Every now and then, I get questions from makers who’ve designed something of their own and are wondering what comes next.
Maybe you’ve knitted a jumper without a pattern or you’ve crocheted a baby blanket from an idea you had. Maybe you’ve made something, shared it online, and someone has asked: “Is there a pattern for that?, and suddenly you’re thinking…Could I actually write one?
If that sounds familiar, I’ve got something new coming to the blog that I think you might enjoy. Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be sharing a series all about turning your own knit or crochet design into a written pattern. Not in an overly technical way and definitely not from the perspective of someone claiming there’s only one “right” way to do it. I’ll simply be sharing the process I use, what I’ve learned along the way, and the things I wish I had understood when I first started writing patterns.
I’m not presenting this as the only way to write and publish patterns but just sharing what has worked for me in the hope that it gives you a useful place to start.
When I wrote my first pattern, I really did not have it all figured out. I had a finished item, some notes, a lot of enthusiasm… and quite a few questions.
Formatting?
Sizing?
Grading?
Tech editing?
Testing?
Selling the finished pattern?
It can feel like there’s a whole world behind pattern design that many others somehow know how to navigate except you. So I thought it might be helpful to open that process up a little.
This series is especially for knitters and crocheters who are comfortable making and modifying projects, but feel unsure about how to turn their own design into something another person can confidently follow.
What we’ll be talking about
Across the series, we’ll cover things like:
- how to know whether your design is ready to become a pattern
- turning your scribbled notes into instructions someone else can follow
- what to think about when sizing and grading
- what should actually be included in a knit or crochet pattern
- photographing your finished design
- pattern layout and presentation
- tech editing and pattern testing
- publishing and selling your pattern
- sharing your work without feeling like you suddenly have to become a salesperson
And probably a few things I haven’t thought of yet :).
My hope is that the series feels practical and encouraging, especially if you’ve been sitting on a design for ages because you’re not quite sure what to do with it. You don’t need to have a pattern business in mind either. Maybe you just want to write up one design properly, you’re curious or you would love to sell patterns one day but you’re still figuring out whether it’s for you. All of that is welcome here.
I’m also working on some free practical resource to accompany the series, with prompts, checklists and a little more detail for anyone who decides they want to give pattern writing a go. I’ll share more about them once they are ready. If you would like to be the first to know, you can join the Idea to Pattern mailing list below.
For now, I would love to know:
Have you ever designed something and thought, “I really should write this up as a pattern”? and if you have, what part of the process feels the most confusing?
Let me know, as your questions can help shape the direction of the series.
First post coming soon: You Designed Something… Could It Become a Pattern?
