Ravelry is a fantastic resource and forum for fiber artists! Here’s how to use it.
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Table of Contents
Getting Started with Ravelry
Creating a Ravelry Account
To use Ravelry, you’ll need to create an account. It’s simple and quick. All you need is a valid email address. When you go to the Ravelry homepage, click on “join now” to begin the account registration process. You’ll need to enter your email address, and they’ll send you an email with a link to set up your account.
Once you receive the email, click on the link they provide, and you’ll be taken to the account setup page. Here, you’ll choose a username and password for your account. Remember, your username can be as creative or as close to your real name as you’d like. If you plan to use Ravelry for your small crafting business, consider setting your username to match your Instagram account or Etsy shop.
Customize your profile! Put things like your social media links, website, or your favorite things to make.
Navigating the Different Sections
When you log in, you’ll be greeted with your personalized homepage. There are a few main sections to help you navigate around the site:
- My Notebook: This is where you can keep track of your projects, stash, and library. Under the projects tab, you can add details about all your ongoing and completed projects. The stash tab is where you can catalog your yarn collection, and the library tab helps you organize patterns and books you own or plan to purchase.
- Patterns: Here, you can search and browse through thousands of patterns available on Ravelry. Use the search bar or filters to narrow down your choices based on project type, yarn, and other factors.
- Yarns: Each yarn has its own page on Ravelry. You can search and discover yarns based on brand, fiber content, and other criteria. Plus, you can check out projects others have created with specific yarns.
Once you’re acquainted with the main sections, you can explore other helpful features such as designer profiles, forums, and groups to connect with the Ravelry community.
Finding Patterns and Yarns
Using the Pattern Browser
Exploring patterns on Ravelry is a breeze with the Pattern Browser. When I want to search for patterns, I head to the patterns tab where I can find a search box. By entering keywords and clicking “search,” I get a list of results that match my query.
If I need to narrow down my search further, I prefer using the advanced search option. For example, when looking for a sweater pattern, I can apply filters like crochet or knitting technique, yarn weight, or even skill level to find the perfect pattern for my needs. There’s also a helpful video on the Ravelry website with tips on using the advanced search.
Use The Yarn Database
If I need to find yarns, I can rely on the Yarn Database available on Ravelry. The database contains thousands of different yarns, which makes it easy for me to find the right yarn for my projects.
To search for yarns, I head to the yarns tab and use the search box to enter the type of yarn I’m looking for. I can also apply filters such as yarn weight, fiber content, or even search by brand. Once I have my search results, I can click on a specific yarn to view its details, including knitting and crochet gauge, yardage, and user reviews. This helps me make an informed decision when choosing the right yarn for my projects.
Ravelry’s Yarn Database helps me find local yarn stores that stock the yarn I’m interested in. By clicking on the “yarn shops” tab, I can view a list of stores based on my location, making it convenient to find the exact yarn I need for my next project.
Managing Your Projects
In this section, I will guide you through creating a new project, updating project status, and sharing your completed projects.
Creating a New Project
To start a new project, follow these steps:
- Click on My Notebook tab on the top navigation bar.
- Click the Add knitting or Add crochet button, depending on your craft.
- Fill in the pattern, yarn, and other relevant project information.
When creating a project, you can opt to categorize it within your Projects tab and link your project to an existing project in the Ravelry database if you used a pattern. This is helpful for keeping track of your work-in-progress (WIP) and started projects.
Updating Project Status
As you make progress on your projects, you can keep your project status updated on Ravelry. In your notebook:
- Navigate to the Projects tab.
- Click on the project you would like to update.
- Under the project image, click on edit project.
- Update the status, progress percentage, and add any notes as needed.
You can choose from various status options, such as in progress, hibernating, or completed. It is especially important to update your stash, notes, and WIP status to get the most benefit from Ravelry’s features.
Sharing Your Completed Projects
To showcase your completed project on Ravelry:
- Update the project status to Completed and add a final progress percentage of 100%.
- Upload high-quality pictures showing different angles and details of your project.
- Add informative notes about the pattern, yarn, or any modifications you made.
This way, you give fellow Ravelry users great insight into the project, inspiring them to try it out themselves. I always appreciate seeing other people’s experiences and results as it helps me plan and improve my own projects.
Exploring the Ravelry Community
Joining Groups
One of my favorite aspects of Ravelry is its community-centric approach, where people who share a passion for knitting, crochet, weaving, spinning, and other yarn crafts come together in various groups.
I find these groups to be helpful and inspirational, as they allow me to connect with people who have similar interests, learn new techniques, and share my own projects. To join a group, I search for topics or keywords that reflect my interests and request to join. Once I am part of a group, it’s easy for me to engage in discussions, share images, and take part in community events.
Finding Friends
Besides joining groups, I enjoy making new friends in Ravelry to further expand my connections within the yarn-crafting community. I can connect with people by browsing through existing groups or searching for others based on their hobbies and interests.
When I come across someone I’d like to be friends with, I can send them a friend request to add them to my Ravelry friend list. As friends, we can share our projects, favorite patterns, and exchange messages to keep each other motivated and inspired.
