I read an article the other day from Sedruola Maruska of Yarn Obsession. She wrote the article earlier this year and evidently someone recently had issue with it. She posted on her Facebook page that she again researched her findings and stood by her article. Sedie was talking about a hot topic in the crochet world where people release their patterns (free or paid) and then decide to tell others they can’t sell items made from their patterns. Here is the entire article if you care to read about it. I’ve been thinking about what Sedie had to say and want to express my own personal views.
I agree with Sedie’s article completely. How could anyone “police” whether someone is selling items made from their patterns? Why would you want to? I couldn’t imagine the amount of energy it would take to try to manage something of that magnitude. It’s just plain silly to me.
Most of the people in crochet are women with some exceptions like The Crochet Dude or Mikey from The Creative Crochet Crowd. We, as women, should build each other up instead of tearing down. I’m not a stay at home mom but know that many of the business pages that I follow are stay at home moms just trying to earn a little extra money for their families. Why wouldn’t we want to help them grow?
I have free and paid for patterns and don’t give a hoot who sells their projects from them. I encourage people to sell their items from my patterns. I consider it a compliment if someone takes the time to come to my blog, ELK Studio’s Facebook page, Etsy, etc, and then decide they feel like my pattern is worthy of their time and talents.
Take Elena from BeatriceRyanDesigns, she made my free Hounds Tooth Beanie hat and gave it her own twist. I doubt she would have even bothered to give me the time of day had I specified that you couldn’t sell items made from my patterns. (By the way, I don’t have a legal right to do that anyway). But since I don’t have any disclosures refraining people, I’m sure it helped her in the decision process. The only requests I have is that you let people know that I (ELK Studio) created the design and not to use my pictures as your own. I think it’s a given not to use my pictures and why would you want to portray my work as your own? The credit given to me for my pattern is common courtesy and respect. Maybe it was my raising, but for me it’s an ethical issue. I wouldn’t want to take credit for something I didn’t do.
Let’s go back to Eleana for a second. She made the hat, gave me credit for the design and posted a blog about her results. She also shared a picture on my Facebook page which I in turn shared for everyone to see. As the designer, it behooves me to encourage people to make projects from my pattern. Why? Well, with her post I had more views than I could have imagined. It ranks up there with the debut of my Southern line of hats and more “likes” for a post than normal. She did part of the work and so did I, and we were both able to reap the reward. It’s a win-win situation for both of us. I also wrote about her hat on my blog and we have exchanged an increase in views together, again both of us win.
We as women need to rise up and help one another to reach our full potential. It’s our calling from God to help our fellow sisters. So what if a person has more success than you do? Be proud of her, watch her, learn from her and who knows what will happen. Maybe she will take you under her wing and share some of her experiences to help you get there too.
It’s a much deeper issue for me when I see people not willing (for whatever reason and I’m sure they think it’s a good one) to allow others to succeed. Frankly, why are you putting your patterns out there if you don’t want anyone to make (sell) them?
I may have touched on a hot button and respect a different viewpoint. Should you decide to express it, please use common sense language and leave ugly words out. I want to share what everyone has to say but please be respectful.
Kathy
Collette Griffith says
I agree! I teach a crochet class, and we make hats, shawls and afghans for charity–that would have to stop if we could only use the patterns once! What is the designer thinking–that we’ll get rich and famous sharing the beautiful patterns he/she makes? They should be proud that someone treasures that pattern enough to share it!
cwoverfi says
I totally agree. If I buy a pattern, what am I going to do, make only one item? What if someone wants me to make it for them (and are willing to pay for it!)? I’m thinking about selling patterns but wouldn’t dream of telling someone they can’t sell what they’ve made using it. Not using someone else’s photos and giving credit where credit is due is just good manners.
Kathy Lashley says
Thank you for the support! Good luck on selling your patterns.
Kathy
Military Bride says
I have to agree! Crochet is a dying art. There are very few people my age and younger that crochet. Any person who wants to learn from me, I’m willing to teach. I’d hate to see all of that beautiful work gone.
kathylashley says
I agree with you and how wonderful of you to teach! Thanks for the comments! Have a wonderful day!
Kathy
yarnchick40 says
I’m so glad you posted your thoughts on this matter. It’s so disturbing to see the angst about the issue. I agree, why put it out there in the first place? Life is too short to be angry all the time. Being supportive of others’ creativity is wonderful for both the giver and receiver. Great post!
kathylashley says
Thanks for your support! I’m grateful you took the time to comment!
Kathy
jcjulieann says
Nothing else I could add after reading everyone’s comments you all make valid points and I agree with you all.
Thanks Kathy for sharing your patterns.
Julie
p.s. hope you got my reply to your email, so glad you like the bag.
elisabeth andrée says
Thanks for your post, I agree!
Rhonda says
I will not purchase a pattern that has those terms. I know it can not be enforced but I don’t want to give my hard earned money to someone who would try to tell me what I can or cannot do with their design. I cannot fathom, putting a pattern out there for purchase, or free for that matter, if you don’t want people to make the item.
lettucia says
I totally agree with you. I’m lucky to have a little bit of time to make things for friends, family and myself, so don’t have enough time to make things to sell. But, how is someone going to police something being sold in Australia if they live in America, etc. And some people make things for school fetes or fundraising. We should be thankful that people are still interested in doing all these crafts as it is so much cheaper getting the production line items pumped out in a fraction of the time. Keep up the good work Kathy.
kathylashley says
Thank you for taking the time to comment Lettucia and for your support! I agree with what you’ve said too! Have a great evening.
Kathy
rebeccadekroon says
I completely agree!
kathylashley says
Beatrice Ryan Designs says
I so agree with you Kathy! I use free, paid and my own patterns… I make a nice amount of money selling my crochet and so I am blessed with people who write the patterns and let us sell finished products! I have 2 free patterns on my site now,,, I am more than blessed that they are being used, weather personal or sale! I don’t sell items if the pattern maker says no, out of respect… I can make most of my items out of my own dream,,, But,,, Like both your hats I have made… It made it so easy and less time consuming to whip up your Southern Hat and Hounds Tooth Hat and I didnt have to take the time to write up the pattern…or even wrap my mind around the process… It takes alot of energy to write patterns… And when I post my newly designed hat,,, I hope it goes viral… I would love to see tons of ladies walking down the street wearing something I designed and didnt have to wear my hands out to make!
Love your patterns and your generosity!
kathylashley says
Well said Elena and good luck with the pattern and I pray it goes viral too!
Kathy
Beatrice Ryan Designs says
Thanks… I am just taking pictures now… I cant wait for you to see it!!!!
kathylashley says
Me either!!!!
ajcrochet says
Reblogged this on ajcrochet's Blog.