There’s something about designing sweaters that puts the fear in every new knitting pattern designer. So many calculations! So much grading! Am I even ready for this?!

Approaching my first sweater design, I didn’t know if I was capable of pulling it off. Back then, I was referring to books and feverishly googling everything I didn’t understand. I felt anxious that I’d mess it up and it would all be for nothing.

I know this might sound familiar to many of you so I first want to say that you’re not alone. It’s understandable that you feel nervous about tackling a sweater design! But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re not ready yet.

In this blog post, I’m going to share three indicators that suggest you are ready to design your first sweater pattern.

...you have some experience.

Before you attempt your first sweater design, you should have already knitted a few sweaters using other designer’s knitting patterns. This will give you a basic understanding of how sweaters are constructed, which will help when it comes to designing your own.

I would also like you to have designed a couple of simpler accessories. Every knitting pattern you design is training you to become a better designer. Even if it’s challenging and it doesn’t go how you planned, you gain knowledge and experience from those challenges.

I’m not saying you need be an expert knitting pattern designer though - or even an expert knitter. I wasn’t! So much learning comes from doing and asking questions and making mistakes.

...you can’t stop dreaming up sweater designs.

This was the push that resulted in me designing my first sweater, Split Stone. I was so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but I couldn’t get the idea out of my head! I’m so glad that I followed through on it.

If you love to knit sweaters and can’t stop coming up with your own design ideas, I believe you are ready. Keep it simple, take it at your own pace and get help along the way - you are more than capable of making this happen.

...you are willing and determined to put in the work.

I’ve said this a few times and I’ll say it again - knitting pattern design is not an easy path. There are times when you will want to throw your laptop out of the window in frustration!

When the process gets tough, it is your willingness and determination that will push you to finish the work and get that sweater design published! Be patient, stick with the process and you will end up with a sweater design you are proud of.

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

If the above statements apply to you, you’re ready to design your first sweater pattern - even if you’re scared.

No knitting pattern designer ever feels truly ready to design their first sweater. It’s in our nature to doubt our abilities. But if you wait to feel like it’s the “right time”, it will likely never happen.

Designing your first sweater requires you to step out of your comfort zone which inevitably feels uncomfortable. You are stretching mental muscles that you might not have used for a while (hello, math!)

But often, the more you attempt to do, the more you can actually do. Your confidence will grow and so will your skill set.

Discussion

Are you ready to design your first sweater pattern? Share your plans in the comments section below. And if you’re not quite there yet, let us know what you’re planning to do to get yourself there.