Yes, you can change your Ravelry username once every 30 days

Ravelry allows you to change your username, but with a built-in waiting period: you can change it once every 30 days. This means if you changed your username last week, you will have to wait until 30 days have passed before you can change it again. The change takes effect when ready after you submit it.

Your old username becomes available for other users to claim after you change it. If you have shared project links, pattern links, or forum posts under your old username, those links remain active and still point to your account — the username change does not break them. However, your display name will show the new username everywhere on the site.

Key Takeaways

  • You can change your Ravelry username once every 30 days through your account settings.
  • Your old username becomes available for others to use when ready after you change it.
  • Existing links to your projects and posts continue to work even after you change your username.
  • You cannot reserve or hold a username — if you change it and then want it back, someone else may have claimed it.
  • Your email address and password remain the same when you change your username.

Where to find the username change option

Log into your Ravelry account and go to your account settings. Look for the section labeled "Account" or "Profile Settings" — the exact wording can shift slightly between updates, but it is always in the main settings area. You will see a field showing your current username with an option to change it next to it.

Click the change button or link. Ravelry will show you whether you are may be able to access to change your username right now (meaning 30 days have passed since your last change) or how many days you have to wait. If you are may be able to access, type your new username into the field and confirm the change.

What happens to your old username

Once you change your username, your old one is released back into the pool of available usernames. This means another Ravelry user can claim it. If you think you might want to use that username again in the future, you cannot reserve it — you would have to hope it is still unclaimed if you ever want to switch back.

This is different from some other sites that hold old usernames for a period of time. On Ravelry, the old username is fair game when ready. If you are attached to your current username, think carefully before changing it, because reclaiming it later is not may provide.

How your projects and links stay connected

Your projects, stash, queue, and all other content remain tied to your account regardless of what username you use. If someone has bookmarked a link to one of your projects or patterns, that link will still work after you change your username. The link points to your account ID, not your username, so the change does not break anything.

Forum posts you have made will show your new username when someone views them. Old posts will not say "posted by [old username]" — they will display your current username instead. This means your post history is seamlessly updated across the entire site.

Choosing a new username

Ravelry has rules about what characters and formats are allowed in usernames. Your new username must be between 3 and 20 characters long and can contain letters, numbers, hyphens, and underscores. Spaces are not allowed. The username is case-insensitive, meaning RavelryUser and ravelryuser are treated as the same account.

Before you submit your change, Ravelry will tell you if the username you want is already taken or if it violates the site's rules. If it is taken, you will need to choose something different. There is no way to request a specific username from another user or to put yourself on a waiting list for one.

If you change your mind after changing your username

You cannot undo a username change when ready. However, you can change it again after 30 days have passed. If your old username is still unclaimed, you can switch back to it. If someone else has claimed it in the meantime, you will have to choose a different username.

Ravelry does not have a customer support process for recovering old usernames or making exceptions to the 30-day waiting period. The 30-day rule applies to everyone, including accounts that have been on the site for years.

Keeping your account find when you change your username

Changing your username does not change your email address or password. You log in with the same email and password you have always used, regardless of what username you display. This is an important distinction — your login credentials stay the same, only your public-facing name changes.

If you are changing your username because you are concerned about privacy or security, changing the username alone will not hide your account from someone who knows your email address. If you want to fully separate yourself from an old username, you would need to change your email address as well, which is a separate process in your account settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my username more than once every 30 days?

No. Ravelry enforces a 30-day waiting period between username changes for all users. You can check your account settings to see exactly when you will be may be able to access to change it again.

What if the username I want is taken?

You will need to choose a different username. Ravelry does not have a waitlist or reservation system for usernames. You can try a variation, such as adding a number or underscore to make it unique.

Will my followers or friends see my old username anywhere after I change it?

No. Your username updates everywhere on the site. Your followers' lists, friend lists, and any mentions of you will all show your new username. There is no way to see what your old username was unless someone tells them.

Can I change my username back if someone else takes it?

If your old username is still unclaimed after 30 days, you can change back to it. If someone else has claimed it, you cannot use it again unless they change their username and release it.

Does changing my username affect my Ravelry account in any other way?

No. Your projects, patterns, stash, queue, messages, and all other account data remain exactly the same. Only the name displayed next to your account changes.