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How to Make knitting patterns and Sell Them Online [Ultimate Guide] -

Jan 19, 2023

 Last updated: January 18, 2023

Are you a knitter looking to make some extra income? One option to consider is to sell your knitting patterns. If you have the right tools as well as some understanding of how to advertise your knitting work, you can transform your hobby into a profitable business. This post will give you the steps needed to market knitting patterns and make a profit.

Below is a brief outline of what we'll discuss:

 What is a knitting pattern?

A knitting pattern is simply a set of written instructions for knitting a particular item. It tells you everything you need to know in order to knit the product: the type of yarn to use and the gauge, as well as any extra materials or other equipment required and how to make the size(s) of the final item, and of course the yarn to use.

 How to make Knitting Patterns: Step-by-step Guide

Making your first pattern could be a daunting task However, here are easy steps that will simplify the process of writing your first pattern more enjoyable.

 1. Finding Your Audience's Target

When you begin creating or selling patterns of your own, it is important to determine the target market. Think about who would be interested in your patterns. What kind of knitter would you like to attract - beginner knitters or experienced knitters? Knowing who you are trying to reach will allow you to create designs that are appealing to the people you are targeting.

Additionally, you can conduct market research to determine your target audience. Check out what knitting patterns are in fashion and also who's purchasing these patterns. This will give you an idea of the people you want to target and the kind of pattern they're looking for.

 2. Choose the Type of Product You Want to Buy

When you've got a clear concept of the audience you want to target determine what kind of product you'd prefer to develop knit patterns to. The best beginner-friendly patterns are things such as scarves, dishescloths, baby booties, socks, or tiny blankets. If you're designing knitting patterns for advanced knitters, then you could be able to create designs for dresses, sweaters and other complex garments and accessories.

 3. Sketch Your Design

At this stage, it's an excellent idea to begin making a sketch of the way your final product should look as. Start thinking about what types of yarns you'd recommend for your project and what stitching techniques and patterns will be required to make the design. If you're not comfortable with the art of sketching Don't fret simply develop an idea and sketch an approximate silhouette. You can then sketch out some details of the stitching pattern you're planning to use the yarn's weight and more.

Keep your intended group in mind when you think of your stitching designs. Do you intend for them to create complex knitting products or do you want your knitting pattern to be doable for an easy knit-while-you-Netflix type of knitting?

If you're designing wearable clothing take note of patterns and techniques that could impact the functionality. Cable knits, for instance, could result in more dense knitted clothes and are appropriate for winter wear. Here's a good source of inspiration for different knit patterns to help you get your creative juices going.

 4. Knit an Sample Swatch

The creation of a swatch can be essential step. It simply involves creating an swatch of knit with your desired yard, needle size, and stitch pattern. It allows you to view your work on a tiny size, and ensure that the garment looks and performs how you would like it to. Also, it determine your gauge. This is crucial for the grading process.

Also, you will be able to determine your knitting gauge so that you can ensure your design is precise. For this, you need to knit an extensive sample (at least 6" square, although it does not have to be a square!) using the needles you've selected to knit your design, making sure to swatch in the round if you're going to be working in the round. Also, measure how many stitches and rows you've made per inch. Read this article for more detailed guide for the best way to determine the your knitting gauge.

 5. Write Your Knitting Pattern Instructions

There are a variety of free editors suitable for creating knitting patterns. These include Google Docs and Sheets. You can also use an online graphic design tool such as Canva that offers more features to make your documents appear professional and polished. When you've established yourself as a knitting designer You may wish to think about investing in other software such as Adobe InDesign, as you're able to create professional-looking layouts of documents.

When deciding the layout of your pattern's document it is important to take into consideration what the document is going to be used. Take a look at how you've utilized knitting patterns previously and how you used them: did you use them to read on a screen, or even print them? Do you make notes on the patterns? This will impact the layout you choose to design.

It is also advisable to consider accessibility needs for accessibility here. There is actually a thriving community of blind and low vision knitters, so think about (for example) how your content is compatible with a screen reader. There are guidelines for knit patterns that are visually accessible, that you can find in this article.

