How to Make Knitting Patterns

Making knitting patterns is a good way to transcribe original designs so you can easily reproduce the item in the future, and so, if you choose to release the pattern, others can also produce your item. Some knitters offer patterns for free through blogs or websites like Ravelry; others use their original patterns to earn money by selling them through websites like Ravelry or Etsy. Transcribing knitting patterns is a simple process, but there are certain standards to keep in mind so that the pattern will be easy to follow, especially if you plan to release it.

Things You'll Need

• Word processing software Original knitting design

Instructions

Creating a Knitting Pattern

1. Design your knitted item. The best way to be sure an item is original is to make it from scratch, without using any patterns. Stitch dictionaries are OK to use because they are only a stitch type, not an actual item.

2. Note each step as you complete it. For example, note how many stitches you cast on, then how you created the first row, then the second, etc. Make sure to account for each individual row.

3. Write out the pattern. Now that you've completed your own design, you can browse other patterns to see how they have phrased their patterns. Usually, you will begin the pattern by saying to cast on the necessary number of stitches, then describe each stitch in each row, giving each row its own line. For example, if you were making a scarf with a cast on of 25 stitches, and it was done in a knit one, purl one rib, the beginning of the pattern could be written as follows: "CO 25. Row 1: *k1, p1* repeat from * to end, ending with k1 in the last stitch. Row 2: *p1, k1* repeat from * to end, ending with p1 in the last stitch."

4. Test the pattern. Recreate the designed object solely from the pattern to be sure there are no mistakes, and to correct any that exist.

5. Publish the pattern. This can be done by creating a blog post if you wish to offer the pattern for free. If you want to sell the pattern, you can do so by opening an online shop and offering the pattern for sale there.

Tips & Warnings

• Proofread the pattern to make sure there are no grammatical errors. If you are including a chart element, make sure any written instructions match the chart.

• Make sure you are creating a new and original design, and not copying all or part of another person's design, as this could create copyright issues.

References

• Sylver Designs - How to Design Crochet Patterns

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Ravelry
• Etsy