Comments on: Crochet Pattern Copyrights

By: Barbe

Barbe — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:08:46 +0000

Thank you so much for being so thorough and detailed about how to share your patterns. I recently started my first blog on decorating and want to add a page on crafting. I want to add the coasters I just started last night and wanted to check your copyright policy first. Now I feel comfortable doing it and no to use a link and not the actual pattern on my blog. I’m so glad I found your site. Your teaching skills are awesome. : )

By: CraftyCrochet4Kids

CraftyCrochet4Kids — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 22:20:17 +0000

I make and sell crochet hats online and I recently had someone accuse me of copyright infringement. I was mortified! She put a free pattern up on her blog, but stated that you can’t sell any items made from her patterns and she thought I took her pattern and was selling a hat made from it. I felt bad, but I had to inform her (politely) that she didn’t have a leg to stand on because according to copyright laws, there is nothing that prevents me from selling items from any pattern I find for free or buy, whether they state in the pattern that I can’t or not. Just because they say you can’t do it, doesn’t mean you can’t. They can say that the moon is made of cheese, but it doesn’t make it true. Of course, just because you can LEGALLY do it, doesn’t mean you should ETHICALLY do it!
Oh, and I just wanted to add, that I had NEVER EVEN SEEN HER PATTERN BEFORE! I was using a completely DIFFERENT pattern, that did in fact give me permission to sell the items made from it. This just goes to show that there really aren’t that many different ways to arrange crochet stithces to make a hat!

By: Jen

Jen — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 21:40:18 +0000

Hi there,
About all this copyright stuff: UGH! Where to begin lol! First off, it is wrong for someone to take someone else’s pattern and call it their own. That is stealing. HOWEVER–If I buy that pattern, I should be able to do what I want with it.I’m buying the yarn for that pattern. If I want to sell it, give it away as a gift I can do whatever I want. Sell it online whatever. I’ve contacted the website with all the copyright laws. IF the pattern is in fact copyright then no you can’t claim it as your own. BUT you are allowed to sell the items from it. That’s anywhere and with anything. You get these crochet people saying that’s my pattern you can’t sell from it. Give me a break!

By: Hannah

Hannah — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:19:05 +0000

Thanks for the clarification, Rachel! I do sell many of the things I make, but I also often alter the pattern. What are the rules regarding pattern alterations and customizations?

By: Maritza

Maritza — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 06:09:02 +0000

I have a question, if we purchase a book and it doesn’t implied that you cannot sell the finished product that you yourself have made from the pattern, then would it be ok to sell these finished items. Any answers would be greatly appreciated, I would like to make some extra money, going thru a rough patch in my marriage and need some resources of my own to fall on. thank you

By: sherry

sherry — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:47:21 +0000

Since this posting and reading of alot of these entries I’ve really taken notice when I find a pattern online that says “One of a Kind” “Do not Replicate” etc and it looks just like so many other patterns. It makes me feel like people copy and slap their name on the ownership.

By: Delores Chamblin

Delores Chamblin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 05:44:17 +0000

Since the advent of the internet the publishing industry and the music industry are in the same predicament. Many people simply don’t buy patterns or music anymore because so much is available free online legally or illegally.

The last leaflets with my designs were published in the early 90′s by Leisure Arts and are out of print now. But I see them online for sometimes more than 5 times the original price by individuals trying to make money on the internet. One person did not even mention me as the author or designer.

So all that is to say, the internet is like the wild wild west. There are no “Crochet Cops.” You have to hope that people will do the right thing. However if you are caught infringing on copyrights, you can be sued.

Publishers like Leisure Arts and designers who create for them are professionals. The publishers may have others test out the patterns by actually creating the items to check for errors and clarity and edit where necessary before publishing and distributing. Technology has changed the way many do things today, so Crochet Spot is good idea because designers or others can answer questions if there is an error in the pattern or if someone does not understand it.

Crochet has been around for ages. You may think you have an original idea, but the design is so basic, that it has actually been done many times before. For example it is unreasonable to think that a plain scarve made in single crochet stitch is an infringement of anyone’s copyright.

By: Veronica Taylor

Veronica Taylor — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 01:41:34 +0000

Where are the “Crochet Cops.” Once you have given a pattern and use thereof you can not control what one does with it. If you want to control how when and where the patterns and items end up then don’t publish them in the first place. At least not on the internet. There are tons of “Free Patterns” which makes me believe the designer are proud and want to share the patterns for any use thereof. It’s a shame that some ego’s get in the way of a good things. Crochet Designers have a special talent they should be proud of their accomplishments. Crochet is suppose be relaxing not turned into a boxing tournament.

By: Sue

Sue — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 11:46:05 +0000

No one can control what I make or what I do with that item after it is made. You can only patent or copyright the pattern. The pattern is published for use to make the items. You can not sell the pattern but you can sell your hand crafted items made from that pattern. Saying you can not sell the item is ridiculous, like saying you can buy my yarn but not make something and sell it…get real

By: Sherry

Sherry — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:10:06 +0000

Hi Rachel! I think you are right in that credit needs to be given where credit is do. People should not be taking credit for the designs of others. I know I have difficulty coming up with designs.

However, I sometimes have a hard time understanding WHY most designers will not allow you to make the items for sale providing the designer is given recognition for the pattern. In saying that, I want to say I appreciate you allowing us to do this.