translating patterns

When I was doing French patterns, I bought an inexpensive piece of software that translated from French to English, and printed the patterns. This way you can just keep the pattern with the book from which it came. DA

I'm having the same German to English issue.......what softwear did you use???? Thanks, Maggie

It was years ago and I don't remember the name of the software, but I think that I picked it up at an office supply store like Office Depot. You may want to try something like this.

Kristine ,, if you want to translate them for personal use , it is ok , if you want to sell this translations , please don`t forget to contact the publisher and ask for permission. Some give it even if it for a local cahrity etc..] The book The Illustrated Dictionary of Knitting , by Rae Compton , has on page 138 , A Geramn -English translation listy of terms [ as wel as Italian -English and French -English]. It is good Knowing Basic German, but remember to consult a dictionary , otherwise you might have some unwanted surprises ... If you translate all the patternd type on separeate page if only a few you can do it on the side ,,, mirjam

Now that sounds really practical.

Els

Thanks Els, I think that you must be the first person who ever thought that I was practical. :) DA

I am only doing it for myself because some of the patterns are really cool. Yes I know about the unwanted suprises. I am taking a basic German class right now. I love Germany. I am thinking about extending my tour here for another 3 years. Kristine

Join the German-American friendship club and see if any of the ladies in the club knit. I'd use their advice if I could. Coming back to the states makes it harder to find the friend you'll need.

Kristine, Check around the base and see if any of the personnel are bi-lingual. I had a friend who was stationed in Germany and she spoke/read German. If there is a public affairs officer, the people who work for him/her should be able to give you a hand. DA

One caveat: It would help if the person you find to help you translate is a knitter. Sometimes the literal translation doesn't make sense unless you know knitting terminology.

And sometimes even then you can't make sense out of it. lol

I have stacks of German knitting patterns (from Burda and Anna over the years) and was trying to make sense out of a chart for a knitted lace pattern. One symbol absolutely had me flummoxed! Since my German skills aren't the best, I took it over to my neighbor who is German (and can knit!), but even with the two of us trying to puzzle it out, we still couldn't figure out what the stitch was that one symbol was trying to represent. We both finally threw up our hands in frustration.

I think the only way I'll figure it out is to knit some test swatches with variations to see what that stitch is supposed to be.

Good luck!

Nyssa, who has enough other projects lined up to ignore that pretty lace for awhile longer

Well I am glad that I have told you then. It certainly is. I do read a Swedish, very good weaving magazine, that comes with an Enlish insert. It makes total sense to me, when I read the English stranslations, Swedish is Greek to me ..... LOL

Greetings from Vancouver Island to a practical kindred spirit....(Smiling)

Els

Would you please share some info on the magazine? The DH is a weaver and I am sure that he would enjoy it. Thanks DA

The magazine is called Väv and it can be ordered in Canada:

.

There may very well be an address in the States as well. Google Vav magazine, and I am sure you will find it. I love this Scandinavian magazine. Lovely weaving clean colours and nice designs.

Els

Thank you. I will send him the URL. DA

If you know it's pretty, does that mean you have a photograph of it?

Could you figure it out by elimination? It has to be something that none of the other symbols means!

My wild guess is that it might be one of the various methods for knit-three-together.

=Tamar

Els van Dam wrote: >

Hi Els!

Since Dutch and Swedish are "cousin" languages, try to read Swedish aloud (no one will check if you read it perfect LOL). You'll understand quite a lot. I gave this tip to Mirjam when I sent her a Swedish knitting book and it worked very well for her. My husband, who is, like me, not a Swedish native speaker, was really surprised in Holland when he could understood a little bit of spoken Dutch thanks to Swedish. Give it a try, it's fun...

Hugs,

Anna Maria

Elsje Anna-Maria is right , i delightfully knit from the wonderful Swedish patterns Afterv i read them aloud ,, i only had trouble with

2-4 words ,,, it is amazing. One of my friends here is Danish , she was also showing in the Dolls Festival , and some other Danisg friend visited , i joined their discussion without noticing i didn`t rrally speak the language !!! mirjam HUGS TO both of you

It's part of an edging stitch combination.

Here goes with the description auf deutsch:

Hej Mirjam!

Please feel free to let me know about the Swedish words giving you troubles. If I don't know them I can check them in the dictionary or I can ask someone.

Weaving here is THE handcraft. I'm used to give my old shirts and bed sheets to a dear friend's mother, who is GREAT weaver. She makes traditional Swedish "trasmattor" out of them. So happy in both getting rid of clutter and contributing to such a beautiful art at the same time!

Hugs,

Anna MAria