I think about this a lot lately. It takes so much time and energy to write a new pattern and everything that goes along with it being a one woman show. The only pattern that I have ever exceeded the cost of the yarn was a washcloth. The cotton yarn was on sale for $2.50 USD. The pattern sells for $5.00. I have sold less than a dozen patterns since I listed the Cactus Washcloth on Ravelry.com more than 10 years ago.
I designed it to based on a saguaro cactus in my backyard. I initially used it to teach a guild class. Then I figured I had put about 60 hours into this washcloth. So why not try to recoup money for some of my time and supplies? The money made off the pattern was less than $60. After supplies they came, my profits were less than $57.00 in “profits” after 10 years. I also made less than $1.00 An hour for all the work. That is my best selling pattern. Most I have not even recouped the cost of the yarn.
I’m thinking about this now, because I’ve designed an easy to make pattern whilst doodling with yarn. The pattern can be used for Yarn tastings, leftover yarn from other projects, or one skin of yarn. Please let me know if you think I should write the pattern. Is it something that you would buy? Is it something that Yarn store Owners would consider selling by making a kit or selling the yarn and pattern together. I know people love free patterns. But the time spent, and the expense, it just does not seem right to be given away my intellectual property like that. I’m not sponsored by any Yarn companies. I pay for all my Yarn. I take all my pictures. I type and edit the patterns. Since I’m running on a lot less spoons I used to, is it really worthwhile?
Please note that this is a first draft and changes will be made for the final version. I usually just doodle out my first drafts and decide whether it’s worth while to do a second draft. I also edit the patterns like writers do.
