The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook: How to Write Great Patterns that Knitters Will Love to Make

by Kristina McGrath, Sarah Walworth, Francoise Danoy (Foreword)

Take your knitting knowledge to the next level with this helpful guidebook from two professional knitting tech editors that sets much-needed standards for writing clear, accurate instructions—perfect for those interested in writing and selling original patterns. Knitting patterns are notorious for inaccuracies in measurements and confusing directions—but no more!  The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook  sets new standards for clear, accurate pattern writing, walking aspiring and experienced designers alike through each must-have component of a thorough, well-written pattern, including how to devise and present gauge, charts, and sizing information that is correct and easy-to-follow. With a focus on how to make patterns accessible to contemporary knitters—especially beginning knitters—this much-needed reference book is destined to become a classic in an industry that is beginning to professionalize after decades (even centuries!) of informal and home-based instruction. With 90,000 patterns being sold annually on the popular knitting community site Ravelry, there's a burgeoning group of indie knitwear designers eager for this guidance, provided by authors Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth, who host a monthly live broadcast on the technical aspect of knitting design.

 

Genres: Knitting, Reference, Crafts

176 pages, Hardcover

Published October 31, 2023

Reviews

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains valuable information about writing knitting patterns.
It had easy to follow instructions on how to write successful patterns.
I was particularly interested in reading about gauge and charts.
I’m sure I will be referring to this book often in my knitting endeavours.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Sibil · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and the Editor. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is full of interesting tidbits. I am not interested in writing knitting patterns, but I am a knitter and I am curious about the process of writing patterns because I think it's nice to know more about knitting as a whole. And to be frank, this book would be really useful if you are writing patterns, because there is a lot of helpful and thoughtful information here (mind, this is not a "writing patterns for dummies" kind of book, it won't tell you how to begin writing them, but it would tell you how to write patterns that people would be happy to buy), but it would be handy even if you are just a knitter, like me, because it there are tidbits here and there that can be practical while knitting, both because they are good info and because understanding how something works help you do better, as a general rule.

So I would highly recommend this book to all the people who are interested in knitting and patterns, even if they are not writing them.
It's also quite a fast reading, and the writing is not boring or complex. It is really well done.
Sure, sometimes I felt like the info was a bit redundant, but I enjoyed it and I took with me some helpful advice!

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook by Kristina McGrath; Sarah Walworth A comprehensive guide to knitting pattern writing. Detailed and easy to follow instructions with clear illustrations. While I probably will not be writing my own knitting patterns, the book provided insight into the written pattern structure and cleared up some of the confusion that I had in following patterns. A valuable resource written in an easy to understand, informative style.
Thank you to the authors, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve done a lot of pattern testing for knitting and crochet, so it was interesting to see a pattern writing guide from a tech editor perspective. I especially appreciated their notes on size inclusivity. As a plus size woman, I have tested a number of patterns that just don’t work; simply adding more stitches doesn’t mean the fit will work!

I definitely think this is a great resource for someone who wants to start designing their own patterns!

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very clear, thorough guide to writing knitting patterns (as the title suggests!). I don't know that I -want- to write knitting patterns, but now I feel like I understand the basic process. This is not a book about how to design knitting patterns; it's much more about the technical process of producing the directions once you've designed something. I love the way the book is organized, with checklists for each section of the process, and a list of practical resources at the back. It also gave me a great deal of appreciation for pattern companies I keep returning to (Brooklyn Tweed) - and how their patterns check nearly every box given here. It also points out all of the things I've struggled with in certain patterns. Every designer who has responded defensively to requests for help on pattern comment pages on Ravelry should read this book.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook
By Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth

Well written, concise, easy to follow, and very thorough information that will be useful for those who would like to write patterns for hand knit creations. I started knitting when I was nine and have now over sixty years of knitting experience. My knitting has included creating a sweater using the measurements a body builder gave me, making baby blankets and scarves and sweaters and more. I remember my first cable knit sweater and the fact that the adult in charge did not have us make gauges so the sweater ended up being doll sized instead of something I could wear. This book in the hands of someone designing and writing patterns would be a blessing.