Interacting in Forums
Forums are a significant part of the Ravelry community, serving as an open space where friends and groups hold discussions on various yarn-crafting topics. As a participant, I love engaging in conversations with other crafters, asking questions about techniques or yarn types, and even providing feedback or encouragement on other members’ projects.
By being active in forums, I not only learn new insights in knitting, crochet, weaving, and spinning, but also contribute to the collective knowledge of the community.
Using Tools and Utilities
Using the Help Section
As I started my Ravelry journey, I found the Help section to be helpful. It contains a wealth of information, from basic tutorials to more advanced tips. I appreciated the Forums where I could ask questions and seek advice from other Ravelry members. The community is so friendly and always willing to help. New users should visit the Help section to maximize their platform experience.
Organizing with My Notebook
My favorite Ravelry tool is My Notebook, which helps me keep everything organized and accessible. It comprises several handy sections:
- Projects: I can list all my current and completed projects with their project details, such as pattern, thread, and photos.
- Stash: I can inventory my yarn stash, including brand, color, and weight, making it easy for me to find the perfect yarn in seconds.
- Queue: If I find a pattern I want to work on later, I can add it to my queue and prioritize my future projects.
- Favorites: Allows me to save patterns, yarns, and designers I love in one place to revisit later.
- Library: I store all my pattern PDFs and books in my library, so they’re always available.
By using My Notebook, I can stay organized and enjoy my crafting hobbies more efficiently, allowing me to focus on creativity.
Exploring Ravelry on Mobile Devices
While Ravelry doesn’t have a dedicated app, it’s still easy to use on my phone and tablet through a mobile-friendly website. The interface is user-friendly and suits small screens. This makes it convenient for me to browse patterns, update my projects, or add items to my queue on-the-go. I’ve found that mobile access is useful when I’m at a yarn store and want to reference my stash or search for patterns to purchase.
Buying and Selling on Ravelry
Purchasing Patterns
Ravelry is a fantastic platform for purchasing patterns. It offers a wide range of crochet and knitting designs from many talented designers worldwide.
Once you’ve signed up and logged in, you can search for patterns using the platform’s main search bar. Use keywords related to your desired project, such as “crochet scarf” or “knitted hat.” The search results will display various patterns available for purchase.
When you find a pattern you’d like to buy, click on the pattern page, and you’ll see all relevant details, such as the skill level, materials needed, and more. Look for the “Buy it now“ or “Add to cart“ button. Clicking either button will lead you to the payment process. Ravelry accepts a range of payment methods, ensuring a smooth and secure transaction.
Listing Your Designs for Sale
If you’re a designer and want to sell your crochet or knitting patterns on Ravelry, you can do so by following these steps:
- Add your pattern to the Ravelry pattern database. Hover over “My Notebook” and click on “Contributions.” Ensure that “A pattern that I designed (free or for sale)” is selected, and then click “do it.”
- Fill in all the required fields, such as pattern name, craft, yarn, and other essential details. It is important to provide clear and accurate information to potential buyers.
- Upload a high-quality, appealing image of your finished project. This image will act as the main thumbnail for your pattern and attract potential customers.
- Set a price for your pattern and choose your preferred payment method. Ravelry allows you to accept payments through PayPal, making the process simple and secure for both you and your buyers.
Once your pattern is approved and listed on Ravelry, it will become accessible to millions of users, increasing your visibility as a designer and helping you earn money from your creations. Remember to be friendly and responsive to customer inquiries, as excellent customer service is crucial for success in any online marketplace.
FAQ
How do I sign in to Ravelry?
Signing in to Ravelry is easy! Just visit the Ravelry homepage, and you’ll see a login section near the top right corner. Enter your username and password, then click “Log in.”
Where can I find my pattern library?
Your pattern library is a convenient place to store and access your purchased or downloaded patterns. After logging in to Ravelry, click on “my notebook” at the top of the page, then choose “library.” There, you’ll see your patterns organized and ready to use.
Is there a free Ravelry app?
While there isn’t an official Ravelry app, you can access Ravelry on your mobile device through your favorite web browser. The LoveCrafts Knitting app allows you to import your Ravelry patterns for convenience and easy access on the go.
How to access my downloads in Ravelry?
To access your downloaded patterns, log in to your Ravelry account and go to “my notebook.” Click on “library” and then choose the “downloads” tab. From there, you can view, download, and print your patterns as needed.
Where can I find the best free patterns?
Ravelry has a vast collection of free knitting and crochet patterns. To search for them, use the search bar at the top of the page and filter your results by selecting “free” under the availability section. Sorting your search results by “most popular” or “hot right now” can help you find in-demand and popular free patterns.
How to search for crochet and knitting patterns?
Searching for patterns on Ravelry is simple. Type a keyword in the search bar at the top of the page and press enter. You can then refine your search using filters such as pattern type, yarn weight, or difficulty. Ravelry’s search function allows you to discover exciting new projects to inspire your creativity!
