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When you've finished writing your knitting pattern, you've only finished the first step of the process. Often the following steps, where your pattern is reviewed and edited, take even longer. If you're familiar with the design process, you're likely familiar with the terms "tech editing," but what does that mean and how does it work? In this blog post, I talk about what a tech editor does, what they're looking for and editing in your pattern, how to find a tech editor, what to expect in the tech editing process, and more. Why do I need a knitting tech editor for my knitting pattern? Having your knitting patterns tech edited is a very important part of the pattern design process. Just like any kind of writing, it's helpful to have a "fresh" pair of eyes on your work. It's easy to get so caught up in your pattern, and spend so much time with it, that you start to glaze over mistakes and areas that could be confusing to knitters. In addition, tech editors are looking at every part of your pattern to make it clear for knitters. They help smooth out any of the rough areas to make the knitting experience as enjoyable as possible for your customers. What does a knitting tech editor do with my pattern? In general, a tech editor's job is to review your pattern for accuracy, consistency, and clarity. You will want to check what services a tech editor offers prior to hiring them, however, as not every tech editor offers the same thing. Some tech editors offer grading; some are more particular about your grammar; and some offer translation services for additional languages. Checking Your Knitting Pattern for Accuracy First and foremost, a tech editor will go through your knitting pattern line by line with fresh eyes (that's more important than you think!) to ensure that your pattern is correct. They will check all of your stitch count numbers, insure that any increases and decreases work correctly from a mathematical perspective, confirm the dimensions you give in your sizing align with your gauge and your stitch/row counts, and doublecheck the yarn quantities for each size align with the number of stitches in your pattern. A tech editor will also compare your instructions with your photos to make sure the pattern instructions will create the shape and size you are showing in your photos and your schematics, and they will check your written and charted instructions to ensure they match. When using a stitch pattern, whether it's textured, colorwork, brioche, or anything between, your tech editor will confirm that all of your stitches line up correctly in your instructions. This is all the very "technical" part of tech editing, where the tech editor double-checks all of your math and makes sure every stitch in the pattern is correct. While not all tech editors will do as much of the editing with grammar and clarity (which I'll discuss below), all technical editors will be checking your knitting pattern to ensure the pattern is mathematically correct, and that your pattern matches your photos and schematics. Checking Your Knitting Pattern for Consistency Nearly all tech editors will also check your pattern for consistency. If you've ever heard of a style guide, the purpose of a style guide is to keep your patterns consistent, both within a pattern itself, and between your patterns. This keeps the pattern clear for the knitter, and it ensures that a knitter who's worked one of your patterns before knows what to expect with any of your other patterns. Consistency applies to several areas of your pattern, from the layout (font, order, picture size, and colors, for example) to the way you write the instructions (abbreviations, how detailed your instructions are, how you indicate repeats, and how you link to tutorials, for example). Having a consistent pattern is very important for the customer's experience; without consistency, a pattern can be confusing and overwhelming. So, a tech editor will compare your pattern to your style guide, and they will point out anything that is inconsistent in your pattern writing. Checking Your Knitting Pattern for Clarity While not all tech editors put as much emphasis on checking your pattern for clarity, I believe all good tech editors are concerned with the clarity of your pattern. When your pattern isn't clear, it doesn't matter if your pattern is accurate (the math and instructions are correct) and consistent (you use the same formatting and writing style), because your customer will struggle. If they can't figure out if the row is a right side row or a wrong side row, if they continue the repeat to the end of the row or if they stop at a certain point, or if they are supposed to work two repeats or three repeats; the knitter is going to struggle and won't be able to follow the instructions as you'd intended. A tech editor is trained to recognize these frequent places for misunderstandings. They also are familiar with several writing styles, as well as the standards of pattern writing. While you, as a designer, might think one style of writing is more clear than another, or you might be so familiar with the pattern that it makes sense to you, your tech editor is able to look at your pattern from a position that is removed from the design process and share how knitters commonly interpret the instructions. For example, writing repeat instructions as "Repeat Rows 1-4 four times" can be confusing; should the knitter work Rows 1-4 one time and the repeat them an additional four times, or should the knitter work Rows 1-4 for a total of four times? However, writing "Work Rows 1-4 for a total of five times" or "Work Rows 1-4 an additional four times" is more clear. However, while a tech editor is able to give you their best recommendations and resources, in the end you have to decide what to keep, change, and/or remove. What does a knitting tech editor not do? There's a lot that tech editors do to help you make your knitting pattern the best it can be, but there is one thing that tech editors to not do: knit your pattern. And sometimes there are errors that look right on paper and mathematically but don't work quite right when you knit them up. This is why it's important to have a group of test knitters work through the pattern after you've finished with tech editing for your knitting pattern. Want to learn more about knitting tech editors? This post talks all about the ins and outs of tech editing from the pattern designer's perspective. Note: You'll want to have your pattern tech edited prior to having your pattern test knit; it makes the whole process a lot smoother! What does the tech editing process look like? The tech editing process can look different from editor to editor, but here's the basic structure for how tech editing works. First of all, you find a tech editor that you want to work with. You reach out to them to ask any questions you have about their process, share some information about the pattern you are wanting tech edited, and ask about their availability. If you decide your pattern is a good fit for the tech editor, and you are interested in the work they do, you will send them your knitting pattern. Some tech editors prefer to work from PDF files, some in Word, and some in Google Docs. Many tech editors will send you a cost estimate for tech editing the pattern and will ask you to confirm that price is ok before they start working on the pattern. Even if that isn't their standard procedure, you can request a cost estimate. The tech editor will work through the pattern, making recommendations throughout your pattern. Depending on their process, they will either make notes on the document with their recommendations, or they will use a track changes feature and make changes to your document. Some tech editors will also color code their notes to tell you how important it is that you change that part of the pattern. If they have any important questions, they may send you questions during their editing process. Once the tech editor has completed the edits, they will send the document back to you. While it depends on the tech editor, most tech editors will want to see the document again after you've made the changes. Sometimes there will be multiple exchanges back and forth as you continue to polish the pattern. Be sure to confirm with your tech editor when you think the pattern is finished with editing. Now you wait for the invoice from your tech editor! If additional questions come up later (either in test knitting or after the pattern has been published), most tech editors are willing to answer your questions. However, be mindful of their time, and if the edits take very long, they will typically charge for their time. Who works as a knitting tech editor? Of course, anyone can become a tech editor, but folks that choose to become tech editors are often people that are good with knitting, numbers, and understanding knitting construction conceptually. They are thorough and detailed in their work. Although it's not always the case, tech editors often have taken tech editing courses. (For example, The Tech Editor Hub's Learn to Tech Edit course or Tian Connaughton's Edit for Clarity course.) Some tech editors haven't taken any courses but they are designers themselves and very familiar with the work of tech editors. Where do I find a knitting tech editor for my knitting pattern? You can find tech editors across the online knitting communities, from Ravelry to Instagram. However, I find the most convenient place to find tech editors is in The Tech Editor Hub Facebook group. Inside the group, you can reference a list of folks that have taken the Learn to Tech Edit course, and you can post a request for a tech editor based on your needs. I also highly recommend my tech editor, Joanna Fromstein of Professional Tech Editing. She's amazingly thorough and does great work. I found her via a recommendation on Ravelry, and after communicating with her via email (and seeing a sampling of patterns she's tech edited, including patterns by Holli Yeoh and Kate Atherley, among other names you might recognize), I decided to give her work a try. And I am so glad I did! She taught me how to read and create charted instructions, walked me through several phrasing changes for the sake of clarity, and completely transformed my pattern writing into the work it is today. You can read my testimonial here. No, I don't receive any compensation for referring her; I just love working with her! What should I look for in a knitting tech editor? Finding a tech editor that you work well with can be difficult, and it may take working with a few different editors before you find one that "clicks" really well with you. As you work with different tech editors, you'll be able to pick up on some of the aspects that you like and don't like. But to get you started, this is what you may want to look for: Reliability: Do they respond in a timely manner? Do they keep their word? (This is important for knowing you can depend on them to be responsive and complete the work they promise to do.) Do they use proper grammar on their website? (This is important if you want them to edit your grammar.) Do they share the patterns they tech edit on social media? (This may be important to you if you're looking for a tech editor that will help get your name out. It also gives you an idea of what kind of patterns they have edited and which designers they've worked with.) Does their communication style work well for you? (The tech editing process relies very heavily on communication. It is important that you're able to communicate well with your tech editor.) Do they have several good testimonials? What stands out about what other designers have to say about their tech editing style? Is that what you're looking for? How experienced are the designers they're working with? Have you knit from any of their patterns? If so, what did you think of the pattern; was it easy to read? Do they have a website that showcases their work? (I often choose to not work with small businesses that don't have a website or landing