This is a official CAL statement regarding the cancelation of this crochet-a -long project. In this statement I will give some explanation about this decision and how things will continue for everyone who already purchased something or was waiting to start with this CAL.
Let’s start by explaining why I came to this decision in first place. From the moment of the announcement of this project, it has been a continues flow of attention. Some good, but also a lot of bad and negative. Of course I was prepared for some negativity – you can’t make everyone happy and of course there would be some commenting or complaining here and there. To tackle this we (a team of 10 people) took months to prepare ourselfs for this and we wrote all possible information down in some files to tackle most of the simple questions relating to the CAL. From day one it was a constant flow of just asking away and almost spamming all channels with the most simple questions. Well, we expected that as people often first comment and ask before taking time to read something. So that was not the reason to cancel at all.
As said, from the moment the CAL is on, there is a HUGE load of negative comments. Most of them are received in my private communication portals, others were posted in the Facebook group. And with negative I don’t mean : “I don’t like it” or “it is all a bit confusing how it works” . No, there are a lot of other messages. And of course, it is just deleting and blocking, but in the end you see them all and it will be on your mind. And it just continues, how many you ignore, delete or block. It soon takes over the positive vibe a CAL has to bring and it ruins your drive to go on. To state some examples : in 4 days time I had to deal with 354 emails/messages which contained critics about me as a person, my gender, my sexuality, my language writing – native or not native, my crochet work which wouldn’t be good enough for a CAL, I did it to earn money, I would be a thief, I wouldn’t be honest and take provid of people, people find the need to send whole messages full of swear words…and I can continue for a while here. Besides that I’m not the only one inflicted by this all, there was also the need to argue with my testers/translators that their work wasn’t right. Posting photos of their work full of marked circles with correction options. First of all, how can you judge a design if you even haven’t seen a pattern yet, besides that…how do you think someone feels when her work is being exposured in front of thousands of people saying it sucks. That is just rude. Well I could continue on as there was many more…however I think you’ll have an idea now. And this is just a first week, how would this evolve when the CAL is actually running. Sorry everyone, but I’m also a human being with feelings and I draw a line here. I intended to host a crochet event, not pulling myself out there to let take away my dignity and selfrespect. If you feel like you need let some frustration go, just go outside for a good walk or shout it out on a place no one will see or hear you. People think they just can put down everything, scroll further along…but ever thought of the option that you actually saying something to someone on the other side and you possibly can hurt someone else.
As we already paused the Facebook group after laying down so many restrictions on different matters, people still continue with this kind of behaviour. In one weekend I again received 52 messages full of insults. Many of you commented with telling me to just remove or block the people who doesn’t behave, but this is not one or two and it is a full dayjob to moderate this. Explaining this all has made me decide to just cancel the entire CAL. Cancelation means the Facebook group will be deleted and the timeline of the CAL will be erased. So there will be no crochet-a-long anymore over ten weeks of time as stated. I designed this pattern as one of my best but it already has such a negative vibe that I can’t host it any longer with a positive intention. Only looking at my design makes me wanna throw it away. I’m done being used as a target to shoot on and this whole thing was meant to just create a beautiful event where we all could enjoy some happiness and creativity. But it seems this is impossible these days without having a online, virtual war against you. With people, stores and many more against you. And for those of you who think this decision is a bit dramatic, I am honest and not gonna lie on what you get when your expose yourself with something you did. But that doesn’t mean you have to just swallow it all and act happy. This is how things go and how wonderful the crochet community of which we often speak also can be. And it isn’t new, I have seen it with many events hosted for larger groups of crocheters/knitters, and I also have seen what it does to people. Well if I would just continue pretending this all isn’t happening I also wouldn’t take or teach a lesson from it.
Of course I realize this decision also delivers some inconveniance. But I have tried to create the best solutions possible. For everyone who purchased the pattern on Ravelry, you will receive the full pattern at once. I will send out an update with this information through Ravelry as well, but don’t worry….you receive the pattern for the fee payed. The same goes for everyone who liked to join with the free, English version here on the blog. In the menu on top of the blog you will find all parts of the CAL available from now on. The pattern on Etsy will be uploaded later around June, as there is so much negativity about this whole issue already selling it through Etsy, I don’t need any more of this for now. You can wait for some months.
