Pattern layout/design basics
- Jocelyn frasier
- Sep 30
- 4 min read
Unsure of how to design your pattern layout? You've seen plenty of patterns of different styles before, but you just aren't sure how to do it yourself. Let me help you get started!
WHERE TO DESIGN
There are various places where you can draft and put together a pattern. Many designers use Canva, InDesign, Word, Google Docs. Some options are free, a lot of them you have to pay for. This post will go through the basics of pattern design that can be used in any program.
CLARITY
The most important thing is making sure things are clear. Make sure to use headers for sections, use indents, paragraph spacing, and page breaks to your advantage, and use easy to read fonts to give clear instructions for your readers. Take the examples below - which one is easier to follow? I've seen patterns formatted both ways before.
If you want to include photos (whether it's detail photos or instructional), make sure you don't place them inside the instruction text. It tends to clutter things up and can make it harder to follow the pattern. For instructional photos, you can reference to them: "See photo instructions on page 6". If it's just detail photos, you can add those to open spots in the pattern (such as if you have dead space on the materials page) or place them on the final pages.
MAKE SECTIONS OBVIOUS
Making clear sections is so helpful to a pattern. It supports ease of reading and quick referencing. For example in a sock pattern, there are various instructions given for the cuff, leg, heel, foot, and toe. Each of these sections should be in bold and slightly larger text. Just look at this blog post - the title of the section you are reading now is in bold and slightly larger text. You can see how it helps you quickly jump to certain sections that you may want to review again, without having to re-read the entire thing.
USE THE HEADERS/FOOTERS
These areas are at the very top and bottom of your pages. They are in faded text and contain document info. At the very least, you should have page numbers listed! It's helpful for if you need to reference something in your pattern, you can say "see page 5 for the schematic". Or it can be helpful to knitters who print out patterns - I know I've dropped a stack of papers before, and putting them back in order isn't always easy.
You can also put your contact info here, business name or email, etc. It's a place to make sure your branding is on every page.
GENERAL LAYOUT
The most common order for patterns goes as follows:
Page 1 - Cover Page - Contains finished object photo, designer/brand name, pattern name, romance text.
Page 2 - Sizing and Materials - List all sizes the pattern makes, gauge and needles, yarn yardage and fiber required, and anything else such as stitch markers, cable needles, buttons, an extra set of needles, etc.
Page 3 - Glossary/abbreviations list in alphabetical order, special stitch instructions, links to tutorials, stitch pattern repeats, etc.
Page 4 - This is where the pattern instructions begin, from cast on to cast off.
Final Page - Copyright information, contact info, charts, etc.
Don't forget to include a schematic in your pattern, which can be placed in Page 2, Page 3, the Final page, or even it's own page!
Most patterns I've seen use single column format, but others use a double column, and some use a mix of both. Every pattern is different, you just need to see what works best for you and your pattern style.
MAKE IT A TEMPLATE
Once you have something you like, make a master copy of it! When you are ready to write a new pattern, create a copy of the document to make your pattern in. Having a ready to go Pattern Template is such a time saver and it removes a lot of stress from making a pattern. It also ensures consistency across your pattern library, as far as visuals go.
CONSIDER A STYLE SHEET
This is a whole different topic, you can read all about those here. If you are a serious designer, I strongly encourage you (or a tech editor) put together a style sheet. It's similar to a pattern template in that it tells you exactly how to format every pattern to ensure consistency across your pattern library, except it has more to do with phrasing and formatting of words rather than how to lay out and organize your pattern.
STRUGGLING? NEED HELP?
If you are struggling with coming up with a good layout (simple or complex) there are lots of resources you can look to. You can check out my Pattern Layouts for purchase, or you can reach out to a tech editor who offers graphic design/pattern layout design services. If you are interested in a personalized session with a tech editor to go over graphic design, let me know and I can point you in the right direction.
READY TO GO TEMPLATES
I have created two pattern template styles with style sheets to help get you started. One template is a two-column layout, which is good for larger patterns with a lot of information. Two columns allows you to use more of a page, taking up less pages in the end for printing. The other version is a single-column layout, which is good for smaller patterns or patterns with a lot of sections. Both styles are good for really any kind of pattern - it mainly depends on your visual preference and style. These templates are made for WORD documents.