I recently joined a knitting group through Meetup.com. When you’re new in town finding a tribe of fiber peeps is a great way to meet new people, so I bravely grabbed my project, put on a cheery face and got my patootie to the coffee shop.
Although I’ve been knitting since my teens, I still consider myself a fledgling knitter. Thus, I tend to knit relatively simple things, especially when in a social setting. I want to be able to interact with people and not be desperately counting (or ripping) stitches! The scarf above is one of my favorite simple patterns – it’s the Hitchhiker*, and so named because when finished, it has 42 points. You can buy the pattern here on Ravelry (a lovely site for the knitting community).
Anyway… back to that knitting group. Soon after I sat down, the discussion turned to another pattern on Ravelry. It seems that the designer had initially offered the pattern for free, but was now charging a dollar for it. And just to be clear, that’s $1.00, one whole dollar. And this group of knitters was bitching about that dollar.
Poor gals…. they had no idea that I’m the torch bearer for We Are $ew Worth It. So I waded into the conversation and it went a bit like this:
Them: It used to be free.
Me: Offering a pattern for free is a marketing tactic… designers use it to introduce themselves to new buyers and drive traffic to their site.
Them: If it was free, they shouldn’t charge now.
Me: Why not? They made a product, they have a right to be compensated. You still buy other things like toilet paper when it’s not on sale, right?
Them: Well, it was a simple pattern, knit two purl two for a certain amount of rows and repeat. Like it needed a pattern.
Me: People like me appreciate that designers write out simple things because it all looks hard from here.
Them: But it was easy.
Me: But she still created it, figured it out, tested it, wrote it down, photographed it, took the time to distribute it. And even if you could do it without the pattern, there are a bunch of us that need such help.
Them: But it’s a dollar.
Me: And all of that effort isn’t worth a dollar in your eyes? How much was your coffee?
Them: Does anyone have a copy I can have?
Me: That’s a copyright violation. The law says that when you copy a pattern it is STEALING. If you wouldn’t steal a purse, why would you steal a pattern?
Them: But it’s simple, and it used to be free.
Me: Those socks you’re knitting look simple. Can I have them for free?
Them: NO!
The room was quiet for a while. And needless to say, I haven’t gone back because after that exchange, it obvious that these ladies are not my tribe. I’ve since found a different and lovely knitting group, so all is well!
So I’m issuing a challenge to you:
- Pay for the patterns that turn you on, regardless of their complexity.
- When someone asks to copy your pattern, ask them to buy it to support the designer.
- When you see people swapping copies of things, remind them that they are effectively stealing from a designer, and that the designer deserves to be paid if they’re that interested in the pattern.
- When you want to borrow a pattern from a friend – borrow it for a peek like you might a book, but if you make the article, buy the pattern.
Yes, in the past I have copied my share of patterns, and I know that in the karmic balance, mine are surely being copied. But no more. I challenge us all to not do this any more. It might not be easy, and it might not be popular, but it’s the right thing to do. Let’s support the artists so that they will keep designing things for us to make. Because THEY Are $ew Worth It too.
*For the non-geeks in the audience, 42 is the answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything according to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, a delightful book by the late Douglas Adams. Which, if you haven’t, you really ought to read 🙂
Well said.
Did you know if you buy a sewing pattern aka any of the big names – the same holds true – you should be buying one pattern for each garment you make/sell. Which if you wait until Joann’s puts them on sale for .99 then it’s not a big deal. But I suppose someone would whine.
Check this out: http://openjurist.org/847/f2d/841/mabbett-v-tandy-corporation-wh
My father had the legal ownership to a “part” of his invention “touch switch” “membrane switch” …yeah like the one you use on your smart phone tap..touch..tap. BUT because he had someone help him with the patent filing in exchange they put their name on for 30% he had NO legal right to sue (as in all the big boys probably talked to Mr. 30% to not co-operate so they did not have to pay my father for infringement). The only decent company was Texas Instruments, has a habit of NOT violating patents.
So the moral of the story – don’t’ steal and if you do – well at least recognize the person you stole from more than likely will live and die knowing they made the world a better place with their ideas, their art, their brilliance. And you the thief left a different mark.
I agree and also got the pattern reference without the explanation. I often buy the pattern after figuring out the design and making an item. If I know what the pattern is and where to find it.
Agreed! “Let’s support the artists so they will keep designing things for us to make”. Sharing your post! 🙂
I attempt to order patterns I use from the designer when I can. They cost the same as purchasing them from a store, but they get to keep more of the profit. I feel this is supporting their artistry.
We appreciate it! But don’t forget to help your Local Quilt Store stay in business too… you need them as much as you need us 🙂
Well said!! It saddens me greatly to see discussions in quilting groups online about copying paid patterns for bee blocks, without even a blink at the moral and legal issues that make it so very wrong!
Definitely not your people! I’m glad you stood up for the $1 designer and found another knitting group 🙂
Hey Sam! As a designer I have had similar conversations with people (NOT my regular sewing buddies who are all very conscious of supporting designers!) and struggle to get them to fully understand just what work & time goes into not only creating a design but then translating that into a pattern for others to follow easily. I guess it’s one of those situations where you don’t ‘get’ it til you’ve been there or spend a lot of time watching someone who does … Like the time & effort put in behind the scenes of our local quilting/fabric stores to prepare kits, BOMs & inspiring displays. Thanks for your words. Hope the message spreads. :0) Bear Hugs! KRIS
Good on you for standing up to that group of knitters – it can’t have been easy! It reminds me of an article I was reading about feminism which had a similar theme. It’s not enough to just not do the thing you have a problem with (being sexist, engaging in copyright violation) if you just stand by while others around you do it.
I know exactly where you are coming from. I create my own quilt patterns and I teach quilting at our local shop. I cannot count the number if times I have caught “ladies” snapping photos of my class samples, when I talk to them about taking the class for the quilt they are so brazenly “admiring” I have been told more than once ” oh I don’t need the class, don’t want to waste money. I will just figure it out from the picture” That just Pisses me off! I spend a lot of time developing the patterns, making the quilt and putting together a class. Typically my classes run a whopping $25-$50 per class. OH and they get the pattern!
Well said!
I agree!! And I’m happy to pay for a pattern– knowing it has been tried and tested.
I can’t knit to save my life, but I love to sew. I need patterns to do that-even if they cost more than a dollar!