Knit Picks Independent Designer Program

I have decided to place 4 of my self-published designs in the Knit Picks Independent Designer Program (IDP).

The first to be placed is Liana.

I gave a lot of thought about how I would do this. The patterns on my website have a base rate of $4.99 for garments. However, the patterns in the program are $1.99.

What this means is that Knit Picks is essentially purchasing my patterns at their wholesale rate then passing these savings on to you, without a mark-up. This isn’t unusual. If you will look through the books offered at Knit Picks, you can get them at a lower cost than other sites, even Amazon.

For the Knit Picks versions of the patterns, the pattern is for a similar version. Due to the substitution of yarns, it was necessary to make some changes to the patterns.

The patterns are substantially similar, but you’ll be getting them at a discount (if you choose to purchase through Knit Picks). Think of it as a group discount, like you would get for health insurance in a group.

The links to my original pricing will remain. Ravelers can still purchase patterns on Ravelry so that the pattern can go in their libraries. But, the price will still be $4.99 for those.

My purpose isn’t to offend anyone. I am making it very clear that similar versions of the patterns can be purchased on the Knit Picks site for a lower price.

This goes back to basic purchasing practices. When you purchase items elsewhere, you usually shop around for the best price for the item you want. Shopping for patterns and books is the same.

For those of you who have already purchased these patterns from me at $4.99, this would amount to the same thing as placing a sale price on my patterns. In the past, I have placed patterns on sale as well. I usually have my annual Easter sale, but with the program, it will be all year. I hope you won’t begrudge me that $3 extra. I appreciate all of your purchases and hope this will make more patterns available to you.

Now, why am I doing this?

I thought a lot about the exposure I may receive from such a huge audience. This Liana pattern in particular hasn’t received a tremendous amount of exposure because it’s my only knit pattern and I’m not very well known for my knit patterns. I need to find a venue where I can try to get more sales and I felt Knit Picks was perfect for it.

Second, many of you may know that Brianna is now graduated from high school and has moved out into her own place. I’m very happy for her! But, it left me without a model. Not wanting to have all my photographs on a mannequin, the option of having photos taken by Knit Picks was very appealing.

There are three more designs coming soon. I’ll post them here as well. I just wanted to be very clear about my intentions and hope to answer any questions you may have.