Stitches

How do I go about designing my own crochet patterns?

I am self taught and would love to start designing crochet hats but don't know how.

Public Comments

1. Oh god my mum does that crazy shit! whenever shes designed something though she's always used graph paper with the tiny squares on to mark on pattens... dont know if that would work for you? Edit : if you feell like itI'll wear one of your hats :oD
2. this is where I am right now! Have been designing my own patterns for about 5 years now. have paper and pencil handy to make notes on each row you make. Use basic hat pattern to start with, then make notes when you put in a bobble or whatever. remember the shorthand crochet forms and use them. whenyou get through making that hat, go back and make another from the notes you made on the first one. Type it up if it is correct and find a trusted friend and ask her to make the pattern. If she can from your instructions, You did it! Do NOT post any patterns on the internet in their entirety. There are uglies out there who surf the blogs and other places and steal patterns and call them theirs. Annies Attic of Big Sandy Texas is one such place. Then they sue the originator for stealing their pattern.
3. If you have been doing crochet for some time, you will get ideas as you are working that it might be better this way or that, or you may want to work a pattern differently. Do it, or write it down. If you are working with colour, or pattern stitches, you may find it easier to actually draw it out on paper to see how it looks. You may find that you need a stitch or two here or there, or remove a stitch to make it all work out (the mathematics of stitches). Then you will have to actually make one -- the prototype. Write down the instructions exactly! While you may know what you did, now, when it comes to do it again next week, you will have forgotten. If it is a pattern you are going to give away or sell, you need to be sure it is accurate and complete. Do not expect anyone to know what you meant. Any special instructions will have to be spelled out. Remember what it is like when you come across a pattern that is not clear or complete! It is good to have another crocheter to work your design to check it. Sometimes they see things you completely over-looked. Hats are fairly basic in shape and design. You can work with colour or with stitch patterns, and sometimes even change the shape slightly. They are fun to do, and you are only limited by your imagination (and skill).
4. Here is a site I found the other day that has some good videos and links that might help you. http://www.hobbies-and-pastimes.com/crochet.html