How I Design My Crochet Patterns

 How I Design My Crochet Patterns

Want to know how I design my crochet patterns? I'm still relatively new to designing patterns, although I have been crocheting for a good few years. Everyone has different methods for designing, and I'd like to take you through the process that I follow. 

Inspiration and Ideas

I find it hard to describe where I get ideas from, but often an idea will just appear in my brain. I do most of my thinking in the shower and when I'm lying in bed trying to sleep. I always write them down to make sure I remember them for when I am able to start putting them into action. 

My first pattern, Barry the Bat was a whim. I just started making something and it turned into that. I think it was because I had treated a bat at work not too long before. The little guy was quite tired and weak, but when I picked him up to check him over and give him some water, he was so mad and yelled at me. I like bats, I think they are cute, but I know they're often seen as scary or unpleasant. I think I wanted to make them seem cute. 

Starting Off the Design

It's a little bit like writing a story. You might make a plan or sketch out the general idea. I struggle to do this, I am a practical learner so I just have a vague idea of what shape I want and I start crocheting. I tend to use cheaper materials for this first prototype. Like a first draft. I finish it off and look at where I want to improve it and make notes.

I don't just crochet away until the draft is finished. I write down every step in a notebook. I'm a bit old fashioned that way I suppose. I can also make notes of anything I think of as I go. Once I have that plan, I can think about the second draft.

So I start making the second prototype with the changes I added from the first one. It might take a few iterations before I'm happy with the design. There is a degree of trial and error, and that's okay! It's worth the work to make sure the pattern is what you want it to be. 

Prototyping

Next up is making the plushie in the chenille yarn to make sure it still looks good. Chenille yarn is more expensive, although I like to make sure my patterns work well regardless of materials. If I'm happy with it, I'll make a couple more, maybe in different colours and share them online. I like to share every stage of the process with my lovely social media followers. I also appreciate any and all feedback. Here is the finished prototype of my phoenix pattern. 

I make at least two prototypes for UKCA testing if I want to sell finished plushies. This is a legal requirement here in the UK, it involves a lot of testing and paperwork but it is important to ensure your toys are safe for young children. I will talk more about this in the future but if you are UK based or plan to sell plushies in the UK or EU you need to do this testing. You can purchase a pack from the UKCA &CE Marking Handmade Toys Collective to guide you through this process. Their website is here.

Then, the next job is to write up the pattern. I usually make yet another plushie and make sure to take photographs of the process and especially to help with any tricky or crucial parts of the pattern.This is important for making sure your pattern is as easy to follow as possible. I write the pattern up using Canva, it's great for laying it out and making it into a pdf file. I have a template on there I can copy and then fill out, so my patterns all look consistent. 

So that's the first steps of the design process. Next time I'll talk about pattern testing and preparing the pattern for release. So join me next time for that.