Any basic knitting pattern can be embellished with a motif. Motifs can be as simple or complicated as you like and can be used to create anything from a single image to a repeating pattern. Whilst the specifics will depend on the pattern you choose, this simple step-by-step guide can help get you started with adding motifs to plain knits.
Find your motif
You can either download patterns for ready-created designs or sketch out your own. Plot your design onto squared paper or print out the pattern to make the process a little easier. From here you’ll need to work out how many stitches and rows are required to create the pattern. At this point, you’ll want to check there’s enough room for the motif in your knitting pattern and make any adjustments if necessary.
Integrating the pattern
Next, you’ll want to take your knitting pattern and rewrite it to include your design. You will only need to rewrite the portion that includes the design, and it is best to do this on a separate piece of paper. You may need to alter the pattern further if something doesn’t work quite right or if more clarification is needed. If you don’t yet have a pattern for your intended design, this guide can help you draft one for freestyle projects:
Testing the pattern
Finally, you’ll be ready to test your design. Most designs, if you’ve done the initial maths correctly, will come out great the first time, but that’s not always the case. If the design doesn’t come out quite right, unravel it and try again. You may need to make adjustments to fit different stitch types and styles of knitting. Over time you’ll become more familiar with how your patterns translate into stitches and the process will become easier.
For a similar craft with less outlay, you can try adding different colours and patterns to a macrame kit like those found at specialist sites such as woolcouturecompany.com/collections/macrame-kits.
Adding custom designs to your crafts is a simple way to add some creativity. So, why not give it a try?
