So you want to design patterns? 9 tips to start designing patterns.
I’ve been designing for over 3 years now, and as I’ve grown and experimented, I’ve learnt a lot. A lot about myself, a lot about fashion and style, and a lot about KNITWEAR DESIGN. I’ve been lucky enough to have multiple people come forward and ask if I can give them advice on how to start writing patterns, so here goes - all my tips, in one location. I hope they help!
9 tips when starting to design
1) Do it. Stop putting it off and just dive in.
The number one reason why I think people don’t design is because they don’t take the leap and just DO IT. Instead we hesitate, worry and then push it off for later. Let me tell you, later is NOW! I have never found a book on “How to Design” (and if you find one, please send it to me asap) so get ready to get messy, make mistakes and just do it. Sadly, no one is going to hand you a handbook on this.
2) Find out what you want to make
Come up with an idea of what you would like to make. Which sounds pretty simple really. You can draw inspo from anywhere - minus ripping someones else idea off of course! Once you’ve come up with the perfect design idea, I suggest doing a few more things to set you on the right track; 1) Make a sketch, even if its rudimentary and 2) Check Rav, Etsy + Pinterest to see if it’s been done before. If it has - what makes yours different? If it’s too similar, is it worth making? You decide. Put a pro’s and cons list. I repeat: Do not copy someone else’s design or work.
Photo credit: Snow City Knits
Check out my knitting patterns on Etsy HERE.
Pin this blog post to your Pinterest boards for later HERE.
Check out my knitting patterns on Ravelry HERE.
3) Find your materials, stitches and swatch
Whether it’s the perfect squish, or a certain texture you’re looking for, pick your materials based off that. Do you want a flowy drape, or a stiff and structured piece? What stitch will work best to achieve the look you want? Ask yourselves these questions and then test things out by MAKING. A. SWATCH. You’re going to need to do this for multiple reasons: 1) You need it for the gauge in your pattern, 2) It will help you determine how much to cast on and 3) Your idea may not work with that particular yarn or needles you have chosen and this is the perfect trial run to find out. Try it out and experiment with a few different swatch options and see what you like best.
4) Make it + write everything down
This sounds so “duh”, but you would be surprised how often you will forget to write down a step or even what needle/hook size you used. Whether you write out your pattern first, then make the item and tweak as you go, or make it and write down as you go, make sure you’re documenting each step + adjustment. Don’t make shit harder for yourself because you’ve forgotten what you’ve done. Write EVERYTHING DOWN. I personally love using my phone notes so that I can email them to myself and have them already typed up for the most part. (Note: I have heard horror stories where phone notes have been accidentally deleted, so be careful.)
5) Transfer it into a program
Now that you’ve written your pattern, you need to make it possible for others to be able to read it as well. I personally like Powerpoint (I don’t suggest Word because it’s awful to move things around in), or Indesign. Once you’ve chosen a program, find a format you like. Not sure what all goes into a pattern? Find this template here from my shop that shows you errrrrythang and where you can essentially drag and drop your info in the correct spots. OR download a few of your favourite patterns, and see what you do and don’t like about them, and create your own template.
6) Get multiple sets of eyes
In the knitting and crochet world you have a few options for this. Your friends who may know knitting things (but may not catch everything), testers who volunteer their time to make your item and try to find mistakes, or tech editors. The first two options are free, tech editors charge. Below I’ve linked two great facebook groups. One for testers, and one for tech editors. (My tech editor is Nicky from Hand Knits and Hygge)
Tester group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/patterntesters/
Tech editors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetecheditorhub/
7) Market, market, market, market
I swear 90% of how a pattern succeeds is how much you market and advertise it to your audience. If you don’t tell anyone about it, no one will know! Shout it on the rooftops until you’re hoarse. If you feel like you’re over doing it, you’re not. On social media people usually only see a fraction of the posts you put out, so keep showing that pattern off before you publish it.
8) Launch it!
To maximize your sales, I would suggest having your patterns on: Etsy, Ravelry, your website, and Love Knitting. In that exact order. If you have the first two, then that’s great!
9) Market market market
I doesn’t stop once you’ve launched your pattern. You need to constantly remind people about it, otherwise it will slip from their minds. I highly suggest using social media to your advantage and PINTEREST. The lifespan of an average post on IG is 48 hours, on Pinterest - it’s 5-7 MONTHS. Use it! (Come follow me on Pinterest as well!)
Side bars:
Do not try to re-invent the wheel. You don’t have to make a ground breaking design to be a designer.
Don’t get scared out of the waters by copyright. There is only a certain amount of stitches out there, and they can only be done in certain amount of arrangements. Styles go in and out and everyone gets inspo from others. Don’t not be afraid to make an item, no one owns a “hat” style… but note that INSPO does not mean copy.
Know that some designs flop. They just won’t be popular - that’s ok. Use it as a learning tool and keep growing from it.
Learn along the way. You’re going to make mistakes and learn along the way. You’ll only become a better designer with TIME + PRACTICE.
Have you been wanting to design? What has or hasn’t stopped you? Comment below!