From Idea to Finished Design: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of designing a crochet pattern? I thought it might be fun to share my own process — from that very first spark of inspiration to holding a finished design in my hands.

Finding Inspiration

Like most crocheters, I’m always on the lookout for ideas. You’ll usually find me scrolling Pinterest, YouTube, or Instagram, pinning away anything that catches my eye. Inspiration is everywhere — in colour palettes, textures, or even just seeing how a stitch is used in a different way. 

I don’t really do proper sketches (I’m terrible at drawing!) but if I’m planning something like a granny square blanket, I might do a quick scribble just to figure out how many squares I’ll need and how they’ll all fit together.

Swatching and Sizing

The first proper step in my process is always a swatch. Swatching isn’t just about testing whether I like the stitch pattern — it’s also where I figure out the maths (another thing I'm terrible at). How big are the stitches? How much yarn will I need? Does the fabric have the right drape?

For blankets (which are my favourite thing to make), this helps me estimate the yarn and plan the overall size. For garments, swatching is absolutely vital. Gauge can make or break a clothing project — being even half an inch out across a bust measurement can mean the difference between a perfect fit and something you’ll never wear. 

That’s why I always start with my own measurements first, work up a swatch, and then use those numbers to calculate the other sizes. It’s not the glamorous part of designing, but it’s the foundation everything else sits on.

Choosing Yarn and Colours

Yarn shopping!  Probably my favourite part of the process.  I spend a lot of time browsing online yarn stores — my favourites are LoveCrafts and Wool Warehouse. I always try to pick yarns that are widely available, both here in the UK and across the pond, so crocheters everywhere can find them. I’ll also suggest substitutions whenever I can, because I know not everyone can get the exact same yarn.

When it comes to choosing yarn, I think about a few things:

• Fibre content – Cotton, wool, acrylic… they all behave differently. Cotton is great for stitch definition and summer garments, wool is warm and bouncy, acrylic is budget-friendly and easy care.

• Yarn weight – This decides so much about the final feel of the project. A DK blanket will be light and drapey, while a chunky version will be squishy and warm.

• Colour choices – I’ll be honest, colour is usually what excites me most. Sometimes I’ll start with a colour palette and build the design around it! I love browsing shade cards and playing with combinations. Do I want bold contrast? Gentle pastels? A fade effect? The colours tell half the story of the finished piece.

If I’m using multiple colours, I’ll also think about balance: which shade should dominate, which one is the accent, and how they’ll sit together across the design. And when I’m recording notes, I weigh every colour separately so I can give clear yarn amounts later — super handy if you only want to buy just enough of each shade.

One of my favourite places to explore colour palettes is Design Seeds – it’s full of beautiful combinations inspired by nature, photography, and everyday life. I often browse there when I’m looking for fresh ideas to spark new crochet projects.

Making the Prototype

Once I’ve got my yarn and my swatch sorted, I dive into making the prototype. This is the fun (and sometimes frustrating) stage where the design really takes shape.

I keep detailed notes as I go — hook size, yarn, stitch counts, repeats, and any adjustments. This is the “working pattern” that later gets cleaned up into the version I share with testers and readers.

But honestly, not every attempt works out. Sometimes I’ll get a third of the way through and decide the stitch just isn’t working, or the yarn doesn’t suit the idea, or I don't love how the colours are working together and I have to rip it all back. It can be disheartening in the moment, but I’ve learned it’s just part of the design journey. Often those “failures” spark new ideas I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

Visualising the Final Design

I’m a very visual person. I need to actually see the project in my hands before I know if it’s right. That’s why the prototype stage is so important — it’s where I can finally step back and decide if the texture, shape, and colours all work together.

Sometimes the finished prototype matches what I imagined, and sometimes it takes me in a whole new direction. Either way, it’s always exciting to see an idea grow into something real.

The Takeaway

So that’s my journey from idea to finished design — a mix of inspiration, swatching, yarn choices, note-taking, and yes, plenty of ripping out along the way! Designing is rarely a straight line from A to B, but that’s what makes it so rewarding.

I will be back soon with more behind the scenes stories...

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