It’s time I finally write this post. For years, I’ve relied on other designers and editors to provide the needed information. Over the years, I’ve provided you details on how to write several of the individual sections of a pattern. Yarn description, gauge, abbreviations, stitch counts, line of instruction, etc. I have avoided writing this post due to my perfectionism. There are a great many ways to write a crochet pattern. You can put these parts together in many ways. Rather than indulge my perfectionism in it’s all-or-nothing tendencies, I will strive to tell you when and where you will have the option of variety. Most of the information can be obtained on the Craft Yarn Council’s website. The CYC is the home of the standards that I use when editing patterns.

This post is about the parts of a pattern and what you need to make a cohesive pattern. This post is not about any graphic design, layout, etc. You can choose to make your pattern template as a blog post, a word document, google doc, powerpoint, adobe, canva, wherever you want. These are the parts that need to be there and the parts that could be there.

PRELIMINARY SECTIONS

Must have sections at the beginning: TITLE, By line-that would be your name.

The following sections can be arranged in whichever way you wish, however, I believe, as a tech editor, they are all needed. The only section that would be unnecessary in some patterns is Special Stitches.

• Materials:
  • Yarn Description: Please read my blog post on how to write a yarn description. Please also read the Slash Corrections post to properly use the forward slash.
  • Hook size: This is very straightforward. US (or UK) number AND millimeters.
  • Miscellaneous items: (yarn needle, thread, buttons, snaps, stitch markers, pompon, measuring tape, scissors, etc.)
• Gauge: Necessary, check my blog post.
• Size: List the finished size(s) of your item. Check out my ebook on how to write for multiple sizes.
• Abbreviations or Stitches Used: see my abbreviations mini-course on how to write abbreviations. You can also check Craft Yarn Council. Please remember, not all things that can be abbreviated need to be abbreviated.
• Special Stitches: This is where you can specifically define your stitches, if you desire. If it’s a beginner pattern, maybe you define FPDC. You can also assume people already know how to do most common stitches. However, if you use terms like cluster, decrease, increase, fan, shell, then you need to define exactly what is happening when you use those terms for your pattern.
• Project Level: I’m a little wishy-washy on whether or not this section is still required. It can be helpful to your readers, however, I would not get too caught up in determining if something is either intermediate or complex. Check out what the Craft Yarn Council has to say. You can see more about my thoughts circa 2018 (when I began my TE career) here.
• Notes: The notes section is vitally important. This is where you define if your beginning chain does or does not count as a stitch. You can tell them how you use crochet shorthand (does 2 sc mean sc in each of next 2 sts or does it mean work 2 sc in the next stitch). You can give information about other forms of punctuation are used in your pattern (this isn’t always necessary). The notes section is also where you will tell the maker how you’re going to go about creating this item. Are we working from the top-down, bottom-up, center-out, in pieces and seamed, one-piece? What are we doing? This is where you remove the mystery of your pattern for the reader.

THE ACTUAL PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

What follows all of your introductory information is the actual pattern. I went into great depth as to how to write out these instruction lines in my ebook HOW TO WRITE THE LINE OF INSTRUCTION.

I’ll give you a sneak peak of the major questions you need to answer before you start writing your pattern. Answering these questions will help you establish your writing style.

• Do I need to follow a style guide?
• Is my pattern in Rows or Rounds?
  • If Rounds, are they joined or continuous?
  • If Rounds, are they turned or not turned?
• Do I have a turning chain?
  • Do I write the turning chain at the beginning or end of each line?
  • Does the turning chain count as a stitch or not?
• Crochet Shorthand?
  • Am I using CAPS or no caps? SC or sc
  • Am I using spaces or no spaces? 2 sc or 2sc
  • 2 sc or sc 2: Which one means 2 single crochet in the next st, and which means one single crochet in each of next 2 sts? Establish this in the notes section.
• Sentence format with commas between each step, or. Periods. ?
• More or less conversational: How many words are you going to use? 2 sc, 2 sc in next st, work 2 sc in each of next 3 sts. While each of these might mean different things, you see how you can write with more or fewer words.
• Stitch count format: Please, for the love of your reader, read my blog post on how to write stitch counts.
• Sections within the pattern: Are you going to have sub-headings for creating different parts of the pattern. Garments usually need these sections, but even a hat can be separated into Brim and Body. A sock can have: leg, heel, instep, toe. A blanket could be divided into body and edging, unless it also is made of separate motifs or squares.

TIPS on how to write some of the pattern: Please check the following blog posts.

• Writing Crochet Repeat Punctuation Accurately and Effectively. If you are new to writing patterns, please read, print and study this blog post. This is my full explanation on how to write repeated patterns in crochet using the asterisk, parentheses and brackets.
• Repeat Accuracy: This post goes through 3 different ways to write the same round in crochet. This is a brief reminder of how to use the punctuation with specific examples of the correct way to write and common examples of mistakes designers often make and how they can be corrected.
• How many repeats on a square: Really, it can be confusing sometimes.
• Common Typos in Crochet: Please read, some of these are easy to miss.
• Crochet Math, Re: Circles: Check this to relearn that stuff you forgot becuase you probably had kids or just didn’t pay attention in school.
• Work to the Stop: learn what it means to say “repeat from * to ____.”
• How to write Decimals in patterns: Yes, this a nerd thing, coming from my science writing, but it matters.

FOLLOWING the pattern: After the main instructions, you’ll always end it with “Fasten off” and usually “weave in ends.” But there might be more sections. Assembly: how to put the pieces together. Finishing: this could be a generic section for blocking and assembly. Are we stuffing an amigurumi, or are we adding fringe to a top or a blanket, or lining a purse?

OPTIONAL SECTIONS:

• Photos: not really optional, you need at least one, but are you adding more? If you’re adding several instructional videos throughout the pattern, give your readers the option of the photo-free version of the pattern, too.
• Introduction or Prelim description: If you want, you can have a bit of information prior to the Preliminary information that tells something about the pattern, not technical information, more like inspiration.
• Schematics: These are great images that help show your reader what the finished piece will look and what the measurements will be for all of your sizes.
• Stitch Diagram: Stitch diagrams are the symbols indicating what crochet stitch is worked and where it is placed. I have a whole course that can help you learn how to use the Inkscape program to create stitch diagrams.
• Copyright: Be sure to add in your own copyright information.
• Promotional information: It’s your option here to have added promotional material, links, photos, etc.

There is a chance that I’ve missed something. If I have, please tell me. If you have any questions about any of these sections, please let me know.