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Why Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns are Expensive

Jill Wolcott Knits patterns are expensive relative to those available from most other designers. I’ve written about this before; it just isn’t possible for my business to offer my patterns at lower prices.  If price is a concern to you, please subscribe to my newsletter, where I often offer special prices to my subscribers at the launch (or re-launch) of a pattern.
Patterns are Expensive: Naples worstedL’Oreal has, since 1973, used the phase “Because I’m Worth It” to market their products. Most of us take that as a given — and that we are worth certain expenses.  Individual budgets impact where we stretch to allow for those  “because I’m worth it” purchases.

The Perception that Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns are Expensive

I frequently get queries, mostly on Ravelry, but sometimes via email, asking if I’ve made a mistake on my pattern price because my patterns are expensive.
Accessory Patterns
For accessories the price usually ends up being around $1 per page.  Most of my accessory patterns are 8 to 10 pages.  After 10 pages, the price goes up.  Likewise if there is more than one project in the pattern, it will be priced at $10, $12, or even $15.
Patterns are Expensive: Naples bulkyAs I am writing this, I am doing final edits on a pattern for an accessory that will end up being 26 pages long.  There are two styles of collars/cowls, in four different gauges.  There are schematics for each style, and each style has five sizes, written instructions, charts throughout, and commentary to help you get the most of the instructions. I knitted two of the samples, and two were knitted by Handiworks, Ltd. who does most of my sample knitting. I will likely price this one at $15.
The price of the pattern covers only a fraction of the costs involved in a well-presented and well-written pattern. I empathize that my price point may seem unworkable for many of you and that my patterns seem expensive but I need to price them fairly.  What other designers choose to do is not my business.

Pattern Inputs

As a pattern purchaser you may not be able to fully imagine the amount of work that goes into a Jill Wolcott Knits pattern.Patterns are Expensive: chart

      • schematics,
      • charts,
      • written instructions,
      • shaping instructions,
      • shaping charts,
      • hyperlinks to techniques,
      • hyperlinks to other part of the pattern,
      • larger format charts and schematics when needed, plus
      • a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Hard Costs in Pattern

A pattern can take anywhere from 8 hours to 100 hours of of my time.  In addition to my time, I pay contractors.

  1. tech editor (at $50/hour) to comb over each page, often more than once,
  2. sample knitter,
  3. administrative assistant (often in support of the pattern itself),
  4. bookkeeping assistant, and
  5. photographer or photo editor.

Patterns are Expensive: this is a processIn order to do my job I have purchased computers, printers, cameras, tripods, dress forms, irons, and I need supplies.

  1. paper,
  2. ink,
  3. pens and pencils,
  4. other office supplies, as well as
  5. knitting needles and notions,
  6. buttons and other closures,
  7. ribbons, fabric, and other finishing materials.

I am fortunate to be supplied the yarn by yarn companies.

 

Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns May Not Be Expensive

Garment Patterns

My patterns are generally over 20 pages long, including written instructions and charts, as well as shaping chart, charts and instructions for right and left sides, complete instructions for finishing your project, and often instructions for making an embellishment or other add-on.  My garment patterns are generally sold at $18 to $20.  I just opened a pattern in line to be updated with new yarn, and the pattern is 98 pages long (see photo at end) and it is priced at $20!  So that makes it a very inexpensive pattern.  My patterns are not inordinately difficult, but I have spent hours considering each step, making sure the instructions are clear, and giving you the guidance I would want to get in a pattern.Patterns are Expensive: considering the details (paper stitches)

Having What You Need In a Pattern

When I sit down to work from one of my published patterns, I am often struck at how pleasant it is to just follow along and watch the piece or pieces unfold.  That said, I can always find ways and things that need improvement, so I update whenever I find something that I feels should be changed.  Every pattern that I revisit gets updated language, layout upgrades, new charts if needed, additional schematics, and added clarity.

What Else Goes Into Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns

I have education focused on being a designer.  I went to technical school in pattern making and garment construction.  Following that I went to university to acquire degrees in fashion design and fashion product development.  I have been designing hand knits since 1994. In 2000 I began to teach college and master-level classes in design and product development, which I did until 2016. I teach classes in grading to other designers. Read more in my CV or here.

Jill Wolcott Knits Patterns

Again, I understand that my patterns are expensive from a price-comparison standpoint, but you could think about how much of your time is spent knitting a project. I strive to make the pattern part of it supportive. Generally speaking, the pattern costs about $1 an hour of knitting, or less. Often when the price is being questioned, the writer speaks about poor quality of past purchases. It is an unfair equivalent.

When you buy a Jill Wolcott Knits pattern, you will get all future updates, which often include added sizes or instructions for using different weights of yarn.
You have every right to spend your money where you think it will give you the value you need, but if you fairly consider the value in a Jill Wolcott Knits pattern, it may not be expensive at all!  Double click on the photo to read the text.
JillWhat a 98-page cardigan pattern looks like for Patterns are Expensive