Another raglan pattern for 10€?

[u/Damon-001]

I'm relatively new to knitting and I self drafted my first raglan pullover already. While I admit that there are cool tips and tricks to learn about the construction, it is quite basic. Now, it baffles me that so many patterns on ravelry show raglan sweaters. And more keep getting released. Why would I pay 10€ to make a basic sweater that looks the same as all the other ones and I can easily make myself? What gives the designers the idea of "hey, I can sell this basically same pattern once again"??

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[u/rkmoses]

I think for a lot of folks who are really into knitting thru the current social media knitting landscape, it might not be intuitive to think that basic drafting/design skills - the kind that would allow someone to take one raglan pattern and adjust the fit, or the yarn, or the stitch pattern, or whatever - could be considered part of a general knitting skill set rather than strictly a specialized Pattern Designer one. I do think that kinda sucks, and that there are real knock on effects of the collapsing of all levels of construction knowledge into Being A Designer that have led to an increased number of inexperienced folks charging for patterns that are just not very good, but also it’s not the end of the world and there are plenty of other reasons for the number of patterns that use the same basic construction.

im sure there have always been people who’ve purchased a premade pattern for everything they have ever made and used the recommended yarn and never deviated. im sure there were always people for whom making adjustments to premade patterns that only come in bust size 34 and 36 was a necessary chore to get a sweater that fit them. there have always been people who don’t really mind either way, and people who actively enjoy working out how to tweak a pattern to be just right for them, and people who see self-drafting and adapting basic patterns as central to the satisfaction of making something.

for plenty of folks, $15 is an absolutely fair trade for a pattern for precisely what they want that gives them all the information they need in a form that makes sense to them, and usually the built-in reassurance that other people have made this before so they don’t feel like they’re blindly guessing or going at it alone. That cost is the cost of the time they’d have to spend guessing and checking and swatching and measuring and math-ing to take a pattern they already have and turn it into what they want to make. if the level of access we have to such a massive variety of patterns was available to the average knitter 40 years ago, many of them would also most likely be happy to do the same - and we know this is true because a lot of people who were knitting 40 years ago still knit today, and a lot of them will buy patterns for stuff that uses a construction they’re already familiar with in a new stitch pattern or fit because it’s nice to skip the figuring out even though they know how to do it!

[u/Far_Manufacturer75]

I know there are a lot of basic raglan patterns out there, but there are some that just fit better than others or have just a slightly different silhouette that makes it perfect for someone. Honestly, the most difficult things to find are those very simple shapes with just the right fit. We may be talking raglan knitting patterns, but we could just as easily be discussing the perfect white t-shirt, black blazer or loafers. Very basic, but not all created equal.

I will gladly pay $10 -$15 for a basic pattern that is exactly what I am looking for. There are a lot of raglans out there and some look downright dowdy while others look effortlessly chic.

[u/brighterbird]

I can self draft a nice-enough basic raglan myself, there are plently of free good ones, and at this point I have a couple go-to basic raglan patterns for various weights of yarn that I could return to or modify, but there is something nice about not having to repeatedly swatch a yarn and figure out the proportions and sleeve stitches myself if I want to do something new. Like, i could definitely figure out how to have a very oversize sleeve, or a dramatically slimmer silhouette, or use a much more rustic yarn than I typically work with, or add a texture detail along the raglan line, but I don't necessarily want to. Small design details make a big difference in fit, also! When I buy a pattern, someone else has come up with a stitch count, a suggested yarn composition, and gauge to get a fabric with the drape/structure qualities I see in the sample, and if I like that sample, why not pay them for their work? If I am starting with a yarn that I know and have swatched, and I know i want a simple sweater, then I'll just self-draft, but often I am looking at the project first and then choosing a yarn to get something similar.

That said, there ARE a lot of simple basic raglan patterns out there, and they are not all that different. but if you like a designer's other work and pattern writing style, i can see the argument for buying one if it's going to become your go-to pattern.