Of course there are the yarn packs which you can order at different stores. Many of you ordered one and I would suggest just keeping it ordered and crochet the pattern once you receive it. The stores can’t help this and if you wanted to join the CAL in March, why still not make it. It doesn’t change a thing.
In fact I do hope many of you still will hold their own mini-CAL. Make it a tribute to my pattern. Maybe I myself have lost touch with it, you who intended to join still love creating it. Crocheting a part a week just for yourself is a good meditation and if you really need help you can always send a message through this website. I will try to help you where I can…on my time. But also respect my choice in this, it took a lot of courage to make this decision as I canceled a project of which I worked on for months and spend many hours, nights, money and effort in. And not only me, a lot of people with me. But I will not put myself out 8 hours a day besides a dayjob to just let people take advantage of me. Then you’ll have it and this is it. As this whole thing has left a real bad taste and feeling I intend to get out of the media for a while. I had a lot of new pattern work ready to be released already but I feel it is time to get off for a while. I’m sick of the world for now… I know there are some good folks around…but it seems there are even more negative people around. We were talking about a crochet thing here, why the need to judge someone personally and break down every single part of selfrespect and dignity one can have ? For all the ones who are responsible for this decision, think about that and the fact how you ruin the happiness of others….
Mark a.k.a. The Guy with the Hook
theguywiththehook.com 
I am so sorry for you. Please continue making these beautiful patterns and let us enjoy your creativity.
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Oh Mark, my heart goes out to you! I love the pattern and will certainly think of you and send warm wishes while I complete it. Your designs are amazing. Your work is truly appreciated by many other creative people. I do hope you will continue to design, hope for good people to surround you with affection and support. 🌞🇨🇦
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Having been on the receiving end of nasty, bitter people who have nothing good to say, I sympathize with you Mark. No one should have to deal with rude, negative, arrogant assholes who think they are better than everyone else.
I think you do such incredibly beautiful work. I have purchased your patterns in the past. I love them.
I hope you take the much needed break to restore your soul and center yourself in positive vibes again.
Wishing you all the best!
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I have read, reread and digested your words about your CAL and I have thought about this over the past few days. I have a few thoughts to offer:
1. If we are silent, we condone.
2. If we let these types of things reside in the dark they get bigger and stronger
3. No one can make you do anything, in the end, you are 100% responsible for yourself and what you put out into the world.
I can see a clear path was made on not remaining silent as you have posted about the issue. My only question is; why did you wait so long? Nip that in the bud long before it has a chance to grow let alone reproduce.
Shine the biggest light you can find on things of this nature. Post those diatribes while removing the ability to comment, it does two things; it lets others know you respect yourself and that you will not give any semblance of condoning the offensive behavior. Don’t allude to anything, bring it out front.
If you are waiting for these people to “see the light” and the “error” of their ways, you are wasting your time. They are going to be who they are as long as they are allowed to grow in the dark. Most people know that to grow something in the dark requires animal feces in addition to the dark. Don’t invite darkness and the stench it brings into your life by following “polite society”, they don’t and you shouldn’t either. Next time drag it kicking and screaming out into the light and maybe if we all do this the people that walk on others will find no path to do so as we will have collectively told them no.
Lastly, in any craft there are basics, rarely is a person buying access to the basics from others but instead are buying that person’s interpretation of those basics. So those that want to complain about your usage of the craft need to receive the message they can’t walk all over someone just because they want to do something negative. You have the same rights as anyone else to those basics to twist, curl, stretch, etc. as you see fit and to share what you personally have learned. If they are too stupid to understand that for every person doing, saying, inspiring there are twenty-six that are silent that is 100% on them. If every single one was driven underground to hide that spoke out, there would be no craft.
In the future, shining a big old spotlight on the behavior that sucks the joy out, causes twenty-six others to silently thank you for it. Joy suckers only get to feed if we let them stop hiding them so they can keep doing more harm to others. Folding up and hiding does no one any favors including you.