It's now time to write your knitting patterns down. A good knitting pattern typically has the following elements:

  • Written instructions, row by row or round by round for creating the item
  • Abbreviations employed and an explanation of why each abbreviation means.
  • Charts for any stitch pattern or colorwork, including an important
  • The weight of yarn and how much yarn is needed
  • Size of the needle
  • An overview of other tools or notions needed
  • Size and measurements of the finished product including a schematic of anything complicated or that goes on a body
  • Images of the completed piece, both in and out of an appropriate body
  • Your information about yourself as the designer
  • Conditions of use

If you are writing your first design it is likely that you'll have to make numerous choices about the style of writing you prefer to use. Make with a Style Guide document and write each choice, from font name and size, to whether or not you make a capitalization of the first instruction in an arc or round, or not. This Style Guide is a great reference for you and your technical editor (see further below) to ensure that your patterns are consistently written and that your clients know what to expect when buying from your.

Make sure to keep your knitting draft as an editable document, as you may make further changes as you create a sample of your finished end product.

 6. Design a Test Sample of Your Finished Product

After you've composed some complete knitting patterns Follow your instructions and start knitting a prototype of the finished product. Follow your directions line-by-line to ensure that you can spot any errors or information that is not there.

Make sure to snap lots of photographs while you knit because you could incorporate these photos into the knitting pattern's directions. They also serve as great social media content for building anticipation for when your patterns are released! You should also take lots of quality photos of your completed product showing close-ups of design details and special techniques, as your target audience would want to see the finished product in order to decide whether or not they would like to buy knitting patterns.

 7. You can grade your pattern

Though some kinds of product come in a single size, many will need to be graded to multiple sizes, specifically items that go on a body.

There is a need to reference an accurate, comprehensive scale chart such as those of the Craft Yarn Council that we suggest for further study. This will help you decide what size each part of your finished piece will need to be.

There are many online courses that will teach you to grade, even if you're not certain how to. Additionally, certain tech editors (see below) provide a grade-giving service.

 8. Start knitting your pattern for Sale

At this stage it is expected that you have written every single instruction needed to make your item. Now it's time to have your pattern tech edited and checked! The tech editor functions like the copywriting editor but specifically for knitting patterns. They typically make sure whether your count of stitches are exact and align to the directions you've provided, that your charts say the same thing as the written instructions, that your grade is consistent, and that the instructions you've given are clear. In simple terms, you have to make sure that the instructions you provide are clear and understandable.

They will make sure that your instructions are clear and made sense. Technology editing is an important part of the process - it's nearly impossible to edit your document precisely! It is essential to review the document before sending it to the editor. there is an excellent pre-tech-edit checklist available here.

The next step is to have your pattern test knit. It is the time to make the first PDF version of the pattern accessible for no cost to knitters who will then knit the pattern and give feedback. Test knitting is a great method to receive feedback from knitters who have actually done the knitting on all aspects of the pattern, from clarity to accuracy of your instructions and the quality of your images.

When you've established that your knit pattern is available for sale, you can create a final PDF version of your knitting pattern. This is the digital file that you'll give to your customers.

 How to Sell Knitting Patterns Online for Free

There are a variety of choices available including online marketplaces, social media platforms, to your own website. Each one has its own benefits and drawbacks, therefore it is important to determine which one is best for your particular business. You may also want to think about listing your designs on multiple platforms. That said, the easiest and most affordable way to sell your own patterns on the internet is to establish an online store that is free to use .

 1. Make a website or store online for free.

Platforms like allow you to create a beautiful website where you are able to sell your own knitting patterns. It is not necessary to think about paying for any third-party platforms or expenses as the tool is free that allows you to launch your pattern online store within moments!

The benefits of using it include:

  • A free and forever-green platform. It only requires a 5% fee every time you sell, so if you're just beginning out and haven't got a large number of customers yet, you won't have to pay anything.
  • Digital files are instantly delivered to your customers. Your customers can make payments on your website and get your knitting pattern PDF instantly without having to be involved. This allows you to have more time to focus on other aspects of your company - great!
  • If your knitting pattern is modified in the near the future, you may make use of's Email Updates feature to send an update download link clients
  • Fully-hosted and free domain. You'll get a free website/online store with the following customizable store name .com/[yourcustomstorenamehere]. But you can also connect with a domain that you have created e.g. janesmithknitting.com if you'd like to
  • Easy drag and drop site creator that can be completely customized to match your branding aesthetics. Design and coding are not required. skills required
  • Instant payments through Paypal and Stripe.
  • Automated collection and payment of UK & EU VAT
  • Innovative marketing options like referral system, affiliate program cross-selling, upselling, coupons, email marketing as well as more are included in the no-cost plan.

