How to design crochet patterns covers the creative and mathematical process before you ever write a single instruction down, including swatching for gauge, sketching your intended shape, and calculating the shaping math needed to achieve it. I treat design and writing as two separate stages, since rushing straight to writing before the design itself is solid leads to a pattern that needs constant revision. This guide covers the design stage specifically.
Start with a Gauge Swatch
Work a swatch in your intended yarn and stitch pattern before designing anything, since your actual stitches and rows per inch determine every subsequent calculation in the design, from sizing to shaping rate.
Sketch the Shape
Draw a simple sketch of your intended finished piece with target measurements marked at key points, giving yourself a visual reference to calculate shaping against rather than trying to hold the entire design in your head.
Calculate the Shaping Math
Using your gauge swatch’s stitches per inch, calculate how many stitches each section of your sketch needs, then work out the increase or decrease rate required to move between those stitch counts smoothly across your planned rows or rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Should I swatch before designing or after?
Swatch first, since your actual gauge determines every subsequent calculation in the design, including sizing and shaping rate, making it the necessary starting point rather than an afterthought.
Ready to write the pattern itself?
See formatting conventions once your design is finalized.
Learn to write a crochet pattern