Crochet Drama: mass producing someone else’s design

Ashley has put out a response video here: https://youtu.be/fR1qLp13NUk?si=DLNL4gknssteWVzK

I think the big point here is she took someone elses pattern and is mass producing the final product and didn't 👏🏻 ask 👏🏻 permission 👏🏻. Clearly I'm not the only one mind blown by this. I plan on releasing my very first pattern next month and it looks like I'll be adding this disclaimer to it as well. Thank you for bringing this topic and conversation up! Seems like it genuinley needs to be addressed. Also, you're so adorable, and the snake turned out so cute!

I couldn’t agree more with everything you said. It’s ironic that she won’t share the manufacturer because it’s copying but piggybacking off the hard work of a designer isn’t? As a crocheter and pattern designer this is just wrong! Thanks for shedding some light on this topic and starting such an important conversation - you’re amazing! 🩷

Yeah it was dirty, when I watched her video I assumed it was her pattern as she called it her duck. I subscribed and went to look for the pattern, when I saw it was not hers I immediately unsubscribed. The fact she protects her own efforts finding a manufacturer, yet has zero guilt on what she did blows my mind.

I applaud you for calling her out. If it is not legally wrong it is morally and ethically wrong.

I saw the video when she released it and I automatically thought she must be the designer, cause only the designer would mass-produce....so I thought. I totally agree with what you are saying. Thank you for making this video and bringing awareness to this issue.

I primarily crochet flowers, and I make it a point to not sell patterns to my designs anymore in order to avoid this type of scenario. Even without a pattern, I've had lots of copycats and even found my designs on Temu. It's extremely discouraging when you're trying to stand out in a space where copying seems to be almost 'acceptable' somehow. Loved the video!!

ashley updated her post. she said she always gives credit to the designer which is a lie havent seen her mention the orginal designer once. she continues to say she reached out to the creator to try to make things right. i hope the creator doesnt work with her because she was told before about this and completly ignored it til this video was made and brought attention to it. good for you! she was so wrong to do this

she's probably deleted the negative comments!

Bringing to light some very controversial subjects is important as the crochet community needs to stick together and be reminded that the art of crochet isn’t something to harm, take away from. Not only does manufacturing a plush take away from the crochet market makers but taking someone else’s design is a no no

Glad I wasn’t the only one who felt this was wrong. As a crocheter, I don’t like the mass producers overseas because they tend to be unethical work environments. As a pattern designer, patterns take a lot of time and effort to make, and people deserve the recognition. As a consumer, I’m much more likely to buy a crochet plushie than a manufactured one.

It's complicated from legal point of view. The designer does not have a patent for the design itself. She has a copyright for the written pattern and her own pictures only. If someone uses her design to make a toy and then takes a picture and manufactures the toy, she is not breaking any law. However, it's highly unethical. To get an image patented costs a lot. Big companies like Disney have it. That's why it's illegal to replicate their designs. It's a bitter truth

This isn't about CREDITING the designer. This is theft

As usual, you are a great speaker Quinn! And, you obviously did your homework and even asked the creator. Great job and agree!

I feel like this duck is such a well-known pattern and I’m so surprised she thought this would be okay. Thanks for making this video!

Thank you for protecting the creators! lately Tina from made with April also noticed that TEMU is selling crochet dragonfly based on her free pattern. It's so sad when stuff like this happens

A handcrafter cannot take significant business from a mogul like Disney, Sony, etc but they CAN take significant, and even tank, another small business by doing shady things like this

Thank you for defending the creator! Crochet items are special as they are handmade and take time, effort and hard work. For someone to steal a creators work and manufacture it takes away from what we do! So thank you for being amazing!!❤

woooow ! I was one of those people who actually commented on her video! :( I did think it was really strange that she would choose to mass produce it as a plushie because she couldn't keep up with the demands.. like isn't the whole point of selling crochet plushies is to actually CROCHET plushies!? That's half the fun of running the business is making the items yourself! I had no idea before watching your video that it wasn't her pattern! I too believe that she should've been wayyy more upfront about it not being her pattern. Thank you for taking the time to inform people about this. I hope that everyone watching will go and show Crocheted by EL some love on insta! She def deserves it! I know I will be! <3

I'm a designer and I would definitely not be okay with this. Makers can happily crochet my designs and sell them at markets, but manufacturing, that's a different story. Hope this isn't becoming a trend... 😬