Q. I own a yarn shop and would love to offer Knitty patterns to my customers. What can I do?
A. Every Knitty reader, including LYS owners, is permitted to print a single copy of any Knitty pattern for their own personal use. Although your shop is clearly not your home, by exposing your customers to Knitty patterns, everyone benefits.

Under no circumstances is it okay for you to offer your customers a copy of any Knitty pattern or article. Even though your intentions are innocent, this would be a violation of copyright and will hurt our designers. I know you don't want to do that.

So here is what we suggest:

1. print out ONE copy of any pattern you wish to feature in your store.

2. put it in a binder or plastic sleeve and make it available for viewing by your customers.

3. if your customer wishes to have their own copy of the Knitty pattern, please direct them to the Knitty website so they may print their own.

To make it easier for everyone, we've created an 8 1/2 x 11" flyer. Simply download the PDF file, print it and cut up the little mini-flyers for your customers' convenience. To make it even easier for your customer to find the specific pattern they're interested in, you could write the name of the pattern and the URL of the pattern page on the back of the flyer.

4. feel good, knowing you've helped designers continue to offer their patterns free to readers on Knitty.

Do you want to teach a course based on a Knitty pattern or article?
Please write directly to the designer/author with your request. You'll find each designer or author's e-mail address at the bottom of their page.

Do you want to sell kits of a Knitty pattern?
In order for you to use the picture(s) that accompany each pattern, whether in print or on your website, you must obtain the designer's permission. You'll find each designer or author's e-mail address at the bottom of their pattern page so that you can contact them. If permission is granted by the designer, please add "photo(s) used with the permission of Designer Name".

You may not print a copy of the Knitty pattern and include it with your kit. Instead, simply include the Knitty pattern's URL (see note 3 above, if you'd like to use our handy flyer for this purpose) so that the purchaser can download a copy for themselves, and abide by copyright law.

We have been informed that some yarn shops are actually selling Knitty patterns. This is clearly a violation of copyright and should we learn of such violations, we will inform the designer so that they may exercise their legal rights.

Knitty is a popular resource for your customers and from the feedback we're hearing, is helping to build interest in knitting worldwide. This, in turn, helps build your business.

By protecting the hard work of the designers and authors who contribute to Knitty, you are also helping to ensure that Knitty can continue for a long time to come. It's good for us all.

We thank you for your help and your respect of copyright law.