Imagine my surprise to receive an email from the creator of lalylala crochet patterns. Lydia lives and works in Germany. She is extremely talented. I love her designs. It was her crochet characters that inspired me to create my first Bobo Bunny and pattern.
After making a few bunnies and perfecting my pattern, I decided to try making a bear. I copied the look of "Bina the Bear" because it is so cute. Without purchasing or seeing Lydia's patterns, I simply created a new pattern for a similar looking bear.
I was pleased with my Boo Bear and eager to share, not thinking this pattern would cause problems for a crochet designer in Germany.
I remembered my children loved watching Teletubbies when they were toddlers, so my next few crochet critters were made to be similarly short and chubby. I created a few chubby crochet critters: Freddy Frog, Lucy Lamb, Crochet Kitty, Ellie Elephant, Green Goblin Baby and Sunflower Doll.
My next and final crochet critter was Reddy Fox. Our daughter shared photos of a fox's futile attempts to break into their chicken coop in Boulder. Our grandchildren were thrilled to see a fox in their backyard which inspired me to crochet fox hats for them.
Once the hats were finished, I decided to crochet a fox critter for our granddaughter using yarn left over from the hats. I created the pattern in the same style as the rest of my crochet critters making the body midway between the tall bear and the shorter critters. I referred to fox photos to make the ears and tail and select colours for the limbs. I was very happy with my Reddy Fox.
Unfortunately, Lydia is NOT happy. She thinks both Boo Bear and Reddy Fox are too similar to her Bina the Bear and Fibi the Fox. She would like me to remove these patterns from my blog and stop "copying" her designs.
I do not wish to cause Lydia problems with her business, so have removed my free patterns for both Boo Bear and Reddy Fox.
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Sweet of you to take the high road. I know you did the work yourself and only wanted to help people enjoy their hobby and provide free sources of patterns to start from. Me, I'll stick to fixing cars and things that don't involve intellectual rights.
ReplyDeleteVery smart to stick to cars. I'm taking a break from crochet for the summer anyway. That's the good thing about hobbies ... no pressure.
DeleteSajnálom...Szerencse, hogy egy füzetbe kiírtam a mintát... mert ép ezt a babát horgolom...
ReplyDeleteReally, Any little animal could look like similar to another one but nice of you to take the pattern off your site.
ReplyDeleteVery honourable, Beth!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I'm halfway through
ReplyDeleteOh no! I just recently started this pattern and as a newbie, don't think I can figure it out myself. Is it really that similar? I love your patterns. Keep up the good work
Oh no! I'm halfway through
ReplyDeleteOh no! I just recently started this pattern and as a newbie, don't think I can figure it out myself. Is it really that similar? I love your patterns. Keep up the good work
Send me a photo of what you've done so far at orphanme@yahoo.com perhaps I can give you some suggestions.
Deleteomg, so lovely! I mean it's so cute that i could just melt down!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHi Im Olivia from México... Pls contact with me in lofe@hotmail.com pleaaaaaase!!!! ��
ReplyDeleteHi, could we have Lalylala in full pattern ? we have only one part. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI am sorry. I agreed to remove my free pattern because they were too similar to Lalylala and the designer complained. Please contact Lalylala directly for patterns. They are not very expensive.
DeleteI have to say I am pulled both directions. I see her point. But I also see the point that if I developed a pattern (and I bet yours does not match hers stitch for stitch) I would want to post what I want. Do you know how many bootie and slipper patterns are on the net that look so similar? But yet you can get one free, or pay for one. Just depends where you land on the internet highway. If it makes you feel better. Okay. But you know. I made "cabbage patch dolls" in the 80's I sold them to raise money for a move across the country. I made about $400. Do you think xavier called me? nah
ReplyDeleteI have to say I am pulled both directions. I see her point. But I also see the point that if I developed a pattern (and I bet yours does not match hers stitch for stitch) I would want to post what I want. Do you know how many bootie and slipper patterns are on the net that look so similar? But yet you can get one free, or pay for one. Just depends where you land on the internet highway. If it makes you feel better. Okay. But you know. I made "cabbage patch dolls" in the 80's I sold them to raise money for a move across the country. I made about $400. Do you think xavier called me? nah
ReplyDeleteThank you for these words of encouragement. I crochet for fun, but am taking a break this summer. I think this accusation crushed my enthusiasm for crochet somewhat. I am hoping I'll be inspired to create again by the end of summer. I remember Cabbage Patch dolls, they were genius.
DeleteDear Olivia,
ReplyDeleteI am from Holland and I am also looking for this pattern. On Pinterest I saw your doll and on your website I read this post and I am very flabbergasted by the reaction of Lalylala. The pattern isn't that difficult but nice to do for a beginner. I think it is a bit childish of Lalylala. Afterwards I searched again for the pattern. I found one on a Norwegian website: http://lityfa.dk/mini-rita-rabbit-doll/ Maybe you can refer to this website when you get questions about the pattern.
Kind regards,
Nathalie
I see its the little one :(( but I will increase with a few stitches and than it will become a big one haha :)
ReplyDeleteI also have a free bunny pattern. You can find it on my Free Patterns page. There are a few other dolls you might like as well. Thank you for commenting and for sharing the mini-rabbit pattern. It's really cute.
