About simple knitting patterns
And why probably we need more of them, CraftDoodling Design News and other updates.
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Writing these letters has become a grounding practice for thinking, writing and sharing worthwhile ideas and reflections from my creative pursuits and other bits of life.
There are so many of you who have joined me here in the past few weeks, welcome! As a way of introducing myself , you may read about my jounery as a knitwear designer here and here.😊
About Simple Knitting patterns
I recently came across an online conversation about the criticism that exists around “simple” knitting patterns. Simple, in this case, refers to patterns written for basic things like plain vanilla socks 🧦, ribbed hats etc.
As always, a quick peek into the dictionary before we proceed 📖
Simple - easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.
'Simple' is very subjective
Note that the definition of simple stops at "easily understood" and does not imply "easily understood by everyone." What is simple to one person may not be so to another. What one understands easily may completely baffle someone else.
For instance, instructions from a vintage knitting pattern might throw off even the most experienced knitters among us. But those instructions were widely understood and used by knitters in the 1940s and 1950s to produce excellent handmade clothing .👚👗
Simple patterns are surprisingly complex to produce
For some reason, there is a widespread opinion that simple patterns should not be charged for. 💸
How many of us have sent a loved one to the grocery store 🛒 to buy something we regularly pick up with our eyes closed, only to be surprised that they managed to find a variant or a polar opposite of what we described? Precise instructions are no joke, folks!😂
Modern day knitting patterns 📋 are written to cater to a wide variety of sizes, often providing variable options, yardage estimates, information about tools and techniques, multiple formats of instructions like written, charts and videos, and detailed math for every step. Also everything is typically verified by a tech editor and test-knitted 🧶 by a team of skilled knitters.
A basic design does not simplify any part of this process of producing a quality knitting pattern. ☝️ They take no less time, effort, and money to produce than the complex ones.
Why do simple patterns exist ?
Simple patterns:
are needed to teach newer knitters without overwhelming them.
are preferred even by expert knitters sometimes because they might prefer to spend their time knitting than figuring out the math. 🧮
are relatively easy to repeat and serve well for those making items for craft fairs, donating to hospitals and charities, or making multiple gifts. 🎁
are the ones we all reach for when we want to knit while we travel.
come in handy when life gets too overwhelming and you just want to sit and knit.
are practical and often fulfill our wardrobe needs. 👕
Why do we probably need more of them?
It matters that quality basic handknitting patterns are written in ways to reach people of varied skill levels and accessibility. I have written about this topic earlier in this essay.
Failing to acknowledge or make space for simple patterns can potentially gatekeep the craft from newer knitters and those who seek its meditative benefits and mental health advantages.
I recently gave knitting lessons to someone who had Alzheimers who does not speak English very well. There was a translator/caregiver who also had some basic knitting knowledge to help with the teaching. After learning the basics, the lady expressed her wish to knit a striped garter scarf using multiple colors.
I explained the process to both of them to the best of my abilities. I also wrote some instructions, they could refer to later. Because, you see, for that simple project, there were no instructions available in the unique language we three seemed to have developed to communicate among us in the few hours we spent together. 💗
Do you often reach for a simple knitting pattern? What are some of your go-to knits? Let’s chat in the comments.
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CRAFTDOODLING DESIGN UPDATES
If you are in the South Bay Area, please consider signing up for Manzil Mitts KAL with friends at Fillory Yarn. 🥰 Pattern link: Manzil Mitts.
Manzil Mitts - New sample in progress My latest releases Nasha and Nasha 2 shawls are available for download at the introductory price until Jul 8.
Nasha 2 Shawl If you are planning to cast on this one soon and have pattern questions, you can always email me or post here in CraftDoodling Designs Ravelry Group.
I am happy to help. 🤍
A reel I recently shared on instagram about the making of Nasha and thanking my lovely testers. 💖
This is a new design I am working on for a brioche beginner class in the fall. 🍂. I am done with the knitting and will be writting it up soon.
Brin Cowl - New brioche design for beginner classes
OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LIKE
Just finished Reading 📖
The Ministry of Time - Kaliane Bradley
Currently Reading 📖
The Castle - Franz Kafka
Until next time,
Kavitha. ♡
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The amount of implied knowledge in vintage patterns is insane; I’ve been sewing since I was ten, but a 1920s evening dress with a single page of instructions nearly broke me. Likewise, a 1950s duster/housecoat, though it was slightly better explained with 1.5 pages of instructions! It was an interesting snapshot of the culture of the time; of COURSE everyone knew what needed to happen between step one and step two. Today step two would be half a page from step one filling in all those knowledge gaps that have grown up in the space between sewing as a necessity and sewing as a hobby.
Even “simple” patterns offer enormous value, not just for the beginner. Sometimes I want to knit something and not have to think about it, just follow step one, step two, step three.
The story of your teaching gives me such good feelings: “the unique language we three developed.” So true for nearly all things and the lovely, simple, shorthand ways we connect. Thank you for always making me think!