I’m guessing that most of you reading this have heard of the changes to the way patterns are bought and sold if you’re in the EU. A number of designers have written about these changes and I’ll give you the links to their websites: See Stacey’s post at Fresh Stitches and Hunter’s post at Violently Domestic.

In short, if you’re a resident of the European Union (EU), VAT (Value Added Tax) will be collected on your purchase. How each designer handles the collection and payment of VAT is up to that particular designer. I have gone the same route as Stacey and Hunter: If you are in the EU and want to purchase one of my patterns, you will be redirected from the Ravelry page to LoveKnitting. The purchase price there will show the addition of VAT, dependent upon the rate of your nation (for example: the UK rate is 20%, the rate in Hungary is 27%, etc.). Once your purchase is complete, the pattern will go into your Ravelry library like usual.

There is one notable change to my business because of these changes: I had to close my Craftsy pattern store for the time being. Craftsy has not yet given designers the tools to be compliant with the new tax regulations so I had no choice. Should things change, either with Craftsy or with these laws, my pattern store will be reinstated.

I hate that customers in the EU will have to pay more for my patterns and that my Craftsy store is closed, but for now, that’s the reality of doing international business. Rest assured that I will keep an eye on how things progress as we move into 2015 and will make changes if needed.

If you’re in the EU and you try to purchase one of my patterns through LoveKnitting and the process goes awry, please contact me ASAP. The Ravelry and LoveKnitting teams have been working around the clock through the holidays to make this work, and some glitches have happened. I can give feedback to them and make sure you get your pattern.

Thanks for your patience and understanding.

I hope your new year is off to a wonderful and lovely start!