SweetShop Studio; Pattern-writing mistakes

So lately I've been teaching myself to write crochet patterns for public consumption. I say "lately" but the truth is that this is a process that started about three years or so ago. I was briefly unemployed and spent about three months sitting in my friend's back bedroom crocheting with purloined yarn from my grandmother's storage closet. This resulted in about 20 poorly-written patterns, a lot of  hats, and the SweetShop etsy.

So long story short, I've been going through all of those previous patterns, testing them, rewriting them, and I hope to post at least one a month to this blog in 2013. Pattern writing is a new skill to me and I want to refine it over time, as well as provide something new on the blog for you lovely following followers.

I say all of that to say this; my latest pattern is a full size man's beanie hat called, appropriately, the Beanie Man. (If you don't get it, click here.) The old file looked complete, so I printed it out, pulled out a hook and some yarn, and got to work.

Halfway through the pattern, I discovered a small problem.

Objects in picture are actual size.

Oh. Oh my. Oh my, no.

Just so you can get a better idea of what the problem is...yes. those are my fingertips...

Anybody have a doll in need of a comfy winter hat? 

So long story short, no pattern this Friday, SweetShoppers. I think I need to go back to the drawing board and work this one out. There will be plenty of patterns come 2013, though!

Meanwhile...if you'd like to see some patterns that are correct, check out the Raspberry Beret and the Cup Cozy. 

Peace on earth! And goodwill to all you beautiful people!