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. Some of these may include affiliate links, which help support me in my quest to make a living teaching and designing, but don’t cost you anything extra.
If you are interested in taking an in-person class from me, check out my most up-to-date workshop schedule, or consider having me teach in your local area. I’m also available for consulting on a one-on-one basis.
These are in no particular order and will be added to as I come across additional resources. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to find everything!
Design Related Online Classes
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
How to Draw Crochet Charts in Adobe Illustrator
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- Adobe Illustrator-The industry standard
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- Stitch Maps is both a new kind of chart and an excellent stitch dictionary for knitters.
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- Knit Foundry’s Knit Visualizer
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- Cochenille Design Studio Stitch Painter
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- Cochenille Design Studio Garment Designer
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- DesignaKnit8
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- Intwined Studio
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- Stitch Fiddle
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- Stitchin Crochet Font + Stitching Knit Font
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- Stitch Works Software
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- EnvisoKnit
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- Inkscape-An open-source vector-based drawing program
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- Pattern Genius
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!
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
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