Ravelry Alternative Making New opportunities Ravelry Alternative: Crafting New Opportunities

 The last update was April 26, 2022

The best Ravelry alternatives for 2022 discussed here are:

•   Etsy
•   Lovecrafts

For years Ravelry has been THE spot for crocheters and knitters to connect and buy. It is a unique combination of an online notebook with a database of patterns along with social media as well as a the pattern marketplace. Numerous independent knit and crochet creators have established their business using Ravelry as their cornerstone.

But, changes are swift online. Websites are abruptly closed or are purchased by bigger firms, and eventually are unable to be used again.

In 2020 Ravelry introduced a brand new design which members called NuRav. In the following days, some members have reported that NuRav triggers headaches, vertigo, migraines and even seizures. Many long time members feel they can no longer access their patterns or access support on patterns via the website.

NuRav is not the only unanticipated disruption to the fiber industry. In 2017 NBC/Universal acquired the well-known website Craftsy and rebranded it to Blueprint. Many independent designers sold their works on the Blueprint/Craftsy platform. In the summer of suddenly, NBC/Universal decided to shutter the site. TN Marketing bought the video library and relaunched Craftsy later that year.

In light of unexpected developments like this, designers are asking if it is smart to build their business around one website like Ravelry. If you are an independent designer seeking new strategies to market your work three options to think about include:

• Make patterns available through Ravelry and a parallel e-commerce store
• Use Ravelry to keep in touch with community forums, as well as showcase your creations, but when a knitter is looking to buy, they are lead to another website
• Make a store on the internet and quit Ravelry completely

Regardless of which path you decide to take, selling your patterns through the alternative Ravelry website is an opportunity to build a agile business designed to withstand unpredictable changes.

Considerations For Independent Designers Selecting Ravelry alternatives

Independent designers do more than create beautiful knitting patterns or crochet patterns. Your job is to be a marketing department, customer service rep, and chief finance officer. Your website needs to be efficient that let you spend your time developing and less time on other things.

While looking into a Ravelry alternative, Important issues designers should be asking include:

• What does a knitter need to know about that their work is real?
• Free patterns and discounts draw in consumers. How simple is it to create coupons? Does it permit BOGO or pattern-free?
• Companies need to have repeat customers. Branding is crucial. Do knitters think of you when they recommend the pattern? Or are they thinking of the third Party Website?
• Do you think the online store makes it simpler to send the latest information to customers? Will you need to set up a website or email list to do this?
• The independent market for Knit as well as Crochet patterns is a global market. Does the e-commerce site manage VAT? US Sales Tax?
• What are the fees? How do you pay?

Opportunities for E-commerce

There are two main categories of e-commerce sites for independent knit designers and crocheters to think about:

• There are marketplaces that resemble Ravelry, that let thousands, sometimes even millions - of designers compete for their attention from crocheters as well as crocheters
• A Personal website and shopping cart for selling directly to crocheters and knitters.

Marketplace E-commerce

It is possible that marketplace websites will can bring buyers to your site. Crocheters and knitters visit the websites to purchase. Because these marketplace websites are a large business that handles sales tax and VAT on your behalf. This is a significant benefit.

Marketplace websites may help you entice a first time customer. But, can you turn your customer into a loyal fan? The most common response is, "I bought it on Etsy." When the customer is ready to embark on their next venture, will they come back to your store or do another Etsy search? Building your brand in the shadow of an enormous web presence is an uphill task.

If built-in foot traffic is what you are looking for, there are two big websites to consider: Etsy and Lovecrafts.

Etsy

Etsy is a well-known market website that allows for artists, designers, and craftsmen to market their work to an eager customer base. In 2019 over 45 million shoppers shopped Etsy. However, not all of the 45 million people who shop on Etsy are looking for knit patterns, crochet patterns or perhaps are crafters themselves.

Yet, the access to 45 million clients, the ability to have sales tax handled for you, and ease in listing are all valuable. The value is the cost of. Setting up an Etsy shop is easy, but listing your patterns is not.

