Welcome Flock & Friends to Episode 2 of the Write That Crochet Pattern Podcast!

In today’s episode, I’m going to share with you all the nitty-gritty of crochet industry standards and why independent designers should use them when writing their crochet patterns! 

Ways to Listen:

SPOTIFY, YOUTUBE

 

Subscribe to my Straight From the Nest Newsletter and Join the Flock!

Links Mentioned in This Episode

How to List Yarn In My Crochet Pattern

Transcript of Podcast

Intro:

On today’s episode, I’m going to share with you all the nitty-gritty of crochet industry standards and why independent designers should use them when writing their crochet patterns! 

For those of you who don’t know me yet, my name is Cherie Mellick, and I’m the crochet tech editor behind Sweet Bird Crochet. As a crochet tech editor, I specialize in helping designers publish patterns that are not only accurate but also clear, polished, and easy to follow. My mission is to empower crochet designers through education and mentorship so they can design and write patterns with excellence.

Thank you for joining me for today’s episode. Go ahead and grab your latest project and listen in as you crochet!

Topic Intro:

Before we discuss the different aspects of industry standards in crochet, I think it’s a good idea to explain industry standards in general terms. This will give us a solid foundation for better understanding our industry’s specifics.

Industry standards are basically a set of guidelines that help determine how products, processes, or services should be created and delivered. These standards, no matter what industry, have several purposes:

One purpose of these standards is to keep everything consistent throughout the entire industry. When everyone in the industry sticks to a framework or standards set forth, then everything is predictable and works well together.

Another purpose is maintaining a standard of quality assurance. Standards really do set the bar for the quality of products, services, or processes, and this helps companies keep things at their very best to meet customers’ expectations.

Almost every industry you can think of has some form of standards. For example,

Those who manufacture and sell goods rely on industry standards to ensure quality, safety, and compliance. For example, car manufacturers.



Government agencies have industry standards they refer to when developing legislation. Agencies such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Regulated entities also have industry standards, like medical device manufacturers. They adhere to standards set forth by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

Then, there are trade associations, which represent specific industries that collaborate to develop and promote specific standards.

Did you know that crochet has a trade association? Many crocheters don’t

Our trade association is the Craft Yarn Council (CYC), which was incorporated in 1981 as a nonprofit organization.

Its mission is to represent manufacturers and distributors of yarns, notions, and tools used in fiber crafts. They also represent various publishers of magazines and books, as well as industry consultants.

The CYC saw a need in the fiber community to put together standards everyone could follow so there would be uniformity across the industry. They’ve established yarn guidelines, labels, and symbols, needle and hook labels, standards for patterns.

Who makes up the Craft Yarn Council

The council collaborates with various industry players, including:

Aksa Acrylic Fibers

Boye Needles and Crafts

Clover Needlecraft, Inc.

Craftsy/TN Marketing

Knit Picks

Knitter’s Pride

Lion Brand Yarn Company

LoveCrafts Inc.

Prime Publishing LLC

Prym Consumer USA, Inc.

Red Heart Yarns

Yarnspirations

That’s all the ones I know about.

So, when you go to Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Joann, or any big box store, you’ll find that all yarn labels are consistent throughout. They all have the same information on the labels. The same goes for the sizes and labeling of crochet hooks and knitting needles.

Before I get into all the nitty-gritty of crochet industry standards, I want to share why it’s important for you, as an independent crochet designer, to adhere to these standards when writing your crochet patterns.



I want to preface this by saying you are not obligated to use industry standards. These standards were established to bring consistency and uniformity across various manufacturers, magazines, book publishers, and different distributors. When these standards were established, publishing patterns independent from a magazine or book was unheard of. But now with the age of the world wide web, we see numerous patterns published outside of what used to be “industry norms”. 

As an independent designer (meaning you do not work for or with these companies or platforms), you do not need to follow these standards. However, it really is in your best interest to do so. And let me tell you why:

Established and Recognizable: These standards are widely accepted and recognized by all crocheters. By using industry standards when writing your patterns, you make them easier to understand and ensure consistency. This familiarity allows crocheters to work on your design without confusion since they will be accustomed to the terms used in your pattern.

Wide Reach: When you follow industry standards, you inevitably make your work accessible to more people. This means that no matter what a person’s location, they will be able to follow your pattern.

Professionalism: When you write your patterns in line with industry standards, you elevate your work to a level of professionalism that reflects your commitment and passion for your work. This professionalism is going to foster trust with your readers, and when you build trust, your readers are going to come back to buy more patterns!

