It’s been in my head for awhile now to update and revamp the layout for all the NexStitch patterns. With the last published patterns (Rhiannon Tote and Dandelion Neck Cuff), I had done some updating to the layout to eliminate the “intro” page and rework the materials page to include more product pictures and edit out some unnecessary graphics (a picture of a hook and the chosen yarn) that add to the workload when self-publishing. But more so than that, the amount of paper the written portion of my patterns take up has always weighed heavily on my conscious.
I’ve struggled to find a balance between providing enough instructional material while producing Earth-friendly patterns. I’ve often failed in the later department. My thinking has always been that I’m providing instructions in two ways: the step-by-step version with tutorial pictures and an easy-printing format that’s in black and white with no pictures; I’ve always guessed (read: hoped) that people would be like-minded in their thinking about being Earth-friendly and not print out the step-by-step version but rather view and refer to it on their computer if they get stuck. Who wants to spend all that money on ink and paper anyways?
All of which makes me wonder: If you purchase crochet patterns online, do you print out all or a portion of the directions provided?
So far I’ve managed to reduce the number of pages from 1 page for the smaller patterns to as many as 4 in the larger ones. I’m nowhere near done yet, but I’m happy to be saving some trees even if it’s a time suck on my end to make that happen.
I’m really happy to see print magazines like Crochet! magazine lean towards technology and open up online subscriptions. It’s inspiring, actually. I’m going to save my thoughts about the supposed or not so supposed death of print media in the crochet world for another post because I have more thoughts on that which are more germane to that topic than this, but just know I’m hoping to see Interweave move in the same direction. I love getting my Interweave Crochet magazine in the mail – there’s a sense of romanticism for that tangible moment when it hits my hands – but I’ll be amongst the first to applaud and sign up for the digital version.
How about you all? Would you stop buying the print editions of magazines if you could get your hands on the digital versions? No? How about if the online version gave you access to all previous editions? What if the digital version was cheaper? What would it take for you to bag print and move to digital?
I’m very curious about your thoughts!
I would go all digital in a second. I don’t think I’ve EVER printed a PDF pattern. I prefer digital versions over print versions because I feel like it’s easier to find and organize. Everything I need is on my computer (and, if it’s online, it’s on any computer.) I like the few books that I have especially those filled with stitch patterns or other references but I’d still rather have those patterns archived digitally.
I download the patterns I purchase and save them. If I’m going to use it shortly I will usually print the whole thing. I buy digital issues of Inside Crochet and print those patterns I’m interested in. I’ve bought copies of the mag on ebay because I like to see the actual magazine but that one is too expensive to subscribe to. Also I tend to print charts if they are offered as an online extra. Interweave does that for some of the magazine patterns.
Also I want to say that your website store is easy to use and your customer service is great. Thanks.
Pam
Agreed. I think the ability to search and organization play a part in my decision to prefer digital over print.
Thanks Pam!
I would… and do… buy the digital copy whenever possible. I do not need a paper copy of a magazine in front of me… for any reason. No extra incentive needed other than to save on the horrendous toll printing has on the environment.
Great question. Thanks for posting it!
talk to you soon…
Shannon
aka Shibaguyz
I have gone to digital subscriptions with both Wired and Mothering. Online, I have a file dedicated strictly for knitting and crochet patterns, I do not print them out – I have a split screen system set up with my laptop and on complicated patterns will make a spreadsheet where I can just mark off rows as I get to them.
Shannon, I go nuts with having to recycle stuff. They pick up recycling every other week here and between the crappy freebie local rag throw on my lawn to the newspaper style “stuffers” they put in my mailbox (not to mention normal mail), I have enough to put out. Printed magazines are not space conscious either and don’t help matters. I try to sell my old crochet magazines (and anything else I have) whenever possible to both avoid it going into a landfill and to make a little extra money. So I’d be happy to go digital whenever possible. To that end, I buy audiobooks instead of paperbacks and I download music instead of buying the actual CD.
Having worked in publishing most of my life, I’m partial to printed materials but for me, it all depends on the pattern. If it’s long, involved and keeping track of rows/stitches/whatever is necessary, I’ll print either the whole thing or just the ‘guts’ of the pattern if I don’t need all the info. I like to make notes on my patterns and keep them for later referral, especially if I’ve deviated from the pattern as written, which I often do.
If a pattern doesn’t require any involved shaping, say a rectangular wrap with an 8-row repeat that I’m going to make as-is, I find myself using the pattern on my phone.
As far as magazines, etc., I like the idea of the digital editions but I love printed magazines. If a digital version was significantly cheaper than a printed version, I’d probably go digital. I’d probably print out an entire copy anyway, though, as there’s no guarantee that the digital copy would always be accessible.
I would never stop buying magazines for the patterns or books, I do not buy anything on-line at all.
I rather have the paper, if a magazine went digital on me, I would just have to say forget it and go to the next paper magazine.
Love paper!
I do too, but I love the Earth even more.