How to Spot FAKE AI Crochet Patterns: 5 Clear Signs
Can you tell real from fake?
How to Spot FAKE AI Crochet Patterns: 5 Clear Signs
Disclaimer: All the photos in this article are AI generated and intended for educational purposes only.
Crafters all over the world are fed by an onslaught AI-generated crochet images. Not only are they sometimes horrendous to look at, but some AI crochet patterns are just down-right misleading.
If you are member of any crochet groups online (or any handmade craft, for that matter) you’ll notice an increasing amount of AI-generated images. You also see many praises from commenters accompanied by more savvy netizens informing them of the image’s “fakeness”.
But the appearance is not even the biggest issue. There are people making AI crochet patterns and passing them off as the real deal. Seniors and less-experienced crocheters are often the victims of this.
So today, we’re exposing AI crochet patterns, how to tell if a crochet image is AI-generated, the effects of AI to the handmade community, and how to use AI in a way that is not misleading or “scammy“.
How do Fake AI crochet and knitting patterns affect you and the community?
You’re probably wondering: “Well, what’s in it for me?”, “Why does it matter if the crochet pattern is AI or not?” or “Why do people care if something is possibly an AI crochet pattern?”.
Because it’s extremely misleading. In fact, the alarming number of AI crochet patterns being sold online are part of the most talked-about Etsy scams in handmade communities right now.
Imagine buying a crochet pattern because the photos looked cute only to start making it and ending up with an abomination and no matter how many times you remake the pattern, things still don’t look quite right.
Beginners might start to feel unwilling to continue learning the craft or feel unsure about their own skills. Plus the added frustration of having spent your hard earned dollars only to realize that you’ve been duped will put a sour taste in anyone’s mouth.
How to Spot FAKE AI Crochet Patterns: 5 Clear Signs
Can you tell if the image below is AI generated or a real amigurumi bird?
Fortunately, there are certain “tells” that help you find out if you’re looking at an AI crochet pattern or not.
Signs the Crochet Pattern Image is AI-Generated:
1. Unusually Smooth and Undiscernible Stitches
You can typically tell what some of the stitches are in a crochet project. Single crochets, double crochets, and even chain stitches are easily detectable. But AI doesn’t know that.
What happens is AI will generate images with “yarn-like” or “stitch-like” details. This results in an image with tons of weird, smooth lumps and patterns.
2. Impossible or Unnatural Color Changes
It’s pretty easy to spot where the yarn colors change in genuine handmade crochet items. There’s usually an clear stop between colors. Yes, gradient and variegated yarns exist. But those types of yarns give little control with how the color patterns will turn out.
AI looks more airbrushed, with color transitions that look “unnatural” for crochet. You’ll notice that the colors flow and blend together instead of having a clear spot of transition. It’s tricky to explain, so we included an image of an AI crochet pattern below.
As you can see, the colors look like they were sprayed or painted on purpose.
3. Comically Large Projects
Ever seen those gigantic amigurumi animals and thought: “how did they manage to make something this big?”. Chances are, it’s AI. That’s not to say that it’s impossible to make giant amigurumi. Those DO exist. But not in the same scale as you see in AI generated crochet patterns.
4. No WIPs/ “Before” Photos
Crafters typically record the “before” or “WIP” (work in progress) -stage of the their projects. A couple of photos of the unsewn parts or some reels here and there.
AI crochet patterns NEVER have that.
5. Extra Limbs, Appendages, and Strange Proportions
AI is notoriously bad when it comes to limbs and appendages. Weird proportions and extra limbs are a quick tell on whether the photo you’re looking at is genuine or not.
Going back to the amigurumi bird in question, if you guessed that it’s AI, You’re correct!
Is this amigurumi bird AI?
Based on everything we’ve talked about in this article, can you tell whether this bird is AI generated or not?
Yup, it’s AI!
For more experienced crocheters, the first tell would be the weird not-so-crochet-y stitches in the face. Yes, the single crochet-like bumps are there, but a closer look will have you asking yourself “wait, what the heck is this stitch?”.
Next would probably be the feet. The shape and proportions are completely off!
Is it wrong to use AI to make crochet patterns?
Now for the question that has been going through many people’s minds:
Is it wrong to use AI to make crochet patterns?
The short answer here is, no, it’s not wrong. But that completely depends on how you use it.
If you want to use AI to generate crochet patterns to earn a quick buck without even testing to see if the pattern actually works, then you’re doing it all wrong.
When is it okay to use AI for crochet patterns?
There is a place for AI in the handmade world. AI can be a fantastic source for inspiration and an excellent assistant in adding a touch pizzaz to your finished photos.
Inspiration
One can argue that Pinterest, Instagram, and other social media platforms are the only places you should be looking for inspiration. But what if you don’t know what to look for?
You can ask AI to generate potential crochet projects that you can make for gifts, local fares, or for your online businesses. From there, you can go about the usual route to gathering inspiration like Pinterest and Instagram.
Design
Sometimes the photo of your finished project needs a bit more. You can will AI to generate a suitable background that you can use to properly showcase your work.
How Crochet Images Aught to Look Like
So how is crochet supposed to look like? Take a look at the images below and let’s use all that we learned about AI crochet patterns!
If you take a closer look at each item in the photo, you can easily see that:
- You can tell what stitches are used to make the projects
- There is a clear color transition
- There is a “WIP” (work in progress) image
- There are no weird proportions or extra limbs
Now that you know how to spot AI crochet patterns, you’re less likely to fall victim to these types of Etsy scams (or other AI crochet pattern scams found in other platforms).
Some AI generated patterns may look suuper close to the real thing, but there’s always one or two signs that it’s fake!
Looking for more crochet-related resources? Check these out:
