Free online crochet patterns

by Victoria
(Connecticut)

 

I would like to know how to know which patterns you can crochet and sell so not to infringe on copyrighted material. I mean how do you know that you have used a crochet patter. You want to sell the item but you want know that you are not going to get in trouble.

I am clueless. I am a homebound person and love to crochet and selling what I crochet would be wonderful, but I do not want to get in trouble if I am selling a pattern
I am not supposed to.

Victoria

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Free online crochet patterns

Hi Victoria,

This is a very good question and something everyone should be aware of. Never sell a pattern you did not create yourself. If you use a pattern with the intention of selling the item you make up and without permission from the owner you could be sued. Do not sell any finished product made from a copyrighted pattern without first contacting the owner to request and receive permission to do so.

Knitting patterns online and off

This also applies to knitting patterns. Any pattern that is created by somebody else should have a statement about its use. If you are in doubt about the use of the patterns, than always check with the owner.

This means you cannot copy and sell or publish the pattern without permission from the owner. But it doesn’t always mean you can’t sell the products made from those patterns. I know this is what you are interested in. Remember the copyright applies to free and bought patterns, online and in books.

Patterns in the Public Domain

Vintage patterns that have passed into the public domain are no longer protected by copyright. After a pattern has passed into the public domain, you can do whatever you would like to do with it, you can copy it, sell it, make finished items from it and sell them if you choose.

Patterns prior to 1923 are in the Public Domain and are not copyrighted. Patterns from 1923 through to 1963 that are in the Public domain is in there because the copyright was not renewed.

I am not a lawyer so I am just explaining this in the simplest terms. You will find many patterns do have a statement either at the beginning or end, stating it can only be used for personal use.

If you are not allowed to sell the products made from a certain pattern you will usually find statement like this “This pattern is for personal use only.” Or “This pattern is for personal or charitable use only”

If you don’t see this on the pattern and you are still concerned with this than by all means contact the creator of the pattern. Usually you will find an email address or website address in the pattern. Remember, if in doubt, ask.

Hope this helps you.

Linda