Ravelry

I was a very happy member of this site since about 2007. I had developed friendships with several people in the forums that I frequented, and even had a pen pal across the country. However, when I saw that all of the crazy and disrespectful things were encouraged (like Pu**y hats, F**k Trump, knitted female parts, etc, and anything positive and respectful, such as MAGA, TRUMP 2020, or anything like that was banned, I knew I couldn't take much more. Then someone posted "the list", and despite not airing my political views anywhere, just by being a member of a group called Deplorable Knitters, I found myself on the list. And I felt hunted. I had heard that people were being verbally attacked and harassed. People were being blocked and banned, just for having an opinion that differed from the newly stated No Trump policy. I was afraid. I'd done nothing, and I was afraid. So, I collected everything that I wanted to keep from my profile and projects, made sure I had downloaded all of my patterns, deleted everything I could, and then deleted my account. My heart was very heavy through all of this, and I still feel sadness. I'm ashamed of the founder of this site for promoting such hate and intolerance. He should remember, Karma is a $#*!.

If you like to be controlled by left-leaning liberals and have your opinions gagged/blocked if you differ then this is the place for you! Used to be a good site for knitting, weaving, crochet, spinning but became highly political and unfriendly unless you fit in their prescribed box. The hate is spiraling out of control with many ugly and hateful comments allowed - personal attacks appear to be welcome. Owner and staff (lily white btw) only wants people to buy from POC and/or some other "protected" group but again only if they are ultra liberal as well. Sorry to see this happen - previously they rejected a fair number of members because of politics/religion but that seemed to have settled down until recently the hate became impossible to ignore when any person that approves of Trump in any manner has been determined to be White Supremacists and Nazi. Currently they are attempting to coerce all pattern designers and yarn suppliers to announce that they "back Ravelry" in their new mission to label and demonize all others. Disgusting behavior

I was a long time Ravelry user until just a few weeks ago. While it wasn't perfect, it worked and was great for finding new patterns and tracking my finished projects.

Then Ravelry decided to come out and ban support of Trump, equating it to hate speech and even support for white supremacy at one point in time. Even though my political views are best described as "complicated," I have a big problem with this decision. It is unfairly biased toward a group of people that I know to be so diverse that lumping them all under one umbrella of "white suprmacists" or promoters of hate speech is ludicrous. They continue to allow anti-Semitic patterns (true hate speech) and ban Christian patterns as hate speech. Yes, Ravelry is a private company who can make these rules if they want. However, they just alienated half of their customer base making sweeping generalizations that are not true for most (if not all). The wiser course would have been to ban all political speech and promote true inclusivity, in which people of ALL walks of life can celebrate each other's work and build a vibrant community based on civility and respect, and if someone violated that, to deal with them individually instead of lumping a large group of people into a stereotype.

True tolerance is shown by how you treat those who disagree with you.

This site used to be great. Sure it is a simply a useful data storage site at it's core but the heart if this place is the community. At least, it was... then "Cassidy" happened.

Jessica and Casey Forbes started it back in May of 2007. I joined not long after. It was great. The folks that came in were kind, helpful, accepting, open, and tolerant of all... naturally just loving folks.

About three years ago, things started to get weird. A witch hunt on specific designers occurred, then the banning of all conservatives, the gay pride flag that has been flying for over a year, the constant forcing down your throat of political agendas by the Forbes, and now they are abusing a marginalized community who have been effected by their web redesign that has been causing migraines, eye strain, and seizures in users. Their response was to call those effected liars... literally, Casey (now Cassidy) tweeted that this group of disabled users are liars.

He came out as transgender in the middle of all of this mess. You do you. If that is what you need to be your true and authentic self then go for it. However, Casey was always polite, considerate, kind, and compassionate. Cassidy is behaving like Regina George without the posse or position. She is mean, rude, and an overall b*tch towards the community.

They have lost their focus. They have lost the trust of the community. They have lost the respect of the community. Their monopoly on this is coming to an end... soon. All because they forgot the golden rule.

I feel very unwelcome on this site because I love my country and I'm proud of my president. Why is that even relevant to a knitting and crocheting site?

I joined Ravelry in 2008, a few years after I had taken up knitting. I found not only an excellent database to keep up with my yarn, needles, and projects, but also an amazing community. After years of finding it difficult to connect with people online, I finally found my people. I am part of a community of people who really "get" me, some of whom I've had the opportunity to meet in person.

Recently, Ravelry took a stance regarding Donald Trump and his promotion of white supremacy. Ravelry announced their new policy is that pro-Trump speech promotes white supremacy, which is hate speech, and would not be tolerated on the website. This is their right as a private business, and people who don't like it can take their business/participation elsewhere. Many of those people have joined a Facebook group with the purpose of badmouthing Rav everywhere they can; the 1-star reviews on sitejabber.com is an example of their resentment at not being able to wax poetic about Trump. They also like to bully and harass craft-related businesses who have expressed support of Ravelry on social media. Ironically, they do not allow pro-Rav people in their group; they only allow free speech for themselves. It's sad, really.

Anyway, if you are interested in fiber arts and want to connect with people with similar interests, Ravelry is a great place to be. So many free patterns are available, and if you have a problem, there's always someone willing to help. I highly recommend Ravely.

This site used to be about sharing knitting and crochet patterns and loving the crafts. Since the owners of Ravelry decided to come out of the closet' with their anti American, anti-US Constitution, full blow hate for our President Trump, and ban anyone who has the audacity to stand up for everything America stands for, true Americans have decided that we aren't going to stay in a group that has these hate values. Allowing $#*! Trump' scarves and patterns on their site while banning and closing accounts with MAGA 2020' and Make America Great Again patterns and items is discriminating, lying about being all inclusive, and stifling our American freedoms. It also shows that they are afraid. Because they know that President Trump has more support than any other President has in decades. President Trump is for ALL Americans and America. He wants us United and Ravelry wants us divided. The picture has never been more clear. Sad, but true. But the right side is now standing up and fighting back against bullies like Ravelry. We aren't gonna take it anymore! Rise up!

EDIT 7/23/19---Take a look at all the 5-star reviews to see example after example of what makes Ravelry such a dreadful place. The hate they spew on Ravelry.com isn't enough, they have to crap it all out over here, too. Thank you, Ravelry fans, for making it SO easy to see what is wrong with the forums over there. Our 1-star reviews aren't just our word against yours anymore. There is evidence of how messed up you all are. Enjoy your cesspool.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Deleted my account due to fascism, censorship, hate speech, anti-American values, promotion of intolerance and hate under the guise of inclusion and tolerance. Members are encouraged to report those who support America. I thought we got rid of Nazi tactics after WWII but they are alive and well at Ravelry. The owner of the site has allegedly doxxed members in the past. Site members have compiled a list of yarn and pattern vendors and labeled them white supremacists and racists (regardless of skin tone) if they refuse to take a side & try to remain neutral in this mess. It is a very toxic environment.