We all know the frustration of carefully choosing a pattern, imagining yourself knitting it, and then being shocked because even when you concentrate, you feel that the problem is not with you but with the pattern itself.
Sometimes the pattern is poorly written, sometimes it's missing crucial information, sometimes there aren't enough sizes or measurements aren't given. And sometimes counting errors are very common!
How then can you tell a well-written pattern from a poorly written one?
1. You will find photos or a drawing of the finished project.
A well-written and effective knitting pattern is one that shows you the finished product worn by a model (live or not) and shows you enough detail so that you have an idea of its ease, length, and drape.
In the age of networks and online pattern sales, photos are no longer necessarily found on the PDF pattern itself but can be found on the product sales page, the size of the finished project can sometimes also be mentioned.
With Ravelry, you'll also have the opportunity to see the finished project worn by knitters of different sizes and shapes.
2. The sample is specified
In any well-designed pattern, you will find a gauge either knitted flat or knitted in the round that determines the number of stitches and the number of rows you will need to knit a 10cm x 10cm square.
Mentioning the sample is essential because the sample is what ensures that your project will be as close as possible to the project presented in the pattern.
If you want to know more about the importance of the sample, I wrote an article on the subject here a few months ago.
3. The name of the wool and its composition are mentioned
In a well-written pattern, you will find the specifications of the wool used by the knitting designer.
Indeed, how can you get a result close to the prototype if the quality of the wool is not mentioned.
Without this information, you will not be able to choose the right wool, know its thickness or composition, and this will further prevent you from being able to substitute this wool with another of equivalent quality.
Therefore, in an ideal pattern you should find mentioned:
- the name of the wool brand
- the name of the wool range
- the composition of this wool (for example: 100% merino or 75% wool / 25% silk)
- thickness (fingering, baby wool)
- the length of each skein or ball
- the number of balls or skeins
- the footage needed to make the desired size (for example: 1100 m for size S and 1250 m for size M
4. The pattern format
Ideally, a pattern should offer you two formats: a written version and a chart version to meet the needs of all knitters.
Indeed, some knitters cannot understand the diagrams and for others, the written explanations are very confusing, so it is important that you have the possibility to alternate between diagram and written explanations according to your way of reading the pattern.
Sometimes some patterns are only available in diagram form or in the form of written explanations. This does not necessarily mean that they are bad patterns, but that the designer has decided to offer you only one of the two formats because one or the other would not add anything to the pattern except for length (and therefore more pages to print) or confusion.
For example, it is rarely interesting to put mosaic or jacquard knitting diagrams into words because they are a drawing and it is much easier to follow a color key than to follow color changes in a compact text.
5. Measurements
Measurements must be mentioned in a knitting pattern.
Sometimes in a very succinct manner, for example for a shawl where only the length, width or span are mentioned or for a pair of mittens where only the palm circumference and the length of the mitten are mentioned.
Sometimes in much more detail in the form of a diagram for a sweater or a cardigan where the chest, waist, neck, hip, arm length, shoulder width etc. can be mentioned.
This will allow you to make an informed choice about the size you want to knit.
Indeed, measurements are rarely codified and regulated and an American size M is not equivalent to a French, Italian or European size M.
6. Diagrams
If the construction of the knitted piece is not classic, it is also important to find diagrams explaining the direction of the construction or a note explaining which part of the pattern to start with.
For example, in the case of a top down, we will briefly explain that we start with the collar and knit up to the armpits to then separate the body and the sleeves.
7. The number of stitches
A well-written pattern's instructions will tell you not only how many stitches to decrease or increase, but also the total number of stitches you get.
So for example in the case of circular yoke, the number of increases per row must be mentioned but also the result after each row of increase and this for each size.
8. The techniques used and their explanations
In a well-written pattern, you will find mention of the different techniques used.
For example, this assembly was used, this cast-on was used. And these techniques are detailed precisely either in the pattern, or refer to a website or an explanatory video.
9. Miscellaneous
Obviously, these few points are not all that make a well-written pattern. The knitting designer's style is also important, as is the flow of the text and its layout.
You will also be able to find various little things that give the designer's touch: drawings, a much more detailed technique than elsewhere, stitches mentioned in table form, etc.
And finally, an essential thing that characterizes a good knitting pattern is also the possibility of interacting with the designer to ask questions, whether directly when they provide their email address or through the customer service of the pattern supplier or publisher.
I hope that these few small details will allow you to choose your patterns wisely or will allow you to tell yourself that no, it is not you who does not understand what is written but rather the pattern which is not written in a very legible manner.
See you soon,
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hristelle
