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Let's talk a little bit about pattern prices and expectations.
Some of this will be controversial, but please read the whole thread before you get too upset about any one tweet.
It can be hard to fit a nuanced point in a single tweet. The ones before/after will add context.
Some of this will be controversial, but please read the whole thread before you get too upset about any one tweet.
It can be hard to fit a nuanced point in a single tweet. The ones before/after will add context.
I'll start by saying I think that pattern prices are generally too low, and that many people have wildly unreasonable expectations for what a pattern gets you.
My individual patterns are $8 (the price per pattern goes down if you buy a set, way down if you buy a book).
My individual patterns are $8 (the price per pattern goes down if you buy a set, way down if you buy a book).
Here is a list of things people have asked me for in return for those $8 patterns:
- rewrite a knitting pattern to be a crochet pattern
- take the motif from a sock pattern & turn it into a sweater
- rewrite the top-down, traditional sock to be toe-up, worked flat & seamed
- rewrite a knitting pattern to be a crochet pattern
- take the motif from a sock pattern & turn it into a sweater
- rewrite the top-down, traditional sock to be toe-up, worked flat & seamed
- call their niece & teach her to knit over the phone
- make a video of myself knitting every stitch & post it on youtube
- share my home address so they can mail me their project & I can fix it and mail it back
- knit new samples so they can see how something would look in blue
- make a video of myself knitting every stitch & post it on youtube
- share my home address so they can mail me their project & I can fix it and mail it back
- knit new samples so they can see how something would look in blue
- just give it to them for free because any idiot can write a pattern
- put several unrelated patterns together in a set so they can have it cheaper
- give them *this* pattern for free, because after all I'm giving away *that other* pattern, and they like this one better
- put several unrelated patterns together in a set so they can have it cheaper
- give them *this* pattern for free, because after all I'm giving away *that other* pattern, and they like this one better
- be their therapist/best friend (this one is the hardest for me to deal with, absolute strangers writing in with thousands of words about really terrible things happening to them, & I just have no idea what to say to help, & I really cannot deal with the surprise trauma barrage)
None of those are reasonable expectations.
And I find it oh so very tiring to be repeatedly asked for wildly unreasonable things. Especially as the most unreasonable requests often come with a chipper 'I figure it never hurts to ask!' tacked on at the end.
It does hurt. A lot.
And I find it oh so very tiring to be repeatedly asked for wildly unreasonable things. Especially as the most unreasonable requests often come with a chipper 'I figure it never hurts to ask!' tacked on at the end.
It does hurt. A lot.
So, those are (some of) the unreasonable expectations I've run across (I know other designers have had the same sort of requests or worse, this isn't just me somehow attracting especially unreasonable folks).
But let's talk about what *is* reasonable to expect from a pattern.
But let's talk about what *is* reasonable to expect from a pattern.
It's reasonable to expect that, if you follow the instructions in the pattern, you end up with a project that looks like the photos in the pattern (colors permitting...).
Now, there are a few things that help that happen, and I think they're also reasonable to expect:
Now, there are a few things that help that happen, and I think they're also reasonable to expect:
- photos showing several angles of the object
- sizing information available before you buy (if it's an object you wear, sizes that work for as many bodies as possible is a good goal, but it's also ok for a baby sweater not to come in adult sizes)
- sizing information available before you buy (if it's an object you wear, sizes that work for as many bodies as possible is a good goal, but it's also ok for a baby sweater not to come in adult sizes)
- information about what yarns were used (which ones & how much) & educated guesses about how much yarn you'll need to make yours
- gauge information (I do mean gauge, as in 6 stitches per inch in blocked stockinette, not needle size, as needle size will vary by knitter)
- gauge information (I do mean gauge, as in 6 stitches per inch in blocked stockinette, not needle size, as needle size will vary by knitter)
- text & charts that are as error free as possible (mistakes happen, but everyone should be trying hard to have as few as possible)
- a pattern layout that presents information clearly (style preferences will vary, but at least try to have some overall cohesion & structure)
- a pattern layout that presents information clearly (style preferences will vary, but at least try to have some overall cohesion & structure)
- explanations for abbreviations
- stitch definitions for anything beyond basic stitches (I expect people to know how to knit, purl, ktbl, ptbl, yarn over, and slip, generally anything more complicated I'll define or explain)
- stitch definitions for anything beyond basic stitches (I expect people to know how to knit, purl, ktbl, ptbl, yarn over, and slip, generally anything more complicated I'll define or explain)
- some way to contact the designer in case you find a mistake or have a reasonable question (I try to set the expectation that I'll answer emails within 2-3 business days, but I am one person and I am absolutely not available 24/7/365)
Now are there other things that are fun to have? Yes for sure!
I often include things like links to all my favorite supplies, or a step-by-step photo tutorial of the whole project, or fun color modifications, or KALs.
But those are neat bonuses, not requirements!
I often include things like links to all my favorite supplies, or a step-by-step photo tutorial of the whole project, or fun color modifications, or KALs.
But those are neat bonuses, not requirements!
Because really, I already think you're getting kind of a lot in that $8 pattern.
But, if that $8 isn't in the budget, there are totally ways to get patterns for less. These all work for my patterns, but I suspect many other designers do similar things:
But, if that $8 isn't in the budget, there are totally ways to get patterns for less. These all work for my patterns, but I suspect many other designers do similar things:
- get the books at your library
- join the mailing list & make the free pattern you get when you sign up
- follow me on twitter/insta/the blog, I post discount codes for every new pattern
- join the mailing list, I send out (bigger) discount codes for every new pattern
- join the mailing list & make the free pattern you get when you sign up
- follow me on twitter/insta/the blog, I post discount codes for every new pattern
- join the mailing list, I send out (bigger) discount codes for every new pattern
- join the mailing list and take advantage of the community supported patterns I offer (I make a limited number of patterns available for free, other knitters can also donate extra copies to raise the number of available copies)
- keep an eye on twitter/insta/the blog (or join the mailing list) for sales (I generally do two big ones a year, one for the indie gift along, one at the end of the year)
- keep an eye on the test knitting group and see if there are any test knits that catch your eye
- keep an eye on the test knitting group and see if there are any test knits that catch your eye
Because wow do I want knitting to be available to anyone who wants to do it!
But that does not mean that I, personally, single-handedly want to (or can) answer every possible knitting question someone might have or give away every pattern I design for free.
I really can't.
But that does not mean that I, personally, single-handedly want to (or can) answer every possible knitting question someone might have or give away every pattern I design for free.
I really can't.
So please, think about whether something is a reasonable request before you make it ('rewrite the pattern' 'teach me to knit' & 'give it to me for free' are all unreasonable). And look into what price options someone offers before you yell at them for their prices.
