I’ve recently spoken to Ribblr about something and they suggested I bring it up here. “An open discussion might help designers see the demand for a broader range of patterns and encourage them to publish more varied projects.”
Here’s what I wrote…
I really do love the whole concept of your site and app. I’ve referred it to many other people who crochet. Having said that I find that I am visiting less and less. I wanted to let you know why because I’m sure I’m not the only person struggling with this issue.
I’m 62. I love to crochet but I don’t do small animals (due to arthritis) and I can’t (or wouldn’t because…after all…I am 62 ) wear a majority of the clothing posted. I have an abundance of gems I can’t use because these are what’s offered and even the freebies are these types so I’ve stopped claiming them.
I’d love to see more versatile projects (like for kitchen or bathroom or full size tops [instead of crop])and some other types of crafts like sewing and quilting too. (Is anyone else looking for sewing patterns?)
I’m not complaining about what you have to offer. There’s just not enough of the things I can use. Thankfully younger people are finding the joy of crochet and knit though! That makes me very happy!
Ribblr said: Ribblr is a marketplace where independent designers publish their own patterns, so we do not control the specific types of projects they choose to create. However, we completely understand your perspective. Many crafters would benefit from a wider range of practical home projects, full-length garments, and designs that are more accessible for those with arthritis or other physical limitations.
Any thoughts or opinions everyone? Just wondering if I’m the only misfit and need to just shush .
Does the fact that I may have found a dozen almost-identical, round bee patterns on here but relatively few afghan squares say anything? I have been looking for more modest sweaters for a teenage family member who wouldn’t want to wear most of the clothing on here. There are some, but they’re not easy to find. They’re certainly not promoted like the little bikini-like clothing is.
I actually see this from both perspectives. As a pattern designer, it’s frustrating making big long projects because people don’t have time for them. I’m always trying to find something that’s not already on here but I occasionally do post something that is (I’m currently making a dragon, but it’s different from all the other ones) people want things that will work up quickly because the fulfilment comes quickly. People are busy but I love making huge projects that take forever and have sat half finished in my room. I love those. So yes, I agree with you but I also see it from the other perspective as well. Could you list some things you would like to see on ribblr? I have so much spare time and I love designing.
I think a lot of stuff gets lost in the very limited search filters as well. I’ve been crocheting on and off for over a decade, and while I love Amigurumi, I do also notice that those types of patterns are what’s most prominent here (along with so so many patterns of the exact same things like Sedrf mentioned). I think that has to do with the age and experience level of the overall user base of Ribblr compared to places like Ravelry. I adore Ribblr’s features and definitely think it was a necessary option and tool for the fiber art community as a whole, but it’s so difficult to find patterns for things that you’ve mentioned.
Unfortunately, it’s up to the pattern designers that are here and actively using Ribblr to decide what Ribblr has to offer. If you have favorite designers from elsewhere, maybe you can help spread the word about this platform and let others know that we’re in desperate need of variety over here!
I 100% agree. I would love more sewing patterns, because there are barely any!!! And, because of personal beliefs, I don’t wear crop tops, and I find it very frustrating. I have found cute pot holders, though that I will link, but I definitely understand from your perspective.
Mm, it’s not about morals, it’s about personal taste and style. Let’s not judge others for what they like to wear and what makes others feel good about themselves and comfortable in their own skin
sorry for the confusion,but as in morals, I meant in what my religion states. I did not mean it in a harmful way and I’m very sorry for how it was perceived!
Try saying as a girl with modest taste instead of morals. Morality has nothing to do with it and it is offensive to say those who wear cropped clothing lack morals… please edit your comment
I completely agree with this. As someone who doesn’t wear things like crop tops (nor am I in the climate to do so) it’s gets a little frustrating to find clothing patterns I will actually wear on this platform! I’ve only been crocheting for a few years and I’ve really been looking to expand my horizons on my abilities, and Ribblr really hasn’t been meeting that need. Could @Ribblr provide more how-to videos for stitches or even how to knit/crochet for beginners? I’ve also really been wanting to learn to knit, so that would be amazing too!
I think the reason this comes across wrong is because your personal religious beliefs do not apply to everyone.
I’m glad you have your own beliefs, but personally held religious beliefs do not equal morality.
For the topic at hand, i do believe that this platform is predominantly teens…which limits style of clothing designed and presented and the popularity of certain types of projects over others.
There are places you can find a wider variety of a more adult/modest theme…and larger projects as well.
So a few things here. Ribblr is overrun with children and people just starting out creating patterns. This makes it mostly amigurumi here and a lot of repeated patterns. Ribblr seems to be trying hard to get more established designers to join but the kids issue deters a lot of people.
As a designer, I have a few wearables in my shop and they are all made to measure. This means that my 2 cropped sweaters can be made full length by adding rows Most cropped patterns can easily be made full length or even oversized!
The reason I don’t have more wearables is because they take a lot of time to create and they just don’t sell. Same with decor.
Aside from my amigurumi, the majority of my sales are my headbands. I will continue to add these because they are really quick to design and they are cheap making them more appealing.
I would absolutely love to see more clothing and decor patterns so maybe this will inspire more! Thank you for speaking up!
This is all correct.
Wearables just don’t move here…even if they are free…you run into the issue of getting them tested and nobody wants to spend the time it takes to test those types of projects…if they do, it’s few and far between.
As it’s been stated, there’s unfortunately not a lot that can be done about what patterns are offered here. It’s up to designers…and the heft of the designers here are young.
I’m a new designer here (and am a new tester too)on ribblr to the point where I don’t have patterns released yet but do have them in testing. One of the patterns I’m testing is a crochet market bag. While the other is a amigurumi, I do have a pattern that is currently being designed. The pattern I’m working on is called Book Shelf Plant Vines. If you would like me to tag you in a release of either of these let me know! And if you have any suggestions for specific items I currently have plenty of time if their are some things you are specifically looking for and would love to help make some things a reality. The only limit is that I cant do clothing :(
I just skimmed your shop and didn’t immediately see the wearables (though I was looking for tops, I did see a skirt), and had a quick question for you.
Do you provide approximate yardage for your wearables? This is another rampant issue I’ve seen here on Ribblr, no one states the amount of yarn you actually need, which is a massive deterrent for me actually purchasing a pattern.
Even if it’s just the yardage you used for the size you made in the example photos, anything helps!
This isn’t to throw shade on anyone who doesn’t, and also isn’t meant to call anyone out in particular, however I feel like it’s something that is so overlooked here on Ribblr, again due to the overall user base, but also the fact that it’s not listed as an option to fill out in Ribbuild when adding a pattern here.
Where I do made to measure, I don’t have yarn amounts for sizes since it varies by a lot and any weight yarn can be used. I do put roughly the amount I used for the weight yarn and size I used. This is a little helpful but I made mine for a 2-4yo so it doesn’t give a great estimate for adult sizes. I do ask my testers to provide an estimate for their sizes but most don’t.
Also, I only have 3 tops and about 100 patterns so I am not surprised you didn’t see them. This is where I wish we could make sections in our shops so you could find things more easily.
I’m wondering if you could utilize the tags and tag them as #wearables so others can click that when they go into your shop? Not 100% sure how the tags in shops work, but it might be worth looking into!
I honestly did not know about the # thing. Apparently it puts your most used #s at the top. If I added #wearables to all of my headbands, tops, and skirts, you’d be able to narrow your search
) wear a majority of the clothing posted. I have an abundance of gems I can’t use because these are what’s offered and even the freebies are these types so I’ve stopped claiming them.
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Most cropped patterns can easily be made full length or even oversized!
