Behind the Scenes: How knitting and Crochet Magazines Ensure Quality and Inclusivity

It’s hard to scroll through crochet or knitting Facebook groups without seeing a post from someone struggling to make sense of a pattern. Sometimes that’s just part of learning the craft. But often, the problem lies in the pattern itself—missing information, poor formatting, or instructions that don’t meet the basic standards many of us rely on.
As a designer, one of the best ways I’ve found to ensure consistent, high-quality patterns is through knitting and crochet magazines. And not just because they support me and my fellow designers with paid commissions—but because the patterns published in magazines are held to higher editorial standards.

What makes magazine patterns different?

When a crochet or knitting magazine publishes a pattern, it goes through a rigorous editorial process. It starts with a submission call—something like “we’re looking for cosy, nature-themed autumn designs.” Designers like myself submit sketches, swatches, and descriptions. Editors then curate a cohesive collection and offer contracts to the selected designers.

But that’s only the beginning.

Each designer receives a style sheet outlining how the pattern should be written—standardized abbreviations, required sizes, layout preferences, and more. These may vary slightly from magazine to magazine, but most operate within industry-wide norms to ensure consistency and accessibility.

From there, the pattern is tech edited—a skilled professional checks stitch counts, maths, sizing, and clarity. It’s also tested by real crafters, and then professionally formatted for publication. In other words, a published magazine pattern has already passed multiple rounds of quality control before it reaches you.

Why That Matters for the Knitter or Crocheter

Knitting and Crochet magazine patterns offer some big advantages:
They’re size inclusive. (Crochet Foundry, for instance, publishes patterns up to a 72” chest.)


They’re tech edited and tested. That means fewer errors, clearer instructions, and more reliable results.


They offer great value. For the cost of one or two standalone patterns, you get an entire curated collection—with editorial content, interviews, tips, and tutorials thrown in.

Is a Magazine Subscription Right for You?

When you’re new to knitting or crochet, there’s no need to rush into paid patterns. There are amazing free resources out there—my own scrunchie crochet pattern and scrunchie knitting pattern, for example, are great beginner-friendly projects.
But as your skills grow, so does your appetite for more complex, rewarding makes. That’s where magazines really shine. They can dedicate multiple pages to a pattern, include full schematics, offer in-depth guidance, and help you level up your crafting.
Most magazines aim their patterns at adventurous beginners or intermediates—detailed enough to stretch your skills, but not overwhelmingly advanced. And if you eventually move on to buying individual patterns from independent designers or selling your own work, that’s a good thing. It’s a sign of growth.

Behind the Scenes: My Favourite Magazine Pattern

Of all the designs I’ve written for magazines, the one I’m most proud of is the Coilte Pullover, which appeared in the November 2024 issue of Crochet Foundry.
This pattern marked a turning point in my journey as a designer. I was deep into a pattern grading course at the time—learning how to shape patterns so they actually fit across a full size range. It’s not just a matter of adding stitches! Armholes, necklines, bust shaping—they all grow at different rates. Get the maths wrong, and you end up with oversized armholes or an unbalanced neckline.
With Coilte, I felt like I cracked it. It’s classic and minimal, but behind the scenes, the grading was rock-solid. It fits as beautifully on a 30” chest as on a 64” chest. It was also the first time I truly embraced design simplicity—editing it down until there was “nothing left to take away.” I often overcomplicate things. This pattern reminded me how powerful a simple, well-executed idea can be.

What Else is Inside the Same Issue of Crochet Foundry?

That same issue of Crochet Foundry includes a gorgeous shrug-and-skirt set by Joanne Fowler, a cozy vest, a textured scarf, and a playful cowl. On top of the patterns, there are thoughtful articles—one about crocheting with metal yarns, another featuring designer interviews. You get all that for about the price of two standalone patterns.

What If Magazines Were to Disappear from the World of Knitting and Crochet?

Here’s what worries me: three major knitting and crochet magazines have already folded in very recent times. Pom pom, Making Stories, and Moorit are all no longer available. I miss them. Each one brought something unique that isn’t easily replaces, and the world of yarn crafts is poorer for their absence.
If craft magazines disappear, we lose more than just a publishing format. We lose a space where standards are upheld, where size inclusivity is the norm, where collaboration and mentorship happen behind the scenes.

Magazines aren’t just about patterns—they’re part of a professional ecosystem. They protect the quality of what we make and how we learn. Without them, we risk losing the standards that benefit us all.

In Summary

Buying craft magazines gives you beautifully curated collections, excellent value, and patterns that are professionally edited, tested, and inclusive. But more than that, it helps keep industry standards alive—supporting the designers, editors, and tech editors who work hard to create reliable, joyful experiences for makers at every skill level.
If you’ve ever followed one of my patterns in a magazine, thank you. You’re not just supporting me—you’re helping preserve something that makes our craft better.