page, because I feel a website/landing page is a simple place to start if you're taking your business seriously. If I'm going to pay for a service like tech editing, I want to be sure it's of professional quality.) Do they have the ability to edit what you design? (Not all tech editors edit everything. Some only edit certain types of garments or accessories. Many won't feel comfortable editing more advanced techniques, like brioche. It's important that your tech editor is able to edit your patterns.) How much do knitting tech editors charge? While tech editing fees change from editor to editor, most of the tech editor fees that I have seen are between $20 USD and $30 USD per hour, depending on experience level. However, I have seen tech editing rates of $50 USD per hour and up. What can I do to decrease tech editing expenses? If you're feeling particularly concerned about the cost of tech editing, you will likely want to reduce the amount of work your tech editor will need to do. To make the tech editing process go as quickly and smoothly as possible, set your pattern aside for a few days before picking it up and editing it yourself. Read through the whole pattern, check that all of your abbreviations are listed, doublecheck the pattern against your style guide, and rework all of your math. By taking a few days away from the pattern, you're likely to catch some mistakes that you wouldn't have before. And if this isn't your first pattern, you likely have an idea of what mistakes you tend to make and what you should look out for. My #1 Tip for Working with Knitting Tech Editors: Start Right Away! I frequently hear new pattern designers say they can't afford to pay a tech editor. No judgment at all, because I waited a year to have most of my patterns tech edited. However, I would recommend you start working with a tech editor from your first design. In many ways, a designer most needs a tech editor with their first few designs. By working with a tech editor from the beginning, you will have a clearer understanding of how to create a well-written pattern (thus increasing your credibility and customer satisfaction) and you won't have to go back and edit all of your patterns down the road! Yep, that's what I did! I went back and had my 17 patterns from my first year of designing tech edited and re-test knit (due to the changes from tech editing and the addition of charted instructions to my patterns)... all while working on designing/tech editing/test knitting 9 new patterns that I was working on for upcoming collection releases! It was hectic, to say the least. But what if I can't afford to pay a knitting tech editor? Can you afford free? Even if you can't afford to pay a tech editor monetarily, you can exchange goods and services. Many new tech editors (including students from the Learn to Tech Edit course, in The Tech Editor Hub Facebook group) are willing to exchange their tech edit for your testimonial of their work. You may also find that you can trade other goods and services in exchange for an editor's service. My #2 Tip for Working with a Knitting Tech Editor: You need to have a trusting relationship with your tech editor. As you're working back and forth with your tech editor, it's important that you trust them and don't feel threatened by their edits. It's easy to get defensive about your pattern because you've worked so hard on it. Remember your tech editor is there to help you. You are now a team working to polish your pattern together. If you feel that you're working against each other, having trouble communicating, or getting defensive, the experience isn't going to be enjoyable, and it may be reflected in the quality of the pattern. Last of all, enjoy the process. There can be ups and downs throughout the tech editing process, but if you work to find a tech editor that you work well with, the process can be a lot of fun and enjoyable.

When you've finished writing your knitting pattern, you've only finished the first step of the process. Often the following steps, where your pattern is reviewed and edited, take even longer. If you're familiar with the design process, you're likely familiar with the term "test knitting," but what what does it mean and where do you even start with running a test knit? What does a test knitter do with my pattern? A tech knitter's job is to ensure your pattern creates the project you're promising to your customers. This means your test knitters are checking your knitting pattern from the knitter's perspective. They're making sure the instructions work, make sense, and create the project they were hoping for (this includes design and size). What is test knitting? The main thing a test knitter does is test your pattern. They are knitting the pattern just as if they had purchased the pattern and are working through the pattern as a customer. This is extremely valuable because it gives you perspective to how your customers will use and absorb the information in your pattern. I highly recommend including test knitters of different skill levels and familiarity with your work to replicate the diversity of your customers. Each test knitter will have a different perspective and interpretation of the pattern. The accuracy and clarity of the pattern are of particular importance in the tester's mind. They want to be sure they can knit the pattern without confusion and without having to rework any of the math. What doesn't a test knitter do? While test knitters knit your pattern and check for accuracy and clarity, they aren't reviewing the pattern with the attention to detail that a tech editor uses. Test knitters will often skim over mistakes because they know how it should be fixed and they make assumptions about what you mean. They also don't have the same breadth of pattern writing knowledge to recommend adjustments to the pattern that will work for other knitters as well. This is why it's important to have your pattern tech edited and test knit. Want to learn more about knitting tech editors? This post talks all about the ins and outs of tech editing from the pattern designer's perspective. Note: You'll want to have your pattern tech edited prior to having your pattern test knit; it makes the whole process a lot smoother! Who works as a test knitter? Typically, test knitters are "just" knitters. Meaning, they love to knit and they're happy to help test your pattern in exchange for the knitting experience. They haven't taken a class on "how to test knit," and they don't have a textbook that tells them what to look for when test knitting a pattern. Instead, they're guided by their intuition, their understanding of your pattern, and your direction. Where do I find test knitters for my knitting patterns? There are several locations where you can find test knitters, from your Instagram audience to Ravelry and Facebook groups. However, most of the beginner designers that I coach love Yarnpond. Yarnpond is a platform that was created just for test knitting, test crocheting, and tech editing. However, it is primarily used for test knitting and test crocheting. The platform is set up so that, when you post your request for test knitters, all of the testers on the website can view the request. Additionally, Yarnpond sends an email to each person signed up as a test knitter every day (this may differ based on the knitter's email preferences) AND Yarnpond posts the call on their Instagram. This helps you reach a much larger audience. Not only that, but the platform is set up to make the test knitting process as simple and straightforward for you as possible. Before the test knit opens, it will prompt you to provide specific pieces of information that test knitters will want to know prior to applying for the test knit; and it makes it easy to link to the pattern so testers receive access immediately after they've been accepted to the test knit. Additionally, there is a chat area, an area to document changes you've made to the pattern, a feedback form for test knitters, and the ability to review test knitters (you will see reviews for each test knitter, and any comments other designers have left about the test knitter, as soon as they apply for your test knit). While the platform has many features, it does seem to help reduce the overwhelm of "I don't know how to run a test knit!" and keeps things organized in the same platform. However, it does cost to use the platform. At the time that I'm writing this post, it costs $5 USD to post one test knit, or you can purchase bundles for multiple test knits at a lower price per test knit. Prior to using Yarnpond, I used Ravelry groups. The group that I most preferred is called The Testing Pool (note: this is a Ravelry link). It is essentially a forum on Ravelry where you can find test knitters. Beyond the feature differences between the platforms, do remember that Ravelry isn't accessible to many knitters, including test knitters. Lastly, don't forget to share your call for test knitters on your social media platforms and with your email newsletter! And start building an email list of test knitters that want to work with you, so you can easily contact them when you have new test knits open. How much does it cost to have test knitters work though my knitting pattern? Most test knitters work for free. They generously donate their time and expertise in exchange for the opportunity to work an "exclusive" pattern before anyone else has access to it, and to help designers create amazing patterns. Although it seems to be the "norm" in our industry, be sure to remember that this is a volunteer position and treat your test knitters with respect. And don't forget to send your test knitters the final version of the PDF! Additionally, many knitting pattern designers will offer a pattern of the tester's choice from their shop. From the feedback I've received from testers, this is really appreciated, and it doesn't cost anything from your bank account. Are you a new knitting pattern designer? You may choose to purchase other designers' patterns for your test knitters, or to offer a credit for your future patterns. I started designing in the month of April, and I offered all of my test knitters from April to December the option to choose any of the patterns that I released during that year. In mid-December, I sent a reminder to all of the testers who hadn't claimed their additional free pattern yet. Other methods of compensation that some knitting pattern designers offer their test knitters include: yarn support, purchasing other patterns of the testers' choice as a gift, and monetary compensation for their time. How do I run a test knit for my knitting pattern? Starting your first test knit can feel intimidating. What information do you need to give your test knitters, what questions do you need to ask, how do you capture the information you need, how long should the test knit last? There are several aspects to running a test knit, and it can differ based on what platform you're using to host your test knit. Here I'll touch on the basics of running a test knit, but if you have any additional questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below this post or book a 1:1 coaching call to get all of your questions answered. How long should I give test knitters to knit my pattern? The number one complaint I hear from test knitters is that designers don't give enough time for test knitting. However, I haven't ever heard that complaint from the test knitters I've worked with. So, a few months ago I conducted a survey in my Instagram stories. Most of the test knitters' complaints were around tight deadlines. A couple months later, I posted the timelines that I use and asked if test knitters felt like these timelines are long enough. The majority of the test knitters responded "yes," and those that didn't said they would like more time for fingering weight shawls. Here are the time frames that I prefer to use: 2 weeks for dishcloths 4 weeks for small accessories such as hats, mittens, headbands, and cowls 6 weeks for shawls* and socks *Two people shared that they'd like to