Hey friends,
if you're like me, you've ignored Ravelry this summer. Sky-high temperatures made me dream of anything but sweaters and hats and scarves on my lap. I barely knit on my own projects, nevermind knitting on others designers' stuff.
Knitwear designers know that summer is the slow season, and usually choose this time to work on patterns that will be released later that year (I did that. I've got a hat pattern ready to go, and 2 more patterns that I need to write, get tech edited and tested).
But yesterday, I surprised myself and jumped on Ravelry to scroll the hot right now section. As usual, the most popular 5-10 knitwear designers occupied most spots on the first few pages. Patterns I've seen over and over again.
As I was scrolling patterns, I realized that most sweater designers were pricing their sweater designs above $9 USD a piece. Which to me seems like a lot (unpopular opinion?).
I'm a designer. I know how much work is involved in designing, grading and having your pattern tested and edited. The designers deserve SO MUCH MORE than charging the price of only two coffees for their creativity.
On the flip side, I am also a consumer of paid patterns. And I personally wouldn't pay that much for a pattern. It's not that I don't value the designer, or the pattern, or the time they put into it. I am well aware that they are SEVERELY underpaid.
It's only that like many people, odds are I'm gonna buy the pattern and might not even knit it, or alter it in so many ways that my project will turn out to be so different it shouldn't be associated to it in any way.
So, where does offer and demand stand when it comes to pricing knitting patterns?
Full disclosure and segway: I have a business degree. From a fancy business school. I spent many days sitting in a classroom discussing the intricacies of pricing. So as I was looking at patterns on Ravelry, I was brought back to these moments, and put myself in the designers' shoes, trying to understand how they came to price their patterns this way.
Considering demand will fluctuate based on price, what's the perfect price-point where demand and price meet to maximize revenue? To me, it sounds like pricing patterns at $9 will reduced the number of people willing to pay this price. From my experience, pricing between $6-$8 would be ideal. But what do I know?
Which raises the questions:
How much are YOU willing to pay for a sweater pattern? Why? What features makes you pull the trigger? Do you have a monthly/yearly budget for knitting patterns? How much?
Go ahead, feel free to answer me. I'm curious!
Personally, how much I'm willing to pay for a knitting pattern has to do with these factors:
- Design Quality: A well-designed pattern that offers unique or aesthetically pleasing designs.
- Ease of Use: Clear instructions and well-organized pattern layouts make it easier to follow along.
- Professional Presentation: Patterns that are professionally formatted with high-quality photos and diagrams can sell me immediately.
- Variety and Options: Patterns that offer multiple variations, sizes, or customization options provide versatility and appeal to a broader range of knitters. And also: size-inclusive!!!
- Innovation and Uniqueness: Patterns that introduce new techniques, stitches, or creative approaches that are different from what we see everyday.
I don't have a budget for paid patterns, I'll buy one when I want one. On the other hand, I'll rarely buy more than a handful of patterns in a single month or season, so It's not so much to factor in when bundled with all the knitting supplies I buy in a year.
As for my own designs, I don't plan on raising my pattern prices anytime soon (please don't make me lie, @USinflation). I don't make a living off selling patterns; I only do it for fun, and as a way to give back to the community that I love so much.
Pro tip: My designs are sometimes cheaper in this shop than on Ravelry. So if you're looking to save, shop here!