Ravelry Alternative Making New Chances Ravelry Alternative: Crafting New Opportunities

 The last update was 26th April, 2022

The top Ravelry options for 2022 that are discussed here are:

•   Etsy
•   Lovecrafts

For a long time Ravelry is the most popular spot for crocheters and knitters to make connections and buy patterns. It's an innovative combination of an online notebook, pattern database as well as social media and a pattern marketplace. Many independent knit and crochet entrepreneurs have created their own businesses using Ravelry as the foundation of their business.

However, change happens fast when you're on the web. Websites abruptly shut down, are bought by larger corporations, and then are unable to be used again.

In the year 2020, Ravelry unveiled a fresh look that members named NuRav. Soon after, some members complained that NuRav triggers headaches, vertigo, migraines as well as seizures. A lot of long-time members complain that they're no longer able access their pattern library or receive pattern support through NuRav.

NuRav is not the only unexpected disruption in the world of fiber. In the year 2017 NBC/Universal acquired the well-known site Craftsy rebranding it as Blueprint. A lot of independent designers offered their works on the Blueprint/Craftsy platform. In the summer of 2020 in a sudden and unexpected way, NBC/Universal decided to shutter the website. TN Marketing bought the video library and relaunched Craftsy at the end of that year.

Due to unexpected changes like these, designers are asking if it is smart to base their businesses on the same website, such as Ravelry. If you're an independent designer looking at new ways to promote your work three strategies to consider include:

• Make patterns available through Ravelry along with a parallel online store
• Utilize Ravelry to stay in touch via community forums as well as showcase your creations however, knitters who is ready to purchase are lead to another website
• Make a store on the internet and leave Ravelry completely

Regardless of which path you take the possibility of selling your designs on an alternative Ravelry website can be a great way to build a agile business designed to withstand sudden shifts.

Ideas for Designers who are Independent and Selecting Ravelry Alternatives

Independent designers are more than just write gorgeous knitting patterns or crochet patterns. You are a marketing department and customer service rep as well as chief of finance. You require efficient e-commerce websites that allow you to focus more time creating, and less time doing all other tasks.

If you are looking at an Ravelry alternative, Important questions designers have to consider are:

• How will a knitter know that their work is real?
• Discounts and free designs draw in consumers. What is the easiest way to setup coupons? Does it permit BOGO or pattern-free?
• Businesses require repeat business. A strong brand image is essential. Do knitters think of you when they recommend the pattern? Or does they think of the third Party Website?
• Does the e-commerce site make it simpler to send the latest information to customers? Are you required to set up a website or email list in order to accomplish this?
• Independent Knit and Crochet patterns are an international market. Does the e-commerce site take care of VAT? US Sales Tax?
• What is the cost? How will you be paid?

Online-Commerce Options

There are two major kinds of websites that cater to knitters who are independent and crochet designers to consider:

• Ravelry-like marketplace websites where thousands - sometimes millions of creators compete to get the attention of knitters and crocheters
• A personal website as well as a shopping cart that sells directly to crocheters and knitters.

Marketplace E-commerce

It is possible that marketplace websites will can bring buyers to your site. The crocheters and knitters go to these websites with the intention of buying. As these marketplaces have a huge business presence that handles VAT and sales tax to your benefit. These are significant advantages.

Marketplace websites may help you entice a first time customer. Butcan you make them into a long time customer? Many people say, "I bought it on Etsy." When your customer is ready to embark on their next venture is it likely that they will return to your store or do another Etsy search? The creation of your brand within the shadow of a massive site is not easy.

Still, if built-in foot traffic is what you are looking for There are two major sites to look at: Etsy and Lovecrafts.

Etsy

Etsy is a well-known marketplace website and makes it easy for artists, designers, and craftsmen to market their work to an eager audience. Over 45 million customers bought items on Etsy. But, not all 45 million people who shop on Etsy are looking for knit patterns or crochet patterns or even are fiber crafters.

Still, access to 45 million potential customers, with sales tax handled for you, and ease of listing is valuable. The value is the cost of. The process of setting up your own Etsy shop is easy, but making your own patterns available isn't.

• Fees for listing are $0.20 (USD) per listing.
• The fee will be paid whether your product sells, or does not sell.
• Listings are canceled every four months. It costs $0.60 an year to keep a account in good standing.

If you do market a pattern through their Pattern tool, there's an entirely different format:

• Free trial for 30 days, then you'll pay a monthly subscription cost of $15.00 USD for a month.
• 6.5% Transaction Fee on all sales
• Processing Fees are charged when you sign up to use Etsy payment. The fee is different for each country.
• Cost of Ad: Sellers will be enrolled automatically in Etsy offsite ads. Additional fees will apply in the event that Etsy assigns a sale to an offsite Ad. Sellers who earn less than $10,000 in a year may opt out.

I'm small enough that I can't save money hosting my own platform. Also, I get traffic from Etsybut not for my own site. If I had better sales or name recognition I'd create my own siteas well. They are continually increasing and it's not just a hand-made site anymore.

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

Lovecrafts

Lovecrafts is one stop shop for crocheters and knitters to purchase patterns and yarn. There are some features that separate it from Etsy.

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

Imports Listings Directly from Ravelry You'll need add additional details, but this may make it easier. However, Lovecrafts does approve each listing before it posts to the site. It may take 3 to 5 days for your listing to be accepted.

The Pattern Library is similar to Ravelry, members have patterns in their library. They also receive periodic notifications

Customer Service Lovecrafts handles all customer service to you, which includes assistance with patterns.