have 8 weeks for test knitting fingering weight shawls that are large or have a lot of texture. At the time that I am writing this post, I haven't designed any sweaters, cardigans, pullovers, or vests. I know test knitters like to have more than 8 weeks for knitting sweaters, and it is extremely important to give plenty of time for test knitters to make the larger sizes in your pattern. One designer responded to my Instagram polls sharing that she gives 3 to 4 months for her sweater test knits. Where should I run the test knit for my knitting pattern? If you choose to find your test knitters on Ravelry or Yarnpond, it typically makes sense to run your test knit in the same place. The main exception is that, if you are running a test knit for a secret design, you don't want to host the test knit on Ravelry, as the Ravelry forums are available publicly. If you choose to use a different platform for finding test knitters, it is common for designers to use Facebook groups, Instagram group messages, email, Google Docs, Discord, or Slack for managing their test knits. When considering which platform to use consider what is important to you. For myself, I want to be able to follow a conversation easily and have test knitters able to connect with one another, so I don't like using email. It starts to feel overwhelming and becomes extra work for me. However, some designers and test knitters love to use email for test knitting. What information do I need to give test knitters prior to the test knit? The information your test knitters will need prior to applying for the test knit is likely similar to the information your customers will want to know before they purchase your pattern. They'll want to see photos of the design and know how difficult the pattern is, how much and what kind of yarn they'll need, what needles they'll need, how big the finished object is and/or what the sizes are, and what construction methods are used. Additionally, you'll need to make expectations for your test knitters clear from the beginning. How long will the test knit run? Are there any discounts on yarn or any yarn support provided? What do they need to complete during the test knit? What will you give them after they've completed the test knit? If you choose to use Yarnpond as your test knitting platform, you will be prompted to provide each piece of information prior to opening the test, so this part of the test knit isn't nearly as overwhelming or stressful. What questions do I need to ask my test knitters? Receiving quality feedback is one of the most important parts about running a test knit. But, often, the quality of the feedback you receive is a reflection of the quality of your questions. You need to be clear on what you want to learn from your test knitters. If you're using Yarnpond as your test knitting platform, they provide a feedback template you can use or adjust, or you can create a new feedback form from scratch. Typically, the information you want to receive from your test knitters includes: How much yarn did they use? Does your pattern call for a sufficient amount of yarn when accounting for different knitting styles? (Knowing what kind of yarn they used may help you in identifying any problems, such as fabric density, fit issues due to fiber content, and more.) What size needles did they use to get gauge? Does that align with your recommendation in the pattern? What was the finished dimensions of their project? Does that align with the dimensions on your pattern for that size? Did they make any adjustments to the pattern? Is your pattern layout easy to follow? Are there any grammatical errors in your pattern? Are there any technical errors in your pattern? Is there sufficient number of images in the pattern? Are the pattern instructions easy to follow? You may also want to ask for their overall opinion about the pattern, request a testimonial, and ask if you have permission to share their photos with your audience. Although test knitting can feel like a long process, it can also be a very rewarding part of the design process. This is your first chance to see how other knitters will interpret your pattern and make it their own. It also will give you confidence as you publish your pattern, knowing the test knitters enjoyed both the knitting experience and the finished product.

We're used to conforming to the expectations of society, family, friends, all of the people that surround us... and so it can be difficult to actually listen to yourself. But, I've found the most important thing in building the business of your dreams is to listen to yourself. Listen to what you want, to your dreams, to your goals, to what feels right, and to what doesn't feel right.... and act on that. If you don't spend the time listening to yourself, you will only build the business of someone else's dreams and expectations, and you will never feel successful. You will never feel content and truly proud of what you've created, because you haven't created what was meant for you, what was right for you. From a young age, we are bombarded with societal expectations, what is cool (and not cool), what is successful (and not successful), what is worthy (and not worthy), what is valuable (and not valuable); and it's easy to get caught up in trying to fit in, and live up to the ideas of the people around us. So it's only natural to bring those same thoughts, ideas, and expectations into your business when you start selling knitting patterns. But I want you to stop and think. When was the last time that you dropped all of that and listened to what you want in your knitting pattern design business? Is your knitting pattern design business a reflection of what you want? What you love, enjoy, and are passionate about? Or are you following the path of someone else? Are you knitting the latest pattern from {insert popular designer} because everyone else is doing it, or because you actually enjoy it and want it in your wardrobe? Are you running your pattern design business the way you see everyone else doing it, or are you following what YOU want? When we start designing, it's easy to feel like we need to achieve certain levels of success: - Publish your patterns in X, Y, and Z magazines (where the popular designers are) -Create patterns that fit A, B, and C requirements (because that's what the big name designers are doing) -Have a social media following of X thousand followers -Attend all of the most popular fiber festivals and be immediately recognized by a large percentage of the crowd -Teach classes with A, B, and C programs (because that's what the big names are doing) And on, and on, and on... from social media strategies to design aesthetics, and even how you interact with your audience. Whatever the expectations are that you have for your yourself... I encourage you to examine your motives. Is it because that's what YOU want, that's what it seems like you should want, or that's what you see other pattern designers doing? The only reason to stick with something is for the first reason: because that's what you want. So take a moment and consider: That thing you're struggling with right now? Is it because you are following someone else's heart and not your own? Listening to yourself, and what you want for your knitting pattern design business, can be hard. To start with, it can feel really hard. You might start to ask questions like, "How do I actually know what I want?" "How can I trust that following what I want will be successful?" "What if it's scary to follow what I want?" "What if following what I want doesn't look like anything anyone else is doing?" It's so easy to doubt ourselves. When we aren't used to looking within for the answers, we don't even know where to start. But, I've heard it from so many coaches, and I'm proving it myself: when you listen to yourself, when you're authentic and honest (and vulnerable!), when you do what you're passionate about.... running your pattern design business feels sooooo much easier! I'm not going to say it's *easy,* but it truly does feel so much better. And there's something inside of you that says, "somehow, this just feels right." And, of course, people are drawn to your honesty and your passion! They love to follow you and support your work because you are you, and they can connect with you, resonate with what you're sharing, and trust the work that you're putting out into the world. So, be courageous. Don't fit into the mold of what society tells you you should be. Listen to yourself, embrace yourself, and step forward in confidence. Be true. Be you.💙 Finding the Balance Between Others' Advice and Following Your Own Path When Selling Knitting Patterns So through all of this you might be thinking, "But Jessica, why do you create checklists and roadmaps, and tell pattern designers what to do in your coaching and in the Design Circle, if we're just supposed to follow our intuition?" Or, you might be thinking, "But Jessica, I'm just totally lost if I follow what I want to do. I don't intuitively know how to run a pattern design business! I don't know any of the strategy." And yes, I totally agree with you. Which is why I recommend using strategies and advice as guidelines and not as set-in-stone facts. If you've worked with me through 1-on-1 coaching or the Design Circle, or you read my blogs for designers and use the free checklists and roadmaps.... you know that I'm always recommending you adapt the information to best fit your style. There are often certain steps that you do need to go through when designing a knitting pattern, but how you do that is up to you. Start with the advice you receive, but adjust it so it actually works for you. It'll take some time to test and adjust, but once you find the sweet spot for you, it's like magic. But it's only magic for you, and no one else. If you're looking for help with the strategy of your pattern design business, check out my other blogs. I have information in the blogs, plus some free downloadable resources, including: -the Pattern Design Process Checklist -the What to Include in Your Pattern Checklist -the Designing Tools Checklist -the Roadmap for Building Your Pattern Design Business Pin this blog to Pinterest with your favorite motivational reminder:

You have your knitting pattern design idea, but you're feeling stuck. Where do you start? What process should you follow? Does it matter? What if you forget an important step? How do I design a knitting pattern? First of all, if these are the questions racing through your mind, you're over-thinking it, and there's nothing set in stone that you have to do. More than likely, you logically already know the steps you need to take; your brain is just flooded with overwhelm and perfectionist tendencies. And that's ok! That's why you're here. And this blog post is for you! How to Design a Knitting Pattern There are six key components to the pattern design process. Once we start talking about them, it may feel like, "Well, duh, I knew that!" but thinking about the pattern design process step-by-step will help you reduce overwhelm, increase confidence, and allow you to create designs more quickly and easily. What is the inspiration behind your pattern design? Personally, this is where I start in my knitting pattern design process. I'm inspired by experiences, emotions, and places, and then I create design from that inspiration. Perhaps you're inspired by photography, travel, colors, textures, or stitch dictionaries; but regardless of what inspires your designs, your process likely starts with your inspiration. Choose how to transform your inspiration into a design If you start with an inspiration, you now need to choose how to bring your inspiration to life in the form of a knitting pattern design. You'll need to think about what kind of item you want to design (a kids' toy, a pullover, a wall hanging, etc), what shape you want to create, and what textures (stitches) you want to include. This is the stage when we start to solidify our design idea, and we often create sketches to work through (and document) our ideas. I highly