Would Love Some Input
I am very happy about the website/knitting database called Ravelry. It is a place to learn, to look up good information about yarn, patterns, designers and the like. It is a community for those who choose to use it that way. It can be a notebook where one can keep records of items knit or in hibernation. It can be a place where one can look up other folks’ projects to see if one would like to knit the same pattern, or use the same yarn.
As a handknitting pattern designer, Ravelry has been very good for me. I get to meet people who use my patterns, promote new patterns, be inspired by what other folks are doing, stay connected with those who like my work.
When I am very lucky, I land a “featured pattern” advertisement. These air for 2 weeks at a time on the pattern page. Right now, my Topper-Down Hat pattern ad is being rotated with ads from other designers. The day I put up my Buttons and Beads Bowl pattern, I went to the Patterns page of Ravelry and saw both designs on the same web page for a while. This is because new patterns posted to Ravelry are pictured on the left side of the pattern page, most recent at the top.
I took a screengrab of the page that day. The image above shows both patterns on that page. (I cut off part of the screen so it would be clearer to see my images.)
Well, I just landed a slot for featured pattern for February 1-15. I want to show my Road-Tested Legwarmer pattern. The problem is, I have four pretty good photos of the design and I am torn about which one (I can only use one) to submit for that two-week period. I do have a gut favorite or two, but I would very much like your input. Can you tell me which one(s) you like and why?
Remember, the reason I do this is not to show off my good photos but to actually sell patterns. I don’t make a living from warm fuzzy feelings, at least not right away. So what I want to know is, if you were inclined to want to knit legwarmers, which of these photos might most inspire you to actually purchase the pattern?
Here is Option 1/View A:
Option 2/View B:
Option 3/View C:
Option 4/View A again:
So, what do you think? Which might be the most effective ad to inspire sales? I really would love to hear from you.
January 10th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I like version 2 the best. However, I feel like one designer comes out with a pattern and then everyone and his uncle jumps on the bandwagon and we are beseiged with variations of the pattern. Examples – how many market bags do we need? mittens? gloves? legwarmers? I usually will download one or two, then enough already. I am not saying it in a critical way just being pragmatic.
January 10th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
OK – here is very little help on my end :-)
I like #1 because it seems more sophisticated. But I thought #2 would appeal to the younger knitters since they are more apt to wear them. Though I thought that #4 was a nice mixture for both young and old.
I asked 14 year old daughter – she liked #3 because she thought the bright colors would entice the younger knitters (by the way younger to me means younger than me – 44)
Tessa who is 7 likes #3 as well.
See – we are no help – though I would tend to trend towards #3 because of my daughters. :-)
January 10th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I think 2 or 3, probably 2. I think the solid color and high heels turn me off of 1. I look at 4 and think your legs are warm but your feet must be freezing! I like the stripey yarn in 2 and 3 though. They look like something I’d actually make, and the shoes look like something I’d wear. I think 2 is a bit nicer visually because of the warmer background.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I think Option 3. I don’t like the legwarmers with heels in version 1. The same thing is true for bare feet in Option 4. I like the colors in Option 3 better than those in Option 2 but either one of those would be my choice.
January 10th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
i like option 4, i look’s cozy, and warm
they all look great , pick what your heart says, it’s always right!!!!!!!!!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
January 10th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Option 2. It looks the way I usually see legwarmers worn (with a boot or heavier shoe), the background is warmer and the colors go well with jeans/jean skirts. Also it is a sharper image on my monitor.
January 10th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
#1 and #4 :)
January 10th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
I like #4 because I can actually see the stitch pattern on the whole leg. With the others, while they are very pretty, I can’t see the details. I like to see details of what I am going to knit!
January 10th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Option 2. The picture looks like those legs and shoes have been road tested. It goes hand in hand with the name of the pattern. It’s rather edgy, and befits the Road Tested name. Love it!
January 10th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
As much as I personally like the color in #4, I think the colors in 2 or 3 grab your eye more.
January 10th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
NOt option 1 – it’s got an 80’s flashdance sort of vibe. The others are all nice – but I like #4 the best. I think the shorter version is more accessible to the majority.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:14 am
I like the snappy colours in #2, but I agree with another comment that I felt I could see the pattern better in #4.
Maybe your pattern description mentions that the length is adjustable for a knitter who needs more hand-holding?
January 11th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I like option 2 best. I like the variety of colors, also the shoes, it makes me think I could wear them with a wide variety of things.
My 2nd choice is option 4, it was close, I think that photo looks soft and cozy. Like I would wear them to lounge in.
Congrats, I love all of your patterns!! I envy your talent!
Vicki
January 11th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Speaking as a non-knitter — and, apparently, the only male here so far — I love the kicky shoes in the first ad, but I don’t think it’s the best one. And Diane is right, it does sort of have the Flashdance vibe.
I can’t picture a LynnH design without at least a couple colors in it so it has to be either 2 or 3. I’d vote for #3. The lighter background colors make the colorful legwarmers “pop out” a bit more. At least on my monitor, #2 looks a bit muddy.
January 12th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I like #4 the best, no contest. It’s stylish, professional, and you can see the pattern really well. The first 3 pictures really show off everything I DON’T like about legwarmers, while #4 actually makes me consider making some.
But you may want to try that pose with a different set of legwarmers and see how that looks. While I really like the green ones, I think that the people who are likely to knit/wear legwarmers might generally be attracted to something more colorful. On the other hand, I think that the pink/purple ones are so colorful that they would attract only a narrow segment of the population. So I might try the Noro ones to add a little more visual interest but not too much.
January 12th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I like #4 the best because the line of the calf is curvier and makes me think that the pattern may be able to fit me. I have large calves in proportion to the rest of my leg and the other poses make the legwarmers look as the only very slim legs will fit and/or look good in them.
Bizarre answer, I know
January 12th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I like #4 the best. Not sure why: maybe because it seems like it would appeal to more mainstream folks. Will the pic make people more likely to buy the pattern? I can’t speak to that, since I myself am unlikely to wear legwarmers or buy patterns for them because I’m generally too warm, not too cold. Finally, I prefer the colors in #2 and #3 to those in #1 and #4.
January 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
I am drawn to 1 & 4 (love the color) but I think you should use 3 or 2. They better reflect the scope of the pattern I think.
January 13th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I really like number four. It appeals to me because I know so many dancers. That is what the photo suggests to me.
January 14th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
#4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By far the most appealing, least “busy” & most professional of the lot. It would tempt me to make warmers and I have (ugly) tree-trunks for legs!
January 15th, 2009 at 12:13 am
Three. . I love the colors, love the look with boots. But then 4 is good because the colors don’t detract from the actual product. But since I can only choose 1, then Option 2.
However. ONe of the reasons I really like 4 is because, like Erin, I like seeing the actual pattern. And I wonder if 2 will discourage some people because it may make their legs seem heavier…. Three is more flattering to the leg.
Some help I am!