DeleteThey say "Imitation is the best form of flattery" It's too bad that one person can shoot down all the marvelous designs you have created. Have a pleasant summer and please continue what you have been doing. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have been taking a break from crochet for the past 4 months and may not get back into it as much in the future. I am finding myself less interested in sitting still for the time it takes to make things. I probably won't give it up completely though. Thank you for taking the time to comment and for the compliment. I appreciate it.
DeleteI personally think although that was kind of you that its very greedy of this person to tell you what and what you cannot crochet !!! Please so if I make a scarf a person with a pattern for a scarf will tell me to remove it.. Sorry I would never have done that I mean its one thing if you actually posted her pattern but another if you wrote it yourself what about all the mermaid tail blankets going around right now shall we not crochet those if someone has a actual pattern of one this is just stupid and as I said earlier in this message shear greed!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for saying that. I can understand Lydia's wish to make money from her designs to support herself and her child, so I don't mind being generous. It really is just a hobby for me ... something I do for entertainment and to make fun things for my grandchildren.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks Charli. I got your comment via email and appreciate it. I'm glad to hear your granddaughter loves her 'pink' bunny.
DeleteNice of you to be the bigger person. I'm certain I would not have been as generous. Especially if I'd put so much time & energy into my pattern. I have free patterns for "Shark Slippers" & "Crocodile Boots" based on the 'For Sale' patterns but adjusted by me to suit with no copyright infringement. I was told by a friend (solicitor) if you're pattern is not the exactly the same then you are not breaching copyright. Especially if you can show your "working it out" process (like in your "Making it up" post). I, too, keep all that in a designated journal. Like you, I write my pattern as I go, it shows where I had to frog what didn't work and rewrite it and all the trial & errors etc. That way if any pattern is called into question I can prove it was my work not copycatting. Of course it can be argued I just scribbled it in my own handwriting but it can't be proven. The whole "she-said, he-said" thing. Any long term crocheter would be able to make up the pattern as you have done. It's not that hard AND she offers most of her "accessories" (eg Rita the Rabbit) for free anyway. She must known it would only be a matter of time before someone did what you have. Also, if she's so worried about your free patterns doing her out of a sale why pick on your bear & fox only and not your others (bunny, lamb, sunflower, cat, etc) as all have the same body & head shape? Confusing...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thank you for being so generous. Love your work. My grand-daughter loves her Blue (err Pink) Bunny. :D
You're right - I didn't copy her pattern, but I did copy her style. Maybe I'll make more bears and foxes (perhaps in different colours) and offer the patterns in the future. Thanks for taking the time to comment. I do appreciate it.
DeleteYou are being so kind and amazing for sharing the patterns, something we enjoy doing it as a hobby and there are times we really don't feel like spending more money on it. I can't imagine someone would spend hours on the net trying to find who is copying their pattern and make them take down what they believe belongs to them. I'm really sorry to hear this situation put you in a position where you don't feel like grabbing your hooks anymore, but you know what? It's amazing you can create patterns and for people like you moms like me can have a hobby . I can't create but I find amazing patterns from nice people that share them .
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thank you for your encouraging words ... much appreciated.
DeleteI have just finished your bunny pattern just have to sew her ears on . Thank you for the 0pattern at the moment I cannot afford to pay for patterns so I was thrilled to find yours. And I cant wait until you
ReplyDeletedo more !!!
Please email me boo bear pattern at sch.acc546482@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy toddler is 2.5 n at the perfect age to play with this doll and also her favorite stuffed toy is almost torn to shreds ive to stitch a new hole every few days and would like to make a replacement doll... Please help a sister out
Thanks
Hello. Love what you did.
ReplyDeletePlus you are not making the patterns to sell. And they don’t look similar.
As long it’s not the same pattern.
I bought from her. Love her work. But still people inspire us to create. Doesn’t mean they can dictate what we put on our blog.
You put them back and be proud of your work.
I did some animals from one designs without the pattern. Made it my own.
It doesn’t mean you stole
Thank you for your supportive words. I do agree they are not exactly the same. I have been considering re-posting my patterns for Boo Bear and Reddy Fox in June ... 2 yrs after removing them. After all, Lalylala's patterns are special and still worth buying.
DeleteId love the details for the fox cap u made ��
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to make reddy... ithink hes gorgeous and nothing like fibi
ReplyDeleteU should share them xx
Thank yo for the pattern for the Lalylala doll and now I can make them for my 1 st grandchild . Thank you God Bless
ReplyDeleteSo sad to hear this story I just found lalylala dolls yesterday and purchased her new book and was thinking to buying more patterns but after hearing this I don't feel like support her more. Last month a famous local girl in my town started making pressed Flower framed with very expensive FlowerI got inspired and made one for my mom with my gardenflowers and i added some gold paint as hers she saw my frame on Instagram and she wasn't happy either and leave me a message that completed destroy my inspiration. My frame as your designs are not the same and they just have to accept and we have to be strong and keep doing what we like and love and don't let anyone crush our dreams.
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome you took the high road and I support what you did. But lalaylala came out with a book that is at my local library so I don't understand why she would get so upset at this pattern when her book is being provided for free anyway. I'm so glad that you put up the pattern again!! Thank you so much (From Canada)!!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome and happy crocheting.
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