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| Decision field | PaidCLOGlobalRemove | Free + paidThreadloop Sewing Pattern DatabaseGlobalRemove | Open accessHook & Needle Diameter ReferenceGlobalRemove | Open accessYarn Database EU Dyers and MakersEuropean UnionRemove |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decision fit | ||||
| Primary job | Find patterns & fit | Find patterns & fit | Learn techniques | Choose materials |
| Also useful for | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded | No additional job recorded |
| Area | Patterns & fit | Patterns & fit | Yarn | Yarn |
| Best for | Individual and team 3D garment prototyping | Searching current and out-of-print sewing patterns | Checking which U.S. alias the current Craft Yarn Council table gives a known metric package size before confirming project gauge | Finding independent EU yarn or fibre dyers with off-Ravelry purchase routes |
| Know before using | A virtual sample or coloured fit map is not proof of physical fit, comfort, construction quality, manufacturability, or graded-size approval. Results depend on pattern geometry, sewing, avatar measurements and pose, fabric physical-property data, trims, mesh, and simulation settings. Current releases have substantial hardware and learning requirements; validate representative fabrics, bodies, movements, and sewn samples physically. | Community members add and quality-control the records, so confirm sizing, measurements, fabric suggestions, format, availability, errata, license, and purchase terms with the designer or publisher. Adding an entry to a stash does not provide the pattern files. Saved searches and private PDF storage are paid Plus features, and a listing or review does not establish pattern accuracy or fit. | The reference is not a dimensional measurement, manufacturer inspection, UK or Canadian conversion, steel-hook chart, tool recommendation, yarn assignment, gauge result, or proof that a proposed tool will produce the required fabric. | It is one curator's intentionally selective, off-Ravelry-oriented database, inventories change, and paid supporters can receive rotating priority placement; verify availability, fibre claims, shipping, and terms directly. |
| Practical access | ||||
| For | Both | Makers | Makers | Makers |
| Location or jurisdiction | Global | Global | Global | European Union |
| Access | Paid | Free + paid | Open access | Open access |
| Format | Software | Community | Stitch Authority | Directory |
| Source type | First-party platform | Community database | Stitch Authority | Community database |
| Account, payment, and exit | ||||
| Access scope | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Sewer searching pattern records or organizing patterns, projects, fabric, notions, and private files. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Before an account | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Browse the pattern database, guide, designers, publications, and public community areas without creating an account. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Free-account boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | A free account needs no card and supports a stash, wishlist, projects, reviews, and personal organization. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Payment boundary | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Plus adds PDF pattern storage, collections, saved searches, bulk editing, and other workflow features on monthly or annual billing. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Cancellation or exit | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Cancel through an in-account link. Paid features remain through the current billing cycle, then the account returns to free features. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Saved work and data | Not yet reviewed at this level. | The terms say submitted materials remain yours, but the checked public pages do not explain a full export or how stored PDFs behave after downgrade. Keep originals outside the platform. | Not yet reviewed at this level. | Not yet reviewed at this level. |
| Source and review | ||||
| What the source establishes | CLO's current product and support documentation covers linked 2D pattern work and 3D garment simulation on avatars, grading review by size, fabric and garment visualization, fit maps for stress, strain, pressure, and tightness, and rendering and presentation output. Current system requirements publish separate Windows and Apple Silicon baselines and higher recommendations for complex simulation and rendering. | Threadloop's official guide describes an independent, fully crowdsourced database covering available and out-of-print sewing patterns. Its search supports pattern type, fabric type, age group, body type, cup size, level, format, file features, language, measurements, availability, and other filters; members can also track a stash, wishlist, projects, reviews, and discussions. Current terms state that the free plan requires no card, paid upgrades start billing immediately, cancellation retains paid features through the current cycle, and the account then returns to free features. | Rechecked July 27, 2026. The lookup reproduces the current public Craft Yarn Council metric and U.S. alias rows and follows the Council's warning that company letter and number labels vary; blank aliases remain blank instead of being inferred. | The individually researched database offers free listings and sortable yarn, fibre, designer, editor, accessory, and location views; the EU page spans multiple countries and direct seller profiles. |
| Linked page reviewed | Jul 21, 2026 | Jul 28, 2026 | Jul 27, 2026 | Jul 15, 2026 |
| Next review due | Jan 17, 2027 | Jan 24, 2027 | Jul 27, 2027 | Jan 11, 2027 |
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