Is Making Things A Rival To Ravelry?

Making Things, billed as a new contender to Ravelry, launched on October 30th promising a 'clunk-free' alternative to pattern downloads. For a monthly fee, currently $11.99 (approximately £9.25), subscribers have unlimited access to a pattern library from independent designers and digital tools such as row highlighters to help the knitting process.

Vatsland jumper image courtesy
of Ella Gordon Designs

To gain full access to the website you need to subscribe, making it difficult to decide whether it's worth it or not. Unlike Netflix, which the site compares its subscription service to, there is no free trial on offer.

Scrolling down Making Things' patterns library I found some Ella Gordon sweaters I'd certainly be interested in knitting. The photographs of all the patterns are certainly high quality.

Users can search for a pattern if they already know what it's called, or alternatively can type in a designer's name. I tried a few well-known names such as Marie Wallin, Kate Davies and Karie Westermann, but it seems they aren't currently taking part. The search term 'fair isle' only produced one result, a hat from Vogue Knitting.

It's clearly early days for Making Things who are hoping to attract many more designers to their business.

So if the hook is unlimited pattern access, video tutorials (at the moment covering basic stitches such as knit two together and yarn over purlwise) and pattern support for subscribers, what's in it for the designers? Making Things says that their service has been developed with the input of over 500 knitters, crotcheters and designers. receive. Half the subscription fee goes to the website with the other half to designers, but it's not clear how Making Things will differentiate between a pattern users have browsed and ones they've knitted up.

Is it worth subscribing?

In my opinion, if you enjoy browsing designs, are looking for new patterns to knit and are happy reading patterns on a screen (patterns aren't downloadable) then it's worth a go for a month.

At the moment. however, I've decided I won't subscribe. This is for three reasons:

1. I have lots of patterns I've already paid for that I want to knit.
2. Making Things is new and as yet can't compare with the choice on Ravelry.
3. I prefer printed patterns I can scribble on rather than reading a pattern on a screen.

It's certainly worth keeping an eye on Making Things though to see how it develops.

What's your opinion on Making Things? Have your say in the comments box below or on A Woolly Yarn's Facebook page.