what's your superpower?

What do we mean by consistency within a knitting pattern? What do we mean by consistency across all of a designer’s patterns? In my work as a tech editor, I make a lot of corrections for inconsistencies, so let’s take a look at what that’s all about.

There are a lot of components to a pattern and each designer has their own way they like to present them. So first let’s talk about consistency across all components. Throughout the whole pattern, from notes and materials, to instructions and charts, use the same language to explain the same things. Choose which way you like to say something and do it that way every time it comes up.

What are you talking about?

If you mix up what format you use, or how you name things, how you present things, knitters are not going to have a clue what you are talking about and will be confused. We do not want a frustrated knitter! It’s easy to forget to be consistent in this way (style sheets can help keep us on track!).

For example:

· If a chart is named Chart A, refer to it as such every time; don’t call it Cable Chart in your notes.

· In your abbreviation list, be sure the abbreviations are exactly the same as they are in your chart key, and throughout your instructions; do not vary them.

· Punctuation in the sizes and in the instructions – those articles need to be used exactly the same way and for just the same purpose in all places in your pattern. If you use brackets to separate sizes in your detail info, make sure you do that throughout; don’t start using parentheses in your instructions for sizing, especially if you are using parentheses for something else.

Any of these inconsistencies cause confusion for the knitter. Even if you know what you mean, they are going to think you mean something different each time an inconsistency comes up. It’s so important to decide how you want to say something, and stick with it.

Not only are inconsistencies confusing, they make for a messy and lazy-looking pattern that is unpolished, and difficult for the eye to follow and read, and I am quite sure that it was not a lazy endeavor for the designer! Just like in designing, you knit and rip and knit and rip until it’s right - let’s make the written pattern of all that hard work the best it can be.

When the little things mean a lot.

So, let’s talk about consistency within pattern components. Inconsistencies here really create confusion for the knitter and make things harder to read.

· For example, yarn requirements. This is one I see a lot. If there is more than one yarn required, do please write the info for each yarn in exactly the same way. And then make sure you do it the same way for each yarn.

· Another big example is saying the same things the same way in instructions. For me, this is the most important thing that needs to be consistent, because it is the heart of the pattern, the nitty-gritty details and directions on exactly how to make the thing, and we want zero confusion here. I very likely could write an entire article full of examples of inconsistencies in instructions, as there are so many ways to be inconsistent here.

A lot of them fall under language, though (and yes, that pesky punctuation is a big one, too).

· The terminology and language you use for each section of your instructions for doing the same or similar things, should be the same. A big one to point out is, choose whether you want to abbreviate your instructions, or not. K and knit are not interchangeable. Try not to waffle back and forth between them. Pick one, and stick to it.

· From something as simple as how you give stitch counts, to directions given at the head of a section, like, “Over the next ten rows, increase by one stitch on each RS row,” these inconsistencies make a pattern hard to keep up with. Take our sentence for example – okay, so that is how you are saying it. So, when a similar instruction (or even the very same instruction) is given in another section, present it the same way. Don’t say, for example, “Inc by 1 st every other row for the next 10 rows.”

These sentences may be the same instruction, but the inconsistencies are glaring, and a pattern full of things like that is very hard to follow.

A knitter gets used to the way things are said and presented, and it can really throw them off when the language and punctuation in the instructions is all over the place. Our instinct is to think there is a mistake or something different is happening when we spot inconsistencies.

Spread the love.

Ah, the best bit - consistency across all of a designer’s patterns. As I mentioned, your knitters really get used to how your patterns are presented, and more than likely, they like it. And you have your own style that represents your unique vision, and how you want your patterns to be written. Honor yourself and your knitters by presenting all your patterns the same way, with the same language, the same abbreviations, the same uses of things, consistent instructions, all in your own style. Then you have a collection of patterns that are totally you, and clear and easy for the knitter to follow.

Check your patterns for consistency. Those little inconsistencies distract from the pattern and make it easier to miss other types of errors, too, as they cause confusion. Let’s make your patterns shine and be the best they can be – consistency is key for that.

Have I fussed at you about this before? Yikes, it is likely. I’m done for now! Inconsistencies just jump out at me, and this happens to knitters too all the time. These things can really wreck a pattern and make it frustrating to work from. When things are done consistently, it’s so invisible and the pattern is a joy to work from.

Writing patterns this way ups the game, gets you on a super professional level, and you’ll be out there making it look easy. This is one way that style sheets can really help us out, take some of the work out of it, and make the pattern writing process smoother and quicker.