Maybe you already modify designs to suit your style and maybe you create your own designs from scratch. Now you’re ready for the leap into crochet pattern writing. First of all, congratulations for following your dream. Do not be scared. I’m so glad you have found me, I will help you as much as I can on this new journey. You’re going to love it!
I have put together the process I use, along with some free downloadable templates to help you. I have also given you action steps to tell you exactly what to do every step of the way.
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In my opinion, writing patterns is not just for designers. Sometimes we create a beautiful project and have our notes on scraps of paper, so if we ever want to crochet it again it will be almost impossible. If we write it down as we create it, we will save ourselves this frustration. You can share it with friends and family as well.
There are no set rules or courses with certification for crochet pattern writing. But there are some industry standards and guidelines we must follow so that anybody can crochet our designs and we can reach a global audience.
We want as many people as possible to be able to read our pattern and finish crocheting our project so that they can tell more people about our beautiful crochet designs. So be as creative as you want while designing, but follow good writing practices to appeal to a universal audience.
You will have to help people with downloading as well as any trouble they have while crocheting your pattern. I would not consider this a con exclusive to pattern selling as you will have to provide customer service when you sell a product, and even have to handle returns in some cases.
Once you grow as a designer, things get much easier. In todays world this is not very hard, but it does take time.
I would like to add, for someone who loves crochet and design, it’s all totally worth it.
Remember the reason why you have decided to be a crochet designer and everything becomes easy!
Remember, these are not set in stone and you can always modify this process to your liking once you start gaining experience!
In the past, you may have crochet projects by other designers. Now is the time to bring out your pattern collection and to carefully study them. Study all the main sections a pattern is divided into. These are the same for most patterns. Study the language and pay attention to the layout and design. See what you like and dislike.
Look at multiple patterns just for an idea of what a professional well written pattern looks like. The goal is to study and learn, no to copy any part.
If you want to go a step further, choose a simple stitch that you have crocheted before like just single crochet. Now try and write it out. Match your instructions with the ones available online. Try the same for a shell stitch. Try it for a granny square.
Remember to match your instructions with the ones given online and learn how to write.
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You may be an intermediate or advanced crocheter, but the best advice I can give you for writing your first pattern is to start easy. If you take away only one thing from this article, let it be this- make your first pattern easy and simple. Give yourself this gift. There should be no shaping or sizing involved, in my opinion. Do not work in rounds.
You want to focus on finishing, the goal is to gain the confidence to write more patterns. If you don’t finish, you may feel discouraged and may even want to quit. We definitely do not want this! To avoid this, start easy and follow the process, and you will soon realize pattern writing is fun!
I would suggest pick something like a wash cloth, a placemat, a scarf, an easy cowl or a baby blanket. Fingerless mitts are also acceptable. The goal is to pick something easy (yes I am repeating myself at this point I know LOL).
Pick a simple stitch that you have made before. It can be a simple repeat but I would not advice picking some elaborate fillet pattern with a 20 row repeat that will lead to tears (it has been known to happen).
Choose a yarn that you have already used before and enjoy crocheting with. A new yarn can cause trouble while crocheting and we are trying to keep all the troubles at a minimum and fun at the maximum hereJ
Check out the craft yarn council for details about yarn weight and how to pick one for your project. Pick a suitable hook.
Now you can draw a sketch of what you want your finished project to look like.
If you have seen my sketches, you may have noticed, I am no artist. You don’t need to be good at drawing to be good at designing (although if you are, go you!) The sketch should just be able to give you an idea of what your finished product looks like in your mind.
This is my sketch for 2 tops. If you are a decent artist (unlike me) or just enjoy art, you can even color your sketch, to try and picture the finished product exactly.
You will need a notebook and a pencil, or you can use your ipad if you already have one. I would suggest keep all your sketches digitally or in the same book/ journal. Use a pencil so it is easy to erase. A pen will lead to lots of scratching (I do use a pen :P).
Create a swatch to make sure you like the way your stitch pattern, the color/s and the way the fabric looks. You will also write the gauge using the swatch.
Most of us are scared of gauge when we first start, and I can assure you it is simpler than what we think it is. It is actually the most important thing for a designer. I have created this article about gauge and swatches if you would like to read more about it.
Now is the time to experiment and play with stitches and yarns and create a fabric of your choice. Let your creativity flow. Use different weights, different colors and different hook sizes till you are satisfied.
It is a good habit to write gauge from the beginning of our designer journey and this practice will improve our pattern writing skills over time. Never write a pattern without gauge, even if gauge is not important for that pattern.
