The Beginner's Guide to Writing Knitting Patterns

Starred review from June 15, 2016

As the managing technical editor of the popular online magazine Knitty, Atherley (Custom Socks) knows a thing or two about knitting patterns. Thanks to websites such as Ravelry and Patternfish, it's now possible for fledgling designers to publish their own patterns, often without the benefit of working with an experienced technical editor. This guide provides best practices for structure, writing, and charting knitting designs, with tips for writing instructions that are thorough yet concise, developing charts that are easy to read, and presenting introductory and informational material that contains everything a knitter needs to complete a project. Grading is covered briefly (Atherley refers designers to several in-depth resources for further information), as is graphic design, selling finished patterns or pitching patterns to editors, and copyright. To support her perspective and provide additional opinions, Atherley solicited feedback from a number of knitters, editors, and designers who share their knowledge about knitting-related topics. The result? An insider's view of pattern design, presented in a surprisingly readable package. VERDICT There's an abundance of information here, and designers of all skill levels who are interested in improving the structure and presentation of their knitting patterns will gain much from Atherley's expertise.

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.