On a personal note, I joined because I liked, was inspired by and wanted to support the unique way you twisted the crochet stitches altogether, it’s visually stunning! Nothing more or less and not one joy vampire can make me feel bad about it because I never give that kind of “person” power in my life. Others are not the same as me, I respect that but hope some words of mine just found fertile ground somewhere other than in the Joy Thief’s/Thieves’ garden/s.
My parting words, if you let someone else dictate what you do in your life that is 100% on you and not their fault at all. Lashing out, trying to steal another’s joy, attempting to put your set of morals, mores, etc. on another makes you just as negative. As much beauty as you create, you really should not tarnish it with a negative inspired by others but might want to consider making it a positive.
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YOU are AMAZING, WONDERFUL, TALENTED, and so GENEROUS. Some people are just crap, hurtful, ignorant and stupid. I have never experienced the bigotry and bullying that you have so I can only imagine how demoralizing and upsetting this must be. Please do not believe that yours or your very talented team’s work was in vain. I’m only a beginner crocheter but I aspire to create this pattern and am so glad I purchased it. I wish I could give you a hug. Thank you.
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I’m so sorry this happened to you and your team. Cheers to you for making a mature and well thought out decision. I wish more people would not see the internet as a place to be their worst selves. Kindness is so important. Sending hugs and good wishes.
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I am so sorry you have been the target gor so many foul, vile people. Please believe that there are lots of good, kind people out there too. I applaude your brave decision to cancel the cal, it was very, very brave. Lastly, I’d like to congratulate you on designing something absolutely stunning. Much love xx
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You made a lovely, beautiful thing and I hope that you can again see it as lovely and beautiful thing once you can leave the unjust comments behind you. Thank you for sharing your talent and work as well as your thought process. I hope you recover from this experience soon. Sending love from Germany.
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I’m so sorry what happens and i don’t understand this bad behavior from that people…
Crochet is creating, crochet is a kind of art.
Everyone has own ideas and own arrangements. If someone didn’t like a Design, please, scroll Further!
In my eyes your Design is wonderfull!
Please go one!
Send you love 😘
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I’m so sorry that you had to go through this, Mark and I certainly understand your decision not to continue with the CAL. When you have created something beautiful that has taken so much time and effort, and then to have people criticise and bitch, must be absolutely devastating. I can only think they must be jealous of your wonderful creativity and passion for our craft. Please know that the vast majority of us love and admire you.
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Wat een verhaal! Wat een nachtmerrie!!! Echt vreselijk dat jij en je team dit moeten doorstaan. Wat denken sommige mensen wel niet.
Pak je rust, even een pauze van sociale media. Mijn vader zou zeggen ‘dat ze allemaal maar verrekken’ (met een beetje een boers accent uitspreken :p)
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I applaud you for not allowing negativity in your life through the internet. I hope that more and more of us have the same courage to say ‘no more!’
when faced with such harmful attitudes. Thank you for still sharing such a beautiful pattern with all of us and I look forward to making your lovely blanket in the next few months.
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Dear Mark,
I am shocked by your message about all negativity. Your design is beautiful and will crochet your design with love, or not as a CAL, but will enjoy every crochet stitch of your journey The Spice Market. Don’t be fooled by all the negative attention, they may just be jealous and hoping for a new CAL in the future of one of your beautiful designs.
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Know that you made a beautiful pattern, and I can’t wait to try it. I’m sorry people were mean, you’re right to end that cycle of negativity. I hope you won’t lose your fondness of pattern making, because you have talent
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I am very sorry for you, but I agree with you. nowadays it seems that everything and everyone has to do and be negative. And most creative people are very sensitive people where things come in twice as hard. Still, I wish that you (later) could all think of jealousy because they cannot do it themselves in the design process and underestimating how much time and energy it takes. but they want to participate in that so-called worthless design of yours. that says more about them than about you. Some people are not wiser and will never become wiser and need to knock down others for their own good feelings. try to go above it even though it will not yet work, I think. Stay nice with yourself and your passions, if not designing for the masses, the most important thing is that it makes you happy.
