Ravelry Alternative to Creatively New Opportunities Ravelry Alternative: Crafting New Opportunities

Updated: 26th April, 2022

The most efficient Ravelry alternatives for 2022 the options we've talked about here are:

•       Etsy
•       Lovecrafts

To last for a long time, Ravelry is the ideal place for knitters and crocheters to connect and buy patterns. It's a unique mix of an online magazine, pattern database and social media, as well as an online marketplace for patterns. Numerous crochet and knit entrepreneurs have started their own business using Ravelry as the base of their business.

The pace of change is rapid when you're surfing the internet. Websites are suddenly down, and are acquired by larger corporations, and then disappear from the market.

In the year 2020, Ravelry revealed a brand new design with a name that users called NuRav. After that, some users reported NuRav triggers migraines, vertigo, eye strain and even seizures. Some long-time users feel they're now unable to access their library of patterns or access support on the patterns using NuRav.

NuRav isn't the only unanticipated change to the world of fiber. was released in 2017. NBC/Universal acquired the well-known website Craftsy and rebranded it to Blueprint. A variety of independent designers could sell their creations on the Blueprint/Craftsy platform. The summer of 2020 in a whim, NBC/Universal decided to shutter the website. TN Marketing bought the video library and relaunched Craftsy within the next year.

Because of sudden changes such as those, designers are wondering whether it's worth the effort to create a company on the same website, such as Ravelry. If you're an individual designer contemplating new ways to showcase your work, Three options to consider are:

• Put patterns up to customers on Ravelry as well as an online store
• Make use of Ravelry to stay in touch with forums for community members and also to display your knitting. However, once knitters are ready purchase , they will be lead to another website
• Make a store on the internet and quit Ravelry altogether

Whatever option you select to sell your patterns on a different website , such as the Ravelry website , you have the chance to develop a adaptable business that can withstand unpredictable shifts.

Design Ideas for Designers that are independent and choosing Ravelry Alternatives

Independent designers are not just knitting patterns or crochet patterns. Your job is to be a marketing manager as well as a customer service representative and chief finance officer. It's crucial to establish effective online stores that enable you to spend more time creating and spend less time on all the other things.

If you are looking into a Ravelry alternative, the most important issues designers need to be asking:

• How can knitters know that their work is real?
• Discounts and free-designs attract clients. What's the process to create coupons? Do they allow BOGO or free-of-cost patterns?
• The companies must be able to retain customers. Strong branding is critical. Do knitters think of them when they recommend your pattern, or do they think of the Third Party Website?
• Does the website for e-commerce make it easier to deliver information to customers? Are you required to set up an email list or web-based site to facilitate this?
• Independent Knit as well as Crochet patterns are a worldwide market. Can the online store take care of VAT? US Sales Tax?
• What are the fees? How do you pay?

Potential to sell products online

There are two main kinds of websites that cater to knitters who are independent as well as crocheters:

• Marketplaces like Ravelry that allow millions or even thousands of artists compete for their attention from people who crochet and
• A personalized website and shopping cart, which offers direct sales to knitters as well as crocheters.

Marketplace E-commerce

It is true that marketplaces can draw buyers to your site. Knitters and crocheters go to the marketplace sites with the intention of buying. As these marketplaces are a large business they typically handle taxes on sales as well as VAT for your advantage. This can be a huge benefit.

Marketplace websites may help you entice a first time customer. However, how do you turn your client to a long-term customer? People often say, "I bought it on Etsy." If your client is ready for their next endeavor do they return to your shop , or even conduct another Etsy lookup? Your brand's creation under the shadow of an enormous web-based store isn't an easy task.

If built-in the flow of foot traffic are your top concern, then there are two main websites worth considering: Etsy and Lovecrafts.

Etsy

Etsy is a well-known marketplace site that makes it simple for designers, artists and artisans to showcase their works to an eager audience. More than 45 million shoppers shopped Etsy. It's not that all the 45 million buyers on Etsy are searching for knitting patterns designs, crochet patterns, or are fiber crafters.