The company is recognized for its easy to use and user-friendly interface. It also offers a variety of instructional videos to guarantee you're successful in creating your own online business.

 2. Create a Knitting List to Sell

Once you've created your online store/website for free , it's time to upload your knitting pattern as a product listing.

If you decide to offer your patterns, you'll have to give plenty of details to your customer in order that they can decide whether your design is right for them. Needles and concepts, proper sizing, and plenty of photos are a must!

One of the biggest decisions is pricing your pattern. Low and you'll undervalue not only your design as well as that of the other designers working in the same field. Too expensive and your customers are dissuaded. It's crucial that the price is accurate and accurately represents the quantity of information that you include in your design (as it does vary between designers!). It's likely that you know what other designers are charging for their patterns similar to yours However, you should take the time to conduct some investigation.

When your pattern file is complete and its product listing are complete, you're now ready to sell!

  1. The process of uploading your knitting pattern's PDF on the product listing
  2. Making your knitting patterns the title, description of your product, and price
  3. Sending a couple of photos to your pictures for the listing of your products
  4. Publishing your product listing

The entire upload process is expected to take no more than two minutes.

 3. Increase traffic and promote Your Knitting Pattern Store

Now it's time to start promoting your patterns store. This could include using platforms like social media, participating in craft fairs and events, or advertising on other knitting-related websites.

It's also a good idea to create a blog on which you can publish blog post that are related to knitting. The blog posts will receive organic traffic from Google Search Results, resulting in more website traffic to your website.

It is also possible to offer promotional discounts for a short period to encourage people to purchase the patterns. This is particularly beneficial during new pattern release.

You might want to reach out to knitting bloggers and influencers who can review your patterns and let them know about them. In addition, you could develop a mailing list in order to inform your customers about updates to your patterns and special offers. Finally, you can set up a referral program that will give customers a reward for referring their friends to your patterns.

Take benefit of the free tools for marketing like coupons, referral systems, affiliate program, mailing list as well as cross-sell, upgrade discount, and more. It allows you to create successful marketing campaigns through your social media and elsewhere.

SELL KNITTING PATTERNS FOR ONLINE

Join more than 130,000 sellers who have launched their online businesses with

 Troubleshooting the Common Problems While Making Knitting Patterns for Sale

In selling knitting patterns there are some common issues you may run into during the process. These include copyright infringement and receiving feedback from customers who have negative experiences as well as low sales. This is why we have a few suggestions to deal with these issues:

  • Make a comprehensive set of terms and conditions for usagewithin the PDF of your knitting patterns. These should contain guidelines for how your customers can interact with your knitting patterns e.g. Is your pattern available for personal use only? Do you grant commercial rights to your clients? Additionally, you can define your rights as property in the terms of use section.
  • Responding to customer feedback. One advantage selling knitting patterns from your own site (as compared to selling on marketplaces like Etsy) is that you can enable an approved-only review option for customers to ensure that you don't be a victim of unfair one review ratings. If you are receiving negative reviews, you can decide to not publish those reviews on your site, nevertheless, make sure you communicate with those clients to resolve the issue.
  • Offer your knitting patterns for free to obtain comments. Asking test knitters to test out your pattern is an excellent option to be sure your pattern is optimized for various audiences. Your test knitters are most likely able to provide valuable pattern notes and feedback which can help make your knitting pattern better. On , you can easily set your knitting pattern product list to zero or a pay-what-you-want pricing.

 FAQ - Creating Your Own Patterns & Selling them online

 You can create your own knitting pattern?

Sure, making your own knitting patterns can be an exciting and enjoyable adventure. The only thing you need to write a pattern for is to decide on the type of knitted item that you'd like to create Write down the steps for making the pattern, and then post the pattern online to other knit fans.

 Do you earn profit selling patterns for knitting?

 What is the best place to sell knitting patterns online?

 Final Thinking

With the right system, pricing strategy, and marketing plan it is possible to turn your passion into money. This step-by-step guide will help you begin in the right direction for designing your own knitting.