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This is why I stopped selling patterns and yarn it was just soul crushing the comments …..
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Wow
Ich bin sprachlos und es tut mir unendlich leid für Dich. Ich hab mich sehr auf den Cal gefreut und die Anleitung gekauft.
Lass dich nicht unterkriegen, Deine Designs sind klasse und das soll Dir erst mal jemand nachmachen.
Liebe Grüße aus D
Martina
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I am sooo sorry you were put through this! I love your designs, they are beautiful!
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I cannot believe that people are so rude, aggressive and hateful. I am so sorry. I was looking forward to your CAL but I can fully understand where you are right now, mentally and spiritually. Even though you can delete and block these derogatory remarks you cannot erase them from your mind. It is disgusting that people choose to act in such a way. That being said, thank you for your pattern(s)! Your talent isn’t wasted, there will be many of us creating your patterns into something loved and cherished! Please do not give up!
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I’m so sorry you received so much negativity. I don’t understand why people have to be nasty. If you can’t be kind, be quiet!!! I truly hope these people don’t put you off doing more patterns as your work is gorgeous.
It’s a beautiful pattern. I don’t know when I will get to it as I have several projects in my pipeline, but it was so beautiful I had to just go ahead and snag the pattern while I could!
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I am sorry this happened to you. I don’t know the whole story, but there are some nasty people out there. The project looks amazing. Please don’t let the rude ones ruin your craft for you. Good luck. I hope you continue with your designing.
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I am shocked reading this. You are such an artist, I admire your work and I’m affraid I’ll never be able to make something like this.
Love is bigger than hate, do your work and don’t think about bad people.
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Wow! I am just blown away that people will do this to each other! I truly hope you will find your joy in designing because I love your work!
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I am sorry you and your team were exposed to this sort of behaviour. It is appalling and totally unacceptable. I hope you can take a break and come back refreshed. Wishing you and your team all the best!!
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I agree with all these comments , and add my own. The world seems to be filled with IMMATURE, FILTHY MINDED ,JEALOUS,LITTLE or NO BRAINS IDIOTS. Like children they think because they are not seen, they can be so clever and hide behind words. I am sorry you have to deal with such people, (if one can call them people) There is no point in telling you to ignore them, but I hope you can overcome their stupidity and DON’T GIVE THEM THE SATISFACTION to break you down. Instead, show them up with your strength of HUMAN character, love of life, and the beauty of things around you.Grow from this and learn.
I love your work and have most of your patterns,and hope you will continue to give us the JOY and your creativity and passion.
Please, Mark, don’t let this beat you, show the world your strength of character, learn and move on.Take a break and come back FIGHTING TO WIN.
I send you all the love and best wishes I can, from me here in Australia.
I am only one 74years young person, but am sure there are MILLIONS out there who will agree with me.
Edith
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Sweetheart,
Don’t allow anyone to steal your joy or devalue your creativity!
For every 1 negative person you have hundreds that appreciate you and your work.
I didn’t get a chance to start your CAL but please dont let this stop you from doing this or another one. Start a new page be more private and selective with who you allow to share your craft designs. Allow other members to regulate other members by reporting said members who are mean, nasty and disrespectful. Trust your not alone. Many crafters are having the same issues and more in other groups.
Stay strong and brilliant! – Mrs. H.
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Don’t give up on the world Mark.
Sure, there are some horrid people out there & the net gives them an opportunity to say things they wouldn’t dare say to your face.
But in my experience, the good guys outweigh the bad.
Trouble is, the bad often shout loudest & it’s difficult to remember the good ones are out there.
But we are. We’re here.
X
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I’m sorry you had this experience. But I thank you for releasing the pattern anyway. I had this (and several other of your patterns) on my wish list, and I’ll be proceeding to purchase and support you as soon as I can. You create beautiful works of art and deserve only compliments and payments for your stuff.