• The listing fee is $0.20 (USD) per listing.
• This fee is due whether your product sells, or is not sold.
• Listings expire after four months. You will spend $0.60 an year to keep your list up and running.

If you do offer a pattern using their Pattern tool, it has a somewhat different structure:

• A free trial period of 30 days. After that, you'll pay a monthly subscription cost of $15.00 USD per month
• 6.5% Transaction Fee on all sales
• Processing Fee applies if you register to make use of Etsy payment. This fee varies by country.
• Cost of Ad: Sellers will be enrolled automatically into Etsy Offsite advertisements. Additional fees will apply in the event that Etsy attributes a sale to an offsite Ad. Sellers who earn less than $10,000 per year are able to opt-out.

My site isn't big enough, so I'm not able to save any money hosting my own website. I also get traffic [on Etsy] I wouldn't on my own site. If I had better sales or name recognition, I'd do my [own websiteto increase sales. Their fees are always increasing and it's not anymore handmade.

- Laura Design, Spinner and Laura
 The Corner of Knit and Tea

Lovecrafts

Lovecrafts is a one-stop-shop for crocheters and knitters who want to purchase patterns and yarn. There are several aspects that make it different from Etsy.

Communities Pages: Users can share photos of their finished items. They are extremely helpful as they can inspire other knitters purchase patterns.

Imports listings directly from Ravelry: You will have add additional details, but this may be a time saver. But, Lovecrafts does approve each listing prior to posting it on the website. It can take 3-5 days to get your listing cleared.

The Pattern Library is similar to Ravelry Members, they have access to a pattern library and receive periodic updates

Customer Service Lovecrafts manages all customer support to you, which includes the support for patterns.

As an independent designer, you may have missed an beat. Support for patterns eats up your time. But, Lovecrafts acting as a constant intermediary can prevent deepening brand loyalties. The crocheters and knitters are able to follow the community pages on Lovecrafts However, there's little opportunity to build your list of email subscribers or guide users to your site.

Charges for Lovecraft are similar to Ravelry, and more straight forward in comparison to Etsy.

• Making your own shop or list is completely free.
• Offer free patterns to attract new customers.
• Transaction Fee of 4% and $/PS/EUR0.35 for any sales
• Selling Fee of 5% applies if you have monthly sale from $40 to $1500 (USD)

Simple. But there are some disadvantages. The community pages are helpful however, there aren't any on-line forums. There's not much opportunity to interact with other knitters or crocheters. Also, it's hard to establish your list of email addresses or advertise an membership program.

New Kids on the Block

In the wake of the controversy surrounding NuRav, people see the opportunity to develop Ravelry alternatives. One that is currently being developed is Fiber.Club. But, there are several in the dark:

• How will these websites function?
• What will be the cost arrangement?
• What will they do with sales tax?

In the event that Fiber.Club or any other website goes live it will be interesting to see how it develops and become an actual Ravelry alternative.

You can create a website of your Own

A website can be an possibility to control the pricing and branding, marketing and even pattern support. It is also possible using your website to establish subscription programs as well as generate other revenue streams.

Many of you already have a website. A lot of designers make use of their websites for directing makers to their Ravelry store to sell their products. Why not turn those links into your website catalog instead? Offering your designs directly to your customers can make your business more flexible and capable of weathering any disruption that occurs when a marketplace website goes out of business, buys by another company, or goes out of favour.

It is an online store created for downloads via digital media that allows you to turn your site into a shop. There are two ways you can utilize :

• Include listings on your existing website
• Create a hosted e-commerce website in a minute

I've found their set up extremely easy to master. The open page for filling in the specifics is so enjoyable. There is no need to be concerned about how my design "romance" being a perfect fit, and being able to make sense...I love how simple it is to set up with my blog [with embedding]. I would like my blog to become my hub and having my patterns in the right place helps to create the feeling. Since I've learned the best way to organize things, it'll be easy to do when a new pattern comes out.

