The Beginners Guide to Writing Patterns with Kate Atherley
The Beginners Guide to Writing Patterns with Kate Atherley was the featured book on today’s Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.
Kate was mentioned on the podcast recently, because she is a tech editor with Knitty.com, as we heard with Amy Singer. She’s put together a wonderful new book based on her experience as a teacher, designer and that tech editor work.
We love that Kate says that she doesn’t really want a designer to be great a pattern writing, because she wants to allow them to focus on the creative elements. She originally wrote this book and self published it so that she could help those that she was working with to have a few guidelines. However, she discovered there is a broader audience that she could have imagined and worked with Interweave to make sure it was available to more who needed and wanted to learn where to begin.
In The Beginner’s Guide to Pattern Writing: Learn to Write Patterns that Others Can Knit Kate says she wants to help the pattern writer to be serious and 
professional, to help the knitter be successful. The book is divided into chapters, Pattern Structure & Elements, Actual Knitting Instructions, Charts, Grading, Formatting & Layout, the Process, Selling Online, On Copyright and include in the appendix examples of Basic Pattern Template, Abbreviations, Standard Terms & Glossary, Resources & Bibliography. All of these elements have to be thought out by a pattern writer and Kate cheerfully gives helpful advice on things to consider when making decisions.
Part of this conversation between Marly and Kate is self-publishing, with tech editing or test knitting, and how to get your patterns out there. Part of Marly’s concern is just not appearing stupid to a publisher (and thus inciting further work together), but also to save time later when the pattern becomes available for your own again.
Although, we are all human and knitters can be pretty forgiving, being as professional as possible will go a long way for a designer.
Kate Atherley can be followed through her website, www.kateatherley.com, and her work through Knitty.com, especially her posts for Knitty, her designer page in Ravelry and Twitter.
It hasn’t been a year since Kate Atherley was on last, she’s THAT busy helping us be better knitters, last time was with her new book Custom Socks, just last September.
Categories: Podcast, Uncategorized
This was a very informative interview … thank you!!!! If I were a designer, I would use Kate’s book to be sure I get everything sorted properly 🙂
If I was a designer I would write patterns for plus sizes
I enjoyed today’s podcast. It made me think about if I was a designer what would I do? I would create lovely crocheted patterns (using Kate’s book of course) that inspired self expression from the crocheter.
If I were a designer I would use this book to… Heck, I’m not a designer but I am so intrigued about what Kate has to say that I plan to read this book no matter what.
I don’t have to wonder “If I was a designer”…. I am a designer for my classes and I can guarantee there are many things that I can learn from Kate. I can’t wait to add this book to my library of reference books.
Thanks for another great show. I really enjoyed learning about this book. I think that this book would be great for any library because it really covered everything that you would need to know. I would use this book to figure out what I don’t know. There were things that were talked about in the book that I didn’t think about before. This would be a great way to understand the mind of a seasoned designer!
What an interesting podcast and full of information from a seasoned designer.
If I were a designer I would design beautiful socks! Loved this podcast – full of such useful information!
Every time I listen to the podcast I like to that one day I could actually be a designer 😉 if I were a designer I would create pieces that make people feel happy 🙂
If I were a designer, I would love to see others knitting/crocheting my designs–that would be so rewarding to know those patterns inspired them to create!
If I were a designer, I would give knitters handy check boxes to keep track of repeats! I draw them in for myself anyways 🙂
Thanks for the wonderful and incredible interview. This has inspired me to write down a few of my designs that have been rolling around in my brain. I never considered myself “good enough” to be a designer or where to start. This is going to be a great resource for that.
I loved this. I really want to get this book. I want to design baby things for my son, stuffed toys and clothing. I think I might need to get this book.
If I were a designer, I’d be able to quite my day job! No??? 🙂 I said that just so I could hear Marly laugh. Actually, I’m interested tech editing crochet patterns and think Kate’s book would be a good resource.
If I were a designer I would design garments for warm climates. Sadly it is so hot in Texas I never get to wear my knits nearly as much as I would like.
If I were a designer, I would design set-in sleeve cardigans.
What a useful book Kate’s written! If I were a designer, I would focus on boys’ and gender-neutral knitwear.
If I was a designer I would love to be a guest on Marly’s podcast!
If I were a designer I would read Kate’s book over and over again. I hate poorly written patterns. It does suck the joy out of a project. But the reverse is also true. A well-written pattern can bring so much pleasure. A great interview full of fascinating information.
If I could do anything and know I wouldn’t fail, it would be to start designing! If I were a designer.. I would definitely get Kate’s book to make my dream a reality!
Thank you Marly and Kate foe your concern that patterns be written in such a way that makers could follow them with success. If I were a designer, I would work hard to make sure my patterns were similarly clear and user friendly.
If I were a designer I would read this book from cover to cover!
If I were a designer . . . . I would design things that make me happy. I know that Kate’s book would be a wonderful resource to help me do that. Loved hearing from Kate and all about her new book. Great podcast.
I am not a designer (yet) but I do write simple patterns for classes that I teach locally. I would love to have this book to guide me in becoming a better pattern writer. I feel like I would already be better after listening to Kate on the podcast.
If I were a designer, I would design whimsical sock patterns. Kate’s book would be a must read to make the patterns as user friendly as possible.
If I were a designer, I would focus on smaller items that could be knit up quickly and be used as gifts. I enjoyed listening to the interview.