Today I did some research, and I learned something very interesting.
In the US, those copyright notices that pattern designers put in their patterns saying "for personal use only", or "you may not sell objects made from this pattern" apparently have no legal significance! Copyrights on patterns/instructions for useful objects (like knitted/crocheted clothing, accessories, blankets, etc.) only cover the actual words and pictures in the pattern. So while you may not distribute copies of the actual pattern, what you do with the items you make from it is none of the designer's business.
I find it very aggravating that so many pattern designers think it is appropriate to bully their customers with fake legal notices. Customers who know their rights and sell the items they've taken their time to make, often even face harassment.
*An Exception: If the pattern contains a panel of color-work artwork (an example), the image could be covered under copyright.
Obviously, as a law school dropout, I'm not a lawyer and this should not be construed as legal advice.
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