Here are 5 simple ways to plan and document your knitting projects and crochet projects so you can stay organized and keep track of what you create!
I feel lucky to have this website as a incredibly thorough way to document my knitting projects. But there was a time when I made a lot of things and I didn’t share them with anyone. They were gifts, or a I used them and no longer have them and I realized, I have no documentation of these knitting and crochet projects at all.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to look back at past knitting projects? To see how much better I’ve gotten? To remember if I liked using a particular yarn or technique? I have no idea and the older I get, the worse my memory is. I’m sure you can relate.
So today we’re going to chat about some easy ways to plan and document your knitting projects. Whether you choose to share them or just keep a record for future you, it’s up to you to decided!
Why should I document knitting projects and crochet projects?
- To see how far you’ve come. Fiber arts in particular are really all about technique. And the more you practice, the better you get. I would LOVE to see the first time I tried colorwork knitting. I remember that it looked terrible, but I didn’t document my knitting projects back then, so I can’t go back and look.
- To remember knitting projects that you gave as gifts. More than other crafts, knit and crochet makers give a lot of their finished items as gifts. Since they can take hours and hours to create, documenting your knitting projects that you gift to others is definitely worth it.
- To learn from our mistakes. Maybe you don’t do a particular technique very often, or you’re trying something new, like I did when I tried to learn colorwork the first time. Documenting even our fails can help us see where things went wrong and how we can improve for next time.
- To learn from our successes. On the other hand, if something really works well, it’s great to make a note of that as well so you can use that again in the future!
- Document yarn. It is ALWAYS worth it to keep track of what yarn you used in a knitting or crochet project. Make sure you keep track of the brand, color, yarn weight and the amount you used. Even if you don’t use that particular yarn again, having that information can help with future projects.
- Document tools. Write down what size knitting needles or crochet hook you used. Seriously. There is no way to tell that by looking at the finished object. And while you can still measure the gauge or number of stitches or rows per inch of your finished knitting project, that information is pretty much useless if you don’t know what size needles you used.
- To feel a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes you just need to pat yourself on the back!
5 Simple Ways to Document your DIY and Craft Projects
- Use a sketchbook. Maybe this is an architecture school thing but I have kept a constant sketchbook since about 2004. And I have them all. They document every creative idea I have and sometimes include random life stuff like trip packing lists as well. I don’t keep a journal, but this is my alternative. Sketchbooks are great because they are completely blank and you can use them in literally any way that you want to.
I document my knitting project by first putting down the date, then drawing a sketch of what the object is going to look like. If you are using another designer’s pattern, you can literally add the actual pattern right in your sketchbook in case you want to make it again . I also tape in yarn labels, write down what size needles I used and sometimes even glue the gauge swatch right to the page! Finish it off with a polaroid or other photo of the finished project. - Use a Knit or Crochet project planner. I have an entire set of free printable knit and crochet planner page designed totally for the purpose of planning and documenting your crochet or knitting projects. (There is a set of free printable craft planner pages also)
- Use a 3 ring binder with sleeves. If you like to tear things out of magazines, print tutorials, save random scraps or labels from your craft projects, a 3-ring binder with clear plastic sleeves might work well for you. Some people also use clear plastic binder sleeves to organize circular knitting needles!
- Use social media. A lower stakes version of a blog, documenting your craft projects on Instagram or other social media is incredibly easy. You can document any of the techniques, colors, materials or tools in the caption and choose to share it or keep it private.
- Start a blog. Whether it’s a hobby or becomes an income stream, a blog or website is a great way to document craft projects if you have any interest in sharing what you make with other.
How to Document your Crochet and Knitting Projects- What to Include:
- brainstormed ideas
- inspirational pictures (with credit to the creator/photographer)
- concept sketch or sketches of what you knitting project will look like
- Yarn: including brand, color name, weight and amount used
- Crochet hook or knitting needle size
- Gauge (number of stitches and rows per inch) information
- Actual gauge swatch (what else are you going to do it?)
- Printed pattern or link to pattern (include the designer’s info for sure)
- polaroid or printed photo of finished project
If you liked this, you may also like some of my other posts…
Craft and Knitwear Designer at Little Red Window Design
Welcome to Little Red Window! I’m Cassie, a professional craft and knitwear designer working in the field for more than 10 years. I have a degree in Art History from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree in Architecture and Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I've designed more than 300 separate knitting patterns, hundreds of craft projects, and I love to bring joy to your crafts and knitting with well-designed, easy to understand tutorials and patterns.
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