Are you ready for a new knitting or crocheting challenge and want to make something you absolutely love? Then design your own pattern! How cool is it to see something completely new come to life from your own hands? We can hear you thinking: but how do I do that? Our designers, Annemarie and Monique, share some tips and tricks.
The start of something new
Of course, you can just get started and see where it takes you. But if you have something specific in mind, look for a picture of it—in a book, magazine, or online. For example, if you want to surprise your little one with a flamingo cuddly toy, look for pictures of this cute, pink creature. What are its shapes and proportions? And what color combination should I use? By the way, don’t look for pictures of crocheted flamingos. You might end up secretly copying that pattern, and of course, you’ll want to incorporate a bit of your own style into the design.
Turning Ideas into a New Knitting or Crochet Design
Are you inspired enough? Then it’s time to let your hands do the work. For this part, knitting or crocheting experience is absolutely essential. That way, you’ll know how stitches behave. For example, if you crochet three double crochets into a single stitch, your yarn will fan out. The more knitting or crocheting experience you have, the better you’ll understand how stitches behave. Other than that, it’s a matter of trying, trying, trying. See what happens when you just knit and crochet off the cuff. And if you don’t like how it turns out, just rip it out. Even seasoned designers like Annemarie and Monique sometimes start over four or five times. Annemarie: “You want it to be exactly as you envisioned it. Perfect, so to speak, haha.”
Is there a step-by-step guide for designing a new knitting or Crochet Pattern?
There isn’t really a step-by-step guide for coming up with and designing a pattern. As we mentioned, it takes some experience. And, to be honest, a bit of natural talent, too. Some people are just born with it. Their hands create whatever their eyes see. Of course, we do have some Tips for you:
- A no-brainer: make sure you have all the materials on hand. A Row Counter can be very useful when designing.
- Make sketches of your design. That way, you'll have a clear picture in mind.
- Choose the yarn and needles that are right for your project. The color, texture, thickness… it all matters. And, of course, the price. As a beginner, you’ll want to be able to make mistakes. Our tip: the budget-friendly brand BudgetYarn.
- Write everything (yes, absolutely everything!) down. How did you start? How many repeats of which stitch did you crochet? When did you add the eyelets? You can jot it down on a scrap of paper, but make sure it’s detailed—it would be a shame if you couldn’t remember what that little scribble means. At the end of your project, you can fine-tune your notes.
- If you want to share the project, take some photos along the way. That will make the pattern easier for other Haaksters to follow.
- Would you like to convert the description into a pattern? You can download various free programs online to create crochet and knitting patterns. Super handy!
Finally, what do you enjoy about designing a new Crochet Pattern? And is there one project that stands out?
Annemarie: “For me, it feels like magic with a ball of wool. Creating something out of nothing is just a challenge and incredibly cool. One of the best projects I’ve designed is the Yarnplaza Rainbow Collection. Being able to create so many different items from essentially a single design—yes, I’m really proud of that.”
Monique: “Wow, that’s a tough question. I did a quick count the other day and came up with about 85 designs I’ve created. The first thing that comes to mind is the round Dream Pillow. I used a lot of different stitches in that one. I just think it turned out really well.”
Have you found enough inspiration to design your own knitting or Crochet Pattern? Share your creation on our Facebook page or on Instagram using #Yarnplaza.
