# Stitch Authority resource comparison Generated: 2026-08-01T13:12:56.525Z Comparison: This file preserves the published decision metadata for the selected routes. It is not a recommendation, provider approval, compliance decision, or record of project-specific due diligence. ## 1. Ravelry Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Choose materials - Area: Yarn - For: Makers - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Free account - Format: Community - Source type: Community database - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-30 - Next review due: 2027-01-26 ### Best for Broad pattern, yarn, and project research ### What the source establishes Ravelry's official description identifies a user-driven database of knitting and crochet patterns and yarns, searchable directories, and a personal notebook. Community members and volunteer editors maintain database records. The current official Goodies page exposes an account-gated developer API route, a limited Project Progress API JSON export, and a stash spreadsheet; the official apps directory lists third-party apps that connect to Ravelry. ### Know before using An account is required and community, publisher, designer, shop, yarn, project, and connected-app records can vary in currency and accuracy. The checked public pages do not establish API credential eligibility, current endpoints, scopes, rate limits, support, app quality, or a complete account export. Search results, ratings, favorites, and project examples do not establish pattern accuracy, yarn availability, seller reliability, fit, gauge, or project suitability. Confirm current developer terms, files, errata, license, purchase and refund terms, measurements, yarn details, and shop information with the responsible source. ### Account, payment, and exit - Access scope: Knitter or crocheter researching patterns and yarns while keeping notebook records. - Before an account: Official about, apps, Goodies, login, and signup pages are public. The useful database, notebook, community, and API root require sign-in. - Free-account boundary: A free account requires a valid email signup link and enables the database, notebook, directories, groups, and forums. The public Goodies page sends developers to an account-gated API group; it does not establish current credential eligibility, scopes, endpoints, rate limits, or support. - Payment boundary: The core platform account is free. Individual patterns and other marketplace items may have separate provider-set prices; those purchases are not a user subscription. - Cancellation or exit: The checked public about, login, and signup pages do not establish cancellation, deletion, or post-exit access. Verify the current in-account help before contributing records. - Saved work and data: The Goodies page documents a stash spreadsheet and a Project Progress API JSON route, but it says exports are limited and does not establish one complete account export. Keep source files and critical records locally. ## 2. Australia Basic Patternmaking Competency Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Find patterns & fit - Area: Patterns & fit - For: Both - Location or jurisdiction: Australia ยท Oceania - Access: Open access - Format: Reference - Source type: Official registry - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-16 - Next review due: 2026-10-14 ### Best for Scoping training, hiring, assessment, or evidence requirements for basic textile-product pattern development and testing in Australia ### What the source establishes Australia's National Training Register publishes current unit MSTAT3002, Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles. The release document describes interpreting textile-product design specifications, considering fabric performance, selecting tools and equipment, developing patterns, testing the result, and making alterations. Release 1 was generated December 22, 2022 and merged two earlier units. Current Australian apparel and live-production qualifications list MSTAT3002, while the current diploma also exposes advanced individual-fit, alteration, and fit-model units. ### Know before using This is a competency and assessment reference, not an instructional course, pattern file, qualification by reading, provider recommendation, professional license, or proof that a person can perform the work. The route does not establish enrollment availability, teaching quality, fees, support, recognition outside Australia, or product-specific fit. Confirm the current unit status, packaging rules, prerequisites, registered provider, assessment conditions, local requirements, and actual evidence before relying on it. ## 3. Yarnpond Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Find patterns & fit - Area: Patterns & fit - For: Both - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Free + paid - Format: Community - Source type: First-party platform - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-28 - Next review due: 2027-01-24 ### Best for Running knit or crochet pattern tests ### What the source establishes Yarnpond's current pages let knit and crochet designers publish public or private testing calls, select applicants, communicate with test teams, set milestones, collect feedback, post sample-making calls, and advertise tech-editing jobs. Testers can participate without charge, while designers pay per testing or job post, use credits that the pricing page says do not expire, or use a monthly subscription that the page says can be canceled. ### Know before using The platform is for knit and crochet rather than sewing, and a profile, application, rating, or platform listing does not prove technical competence, availability, identity, or fit for a project. Prices and plan limits can change. Define the test or edit scope, sizes, yarn, deadlines, compensation, confidentiality, intellectual property, file handling, expected feedback, and dispute process in writing before work starts. ### Account, payment, and exit - Access scope: Knit or crochet tester, designer, sample maker, or tech editor using one role-specific workflow. - Before an account: Browse public open testing calls and the provider's feature and pricing pages without signing in. - Free-account boundary: A free signup lets people look around, and testers participate without a platform charge. Designers and tech editors face different role boundaries. - Payment boundary: Designers can pay per call or job, buy non-expiring credits, or subscribe monthly. Tech editors need a separate monthly subscription to apply for jobs. - Cancellation or exit: The pricing page says monthly subscriptions can be canceled at any time, but it does not state when paid access ends or what happens to active tests or applications. - Saved work and data: Designers can download pattern-test feedback as CSV or XLSX. The checked pages do not establish a full account export or deletion route. ## 4. YarnSub Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Choose materials - Area: Yarn - For: Makers - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Open access - Format: Reference - Source type: First-party platform - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-28 - Next review due: 2027-01-24 ### Best for Building a substitution shortlist for a discontinued or unavailable yarn before checking quantity, availability, and a representative swatch ### What the source establishes YarnSub's official FAQ says its matching software compares gauge, texture, yarn weight and density, fibre content, and fibre qualities such as drape and softness. Discontinued yarns remain searchable as starting points but are excluded from suggestions. Result filters can exclude animal, animal-derived, synthetic, or plant fibre groups and use a subjective $ to $$$$$ price indicator. The site does not accept user-entered yarn details, individual shade cards, or expose an API. Each yarn page provides a data-issue route. ### Know before using A suggested match is a data-based shortlist, not proof that the yarn suits the pattern or maker. Records can be incomplete or wrong, price bands are approximate, availability varies by country and seller, and shade-level matching is unavailable. YarnSub says affiliate status does not change suggestions, but equally rated matches are ordered by brand popularity. Confirm required gauge, total length, fibre behavior, construction, care, colour, dye lot, accessibility, price, availability, and seller terms, then make and assess a representative swatch before committing. ### Account, payment, and exit - Access scope: Maker comparing a replacement for a named yarn before buying. - Before an account: Search a named yarn, inspect suggested substitutes, and filter by fibre and approximate price band without creating an account. - Free-account boundary: The checked core substitution route does not require an account, and the FAQ does not offer user-entered yarn records. - Payment boundary: No subscription is presented for the core route. Affiliate retailer links and optional donations help fund the site; equal-rated matches are ordered by brand popularity. - Cancellation or exit: There is no account or recurring plan to cancel for the core route. The newsletter has a separate unsubscribe link. - Saved work and data: YarnSub does not expose an API and does not accept user-entered yarn details. Use the data-issue link on a yarn page for corrections. ## Next checks 1. Remove any route whose audience, jurisdiction, access, or scope does not match the job. 2. Open the permanent record and source page for every remaining route. 3. Recheck facts that can change after the listed review date. 4. Verify project-specific capability, terms, test evidence, and legal requirements with the responsible source or provider. 5. Record the reason for the final choice outside Stitch Authority.