FAQ

I received my pattern in German, but I need it in English. Can you please e-mail the English version to me?
When you buy my patterns via Ravelry or my website, you will receive an automated e-mail containing the download link for the PDF. When you click it, a little window opens up and all language version of that pattern appear for you to choose from. The English versions always end ENGLISH.pdf. Also, all language versions are automatically added to your Ravelry library (if you are a Ravelry member). In short: You already have it!

I ordered my pattern X days ago and still have not received it. What went wrong?
You may have chosen the payment method “e-check” which usually takes a couple of days to process. Once the money has reached me, your e-mail with the download link will be on its way. Also, you may wish to check your spam folder for an e-mail sent by “downloads (at) ravelry.com”.

Where can I buy Wollmeise yarn?
At her online store: Wollmeise-Yarnshop. She updates her shop every Friday at 8am and 5pm German time. For the rest of the week, the yarn is almost always sold out because she dyes everything by hand and cannot produce infinite amounts. Please check out the “Wollmeiseholics Anonymous” group on Ravelry, sometimes people do sell some of their Wollmeise stash. If you happen to be in Germany and close to Munich, you should pay her RL store a visit (check out opening times on her website first).

I would like to make your pattern x in yarn y. Will that turn out fine?
You can use virtually any yarn for my shawlette patterns because gauge is not very important for these patterns. However, if you want to make socks, hats, dresses or sweaters, correct gauge is crucial and you should make sure you are using a yarn that allows you to get gauge. If you want the shawlettes to look like the ones in my pictures, you should use fingering weight yarn (or lace weight for Nuvem). Unfortunately, I only know the yarns I knit with, so I cannot give any recommendations for substitutes. But please check out the project galleries on Ravelry, where you can find plenty of examples of my patterns knit with other yarns than the ones I used.

My Hitchhiker/Lintilla/Trillian/Magrathea is asymmetric! What can I do about that?
Well, that’s due to the special construction of these shawlettes. I like them that way and think it makes them interesting. So I have to apologize for being neither willing nor able to give you tips on how to make them more symmetric.

My Hitchhiker/Lintilla/Trillian/Magrathea is long and skinny! What can I do about that?
These shawlettes are designed to be long and skinny because I like them that way. If you prefer more traditionally shaped shawls, you can find plenty of wonderful patterns for those on Ravelry.

I would like to knit Viajante, but I am a size XXL. How can I adjust the pattern to fit me?
Viajante is a “one-size-fits-all”-garment, in the truest sense of that expression. You do not need to make any adjustments, no matter what size you wear. The trick is that you will pull up the narrow part up to your neck until the wider part of the triangle has reached your shoulders. That way, your neck will be cozy and warm – and it looks good, too! The circumference of the lower opening of Viajante is 3 meters, and I cannot imagine any human being that would not fit into that. I strongly advise against changing the rate of increases or decreases in the stockinette part because that would distort the pretty triangular form when you wear it as a shawl. If you wish Viajante to be wider around the neck, make the garter stitch triangle in the beginning bigger. It will not fit as snugly around your head anymore, but you will have less fabric around your neck without distorting the triangle. Also, if you want your Viajante to be smaller, just start the mesh lace part earlier.

We are a group of knitters who would like to knit your shawlettes and sell them for charity.
Go ahead, please! I am always pleased to hear that knitters use their talents for charity. The only thing I ask is that you do not pass along my non-free patterns within the group. But you are welcome to e-mail me about a group discount if you wish.

I am knitting Magrathea, and after line X, I always have Y stitches too few/too many. Is there a mistake in the chart?
Well, I have counted the stitches in those charts about a million times, and many knitters have successfully completed their Magratheas using these charts. So I am fairly confident in saying that the charts are correct. If you end up with too few or too many stitches at some point, you probably have missed a yo or k2tog along the way. Unfortunately, you will have to figure out yourself where that has occurred, but maybe this stitch count (scroll down for English) may be of help.

I have a little yarn store and would like to carry your patterns.
Great! I am happy to hear that. Please check out Ravelry’s In-Store-Sales Scheme that allows you to print or e-mail my patterns to your customers. Invoices and the like are handled by Ravelry, payment is via Paypal, so that’s the most convenient solution for both of us. Find all information about the program here. Please send an E-mail to instoresales (at) ravelry.com to participate.

If your question is not in this list, please contact me via e-mail (strickmich (at) frischetexte.de). Please make sure you mention which pattern your question is about. Thank you and happy knitting!