The seven chapters are clearly labeled in bold type with subheadings underneath. Each chapter has a checklist and Q&A at the end.
* Foundations of a good knitting pattern includes information on being correct, clear, concise and consistent then goes on to mention establishing your style
* Components of a pattern starts with essential elements, moves on to formatting patterns, and ends with accessibility guidelines
* Gauge is essential and can make or break a knitting project. This chapter gives information on understanding what a gauge is, discusses the size of swatch to make for best results, and explains how to communicate gauge effectively to the person using the pattern you create
* Charts are something not always easy to use but then written directions that are not precise are also a problem. This chapter mentions knowing your knitters, make patterns accessible, make it clear, charts for round and flat knitting projects, stich count checks, number consistently, fit, and a few other things including that you ensure the chart is readable
* Sizing: good designs start with good sizing, ensure accurate measurements, practice size inclusivity – this section is interesting and mentions including patterns for all sizes of people
* Common sweater pitfalls hits things like necklines and shoulders, armhole depth, body and sleeve lengths and girths, upper arm measurements, cuffs that fit – thinking about the measurements I neede to make the body builder’s sweater…those biceps, the neck, and the chest to trim waist proved a bit of a challenge but I felt accomplished when I finished
* Working with a tech editor provided good reasons for using a tech editor, the relationship you should create with the person and the best way to find and hire one
* Glossary, further reading, resources and appendices, acknowledgements and an index are at the end of the book.

The illustrations were hand drawn and perfect. Checklists easy to read. Q&A interesting and informative. I found the information on blocking interesting, too. This is not the book I thought it would be but I did enjoy reading it and found the information helpful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I was suddenly granted access to a time machine, one of the first things I'd do (for my business at least) would be to bring this book to myself in 2021 when I first started tech editing. In just a couple hundred pages, Kristina and Sarah give a comprehensive breakdown of everything that goes into pattern writing, from the various components that need to appear in a pattern to how they should be written.


There are other resources out there that say what should go into a pattern, and I feel this takes it a step further by going into why things are done a certain way and giving advice on how to best do things.


There is even a whole section on common fit issues in sweaters, which I would have loved to read two years ago when I was starting out and trying to wrap my head around everything. If you are designing garments, this book is a must read. Actually, this book is a must read for any designer or tech editor. If I had this resource back when I started tech editing, it sure would have cut down on a lot of trial and error and learning as I went! (And trust me I’ve been eagerly waiting for this book since they announced it, which feels almost as long ago.)


After the main part of the book, there are also several helpful resources, like a sample style sheet, a pre-edit checklist, a reading list, and two size-inclusive size charts, one for women and one for men. The women’s chart covers chest circumferences from 28-66” and the men’s goes from 32-64,” and these are much wider ranges than are typically found online. There’s also a chapter on size inclusivity, which I really appreciated because it’s something that’s been absent from this industry for so long and I’ve always admired their dedication to it. Everybody deserves clothes that fit well, regardless of their size. 


If you remember the early days of Tech Tip Talk where Kristina and Sarah were still doing Instagram Lives before they started bringing on guests, that’s what this book is. They were just two tech editors sharing their experience and knowledge with the world, and now they’ve put all that knowledge into a book. They used to joke in their videos that they’ve got a lot of opinions, and that couldn’t be more true! 


Definitely recommend picking this book up. My job as a tech editor would be much, much easier if every designer I work with reads this book before sending their pattern on to me.

Thank you to Netgalley, the authors, and the publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook is a very well written, information dense, logical, *usable* guide to writing and testing knitting patterns written and collated by Kristina McGrath & Sarah Walworth. Released 31st Oct 2023 by Hachette on their Storey Publishing imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand. That is -vital- for acquiring any skill, but especially in patterns to be followed to a finished and consistent end product. The authors do a very good job of explaining, step-by-step, what a pattern -is-, how to write patterns with precision and understandably (for the end user), and some good tips on developing a personal design style.

