Five important details crochet designers forget to include in their patterns

As a crochet tech editor, I see a lot of crochet patterns, and the same five details are often missing from many of them. I decided to compile this list so you know what they are and to help you remember to include them. Having these details in your crochet pattern will help your customers and reduce your tech editing costs.

1) How to start a row or round

Do you use a starting chain, a standing stitch or something else to begin a row or round? Make sure this detail is included in every row or round! If you use a starting chain, make sure it is also clear whether that counts as a stitch or not. You might want to include that information in pattern notes to avoid repeating it for every row or round.

2) Details for how to end a round

In a similar vein to point 1, it needs to be clear how a round of crochet is joined. If you use a slip stitch, where is it joined to? Think about clarity here and give an appropriate level of detail. The amount of information here depends on your target audience and the difficulty level of your pattern.

If you say, for example ‘slip stitch to join’ is this enough information for the crocheter to get a neat finish? Slip stitch to top of ch3, 1st st, 1st dc etc. will always be more helpful. However you choose to do it, make sure it is consistent throughout your pattern.

3) Reference to right/wrong side

Although there are occasions where it can be assumed you are crocheting on the right side (e.g. most amigurumi), indicating the side being worked on is pretty much always useful to include for at least round/row 1. When/if you turn the work, the right/wrong side also needs to be indicated at least the first time. If the work then follows a regular pattern of right and wrong side rows or rounds, it doesn’t have to be mentioned again.

If your joining instructions refer to right or wrong sides, it is important that you have made it clear in the crochet pattern itself which side is which. Remember to add RS/WS to your abbreviations list if you choose to abbreviate them.

4) Eye placement

This doesn’t apply to all crochet patterns but if you are an amigurumi designer then it is hugely necessary. At what point in the pattern do the eyes need to be inserted? (This is really important – especially if the amigurumi piece is going to be stuffed and closed!) Which rows or rounds do they need to be on/between? How many stitches apart? Using the phrase ‘see photo’ is helpful, but it isn’t always clear. By offering these details in writing and visually you are making your pattern accessible to more crocheters. You’re also giving the information they need to make their item look like yours.

5) Details of embroidered features

Similar to point 4, embroidered features are often forgotten in amigurumi patterns, or given as a vague ‘using photo as a guide’. Consider adding a little more detail, such as the colour of yarn or thread to use and the position in terms of rows or rounds. If you have used a special technique, why not share that with your customers too? Adding a close up photo for this can be really helpful as well.

Embroidering eyes, mouths and other details can be really tricky so if you have good tips consider sharing them. They’ll help your customers see you as an expert and want to come back for more!

Once you have made decisions on how you want these things written in your crochet patterns, make sure you record them on your style sheet. If you don’t have one, why not start one? Putting all of these pieces of information together helps you out with writing future crochet patterns as you can copy, paste and tweak them. It also helps with consistency across your brand so your customers know what to expect.

For more tips on what to include in your crochet pattern, my free 10 step pattern writing checklist is just what you need.

If you’ve already typed your pattern and would like to know more about tech editing, you can find out more here.