Post Punk Kitchen Forum

Hi folks,

I want to donate some knitted items to the Our Hen House etsy shop. My question is, if I follow a pattern and then that knitted item is sold, do I need to compensate the author of the pattern? I have seen on Ravelry that there are some patterns you can purchase for a higher price for the purpose of selling the finished product for profit. Is it the same with items that are sold for charities? If the pattern is free, should I contact the author and ask for permission?

I've read some Ravelry discussions and there are mixed opinions. I think that most people are ok with their patterns going to make items for charity, not necessarily for profit. I figure I'll just contact the author beforehand but I'd appreciate input from ya'll too.

Also, if I make an item using an element from a stitch dictionary or just part of a design from an existing pattern what are the ethics regarding that?

Thanks a bunch!

I think asking the designer is a good idea. I wouldn't think they would mind, as long as you're not selling the product made from their patterns.

As far as a stitch dictionary? I think that is what they are there for, meaning they provide techniques from which you design something original. I think using a pattern as jumping off point is a bit more of a gray area. It would depend, in my mind, on how common the technique is (are you just using it for the math on basic increasing and decreasing, for example) and how much you depart from the pattern.

How do you donate to their etsy? I crochet and would love to help.

I've done this quite a few times, and I always e-mail the pattern designer and ask. No one has ever said no.

Thanks for the advice! I mentioned the stitch dictionary because I have seen scarves that uses a feather and fan pattern or different repeating cables. Those are pretty basic design elements so if I'm using someone's pattern that is essentially a repeat from a stitch dictionary is that an original design? Maybe I'm thinking about this too much. In any case, I will definitely ask before I use a specific pattern.

veganphilosopher: if you check their website, there is a section about donating to the etsy store and who to email. I sent an email last week and I haven't heard from them yet, so I'll just finish up my projects and email them again in a week.

Hi! I wanted to bring this thread back because I'm thinking of trying to crochet some things for charity and I was thinking maybe we could compile a list of good places to donate to?
A friend posted about Knots of Love on facebook and it seems good. they have a lot of patterns on their site to use. The only thing is that you have to use a yarn from their approved list. Lots (maybe all?) of them are vegan, but unfortunately not any yarns that i currently have a surplus of. https://www.knotsoflove.org/

I don't know if Out Hen House always wants donations because the latest thing I could find about it was from 2011.

Starr of Starrlight Jewelry, also the captain of the Vegan Etsy Team, is looking for cat themed handmade items to raise money for a local cat rescue. I am crocheting some cat toys to send to her. Here's a link to her Etsy shop if you'd like to contact her: https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarrlightJewelry

Also, knots of love sounds great but I have a million balls of Red Heart Super Saver yarn and that is apparently forbidden. Which I totally understand, it's not the softest of yarns.