The following chapters cover pattern components, gauge, charts, sizing, troubleshooting & pitfalls, and working with a tech editor. The book is slanted toward would-be (or current) designers who promote and sell their patterns through Ravelry, or purpose built websites, but it's usable and relevant for knitters who wish to strike out and make their own patterns for their own use without necessarily having plans to sell commercially.

The graphics are very simple and basic throughout. There are no photographs. Drawings are simple and rendered in pencil sketches. The example graphs and text are high contrast black and white and very easy to read/understand.

Five stars. This is a standalone volume, and certainly can be credibly used to create a written knitting pattern just from the instructions contained within. It will best be used as a good reference addition to the knitter's home library, pattern-writer's studio, public library collection, or knitting shop/fibre arts guild's members' library.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Jxn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook by Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth, and I must say this is a highly informative and valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their knitting pattern writing skills. The book sets new standards for clear, accurate pattern writing, walking aspiring and experienced designers alike through each must-have component of a thorough, well-written pattern, including how to devise and present gauge, charts, and sizing information that is correct and easy-to-follow.

What I liked most about the book is the focus on making patterns accessible to contemporary knitters, especially beginners. With a staggering 90,000 patterns being sold annually on the popular knitting community site Ravelry, this much-needed reference book is destined to become a classic in an industry that is beginning to professionalize after decades (even centuries!) of informal and home-based instruction.

The authors, Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth, are experienced knitwear designers who host a monthly live broadcast on the technical aspect of knitting design. Their expertise and experience are evident in the book, which covers everything from the basics of knitting pattern writing to more advanced techniques.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook to anyone interested in improving their knitting pattern writing skills. The book is well-written, informative, and easy-to-follow, and it provides valuable guidance for anyone looking to enter the growing world of indie knitwear design. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, this book is an essential addition to your knitting library.

[Lisa Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth have put together an excellent guide for those who are ready to take the leap into designing their own knitting patterns. The authors are experience designers and tech editors who are the creators of Tech Tip Talk, a forum for help and discussion around creating accurate, precise patterns.

The authors bring loads of experience to the table and it shows. The steps of working through the creation of a design, including editing, multi-sizing and having the pattern test knit, are clearly laid out for the reader. As a knitter who often "tweaks" existing patterns once I am comfortable with how they work, this was a fascinating read.

This is the kind of text that would be helpful for a course on knitting design. Everything is clearly laid out, there are checklists and charts galore. As someone who really appreciates both charted and written out design, I was happy that both of those were addressed here. This would be a solid addition to your design shelf.

Only flaw for me was that I would have liked more illustrations - both photographs and sketches. 4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Thanks to NetGalley and Storey for the e-arc.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished this book, I just sat back and said "wow." I have been interested in writing my own knitting patterns, and I have been overwhelmed with what feels like the enormity of it all. This book breaks down the essentials of any good pattern and provides a comprehensive guide to any would -be pattern makers.

They have a section specifically geared towards sizing and being size-inclusive. They challenge pattern writers to write for everyone, "Because all bodies deserve well-fitting clothes". AMEN! I just really appreciated the approach the authors took to get pattern creators to think about their own views and possible biases before limiting the pattern sizing.

I love the attention to detail in every aspect of the pattern design process and I feel that this book is a great resource for anyone who wants to write their own knitting patterns. When I work up the gumption to write a pattern of my own, I'll definitely be referring back to this book. There is a very nice section of "further reading' in the back of the book for anyone who wants to know more.

[Melanie Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook' is a welcome edition to the knitting world.

Packed with detailed instructions and stunning illustrations this will surely help the bar to be set for knitting pattern writing. Raverlry will cease to be the same.
One of my personal flaws is that I see something and instantly think, 'I can make that'. With this book, it's entirely possible that I can now make anything and then teach others how to as well.

The tips and tricks detailed in this book are laid out in a way that's easy to follow and absorb.
If you are interested in knitting pattern creation then you are bound to find something new in this book, or an easier way of doing things.
It really looks at the publishing side and helps set a guide for the standard patterns should be at.

