. buy it and enjoy it.

I have been buying this calendar for the past three years, and it is very nice and helpful with patterns.I already knew the product. I find that the previews ones had more useful patterns and they are running out of ideas. I am not sure I would buy it next year.

The calendar came quickly and was exactly what I wanted. It came in perfect condition.