Being an independent designer you may have missed one beat. Pattern support eats into your precious time. However, Lovecrafts acting as a constant intermediary can prevent deepening brand loyalties. Crocheters and knitters can visit your community page on Lovecrafts However, there's little opportunity to build your email list or steer users to your site.

Fees for Lovecraft are similar to Ravelry but is easier to use as compared to Etsy.

• Making your own shop or list is completely free.
• Offer free patterns in order to draw new fans.
• A transaction fee of 4% + $/PS/EUR0.35 for all purchases
• Selling Fee of 5% will be charged if you have monthly sale from $40 to $1500 (USD)

Simple. But there are some disadvantages. There are community forums that can be useful however, there aren't any on-line forums. There is little opportunity to connect with fellow knitters and crocheters, and it's hard to establish your list of email addresses or advertise a membership program.

New Kids on the Block

After the uproar around NuRav People are seeing opportunities to come up with Ravelry alternatives. One currently in development is Fiber.Club. However, there are a few unknowns:

• What is the function of these sites?
• What is the fee arrangement?
• How will it handle sales tax?

When Fiber.Club or any other website goes live in the near future, it is unclear how it develops and develop into an effective Ravelry alternative.

: A Website Of Your Own

A website can be an chance to completely control prices advertising, branding, and pattern support. It is also possible with your website to create subscription programs as well as generate other income streams.

Many of you already have websites. Many designers use their website to drive makers to their Ravelry store for sales. Why not turn these links into website catalog instead? Selling your patterns directly to your customers can make your company more adaptable and capable of surviving the disruption when a marketplace website goes out of business, buys out, or falls out of fashion.

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

• Embed listings into your current site
• Create a hosted e-commerce website in just a few minutes

I've discovered their system extremely easy to master. Its open-page where you can fill in your information is a delight. I don't have to worry about my pattern "romance" being a perfect fit, and creating sense...I am awestruck by how simple it is to set up by integrating my blog into my site [with embeddingthe embedding. I would like my blog to serve as my central point of reference and having my designs in the right place helps to create this feeling. Once I've learned how to set up things it will be much easier when a new pattern comes out.

Getting Started On

The process of getting started is just as easy as entering your email and creating a password.

Once you have set an account on your behalf, can create your very first page. Customers can opt to be able to pay via Paypal as well as Stripe. When your first store is up, you can customize your store in order to bring it in line with your branding. Pick the color of your button, fonts or even CSS.

Much 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. However, you are responsible for paying the tax to appropriate state authorities. (Sales Taxes vary according to the state. It is recommended to consult a tax professional.)

There are many ways to sell yourself as well as Your Work

Each e-commerce website has the possibility of offering your users coupon codes and sales. But, has an added shopping cart function that could encourage customers to buy several patterns at once that includes cross-selling and upselling.

• If a person who crochets adds a pattern to the cart of their customer, you could immediately offer a discount to a second pattern.
• Have you got an hat design that has a similar glove pattern? Set up the cart to automatically suggest the second pattern.

We Are Fiber Family

Sharing a passion for knitting and crochet creates more than just a commercial or relationships between customers and creators. It's like having a social network. An instrument that designers and designers utilize to build an enduring friendship with craftspeople is an email list and newsletter.

You can choose to have your customer's email immediately added to your list of email addresses following the purchase of your pattern. In the event that you use to host your store you can follow your customers. Button can be found at the top of the webpage.

I asked Kristin Jancuk how easy she was able to create her email list:

"I was thrilled to find the possibility of linking my newsletter to the checkout page and pay for my purchases, something I've always wanted at Ravelry...I consider that getting my patterns right in front of people already interested in my patterns is one of the best benefits however, I also provide the best discounts to subscribers, so they have reasons to keep coming back as well.

But, there is much more you can accomplish through building your email list than just creating one. Knitters and crocheters love showing the finished products to people around us. We're the most effective marketing team. Inspire your fans to recommend your products to others through an incentive program.

Etsy, Lovecrafts, even Ravelry offer a way to earn money by selling patterns. A lot of designers are using Patreon to generate different revenue sources. It is a lot to run an account on Patreon or an Etsy Store, a Ravelry page and so on. Imagine removing one through setting up your membership program through . You can indeed have a a membership program and e-commerce site all in one with .

Fees

There are three levels of membership that each include all features. The only difference is the fee for transactions.

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

If I Build it, will they come?

Selling your product on your website has a drawback: there is no built-in customer traffic like Etsy, Ravelry, or Lovecrafts. The only way to get knitters and crocheters to your site. I asked Sile Thiels if it is challenging to market her patterns for knitters. She replied:

Somewhat however, I'm not sure I'm any worse than I did in the past when I was just selling on Ravelry. I've always relied on increasing the visibility of myself on my twitter, Instagram, and FB page. My patterns are still showing up in Ravelry searches, they just direct off Ravelry for the sales.

-- Sile Thiels Independent Knit Designer
 Knit Dance Repeat

If you are thinking it's the right time to create your own store either on your website or else you'll need to market your work. But, as Sile Thiels suggests, it is possible to make use of 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. Most importantly, your success will not depend on another website's success or success or.

Comparison Table

Below is a brief comparison chart. Fees are not inclusive of extra processing fees from Paypal and Stripe. The fees are quoted calculated in US dollars.

 It is always advisable to consult an Tax Professional

Conclusion

Recent problems caused by Ravelry has led designers to consider new alternatives for e-commerce solutions. The creation of a website, whether as a replacement or addition to sites like Ravelry, Etsy, and Lovecrafts allows you to develop a flexible company which can withstand unexpected change.