I was gifted a digital copy of "The knitting pattern writing handbook" in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thank you NetGalley, Storey Publishing, Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook How to Write Great Patterns that Knitters Will Love to Make by Kristina McGrath; Sarah Walworth
Wish I had this book when I started writing my own patterns. One of the guidelines was to follow the publication style. Was pretty straight forward with my own personal words.
Love that this covers every single aspect of writing so the end user will NOT have a problem knitting the pattern you create. Appreciate the symbol explanations, being blind I can't use that method myself. Every section also has Q&A.
So many examples, sketches and words that really define this book. Glossary and index makes it simple to find exactly what it is you need help with. Excellent valuable information.
So exhilarating to create things for others to use. Feel like I accomplish something.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from Storey Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheKnittingPatternWritingHandbook #NetGalley.

[Estar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 176-page book that fills a void – it provides more help to a future knit pattern writer. But I didn’t find the material laid out in a very helpful manner. A lot of the content was text spread across the page with subheads here and there. There were some illustrations but that didn’t break up the meatier content. If there weren’t the checklists at the end of each chapter, I would have given this book a lower score.

It also would have been helpful for them to show a sample of a pattern that had all the elements they feel are necessary and then point out with arrows what was included with page references for more information. The authors are tech editors and that perhaps doesn’t make them strong on the creative side of presenting their information.

I received an advanced electronic copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, with an expectation of a fair and honest review.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-set out and concise handbook with instructions on how to write knitting patterns. The aim of the book is to teach knitters how to write up their patterns so that they are correct, clear, concise and consistent.
The book breaks the process down into various sections, including ones on creating your own pattern writing style, components of a knitting pattern and accurate measuring. There is a detailed chapter on getting your pattern tech edited: the writers are themselves tech editors,
The appendices include a check list.
This is an informative and easy to read instruction book. It could be read by anyone wishing to improve their pattern reading skills and it should be very useful to anyone wishing to publish their own knitting patterns.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.

[R.A. Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? If you are planning on writing, publishing, and selling knitting patterns, then this book is a no-brainer. I've read a lot of reference books in my time--it's basically a hobby at this point--and this one was the perfect blend of explanation, reasoning, and worksheets. Did I mention that each stage/chapter had a handy checklist to keep you on track? Be still my type-a planning heart. I love knitting, and have tried my hand at a few more complex patterns in my time, but I have zero intentions of going down the rabbit hole that is starting my own knitting pattern business. But if I was? I'd buy this book. A hardcopy. And a bucket of post-it notes and highlighters to annotate up a storm. At least with this book, I wouldn't need to make my own checklists!

This was a NetGalley review.

[Elspeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's a niche topic, but I'm not aware of another book on this topic. Many knitters end up writing at least one pattern which can be easy enough but once you want to take it to another level, like publishing and selling your patterns, this book can really come in handy.

This book explains how to write a clear knitting pattern (this could be used for crocheting patterns as well, if that's not obvious. During the discussion of how to clearly communicate your instructions, the book also takes into consideration the business aspect of writing patterns. and how to make a design your own.

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook is a good reference for new knitting designers and experienced designers wanting to improve their designs or create a design business.

[MC · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.7 / 5.0

I very much enjoyed this book. I am a prolific knitter and crafter of various textile arts, so understanding how to better write tutorials and patterns is always welcome.

So much of this book can be translated over to other crafts. This is a great niche study in project management and informative presentation techniques.

Overall, I will likely reference what I learned and annotated in this book for future projects and tutorials. It is well written, concise, and useful. I recommend it to creators in the knitting world and other craft focuses to help you improve your pattern and tutorial writing techniques.

U til Next Time,
MC

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[J Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a machine knitter. I work and design on domestic knitting machines. Although the end product of both hand and machine knitting is the same, the process of getting there is very different. There is much emphasis in the book on gauge. A machine knitter cannot start a project without knitting a tension swatch. It’s impossible to measure as you go. The book is
not written with machine knitters in mind, Having said that there is much useful information in this book written by professionals, if not a bit wordy and repetitive at times.
How many designers at the beginning of their journey would be willing to pay for tech editors.

Thank you to NetGalley for the download in exchange for my personal review.

[✨EJ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Storey Publishing, Ms McGrath, and Ms Walworth for providing an advance reader's copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As a former Technical Writer and an avid knitter, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In fact, I devoured it. This should be required reading prior to submitting a pattern to Ravelry.

