annieb123's Review of The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook

by Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth

Knitting patterns are notorious for inaccuracies in measurements and confusing directions-but no more! The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook sets new standards for clear, accurate pattern writing, walking aspiring and experienced designers alike through each must-have component of a thorough, well-written pattern, including how to devise and present gauge, charts, and sizing information that is correct and easy-to-follow. With a focus on how to make patterns accessible to contemporary knitters-especially beginning knitters-this much-needed reference book is destined to become a classic in an industry that is beginning to professionalize after decades (even centuries!) of informal and home-based instruction. With 90,000 patterns being sold annually on the popular knitting community site Ravelry, there's a burgeoning group of indie knitwear designers eager for this guidance, provided by authors Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth, who host a monthly live broadcast on the technical aspect of knitting design. AUTHORS: Kristina McGrath worked as a freelance technical editor for knitting patterns for 7 years, after a decade of knitting all the things, and now works as a consultant in the industry, as well as hosting Tech Tip Talk with Sarah Walworth. She is passionate about good fit and size-inclusivity, and helping to make working with patterns the best it can be, for designers, editors, and knitters. Kristina lives in Massachusetts with her family, and lots of pencils and paperweights. www.kristinamcgrath.com Sarah Walworth re-learned to knit as an adult when she needed a way to keep her hands busy while homeschooling her children. It quickly cascaded into re-writing patterns to fit her, absorbing all the techniques, and eventually training to be a technical editor and pattern grader. After several years of working as a freelance technical editor, she now runs The Tech Editor Hub (www.thetecheditorhub.com), where she is building a community of yarn professionals advancing their technical skills and growing successful businesses. Walworth cohosts Tech Tip Talk with Kristina McGrath, and lives in North Texas with her husband of 25 years, their small flock of chickens and 2 crazy herding dogs. www.sarahwalworth.com SELLING POINTS: . Timely, essential topic for knitters. The vibrant online community of knitters who are sharing and selling their patterns are eagerly seeking guidance in how to write clear, accurate patterns that are easy for knitters to follow and ensure accurate fit. The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook, the first book to set standards for pattern writing, is destined to become a classic reference handbook . Growing market. The indie knitting design community is vibrant and connected! More and more knitters and small independent yarn companies are jumping on the opportunity to sell original patterns in online marketplaces such as Ravelry (a knitting site with 9 million registered users), Lovecraft, Etsy, and apps like Ribblr . Expert Authorship. Kristina McGrath and Sarah Walworth are well-respected knitting tech editors and hosts of Tech Tip Talk, with a growing list of monthly subscribers to their newsletter and YouTube channel

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Knitting Pattern Writing Handbook is a very well written, information dense, logical, *usable* guide to writing and testing knitting patterns written and collated by Kristina McGrath & Sarah Walworth. Released 31st Oct 2023 by Hachette on their Storey Publishing imprint, it's 176 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The writing is clear, concise, and easy to understand. That is -vital- for acquiring any skill, but especially in patterns to be followed to a finished and consistent end product. The authors do a very good job of explaining, step-by-step, what a pattern -is-, how to write patterns with precision and understandably (for the end user), and some good tips on developing a personal design style.

The following chapters cover pattern components, gauge, charts, sizing, troubleshooting & pitfalls, and working with a tech editor. The book is slanted toward would-be (or current) designers who promote and sell their patterns through Ravelry, or purpose built websites, but it's usable and relevant for knitters who wish to strike out and make their own patterns for their own use without necessarily having plans to sell commercially.

The graphics are very simple and basic throughout. There are no photographs. Drawings are simple and rendered in pencil sketches. The example graphs and text are high contrast black and white and very easy to read/understand.

Five stars. This is a standalone volume, and certainly can be credibly used to create a written knitting pattern just from the instructions contained within. It will best be used as a good reference addition to the knitter's home library, pattern-writer's studio, public library collection, or knitting shop/fibre arts guild's members' library.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Reading updates

7 January, 2024: Started reading

7 January, 2024: Finished reading

7 January, 2024: Reviewed