Did you know that you can’t copyright a recipe? While recipes have nothing to do with crocheting, it’s true that a recipe cannot be copyrighted. The reason being because there are only so many food products that can be put into a recipe to give the exact same flavor as the original. But, when it comes to patterns, there are a multitude of scenarios that can be done with stitches that will leave a pattern looking exactly the same, but when you look at the product, in depth, you’ll discover the differences.
Today, you’ll learn some of the ways in duplicating the look of a pattern and yet making the pattern your own to copyright.

Starting with a round object, such as a doily, we need to determine the beginning stitches; which forms our ring. Most often, the stitches are so tight that it’s next to impossible to even consider getting an accurate count of stitches. No need to fret. We don’t need this information. We can begin our reproduced pattern by beginning with a mock ring. This is done by wrapping our yarn or thread around our fingers twice. Remove this from our hand and placing the hook under the thread which is going to the skein. Next, twist the hook a complete 360 degrees so that we have a twist under the hook. Now, we simple crochet how many single crochets/double crochets or whatever it appears that the pattern calls for.

If you’re working with a flat surface, you simply count how many stitches are across. Chain this number of stitches and add one stitch if the first row is done in a since crochet or a half double crochet and one or two stitches if it’s done in a double crochet. I say one or two because there are people, like myself, who normally only allow two chains to equal the double crochet-I’ve also learned that, for myself, I like to count three stitches as one double crochet on the first row, but I like to use only two stitches thereafter. If the first row is done in a trc, you may want to add either two or three stitches. Again, this counts on how many chains you want to equal your first stitch in the first row.

It’s difficult to reproduce a pattern without using the exact same number of stitches as the original crocheter; especially if you want to duplicate the same size.

If recreating patterns is not to your liking, you might find someone near you who you can the job for you. Some crochet artists will do the job for a no-fee. After all, they’ll be gaining a new pattern or a small fee might be requested.