The instructions are clear. The handbook is laid out very logically providing concrete examples of what and how to write the pattern instructions. The checklist at the end of each chapter alongside with the Q&A are extremely useful. The illustrations are beautifully rendered.

[Shauna Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an exceptionally well-written and informative guide to writing your own knitting patterns. As a novice in pattern writing, I found it very helpful and I will refer back to it in the future, I’m sure. The book delves into important factors that go into writing a knitting pattern, including accurate measurements and gauge, the importance of having your patterns tested and tech edited, while also providing clear pattern examples and illustrations. I would recommend this book to any knitter looking to start designing their own patterns.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storey Publishing, and the authors for providing an advance reader's copy.

[Laura Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written, comprehensive guide to writing knitting patterns and making them easy to follow for knitters. It doesn’t cover actually designing the knitwear but instead focuses on the production of the pattern, the essential elements to be included in a pattern and the importance of gauge, and much more. The book is laid out in a very sensible way and the Q & A at the end of each chapter is very useful. It is a very easy to read book with helpful checklists and illustrations. I recommend it to anyone who wants to write knitting patterns

With thanks to Netgalley and Storey for providing an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Emma Estevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an invaluable and fascinating insight into how a knitting pattern should be written. It's obviously of great use for designers and want to be designers. But it's also really useful for a regular knitter as it covers topics including gauge, charts and sizing that regularly cause knitters a headache. It ends with a really useful resource section including an interesting further reading list The book is well written, clear and concise and should be a required feature in every knitter's library. I know I will refer back to it regularly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book ahead of its publication in October 2023.

[Andrea (mrsaubergine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm an keen knitter, and have often considered drafting my own patterns or offering to tech edit (since I am an editor by trade), so this book appealed to me straight away. The instructions were clear and very comprehensive, but the layout of my ebook ARC wasn't the best for image captions or boxed-out text, and all the sizing charts at the back were jumbled. I'm sure that will be fixed for the final version. It's a great resource, though, and I would love to have a hard copy to refer to.

***Disclaimer: This e-ARC was provided to me by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Huge thanks to them. ***

[Kelsey Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It was interesting to learn more about all of the technical details that must be reviewed and the process in which that is accomplished before a good quality knitting pattern or book of patterns can be published. I’m sure the formatting issues in the Kindle ARC version were corrected before it was released today but that was quite distracting. Will definitely recommend this book to my friends who teach classes and write patterns themselves as a helpful resource to save them time and money.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t you love when a handbook is actually handy?

Now, I AM a pattern writer (though not on the level of the author), so there’s that, but I do think this guide has lots of good bits for every knitter considering pattern writing.

This is NOT a how-to create patterns themselves. The reader isn’t going to learn how to create a hat/scarf/sweater pattern. The reader WILL learn how (with super-clear instructions, suggestions and charts) to polish up their pattern, making it ready for market.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for this referential ARC.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super interesting as a novice knitter who has been experimenting with my own pattern ideas of late (I got into knitting over the pandemic), whilst I'm probably not likely to be publishing or selling my own anytime soon, I definitely think this is a real worthwhile book if you are planning on doing so (or even if you aren't, it can help with understanding patterns that maybe aren't written to standard!)

[Ligaya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting, if dry, book on how to make your written and/or charted knit designs the best they can be for publication and purchase. I found it full of common sense and somewhat repetitive, not for me but likely good for someone new to pattern writing. I would have preferred photographs instead of illustrations regarding fit. The sizing standards charts in the back and the list for further reading are very valuable. There are lots of checklists that summarize each chapter.

[Jenny Blacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A jammed packed book of sensible instructions and advice

Some really helpful reference materials in it, including check lists to go through each time

Highly recommended if you're a pattern designer, even if you're not new to it.

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

[Charity Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook by Kristina McGrath & Sarah Walworth is an informative resource for every aspiring knitting pattern designer.

I borrowed this copy from my local library.

I consider this book to be a valuable addition to any knitting library. I intend to purchase a copy for personal reference.