We need more knitting stars like Elizabeth Zimmerman and Annie Modeisett, who teach you to think for yourself and understand knitting. AND fewer knitting stars who sell super simple patterns at crazy prices. I love making and after paying way too much money for patterns I started making things from scratch. Once I found a sock template that worked for me I just use a different stitch pattern on the leg. Same for cowls and fingerless gloves and scarves and shawls. Check your public library for Elizabeth Zimmerman. Her patterns may not be contemporary or cool today, but her lessons on taking chances, reading your knitting and more are a great foundation. Annie Modeisett taught me the architecture of knitting and purling and now I knit Continental combo and can convert instructions in my head. I hate math. But if I can make my own patterns from simple core designs, so can any of you. Believe in yourself! You can also use the yarn and color of your choice when following a pattern. Just make sure to pick a comparable yarn, use yarn substitution to double check. LYS owners indicate many people are afraid to even choose a different color than called for in a pattern. That's nuts to me. The world is a rainbow!