Thoughts On Online E-mags
Yesterday I gave you the link to the latest issue of Twist Collective, Ennea Collective and KnitCircus and I hope you are able to find/make time to read them over the next little while. I think what I appreciate most about all 3 online magazines is that they offer genuinely interesting reading FREE, it isn't all hot air twaddle just to get you to look at their patterns. It's the one thing that keeps me holding my breath about Knitty. Their articles are really great and their patterns are free! Now I'm the first person to get in line for a free pattern, especially the caliber of patterns that Knitty offers, but I can't help wondering what's in it for the designers. Twist, Ennea and KnitCircus all pay their designers (I believe) on a per-purchase basis. The "collective" simply gives shoppers a large selection to choose from which encourages browsing and buying. It's wonderful exposure for new designers working at making a name for themselves. For example, the first Twist Collective pattern I ever purchased was from an up-and-comer named Ysolda Teague!
Ennea Collective is a much smaller enterprise and their patterns aren't so flashy or complex but I really enjoy reading their e-mag. I keep hoping they'll grow (and offer patterns I'd be happy to pay for) and not go the way of Spindlicity, Janelle Laidman's labour of loved that simply faded away. I was so disappointed! True, she channeled her tremendous talent into several very beautiful and successful (self-published no less!) sock books but Spindlicity was really special, catering to the hand spinning crowd, and even more niche than that, the spindling crowd! It was visually stunning to boot! Knitty has a lot to offer too and they rely on advertising revenues to keep their site on the net but I can't help but wonder how their pattern contributors are managing to keep their inspiration funded. I mean pattern designers need to eat too. Is designing "just a hobby"? And if it develops into "more" than just a hobby, how do they make the transition from giving away their time like it was nothing into charging for it? Fortunately for me I'm not a designer so I'll never have to struggle with a hard question like that but I'm sure some of them do and are. To me that's what's at the root of my "free is fine BUT..." question. How long will they be around and will they be able to keep up the quality and variety of patterns? And at whose expense? Hopefully not the designers! (If anyone knows more about this I'd love to hear it!)
So if you're wondering what I've done to stand behind my "designers deserve compensation" stance I actually purchased 2 patterns from Twist Collective! (good cover, eh?)
This is Hosta, a reversible 2 color knit scarf. I love the design even if I'm not fond of the teal/tan color combo. I think it would be an awesome set with the Meridian hat pattern I bought. There are more pictures of it on their site in an amazing alternate color scheme. The color work is pure genius! So mosey on over and let yourself be tempted! These e-mags are worthy of our support and it's how we'll keep them around for a long time to come! Cheers all!
Ennea Collective is a much smaller enterprise and their patterns aren't so flashy or complex but I really enjoy reading their e-mag. I keep hoping they'll grow (and offer patterns I'd be happy to pay for) and not go the way of Spindlicity, Janelle Laidman's labour of loved that simply faded away. I was so disappointed! True, she channeled her tremendous talent into several very beautiful and successful (self-published no less!) sock books but Spindlicity was really special, catering to the hand spinning crowd, and even more niche than that, the spindling crowd! It was visually stunning to boot! Knitty has a lot to offer too and they rely on advertising revenues to keep their site on the net but I can't help but wonder how their pattern contributors are managing to keep their inspiration funded. I mean pattern designers need to eat too. Is designing "just a hobby"? And if it develops into "more" than just a hobby, how do they make the transition from giving away their time like it was nothing into charging for it? Fortunately for me I'm not a designer so I'll never have to struggle with a hard question like that but I'm sure some of them do and are. To me that's what's at the root of my "free is fine BUT..." question. How long will they be around and will they be able to keep up the quality and variety of patterns? And at whose expense? Hopefully not the designers! (If anyone knows more about this I'd love to hear it!)
So if you're wondering what I've done to stand behind my "designers deserve compensation" stance I actually purchased 2 patterns from Twist Collective! (good cover, eh?)
This is Hosta, a reversible 2 color knit scarf. I love the design even if I'm not fond of the teal/tan color combo. I think it would be an awesome set with the Meridian hat pattern I bought. There are more pictures of it on their site in an amazing alternate color scheme. The color work is pure genius! So mosey on over and let yourself be tempted! These e-mags are worthy of our support and it's how we'll keep them around for a long time to come! Cheers all!
Posted by Gloria Patre at 9/1/2011 8:09 PM 
Categories: Musings
Tags: Hosta Scarf Meridian Hat Twist Collective patterns
Categories: Musings
Tags: Hosta Scarf Meridian Hat Twist Collective patterns
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