Original Patterns - Selling vs publishing....

[Locutus137]

So, I'm in the middle of designing a felted bag.  And am so in love with it that I was considering trying to submit it to knitty or something along those lines.

But, I'm trying to decide if A) it's even something someone else would be interested in or B) if I should just put the pattern for sale on my blog or ebay or the like. 

I'm a stay at home mom so if I could start designing my own stuff, it would be cool to bring in a little extra income  (read - help support my expensive habit)

Anyone that has sold their patterns or published them have any tips?

P.S. - It's a huge rectangular bag with lots of pockets.  I've designed it to suit my needs.... but it would make a great diaper bag or school bag.... or purse if you like 'em large (as I do)

Thanks!~

[Kerry Berry]

Knitty or MagKnits would provide you with possibly more exposure than your blog or ebay shop, so more people would start recognizing your name.  If either one decides to publish your pattern, you'd get around $75-100 for Knitty or $36-90 for MagKnits.  (Plus you get the warm fuzzy feeling in your heart when you know that knitters now have access to your fabulous free pattern!)  If you publish it on your own, you have to decide if enough people will buy your pattern to match or beat the amount of money you'd receive from an online publication.

You also might want to browse the Knitty and MagKnits archives to see if something like what you're making has already been published--that might discourage you from going that route, since they're probably less likely to publish something very similar to what they've already done.  I found Satchel on Knitty, which sounds somewhat similar to what you described, but on the other hand yours could be completely different.  (I dislike the way the MagKnits archives are set up, so I'll leave the browsing to you.)

When it all comes down to it, if it were me, I'd go for Knitty or MagKnits (or even The AntiCraft, although it looks like they don't pay for submissions) for my first couple of designs in order to get the large readership and the consequent publicity and name recognition.  You can always pimp your blog in the little bio they give you, so people who like your work will click over and find more of your designs.

ETA: I have not published any patterns, so you can take all this advice for what it's worth.

[amie]

I don't publish knitting patterns, but I can attest to the dilema you're in. I tend to agree with the comments above, that as someone who hasn't sold a pattern yet, getting exposure (aka. marketing) is a large portion of deceiding which venue will work for you. You need to get your feet wet first.

Having your name on one of those sites mentioned above would be a big bonus for you. Not sure about MagKnits, but I've read Knitty and they post info at the bottom about the designer. If you had a link from that site to your blog, where people could see other things you make, that would be a start. [However, a link to a site of your own (not a blog) would be even better. It gives people the feeling that they're shopping in your store, as opposed to your living room.]

I have an online storefront, enabling me to sell my patterns. I also have a mailing list with about 1,000 people on it. So, I have a small following, however, that took time. Getting your name out there and getting exposure should be at the top of your list and submitting to those online venues is the start to something like that.

Ebay is also another starter place, although, it's not the best place to continue a business. Ebay fees are high, and they do cut into the profits a bit. And I can't say that I know anyone who has a successful shop selling patterns on Etsy (sorry Craftster goddesses!).

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Locutus137]

Thank you both.  I don't plan on coming up with tons of stuff.... this one just popped in my head and I decided to give it a shot.  I think I will try to go the knitty route - because in the end it would be much cooler to see my name on something than making a couple of bucks a pop.

The bag is actually not like satchel.  It's hard to describe but I think it's unique.  I wanted to post pics when it's completely finished but I think I read on knitty's site that the design must not have been posted anywhere before.  Not sure if that applies to just pics of the item or the pattern..... 

Anyway, thank you both again!

[candikaneiscrafty]

I wanted to post pics when it's completely finished but I think I read on knitty's site that the design must not have been posted anywhere before.  Not sure if that applies to just pics of the item or the pattern..... 

i haven't had anything published in knitty but they don't want you to show pictures of the project so that it is a surprise once the issue goes live. but once the issue is live you can post pictures where ever you want.
good luck!