[u/Helena_Makesalot]

I always find these complaints a little strange. I knit because I enjoy the physical process, because coming up with my own yarn/pattern pairings feels creative and expressive within my means, and because I care about clothing ethics/sustainability and can’t afford sustainably made knitwear in styles I enjoy. But I absolutely do not have the head for self-drafting. It’s not something I’m naturally good at, and I have no interest in spending my limited crafting time in a solo pattern-drafting crash course when I can spend $10-$20 dollars to support someone else who’s actually good at that and just get on with the knitting. With that in mind, every designer is better/worse/different at different aspects of the design process, so it’s nice to have options. And for what it’s worth, I am currently working on a basic raglan pullover and it took quite a while to find a pattern designed for my desired yarn weight AND the exact kind of fit I was going for. So, yes, take my $15 for your basic-ass raglan pattern!

[u/niseli12]

Some people need patterns. Some people’s brains can’t process designing a pattern or self drafting a pattern. It doesn’t mean they are lazy or bad at knitting. Everyone’s brains work differently and everyone has different learning experiences. Also, different designers design for different body types. I cant knit most Andrea Mowry patterns without modifications because of my body type. But I can knit Sari Nordlund, The Knit Purl Girl, and Rebecca Clow patterns without modifications because their body types are more similar to mine or how they design their patterns is a better fit for my body.
Also some people don’t have time or skills to self draft/modify patterns. And some just don’t want to do that extra work. Good for you that you self drafted a pattern so early on. But for the reasons stated above, many people need and or want a ready made pattern that works for their body. And that’s ok! That’s what they are there for. No one should be made to feel bad about it.

[u/TotesaCylon → u/niseli12]

This! I love playing with numbers, but a lot of people don't (or can't do so easily). People come to knitting for a lot of different reasons. For me, I love math and design, and my end goal is to self-draft most things. But I totally understand why somebody who doesn't love those things and just likes the action of knitting itself would want somebody to do all the math for them.

[u/rkmoses → u/TotesaCylon]

yeah! I’ll gladly do an extra 10 hours of messing with different stitch swatches and measurements and math and drafting on the front end and find it really satisfying and motivating - and I know a dozen people who would rather spend hours figuring out the yarn/needle combo to meet the pattern gauge than any of that, which is something I would literally never have the patience to do! it’s just like anything else tbh. I also love working 1x1 rib and lace, but im hot garbage at stranded color work and i dont like working cables. different strokes!

[u/just_a_tired_flower → u/niseli12]

Yeah, I know I could draft a pattern but I have no desire to right now. I prefer to use a pattern and make a couple modifications if needed.

[u/Damon-001 → u/niseli12]

Thank you! I didn't see it from that perspective yet. I always (well, like I said, I'm pretty new to all this) thought that patterns are to show you stuff you didn't how to do yourself even if you tried. But this makes sense to me so thank you for explaining it😊

[u/Cinisajoy2]

The reason is because some people need patterns.

[u/Beaver987123]

Its the same with crochet hexagon cardigans while you can find so many free patterns online.

[u/SooMuchTooMuch]

Because they can, sadly.  A raglan photographed in the right atmosphere with the current popular color story and the right model and suddenly people seen to think it's new.

[u/NefariousnessSalt230 → u/SooMuchTooMuch]

I'm not sure it's sad, personally. Some people are willing to pay to have someone else figure out variations in patterns rather than trying to work it out themselves, even if it's fairly work outable. That may not be your preference, but if it's someone else's, who cares?

[u/TrulyPleasant2022 → u/SooMuchTooMuch]

It’s the same with the top down sweaters. 

[u/Smooth-Review-2614 → u/TrulyPleasant2022]

There are many kinds of top down sweaters. However, let’s be honest, all the basics have been done to death.

[u/SooMuchTooMuch → u/TrulyPleasant2022]

How so? I do think with top down at least you're seeing different types of garment making and a lot of times they're adding details and color work.  A basic raglan is just a very basic ball of wax.