recommend you have a design journal to document your design ideas. Take note of the inspiration, and your ideas for implementation. You'll likely have more design ideas than you have time, so making notes is important! I promise you'll still want to create some of those designs later. Note: Sometimes your "what" will come before your inspiration. Maybe you know you want to create a steeked cardigan, or you are submitting to a magazine looking for hat and mitten sets. In that case, you will start with the "what" of the design, but then you need to discover the inspiration in order to give your design character. Choose a yarn (and request yarn support) for your design Now that you know what you're designing and you have a vision for the final design, you can select a yarn that will work well for the design. It is especially important to think about yarn weight, fiber content, and color as they relate to the vision you have for the design. Keep in mind how much drape you'd like, how well your textures need to show up, and if a "busy" yarn will hide the details of your design. Since you're likely selling your pattern online, also think about what the final photos will look like, and if they will do a good job of selling your pattern. If you don't already have the yarn on hand, consider reaching out to a yarn company for yarn support. Note: Sometimes yarn dyers will give you a yarn and ask you to create something from it. In this case, you start with the yarn (and perhaps a "what" request - I get a lot of requests for shawls, and even an inspiration, if the designer has a specific theme). If you have a design notebook filled with ideas, you may already have an idea that fits the yarn perfectly. Otherwise, you'll need to create design ideas after you have the yarn. Swatch Your Knitting Pattern Design If you'd like to prevent having to rip back and re-knit your sample, I highly recommend swatching for your design using the exact yarn and needles you've planned for the sample. It's important to work out any stitch motifs in the design and use the swatch to experiment with any new-to-you shaping. Your swatch is also very important for working up the math of the pattern, which determines both the stitch and row counts. Note: I personally recommend knitting your swatch before you do any math or pattern writing. This can especially save you time if you decide you don't like the look of the fabric and want to change stitch motifs, needle sizes, or yarn. Calculate the Math for Your Pattern Design This is especially important for any designs that need to be a certain size. You'll calculate stitch counts, row numbers, where to place increases and decreases, at what point you may choose to change textures, and so on. Once you've calculated the math for the design, you can write the pattern! Note: You must have your gauge information (from your swatch) in order for your math to be correct. Write Your Knitting Pattern Once you have all of your math for your pattern design, you can write out the complete pattern. If you're using a pattern template, it's actually a pretty simple process; you're essentially filling in the blanks with the details for your pattern! Note: If you complete the math and write the pattern before you knit your sample, you can essentially test the pattern as you knit the sample! This is a great way to catch mistakes and ensure the pattern creates exactly what you want. Once you get comfortable with designing and pattern writing, you may even choose to hire out the sample knitting! If you're creating a more difficult design, you may find that you just want to work one section of the design before doing the math and writing of the next section, in case you'll need to make some changes. Knit Your Pattern Design Sample Knitting the pattern design sample is the part that most folks think about when they think of knitting pattern design. But in reality, that's just one step in the process! Note: If you've completed the math and pattern writing, this step can feel a lot like test knitting someone else's pattern. The hard part is done and you just get to sit back and enjoy the knit! Send Your Pattern to Your Technical Editor Once you've completed writing your knitting pattern, you can send the pattern to your technical editor. This is an exciting moment, because this is the point where most of the work is in the hands of other people, and you get to take a breather! Your tech editor will review your pattern for accuracy and readability. Note: I strongly recommend waiting until you've completed your pattern writing and are confident in your pattern before sending it to your tech editor. In some special cases (like a pattern for a mystery knit along), it can work to send the pattern to your tech editor in pieces. However, you tend to save more time for yourself and your tech editor if you wait until the pattern is complete. It is also recommended to have your design sample complete prior to sending the pattern to your tech editor so you can include photos in the pattern - your tech editor uses the photos to make sure everything aligns! Start Your Pattern Design Test Knit (& Make Edits) Last, but not least, you will share your knitting pattern with a group of test knitters. They will create their own sample by working through your pattern instructions and confirm whether or not your instructions are clear and easy to follow. Of course, you will be editing your pattern throughout the pattern: as you do the math, write the pattern, make your sample, and tech edit. But don't forget to also edit your pattern based on the feedback you receive from your test knitters! Note: I recommend test knitting after tech editing for two reasons: (1) your test knitters will be so happy that you've fixed mistakes from the tech editor before they work with the pattern, and (2) you want your test knitters to work from the last version of the pattern. And that's how to design a knitting pattern! It might sound like a lot at first, but if you keep this checklist in front of you, and you start to refine the process in a way that works best for you, it will become smooth and intuitive. As you refine the pattern design process for yourself, take note of the "Notes" I've included throughout this post to consider which order of steps works best for the way you approach your creativity. The order that I've listed here is my design process order, and what works most efficiently for me, but that doesn't mean it will be the best order for you. Also, remember you can always change your process later if you need to. The most important step is just to get started! If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed and want an easy way to keep track of the steps in the knitting pattern design process, download this free Pattern Design Process Checklist I created so you know you aren't forget anything! I've also left a blank checklist for you in the PDF, so you can write out the design process order that works best for you!

Have you heard about the Design Circle?! It's a brand new group that I just launched for knit and crochet pattern designers. Our knitting and crochet communities are filled with hundreds of indie designers, but there aren't a lot of resources available for these pattern designers to (1) connect and collaborate, and (2) learn how to run their pattern design business. I was frustrated about that, so I decided to do my little part to help fix that! The Design Circle was created for knit and crochet pattern designers to connect with other designers, feel confident in their work, and grow their business. Note: The Founding Member's Launch (the first launch of the Design Circle) has already sold out. But, don't fret, you can get on the waitlist to know when the doors open again! Feeling Frustrated and Alone as a Knit or Crochet Pattern Designer? As we're working on our pattern design businesses, it's easy to start feeling frustrated and lonely... and then get overwhelmed with comparisonitis. I've created the Design Circle to introduce you to a supportive community of fellow designers and make all of the resources (and answers) that you need readily available to you. So many of the designers that have already joined the Design Circle have mentioned that this is their first time to feel like they belong, and they are so excited to collaborate with rather than feel like they are in competition with other designers. Crochet and Knitting Pattern Design Support, Collaboration + Resources The Design Circle is centered around three core pillars: support, collaboration, and resources. Inside the Design Circle, I connect you with a community that is constantly supporting you, opportunities to collaborate and grow your business, and resources that give you direction both in designing and in running a small business. This includes access to: a Discord server with several chat threads for communicating with the community small accountability groups for in-depth and individualized support with goals, achievements, and setbacks design challenges (creativity bursts and design alongs) to inspire creativity, eliminate design ruts, and design alongside other designers two monthly guest speakers: one specific to designing, and one specific to business (including marketing, mindset, and more) Pattern Design Challenges There will be two formats for the design challenges. One will be a creativity burst that will inspire several design ideas. The other will be an opportunity to bring one design idea to fruition. Creativity Bursts: There will be two Creativity Burst Challenges per year. Each challenge will be one week long and will encourage you to develop at least one design idea per day, based on a given theme. Design A Long: There will be one Design A Long per year. This will be your opportunity to create a whole design from start to finish alongside fellow designers. There will be regular Zoom check-in calls where you can share progress and get real-time design support. The Design A Long is a great opportunity to push yourself to try something new -- and you know you'll have a group of designers to lean on for extra support! Expert Guest Speakers for Crochet and Knitting Pattern Design Business Owners There will be two guest speakers within the Design Circle each month. One guest speaker will be specific to running a business, and the other guest speaker will be specific to designing. The guest speakers will share their expert knowledge in the areas that you're struggling with, including: --> Marketing, branding, and owning a business --> Showing up on social media and getting found online --> Inclusive grading --> Self-publishing & publishing with a third party --> Creating connections with yarn companies All guest speaker sessions will be recorded, and the replay videos will be available to you as long as you are a member of the Design Circle. Fall 2021 guest speaker topics include: "Getting Seen in a Saturated Market and Promoting Yourself" with Michelle Knight of Brandmerry "Overcoming Perfectionism as a Business Owner" with Joeli Kelly of Joeli Kelly "How to Show Up Online as a Business Owner" with Kinsey of Feel Good Social "Writing a Clear Pattern + the Basics of Grading" with Julie Robinson of Julie At Work "Optimizing Your Collaborations with Yarn Dyers" "The Ins and Outs of Working with a Tech Editor" with Sarah Walworth + Kristina McGrath of Tech Tip Talk Winter 2022 guest speaker topics include: "Branding: Brand Theory, How Brands are Created, and How to Look at Your Brand" with Dr. Tricia Farwell of Middle Tennessee State University "Attracting Your Ideal Client" "Keeping Motivated, Finding Your Tribe, and Staying Authentic to Your Brand" "Understanding Fit of Garments" with Sarah Walworth of Sarah Walworth "Sizing with Spreadsheets" with Sarah Krentz of Swanky Emu Knits If you're a crochet or knitting pattern designer looking for support to grow as a designer and business, we'd love to have you inside the Design Circle! Note: Seats are limited, and doors are open for a limited time, so be sure to join the Design Circle waitlist to know when doors open again!

