I started my very beginning of crochet pattern designing adventure a few weeks ago and had my thoughts set up thinking my own why to ensure myself keep designing no matter what happen next. I managed to design my very first pattern (read here on my first pattern: the Lavendar crochet free pattern) and I had so much fun doing it, and had so much trouble too! I really enjoyed the process along the way; from designing, writing, asking for pattern testers, uploading to different platforms (Ribblr, Ravelry, Etsy) and finally I got a few bucks out of it after few days publishing. I was over the moon when I wasn’t paid yet – but the feelings went beyond when I received email notification of money coming in. I feel in disbelieved that there are people wanted to buy such simple patterns.

I have certain difficulties when starting crochet pattern designing and here are 5 things that I learned when I wrote my first crochet pattern.

Start with the simplest pattern and pattern that you already know.

Crochet pattern writing is overwhelming for first timer. It’s not about crocheting anymore, it’s about putting your design from your wildest dream in your brain into a pdf word in a structured manner and understandable by others. As a first timer in crochet pattern designing, I am not so used with the routine of crochet designing starting from ideation stage, testing, writing, modification and publication. To get used with the designing process, I strongly suggested to start with simple, small-sized crochet pattern and I want to let you know that it’s okay to start with simple crochet project. And it’s totally fine if you are not monetizing anything from your first pattern.

Simple crochet pattern could be: your favourite granny square, a simple bag, a scarf, or a simple beanie. Your objective from writing the first pattern is to get your neurons familiar with the new activity. It’s like building muscles over time. Along the way, observe your journey – what does it take to produce a pattern?

I chose to design lavendar as I know it is simple pattern and require simple tweak to accommodate to my own preference and style.

I know we all eager to publish an original pattern. Or original stitch that named after you. That will come later after publishing many patterns. Focus on exercising your brain muscles into writing patterns at least for now.

Imitate then innovate

Now, you are aspired to be publish original crochet patterns of yours. But do you know that you are easily to be trapped in ‘creative death’ if you wish to publish an original pattern right at the first time designing?

‘Imitate then Innovate’ is my favourite quote that I stole from David Perell, a blog writer. To ensure yourselves keep being creative, it is ok to imitate other works then you can innovate them later. Give your neurons get used to pattern writing activity. Copy as much as you can from many crochet designers and don’t forget to credit to them. Then, you can innovate your patterns by combining all the designing skills that you have learned.

Even Kobe Bryant the basketball superstar said, ““I’ve stolen all my moves from the greatest players”.

I copied lavendar crochet from youtube tutorial and I tweak the pattern at the end.

Learn the standards abbreviation from Craft Yarn Council

When writing a crochet pattern, you must know that you are writing for worldwide crocheters. Hence it is important to standardize the crochet term in your pattern. We are lucky that we have Craft Yarn Council as a one stop reference.

I’m taking this chance to relearn and get updates on the abbreviation. Other than learning from Craft Yarn Council, I pay several visits to my favourite crochet blog to see how they write pattern in detail manner.

Managing expectation: first crochet pattern is time consuming and imperfect. Just do it

Expect that your first time is always the hardest. Although I started with crochet pattern that I am very familiar, it still took me a lot of time as I have:

• to come up with pdf template in Canva
• to get used with pattern writing
• no systemized workflow yet. For example, when I’m writing, I found that I need to take pictures before hand
• doubt 🙂

and that’s totally okay when you get started. Often, the above list is why the first timer always feel overwhelmed. Just do it. Just complete that first pattern and then moved to the next pattern. Aiming for imperfect repetitive work is better than aiming for that one perfect work.

This is why it is advisable to design simple projects at the beginning stage, so that it is easy to complete on project to one another.

Be in Ribblr community

I had my pattern tested in Ribblr app and the community is AMAZING. They are so helpful. I have less than 200 followers in Instagram, so I have difficulties to find pattern tester in Instagram. So what I did was, I posted my pattern in Ribblr App. I was so vulnerable telling the community that I was a total beginner in crochet pattern designing and a newcomer in Ribblr community. Crafters in Ribblr are so sweet, helpful and uplifting. My doubts about my crochet pattern designing skills went away when they give positive feedback on my pattern.

It is easy to find pattern tester in Ribblr even you are just few days downloading the app. You will have new friends and connections too.

This is just a small part of Ribblr that I love the most. There are many reasons to love RIbblr: the app interface, the system to write design, publishing, finding testers and the royalty system ! (I’m so excited about the royalty system. It’s a game changer for crochet artists).

I shall write a dedicated post about Ribblr in my next post.