I have talked about this topic before, but daily I am seeing people posting their disappointment with being scammed on Etsy and thought it was time to revisit this one.
Buying crochet patterns on Etsy is easy. Making sure you're buying a pattern that will actually create the beautiful item shown in the glossy photos isn't always quite so easy.
Unfortunately, the number of fake sellers, copied designs and AI-generated patterns appearing online has grown dramatically. While there are still thousands of talented designers creating beautiful, original work, there are also sellers who are simply looking to make a quick dollar.
So how do you tell the difference?
Look at the Seller's Shop
A genuine crochet designer usually has a consistent style.
Do all the patterns look like they were designed by the same person? Or does one shop sell amigurumi, lace shawls, granny squares, knitted socks, Tunisian crochet, quilting patterns and woodworking plans?
While some designers enjoy creating a wide variety of projects, most develop a recognisable style over time.
Read the Reviews
Don't just look at the star rating.
Read what people are actually saying.
Comments such as:
"Easy to follow."
"Pattern was well written."
"Finished exactly like the photos."
are all encouraging.
Even better, look for reviews where customers have uploaded photos of their finished projects. Seeing several successful makes is a great sign that the pattern has been crocheted by real people.
If reviewers mention missing instructions, incorrect stitch counts or that the finished project looked nothing like the listing photos, think twice.
Look Carefully at the Photos
Ask yourself a few questions.
Are there several photos showing different angles?
Can you clearly see the stitch detail?
Are there close-up photos of the finished project?
Are tester photos included?
Many genuine designers proudly share tester photos because they show the pattern has been successfully recreated by others.
If every image looks highly polished or just a little "too perfect", it may be worth taking a closer look.
Reverse Search the Images
If a pattern listing catches your eye, take a minute to do a reverse image search.
It's surprising how often stolen photos turn up in scam listings. Some sellers take photographs from well-known crochet designers and use them to advertise patterns that they didn't design. In some cases, they then ask AI to generate a pattern to match the stolen image.
A quick reverse image search can often reveal whether the photo belongs to someone else. This also exposes sellers who have not only stolen the photograph, but the pattern itself.
If the same image appears on another designer's website, Ravelry page or social media account under a completely different name, that's a major red flag.
It only takes a minute and could save you from buying a pattern that bears little resemblance to the beautiful item in the photographs.
Does the Designer Have a Presence Elsewhere?
Many established designers also have one or more of the following:
A website or blog.
A Facebook page or group.
Instagram.
Pinterest.
YouTube tutorials.
Ravelry.
This doesn't mean every new designer should have all of these, but it can provide reassurance that there is a real person behind the patterns.
Is the Price Too Good to Be True?
Quality crochet patterns take time to design, write, photograph and test.
If a shop is selling hundreds of patterns for only a few dollars each, or offering huge bundles at unbelievably low prices, ask yourself how realistic that is.
Sometimes a bargain really is just a bargain... but sometimes it isn't.
Don't Be Fooled by Colour Variations
One thing I've noticed becoming increasingly common is the use of the same image shown in multiple colours.
At first glance, it looks as though the designer has crocheted the pattern several times using different yarns. In reality, some sellers simply recolour a single image using software.
Take a closer look.
Are the folds in the fabric identical?
Are the shadows and lighting exactly the same?
Do the stitches sit in precisely the same position in every image?
If the answer is yes, the colour may be the only thing that has changed.
A genuine designer may absolutely remake a design in several colours, but each sample will usually have its own unique characteristics. Even using the same yarn, no two handmade items drape in exactly the same way.
Check for Pattern Support
One of the biggest advantages of buying from an independent designer is knowing that help is available if you get stuck.
Many genuine designers are happy to answer questions or clarify instructions if needed.
A scam seller often disappears once the sale has been made.
Support Genuine Designers
Behind every original crochet pattern is someone who has spent hours—or sometimes hundreds of hours—designing, frogging, writing, photographing and testing their work before it is ever released.
Supporting genuine designers helps ensure original crochet design continues to thrive.
A Real-Life Example
Everything I've talked about above might sound a little theoretical, so I thought I'd try a little experiment.
Some of my own designs take well over 200 hours from the first sketch to publication. That time includes designing, crocheting, frogging, rewriting, photographing and then having the pattern tested before anyone ever gets to buy it.
At the moment I'm working on a wrap featuring dozens of delicate bellflowers. Out of curiosity, I asked AI to generate a crochet pattern for a bellflower.
After all... if AI can write crochet patterns, surely it should be able to produce a flower.
This was the result.
Round 1: Ch 4, join with a sl st to form a ring. Ch 1, work 8 sc into ring. Join.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as hdc), work 2 hdc into each stitch around. Join. (16 sts) Round 3: Sc in next st, hdc in next, dc in next, tr in next, dc in next, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st in next. Repeat twice to form two petals. Fasten off.
At first glance it looks convincing.
It has stitch counts.
It uses crochet terminology.
It has rounds.
To someone new to crochet, it probably looks like a perfectly reasonable pattern.
As a designer, however, I can immediately see a number of problems.
It wouldn't produce anything resembling a real bellflower.
The petals wouldn't form a bell shape.
The stitch counts don't support the construction.
The calyx instruction is vague.
"Work 5 sc around the top" isn't actually a defined location.
The stamens would simply be chains hanging out.
There is no shaping.
There are no assembly instructions.
There are no photographs or diagrams to verify the result.
Most importantly... it has never been crocheted.
Rather than simply assuming I was right and this would not work, I decided to put the pattern to the test.
Well... I delegated the task to one of my wonderfully patient testers, Sallyanne.
She very kindly dropped what she was doing (literally!) and crocheted the AI pattern exactly as written.
Below you'll see the AI bellflower beside my bellflower designed by me for my upcoming design.
I'll let you decide which one actually looks like a bellflower. Add a comment to this blog post and your pick of which is a flower.
Trust Your Instincts
If something doesn't feel quite right, it probably deserves another look.
Taking a few extra minutes before purchasing can save disappointment later.
Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions
If you're unsure about a pattern, send the designer a message before purchasing.
A genuine designer will usually be happy to answer questions about yarn, skill level or the pattern itself. It also gives you confidence that there is a real person behind the shop.
Final Thoughts
The vast majority of crochet designers are passionate about creating patterns that people genuinely enjoy making. AI can be a helpful tool when used to assist with things like writing or proofreading, but there is no substitute for a pattern that has been designed, crocheted and tested by real people.
With a little research before clicking Buy Now, you'll greatly increase your chances of purchasing a pattern that brings you joy rather than frustration.
Happy crocheting!
One final thought
Please don't use any single point in this article as proof that a designer isn't genuine. Instead, look at the overall picture. Often it's a combination of several warning signs that tells the real story.