Can I sell modified crochet plushies on Etsy, and how should I credit the pattern designer?

Hi! If the designer’s terms explicitly say you may sell finished items but you can’t modify the pattern, then combining two of their patterns and tweaking features (even small things like ears/nose) is very likely considered a “modification/derivative” under their usage rules—even if you never share the written pattern. So the safest, most respectful move is to ask for permission in writing before listing that bunny, or rework it so it’s fully your own original design (not a mashup of their instructions).

A couple of important clarifications:

• Not selling or sharing the pattern is great (that avoids “reselling the pattern”), but it doesn’t automatically make modifications “allowed” if their license/terms prohibit edits.
• “No modifications” can be enforced more as a creator’s license/terms-of-use issue than an Etsy-policy issue. Practically speaking, the risk is the designer could ask you to stop, report the listing, or create a dispute.

How to credit them (best practice for an Etsy listing)
Keep credit simple, accurate, and non-confusing—credit in the description (and optionally a photo of a hangtag), but don’t make it look like the designer made or endorses your plush.

You can use wording like:

• “Handmade by me. Made using patterns by [Designer Name] (used with permission).”
• If you used two: “Made using elements of patterns by [Designer Name] (used with permission).”

A few tips:

• If you don’t have permission for modified use yet, avoid saying “used with permission.” Instead, don’t list it until you do—or sell a version that follows their pattern terms.
• I’d avoid putting the designer’s name or the pattern name in your title/tags unless they specifically allow it. Titles/tags are for Etsy SEO and can create confusion about brand affiliation; keeping credit in the description is usually cleaner.

Should you ask first?
Yes—especially since you combined patterns. A quick message like, “I sell finished plushies and would love to sell a bunny that combines Pattern A + Pattern B with small changes; I won’t share any pattern text. Are you okay with me selling this finished item, and how would you like to be credited?” is totally reasonable.

If they say no, the best route is to either (1) sell only unmodified versions that match their allowed terms, or (2) create your own bunny pattern from scratch (your own shaping/math/assembly) so you’re not relying on their pattern structure.