In the expansive world of crochet, Etsy stands as a bustling marketplace where talented designers showcase their handmade creations. Unfortunately it’s also becoming a hot bed for scams, stolen patterns and fake AI patterns. More and more crocheters are finding that they’ve paid hard earned money for a cute crochet creation only to find confusing directions that resemble a character from a horror story.
To help you find genuine, high-quality crochet designers amidst the diverse offerings, I’ve compiled a some of the things I look out for.
- Social Media Presence:
Begin by checking the crochet designer’s social media presence. Real designers spend a long time creating their patterns, and most will share this journey online. An active and engaging online presence is a positive sign of credibility. Regular updates, interactions with customers, and behind-the-scenes content on platforms like Instagram and Facebook can help you gauge the authenticity of the designer.
- Customer Reviews:
Delve into both positive and negative reviews to get a comprehensive understanding of the designer’s work. If you have paid for a pattern only to get some gibberish, you’re probably going to be mad about it! And the outlet for that rage is reviews. Look for mentions of pattern accuracy, material quality, and overall satisfaction to ensure you’re dealing with a reputable crochet designer.
- Detailed Product Descriptions:
Detailed and transparent product descriptions are crucial for making informed purchasing decisions. A trustworthy crochet designer will provide comprehensive information about materials, dimensions, care instructions, and customization options. You need to know these things before delving into a pattern, and again a real designer knows this, so they will include this information as standard.
- Consistency in Shop Aesthetics:
A cohesive shop aesthetic, including consistent branding and high-quality images, suggests a professional and dedicated crochet designer. This applies to all Etsy shops, both crochet pattern or physical items. If a shop is selling multiple types of items this could be a warning sign. Most of us creators spent years learning our craft, and it’s unlikely that we are going to be qualified in crochet, furniture making, pottery, graphic design and painting (some might well be, but most of us are not!). It’s also worth thinking about how diverse the pattern styles are. Is the shop selling brilliantly detailed amigurumi patterns, blanket patterns, clothing patterns of all different styles. This could be sign of a drop shipper, or someone who is stealing patterns and graphics and reselling them.
- Shop Longevity:
Check how long a crochet designer has been selling on Etsy. A shop with a proven track record and years of operation is more likely to be genuine and trustworthy. This is not to say that all new shops on Etsy are scams, but many are! Say you come across a new shop filled with 100’s of patterns; ask yourself if they are new to Etsy, where were they selling all these patterns before? It’s more likely that they have stolen these patterns from others.
- Communication Responsiveness:
Clear communication is crucial for establishing trust. Reach out to the crochet designer with any questions you may have about their products. A prompt and informative response is a positive sign of good customer service, helping you build confidence in your transaction.
As the crochet community continues to flourish on Etsy, vigilance becomes key in identifying quality designers. By scrutinizing social media presence, reading reviews, evaluating product descriptions and shop aesthetics, considering shop longevity, and assessing communication responsiveness, you can confidently explore the diverse world of crochet treasures on Etsy.
How do you spot a scam from a genuine pattern? Tell us in the comments or find us on social media and let you know! Instagram
Jack's Yarn Crochet Designs 