Getting Started On

Getting started with is just as easy as entering an email address and making an account with a password.

After you've set up your account, you build your first listing. It is possible to choose which customers be able to pay via Paypal or Stripe. When your first store is up, you can personalize your store so that it is in keeping with your branding. Pick the color of your button, fonts as well as a CSS.

Like Etsy and Lovecrafts, handles VAT on behalf of customers. For US Sales Tax will report the tax as sales and then include the tax in the purchase price. You are still responsible for remitting the taxes to the state agency that you are responsible for. (Sales Taxes differ in each state. Please consult with an expert in taxation.)

More Ways to Sell Yourself and your work

Every online store has the ability to give your customers coupon codes as well as sales. It also comes with a shopping cart function that could make customers more likely to purchase several patterns at once that includes cross-selling and upselling.

• When a crocheter includes a new pattern in the cart of their customer, you could automatically offer a discount for another pattern.
• Do you have a hat pattern with an identical glove pattern? Set up the cart to automatically recommend the other pattern.

We Are Fiber Family

A shared passion in crochet and knitting creates more than just a commercial or relationships between customers and designers. We feel like a community. An instrument that designers and designers utilize to build an enduring friendship with craftspeople is the use of newsletters and email lists.

You can choose to have your customer's email instantly added to your list of email addresses following the purchase of your pattern. And if you are using the store's website you can follow your customers. Button is present at the top of your webpage.

I inquired Kristin Jancuk about how quickly she was able to create her email lists:

"I am thrilled to discover that I can link my newsletter with checkout this is something that I've always wanted on Ravelry...I think getting new patterns right in front of people who are already interested in my designs is one of the best benefits however, I also provide discount coupons to my subscribers which gives them a reason to stick around too.

There is much more you can accomplish through building your email list than just creating one. Crocheters and knitters love to show the finished products to other crafters. We're the top marketing team. Encourage your followers to recommend your designs to their friends through a a referral program.

Etsy, Lovecrafts, even Ravelry provide a method to earn revenue through pattern sales. Many designers are turning to Patreon to generate new revenue streams. It is a lot to manage an account on Patreon or and an Etsy Store, a Ravelry page and so on. Imagine eliminating one of them through setting up your membership program through . It is possible to have the membership program as well as an online site all in one with .

Fees

Three membership levels are available with each offering all the features. Only difference is the amount you have to pay for transaction fees.

• Forever Free: 5% transaction fee
• Plus: $29.00/ month 2% transaction fee
• Pro: $99.00/month 0% transaction fee

If I build it, Will People Come?

Selling your product on your website isn't without a disadvantage that there's no built-in user traffic similar to Etsy, Ravelry, or Lovecrafts. It is your responsibility to bring customers who knit and crochet to your site. I inquired Sile Thiels if she found it difficult to promote her designs for knitters. She said:

It's not all that great however, I'm not sure I'm anything is worse than what I was in the past when I was just selling my work on Ravelry. I've always relied on boosting myself through my Twitter, Instagram, and FB page. My patterns are still showing up in Ravelry searches, they just direct off Ravelry to the sale.

-- Sile Thiels Independent Knit Designer
 Knit Dance Repeat

If you are thinking it's time to build your store , it's either via your website or else you'll need to advertise your work. As Sile Thiels has demonstrated, it is possible to use Ravelry to promote your project. But, if you decide to use Ravelry later on, using a combination of different e-commerce websites, you can establish a reputation inside and outside of Ravelry. Best of all, your success won't be contingent on the success of another site's the failure of another website.

Comparison Table

Here is a quick comparison chart. Fees do not include extra processing fees for Paypal and Stripe. Fees are in US Dollars

 *Always consult with the Tax Professional

Conclusion

Recent issues with Ravelry has led designers to consider new alternatives for e-commerce solutions. Crafting a website either as a replacement or combination with websites like Ravelry, Etsy, and Lovecrafts can help you build a business which can withstand unexpected change.