The Beginner's Guide to Writing Knitting Patterns: Learn to Write Patterns Others Can Knit

by Kate Atherley

Create custom knitting patterns to share and sell!

Writing clear, easy-to-follow knitting patterns is easier than you think! In The Beginner's Guide to Writing Knitting Patterns , knitting expert Kate Atherley provides everything you need to know to share your projects with fellow knitters. This one-stop guide includes concrete guidelines with lots of examples on everything from pattern writing basics, to schematics and charts, to handling multiple sizes, establishing a personal style sheet, and more. The book addresses the details of how to create complete, clear and easy-to-use knitting patterns, for any type of design, and for any level of knitter. You'll also find details

   • Pattern structure and elements
   • Formatting and layout
   • How to go from test knitting to a final publication
   • Online platforms, processes, and good business practices
   • An introduction to important copyright laws
A basic pattern template and resources are also provided. Whether you're looking to share a project with a close friend or your growing online customer base, The Beginner's Guide to Writing Knitting Patterns is the comprehensive guide that can help you translate your project into a set of instructions that any knitter can follow.

Genres: Knitting, Crafts, Nonfiction, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2016

Reviews

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ksate Atherly is one of my favorite knitwear designers, so I was especially excited to get this book about how to write patterns. It did not disappoint.

There's very little here about the design process, this is a book about how to put your pattern into a format that others can use. It not only explains what knitters (or publishers) expect, and why, but also how to develop your own style of pattern writing.

I highly recommend it.

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library and I found that it is actually a really good reference book! The author has superb credentials and she touches on most every aspect on getting a pattern written well. Lots of information in the appendices, too. Unfortunately, I had so much trouble dealing with the graphic design of this book. It took me way too long to slog through because I found it so graphically chaotic (page 59) and other times just plain ugly. Despite that, I will get this book for my reference shelf.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great resource for those starting to write knitting patterns. It is very comprehensive and detailed. It also offers a list of sample publishers and submission guidelines. I will refer to this book again.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book from one of the masters! Such an approachable tone!

[Rebeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough and well written. A companion for the beginning designer, a source to go back to.

[Nostalgia Reader]

I have mixed feelings on this one. It's certainly an amazing reference to have, and it allowed for me to see some clarifications and variations on certain things that I had over thought before (or never known how to do!) However, it is very much a beginner's guide. There was a lot in here that I knew already and didn't gain much from, aside from verification that I knew what I was doing in writing some patterns! And while the intro does say that this is not a comprehensive guide to grading and some more "advanced" pattern writing essentials, it was also a missed opportunity I think, to include at least some basic comprehensive overviews of these sorts of things in the back of the book. There were also some basic pattern elements that I didn't see any mention of, such as how best to address selvage stitches and how exactly to incorporate repeat instructions into the written pattern. I also found that the suggestion of having a well fitting garment pattern in one size only is better than having poorly graded sizes quite contradictory to almost every other things I've ever read about garment designing--you always grade things, you rarely only provide one size for a garment. There was also no mention of how to best measure yarn amounts to make suggestions for other yarns to use--giving other yarn suggestions was heavily suggested, but no methods for "best" measuring these types of things were given.

There are a few other caveats that I could point out, but in all honesty I think I'm being overly constructive because this is such a great resource... it just would have been even better for me had it been even more comprehensive. For someone who has never dabbled in writing any sort of proper pattern before, there is a TON of helpful info here. And even if you have written up patterns before, there is still a lot of helpful clarifications for certain things, like how to best write "needle agnostic" instructions for small circumferences and flat knitting and how best to condense some complex instructions.

All in all, you as the designer need to figure out how much hand holding you want or need to provide to the knitter depending on the pattern audience and type of pattern and techniques. This provides some guidance on all levels of patterns from how best to write something for a beginner to how to write it for an expert.

I don't give star ratings to these sorts of books, but if I did, it'd be 3.5 stars.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting to read. I've only dabbled in writing patterns but I worked from a lot of them and learning how they are put together (or at least how Kate Atherley thinks they should be put together) was enlightening.

I will add that I think this book is written not just for the beginning pattern writer, but also someone who is writing patterns for beginners. I would have no interest in the amount of information that Atherley says is mandatory to include in patterns. I prefer the short and concise style myself.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just chock full of great information. I'm currently not writing patterns so skimmed much of it, but would look for it again if that situation changes.

[Rachy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent beginner's guide to pattern writing and a useful resource to keep handy. It covers much of the technical, practical details for pattern writing like formatting and such.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think maybe I will leave the writing of patterns up to the experts.