As someone who designs and tech edits crochet patterns, I truly believe that if you want to be taken seriously as a designer, your patterns should be written as professionally as possible. That’s why it’s important to write them according to industry standards and have them professionally tech edited.

Segment 1: Industry Standards for Yarn 

To keep this podcast under 30 minutes, I will need to split this topic into two episodes. There is so much information to cover, and I want to ensure I don’t overwhelm you. I tend to get a bit carried away when discussing subjects I’m really passionate about!

The first standard we’re going to nerd out about is yarn! If you’re at a place where you can pause this podcast, go ahead and do so and grab the closest skein of yarn next to you. Go ahead, I’ll wait. 

Okay, if you look at the back of the yarn label, everything you see should be labeled according to industry standards. These standards are guidelines and metrics that explain the qualities and characteristics of your yarn. 

First look for the fiber content. The label I’m looking at says 58% Acrylic and 42% Nylon. Every yarn label should specify the materials used in the yarn in the percent they are used. Different materials drape in different ways, so knowing the fiber content is very important. 

Next, look for the yarn weight. The label I’m looking at is Bulky or size 5. We’ll discuss yarn weights in detail in just a minute, but basically, these labels indicate the thickness of the yarn, which affects the finished fabric’s appearance and texture.

Now, look for the gauge. It’s usually listed as a square with one square for knitting gauge and one for crochet. The standard gauge is 4 inches (10cm) square. We’ll talk about gauge in detail in the next episode. But, if you look at each square, you’ll see that the stitch gauge and the row gauge is listed. The stitch gauge is on the bottom of the square and the row gauge is on the side. In the middle of the square is the recommended hook or needle for that yarn weight. 

This means that the standard recommendation for that particular yarn is __whatever hook/needle listed__. It does not mean that you HAVE to use that size. It means in order to achieve the gauge listed on the label; it’s recommended to use that particular size hook or needle.

Then, look for the yarn’s net weight. It should list the ounces, grams, yards, and meters. This information is helpful for determining whether you have enough yarn for a project. 

Last but not least, look for the care instructions. This provides information on how to wash and care for your finished item.

Why Does Yarn Standards Matter?

Consistency Across Brands: If every company uses industry standards when developing their yarn brands, then it makes it easier for designers and makers to switch between yarn brands. For example, a worsted-weight yarn should have a consistent thickness no matter what brand you buy. 

Ease of Substitution: With yarn standards, crocheters and knitters can swap out yarns without too much guesswork. For example, if a pattern calls for a worsted-weight yarn, knowing the general thickness and gauge range for that weight makes it easier to find a substitute that behaves similarly, even if it’s from a different brand or fiber content.

Clear Communication in Patterns: When designers use standards when listing the yarn they use for their patterns, readers can quickly understand what type of yarn is needed, avoiding misunderstandings about thickness, texture, and weight. This helps readers, especially beginners, feel more confident in their yarn choices.

Things to Know as a Crochet Designer:

Yarn Weight Categories: Yarn weights are categorized into several types, from lace to Super Bulky. I would highly recommend that you familiarize yourself with these categories to choose the right yarn for the projects you design.

Standard categories are:

• Lace: Also known as Fingering weight. It is a size ‘0’ weight and the recommended hook size ranges from 1.6 – 1.4mm Steel Hooks
• Super Fine: This is a size ‘1’ weight and is also called Sock, Fingering, or Baby. The recommended hook size is 2.25 -3.5mm.
• Fine: A Fine weight is also known as a Sport or Baby weight. It’s a size ‘2’ weight. The recommended hook size is 3.5 – 4.5mm.
• Light: Also known as DK or Light Worsted weight yarn and is a size ‘3’ yarn. The recommended hook size is 4.5 – 5.5mm.
• Medium: This is a size ‘4’ weight and is also called Worsted, Afghan or Aran. The recommended hook size is 5.5 – 6.5mm.
• Bulky: A Bulky weight is also known as a Chunky, Craft or Rug weight. It’s a size ‘5’ weight. The recommended hook size is 6.5 – 9mm.
• Super Bulky: Also known as Super Bulky or Roving weight yarn and is a size ‘6’ yarn. The recommended hook size is 9 – 15mm hook.

Segment 2: Industry Standards for Hooks

Speaking of hooks, let’s talk about standard crochet hook sizes. 

