RavelryReviews of ravelry.com

I was one of the first 2000 members of Ravelry. Over the years, I used the site to find and purchase knitting patterns, organize my projects and supplies, and interact with others with similar interests. Then on June 23, 2019, that all changed. The owners of Ravelry posted a new policy for the site, in which they proclaimed that any supporter of President Trump is undeniably a supporter of white supremacy. Then while they claimed that conservatives would still be welcome to post their views as long as it was not in support of Trump or his administration, they still banned people for as little as saying "God Bless you" or other innocuous things in the forums. Further, all groups that were on conservative topics were closed down except one, and in there, anti-conservative members baited the conservative members with hateful statements. The affects of this new policy spilled over and out into other social media, where people were ganging up on individuals and businesses, harassing and bullying them to make a statement regarding the policy. If they tried to stay neutral, they were also declared to be white supremacists. As of today, there is a gay man in the UK who is hospitalized because of the stress of such harassment and bullying that resulted from him posting basically, "Can't we all get along?" The social justice narrative is hateful and destructive, and has no place in a site meant for designers and makers of fiber art, but Ravelry has made their site an ally of that hateful mob. Sane, reasonable people would do well to steer clear. New sites are under development now, to take the place of the hateful Ravelry.

I was a member of Ravelry for several years. I did not use the forums but did look for patterns and occasional yarn sources. On 6/23/2019, I along with half the people of the United States were told we were white supremacists because we support President Trump. Anything showing any support for him was now forbidden. Pictures of pro-Trump items, the Betsy Ross flag, even "God is Love" hats, are now called hate speech. Items derogatory, even obscene, toward the President are okay. We were told we could stay, but the so-called "social justice warriors" (the "woke" trolls) have been actively seeking out and flagging conservative members' accounts for sometimes unspecified violations and subsequent suspensions. Some conservative forums were told they could stay, but then within 2-3 weeks they were shut down. Some people labeled as white supremacists in fact don't even like Mr. Trump. They objected to the blatant censorship happening, which was also called hate speech. Anything that does not agree in lockstep with the Forbes' and the woke trolls' far leftist beliefs is called hate speech and grounds for suspension. In addition, trolls from this site have been out in force harassing and bullying vendors, businesses, designers, and anyone else in the craft world who don't openly pledge their allegiance to Ravelry's new rules. The trolls have been brutal to some individuals and operate with impunity because sites like Instagram allow the bullying to happen. They have even worked to get negative reviews removed from other review sites, claiming said reviews were fake. Ravelry would have better served all of us by banning politics altogether. Instead, they have created a site filled with hate. Large numbers of us have left or are in the process of leaving because of this toxic environment. New, more up-to-date and truly inclusive and welcoming sites are being created because the direction Ravelry has gone. Look elsewhere if you value true inclusion, free speech, and civility. You will not find those things here.

Ravelry used to be great. Not so, anymore. They decided to bring politics and hatred into the mix. It’s no longer worth going to because all you see anymore is F#%$& Trump hats, pussy and vagina hats, hate speech, racism, fascism, mysandry, and all things vulgar. I just wanted to knit and find beautiful patterns. Can’t do that now. Fortunately, new sites and pages have been developed that are far better and inclusive to all. Goodbye, Ravelry.

I thought this was a site dedicated to the Fiber Arts. It's not. They are selling vitriolic politics. Sure I saw that they promoted their political views. Personally, I was there for the art and didn't care about anyone's political view. I still don't. It's when they chose to silence everyone on their public forum who has a differing view that I left. It's when they started name calling those who differ with them that I left. It's when they continued to allow the most vitriolic hate in support of their view to be spewed, while banning even an American flag and calling it hate speech that I left. Now they ask you to purchase your patterns based on the seller's race, ethnicity, and sexual preference. That is flat out racist and wrong! We are well beyond 1984, but it's a Brave New World over on Ravelry and all the Animals on the Farm can have it to themselves. I've already seen how that story ends.

despicable fascists; i deleted my decades-old account and boycotting their 'stand with r' vendors.

Used to be a great site...everything you needed for knitting/ crochet. Currently a hotbed of social justice warriors, stifling free speech (unless it's the party line...you can have as much expletive-laden antifa stuff as you want. Just steer clear of mildly backing the Right, Christianity or any other no-go areas.If you do, you're a 'White Supremacist' (it's official: the site owner says so.) Even if you're a little old lady like me who votes Tory, enjoys yarn and likes to share projects with others of all and any pesuasion. As I deleted my account, observed the home page no longer featured Pattern of the Week but was a lengthy diatribe on the glories of Gay Pride. I only want to knit! Avoid at all cost- bunch of divisive nut jobs

Always had a problem finding what I was looking for. Led me to a lot of broken links. The site is old and needs to be updated. Now with their new policy it was the last straw.

Was a member from 2008 til recently then was told to leave even though I NEVER participated in any discussions or arguments; I never posted anything controversial; I never offended anyone; and, I never voiced an opinion of any kind. I simply purchased patterns, downloaded patterns and admired beautiful work. My offense? I voted wrong, in their opinion (in a free society mind you) in 2016. Ravelry displays Bigotry and Hate at the highest levels. Don't waste your time and money visiting this site.