In addition, accessing the world's largest customer base, the ability to have sales tax taken care of by you, and the ability to market your business as a service is advantageous. The value is costs. Setting up an Etsy shop is not expensive but creating your own designs will cost you.

• The cost of listing is $0.20 (USD) per item.
• This is due when your product sells or not succeed in selling.
• The listing is cancelled after four months. The cost is $0.60 an year to ensure your listing is up and operating.

If you do advertise a pattern via the Pattern Tool and you'll see something a little different:

• You can try the trial for free for 30 days. Then you'll be charged per month for a subscription fee of $15.00 USD for a month.
• 6.5 percent Transaction Fee on all sales
• Processing Fee applies if you sign up to use Etsy payment. The fee is different for each location.
• Advertising Costs: Sellers are enrolled immediately in Etsy Offsite advertisements. There will be additional charges in the event that Etsy credits a sale in an advertisement that is not on the site. Sellers who earn below $10,000 for the year may decide to opt-out.

My website isn't large enough to warrant hosting, therefore I'm not able to host my own site. Additionally, I receive the traffic from Etsy that I don't receive for my site. If I were to gain more popularity or sales I'd start my own website to increase the sales. The sales are always increasing And it's not just a hand-made product.

The Corner of Knit and Tea

Lovecrafts

Lovecrafts is the one-stop shop for knitters and crocheters to purchase patterns and yarn. It has a few features that separate it from Etsy.

Communities Pages: Users are able to post pictures of their completed products. These pages are very helpful since they may inspire knitters to buy patterns.

Importing Listings Directly from Ravelry You'll have to provide additional information, which can be time-saving. But, Lovecrafts accepts every listing prior to posting it on its website. It can take as long as 3-5 working days for the listing to be approved.

Pattern Library: Like Members of Ravelry, they get the ability to access an online library of patterns, and are notified of automatically-generated notification

Customer Service Lovecrafts handles all services for customers as well as assistance with patterns.

Being an independent designer your heart may have skipped one beat. Support for patterns eats up the time you spend. However, Lovecrafts acting as an intermediary that is constantly on the go could hinder building brand trust. The knitters and crocheters are able to visit the community section on Lovecrafts, but there is no chance to create your email database or direct people to your site.

The charges for Lovecraft are the same as Ravelry and are also less expensive as compared to Etsy.

• Making your list of stores and lists is totally no cost.
• Offer free designs to attract new fans.
• A transaction fee of 4percent and $/PS/EUR0.35 on any purchase
• The selling fee of 5% will be assessed if there is a every month sales of between $40 and $1500 (USD)

Simple. However, there are some negatives. Communities can be useful however, there aren't any on-line forums. It's not a lot of opportunity to connect with fellow knitters and crocheters. Also, it's difficult to create an email list or to promote a membership scheme.

New Kids on the Block

After the debate surrounding NuRav The community is seeing an possibility of developing Ravelry alternatives. One of the ones currently in development is Fiber.Club. However, there are some unanswered issues:

• What's the purpose of these websites?
• What will be the fees?
• How does it deal with the sales tax?

If Fiber.Club or a different website is launched, it will be interesting to determine if it will gain momentum, and eventually become a viable Ravelry alternative.

You can create a website that is your own

Owning a website gives you the chance to fully control branding, prices as well as marketing, and even the support for patterns. It is also possible through your site to develop subscription-based programs and create other revenue streams.

The majority of you have websites. Many designers make use of their sites for directing makers to their Ravelry store for sales. Therefore, why not transform the links on your website listing instead? Making your pattern available directly to customers that they sell to makes your business more flexible , and is able to weather any disruption that occurs whenever an online store selling products shuts down, gets acquired, or is taken out of favor.

is an e-commerce website designed for digital downloads that allows you to turn your site into a store. There are two ways you can be used :

• Integrate listings onto your current site
• Design and build a web-based e-commerce site hosted in just a couple of minutes

I've discovered their configuration to be easy to learn. The open page for filling in the necessary details is an enjoyable experience. You don't have to worry about how to get my design "romance" to be a good fit and make sense...I am amazed at how easy it is to create by integrating my blog onto my website (with embedding). I want my blog to function as my primary hub and having my designs right there helps create that feel. Since I've found out how to setup things, it's going to be a breeze whenever a new pattern is made available. out.

