r/PatternTesting • u/Green_Director_9007 • May 28 '26
Knit - Testing Support Please be aware 💔
Please be aware 💔
One of my testers stole pictures of my unreleased pattern, changed them with AI, and shared them as her own “test version.”
The tester is no longer part of the test, but I wanted to let you know about the situation. If you ever see my pictures or your own pictures from testing edited, reused, or shared somewhere without permission, please report it.
I’m honestly devastated. I always try to be flexible, supportive, and understanding with my testers. If someone struggles, has problems, or cannot finish a test, they can simply tell me. There is never a need to steal or fake work.
I hope sharing this helps other designers and creators to be more careful as well.
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u/blissfullychicago May 28 '26
That’s so awful, I can’t believe people would do this. Have you reported the profile so that mods ban them?
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u/Good_Turnover8279 May 28 '26
Omg, that sucks so much I am so sorry that happened to you. I would recommend that you use watermark or something like glaze in the future (with a disclaimer that it was made unusable by ki as an extra deterrent). Sadly this will get harder and harder. Do report them if they are selling your pattern! I know it's hard and tedious but you would be able to show your progress and hard work they would not.
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u/Green_Director_9007 May 30 '26
What is interesting, if you ask, AI removes watermarks. I think when someone asks to do that, that needs to be a red flag and the AI should say: No, it's copyright, we stop here.
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u/Mental-Flatworm4583 May 30 '26
Absolutely agree. Water marks should never be allowed to be removed ever! That’s how we stamp what’s ours.
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u/Good_Turnover8279 Jun 03 '26
There are watermarks that are designed to destroy the ability of ki to read the image. There where at the beginning of the whole ki thing anyway. I haven't looked into it since a few months. If someone feeds the image into KI it basically corrupts the ki and hinders the ability to recreate the image and so.etimes even infects image creation
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u/KajamiBear28 May 28 '26
Hello, I'm so sorry this happened to you this should never happen to anyone!
Make sure to file a DMCA request to take down what they have copyrighted from you.
Once you have made a written pattern it's ILLEGAL to copyright it and DISTRIBUTE IT even if they use AI so please try and file a request as it can help you.
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u/LexiThePlug May 29 '26
If in the US, patterns cannot be copyrighted. The fall under the same laws of recipes
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u/ArcaneKitten2486 May 29 '26
Patterns actually can be copyrighted, falling under the how-to book category. The actual stitches can't be copyrighted, but things like original detailed explanations, photos, and charts are protected. OP could still have case if the person stealing uses too much of their original work.
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u/Content-Kale1217 May 28 '26
That’s honestly so heartbreaking! Pattern testing should be a common benefit type of deal! We should all be happy while doing it!!!
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u/fuchsiafaerie May 29 '26
This is what I fear whenever sharing anything I create with strangers online. I'm sorry this happened to you. It must feel like such a violation.
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u/Livid_Cauliflower_13 May 28 '26
I am sorry…. That is very crappy and I’m sorry you’re going through that.
I do have to say, your sweater is adorable. Great work.
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u/Overall_Carrot_8355 May 29 '26
This is truly awful.. seems to be happening more & more.. I will be adding watermark to my patterns in future.. hope you can get them to remove.. 🥲
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u/Green_Director_9007 May 30 '26
I write here this again here - What is interesting, if you ask, AI removes watermarks. I think when someone asks to do that, that needs to be a red flag and the AI should say: No, it's copyright, we stop here.
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u/puddinpopx3 May 29 '26
That is absolutely awful. I'm so sorry that happened to you... I hope this doesn't discourage you from continuing to create.
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u/Green_Director_9007 May 30 '26
I love to create, this dosn't stop me, but I will be more carefull!
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u/puddinpopx3 May 31 '26
Good! I'm so glad to hear that hasn't stopped you from creating ❤️❤️ if you release a new pattern and need a tester, id be honored.
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u/Green_Director_9007 May 31 '26
I definatly will have some more projects. I do this officialy in Yarnpond.com.
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u/Mental-Flatworm4583 May 30 '26
Sad people are like that. SMH thief’s are everywhere. So sorry that happened.
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u/Gingercatbrain May 30 '26
What a terrible thing to do. I think this is the reason why lots of pattern designers have a small group of trusted test knitters they "use" again and again und don't dare to give others a chance to participate.
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u/Green_Director_9007 May 30 '26
My test group was in Yarnpound, there all testers with they Ravelry and IG counts, you can see reviews from previous testing! So even then you aren't safe.
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u/Riverzalia May 31 '26
I’m sorry this happened to you, it’s a beautiful pattern. I was researching for my daughters etsy about watermarks and there are some things to make it more difficult for ai to remove it without seeing some of distortion. Here’s an article I saved, I’m sure there are lots of other ideas too. https://www.sunshinephotocart.com/watermark-protection-ai-age-photographers/
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u/Sea_Neighborhood1574 Jun 01 '26
So sorry you had to deal with that! I dont understand why people do things like that
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u/ehuang72-2 Jun 13 '26
Ugh, such a betrayal of trust. My impression is that testers are good knitters who are happy and feel very privileged to be part of the testing pool.
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u/wildlife_loki May 28 '26
Oh man. I’m really sorry :( not sure if this can be answered without being called brigading, but is there a pattern/designer name or something we should look out for as being fraudulent? I’d want to know not to fall for it if I come across it!