Welcome back to part 2 of the Designing a Crochet Pattern series! Today, I will cover all the essential steps for crocheting your design, including creating a rough draft, editing the pattern, taking high-quality photos, and preparing your pattern for testing by pattern testers. If you haven't already, be sure to check out part 1 of this series, where I outline the first steps in my pattern design process. I'm excited to start crocheting my Chinese Money Plant with you!

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Crocheting the Design
In part 1, I discussed how I often like to write out my ideas for my crochet patterns before even picking up my crochet hook. As a more experienced pattern designer, I've learned the value of this process over time. When I first started designing patterns, I would jump straight into crocheting my design ideas. While this worked for me initially, it often led to the need to “frog” or rip out my yarn—a common issue for beginners. Now that I have a better understanding of how to achieve specific shapes and textures in my patterns, I can plan ahead more effectively for design elements. However, that doesn't mean I never have to frog a design!

For all of my crochet patterns, I begin with a Google Doc. I use a template for each pattern, which helps maintain consistency across my designs. Starting in Google Docs allows me to take notes and make edits to my pattern before adding the final touches and photos. In Google Docs, I create my first rough draft for the pattern before I even pick up my crochet hook. Find an example for a Google Doc template here.

I am now ready to pick up my crochet hook and start crocheting my Chinese Money Plant! As I work on my pattern, I'm ensuring that it is easy to follow and not confusing. Sometimes, it takes me some trial and error to get everything just right, and I often have to go back to the drawing board. This is all part of the design process! Typically, I work through my crochet pattern—taking notes and making updates along the way—at least twice before anyone else gets to see it. Seeing my design idea come to life is the best part of the entire process!

Editing the Pattern

Once I finish the rough draft and complete my initial edits for the pattern, I send my Google Doc pattern template to my tech editor, Cherie from Sweet Bird Crochet. I have worked with Cherie as my tech editor since my very first crochet pattern, and she has been an invaluable resource and a significant contributor to my success as a pattern designer. Without her, my patterns would not be what they are today. She has educated me on proper pattern writing etiquette, crochet standards and abbreviations, and how to market my patterns effectively. Cherie has also helped to make my patterns more polished, professional, and easy to read. If you are a pattern designer or are interested in pattern design, I highly recommend Cherie!

It is crucial not to skip this step! Sending your rough draft pattern directly to testers can result in a poor experience for them. Having a tech editor review your pattern first can help improve the wording of your instructions, verify stitch counts, ensure proper formatting, and check for grammar and spelling errors, among other things.

Typically, at this stage in my design process, I wait for Cherie to provide her suggestions and edits on my pattern. Once I receive her feedback, I clarify any points if needed and approve her proposed changes. We may exchange the pattern several times until everything is just right. This entire process usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks.

Creating an Easy-to-Read PDF

Now that my crochet pattern has completed the initial editing process with my tech editor, I like to create a more visually appealing version using Canva. While you can certainly keep your pattern in Google Docs, doing so limits your design options. I prefer to copy and paste my written pattern into a Canva template that I have created specifically for this purpose. After that, I review the pattern and add frames in places where I think photos would be most useful for visual instruction. Here is an example of a crochet pattern template in Canva!

I enjoy using Canva for my crochet patterns because it lets me incorporate various design elements and offers greater flexibility. For instance, you can easily create different graphics to include in your patterns, such as charts, and design a brand template to ensure consistency throughout your crochet patterns. Additionally, pattern testers can leave comments directly on your Canva pattern template. You can use Canva for free, but I recommend upgrading to the paid version to access all the cool features.

Watch While You Crochet!

Photos

High-quality photos are an essential part of any crochet pattern. They should showcase not only the final product but also various steps throughout the process. I usually include images for each element in my design, especially in areas that may be difficult to understand from the written instructions alone. The purpose of these photos is to assist the crocheter in successfully creating the design. However, I aim to avoid including too many pictures that could overwhelm the pattern. If you're unsure about which photos to include, don’t hesitate to consult your tech editor for guidance.

I have found that photos showcasing the process of creating the crochet pattern look best against a white or neutral background. It's important to avoid blurry, busy, or difficult-to-view images. For all my pattern photos, I use a white tabletop, the portrait mode on my iPhone, and a softbox lighting kit. While natural light combined with additional lighting is ideal, not everyone has ample natural light in their workspace, like me. The addition of a soft box light is a great alternative way to achieve ample lighting for pattern photos.

For my large cover photo showcasing my patterns, I aim to create a visually striking image by highlighting various design elements. I incorporate natural elements against well-lit, inviting backgrounds. It’s crucial for this photo to be attention-grabbing and clear, as it is often the first image potential customers will see. I have taken these photos in different settings, including around my home, outdoors, and in various locations. It is also important to display different elements and angles of the design so that crocheters can fully understand the project. For the Chinese Money Plant, I chose to stage this photo as decor around my home.

I edit all my photos using the Lightroom app and Canva. In Lightroom, I can create presets that streamline the editing process. These presets are one-click editing styles that apply saved adjustments, such as exposure, contrast, and color, to my photos. I have a specific preset for my pattern photos, allowing me to apply the edits with just one click, which saves a significant amount of time. Additionally, I find editing photos in Canva to be quite simple as well.

Videos

Videos included in crochet patterns are optional, but they can be incredibly helpful for crocheters who are visual learners. I often create videos to explain the more challenging sections of a pattern and to highlight special stitches. For the Chinese Money Plant pattern, I plan to create and include a video specifically focused on the bobble stitch.

We are now ready to select pattern testers and send the tech-edited pattern to them! Stay tuned for Part 3 of Designing a Crochet Pattern, which will be released on February 12th!

FTC Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate links, meaning when items are purchased through those links, I receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting me and my business!