Comments on Crochet Patterns

All the crochet patterns have ONLY good reviews, and I don’t really find that helpful. On the contrary, a little constructive criticism wouldn’t hurt—constantly positive reviews just don’t seem credible to me anymore. I’ve come across more than one pattern that had errors or was a bit unclear, and while I didn’t really want to give it one star less, I’m going to do it anyway, because I think that’s the whole point of a review.

Please don’t jump all over me for this—I’m just honestly expressing my opinion.

Marion

Hello Marion,

I can totally understand what you mean, but it always depends on the person writing the review. 

Of course designers are happy about a good review, but a review that says what perhaps wasn't entirely understandable, or when you asked the designer for help and didn't receive any, is worth much more to everyone.

We designers can grow from that, and other customers get opinions.

But it really isn't as if there are only 5-star reviews. 

As a designer, I always find it very unfortunate when people don't ask questions when something is unclear, but instead immediately leave a poor review.

I think mistakes can always creep in, but when they are discovered and fixed, everything is no longer so bad.

But unfortunately there are also very many customers who are satisfied but don't write a review. At least that's how I interpret it when someone buys the umpteenth pattern from me but never leaves a review. ;-D

Best wishes,
Birgit

Personally, I think a review should be seen first and foremost as a review—
not as a way to point out mistakes, comment on personal taste, or anything else.

If the pattern contains errors, it helps everyone much more to contact the author.
The author can then correct them—which in turn helps all customers (and the author).
You can then review, for example, the author’s response to that.

If you don’t like the design or the colors—just don’t leave a review at all. Aside from that, you simply shouldn’t buy the pattern in the first place. Many buyers give things a 2-star review and write: “The colors aren’t my thing”—how is that supposed to help customers?

Even 1- or 2-star reviews with comments like, “I haven’t tried it yet,” don’t help anyone.

Constructive criticism in a review comment is acceptable if the author has been contacted beforehand and hasn’t responded. THEN you can include something like that in the review.
Also, notes on whether the pattern is beginner-friendly, particularly brief, or detailed. Whether a crochet chart might have been better/prettier/more helpful, more or fewer detailed photos... etc.
All of this helps both the authors and the customers.

Personally, I’m always very open to constructive criticism when someone contacts me directly, and people who point out errors are usually thanked for it :-)

Good reviews are every author’s goal, because we all want satisfied customers. In that sense, positive reviews should certainly be the majority.
But criticism is just as important. However, it should be well-founded if it’s to be helpful. I’m annoyed by a 3-star rating with the comment “very good pattern.” I’d like to know why two stars were deducted.

And the review should focus on the pattern , not on matters of personal taste. After all, if I don’t like a model, I don’t have to buy it. On the other hand, comments on how clear the patterns are, whether the author’s assessment (for beginners or more advanced users) is accurate, whether the pictures are helpful, and similar points are very helpful. 

Thank you for your truly helpful responses. I agree with you in almost every case. Above all, it’s absurd to review something you haven’t tried.

I would never give a bad review because of a mistake. Mistakes or ambiguities can be worked out directly with the creator.

What frustrated me so much last night was this pattern I’m currently working on… where suddenly a finished little animal appears, and nowhere does it explain where exactly each part is supposed to go. Two pieces didn’t fit in this pattern, and then I got so annoyed—that’s why I wrote my post.

I would never intentionally harm anyone with a bad review. It’s not about personal taste or mistakes. It’s about how the pattern is presented. There are patterns that show the parts as they’re made and attached. I find that very helpful. It doesn’t have to be that explicit—even though that’s great—but my current pattern… well, I’m not going to let it bother me anymore. I’ll try to get it right using different hook sizes.

And thank you… your replies are really nice.

For me, the point of a review is to evaluate a pattern based on the following criteria:

• Clarity 
• Structure 
• Level of difficulty 

If applicable, one could also include communication with the author in the review.
I find it very helpful when people don’t just give stars but also provide a reason.
We authors do use this as guidance, and we’re not always happy with reviews like “I haven’t made it yet.” 

I agree with the previous commenters—you should rate the pattern to the best of your judgment. And if you had trouble following it or if steps were missing, then you should definitely mention that in the review section. There’s no need to sugarcoat things that aren’t true. That’s the only way it helps both sides.
Kind regards - Claudia

I agree with you—reviews shouldn’t mention that mistakes have slipped in, whether they’re formatting or spelling errors. It’s also annoying when, as already mentioned, you get 3 stars with the comment: “Haven’t started yet.” No matter what “problems” the buyer has with the pattern, they should contact the seller first. But I’ve also noticed the same annoyance in the comments: people are literally lashing out at each other in public. Neither of them did themselves any favors with that :-(
Also, the response to the reviews is really crap—I don’t even have half as many reviews as I have sales. :-(

ruthk:
“Comments on the clarity of the pattern, whether the author’s assessment (for beginners or more advanced users) is accurate, whether the pictures are helpful, and similar points.”


I feel the same way. You can certainly phrase criticism objectively. Before doing so, however, I would contact the author and explain the problem to them. I would give them the chance to revise the pattern.
I write patterns on my blog, and friends who’ve kindly taken a look at them have said more than once: “I’d rephrase that; it’s confusing.” I’m grateful for such feedback and am happy to rewrite a pattern.

Since we’re on the subject of patterns:
when I download free patterns from the internet, I always take the time to leave a “thank you” (if possible). Someone put in the work (and it is work!) and was kind enough to share it with others. Here, a “thank you” in the form of a review seems to be rather uncommon. At the moment, for example, over 400 users have downloaded a free pattern from me without taking the time to write a single review. I imagine others feel the same way I do.
I find that extremely rude.