From Loom to Needles

A funny thing has happened to "Jane's Shawl for the Loom". The needle knitters wanted the pattern.
A well meaning Ravelry member thought it was wonderful to see a loom knit shawl pattern in the "Jane Eyre Fans" knit-a-long, and she posted about it in the main discussion group - with 9000 readers. Needle knitters began grabbing the loom pattern without reading the notes, and then were baffled by such strange terms as "peg" and "loom". Some were very nice and asked if the pattern could be converted. Helen Jacobs-Grant (My Heart Exposed) was kind enough to write a wonderful conversion of the pattern for them. "Jane's Shawl for Needles" was created and offered as a companion to the loom pattern.
Apparently, loom patterns are just as good as needle patterns, because the needle knitters went crazy for it! Helen and I were surprised and delighted. The needle knitters are telling me they like the pattern because they feel it is the closest pattern to replicate the shawl from the movie.
Now, a few needle knitters have not been so kind in their comments. They cannot understand why the pattern is made on a "machine", why it has the words "peg" and "hook" in it, or why it is a "conversion", and they need to look at the loom pattern for photos and complete information. Apparently, our loom knitting is too complicated for them! One needle knitter even wondered why they could not convert it themselves. Yes, finally, we loom knitters can have a smile at the needle knitters. No longer is our loom knitting "not real knitting", "too easy", and "only for hats."
I would like you to know, I have on the official "I told you so" smile. I hope you are all enjoying "Jane's Shawl for the Loom." Jane's shawl for the Loom has been updated to include two more patterns, a small and large version of the original Jane. $4.50 US  
Copyright 2011 by Invisible Loom and Craft, Renee Van Hoy. All Rights Reserved. Personal Use Only.