If you’re anything like me, you know that having the right tools can make or break your creative process. I’ve been a crochet designer for over eight years, and with 27 years of crochet experience, I’ve learned a thing or two about what works best. Whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking to up your game, I’ve got some tips to share.
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1. Concept and Sketching
Every great design starts with an idea, right? Here are some tools that can help you capture those ideas:
Fashionary Sketchbooks: These are such a lifesaver when sketching out your designs. They’ve got pre-drawn figure templates so that you can focus on the fun stuff—like garment shapes and details. I discovered them a few years into my crochet design journey and have been using them since. They help you visualize your idea and share it with your audience or the magazines you are submitting to. My favorites are the Womenswear (shown below), Menswear & their most recent launch The Knitwear Manual: A complete guide to knitwear design
Graph Paper and Rulers: These are perfect for planning out stitch patterns or mapping out colorwork. It’s a simple but super effective way to organize your ideas. This is the one I use when I need to draw out designs where graphs are the main character.
Colored Pencils or Markers: Playing around with colors is so much fun, and these let you see how your combinations might look. I use a set of 72 which gives me enough options to find the closest color to my yarn so I can get a true sense of what the finished piece is going to look like.
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2. Yarn, Stitch Selection and Swatching
Yarn Winder and Swift: These are game-changers for turning hanks into tidy, easy-to-use yarn cakes.
Digital Scale: These come in handy when trying to figure out how much of a skein you’ve used in a particular project, how much you’ll need for a project, or the weight of a mystery yarn in your stash.
Stitch Selections: Invest in a stitch dictionary. These are an incredible resource for discovering new stitch patterns and adding variety to your designs. Whether you’re looking for texture, lace, or colorwork inspiration, a good stitch dictionary can be a goldmine of ideas. Click the image below for a collection of my favorites.
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3. Designing and Stitching
Now comes the fun part: bringing your ideas to life! Here are the must-haves:
High-Quality Hooks and Needles: Trust me, investing in comfortable hooks and smooth needles makes all the difference when you’re working on a big project. If you’ve been following me for a while, you will know that I love WeCrochet hooks, especially their Tunisian crochet sets.
Stitch Markers: These are lifesavers for keeping track of where you are in your pattern, especially with repeats or shaping.
Tape Measure: Accurate measurements are a must, especially for garments.
Notebook: I like to think of my notebook as my brain. It’s where I write the information that will be needed for me to share the pattern and the little things I tell myself I’ll remember but know deep down I won’t.
4. Blocking and Finishing
This step is where your project comes to life.
Blocking Mats and Pins: Foam mats with grid lines make blocking so much easier and more precise.
Steamer: Steam blocking works wonders for wool and other natural fibers. I found this steamer a few years ago and it has been a game changer.
Scissors and Tapestry Needles: These are essential for weaving in ends and giving your piece that polished look.
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5. Pattern Writing and Publishing
Finally, it’s time to turn your design into a pattern others can follow.
Pattern Templates: I started with Word Docs when I was first designing. Then I moved to Google Docs and now Canva. The goal is to keep things consistent and professional. I have a free template I’ve created on Canva for you to use. Download and save your finished pattern as a PDF for easy sharing.
Charting Software: Tools like Stitch Fiddle or Chart Minder are amazing for creating clear, easy-to-read charts.
Photography Gear: Whether it’s a good camera or just your smartphone, having a tripod and good lighting makes all the difference in showcasing your work. Below are my favorite tripods, one for my phone and the other for my DSLR. I still use my phone now as cameras have gotten a lot better over the years.
Designing crochet and knit pieces is a journey filled with creativity, learning, and joy. Having the right tools by your side can make the process smoother and even more rewarding. Whether you’re sketching your very first idea or perfecting a pattern to share with the world, these essentials can help bring your vision to life.
I’ve poured my heart into this craft for decades, and it’s brought me so much happiness to create and share my designs. I hope these tips and tools inspire you to do the same. If you have favorite tools or tips that I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear about them.
