What is a SpinCraft Pattern?

 Crafting the Patterns

We have the original "knit so it fits"
knitting pattern.

We write knitting patterns for the type of fiber artist who is first attracted to a beautiful fiber, or a beautiful yarn, and then wonders, "What can I make with this."

About the SpinCraft Knitting Style

Many of our patterns are great for knitting machine users. They are all great for hand knitters.

Our instructions will work for the ample knitter to the petite craftsperson who can’t ever find their size!

Here’s why: Every knitting pattern, no matter how it is written, started as an idea in somebody’s mind: A particular style, a certain way to proceed through the shaping, maybe a particular type of yarn to use. After the original conception, the knitter grabs a tape measurer, takes a few measurements, sits down with some pencil and paper, makes some drawings and does a little math.

Most often, the designer will knit a swatch with her chosen yarn, and then use the gauge from that swatch and her measurements to calculate exactly how many stitches to cast on for her project, how far to work in a certain direction, where to change the shaping, and so on and so forth. After all the details are worked out and tested, the designer will turn her first math problems into three variations for small, medium, and large using only one size of gauge—usually for one exact type of yarn. This final version is now the knitting pattern that you buy to make an exact replicate of her project.  

With a SpinCraft Knitting Pattern—you are the designer.

These patterns are written by Connie Delaney specifically to be used with any type of yarn, and for any size. They are not as exact as a traditional knitting pattern, but much more versatile. With a SpinCraft Knitting Pattern you are given the designer’s original math problems. You take your own measurements (which is why it can fit any size, no matter how big, no matter how small) and plug your answers into the calculation tables. Then you find your own favorite yarn, knit a swatch, and use the measurements from that swatch to complete your calculations. It will look something like this:

G = gauge from your swatch (example 6 sts/in)

A = Measure your hips (example 40")

B = G x A (example 40x6=240)

Cast on B sts. (That means cast on 240 sts) You can easily see that casting on 240 sts will give you a piece of knitting that fits exactly around your hips. And that’s how it works. You will notice, as you go through our catalog, that the main picture for each pattern is a simple line drawing. This is because we want to stimulate your imagination into thinking up the colors and textures for your knitting treasure — after all — with a SpinCraft knitting pattern, You are the designer!

And what if you want to spin your own yarn? We have that too! 

Connie Delaney is the author of: Spindle Spinning: From Novice to Expert

The premier book for learning to spin your own yarn. Starting with a drop spindle is an inexpensive, and easy way to start spinning your own yarn. If you like it, you can graduate to a spinning wheel any time!  

Letters to the EditorHi Connie,

I felt I needed something more challenging than what I had been knitting. (mostly plain stitches) When I finished this one I am going to get started another pattern you have for a cardigan. I am interested in doing the saddle shoulder. Bottom up may not be so bad if I don’t have all those seams to sew. J

Useful We Sites by Connie Delaney

SpinCraftPatterns.com: our online shopping site

Free-knitting-pattern.com: great free patterns

Learn-to-knit.com: illustrated instructions