3 Things to Remember When Creating Your Own Patterns
By Tameko Barnette – 13 CommentsOne of my favorite things to do as a crocheter is to either tweak a pattern I’m working on or create a whole new pattern. It’s very gratifying to see a finished piece that I know I created all on my own.
Have you found yourself feeling the urge to create your own crochet patterns? If so, here are a few things to remember when creating your own patterns.
1. Make Swatch Gauges. This is important because you want to get a clear view of your pattern to find out if it’s going to work or not. Let’s face it. Some ideas may not always turn out to be beautifully-crafted items. However, by creating some swatch gauges, you can immediately figure out if your idea can be a finished item that you will be proud of.
2. Try Different Size Hooks. Another hard truth to swallow about our favorite craft is that not every crochet hook is meant for every pattern, which is why it is imperative that you try different sizes for your crochet pattern idea. HINT: If you are looking for a ‘universal’ hook for most patterns, try the J size. I’ve noticed that it seems to work with just about any pattern. Bear in mind, you shouldn’t use a J size hook for a comfy, thick afghan or prayer shawl. Use the hook that will create the texture and look you are going for with your project.
3. Use Your Own Creation. Ok, my fellow crocheters, it’s a fact of life, if you won’t use your own creation, who will? *smile* Be sure to test out your own creation. If you’ve made an afghan, try it while reading or watching television one night. If you’ve made a pair of socks, try them on for size to see how they look and feel. This way you know you’ve created something that is not only lovely to look at, but also useable.
Do you have any ideas for those who like to create their own patterns? Please share. We’d love to hear from you.
I am designing my own doily for the very first time ever. Thanks for the timely advice.
You’re welcome, Peg. Good luck with your doily pattern. Hope you post a pic of it when you’re done. 🙂
I am blogging my progression and sometimes my regression at the above blog address.
One thing I have learned over the past is to write it out. No, not when you have finished the project but while you are DOING it! Haha, I can’t even tell you how many times I would make my own pattern and think I would remember it for later. Let’s just say that I never did remember them.
Seriously, write while you’re making your own pattern. Even if it’s a few jots here and there. Yeah, it can be tedious and boring to write or jot at the end of each row but it is well worth it! You’ll remember your pattern a lot better when you are done and it’s easier to edit and proof read it when you have finished.
(and if you’re like me you’d type it on the computer unless you have nice handwriting! I tend to be *slightly* sloppy………)
I Love your blog, Peg! Would you happen to have the patterns to your doilies or know where I could get them?
I have a steno notebook that lives with whatever bag I’m lugging around with yarn and hooks in it. Even if I change projects mid-stride for some reason, the notebook gets moved — even if I’m following a pattern in a magazine or book. I make up doing some oddball change or and idea for something completely different hits me right in the middle of a scarf or something.
My problem is finding someone to test out my paterns to make sure they translate well from my scribbles to fully written out when I do amigurumi … my mom can catch major errors in terms and such, but she’s not the type to make weird little dolls just to test a pattern. She’s a wiz at everything else…I’m just not that interested in clothes and the like outside of some beanies I designed. (and I realized at my age I couldn’t do the whole puppy dog pout and have her make me a stuffed animal) 🙂
I have ‘night sweats’ all day, so I prefer wraps and capes to sweaters and jackets because they’re easier to remove or open if I get hot. I found a sewing pattern for a lounge wrap to be made from fleece, and the finished item was shown. It is just a rectangle with 2 snaps, so I decided to crochet my own from worsted. That way I have a ‘sweater’ wrap for spring and cool summer nights. I took the finished measurements from the sewing pattern and with an L hook and my own stitch pattern, I’m crocheting my own wrap. This is the first item I have designed myself. The wrap is easier to take off than a poncho which must be removed over the head. Since it is a rectangle, it is very easy to make; and the size can easily be adjusted.
I like to make my own patterns, and sometimes write them down. It’s fun!
Thanks to Crochet Spot, I was recently inspired to crochet some clothes for my daughter’s barbie dolls. I used the slouchy hat pattern by Rachel and made a mini hat for the doll as well as a dress. Thanks again for all the support and education on this site!
Having started out as a knitter, I finally designed my first quilt-style/sample blanket earlier this year. I found some sheets of graph paper to sketch out the design I wanted for each square and after a few samples, figured out the best stitches to use. I’ve since transferred those scuffed & scribbled sheets of graph paper into a spiral graph notebook (from the school section at most big-box stores). Since I just started crocheting only a month or so ago, I want to get more comfortable with the stitches and techniques before I go completely on my own, but I have already altered a pattern for a baby hat since I kept having difficulty executing one of the clusters, and it turned out well. In both cases it was incredibly gratifying to see an idea in my head turn out nice in my hands, and be appreciated by the recipients. 🙂
do tell me what is a j hook? Like 3.5 or 6 or 4.5 Tks
I have always been making or adjusting patterns to suit my need. Until recently I hadn’t been making notes of what I altered or why, I now have a notebook that goes with each project so that I can make notes of colours, hook size, yarn and finished size. I also put a sample of the yarn and swatch of the stitch used. This way if I get an order for any of the items that I have made I can go straight to the notebook and all the information is there. It saves a lot of angst over size of hook and what stitch I used!
I am also experimenting with different ideas as to how to make crocheted pleats, any ideas will be gratefully received and tested :,) `\ Crochet-Addict Fiona
Great ideas and sounds very well organized! Lots of photos, too, I hope. Sometimes a good photo says a thousand words.