Pet Peeves! (or What Not to Do if You are a Designer!)

I have several pet peeves in my life, such as cupboard doors left open, shopping carts left strewn around parking lots and having some tall person decide it is funny to use my head as an armrest! Just because I'm only 4' 10.5" tall does not mean I should be used as furniture!
When it comes to crafting, my number one pet peeve is online designers who do not respond to questions about their patterns! I use a number of different online sources for new patterns, inspiration and learning new tricks. I read comments on every new pattern I check out. Far too often I see questions posted and directed to the designer, but NO REPLIES from the designer to those questions!
I've only recently started posting my own original designs and I am well aware that, while I know what I meant, that doesn't mean it is clear to anyone else. I've also worked as a professional writer, editor and proofreader. Clarity is important. Sometimes its not that the writer isn't clear, but a beginner might not understand a new technique. One of the best designers I found had replied with links to tutorial videos. Now that's customer support! Some of the patterns are already tested and edited to the hilt (like those from yarn manufacturers), but many of the ones I am drawn to are from designers like myself who don't have an entire department devoted to making certain a pattern is ready to release to the masses.

"sHrUG with a Twist" Photo (c) Jeri K Riddle
based on the pattern: Shrug with a Twist by Chris Knits in Niagara

The shrug in the picture was really easy to make and the designer was just amazing! She answered every question, provided images to make doing the twist easier and kept updating the pattern to cover all the questions asked of her. I hope to be like her!
I recently was looking at a recipe blog and there was one question posted where the questioner apologized for bothering the blogger with a "silly" question. Not only did the blogger answer the question, he politely chastised the questioner for thinking he was bothering the writer! The blogger pointed out that there is a reason we have comment boxes on our posts! We welcome questions and the interactions we have with our readers! I should hope that anyone who reads what I throw out into cyberspace feels free to ask me a question, leave me a comment or point out a mistake on my part. That said, PLEASE don't use someone's blog to promote spam! If you need an outlet for that crap, start your own blog...
Enough ranting, right?! So until next time, may your stash overflow and your gauge be accurate! Happy knitting!