In your quest for learning more about designing with yarn, drafting patterns, and writing clear and concise instructions, it pays to study. I’ve gathered resources that will help you along your way.
I love to teach! Check out my workshop schedule for the most up-to-date information. I’m also available for consulting on a one-on-one basis and offer monthly one-on-one Ask Me Anything sessions.
These resources are in no particular order and will be added to as I come across new ones. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to find everything.
Need help figuring stitch multiples? Use my Online Stitch Multiple Calculator.
This page contains affiliate links which may pay me a small amount if you buy something through a link you click. This helps keep the website running, but it doesn’t cost you anything extra.
Design-Related Classes and Courses
Books
These books are available at your local yarn store, independent bookseller, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Some of them may be out of print, but if you can find them at a used bookstore or online for a reasonable price, it’s worth getting them.
Stitch Charting, Design & Layout
How to Draw Crochet Symbols in Adobe Illustrator
Create Charts and Schematics with Adobe Illustrator
The programs that I use the most for charting, design and layout are the Adobe Create Cloud Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop), but I have heard that the Affinity products (Design, Photo, Publisher) might be good lower-cost alternatives. I use Microsoft Excel (not shown below) for doing calculations, but there are other spreadsheet programs that work equally well.
Some of the following software may be deprecated. Please look carefully before deciding to download software that is no longer supported.
Article: 6 Armholes and How to Make them Work for Your Body
LoveKnitting’s Designer Academy-a series of blog articles on knitwear design
Multisize Me article Part 1 on Knitty, Part 2
Links to Sizing Guides
Different vendors and clothing lines have different customers in terms of age and body type. As a designer, you have to come up with your own idea of who your customer is and what body types they may have. Comparing size charts from a number of different sources is an excellent way to come up with your own sizing system. Here are some links that you might find helpful in your quest to develop your own set of base measurements. But watch out for vanity sizing from clothing lines when you are comparing these numbers!
If you have a favorite sizing resource that isn’t listed here, please contact me and let me know about it!
ASTM Standards for Body Measurements – The ASTM has many specialized body measurement charts for different body types; some are available free and some for a fee. Poke around on the site for more information.
Kate Atherley’s Foot Size Tables
Kim McBriens Evans– Inclusive Size Resources for Designers
L.L. Bean – a size chart is given for each separate item. Find a garment that is similar to the one you are designing, and click on the size chart for that item.
Simplicity Complete Measurement Guide – a very useful PDF download
Tot Toppers – for hat sizing
Wikipedia US Standard Clothing Sizes
Woolly Wormhead – for hat sizing
Ysolda Teague