Getting Started On

For getting started, it's easy to provide your email address and creating an account with a password.

Once you've set up the account, you build your first listing. You can choose which customers be able to pay via Paypal as well as Stripe. When your store's initial page is up and running, you can choose modify your store's appearance so that it is in line with your brand. Pick the color of the buttons, fonts as well as a CSS.

They are similar to Etsy as well as Lovecrafts. They manage VAT on your behalf. The site that handles US Sales Tax will report the sales tax , and will include it into the cost of your purchase. You are however responsible for paying the tax to the state agency is your responsibility. (Sales taxes vary by state. Please consult with an expert in taxation.)

There are a variety of ways you can market yourself and the work you do

Any e-commerce site offers the option of providing your users coupon codes and sales. It also comes with the ability to use a shopping cart which will allow customers to buy different patterns: cross-selling or upselling.

• Once a crocheter has added the pattern you have purchased to your shopping cart, you are capable of offering a reduction on the pattern.
• Do you have designs for hats with the same glove pattern? Create the cart so it can automatically suggest the other design.

We Are Fiber Family

A shared passion to knit and crochet goes beyond just a relationships between customers and creators. It's like having your own social network. One tool that artists and designers utilize to establish a lasting connection with their customers is through the development of email newsletters and lists.

With , you can opt to have your customer's email directly added to your list of email addresses after the purchase of your pattern. In the event you use for hosting your online shop, the Follow Button can be found on top of the web page.

I wanted to know from Kristin Jancuk on how she could build her email database:

"I am thrilled the ability to connect my newsletter on the checkout page, which was something I've always had in mind on Ravelry...I believe that having my designs directly before people who are who are already interested in my designs is one of the best benefits However, I also provide my subscribers the most attractive discounts which gives them an incentive to stay too.

There is something that is more important than building your email list. Knitters and crocheters are awed by showing their finished creations to people. The best marketing team is us. Let your customers know that you're a reliable resource for information. Send your customer's information to their friends via an incentive program.

Etsy, Lovecrafts, even Ravelry provide a means to generate revenue from the sale of patterns. A lot of designers are using Patreon for different revenue sources. There is much to manage an account with Patreon along with an Etsy Store, a Ravelry page or a page on Etsy, and others. Imagine getting rid of one with the help of establishing your Membership program through . It is possible to have online store and membership site all at once with .

Fees

There are three levels to membership. Each has the same benefits. Only difference is the fee for transactions.

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

If I Build it, will people come?

Selling your creations through your site has the disadvantage that there's no built-in user visitors like Etsy, Ravelry, or Lovecrafts. It is your responsibility to bring people who crochet and knit to your website. I asked Sile Thiels about whether it was challenging to advertise her designs for knitters. She replied:

Perhaps a little Maybe, but I'm confident it's not significantly less than I was when I was only selling my works on Ravelry. It's always been my goal to boost the exposure of my account by using my Instagram and Twitter accounts as well as the Facebook profile I have. My patterns are still showing on Ravelry search results. However, they take users to Ravelry to sell my patterns.

knit Dance Repeat

If you think that it's time to start your own shop either on your website or on your own, you'll need to promote yourself. Like Sile Thiels has done, it is possible to use Ravelry for marketing your business. There is also the option to utilize Ravelry as a future option, by combining different online stores, and you'll be able to create a fan base both within and outside of the Ravelry community. In the end, the performance of your business is not dependent on the success or decline of another site.

Comparison Table

Below is a table that compares the two. Fees do not cover the processing charges for Paypal as well as Stripe. All fees are calculated expressed in US dollars.

The IRS recommends that it is advisable to consult an Tax Professional

Conclusion

Recent issues with Ravelry have led designers to think of new possibilities for online-based solutions. Crafting a website either in conjunction or replacement with websites like Ravelry, Etsy, and Lovecrafts will help you build a flexible company that is resilient to sudden shifts.

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