Many of us start out designing patterns without any clue of what it entails and what sort of tools we will need for our work. As we run into a problem, we start searching Ravelry forums or try to figure it out on our own. So if you're in the early stages of your knitting pattern design career, this blog post is for you. Here I've compiled my favorite tools for knitting pattern design! Before we dive into the tools specific for designers, are you also still needing to pick up some knitting supplies? I have a blog post about all of the knitting supplies that you need for your knitting -- plus some additional knitting supplies that are helpful as you advance in the craft. Alright, now let's start with the bare essentials that you need to create and sell a pattern. A Place to Write Your Knitting Patterns First and foremost, well after the knitting supplies, you must have a place to write your knitting patterns. If you already have a place where you write documents, it is sufficient. As long as you're able to add text and add photos, it will work great. Since I already have the Microsoft Office Suite, I use Microsoft Word for writing my patterns, and I love it. I have a basic knitting pattern template that I created and work from; the software is familiar; and it's pretty simple to format as I need, with columns, page numbers, headers, and photo placement. If you don't have Microsoft Word, but you do have a Gmail account, my second favorite recommendation is to use Google Docs. It's completely free, and it works similarly to Microsoft Word. If you work from an Apple product, Pages will work just fine, too! While some designers recommend using software like Canva, Photoshop, or InDesign, I do not. The most important part of your pattern is the written part. It needs to be organized and easy to follow, and the easiest way to achieve that is with a word processing software, not a design software. If you'd like to add cutesy or artsy features, you can insert images (yes, even stock images, as long as you have the rights to use them), shapes, and SmartArt designs into your document. And then save that design as your template so you don't have to redo the design with every pattern you write! A Place to Design Your Knitting Patterns If you are a visual person and need to sketch out your design, you like to take notes on your design ideas before you start writing a pattern, or you like to write out the first draft of your pattern by hand, you'll want to have some sort of paper (lined, grid, or blank) for your notes and sketches. As I've become more experienced with my designing, I use less and less paper, but I usually still have at least one paper with some hand written notes, ideas, and sketches. I just use a simple grid paper, because its use is so versatile. If you use a binder to store your design information, this pack on Amazon includes 400 three-hole punched loose sheets of graphing paper for $9 USD. Or, if you prefer a notepad, this option, also on Amazon, includes 55 sheets of graphing paper in a notepad for $7 USD. A Place to Do Your Knitting Design Math If you're designing a pattern, you'll need to do some math, especially if you're designing several sizes for your pattern. And while you can do your math by hand with a pen and paper, it ends up being a lot faster (and easier to fix if you need to change something later on) to use a spreadsheet software. Since I have the Microsoft Office Suite, I use Microsoft Excel, but Google Sheets and Numbers are great alternatives as well. You just need a place where you can crunch some numbers using some simple math with formulas that you can drag and drop to apply to several sizes. A Place to Chart Your Knitting Patterns Unless you really love to chart by hand (and you're really good at it), I definitely recommend using a knitting pattern design software if you plan to create knitting charts. At the very beginning, I recommend using the free version of Stitch Fiddle, but as you begin to create more advanced charts and need additional symbols, I highly recommend investing in a knitting pattern design software created for professional level knitting charts. Based on my research, I chose to go with Stitchmastery. Since I've started working with Stitchmastery, I've discovered that nearly all of the other knitting pattern designers and tech editors that I know also use Stitchmastery. And, it turns out it's very helpful to be using the same tool as everyone else when you have a question and need some help! Stitchmastery costs 60 euros (about $70 USD with the current exchange rate), but this is just a one-time fee, and you'll always have access to software updates. You can also download Stitchmastery for free and run it as a demo before you purchase the software. The main reason why I chose Stitchmastery over EnvisioKnit Design Studio, which is the only real competitor in my opinion, is because Stitchmastery has been around for a while. It's had a lot of time to build up a robust selection of stitches to choose from, make it easy to create a new stitch design if necessary, and allow you to do just about everything you can imagine. Plus they have lots of tutorials and helpful information on their website. The only thing I can't brag about is their user interface. Mostly it feels a bit dated, isn't 100% intuitive, and doesn't have a lot of shortcuts built in for things like inserting a new column or row. EnvisioKnit Design Studio, on the other hand, is a more modern software that looks a bit more aesthetically pleasing (to me). They also have the option to download a free demo, but the software costs a bit more at $99 USD, and they don't have as many stitches in their database. Both programs create beautiful charts that you'll be proud to include in your pattern, and they both will create your written instructions from your charted instructions. Stitchmastery will also convert written instructions into a chart. A Place to Sell Your Knitting Patterns Why go to the effort of writing, testing, tech editing, and charting a pattern if you aren't going to make some money from the pattern? Of course you're going to sell the pattern! But where? There are many locations where you can sell your knitting patterns, and there's no reason why you shouldn't be selling them in more than one location. I've written a whole post comparing the main platforms used for selling knitting patterns. Here's the table that I used in that post to summarize the pros and cons: In the blog post, I also talk about fees associated with each platform. For the most part, LoveCrafts (and your website, if you don't have to pay additional website fees to sell on your website) has the lowest fees, and Etsy and Payhip tend to have the highest fees. If you're curious about a more in-depth comparison of the platforms, be sure to read the blog and check out the chart comparing knitting pattern prices and fees at the end. Now that you know about the different platform options, it's time to just getting started. I recommend that you start with a free platform that is easy to set up and will run on autopilot without you changing anything (so, that would be LoveCrafts and/or Ravelry). After that, you can decide what works best for your business structure. Other Tools to Uplevel Your Knitting Pattern Designs Note: The links in this section and the next three sections referencing books, with the exception of the yarn swift and ball winder, will direct you to Amazon. As an Amazon and Knit Picks affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I only recommend products that I'd also recommend without the affiliate link. While they aren't technically required for creating your own knitting pattern designs, these tools will help you make better knitting patterns, design samples, and photos. The first items on my list for this section are actually knitting accessories that I really think you should have (or will want to have as you continue to design patterns). You can check out my full list of recommended tools for each of these items on my Best Knitting Supplies blog post, but I've also linked my absolute favorite options below. blocking mats and pins: these tools will help you create a beautifully blocked project, will lead to more accurate dimensions and photos -- plus a prettier sample -- for knitters working your pattern design. yarn swift + ball winder: ok, this isn't something you need right away, for sure, but it is something that will save you a lot of time, and potentially frustration. gauge ruler: gauge is crucial to your knitting pattern design, so you need to have a tool that allows you to check your gauge easily and accurately. row counter: if you have trouble counting rows and hate tracking them on your own, you need a row counter to ensure your pattern and your sample match perfectly. good needles: you'll be spending a fair amount of time knitting, so treat yourself to a good pair of knitting needles. This will save you frustration and pain from knitting injuries. Knitting Stitch Dictionaries for Designing Knitting Patterns Stitch dictionaries are such an amazing source of inspiration, ideas, and knowledge. My favorite stitch dictionary, the one I always turn to first, is The Knitting All Around Stitch Dictionary by Wendy Bernard. It is a well laid-out book with photos and pattern instructions for a variety of stitch motifs, including simple textures, cables, lace, and mosaic colorwork. The next stitch dictionary I consult is 750 Knitting Stitches: The Ultimate Knit Stitch Bible. The photography is great, and as you can tell by the title, it includes a lot of stitch motifs! My third, and final, stitch dictionary is Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book. It also has some great stitch motifs, but since it's more of a resource book, there is only a handful of options. Knitting Resource Books Since I'm talking about Vogue Knitting as resource books, let's talk a bit about resource books. When I first started designing, I used resource books to really nail down certain techniques I felt if-y about, since I'm a self-taught knitter. They were great resources for filling in some gaps in my knitting knowledge. The main book that I've used this way is The Knitter's Book of Knowledge: A Complete Guide to Essential Knitting Techniques by Debbie Bliss. It's a well-compiled book including beautiful, modern illustrations and a lot of step-by-step details. The book starts with a quick summary of yarn types and weights, and then moves into knitting techniques, including cast ons, bind offs, increases, decreases, shaping, textures, colorwork, and embellishments. It's a great, comprehensive book that is easy to read and not loaded with an overwhelming amount of information. The other resource book that I have for general knitting knowledge is Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book. It has a lot of information in it, but so much so that it can feel a bit overwhelming. But I know that if I have a question about anything related to garment construction, techniques, or even the history of knitting, I can probably find it in there! Knitting Pattern Design Resource Books As I've gotten into specific design