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Try the crafts yarn council, http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/?q=standards.html, they are an organization that is trying to help standardize all aspects of the crafts of knitting and crochet. There is a section for designers and standardized abbreviations and stitch definitions.
Another good source is the TKGA, the Knitting Guild of America. Their Masters classes cover pattern writing as do some of the articles in their magazine.
 
I don't know of any links or apps to help with pattern writing, but I started pattern writing last year. My suggestion would be to take a pattern that you enjoyed making with good instructions. See what it entails and make sure you have everything important in your own pattern. I would also suggest getting someone to test knit it for you and give you feedback.

Important things to list are: All materials needed to complete the item including weights and thickness of yarns, needle or hook sizes, size of buttons used etc, stitches used, sizes available in the pattern, page numbers, copyright info, can the buyer sell the completed object, clear instructions on sewing the pieces together, and photos. Hope this helps!
 
I think the suggestion of trying to write your pattern in the style of a pattern you have enjoyed is a good one. My favorite patterns are those on KNITTY, a free online knitting magazine. I have always felt them to be very well written.
 
LisaMarieKnits said:
I don't know of any programs or apps that will assist you in writing up one of your designs. I am a pattern designer and notice that most of us have our own individual style of writing patterns. Although there are standard abbreviations, guidelines for describing pattern, materials needed and gauge before the pattern itself is written out, that is where the consistency tends to end. Some write out line by line instructions, some in paragraph form, some use charts/written instructions or both. Having feedback from a test knitter is always a good idea. Good luck to you.👍👍😀
Oh, you're a designer? I'd love to see some of your designs. Do you have any of them available on Ravelry? Or maybe you have a blog I could check out. I'll be looking for you to post some links. Thanks in advance!

As a matter of fact, it might be a big help to the OP to have a look at some of your patterns. She could compare them with other pattern designers to get a better understanding of some of the differences you point out.
 
LisaMarieKnits said:
I don't know of any programs or apps that will assist you in writing up one of your designs. I am a pattern designer and notice that most of us have our own individual style of writing patterns. Although there are standard abbreviations, guidelines for describing pattern, materials needed and gauge before the pattern itself is written out, that is where the consistency tends to end. Some write out line by line instructions, some in paragraph form, some use charts/written instructions or both. Having feedback from a test knitter is always a good idea. Good luck to you.👍👍😀
:lol: :lol: :roll:
 
amyshitzknitz said:
I wanted to share one of my experiences with some of you. I read comments often about us knitters "hoping to someday design a pattern" or "becoming good enough to be able to design a knitting pattern".

What many of you don't realize is that virtually every time we knit, we are also designing. By making a change to a pattern to make an item more suitable to our tastes, in essence, we are DESIGNING.

For example, I love the idea of the "Bow Knot Scarf" that some of you have made and posted here on KP. I love the idea that it will stay put without tying, using a pin or tucking in any way. I do not, however, care for basic garter stitch which this "Bow Knot" is commonly knitted in.

I made notes as I was knitting, wrote up my pattern as similar as I could to a standard knitting pattern and voila'! No difficult math. No mystery. No copywrite issues. Not even an advanced pattern.... I would call it "advanced beginner".

Designing is simply having an image in your mind of what you would like to make and combining the elements needed to achieve your idea.
Would love to see your modifications and finished results - did you post your new pattern anywhere - ravelry, a blog, etc?
 
Cathy B said:
Try the crafts yarn council, http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/?q=standards.html, they are an organization that is trying to help standardize all aspects of the crafts of knitting and crochet. There is a section for designers and standardized abbreviations and stitch definitions.
Another good source is the TKGA, the Knitting Guild of America. Their Masters classes cover pattern writing as do some of the articles in their magazine.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
 
LisaMarieKnits said:
I don't know of any programs or apps that will assist you in writing up one of your designs. I am a pattern designer and notice that most of us have our own individual style of writing patterns. Although there are standard abbreviations, guidelines for describing pattern, materials needed and gauge before the pattern itself is written out, that is where the consistency tends to end. Some write out line by line instructions, some in paragraph form, some use charts/written instructions or both. Having feedback from a test knitter is always a good idea. Good luck to you.👍👍😀
I suppose I might consider myself a designer as well. I've changed the 2x2 ribbing to 4x4 ribbing, I've used a different yarn than the original designer did (acrylic instead of wool, I know the horror of using plastic yarn), and when it didn't turn out exactly like the designer's I had no one to blame but myself. I certainly couldn't blame the designer for a poorly written pattern as some people have been known to do.
 
Sorry to disagree --- there is more to designing that to change up the stitch pattern used in an existing pattern.
'Designing' a scarf or afghan is easy -- just do the math as instructed from a stitch pattern book.
Now clothing in multiple sizes and styles is another thing (And there are self proclaimed 'designer' who do a terrible job at that as well).

Every child who colors in a coloring book and adds the sun to one page and a rainbow on another page - does not a designer make.
Changing the method of an increase of an existing pattern from YO to KFB - does not a designer make.
Following an existing pattern for a poncho and removing the 'darts' - does not a designer make.
Following an existing pattern for a sweater and changing the 10 row turn over neckline to a 12 row turnover neckline - does not a designer make.
 
galaxycraft said:
Sorry to disagree --- there is more to designing that to change up the stitch pattern used in an existing pattern.
'Designing' a scarf or afghan is easy -- just do the math as instructed from a stitch pattern book.
Now clothing in multiple sizes and styles is another thing (And there are self proclaimed 'designer' who do a terrible job at that as well).

Every child who colors in a coloring book and adds the sun to one page and a rainbow on another page - does not a designer make.
Changing the method of an increase of an existing pattern from YO to KFB - does not a designer make.
Following an existing pattern for a poncho and removing the 'darts' - does not a designer make.
Following an existing pattern for a sweater and changing the 10 row turn over neckline to a 12 row turnover neckline - does not a designer make.
I agree, but there was one here in the past that swore it did. Remember the peplum?
 
mirl56 said:
I think I saw a class at Craftsy.com about pattern writing.
How to Say It: Pattern Writing for Knitters:
http://www.craftsy.com/class/how-to-say-it-pattern-writing-for-knitters/82?_ct=iuqhsx-kdyluhiqb-huikbj-sekhiu&_ctp=82

Sizing Knitwear Patterns:
http://www.craftsy.com/class/sizing-knitwear-patterns/113?_ct=iuqhsx-kdyluhiqb-huikbj-sekhiu&_ctp=113

If they have similar for crochet, it didn't come up when I searched.

They frequently have half-price sales on their classes.
 
Cannot help you with an app, but I think I would start with a pencil and paper. Draw a sketch of the design that is in your head and then try to figure out how to do the shaping. Adding cables, or fancy stitches is not too hard after you have the number of stitches and the shaping figured out. It may take a few tries, but if you are determined, you will probably do fine, and think how proud you will be when you are done. Good luck.
 
yover8 said:
My mother would have said that this is a very snarky remark. Why make it?
There's an entire group dedicated to selfish knitters on Ravelry. Selfish doesn't necessarily mean only for yourself, just that you knit what you want, when you want. You don't have anyone telling you what to knit by next Friday, for free no less. It's your time, your talent, your yarn. If you want it to be for you, there's nothing wrong with that.
 
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