From the experience of a published crochet designer
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love for crochet into a career as a crochet designer, you’re not alone. The main reason I got into design is because 1. I trained as a textile designer and finally wanted to put those skills to the test. 2. Sometimes I just couldn’t find the right crochet pattern that ticked all the boxes of what I was looking for. 3. I really wanted to create something unique.
When I started my design journey, I remember feeling both excited and unsure of where to start. In this post, I’ll walk you through seven simple steps to help you transform from crochet enthusiast to designer, sharing my personal experiences along the way.
Step 1: Practice makes perfect. The first step to becoming a crochet designer is perfecting your crochet skills. Spend time crocheting with different stitches, techniques, and textures. Take on a variety of projects—whether it’s garments, accessories, or home décor items—to understand the intricacies of design and what makes a great crochet pattern. I was crocheting for about 4 years before I finally took the plunge into design. But everyone is different – whether you’ve been crocheting for years or not that long, it’s about having the confidence in yourself.
My Tip: Keep a crochet journal where you note down stitches, designs, or patterns that inspire you. This will serve as a valuable resource when you start designing your own patterns.
Step 2: Understand the Basics of Pattern Writing. Writing crochet patterns is an essential skill for any designer. Start by dissecting patterns from other designers to understand how they structure their instructions. Pay attention to the language used, abbreviations, and formatting. Simplicity is key and the language used should be clear using as few words as possible. Don’t forget you can use photos and video to explain sections of your pattern rather than writing an essay!
My Tip: Practice writing patterns for personal projects first. Have a fellow crocheter try out your pattern to ensure clarity and accuracy. You might be interested in downloading my free guide on 5 Important Things to Consider When Writing Crochet Patterns.
Step 3: Create Your Own Designs. Once you feel confident with your crochet skills and understand the basics of pattern writing, it’s time to create your own designs. Start small—design a scarf, a hat, a baby blanket or anything you enjoy making but do your research on crochet pattern platforms such as Ravelry and Etsy. You need to know that your idea for a design is something that people will want to make. It’s good to find a niche for your crochet designs because this will help you market your patterns in the future. This could be crochet categories such as amigurumi or blankets plus it could be that you like to use a particular type of yarn and colour palette.
My Tip: Don’t be afraid to frog your work (undo stitches) if a design isn’t coming together. Trial and error is part of the process!
Step 4: Learn to Use Software such as Word, Google docs and Canva. You need to write your crochet patterns digitally so they can be converted into a PDF to be download once purchased. Microsoft Word is perfect for this however Google docs are free to use if you create a Google account – this works virtually the same way as Word. To elevate your patterns to a professional level, it’s essential to create professional-looking diagrams and schematics – you can use Stitch Fiddle for this by creating a free account. You can also use free desktop publishing site Canva to create your crochet patterns and it’s brilliant for inserting images and links to videos plus your document can be downloaded as a PDF.
My Tip: Create a crochet pattern template for yourself to use every time you write up a crochet pattern. Consider a style for your crochet patterns which reflects your style as a designer. Create your crochet pattern style guide with my free guide to help you create a crochet pattern template – saving you time!
Step 5: Develop Your Unique Style. Every crochet designer has a signature style. Whether it’s your choice of colour schemes, stitch patterns, or the type of projects you focus on, your design aesthetic is what sets you apart.
My Tip: Spend time exploring what inspires you. For me, nature and bright colours inspire me in my design work. I also love lots of texture and complex stitch patterns but find what sparks your creativity!
Step 6: Build an Online Presence. Having an online platform is essential for sharing your work and connecting with fellow crocheters. Start a blog, Instagram, or Pinterest account to showcase your designs. Social media is also a great way to engage with the crochet community, share tips, and even get feedback on your designs.
My Tip: Post regularly, but don’t just post finished projects. Share your creative process, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes content. It makes you more relatable and helps build a community. Make sure your social media accounts are business and not personal accounts to take full advantage of promoting your work.
Step 7: Submit Your Designs for Publication. When you feel ready, submit your patterns to crochet magazines and on websites like Ravelry or Etsy. Having your work published will not only give you credibility but also open up more opportunities for collaborations and commissions.
My Tip: Don’t be discouraged if your first few submissions aren’t accepted or pattern sales are slow. Keep refining your patterns and designs. Persistence is key in this industry.
Becoming a crochet designer isn’t an overnight journey, but it’s incredibly rewarding. By following these steps and staying true to your creative vision, you’ll be well on your way to seeing your name in print as a published designer or experiencing the thrill of someone buying your crochet pattern. So grab your hook, and let your imagination take the lead!