projects, I've also picked up a few resources specific to a certain project type. I've primarily sought these out (and had tech editors recommend them to me) for the sake of sizing information. The first one that I absolutely love it Knit Mitts: Your Hand-y Guide to Knitting Mittens & Gloves by Kate Atherley. Not only does Kate include several knitting patterns in the book, but she also includes information on sizing, mitten and glove construction, estimated yarn quantities, recommended gauge & needles for a given yarn weight, and more. It's the kind of book I wish I could find on every design type possible! The other one that I've purchased is Amy Herzog's Ultimate Sweater Book: The Essential Guide for Adventurous Knitters. While she doesn't include a sizing chart, she does include a lot of information on garment construction along with several sweater patterns. Another book that I don't own yet but plan to purchase is Custom Socks: Knit to Fit Your Feet by Kate Atherley. Given that I love Kate's mitten book, and my tech editor recommends it, I'm confident I'll love it! Sizing Charts One of the hardest things I've found as a knitting pattern designer has been to find sizing charts that are accurate and include all of the information that I need to properly size a design. So here I'll share the resources that I've found most helpful, and have had recommended to me by my professional technical editors, beyond the resource books mentioned above. For more in-depth discussions on sizing, I host sizing and grading experts as guest speakers within the Design Circle. The most referred to and accepted standard for sizing is Craft Yarn Councils' Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting, so this is typically where I start. However, they don't always include all of the information that you need for our design. The next resource I tend to reference is Knit Now's sizing charts, which includes sizing for women's, men's, teens', children's, and infant's garment sizing; adult and kids socks, hats, and mittens; and blankets, pillows, and Christmas stockings. Another resource that I recently learned about and haven't used yet is KnitCrate's sizing charts that they've compiled for designers working with them. These sizing charts include upper body (for men and women), hands, head, and feet sizing for infants, children, and adults. The last resource I highly recommend is Ysolda Teague's Sizing Chart, which is commonly used for garment design. However, the sizing chart only includes women's sizing and is very specific to the dimensions need for a garment. Often it is helpful to compare the sizing charts from multiple resources (including others designers' patterns that you like the fit of on multiple body sizes) to decide on the sizing for your design. If you are designing for a publication, however, be sure to follow their sizing chart requirements. And beyond that, it's always important to listen to the feedback you receive from test knitters and customers! As with everything in your business, it's ok to adjust and make changes as you learn new information. A Place to Connect with Customers Whether it's Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, a Ravelry group, or your email list, you need to have a place where you can connect with your customers (and hopefully attract new customers!). If they liked working from one of your patterns, you want to have the ability to let them know when you have new knitting patterns, and share any promotional discounts that you run. Another plus to having a place to connect with your customers is that you can also continue to build the 'like, know, trust' factors. As they begin to like, know, and trust you more, they'll be more likely to purchase your knitting patterns. So, hop onto one or two of these platforms (please, for the sake of your well-being, don't try to start with all of them all at once!) and connect with your customers! A quick note about your email list. It's actually pretty important. I'll actually probably end up writing a blog post about it someday, but the important thing to know is that unlike using another platform, you own your email list. That means that, even if you get banned from Instagram, or Facebook falls away over night, you can still contact your customers that are on your email list. Now, just in case something happens with your email list provider, it is important to regularly save a copy of your email list (you can easily download a CSV file). If you're just starting out and don't want any fancy features, I definitely recommend the free version of Mailchimp. I used it for a couple of years, and once I could justify paying for my email list provider, I started using Flodesk. (I really like the aesthetics of their email templates, and they have a lot better segmenting options than Mailchimp. They are a newer company that is constantly adding features. So they don't quite compete with ConvertKit, which seems to be the leader for email marketing, but I think they will continue to grow and improve drastically.) If you want to give Flodesk a try, they have a free trial option, and with this link, you can get 50% off your subscription price for life. Test Knitters I promise there will definitely be more blog posts on test knitting (why, where, what, who, all the details), but please promise me you'll have your patterns test knit, ok? You can ask friends, followers on Instagram, a Facebook test knitting group, a Ravelry test knitting group, your email subscribers, or the test knitters on Yarnpond. Just make sure your pattern is test knit before publishing. Please! Knitting Pattern Technical Editor There will also be additional blog posts on the who, what, where, when, and why of tech editing, but this is also a tool that brings your knitting patterns to a completely new level. While professional tech editors do require an investment, you can sometimes find that a new tech editor looking to build some experience may exchange a free pattern tech edit in exchange for a testimonial. Social Media Content Planner Alright, the last tool that I use all of the time for my business (well, in exception to things like a my business planning system, goal setting system, and financial management systems) is my social media content planner. What I'm talking about are programs like Preview, Later, and Planoly. These social media planners allow you to schedule out what you will post and when. And this can save you a lot of time and headache. You don't have to write a social media post and take a photo every single day you post on social media! I used the free version of Preview for nearly 3 years. I recently switched to the free version of Planoly, because I wanted to be able to plan my social media content from my computer and not just my phone. When I was looking at options again recently, I was choosing between Later and Planoly. The reason I ended up choosing Planoly was because I anticipate someday I'll upgrade to the paid version, and under the paid plan, Planoly allows for unlimited posts, where Later only allows for 60 posts and stories. Kitchen Scale When I first wrote this post, I actually forgot this one, but it's so important, and one of my absolute favorite tools for designing! As a designer, it's important that you can accurately tell how much yarn you've used for a design... and the easiest way to do that is with a kitchen scale! It doesn't have to be anything fancy. I like a slightly larger size for balancing my project on, like this one on Amazon for $19 USD, or this one on Amazon for $15 USD that's even larger and includes a container for holding your project. And that's it! You probably already have a lot of these tools, right? What's the next tool on this list that you'll be getting for yourself? Can you already tell that some of these tools are totally going to make your knitting pattern designing that much easier? I'd love to hear which tools you'll be adding to your list of life-changing accessories! If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed and want an easy way to keep track of your designing supplies, download this free knitwear designing supplies checklist so you don't miss anything! If you love receiving these helpful tips and resources, you'll love the Design Circle, a community of knitting pattern designers asking questions, sharing their tricks and trips, and discussing the ins and outs of running a knitting pattern design business -- plus there's monthly guest speakers talking about business, designing, and more. Note: this blog post contains a few affiliate links (so, if you purchase using the link, and the product qualifies, I may receive a small monetary compensation for recommending the product; it does not change the cost of the product for you), but I continue to recommend the exact same products that I've always recommended -- and use for myself! As an Amazon Associate, and affiliate with Knit Picks, Flodesk, and Planoly, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You have your design idea, and you've started to write out your knitting pattern. But suddenly you're at a standstill: what all do you need to include? What if you forget something? I've found there are seven key components that knitters (and your tech editor) are looking for in knitting patterns. Include these parts and you will avoid several edits from your tech editor, and many questions from knitters working your pattern. What do you like (and dislike) about other knitting patterns? First of all, I think it's always helpful to reference patterns that you love to work from. What makes those patterns so enjoyable to work? Think about the parts of a pattern that you always use; make sure you include those parts. Then think about patterns that have left you feeling lost, frustrated, and stuck. What pieces of information were they missing? Make sure you include that information in your pattern(s). Then take a look at your favorite knitting patterns to work from, and take notes on the key features that you want to be sure you include. Identifying the parts of a pattern that you find helpful – and then determining the way you present each part – will help you create your unique pattern style. Of course, even though your pattern style will be unique to you, there are some key components that most, if not all, patterns should include. We will talk about those in just a minute; but first, one more thing that will make your patterns unique: your customer. Always keep your customer in mind. It's important to think about the customer you're designing for. Ask yourself: What do they already know? What will be new information to them in this pattern? What do they need to be reminded of each time they work a pattern? Do they need written instructions or charted instructions (or both)? Do they need additional descriptions or linked videos? How do they prefer to go through a pattern? Once you have an idea of what they need (and don't need), you can filter which parts of a pattern are necessary for them, and which aren't. It will also tell you the best way to organize the information within your knitting pattern. Key Features to a Knitting Pattern First and