RavelryReviews 510

I've been a member since 2007, and I have honestly not ONCE come across a better knitting resource. From the pattern database, the interface to purchase patterns, the ability to create stashes, showcase finished products? It's all amazing.

Now, the staff... I cannot speak highly enough. The small group of people keeping this shining gem of a website going are truly incomparable. They are inclusive, welcome, loving, and truly outstanding human beings. That they take the time to make sure that the environment is not filled with hatred and cruelty is just another testament to their character.

I joined Ravelry in their beginning years when they were all about the fiber arts and enjoyed my years of fellowship with others who were like-minded. They evolved into a hate mongering, trolling site that excluded anyone who did not agree with the politics of the left. That kind of behavior started several years ago-not just in recent months! I've removed my account and I'm glad I no longer belong to such a hate filled, narrow minded group!

Ravelry is an amazing site for fiber artists (knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving etc.). It has an encyclopedic database of patterns, yarns, and projects allowing you to scope out your next project, and find out if the pattern does what it says it does, needs a specific yarn, or looks really cool with a new modification. They have a unique community structure that allows people to form their own little sub-communities to connect with folks, and I have met some of the most lovely supportive people this way. There was a time I would have lost Everything I owned, if not for a generous member I met through Ravelry offering to hold my things while I was homeless.
The site designers have always been huge on inclusivity and making people feel welcome, and have lately taken a stance on mentions of Trump reflecting that. Overall they have had a hands-off policy with very few overarching limits, but they feel, and I agree, that this was necessary to maintain the safe community they have built. Sadly, they're dealing with some insane backlash.

TLDR: Ravelry is literally the best social network I have ever interacted with, in terms of User Interface, Community, and Functionality--AND it has a phenomenal database to boot!

Ravelry has incredible resources for materials, tools, and patterns. You can search several different ways to help find new projects. You can track your own supplies. Search for patterns using your yarn. Track your in-progress and complete projects. It's an organizer's dream.

There are also discussion fora. Many discuss fiber arts. You can get assistance from experienced knitters. Meet fellow enthusiasts of different techniques. The depth of expertise that the site can bring together is amazing.

Other fora are purely social. In some of those, there have been political discussions. As the fiber arts world has been discussing inclusion and (unintentional?) exclusion, the owners decided to make the space as welcoming for as many as possible. In their opinion, support of the Trump administration was support for its racist, nationalist, and sexist policies. They elected not to host support of the current administration on their site. They didn't ban anyone. They elected not to host language they determined was bigotry.

Use of fora is not mandatory to use Ravelry. I support their decision to exclude racism, sexism, etc. The 1-star reviews are not based on the site itself.

I've used Ravelry for years and find it the most comprehensive site for fiber arts with an incredible treasure trove of patterns and a great community. In addition, the site is one of the best around in terms of usability.

I've enjoyed using Ravelry for several years, but was shocked in late June when the company banned Trump supporters, has deleted several patterns that I consider pro-American and pro-faith, and reportedly has shut down conservative discussion forums. Yet F-bomb patterns, Obama support and $#*! hats are readily available. I'm not interested in profanity and political statements in my crafting, and if I'm not going to champion LGBTQ, apparently I am no longer welcome in Ravelry. So be it. There are many options for patterns and yarn out there.

I joined this craft site to learn to knit probably 3 years ago, they came out with a policy that said if we support our President we are white supremists. They ban anything CHRISTIAN but allow vulgar trump products. They said we can stay if we remain silent. I posted a photo of there policy, don't take my word for it read it. I live in America, not North Korea.

Do not use ravelry if you are anything other than a BIPOC, and/or LGBTQ+, and/or a leftist sjw and/or a white savior.
Their policies are hypocritical and discriminatory. In the same breath, they ban all hate speech while defaming more than half the American population as supporters white supremacy.
They ban patterns that say things like "god is love" while allowing patterns that say "f*** trump." They flag pictures of Betsy Ross sewing a flag as hate speech while allowing pictures of Kathy Griffin holding a bloody, severed head effigy of the sitting president.
Not only is their policy unfair and hypocritical, questioning the fairness of the policy has become "against the policy." I made it clear that I do not support the current president while questioning why they wouldn't ban all politics instead of silencing the people with differing opinions. I was restricted from posting, commenting or messaging for 120 days. For suggesting that the site go politics free. Nothing pro-trump. Nothing bigoted, racist, sexist, ableist, etc.

All of this, while they continue to operate with an all-white cis-gendered team.

Instead of creating a safe space for all, they have created a hostile, fearful, treacherous environment where one wrong word will put you on the receiving end of a gag order.

If bigotry, mediocrity, virtue signaling, censorship, cancel culture, created outrage, fascism and hatred are your thing, Ravelry is for you.
Otherwise, stay far far away.

Not a site for knitting and other needlecrafts as it purports, Rather, it's main, albeit unstated, purpose is to host and support far-left ideology and viciously attack anyone doesn't lockstep with them. I was a founding member, left for several years, rejoined, and recently left again voluntarily due to the owners's prejudicial and horrific "rules" for the site,

Ravelry is a necessary resource for any knitter or crocheter. Information about every yarn and pattern in existence is listed and cross referenced with users' projects, stash, and library.
An independent designer can sell their patterns through Ravelry with the site taking only a tiny percentage, and only when the designer makes a certain $ amt in sales in that particular month.
There is also an extensive list of social groups one may or may not join, many based on other hobbies & interests, or offered by local yarn shops and other industry groups, to keep one in the loop and to offer a platform for respectful discussion. The owners are doing an excellent job of curbing hate speech against marginalized folks to make Ravelry's message boards a more pleasant space for all.