Pattern PO’s
10 Pattern Problems That Drive Knitters 😤 Absolutely Mad 🤬
Knitting is supposed to be relaxing, meditative, and even joyful! But nothing yanks us out of our bliss faster than a poorly written pattern.
Whether you're a seasoned knitter or just starting to read patterns, here are the top things that seriously peeve knitters off when it comes to patterns:
1. Not Stating When Stitch Counts Change
Nothing makes us question our sanity faster than getting to the end of a row and realizing the numbers don’t add up. If a row/round has increases or decreases, tell us. Better yet, give the number of stitches increased or decreased at the end of any section where stitch counts change.
2. No Total Stitch Count After Rows or Sections
Stitch counts are like little checkpoints of sanity. After a shaping row/round or series of increases, telling us the total number of stitches helps us catch mistakes early and avoid hours of unpicking.
3. Calling the Same Thing Different Names
Is it a “sleeve cap,” a “sleeve crown,” or an “armhole shaping”? Just pick one. Consistency helps us follow along without flipping back and forth to figure out what you're talking about. Changing terminology mid-pattern is confusing and feels like trying to learn a new dialect halfway through.
4. Inconsistent or Undefined Abbreviations
“K1tbl” on page 2 becomes “K through the back loop” on page 5 and then “ktbl” on page 7 with no glossary in sight. Please define all abbreviations clearly and use them consistently! And don’t forget your Abbreviations Key.
5. Being Too Wordy
Most knitters love learning, but not when it means scrolling through 400 words on how to do a basic decrease. There’s a difference between a pattern and a how-to guide. If we need help, we’ll Google it or watch a video.
6. Saying “Knit” When You Mean “Work”
“Knit the next 6 rows in Stockinette.” Wait…do you mean knit all rows, or proceed in Stockinette stitch (which would be knit and purl alternately)? “Work” is the right word here. It tells us to follow the established pattern.
7. Rewriting the Same Row Again... and Again
If Row 2 is exactly the same as Row 1, and Rows 3–8 are exactly the same as Row 2, you can say “Rows 3 - 8: Rep Row 2.” Writing out each row wastes space and makes the pattern look more complicated than it actually is. Efficiency is kindness.
8. No Garment Construction Info at the Start
Before we cast on, we want to know what we’re making. Is this top-down? Bottom-up? Knit flat and seamed? Worked in the round? Without construction details at the beginning of the pattern, we’re left guessing how each piece fits into the bigger picture. A simple paragraph explaining the construction goes a long way in helping us visualize the process (and plan our project timeline and yarn usage).
9. Tiny, Blurry Charts and Schematics
We shouldn’t need a magnifying glass or PDF zoom to read a chart. Charts should be clear, readable, and print-friendly. Schematics should show the full shape of the garment with actual measurements.
10. Bad Quality Photos That Don’t Show the Garment Clearly
One moody photo of someone standing in a shadowy forest is not enough. We need to see the garment. Front, back, sides, fit, neckline, drape; everything. Blurry or overly stylized photos make it hard to know what we're knitting. We want to imagine ourselves in it, not wonder what it is.
Final Thoughts
Writing a pattern is hard, but you can easily spare your knitters from spending extra hours on a sweater because they are trying to decipher the pattern. A clear, consistent pattern helps everyone, from first-time knitters to the pros, feel confident, informed, and inspired to keep creating.