Now is the time to decide the size/s you want your project to be. Use the gauge calculator if you hate math, to calculate sizes easily and without any frustration. Click to read more about gauge calculator.
This is the part we all enjoy the most. We will crochet our project but not so fast…first bring out your workbook (download above) or just use a notebook and record all your initial details. Write down the yarn label details. Write the hook you have chosen, the size and so on.
Now start crocheting and as you crochet write everything down. I mean EVERY. SINGLE. THING. For our first few patterns this is crucial. This practice will save you hours of frustration. These notes will help make the final pattern much, much more easier to write.
Start taking notes from the foundation chain till the finishing of your project. It is a bit tiring to stop and write what you are doing but it is worth it when you start writing the final version of your pattern, as you will see.
Along with the notes start taking pictures also. Some of these you will use for marketing and some will explain the stitches/ construction. Take many pictures as you want, you can always delete them later.
My advice is to always use a Checklist and planner write out your final pattern so that you don’t miss any sections. I say this because when I first started writing I actually forgot to mention hook size in one pattern. Because we have to keep track of so many little details, a checklist makes the process hassle free. Keep customizing your template as you grow as a designer.
I have a checklist that you can download to help you while writing.
Get your crochet pattern writing template that you can customise on canva.
Always remember, we want our patterns to be well written because we want everyone who buys the pattern to finish making it.
A pattern that is not well written will lead to unhappy customers who are unable to finish crocheting and will not want to purchase again from you and may even tell their friends to do the same. They may even decide that they don’t want to crochet and look for a new hobby L
Hey guys, I just want to add, I am creating the “crochet pattern writing school” currently. In this course, I will hold your hand every step of the way and help you write your first pattern, without any of the overwhelm and frustration. Join the waiting list, and get the special discount. I want you to write your crochet pattern. It deserves to be out there!!
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As a beginner the pattern is bound to have errors. Even an experienced designer makes errors often. After finishing, read over your pattern once and see if there is anything missing. Scan through materials and instructions and add any pictures you have taken before. Designers add pictures to the last page sometimes, so that if the crocheter wants to print it out, they can leave the pictures out.
Next send your pattern to a tech editor to be checked and edited. Add post link in future They check for mathematical and grammatical errors and inconsistencies. They will tell you if there is an easier way to write instructions that aren’t clear. Now you are ready for testers.
First ask your family and friends or anyone you know who crochets if they would like to test your pattern out. Ask them if they see any errors or if anything isn’t clear.
Reach out on your social media asking if anyone would be willing to test. Someone will help, I am sure of this.
You want to make sure someone besides you can produce the same result as you, before you publish your pattern. Use the feedback you get to make changes, as you see fit.
While your pattern is being tested you can take pictures of your final product. This will take some practice but over time it gets easy. Your pictures are very important as they are what makes a person decide whether they want to purchase from you or not. No matter how well your pattern is written, it is the pictures that will sell it. Save it as a PDF.
We have finally reached the step which we were all waiting for yay yay!
Now take some time to decide all the platforms you want to publish. Decide whether you want it to be a free or a paid pattern.
I would start with Etsy. It is an easy to use platform with its own audience so you don’t have to worry about marketing as much. Next I would publish to Ravelry. Other options are your own blog, Lovecrafts.
Please use this link to sign up for your Etsy shop to get free listings.
Now promote your design on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tik Tok and any social media that you have. Ask your friends to help promote. Ask your testers to post their pictures as well.
Lastly, be ready for customer service. Always be polite to your customers. Be patient as what may seem clear to you, isn’t always clear to others.
Action steps:
I want to leave you with a thought. If you want to save the time and frustration on researching and creating a process that works for every pattern, I am currently creating the “Crochet Designer Academy”. I have tried to include everything I have come across over years of pattern writing. This is a step by step process with lots of templates and checklists to help you along the way. Please consider joining the Crochet Designer Academy waitlist, to get the special discount on its release.
And receive the course at lowest rate it will ever be at!! Also receive a weekly newsletter with tips for designers!
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Thank you so much for reading,
Hi, I’m Aki! I love designing patterns and love teaching. I use lots of stitches and colors and try to simplify everything because all patterns become easy once simplified. I mostly create womens garments in all sizes. I hope you enjoy!
Get your free Crochet Pattern Design and Launch Workbook after you join my newsletter here! Join the community of women who make money doing what they love!
Please check your email for your FREE DOWNLOAD.