foremost, it's important that your pattern has instructions that are clear and easy to understand for your customer. Some knitters prefer short, concise instructions; some knitters prefer lengthy instructions with a lot of detail; and some knitters prefer to have a video to watch rather than a written pattern. Be sure that you cater your pattern instructions to your customer so they will enjoy working through the pattern and find it easy to follow. If you can, I always recommend working with a professional tech editor, who will look over your pattern for clarity and accuracy after you've completed writing the pattern. The next important part of the pattern is the part that tells the knitter how they can create exactly what you've created. This includes yarn information, needle information, sizing information, gauge information, and an abbreviations list. How to Share Yarn Information Within a Knitting Pattern The knitter working your pattern will need to know what kind of yarn they will need, and how much they will need. If you know a knitter is likely to use the exact yarn you used, you can include the number of skeins, balls, or hanks that you used. But I think it is always important to also include the specific amount of yarn you used, particularly for knitters that will be making a yarn substitution. There are many reasons a knitter may choose to work with a different yarn, for example: financial accessibility, location accessibility, interest in a different fiber type, or the yarn you used was discontinued. Sometimes a yarn company may provide a yarn in different quantities (i.e. a 50 gram skein or a 100 gram skein), so providing only the number of balls, skeins, or hanks can be very confusing. When you're including the amount of yarn used for a design, be sure to include the weight (grams and/or ounces) and the length (meters and/or yards). It is pretty common to include yards, meters, and grams. Don't forget: It's common practice to add an extra 10% to the amount of yarn you used when listing the amount of yarn required for a pattern. This is because every knitter may use a different quantity of yarn, and this ensures that knitters working your pattern won't run out if they follow your recommendation. While you want to include the amount of yarn necessary for each size, it is also very helpful to include the information for just one ball, skein, or hank. This is especially helpful for knitters substituting the yarn and wanting to ensure they've found an adequate replacement. Bonus: This isn't necessary, but something that I like to include in the yarn section is a link to the yarn dyer's website, especially if the dyer provided yarn support for the knitting pattern. It's basically like giving an extra shout-out to the yarn dyer by making it easier for knitters to check out their website. Even if they've already picked out their yarn for this pattern, maybe they'll find something for another project! What Information Do I Need to Include About Knitting Needles in My Pattern? The most important information you need to share with the knitter about their knitting needles is the size of knitting needle they will likely need, the type of knitting needle they will need (circular, double-pointed, or straight), and the length of knitting needle they will need. When talking about the size of the knitting needles used for a particular pattern, it will always differ from knitter to knitter based on how loosely or tightly they knit. For this reason, it is important to provide a needle size that will work for the "average" knitter. Since I am a loose knitter, my patterns always call for a different needle size than I used for the design. I always plan to increase the needle size by about two sizes, then I take into account all of the needle sizes my test knitters used, and I refer to the chart of recommended gauges and needle sizes for different yarn weights in Amy Herzog's Knit Mitts book. The chart gives me a good idea of what needle sizes are typical for various gauges, and the test knitters give me a good idea of how the specific stitch patterns work up. The reason I really like referencing the chart in the book is that it allows me to ensure that my test knitters' results make sense and fit the 'average' knitter. You can learn more about this book, and other resource books that I use, in my blog post talking about tools for designing and selling knitting patterns. If your pattern requires multiple needles, make sure you include information for each needle type the knitter will need to work your pattern. In this section, also be sure to include information on any other tools the knitter will need for the pattern, such as cable needles, stitch markers, progress keepers, darning needle, or waste yarn. Always include the number of each item they need, as well as any particular information on sizing that would be important. Including Gauge Within Your Knitting Pattern While isn't gauge information isn't absolutely necessary for someone to work your pattern, it is absolutely necessary for both you and the knitter to be confident that their project will end up the size that you promise in your pattern. Therefore it is important that you include gauge information for each stitch pattern that is prominent within the pattern. Providing a stockinette gauge is helpful, and makes for a simple swatching experience for the knitter, but if your design isn't primarily worked in stockinette, it isn't a very accurate representation of the design. One, because not every knitter is proportionately tighter or looser with every stitch type, and two, because the swatch is also supposed to give the knitter a good idea of what the fabric of the finished object will be like. So, when you're including gauge information, be sure to include the row and stitch gauge for all of the important stitch patterns used in the design. I say most important because I don't think it's necessary to include a reverse stockinette gauge in a garment design that only uses two rounds of reverse stockinette. Also be sure that your gauge is the blocked gauge (and indicate so in the pattern) if the knitter will be blocking their finished object. If it is necessary for your particular design, and/or it is information your customer will need, be sure to include any additional information for the knitter to successfully swatch for their gauge. This may include a page that gives very specific instructions on how to work their swatch in the necessary stitch patterns. Sizing Information In Your Knitting Pattern Now that you've provided all of the instructions the knitter will need to work your pattern, and the pertinent information for replicating your design sample, it's important to include information on sizing for the pattern. Even if there's only one size in your pattern, it is still important to include the dimensions of the finished project, so the knitter knows how large (or small) they should expect the finished project to be. If there's multiple sizes in your pattern, it is important to include the dimensions for every size. Always include any dimensions that are important for fit, and especially any dimensions a knitter may want to customize. For example, my hat patterns include the circumference of the hat (and the circumference of the head it will be designed for, since the hat includes negative ease) as well as the height of the hat. This allows the knitter to select the pattern size that they need to knit in order for the hat to fit around their head, and it allows them to decide if they want more or less length on the hat to fit the way they want. When including your sizing information, be sure to include the blocked measurements if the project will be blocked. List of Knitting Abbreviations to "Unlock the Code" You've written out the instructions so they're clear and easy to follow, but what if the knitter doesn't know what it means? Until a knitter knows what the abbreviations stand for - and how to work the required techniques - a pattern can look like a foreign language. And we don't want your pattern to seem like a foreign language! Be sure to include every abbreviation that you use in the pattern in your abbreviations list, and make sure the description clearly indicates what the abbreviation means. For example, some stitches like SSK need a little bit more information than just what each letter stands for. Trying to figure out what the proper abbreviation is for a stitch technique? The knitting abbreviations included in Craft Yarn Council's Standards & Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting is the industry standard. Supplementary Information in Your Knitting Pattern What Questions Will Your Customers Have? Now that you've included all of the information that your customer needs to correctly work the pattern, it's important to think about any additional questions they will have. Will they need additional support with a certain technique? Do they need to have a photo of a specific part of the design? Do they need information for making customizations or modifications? This information will be very specific to your design and your customer. As you work through test knitting and tech editing, you will also receive questions and feedback that will give you a bit of insight into what additional information you can provide to help your customers. Include Photos of the Design Sample While a photo isn't technically necessary in a pattern, it is very helpful as a reference point when a knitter gets stuck. This is especially true if they're confused about a certain part of the pattern and just need to see how the piece is constructed to understand it. It is also very helpful for times when a knitter isn't sure if they've done something correctly or not; having a photo (or photos) can reassure a knitter that they've done it correctly, or let them know that it is incorrect. Always include at least one photo of the design sample within your pattern. Schematics Is there anything about the construction of your design that isn't intuitive to knitters working your pattern? Are there any dimensions in your sizing section that need some clarifying? Is there a specific shape your design should be blocked to, that isn't obvious to the knitter? If you answered yes to any of these questions, a schematic will be very beneficial in your pattern! They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and your schematic will clear up a lot of confusion. Two more things to check... if you're included charts, don't forget the key! And did you remember to include the pattern name? And that's it! You're already familiar with working from knitting patterns, so now it's time to deconstruct what you like and use, and apply it to your own pattern design. How do you feel? Does it feel doable? Is there something you've been missing in your knitting patterns? If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed and want an easy way to keep track of everything you need in your knitting pattern, download this What to Include In Your Pattern checklist so you know you aren't forget anything! You can print out a copy for each pattern that you write, if you find that helpful!

