Knitting & Crochet Pattern Design is Easy Money
At least according to some Digital Product Marketers.
Digital products are huge. They are being promoted as an amazing way to create quick and easy income. Digital products are great. They can be added streams of income for a business and a good way to support customers.
I love digital products. I don’t love fuckery.
Lately, I’ve noticed some of these marketers, telling people to sell digital crochet/knitting patterns. They say it’s easy. They say it’s ok if you know nothing about knitting or crochet. (One content creator admitted that having some knowledge of the crafts could be helpful, but not necessary.)
The steps to this easy business, with tons of profit potential are:
Find popular patterns on Etsy.
Use AI to create images of similar knit & crochet items.
Hire someone from Fivver to create patterns based on the AI images for you. (a cost of only around $15 according to the content creator)
List these patterns on Etsy & similar sites.
Use AI or pay someone (if you have to) to create videos & social media posts to promote the patterns.
Let the cash roll in.
For under $100 you can have an almost zero effort highly profitable stream of income.
Eww.
This is a disservice to crafters and to designers. It’s lazy and predatory. It’s rooted in patriarchal misogyny. Marketing/Tech ‘bros’ have a bad habit of viewing the craft industry as easy places to make money off of silly little crafters who are waiting to be exploited.
Now, if you are a knit or crochet designer this might piss you off too. The crochet and knit pattern industry is hard. Most creators don’t make a full time income from pattern sales. There have been issues around designers being able to get paid for patterns forever.
I think most knitters and crocheters are interested in supporting designers. At least I hope they are. I’d rather spend my money with a fellow knitter or crochet than someone only interested in building their digital empire.
How do you know if the pattern you are purchasing is a product of AI & someone being paid less than minimum wage for the benefit of someone’s get rich quick plan? Or if it has been created by someone who knows how to knit or crochet and can provide pattern help?
Purchase patterns from known creators.
Does the pattern listing show the item in use? With real people?
Do the images look like actual photos of an actual item? Is there anything off about the crochet or knit textures? Or other details in the image?
Can the pattern seller answer your questions about the pattern or finished item?
There are so many talented and amazing designers out there. Support them however/whenever you can. Their skills are valuable and worth paying for.