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As I followed so much of your work this just breaks my heart. I continue to be appalled at people online. In a world that has a no tolerance policy on bullying literally everywhere I am continually saddened to see this doesn’t extend to online venues that should be making a our world a place to see and share without fear. I’m sorry that something that should have brought you so much joy has turned into this nightmare. If you take nothing else from this experience just know the good far outweighs the bad. For every negative comment you received there are hundreds of people who follow you because they see talent and appreciate you. Here’s hoping the hateful don’t stay on your mind too long. I wish you and yours a speedy recovery from what must have felt like an ongoing attack. Sending lots of love from the kind of crochet crowd I wish we could be.
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So sorry you have had such an awful experience, why do people have to be so nasty, your work is brilliant, best wishes to you and thank you for your fabulous pattern.
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I’m sorry about the way you’ve been treated. I hadn’t heard about the CAL until I read about your troubles on FB today. I know the CAL has been canceled but I bought the pattern to lend you a bit of support. Your design is beautiful and I can’t wait to make it. Sending hugs if you want them.
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I just saw this online and said I’d like to make that, but then I saw it was cancelled. I read this and wondered why anyone of human nature would insult someone to the point of quitting. I don’t understand. Once you give up, they win. I follow a guy named Mikey of the Crochet Crowd and he is just a wonderful designer, like you!! I’ve followed him for a long time now. He’s funny he goes through what you possibly are going through and I hurt for both of you. My words to you are, yes, there are terribly cruel people in this place called a world, but there are wonderful people here too, that care, that want to learn to make things like you can. That hurt inside to, due to what is said about their work or their workplace or themselves as a person. You can’t let it make you quit, or they win… Sometimes we have to turn a deaf ear, or delete something from someone you don’t know because you know it’s hurtful. If you need a break, take one, but don’t let it defeat you. Come back stronger and continue to do what you love doing. Sharing, caring and making it possible for others to enjoy your beautiful work… I don’t know you but I wish you the very best of whatever you decide to do. There may be many hurtful people out there, destructive people but there are some genuine people who care and will stand by your side if and when needed.. God bless!!
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Mark, I became aware of your situation due to a post from Helen Coe. I have looked over and will be ordering several patterns from you. I am amazed at your skill and artistry. Please don’t let the ugliness out there stop you from creating your beauty, and hopefully sharing it. Those of us who do not have the skill to design, depend on artists such as yourself to share your talents, so we can bring them to life.Wishing you only the best.
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I am almost done with Messier and it is one of the best designs I’ve ever followed. It is structurally perfect and everyone who sees it thinks I’m just great. I always give you credit. You are an awesome designer, one of the best. Sorry for your experience.
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Your work is beautiful and you are very talented, it is sad that some people can be so heartless and disrespectful to people the dont even know. You have a special gift and a good heart. Thankyou for sharing your gifts with us and may you find peace & love again in your peers.
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I’m knitting person and I don’t do crochet. But I follow you because I admire your beautiful works. Your designs are totally beautiful!! You have a lot of love and supports. Send you big love and hugs!!!
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No words, just a hug. (((Mark)))
On Mon, Jan 13, 2020, 8:10 AM the guy with the hook wrote:
> the guy with the hook posted: ” This is a official CAL statement regarding > the cancelation of this crochet-a -long project. In this statement I will > give some explanation about this decision and how things will continue for > everyone who already purchased something or was waiting to” >
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I am so sorry to hear what has happened to you. I love ur designs and I hope you don’t let comments from close minded, judgmental people stop you from designing and enjoying the art that you create.
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Oh I can only imagine how you must be feeling Mark!
Rest assured that the world does have nice,kind people!!!!
I struggle with feelings like you!!!
Take some time for yourself and we will all await your return to show your amazing talent!!!!
Jealousy is a curse for those who have it they will never have the talent that you possess!
Ros from Australia
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So sorry to hear you’ve been a victim of bullying. It’s never acceptable and yet those who do the bullying often think they aren’t doing so, claim they are just being honest, etc. We need to go back to the old behaviour of “if you can’t say something nice, DON”T SAY ANYTHING!” We all know they wouldn’t like being attacked they way they attack others. Sad state the world is in.
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I’m so sorry you had to experience all of this. This pattern is absolutely lovely, and I’ve just bought it!
