I have been designing crochet items since 2014 and later taught myself how to make crochet patterns to be sold. I sure made a lot of mistakes a long the way and created patterns that I wanted to be intuitive, but instead ended up being more complex instead. It is a fine line between doing what makes sense to you, while making it easy for others to understand as well. I hope this guide can inspire you to make a crochet pattern – even if it’s not perfect (it’s not supposed to be, you’re human). Start today and before you’re ready and learn how to make money from your crochet.
My own thoughts about making your own crochet patterns, though, is that it’s important that it makes sense to you first and foremost. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to explain something you don’t understand yourself.
If you are interested in designing crochet clothes (or other items) and want to learn how to create your first crochet pattern, then read on.
Crochet the item for your crochet pattern
First you must actually have a finish crochet top, sweater or something else, that you want to write down the pattern for. Maybe you have already made it and it’s just waiting for you to write down the steps?
Write down the process (for yourself)
So you understand it. Make it very simple, from start to finish. What did you do?
When it comes to writing a pattern in the conventional way, writing rows, steps etc, choose the technique that works for you. You can write steps or dots or row numbers, whatever works for you. Just make sure you write it down in specifics what you did.
Things to remember are: where did you start? on the middle, side, bottom of the project? Did you crochet in rows or rounds? When did the increase start, did you make chains at the end, do these count as a stitch or are they turning chains? etc.
Write large titles to make it more digestible
To make it easier to read for you and others, make sections for each area of the crochet project. Write down a title and maybe a subtitle where you write shortly what this section is about, or if something changes in the pattern in this section. Maybe you are changing yarn colors or hook or something else.
Write down the “obvious” things
This is a mistake I made many times! Stuff like not writing down what hook I was using, how much yarn or what size yarn I was using. I didn’t write down where to start or when to break off the yarn. It is actually quite crucial, I have discovered, to write down the things that might seem obvious – like starting and finishing on the project or section, so the reader knows where they are and what the next step is.
This is what I think is important to write down:
- Specify the materials you are using
Yarn, hook and what not - Specify the stitches you are using
Is it UK or US terms? if you are using shell stitch then you can write: How to crochet shell stitch, followed by the explanation or link to your youtube video if you have that. Write the abbreviation for the stitch, like: “double crochet = dc” - Where you start
At the bottom of the project, the side and are you working in rows or rounds? - How to end the row or round and start a new one…
“Chain 1, turn over” or “chain 2, continue in the same direction”. Let people know wheter or not the chains are used as a stitch or if it is just a turning chain. - Write: “Break off the yarn” or something similar
Write this anytime the crocheter needs to end that section and start somewhere else, otherwise it can get confusing. - Write an overview
Make a section before the actual crocheting of the pattern where you give an overview (text, images, drawing in paint or what you like) of the whole process, to give an idea of what is going to happen. - What the item measures
Read below for more about sizes. If you are making just one size, specifiy what it measures/what size it is, so people can determine if it’s the right size for them.
…. But keep it simple
Yes, it’s a good idea to write everything down, even the smallest things, but also remember to keep it simple and light, not paragraphs of text that is too overwhelming to read. Make space between the lines, some text in bold or cursive etc.
What about sizing?
First of all – all sizes (even the same sizes) are different from brand to brand, so it’s totally okay to make your own size chart or you can borrow one from H&M’s website for instance. Determine what the bust, waist and hip measurement of each size is. Maybe just start with three sizes, being inclusive is good but it is even better to not have to feel like you are drowning with 10 different size options. Start simple, and when you have 1 size you can more easily size up and down from there.
This is how I have done it:
- Write down my own measurements (that are relevant to the pattern)
If it’s a top it might be: bust, waist, length, armhole - Count how many stitches I start with, how many rows I have in total, how many rows/stitches are in the armhole of my top.
- Measure how many stitches equal 2 cm.
- Measure how many rows equal 2 cm
- Determine how many cm (in circumference and length) there is between each size (approximately)
Now that I have that information I can calculate how many stitches and how many rows I need to add or remove from the original top, so that I get a top in a larger or smaller size.
One size crochet patterns are totally acceptable
But also, I think it’s important to state that making a pattern only in your size is totally doable and not a bad idea at all. When you are first starting out, just cut yourself some slack and take it one step at a time. Don’t expect yourself to know what you are doing, or “be professional”. Allow yourself to learn while doing. I have multiple crochet patterns that are only 1 size, and that still works and I still make sales from those products.
Give your crochet pattern a name
Another mistake that I have learned from, sort of, is to name your crochet patterns and crochet designs. Not everyone does it, not even big crochet and knit designers. But I think it’s a great idea for a number of reasons.
- Taking ownership of the design. This is yours, you named it, you own it.
- Marketing. If you are going to promote the product it will easily disappear between all the other items called “crochet top” but if you name it something unique, people are more likely to find it. Also you invite people to hashtag the name and therefore help spread it around
- If you are going to create a crochet webshop or something like that, it is a good way to distinguise your different items from each other.
- It’s kind of cute to give it a name 🙂
Look at other’s crochet patterns
See how other crocheters pattern layout looks like and ask yourself what you like or don’t like about the pattern. You can even check out some of my free patterns, and see if you can be inspired on how to construct a pattern.
If you find that some things are too difficult to explain in writing use photos or a little video to show that part, you don’t need a complete tutorial, but just to visualize it and make it simpler.
There is not one right way to make a pattern
I have tried following Youtube tutorials, simple and advanced patterns and you know what I learned? There is not ONE correct way to go about it. Some make intutiive patterns where it is “put the row around your waist and make more stitches if needed”. Others have “row 1, row 2, row 3” and one is not better than the other. Our crochet patterns can’t please everyone, and they don’t need to, so it is better to do what works for you. Ask yourself, what I used to ask myself: how would I want to read a pattern? What would I want to see? And think of the pattern like the clothing itself – it’s okay that this is not everyone’s style. Some will like it and some will hate it, and it can’t be any different.
The same goes for adding photos of the crochet process or making a video – you do you! If it works for you, great, if not, then you can still have success with your crochet pattern!
Keep it intuitive
This might not be for you, but I need this as a section in this article. Intuitive crochet designs, I think, are best. Because they are easily adjustabe in terms of sizing, what yarn and hook you use and it enables you to be more free of the structure of a pattern (and following along, so you can crochet even without having to look down for every row).
So this is me speaking on behalf of the intuitive crochet patterns, asking you to consider trying to make them. It is not that different from a regular pattern, it helps the crocheter actually think twice, physically take the clothes up to their body and measure along, get a sense of the stretch factors in their crochet project and generally be more aware in the process and less chained to blindly follow along a written pattern, that might not work for their creative brains.
I hope you liked this post, I wish you all the best on your crochet journey!
…read why I make intuitive patterns here