If you’re not sure how to measure the size of your crochet hooks, I have a tutorial on my blog, plus I shared my favorite tools for measuring crochet hooks. Just head over to sweetbirdcrochet.com/crochethook and check it out!

Again, if you have a moment, pause this podcast and grab your closet crochet hook (if it’s not already in your hand). Go ahead and grab it. 

Do you notice that it lists a letter and the millimeter size? Do you want to know why? 

Okay, we’re going to nerd out together on this one. Now, you know the majority of the world uses the metric system. This system uses kilometers, centimeters, millimeters, and so forth to measure distance, length, weight, and whatnot. But the United States does not use this system. At one point, they tried to incorporate the metric system through the 1975 Metric Conversion Act. It was a law intended to encourage the country to use the metric system. The federal government tested this on federal state highway I-19, located in Southern Arizona. Basically, the test failed, and the I-19 was the only interstate to be measured in kilometers. 

So, basically, because of confusion and cost, we don’t use the metric system. 

Like many other US industries, the crochet industry had to incorporate some form of lettering instead of solely using millimeters as the measurement. For example, you’ll see US H-8 (5mm). The H is the letter that represents 5mm and the number 8 corresponds to the US size range for a knitting needles. 

When listing your hook in your crochet pattern, always include both sizing options. There are two ways I recommend listing it:

US size H-8 (5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge

H-8 (5mm)

Segment 3: Industry Standards for Abbreviations 

The last thing we’re going to talk about in today’s episode is standard abbreviations. These abbreviations are shorthand terms used to represent different stitches or techniques. 

Could you imagine how long a crochet pattern would be if we didn’t use abbreviations? It would be ridiculously long. 

These shorthand terms were developed as a practical solution to enhance the readability of crochet patterns. In the past, crochet patterns were mainly published in magazines, books, and newspapers, which often had strict space limitations. As a result, publishers were faced with the challenge of condensing complex instructions into a limited format without sacrificing clarity or accuracy. 

To address this, they created standardized abbreviations and symbols that could effectively communicate essential information while conserving space. This innovation not only simplified the instructions for crafters but also made it easier to follow patterns, regardless of the reader’s skill level.

As crochet became more popular, these standard abbreviations began to spread globally, allowing crocheters from various backgrounds to understand and share patterns more easily. Who would have thought you were going to receive a little history lesson today?

Using standard abbreviations in your patterns is super important for a few reasons, with clarity being the biggest one. When you stick to well-known abbreviations, it makes it way easier for anyone to follow along, no matter their skill level. Picture a beginner picking up your pattern—if they see familiar terms, they’ll feel more confident about diving into your project. This creates a good experience and makes them want to come back for more of your patterns in the future.

Using standard abbreviations really brings an added touch of professionalism to your work! When your patterns stick to familiar norms or standards, it shows that you know your stuff and are dedicated to writing really good patterns. This not only builds trust with your audience but also boosts your reputation as a designer. 



I heard a very well-known crochet designer share one time on her Instagram…she was doing a reel on how to write a crochet pattern. She basically told her audience that they should write their patterns like they talk, AND she also told them they don’t have to have it tech edited! She has a huge following on social media and I’m not going to lie, her reel ruffled my feathers. Don’t worry, I didn’t make a comment on her reel but it made me sad that she blatantly disregarded my profession AND that she was using her public platform to share information that’s not helpful or accurate whatsoever. 

This reminds me of what I mentioned at the beginning of the podcast about independent crochet designers. While they don’t have to follow industry standards when writing their patterns, there’s a level of professionalism to consider if you want to sell your patterns or turn this into a business or side hustle. People are unlikely to purchase your patterns if they are complicated, hard to read, or difficult to understand.

This brings me to my final point about crochet abbreviations: Don’t make up your own abbreviations. When you do, it can be really confusing and frustrating for your readers. Your reader will have to constantly refer to your abbreviation list to understand what you mean by that particular abbreviation. 

If you want to write great patterns, I really encourage you to become familiar with these standards. 

I have a free crochet abbreviations resource on my blog. You’ll find it in the transcript of this podcast.

Conclusion

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s episode. We’ll wrap up our converstaiton on crochet industry standards in the next episode.

If you’re new here, take a minute to subscribe, leave a review or a rating, I would love to hear from you. I enjoy sharing the knowledge I’ve gained over the years about designing and writing crochet patterns with you. Until next time, Write that Crochet Pattern!