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I am so sorry this happened! When your CAL was announced, I shared it with my Facebook friends, with a comment about how much I love your designs! They all responded very positively, even those who do not crochet. Anyway, I send blessings your way. You are a talented artist and you fill the world with beauty. Please keep doing so.
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Oh how sad… my heart aches for you. I just found you and am so excited to do some of your patterns. I applaud you for taking a stand. I teach that everyday at my school. Bullies have no place there or here. I admire your talent. And the talent of those who work with you. Please do not let these (many) people have control of you and your talent. By taking your stand, you have done what has been needed in other groups where as you mentioned has happened before. As other’s follow your lead, maybe the naysayers, and bullies will find that they need to either change or they wont be allowed in the groups and events. I hope that you will be able to block them from all future events. Thank you for making it available for those of us wanting to promote your talent. Take a break, create something new in-spite of them, know that your are appreciated. I love your work, and colors and patterns. Will wait for news from you that something new is coming. Sending you hugs and warm wishes from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado USA Mary Morris
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Wow, how bloody awful!
I stopped selling because of the pettiness but your experience is next level bad.
I’m buying your patterns as a sign of support!
Hugs to you all.
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I am so sorry that you had to deal with those things. I think your pattern looks lovely and was picking colors to make it. I hope that this doesn’t discourage you as a designer. I wish you joy in all you do.
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I’m so very sorry you have experienced this. Your design is beautiful, as is your work. Please know a few good souls exist and think highly of talented people such as yourself . It is difficult not to despair – considering so many people treated you so poorly – but know there are good people in the world yet
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Mark-I want to applaud your decision to cancel the CAL . I’m glad you are doing what is best for you and your piece of mind. Having said that, your work is stunning. It’s creative and beautiful. Don’t let anyone take that joy from you.I purchased the pattern today and will make it in tribute to you. I wish you the best.
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Mark, I’m very sorry for the mistreatment you’ve went thru. I can’t imagine what’s its done to your psyche to be able to continue to create. I sincerely hope you can rise above the negativity and let your abilities shine once again. There are so many that care about you and don’t agree with the bad in any way. Take care of YOU and please don’t let then win. Sending you lots of love and hugs.
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People suck! You do beautiful work sir, and I am proud that my wife and I will be able to enjoy the fruits of your creativity. Keep up the inspiring design!
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Mark I’m appalled you have been treated with such vile, disgusting hate. These folk are either just jealous of your wonderful wortk or….Put it this way. We think everyone is out there doing their best to be good honest, kind human beings. Just like you or I. However its shocking but true that for every person being good there are actually those doing the exact opposite Not because they’ve had a bad day or are tired etc but because being nasty, rude, obscene and even evil is who they are.
I hope you know that there are hundreds of us that are on your side and are praying that you will feel better soon. And that you will come back and teach us all new things, enriching our lives in ways we cannot imagine! Meanwhile, take care of yourself. Do what you need and do not worry about if your followers will be still be waiting for you. Be assured that we will be! Take yourself into the wilds. Nature is a great healer ❣️
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I am so sorry that this occurred. You are a brilliant designer. I went to Raverly and purchased the pattern. It may take me a bit to get the yarn. I am in the middle of a project but just know I will make this and am honored that you left it on Raverly so that I was able to purchase thee pattern. The world is becoming a ugly place please do not let this ugliness take over your life. We need you in the world of crochet we need you in the world to help those of us that Ned help. We need you if for no other reason than we care about you. I hope this makes sense. I am a senior lady. Love you and all of your wonderful designs.
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I really like your design and it makes me sad that in a realm that is supposed to be positive and creative (talking about yarny crochet world) this happened. Don’t let the haters ruin it for you, the best way to “answer” them all is to go on and be happy. I know it’s easier said than done, but I hope you know you designed a great thing and many people truly love it.
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I’m very disappointed, horrified, etc with all those people that could crush such a talented soul. I purchased your pattern and when you decide to bless us again with your creativity I will be waiting to enjoy them again. Why do people have to be so cruel? I apologize for them as they never will.
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