Easy, simple product code creation for GPSR compliance for your Knitting and Crochet Patterns.

One requirement of the General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR) to sell to the EU (or within the EU) is the need for an easily identifiable product code. Find out about product code creation for GPSR.

In this blog post, I’ll explain how knitting and crochet designers—or any craftsperson selling digital downloads—can meet this requirement without stress. It’s a quick and straightforward step that can easily become a habit.

What does the GPSR law say?

(I’ll summarize it below in plain terms.)


Section 1, Article 9, Point 5 of the General Product Safety Regulations states:


“Manufacturers shall ensure that their products bear a type, batch, or serial number or other element enabling the identification of the product, which is easily visible and legible for consumers. If the size or nature of the product does not allow it, this information should be provided on the packaging or in a document accompanying the product.”


In simpler terms: if you sell knitting or crochet patterns or other craft guides as downloadable files, each pattern must have a unique identifier—a type, batch, or serial number.


This applies to both free and paid downloads, but not to patterns that are only available on a blog or app.


Even if you don’t live in the EU, if you want to sell or distribute patterns here, this rule applies to you.

Why do patterns need a product code?

While this regulation makes more sense for physical products, it’s now required for digital goods as well. Let’s explore why:

1. Avoid Confusion

Imagine you create a crochet pattern called “Snuggle Bunny.” Cute, right? But a quick search on Ravelry shows 256 matches for that name. On Etsy, the term brings up over 1,000 paid ads, with potentially thousands more unpaid listings.


If a consumer files a safety report about a “Snuggle Bunny” pattern, how will authorities know it’s yours? A product code ensures your pattern is clearly identifiable and not confused with another.

2. Track Updates or Issues

What if your pattern’s embedded links are hacked and no longer point where they should? You’ll need to update the file and ensure customers can tell the difference between the old and new versions. A unique product code makes this clear and simple.

How to create a Product Code

You can create a product code any way you like, as long as it is unique and easily identifiable.

Here’s my system:
Pattern Name – Month – Year – Craft Type Initial – version
For example, if I release a knitting pattern called “Fergus Socks” in February 2025, the product code would be:
Fergus0225K1

You can customize the system to fit your needs, as long as it’s consistent and easy to understand.

In the image below, I have created pattern codes for 2 patterns by MadeWithLoveAndFibres and one by Elimee designs. Many thanks to Joanne and Nicola for letting me use their lovely designs as examples. I will be creating GPSR compliant codes for the cabled bangle bag knitting pattern, which is a knitting pattern with one version only, the Coupe crochet pattern, which is free on Joannes blog as a motif, a paid pdf download with added instructions for a pencil case, and was originally published in a magazine. Reminder: Joanne only needs a code for her own PDF download. And finally I will create four codes for Nicola’s crochet pattern the Roe Deer bobble stitch cushion, as it is one pattern in four formats.

Step by step product codes

For all designs, I started with the pattern name. To keep the code manageable, it might be abbreviated.

Next I included the date. This is the easiest and simplest way to differentiate different patterns with the same name. You could instead use the designers initials, but I wanted to avoid letters beside letters, or numbers besides numbers, so it would be easier to read and decode.

Next I included a code for craft type. Joanne designs knitting, crochet and Tunisian crochet patterns, and may release a knit and a crochet pattern version of the same design, with a similar or same name. I therefore used C (for crochet) TC (for Tunisian Crochet) and K (for knit) on her codes.

Nicola however specialises in crochet, so I didn’t add any craft type abbreviations to her codes.

On the other hand, Nicola releases her patterns in both US and UK crochet terms, and many of her patterns are in large print format as well as standard format. That means, although it is one crochet pattern, she needs 4 product codes, as there are 4 different pdf downloads. If there was a problem with one of the 4 pdfs, she needs a system to identify which one.

And finally, I added a version number to each. If a pattern was updated in the future it would create a new, slightly different pdf, so the product code should change. Only that last digit would need to change.

Above is a mini style Sheet for any designer to use and decide on the code system they want to apply.

What about different versions of a pattern?

If a pattern is sold by a publisher (e.g., in a magazine) and later reformatted or sold individually, it should have a separate product code. It’s up to the magazine to create their code, and you to create yours. Remember, although its the same product, its a different PDF download, so should have a unique code.


Every update—whether fixing errors, reformatting, or changing branding—should also result in a new product code. This ensures clarity and helps you track which version of the pattern is being distributed.

Using Etsy and SKUs with product codes.

While Etsy allows you to create SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) for products, it’s best to create your product code before uploading your pattern to any sales platform. Add the product code to the footer of your PDF pattern and then use it as an SKU on Etsy or other platforms.

Make it a habit

Creating a product code doesn’t have to be stressful. Once you’ve done it a few times, it will take just a couple of minutes and save you trouble down the road.

Use the sheet above as a print out, or use google sheets or excel to keep track of all codes used, and make it easy to create and save them.

Final Thoughts.

Adding product codes to your patterns is an easy way to comply with EU regulations, protect your business, and avoid confusion. Start creating unique codes today, and you’ll be ahead of the game.

For affordable GPSR representation, check out The Fairythorn GPSR services
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