Why am I doing this...

Sometimes I sit there, knitting away, and ask myself: "Why am I putting myself through this?"

Why do I post videos, explain step-by-step instructions, test products, and share every little experience with you?

It's simple: because I love being creative and because I want to make a living from it.

You know how it is: I regularly test products from big yarn and needle manufacturers. They often send me packages full of yarn, new needles, accessories (of course, I buy a lot myself too), sometimes even really chic collections. Sounds like a dream, right? It is... a little. But let's be honest: For manufacturers, it's mainly risk-free marketing. A yarn package is just an expense for them, and in most cases, it's even tax-deductible.

For us designers, it looks quite different: As soon as we receive yarn or materials for free, we have to declare the value as income for tax purposes. This means we pay taxes on these "free products" even though we don't get any money for them. A yarn package that costs the manufacturer only a few euros can therefore be a significant burden for us, in terms of time, creativity, and finances. We provide content, photos, videos, instructions, and attention, but the reality is that you can't live on free yarn alone, especially since it still costs something in the end.

A few days ago, an Instagram post by @kuematutorials got me thinking. It addresses exactly this problem: Big manufacturers benefit from our work but pay nothing for it. It's great that we can use the products, but we provide all the work, time, and creativity, while the manufacturers mostly only cover the cost of materials. That's not fair, and I say it openly.

>> to @kuematutorials' post >>

Another point that constantly astounds me: Many of these "cooperation partners" don't even share our posts, videos, or tutorials on their own channels. Everything we spend hours creating—photos, videos, tutorials... it's all supposed to promote their products. Instead, often… absolutely nothing happens. No reposts, no mentions, no leveraging their reach. We would have the chance to gain new customers for our patterns, but we post, share, create content, give our all… and the manufacturers?

But it doesn't stop there. Designers don't just fight against unfair manufacturers. Among themselves, it can sometimes be really tough. I've experienced public accusations of "stealing" designs. Entire communities have been mobilized to launch campaigns against other designers. Sometimes, it's the lowest of the low. It's sad, frustrating, and draining on motivation when creative work is instrumentalized in such a way.

 

When cooperation suddenly means "ceding all rights"

And then there are those very special "cooperation requests" that really make you wonder if some people even know what fair collaboration means. It actually happened to me that a yarn supplier wanted me to design a complete pattern for them, including the transfer of all rights, without me being allowed to sell it myself. And all this without any written agreement on what the remuneration would look like. Just some vague, telephone statements that felt like "we'll see," meaning absolutely nothing you could rely on.

Even my friend, who is a lawyer, said: "HANDS OFF. And stay far away."

When I then politely but firmly asked for something in writing, as one does before investing hours, days, weeks of work, I was attacked in the worst possible way. Comments like:

• "What do you even want?"
• "You only have a few thousand followers."
• "You should be glad we want to work with you."
• "Unbelievable, we've never had so many problems with anyone."

And honestly: If that's the tone with which designers are met, it shows exactly where the problem lies. Respect, fairness, and clear agreements should be a given. No matter how big or small the reach. Period.

 

The small, fine collaborations

Of course, it's not just the big manufacturers where you sometimes feel like you're giving everything and getting nothing back. Especially in the yarn sector, I also have small manufacturers and brands with whom I maintain an almost friendly relationship. For these collaborations, I do things with a heartfelt pleasure.

Here, the chemistry is simply right: We exchange ideas, I get to test their products, they listen to feedback, and sometimes truly creative projects emerge that bring joy to both sides. In such collaborations, it's a give and take that feels really good, and it shows me how beautiful the knitting and crocheting world can be when people work with each other instead of against each other.

It is precisely this mix of challenge, commitment, and joy that makes my work so unique: The big manufacturers who don't pull their weight, the industry that is sometimes tough, and the small, fine collaborations that show me why I love this job.

 

Affiliate links Amazon Influencer Program: how it works (and why I'm doing it now)

I recently signed up for the Amazon Influencer Program.

And yes, I know some of you are immediately thinking, "Hasn't she made enough money already?" The honest answer: No.

Not when you consider how many hours go into every video, every image, every pattern, every review, and how little the big manufacturers are willing to pay for it. I don't want to constantly demand higher prices or bombard you with even more advertising. Instead, I looked for a way for you to support me without having to pay anything extra.

And that's where affiliate links come in, and basically, it's very simple:

• When you click on one of my Amazon links, Amazon sets a small cookie.
• This cookie remains active for 24 hours.
• Everything you buy within these 24 hours, truly everything, whether it's yarn, detergent, a phone case, or cat food, counts for me.
• And no: You do not have to buy the product you originally clicked on.
• For you, the price remains exactly the same.
• I merely receive a tiny commission from Amazon.

For you, it's one click; for me, it's the opportunity to continue making videos, writing patterns, testing materials, and providing you with creative ideas, without you having to pay more or me having to charge higher prices. Isn't that brilliant?