Why go to the effort of writing, testing, tech editing, and charting a pattern if you aren't going to make some money from the pattern? Of course you're going to sell the pattern! But where? There are many locations where you can sell your knitting patterns, and there's no reason why you shouldn't be selling them in more than one location. Here's a summary of the main platforms knitting pattern designers are using to sell their patterns, including a pros and cons comparison and a fee comparison between Etsy, Ravelry, LoveCrafts, Payhip, Ribblr, and using your own website. Selling Knitting Patterns on Etsy Etsy is a great location for selling knitting patterns. They make it easy to set up a shop, create a listing, and have it available for the world to purchase. Another great advantage to using Etsy is that you get to tap into their (very large) audience, some of which are already searching for knitting patterns! The main disadvantage to using Etsy is that there are a lot of other sellers also on Etsy, which means you have to get good with your SEO (search engine optimization) and photography. Etsy also doesn't have the same filter capabilities that a platform specifically created for patterns has. The other disadvantage to Etsy is that, even if your patterns aren't selling, you'll have to pay $0.20 USD every three months, or every time you sell the pattern, for every listing you have just to keep it listed on their website. Fees: Their fee structure changes periodically, but currently they charge a listing fee, a transaction fee, and a payment processing fee The listing fee is $0.20 every time a listing is published. If you have multiple of one item available, you will be charged the listing fee every time that item is purchased, since there's now another of that listing available for someone to purchase. Your listings expire every three months, at which time you will have to pay $0.20 for the listing to renew again. The transaction fee is 5% of the listing price, shipping, and gift wrapping, and is charged after your item is purchased. Of course, if you're selling digital patterns, you won't have any shipping or gift wrapping fees! If you choose to have your payment processed through Etsy, the fee varies by country, but the United States payment processing fee is 3% of the order amount plus $0.25 per order. Selling Knitting Patterns on Ravelry Ravelry is another great platform for selling your knitting patterns. They also have a large audience, and this audience is specifically looking for knitting and crochet patterns. And since the website was created for knitting and crochet patterns, it has a lot of really great filter options that make it easier for a knitter to find your pattern when it's exactly what they're wanting to knit. Unlike Etsy, it is completely free to list your patterns for sale; instead, you only pay fees on the purchases that you receive. One of the big disadvantages to Ravelry is that there are a lot of free knitting patterns available on the website, and not every visitor on the site will be willing to pay you for the hard work you put into your knitting pattern design. Another big disadvantage to Ravelry is that, since their website updates in 2020, many folks aren't able to use the website due to headaches, migraines, seizures, and more. Because of the way Ravelry responded to the situation, there were many crafters that left the platform in 2020 and 2021. I also find that Ravelry's process for listing a new pattern for sale is a bit confusing, especially the first time you try it. Unlike LoveCrafts, Ravelry does allow you to create several coupon and sale options for your marketing, but I don't find it quite as easy as setting up a promotional discount on Etsy. Fees: Ravelry charges a transaction fee, plus you will be charged a payment processing fee by PayPal. Ravelry's transaction fee is 3.5% of your sales each month if you make between $30 USD and $1500 USD. Below $30, there is no fee. Above $1500, the fee is reduced. PayPal's payment processing fees have just restructured. Now they charge 3.49% of the order price plus $0.49 USD per order that is processed using PayPal's payment options, or 2.59% of the order price plus $0.49 USD per order that is processed using a credit or debit card. Selling Knitting Patterns on LoveCrafts LoveCrafts is also a platform that was created specifically for crafters, so it has done a great job of gathering a large audience that may be interested in knitting pattern designs. They do also allow for some filtering of the search results, but it isn't nearly as robust as Ravelry's filter options. Like Ravelry, LoveCrafts doesn't charge you to put your knitting patterns on their website. Unlike Ravelry, you don't have to pay them every month for the fees that you owe; instead, they take the fees out of your payment before sending the money to you. As a new knitting pattern designer, it's also really nice that LoveCrafts has lower fees if you sell less than $40 USD in a given month. However, LoveCrafts isn't a favorite platform among most knitting pattern designers. For one, it can be a bit annoying to upload a pattern, and then you have to wait for them to approve and publish the pattern before it will be available for purchase. And even then, it takes a little while for it to show up in your design profile. This is especially annoying when you're trying to push a brand new launch. If you're tight on money, another disadvantage to selling through LoveCrafts is that you can wait over a month to receive payment for a pattern that you sold, because they send all payments out on the 20th of the month following the purchase. And lastly, although LoveCrafts caters to crafters, they sell a lot of different supplies for knitters, crocheters, cross stitchers, embroiderers, paper crafters, and more; so selling knitting patterns isn't their top priority. Fees: LoveCrafts makes their fee structure pretty simple. They charge a transaction fee of 2% of the pattern cost plus $0.20. If you make more than $40 USD in a given month, they will charge an additional 3.5% selling fee on your month's total sales. Selling Your Knitting Patterns on Payhip As there has been an influx of knitters and designers leaving Ravelry, Payhip has become a relatively popular option among knitwear designers. Essentially, Payhip is a free website shop. For the most part, you aren't going to be getting traffic from Payhip, and knitters aren't going to Payhip to search for knitting patterns. Instead, you'll need to drive the traffic to the website. This is an especially great option if you already have a following of knitters interested in your patterns, but you don't want to create a website of your own. While it is free to list your patterns on Payhip, it isn't my favorite option. From my experience, knitters aren't as familiar yet with Payhip, so they're more likely to go through Ravelry or LoveCrafts to make a purchase. And after I launched my shop on my own website, I immediately received several more sales on my website than I ever did on Payhip. The other thing that I don't love about Payhip is that, while they allow for some customization of your shop aesthetics, it can be very frustrating to adjust. All of that said, if you want to implement a "pay-what-works" option, Payhip may be a great place to test it out! You can set a minimum purchase limit, and customers can pay that price or any amount above that price. Fees: Payhip charges a 5% transaction fee if you use the free plan, a 2% transaction fee if you use the plus plan (which costs $29 USD per month), and no transaction fee if you use the pro plan (which costs $99 USD per month). Plus, you will be charged a payment processing fee by PayPal, which is 3.49% of the order price plus $0.49 USD per order that is processed using PayPal's payment options, or 2.59% of the order price plus $0.49 USD per order that is processed using a credit or debit card. Selling Your Knitting Patterns on Ribblr Ribblr is a relatively new knitting pattern platform on the scene. The website was created for knitting, sewing, and crochet patterns, so it's definitely a great place to find knitters. Of course, their audience base isn't nearly as large as Ravelry or LoveCrafts, but it is growing. While they don't have the filter options that Ravelry and LoveCrafts have, they do allow you to filter by the techniques used in the pattern. Ribblr also does not make you pay a fee for listing patterns on the website. The part that makes Ribblr unique from other knitting pattern platforms is that it's an interactive tool for knitters that will give knitters only the instructions for the size they are working. It also allows you to link videos throughout the pattern so knitters can easily watch tutorials as they work through the pattern, and link yarns within the materials section so knitters don't have to go searching for the yarn you recommend. As knitters work through the pattern, they can easily track where they are in the pattern by marking a section as complete. While I think this technology is really neat, and a great method of modernizing knitting patterns, it does require a lot more work from you as the designer to add your patterns to their system, because you have to follow their formatting and manually input information rather than just uploading the PDF of your knitting pattern. If you include charts within your patterns, you will also need to completely recreate the chart within Ribblr. The other main disadvantage, in my opinion, is that you can't lay out a pattern how you'd like to aesthetically. Fees: Ribblr currently only charges a sale fee of 4%, or $0.25 USD, whichever is greater. Plus, you will be required to pay Stripe's payment processing fee of 2.9% of the order plus $0.30. Your Own Website Last, but definitely not least, you can set up your own shop on your own website to sell your knitting patterns. This scenario is a lot like selling your patterns on Payhip (you have to direct your own traffic), but you're able to completely customize the way your shop is set up and how your customers experience it. You will likely have to pay an annual fee, in addition to your general website fees, for hosting this shop, but the fees you pay for each transaction should be less than any other platform you use. Fees: Fees will vary a lot depending on the website you are using. You may have to pay for an upgrade on your website annual fee, or you may have to pay for a transaction fee to the website host. You will also likely pay the payment processing fee to the website host, PayPal, or Stripe. I use Wix. While it requires an upgrade to collect money on my website, I had to make that upgrade for my membership plans as well. Then Wix only charges a payment processing fee; the customer can choose to pay through Wix (payment processing fee is the same as Stripe) or PayPal. Alright, so those are the main platforms that knitting pattern designers are using to sell their patterns. Let's talk a bit about comparing each of the platforms. A Comparison of Platform Features Below is my summary, in table form, of everything I've talked about so far, with exception to fees. A Comparison of Fees Ok, so what do all of the fees end up meaning as a business owner selling your knitting patterns? It's hard to compare when each one uses a different structure. So here is a graph comparing the total fee based on pattern price, assuming each order only includes one pattern. It uses Ravelry's mid-range fee, assumes you live within the US, assumes anyone using PayPal uses a debit or credit card, assumes you use the free Payhip plan, and doesn't include any additional website costs you may have to pay for your website. It also includes two lines for LoveCrafts: one before reaching the $40 threshold, and one after. Ultimately, this graph shows us that LoveCrafts fees and website fees (assuming you're only paying the payment processing fee and not additional website fees) will be the cheapest options, and Etsy and Payhip will almost always be the most expensive. It also shows how, as pattern price increases, the fee difference between platforms also gets larger. Making Your Pattern Platform(s) Choice Now that you know about the different platform options, it's time to just getting started. Since LoveCrafts and Ravelry can run on autopilot once they're set up, I recommend starting with those platforms. Then I recommend testing a few patterns on Etsy to see if it's a platform that will work well for you. If you're interested in riding with the flow of a new platform (and its technology for reading knitting patterns), go ahead and test out Ribblr. And once you're ready to send your own traffic to your shop, check out Payhip or create your own website shop. But remember, you don't have to do all of this overnight. It can take you several years to try out the different platforms and decide on what's best for you. It's much more important for you to focus and get good at one platform than to try all of the things, get stressed out about all of them, and never establish yourself well on any of them. So where will you be starting today? If you love receiving these helpful tips and resources around running a knitting pattern design business, you'll love the Design Circle, a community of knitting pattern designers asking questions, sharing their tricks and trips, and discussing the ins and outs of running a knitting pattern design business -- plus there's monthly guest speakers talking about business, designing, and more.