Paid pattern

Hsdhdsfl

I'm just curious, what all of your opinion about paid pattern. Like designer selling their pattern? I've seen a lot of people talk about it to be honest, but I'm curious speaking as pindiy peeps

TestKnit

Well, I have a lot of mixed thoughts about them. So, a good pattern that would deserve compensation, IMO, needs to include pictures, detailed descriptions, and a WIDE size range. There should be a lot of work behind it, and the test knitters SHOULD be paid for their work, or at the very least the materials and labor they put into this. However, do most test knitters see more compensation than a free pattern? No. Are most paid patterns extensive and clear? Aboslutely not. Half of the patterns I have, even those made by big-name designers like PetiteKnit, lack the correct amount of information, in my opinion, and don't get me started on buying more patterns if you want to knit for a man or child.

"But old patterns used to be worse!" is a bad excuse for now charging 6+ euros for a PDF that's made with free labor. Those old patterns were shared, used to bits, and often came in magazines or books that included more than just the pattern. This is the difference with a pattern; a 6-page PDF does not compare to a full magazine. Another thing is, you could see the magazine before you bought it! You could determine whether full ownership of said physical copy was worth your money. Nowadays, apparently, you're not the owner of those PDFs; you're merely entitled to seeing them. You can't sell objects made with a PetiteKnit pattern, for example. So, not only I'm not the owner of said PDF, I don't have the rights to the clothes and objects I made? Sounds like a bad deal to me!

"But how will designers make a living?" By working like the rest of us. Nobody is entitled to a sale, and sometimes our big dreams to live as designers don't work out. Pity! But at the end of the day, when people think it's worth it, they'll pay for the patterns. I personally often do pay whenever I can. When it's 6+ for a PDF with lackluster instructions? No. When it's a well-thought-out book that includes multiple patterns, illustrations and is a physical thing I own?  (Like the book Silk Road Socks!) Absolutely!

BluBrd

I get it when the pattern has actually had a lot of work put in it, like if there are several sizes provided with accurate and reliable measurements, charts, explanations etc. Because writing all of those, troubleshooting it, finding testers and including their feedback is very time consuming. In other words, I understand designers wanting a compensation for the time they spend writing patterns.

I absolutely do not get it for some so-called patterns that only include a mere tutorial, like "carry on with this stitch until it is long enough". That is not a pattern IMO because the crafter supports the whole weight (and spends their time) trying and frogging until they get it right. Buying a pattern is supposed to save you the hassle, that's the way it works. If you have to wing it then there is no point to pay for it.

Of course, the fact that old-fashioned pattern books could be lended or resold to some extent is not applicable to modern PDF patterns and that's where it gets tedious.

TestKnit

Hsdhdsfl replied at 2025-5-13 13:47
Also I don't get it when a designer try to milk those pattern, like when they release a "woman ver ...

Exactly! It feels like they're milking us dry for money. It doesn't foster a community at all, as some designers like to claim. In fact, I feel even more disconected from the designers as a result of it...

Hsdhdsfl

BluBrd replied at 2025-5-13 19:13
I get it when the pattern has actually had a lot of work put in it, like if there are several sizes  ...

Noo this is so true, I once or twice seen a paid pattern where it's just a simple stitch and a rectangle sew on together and it's about $8. I don't get it when they do something like this. And sometimes it's not even size-wise customizable, so sad.

Hsdhdsfl

TestKnit replied at 2025-5-13 21:31
Well, I have a lot of mixed thoughts about them. So, a good pattern that would deserve compensation, ...

Smh I agree. I once bought a simple raglan sweater, thought it'll be nice for me to learn knitting with it. But, because the lack of picture and details how to do it (the pattern literally mentioned it's "beginner friendly") I stopped learning. Good things I'm able to pick up knitting and start learning again.

Hsdhdsfl

TestKnit replied at 2025-5-13 21:31
Well, I have a lot of mixed thoughts about them. So, a good pattern that would deserve compensation, ...

Also I don't get it when a designer try to milk those pattern, like when they release a "woman version" "man version" "junior", "baby" and then "long version", "short", "sleeveless" and more? They could've just put it in one and make it customizable, and the price for them isn't like $1-$2 for add-ons. They make them into a whole separate patterns and make them the same price as the OG or sometimes even expensive.

Craftsloverr

If i could afford it, i'd buy patterns of things i can't make without one. But I can't afford it..

Craftsloverr

What i hate are designers that ask for testers, BUT you need to market those for them, want to test ? You need share on your social media tagging them, they don't accept you if you don't have followers.  want to test ? need to PAY for their patreon to be able to test.

ps I only crochet, i don't know for knitting.