Well hello there! If you've made it to this page, then you're probably interested in knitting my patterns and selling your pieces commercially. And if that's the case, then please, read on! Hopefully all of your questions will be answered (if not, you can always email me at ballstothewallsknits@gmail.com).
First and foremost, the obvious: please don't try to sell my patterns. I don't even do that, yo!
Secondly, and less obvious: if you're simply interested in selling finished pieces knit from my patterns, knock yourself out! Go to town! Have fun! Or, stated more clearly: you may knit my patterns and sell my pieces commercially, with my blessing. I would, however, prefer attribution for the pattern design. "Designed by Gretchen Tracy at Balls to the Walls Knits" or "Pattern can be found at www.ballstothewallsknits.com" or some version thereof works splendidly!
Thirdly, and even less obvious: if you're an Etsy seller and you've decided to produce my goods AND you're interested in advertising that fact right here on my website, shoot me an email. I would be happy to provide a link to your shop from the relevant pattern for a small advertising fee (I may even create a "Where to Buy" page if I get enough interest).
And finally: this information pertains to home-based sellers. If you're here sourcing knitwear design for the Gap, I'd rather you give me a job than poach my patterns!
Does this apply to charity knitting items?? I have acquired a knitting machine and wish to see if I can adapt some of your patterns for the knitting machine i.e. baby hats for the hospital. Please advise. tks and you have wonderful patterns and very through instructions. I have been hand knitting for 65 years so I recognize well written patterns. thanks again, lrz
ReplyDeleteHi there!
DeleteI realize I should update this to be more clear, but - if you're selling items in person (as in not on the internet), then my stance is: knock yourself out and don't worry about attribution! And if you're donating stuff, even better!!!! And if you're adapting patterns and THEN donating stuff you're especially legit! And kind! The babies thank you! :) (For the record, you might find other pattern designers who want to be more difficult about this kind of stuff, but I researched it quite a bit and anything you are knitting with your own material is yours, even if it's with someone else's pattern. It's even more yours if you've adapted said pattern.)
Thanks for being so generous with your talents. I do knit for a thrift shop that uses the $$ they make to support a cooling/warming center for the homeless. That shop also makes pieces available to the guests of the center.
DeleteWow, how cool that you use your talent that way! Happy knitting!!! :)
DeleteHi Gretchen,
ReplyDeleteI started knitting your hats 3 years ago, shortly after we lost my youngest son Javier, who was 32 yrs old, in a bike accident. He loved wearing a hat that I had knitted for him, so knitting made me feel close to him. My husband and I started the Helmets from Javi Foundation in his honor. The foundation gives out free bike helmets to children. We have given out more than 1200 bike helmets so far. I have been knitting hats for people who donate or help with our foundation as a thank you. If its ok with you, I would like to use some of your patterns in the hats that I give away. I will give your website credit for the pattern.
Know that knitting your hats has been my therapy and has been part of my healing process.
Ramona
It almost sounded like I was going to share your patterns. I am not going to give away your patterns, I meant that I will let people know where the hat design came from..
ReplyDeleteHi Ramona!
DeleteFirst off, I am very sorry to hear about your son. My husband is a big bicyclist, and I definitely worry about his safety. But I'm glad to hear about your foundation - it sounds like you were able to do something very positive despite your grief. :)
As far as your question is concerned, I would be delighted to have you give away hats knit from my patterns! And the attribution thing mostly applies if you're selling them on the internet (which obviously you're not). So please, feel free to knit and give away whatever you'd like! I am happy to have any affiliation with such a good cause. :)
Excuse me, I'd make your briar rose bag as a gift for a close friend (I never sold in my life), may I?
ReplyDeleteOf course you can - you can even sell them! :) The only thing I ask is that if you're selling online you include a link to the pattern - that's about it!!! Otherwise, you can knit as much and as many patterns for friends as you'd like! :)
DeleteYour patterns are well designed and your instructions are so very clearly presented. I too am an obsessive knitter and just beginning to dapple at little bit with designing especially hats and fingerless mitts. And I hope you are enjoying Switzerland. That is my heritage as both sets of my grandparents migrated to the US from
ReplyDeletethere. Such a beautiful country. Ginny Schuld, Hixton, WI.
Hi Ginny!
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you're enjoying my site, and that you're designing your own stuff too. It's rewarding, isn't it? :) Anyway, yes, we are doing very well in Switzerland. It's a beautiful country, and the kids love living here especially!!!
Hi, I have just discovered you and feel I will be spending a lot of time on your site. I am a straight needle knitter and have been trying to find patterns that are not done on circular and dpns but alas, I have given up and find I will have to learn. I can cope with the circular until it gets too small but dpns, these are my nightmare. Any handy hints or hacks from yourself or anyone reading this, ill be gratefully appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYeah, unfortunately for all the straight needle knitters out there, I think a lot of people prefer circulars. :) And I don't have any particularly great tips other than to start with larger-gauge projects and just practice! Although I will say that I have converted a lot of my circular hat patterns into flat knits by request - check the comments! :)
DeleteThanks for your generosity, I am currently knitting to disperse items through Birthright a Roman Catholic organization that puts their "money" where their mouth is and supports families with new young'uns through age 2 by GIVING clothing and diapers as well as other donated items to them.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good cause! :)
DeleteHi Gretchen,
ReplyDeleteI made the River Rush Slouch Hat as a gift and love it. My work is doing a charity auction and I'd like to auction a custom-made version of this hat (they choose the size and colour after winning, and then I knit it). I will use a photo of the hat I have already knit, but I was wondering if I could also use your photo of the grey hat in the auction item? It would give a good idea of different colour options.
Thanks!
Yes, please do! And thanks for asking. :)
Delete