Picture just for attention
Today I am slightly on the grumpy side!
Yet another one of my designs has been stolen and is now popping up on some random webpage. This is likely another scam where someone tries to purchase the design, pays the money, and ends up with nothing.
This particular design seems to have made an impression—it’s been copied and posted in seven different places. They must really like it! Sigh.
When I first began designing and discovered my very first pattern had been stolen, I was devastated. I remember being reduced to tears, sobbing uncontrollably into my yarn stash. Now, I just think, “Great, time to file yet another DMCA takedown notice.” It’s frustrating, and often feels futile. Even if the stolen content is removed, these thieves just set up another page and carry on as if nothing happened.
Some of these scammers are so brazen that they even steal genuine customer reviews from legitimate platforms to make themselves seem credible.
The impact of stolen patterns on designers is very real. I spend hundreds of hours creating each design, and once I’ve completed a pattern, it goes to my testers—an incredible group who invest their own time and energy to ensure the final product is clear, accurate, and enjoyable for customers. This is no small task, especially for my more unique designs, and it’s a labor of love for all involved.
When someone steals and sells these patterns illegally, it creates a domino effect that hurts not just me, but everyone who contributes to the process.
I’m always happy to help anyone who has purchased a pattern from me through legitimate platforms. However, I do ask where the pattern was purchased. If it turns out the pattern was obtained from a stolen source, I cannot provide support. While I sympathize with those who might not realize they’ve been scammed, I won’t enable or assist in the theft of my copyrighted work.
To buyers: please take care to support your favorite designers by purchasing only from trusted platforms. This not only ensures you’re receiving a quality product but also helps keep small designers in business.
If you need help with a pattern, always let the designer know where you purchased it from and, if possible, provide proof of purchase. Don’t feel offended if this is requested—it’s just part of safeguarding the hard work that goes into every design.
